18 builds

FF Resonance Best Builds: Every Character Build

Final Fantasy Resonance builds come from three parts: the active Vision, your gear and the abilities you equip with AP. These setups cover each character from the early game to the post-game.

Best Visions for each character Early game builds

Best Rain Builds

Rain guide

Post-Game Breaker Tank

Post-gameSentinel165 AP

Rain stays your main tank but adds real stagger and non-elemental damage, with Ragnarok+ and Ultima Reactor rewarding him for staying healthy, so keep a healer on him. Arms Akimbo is the key ability, since it gives him a defensive move and an attack in the same turn.

Wilhelm

Vision · Resonance: Towering Rampart

Weapon: Ragnarok+P.Atk 202 · M.Atk 104

Armor: Tatenashi ArmorP.Def 259 · M.Def 153

Accessory 1: Ribbon

Accessory 2: Ultima Reactor

Ability	Type	Learned from	Mastery Rank	AP
Physical Counter	Passive	Warrior of Light	MR 5	20
Magic Counter	Passive	Cecil	MR 5	20
Multi-Cover	Support	Warrior of Light	MR 3	25
Fill LB when Taking Damage	Passive	Firion	MR 1	20
Restore MP when Taking Damage	Passive	Camille	MR 1	20
Arms Akimbo	Support	Firion	MR 9	60

Mid-Game Offensive Tank

Mid gameSentinel65 AP

Guardian's Plate is the heart of this setup: Rain drops below half HP often while covering the team, and that is exactly when it shields him. Provoke or Multi-Cover pulls the hits, and Physical Counter turns them into damage.

Warrior of Light

Vision · Resonance: Crystal Braver

Weapon: Bladed ShieldP.Atk 99 · M.Atk 52

Armor: Guardian's PlateP.Def 159 · M.Def 93 · Speed -35

Accessory 1: Power WristbandsPhys. Atk. 10

Accessory 2: Jeweled Ring

Ability	Type	Learned from	Mastery Rank	AP
Physical Counter	Passive	Warrior of Light	MR 5	20
Multi-Cover	Support	Warrior of Light	MR 3	25
Fill LB when Taking Damage	Passive	Firion	MR 1	20

Early Game Tank Build

Early gameSentinel20 AP

Everything here stacks HP and physical defense so Rain can soak hits from the first hours, with the Vitality Charm coming from your first 3 Tablet Shards. Warrior of Light adds the defensive passives, and Vanguard Glaive is a good opener since it deals Light damage and taunts.

Warrior of Light

Vision · Resonance: Crystal Braver

Weapon: Bladed ShieldP.Atk 99 · M.Atk 52

Armor: SurcoatP.Def 42 · M.Def 36

Accessory 1: Vitality CharmHP 120

Accessory 2: Bulletproof VestPhys. Def. 10

Ability	Type	Learned from	Mastery Rank	AP
Physical Defense +20%	Passive	Warrior of Light
Restore HP on Stagger	Passive	Warrior of Light	MR 1	20

Best Lasswell Builds

Lasswell guide

Post-Game Glass Cannon

Post-gameBreaker315 AP

Lasswell goes all in on physical damage and speed, trusting Sasuke's Blade+ evasion to dodge whatever slips past your tank while Dark Rosary trades HP for stagger. Until you beat Sephiroth, Bartz works as the Vision with Dual Spellblade.

Sephiroth

Vision · Resonance: True Octaslash

Weapon: Sasuke's Blade+P.Atk 220 · M.Atk 171

Armor: Mirage Vest+P.Def 241 · M.Def 171

Accessory 1: Ribbon

Accessory 2: Dark Rosary

Ability	Type	Learned from	Mastery Rank	AP
Barrage	Active	Noctis	MR 9	20
Spirit of Squall	Passive	Squall	MR 9	105
Overwhelm	Passive	Lightning	MR 3	20
Arms Akimbo	Support	Firion	MR 9	60
Critical Boost	Passive	Cloud	MR 9	40
First Strike	Passive	Tidus	MR 3	20
Half MP Cost	Passive	Tronn	MR 9	50

Mid-Game Physical Attacker

Mid gameBreaker60 AP

Vitality Charm and Calm Armlet give enough HP and resistance to play aggressively. Squall is the active Vision so his Mastery Rank climbs toward Double Action and Trigger, which carry Lasswell's damage later.

