Earning the "Fistful of Steel" trophy by executing Odin‘s famed Zantetsuken counterattack thrice in one battle announced your arrival as a true Final Fantasy 16 warrior. Yet for all its flashy devastation, the steel counter remains but the first step on the path to full mastery.
As a professional gamer who has chronicled the soul-piercing greatswords wielded by Odin across Final Fantasy‘s storied history, I‘m delighted developers old and new continue this tradition. Now join me on an adventure to transform from steel counter dabbler to expert extraordinaire!
A Legacy Over 30 Years in the Making
The very first Final Fantasy in 1987 already featured Odin brandishing his legendary blade. While his Zantetsuken has claimed entire armies, mastering control of this power defines the greatest heroes. The steel counter represents merely grasping this ancient weapon by the hilt. In Final Fantasy 16, those able to unleash its full lethality will stand above the rest.
Key Combat Principles to Internalize
- Patience – Unlike previous reactive plays, initiating a steel counter starts with restraint, created by spaces between attacks. Use these windows to observe and respond accordingly.
- Discipline – Landing that first counterattack often seems enough, yet resist temptation! Maintain discipline across extended engagements to maximize steel‘s value.
- Adaptability – No two enemies behave alike. Closely study behavior patterns like sustained combos where steel shines versus perilous grabs requiring a more evasive style.
Now let‘s see how to apply these principles towards total steel mastery!
Cultivate Your Steel Intuition
Having an intuitive feel for counterattacking windows separates moderately successful steel counters from truly devastating ones. Interiorize your enemy‘s rhythm like a dance before leading as combat‘s conductor, directing the ebb and flow of battle.
Against smaller quick opponents, initiate steel counters just as their combo flurries seem to end. For larger foes, target big, slower blows you can anticipate and meet power with greater power!
Complement With Supporting Abilities
While steel counters provide raw stopping force, certain abilities can help set them up for success:
- Frostbite – Slowing foes with Ifrit‘s frost accumilation widens steel counter windows.
- Horizon Flash – Lightning strikes from Ramuh stall enemy combos at crucial moments.
- Angel‘s Whisper – Curative magic between counters sustains you in prolonged engagements.
Combine steel with these complementary elements to assemble intricate combat symphonies!
Choose Armor for Hyper Poise
Even a brief interruption while gearing up for a steel counter can ruin your perfect timing. Hence stacking tremendous "poise" via armor prevents even colossal blows from breaking your concentration.
Prioritize bulky plates with hyper poise through late-game enhancements. My personal recommendation is the Bale Mail+6 which shrugs off even direct titan punches, buying precious extra milliseconds to land those counters!
Now go equip your gear of choice and start conducting symphonies of steel! Share your own advanced tactics in the comments.
