FF Resonance Best Early Game Builds

Rain is a Sentinel, so he is happiest at the front taking hits. Run the tank build for bosses and the DPS build when your healer can keep him topped up.

Vanguard Glaive Tank Build

• Flamberge, Surcoat and Vitality Charm all add HP, so Rain soaks far more than anyone else.
• Bulletproof Vest adds physical defense against the melee hits he draws.
• Open each fight with Vanguard Glaive. It deals Light damage and forces enemies to target Rain.
• Work toward Multi-Cover and Physical Counter so he shields allies and punishes attackers.

DPS Build

• Cloud gives Rain Lightning and Water attacks to hit weaknesses and drain Stagger gauges.
• He keeps the HP from Flamberge and Vitality Charm, so he still stands up like a Sentinel.
• Use the Surge skills to stagger first, then cash in on Cloud's crit bonuses.
• Broadsword Mastery only works at full HP, so keep a healer on him.

Lasswell is a fast Breaker. All three builds share the same gear and change only the Vision and passives.

Stagger Build

• Cloud and Lasswell both specialize in breaking enemies, so this is the natural fit.
• Iwakirimaru, from The Weight of Mercy sub quest, adds MP. Black Garb and Idaten's Shoes add Speed.
• Use Thunder Surge and Water Surge on enemies weak to those elements.
• When his LB gauge is full, open with Null Moon to soften the target, then hit its weakness.

Read the stagger guide for more on breaking enemies.

Elemental Stagger Build

• Tronn adds Fire, Ice and Lightning, so you cover more weaknesses than Cloud does.
• Its Stagger Power and MP bonuses keep Lasswell breaking enemies even with spells.
• Pick the most dangerous enemy and focus it. One empty Stagger gauge beats three half empty ones.

Magic Damage Build

• Terra swaps stagger for raw Fire, Ice and Water magic damage.
• Two Idaten's Shoes help Lasswell move early and debuff before the rest of the party attacks.
• Tenebrous Rites rewards that plan, since debuffed targets take more magic damage.
• When breaking enemies matters more, go back to Cloud or Tronn.

Fina is your Medic and her Light magic scales with Sanctity. All three builds keep the same gear so she can always heal in a pinch.

Healer Build

• This is the safest pick if you are still learning the combat.
• Floral Arc and Spirit Veil add Sanctity for stronger heals and Light damage, and the two Mage's Glasses add MP.
• Lean on Cure and Shell, and use Banish on Light-weak enemies when the party is healthy.
• Leah's Resonance skill, Healing Wind, heals everyone and adds Regen.

Healer and Magic Attacker Hybrid

• Terra gives Fina Fire, Ice and Water spells while she keeps her own healing kit.
• Use Magic Boost for big hits and Focus Magic when you need stagger.
• Terra's Resonance skill, Riot Blade - Lotus, hits every enemy, which is great against groups.
• Debuff first, then attack the weakness so Tenebrous Rites kicks in.

Hybrid Healer and Stagger Build

• Tronn's Fire, Ice and Lightning magic help Fina drain Stagger gauges.
• Stagger Ring replaces the second Mage's Glasses when breaking enemies is the goal.
• Restore MP on Stagger refunds MP every time you break a foe, which keeps her casting in long fights.
• Heal when the party needs it, then go back to hitting weaknesses.