Squall

Vision · Resonance: Blasting Zone

Weapon: KukiP.Atk 105 · M.Atk 73

Armor: Guardian's PlateP.Def 159 · M.Def 93 · Speed -35

Accessory 1: Vitality CharmHP 120

Accessory 2: Calm Armlet

Ability	Type	Learned from	Mastery Rank	AP
Restore MP on Stagger	Passive	Tronn	MR 1	20
Restore HP on Stagger	Passive	Warrior of Light	MR 1	20
First Strike	Passive	Tidus	MR 3	20

Early Game Stagger Build

Early gameBreaker60 AP

Cloud and Lasswell are both breakers, so his speed plus Cloud's Lightning and Water skills empty gauges fast, while the Stagger Ring and Idaten's Shoes push both further. The stagger passives refund HP and MP, and his Null Moon Limit Burst makes the next break even easier.

Cloud

Vision · Resonance: Ascension

Weapon: IwakirimaruP.Atk 37 · M.Atk 27 · MP 20

Armor: Black GarbP.Def 26 · M.Def 23

Accessory 1: Stagger Ring

Accessory 2: Idaten's ShoesSpeed 5

Ability	Type	Learned from	Mastery Rank	AP
Restore MP on Stagger	Passive	Tronn	MR 1	20
Restore HP on Stagger	Passive	Warrior of Light	MR 1	20
Physical Counter	Passive	Warrior of Light	MR 5	20

Best Fina Builds

Fina guide

Post-Game Caster Healer

Post-gameMedic145 AP

Fina heals and buffs while the Observe passives keep her topped up and charging LB on support turns. Philosopher's Stone regenerates MP every turn and her gear piles on Sanctity, so the heavy upkeep never runs her dry.

Ayaka

Vision · Resonance: Angelic Embrace

Weapon: Artemis Bow+P.Atk 142 · M.Atk 184 · Sanctity 170

Armor: Lorica SanctaP.Def 180 · M.Def 180 · Sanctity 255

Accessory 1: Philosopher's Stone

Accessory 2: Super Ribbon

Ability	Type	Learned from	Mastery Rank	AP
Observe and Recover HP	Passive	Onion Knight	MR 5	20
Observe and Charge LB	Passive	Aileen	MR 7	20
Observe and Attack	Passive	Vaan	MR 7	35
Pass the Torch	Support	Leah	MR 5	30
Improvement	Passive	Squall	MR 1	20
Skill Flow	Passive	Y’shtola	MR 1	20

Mid-Game Sanctity Healer

Mid gameMedic50 AP

Cure Drop and Arch Robe raise her Sanctity and healing power, so even cheap heals restore a lot. That saves MP, which is the hardest part of playing Fina mid-game.

Leah

Vision · Resonance: Healing Wind

Weapon: Cure DropP.Atk 54 · M.Atk 58 · Sanctity 70

Armor: Arch RobeP.Def 101 · M.Def 116 · Sanctity 66

Accessory 1: Jeweled Ring

Accessory 2: Monk's Prayer Beads

Ability	Type	Learned from	Mastery Rank	AP
Healing Magic +30%	Passive	Leah
Restore HP on Stagger	Passive	Warrior of Light	MR 1	20
Pass the Torch	Support	Leah	MR 5	30

Early Game Healer Build

Early gameMedic50 AP

The safest start for new players: Leah gives Fina her heals, and the bow and robe add Sanctity to make each one stronger. Two Mage's Glasses widen her MP pool, and Healing Wind is your answer when the whole party is hurt.

Leah

Vision · Resonance: Healing Wind

Weapon: Floral ArcP.Atk 22 · M.Atk 18 · Sanctity 32

Armor: Spirit VeilP.Def 32 · M.Def 46 · Sanctity 13

Accessory 1: Mage's GlassesMP 15

Accessory 2: Mage's GlassesMP 15

Ability	Type	Learned from	Mastery Rank	AP
Healing Magic +30%	Passive	Leah
Restore HP on Stagger	Passive	Warrior of Light	MR 1	20
Pass the Torch	Support	Leah	MR 5	30

Best Nichol Builds

Nichol guide

Post-Game Enchanter Build

Post-gameSynergist230 AP

Last Resort+ and the Enchanted Ring both stretch buff durations, so Nichol can stack Formations and still have spare turns. Ayaka fills those turns with heals, and the LB passives bring Mirroring Prism back quickly.

