Clive can’t block in Final Fantasy 16, and most of the time, using the evade mechanic is your best bet at staying alive when enemies become aggressive. However, Clive does have the ability to parry enemy attacks, and I will outline how you can pull off the mechanic in FFXVI for another defense option.
How to Parry in Final Fantasy 16
You can parry in Final Fantasy XVI by melee attacking an enemy as they are about to hit you, and you must be facing them. This action must be precise, so timing your attack has to be meaningful and quick. If you swing too early, you will simply hit your enemy right before taking damage. When you swing too late, all you will get is a face full of damage.
I like to parry against enemies that are also using standard melee attacks, but attempting the move on more dangerous bosses can be a difficult task. If you do try it, though, you will know right away that the parry was successful. Parrying in Final Fantasy 16 isn’t just for defense; it’s also a great way to open up an enemy and inflict some major damage in an instant.
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As soon as you land a parry, the enemy will stagger with a blue shine, and time will slow down, similar to the precision evade due to the defensive aspect. Unlike the stagger, though, the parry effect won’t last long. You have just moments to get some free hits on the enemy before the action picks up again.
What makes this mechanic even better is you can start using it right away. There are no special items or ability unlocks required. Simply start practicing the move, and in time, you’ll be tossing plenty of dangerous enemy attacks to the side with Clive’s blade.
To make the most of Clive’s blade, make sure to pick up the Braveheart weapon in Final Fantasy 16 for some extra damage.
