The Best Support Abilities for Maximizing Physical Damage in Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles

Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles grants players a remarkable degree of customization through its Job System. For those aiming to achieve peak performance in physical damage, selecting the optimal Support Ability is essential. Below, we explore the key Support Abilities that can enhance your physical attack potential.

Support Abilities Enhancing Physical Damage

Ramza character stats screen with Genji Helm, Genji Armor, Genji Gloves, and ability Doublehand highlighted in game interface. — Doublehand is one of the key Support Abilities that bolster Physical Damage in Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles.

Ability Name	Description	Job	JP Cost
Dual Wield	Enables a character to wield two weapons simultaneously, allowing for two attacks each turn.	Ninja	1, 000 JP
Doublehand	Allows wielding a single-handed weapon with both hands, doubling its attack power.	Samurai	900 JP
Attack Boost	Provides a 33% increase to physical attack power.	Geomancer	400 JP
Brawler	Strengthens bare-handed attacks, enhancing damage even without a Monk class.	Monk	450 JP

Optimal Support Ability for Physical Damage

For players seeking the best strategy to maximize physical damage via the basic Attack command, the research indicates that Dual Wield is the superior Support Ability when your character can consistently hit 500 damage per strike. For those struggling to reach these damage thresholds, transitioning to Doublehand or utilizing Barehanded attacks as a Monk might yield better results until your units become more powerful.

Scenario	Best Support Ability	Key Reason
Absolute Maximum Damage	Dual Wield	Enables two attacks, potentially yielding a total of 1, 998 damage.
High-Level / Pre-Cap Damage	Doublehand	Increases damage output with the most powerful weapon until you exceed 500 damage per hit.
Barehanded Damage (Monk + Dual Wield)	Dual Wield	A Monk’s Brawler ability optimizes barehanded strikes to surpass typical weapon damage.
Physical Skills (Martial Arts, Holy Sword, etc.)	Attack Boost	Applies the damage bonus to nearly all physical skills, which other abilities do not enhance.

Methodology for Damage Testing

Status screen for character Ischys, a Minotaur with Pickaxe and Feral Spin abilities, showing HP 442/442 and unequipped items. — A Minotaur used as a target for testing damage.

To analyze the effectiveness of Doublehand and the Monk’s Dual Wield ability prior to achieving 500+ damage per hit, I executed tests in a random battle on the Zeklaus Desert map. My level 55 Ramza, possessing 97 Bravery, faced a Level 49 Virgo Minotaur, chosen due to its neutral compatibility with Ramza’s Aries Zodiac sign.

Damage Testing with Dual Wield

Gallant Knight status screen shows Ramza at level 55 with equipment like Defender and abilities such as Mettle and Dual Wield. — Ramza’s Dual Wield Build as a Gallant Knight.

With two Defender Knight Swords (16 Physical Attack Power) and a total Physical Attack of 15, Ramza dealt 156 damage in each strike, culminating in 312 damage overall.
Note: This method has inherent risk due to potential misses from each attack, affecting total damage considerably.

Damage Testing with Doublehand

Ramza's status screen in-game shows level 55, HP 486/486, equipped with Defender and Genji gear, in Gallant Knight job. — Ramza’s Doublehand Build as a Gallant Knight.

Using the Defender Knight Sword, Ramza achieved a damage output of 313, consistent with the Doublehand’s damage enhancement.
Note: This method provides the highest single-hit damage without the threat of reduced total damage due to misses.

Damage Testing for Monk (Dual Wield)

Ramza, Lv.55 Monk, equipped with Black Garb, Genji Gloves, and Barrette on the equipment screen showing stats and abilities. — Ramza’s Monk Build using Dual Wield.

Upon changing Ramza’s class to Monk and employing Dual Wield for two bare-handed strikes, he delivered 215 damage twice, totaling 430 damage.
Note: This combination represented the highest cumulative damage across all tests conducted under similar conditions.

Testing the Attack Boost Ability

Game interface showing character Ramza with Gallant Knight class, equipment list, and abilities on screen. — Ramza’s Attack Boost Setup as a Gallant Knight.

With the Defender Knight Sword and an Attack Boost, Ramza managed to deal only 201 damage, the lowest amongst all tests performed.

Final Fantasy Tactics character Agrias, level 50 Holy Knight, equipped with Save the Queen, Genji Shield, and Crystal Helm. — Agrias showcasing damage comparisons with and without Attack Boost.

Despite Attack Boost yielding the least damage improvement for the basic Attack command, its utility shines through for physical abilities that depend on the Physical Attack stat. This ability provides a significant 33% damage increase, benefitting numerous skills such as Martial Arts, Jump, Holy Sword, Swordplay, and Unyielding Blade, where Dual Wield and Doublehand may fall short.

Armed with this knowledge on optimizing your physical damage output, you’re well-prepared to face the most formidable challenges in the game, including your next encounter with the fearsome adversaries lurking within Riovanes Castle in Chapter 3.

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