Ayaka

Vision · Resonance: Angelic Embrace

Weapon: Last Resort+P.Atk 118 · M.Atk 204 · Sanctity 136

Armor: Crown VestP.Def 213 · M.Def 148 · Sanctity 112

Accessory 1: Ribbon

Accessory 2: Enchanted Ring

Ability	Type	Learned from	Mastery Rank	AP
LB Triple Charge	Passive	Onion Knight	MR 9	50
Observe and Charge LB	Passive	Aileen	MR 7	20
LB Charge Opener	Passive	Aileen	MR 5	25
Arms Akimbo	Support	Firion	MR 9	60
Half MP Cost	Passive	Tronn	MR 9	50
Recuperate LB	Passive	Firion	MR 7	25

Late-Game LB Support Build

Late gameSynergist265 AP

This opens in Chapter 6 once Aileen can forge Codex Providentiae, which has him act first and add a tactic buff right away. He layers Formations on turn one and has his second Limit Burst ready by his next turn.

Y’shtola

Vision · Resonance: Aetherial Wind

Weapon: Codex ProvidentiaeP.Atk 106 · M.Atk 181 · Sanctity 169

Armor: Arch RobeP.Def 101 · M.Def 116 · Sanctity 66

Accessory 1: Jeweled Ring

Accessory 2: Enchanted Ring

Ability	Type	Learned from	Mastery Rank	AP
LB Triple Charge	Passive	Onion Knight	MR 9	50
Observe and Charge LB	Passive	Aileen	MR 7	20
LB Charge Opener	Passive	Aileen	MR 5	25
Arms Akimbo	Support	Firion	MR 9	60
Half MP Cost	Passive	Tronn	MR 9	50
Recuperate LB	Passive	Firion	MR 7	25
LB Double Charge	Passive	Terra	MR 5	35

Mid-Game Pure Support Build

Mid gameSynergist135 AP

Onion Knight is here for LB Triple Charge, which brings his Limit Burst back fast. Annihilaticon adds Deprotect whenever an enemy breaks, so even his support turns soften bosses.

Onion Knight

Vision · Resonance: Job Change Attack

Weapon: AnnihilaticonP.Atk 59 · M.Atk 105

Armor: Arch RobeP.Def 101 · M.Def 116 · Sanctity 66

Accessory 1: Jeweled Ring

Accessory 2: Insulated Gloves

Ability	Type	Learned from	Mastery Rank	AP
Arms Akimbo	Support	Firion	MR 9	60
Half MP Cost	Passive	Tronn	MR 9	50
Recuperate LB	Passive	Firion	MR 7	25

Best Lid Builds

Lid guide

Post-Game Physical Debuffer

Post-gameCommando315 AP

Chocobo Nitro adds a debuff to each Mechabo skill, and Zidane's passives hit harder against debuffed targets. Arms Akimbo and the Double Action from Spirit of Squall let her stack debuffs and still deal damage in one turn.

Zidane

Vision · Resonance: Climax Edge

Weapon: Thor's Hammer+P.Atk 159 · M.Atk 150 · Sanctity 136

Armor: Lorica ApocalypticaP.Def 255 · M.Def 255 · Speed 30

Accessory 1: Ribbon

Accessory 2: Chocobo Nitro

Ability	Type	Learned from	Mastery Rank	AP
Barrage	Active	Noctis	MR 9	20
Spirit of Squall	Passive	Squall	MR 9	105
Sharp Mind	Passive	Terra	MR 7	20
Arms Akimbo	Support	Firion	MR 9	60
Critical Boost	Passive	Cloud	MR 9	40
First Strike	Passive	Tidus	MR 3	20
Half MP Cost	Passive	Tronn	MR 9	50

Mid-Game Magic Breaker

Mid gameCommando70 AP

Before her Mechabo skills come online, Lid staggers with magic, using Terra's spells and Tronn's stagger passives for MP, HP and LB refunds. Keep working on the Mechabo quests anyway, since she ends up as a physical fighter.

