WARNING: Major Final Fantasy 16 Spoilers ahead. Proceed at your own risk.
Final Fantasy 16features many of the series' most traditional elements. DeveloperSquare-Enix took major inspiration fromGame of Thrones, infusing classic concepts, such as summons, crystals, and magic, with a dark and mature tone. Over the course of the narrative, protagonist Clive Rosfield seeks to destroy massive crystalline deposits, called mothercrystals, which have plunged the land of Valisthea into war. His journey sees him do battle with a host ofFinal Fantasy’s legendary creatures. However, one encounter stands above the rest.Final Fantasy 16’sendgame sees the title up the ante with one classic monster, turning it into one of the title’s most pivotal, and explosive, boss fights.
Final Fantasy 16’s Valisthea is broken into many Kingdoms, each building its capital at the base of a mothercrystal, which provides a means through which humanity can harness magic. However, each also bestows a unique gift on one individual, who is called a Dominant. Dominants have the power to wield the abilities of powerful entities called Eikons,Final Fantasy 16’s summons. Dominants can take on the full power of Eikons, transforming into them in an act called “Priming,” but can “Semi-Prime” to take on some of the Eikon’s attributes while maintaining a human form. Due to their awesome power, the Kingdoms of Valisthea utilize their Dominants in international conflict, leading to wanton destruction. Despite being the Dominant of Ifrit, Clive seeks to free humanity from magic, Eikons, and Dominants, by destroying each Kingdom’s mothercrystal.
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Final Fantasy 16’s Behemoth Wields God-Like Power
InFinal Fantasy 16’s endgame, Clive and his brother Joshua, Dominant of the Phoenix, approach the final mothercrystal, Drake’s Spine. As they approach the gates they encounter a Behemoth, one of theFinal Fantasyseries' strongest monsters. However, this Behemoth is far stronger than its predecessors. Harnessing the surrounding aether, the Behemoth engages the brothers in battle, easily casting some ofFinal Fantasy 16’s most dangerous spells.
Despite possessing the strength of multipleFinal Fantasy 16Eikons, a “Semi-Primed” Clive and Joshua struggle to match blows with the Behemoth. Just as they begin to gain some footing, the Behemoth launches “Ecliptic Meteor,” a spell capable of untold destruction. With Joshua too battered to conjure a ward, the brothers face certain doom, prompting a “Semi-Primed” Clive to call on Ifrit’s power to halt its progression. However, Joshua offers an alternative, placing his hand on Clive’s and using his Eikonic abilities to magnify Clive’s strength. Once the brothers successfully combine their Eikonic powers, they are able to overcome the Meteor and eventually defeat the Behemoth.
Final Fantasy 16’s Behemoth Appears Stronger Than Its Dominants
Clive and Joshua’s battle withthe Behemoth inFinal Fantasy 16stands out, as the brothers are nearly defeated by a single monster. Over the course ofFinal Fantasy 16’s narrative, fans see both Clive and Joshua individually battle with other Dominants and their Eikons. Despite Eikons possessing the greatest strength in all of Valisthea, Clive has defeated every opposing Dominant by this point in the story, adding their power to his own. Despite this, he alone is no match for the Behemoth’s awesome might. Joshua, whose Eikon, the Phoenix, possesses the strongest warding abilities, also sees his Eikonic abilities fail to resist the creature’s spells.
While the Behemoth has been one of theFinal Fantasyseries' strongest monstersfor quite some time,Final Fantasy 16’s iteration truly ups the ante. Not only does the boss battle at Drake’s Head present Clive and Joshua with one of their greatest challenges, but the method through which they persevere is a pivotal moment in the story’s plot. Deciding to rely on his brother, rather than the full might of Ifrit’s dark energy, Clive gains a far greater strength. It is this strength that eventually sees him succeed in his mission to free humanity, utilizing the power of his will, and the faith that others have placed in him. In the end, Clive is able to defeat the game’s true antagonist, using the lesson he learned in his battle with the Behemoth.