Terra

Vision · Resonance: Riot Blade - Lotus

Weapon: Divine MalletP.Atk 48 · M.Atk 168 · Sanctity 66

Armor: Guardian's PlateP.Def 159 · M.Def 93 · Speed -35

Accessory 1: Jeweled Ring

Accessory 2: Stagger Ring

Ability	Type	Learned from	Mastery Rank	AP
Restore MP on Stagger	Passive	Tronn	MR 1	20
Restore HP on Stagger	Passive	Warrior of Light	MR 1	20
Fill LB on Stagger	Passive	Tronn	MR 3	20
Focus Magic	Support	Tronn	MR 5	10

Best Jake Builds

Jake guide

Post-Game Critical Build

Post-gameCommando275 AP

Genji Gloves and Cloud push his crit rate high enough that the Genji Armor damage boost stays up almost all the time. Sephiroth is a strong alternative Vision thanks to his physical damage passives.

Cloud

Vision · Resonance: Ascension

Weapon: Arcturus+P.Atk 251 · M.Atk 100

Armor: Genji ArmorP.Def 259 · M.Def 153 · Speed -30

Accessory 1: Ribbon

Accessory 2: Genji Gloves

Ability	Type	Learned from	Mastery Rank	AP
Barrage	Active	Noctis	MR 9	20
Spirit of Squall	Passive	Squall	MR 9	105
Sharp Mind	Passive	Terra	MR 7	20
Arms Akimbo	Support	Firion	MR 9	60
First Strike	Passive	Tidus	MR 3	20
Half MP Cost	Passive	Tronn	MR 9	50

Mid-Game Crit Debuff Build

Mid gameCommando120 AP

Impetus Breaker slows a random enemy at the start of each fight, which feeds Zidane's debuff passives. Double Action and First Strike keep Jake a real damage dealer at the same time.

Zidane

Vision · Resonance: Climax Edge

Weapon: Impetus BreakerP.Atk 153 · M.Atk 63

Armor: Guardian's PlateP.Def 159 · M.Def 93 · Speed -35

Accessory 1: Jeweled Ring

Accessory 2: Calm Armlet

Ability	Type	Learned from	Mastery Rank	AP
Half MP Cost	Passive	Tronn	MR 9	50
First Strike	Passive	Tidus	MR 3	20
Double Action	Support	Squall	MR 9	50

Best Sakura Builds

Sakura guide

Post-Game Elemental Nuker Build

Post-gameCommando170 AP

Terra gives Sakura Ultima and magic damage passives, and Dualcast or Magic Barrage turn that into repeated nukes. Wizard's Rod+ rewards hitting weaknesses, and Gold Hairpin+ halves the MP bill.

Terra

Vision · Resonance: Riot Blade - Lotus

Weapon: Wizard's Rod+P.Atk 171 · M.Atk 227

Armor: Behemoth SuitP.Def 149 · M.Def 197 · Sanctity 141

Accessory 1: Ribbon

Accessory 2: Gold Hairpin+Mag. Atk. 60

Ability	Type	Learned from	Mastery Rank	AP
Arms Akimbo	Support	Firion	MR 9	60
Dualcast	Support	Shantotto	MR 9	50
Skill Flow	Passive	Y’shtola	MR 1	20
Magic Barrage	Support	Y’shtola	MR 9	40

Best Archwitch Fina Builds

Archwitch Fina guide

Post-Game Elemental Debuffer Build

Post-gameSaboteur205 AP

Y’shtola's Vision brings Skill Flow and Magic Barrage, both of which boost her spells. Fire Birch+ makes her debuffs last longer, and Lordly Robes+ means Reflect never wastes a cast.

Y’shtola

Vision · Resonance: Aetherial Wind

Weapon: Fire Birch+P.Atk 160 · M.Atk 217

Armor: Lordly Robes+P.Def 166 · M.Def 238

Accessory 1: Ribbon

Accessory 2: Moonlight Ring

Ability	Type	Learned from	Mastery Rank	AP
Arms Akimbo	Support	Firion	MR 9	60
Dualcast	Support	Shantotto	MR 9	50
Spirit of Terra	Passive	Terra	MR 9	95

Builds FAQ

What is AP?

Ability Points limit how many Vision abilities a character can equip, and Mastery Ranks raise the cap.

Which ability should you aim for first?

Firion's Arms Akimbo, since two actions per turn make nearly every build stronger.

Can you craft weapons?

Yes. After Forger of Wills, Aileen turns Adamantite into each character's own weapon.