Noctis Lucis Caelum/Gameplay

Noctis is the player character in Final Fantasy XV. He can use all weapon types, and the Combat Ascension Spheres exclusively focus on his development. His build focuses on all forms of offense, but his aspects of defense of vitality and spirit are lacking.

While on offense Noctis chains attacks automatically by holding the attack button. Manually inputting presses, and depending on the direction of the analog held and the weapon in hand, allows him to perform different combos. While on defense he can perform dodge rolls (tapping the defense button), phase through attacks (by holding the defense button), and block certain attacks (by correctly timing the defense when the button prompt appears), allowing him to counter with a parry and follow through with an offensive opening or a Link-Strike with team mates.

Abilities
A majority of the Ascension grid is focused on Noctis's development, and progressing will further upgrade his capabilities and unlock new abilities and features, from improving MP costs of warp-striking, to abilities helping cover weaknesses and reinforce any existing ones, from the HP recovery rebound Impervious to the close range upgrading critical hit assuring Point Blank Warpstrike. If he learns the Airstep abilities in the Ascension grid, Noctis can continually stay airborne when attacking but this quickly depletes his MP.

Warp
Noctis can warp, allowing him to instantly cover long distances and reach great heights in battle by tossing his weapons for them to act as a relay point for him to manifest at. Targeting an enemy with the action allows him to warp-strike, which allows him to perform an accelerated stabbing attack with a greater deal of damage depending on the distance covered to the target. Point-warping allows him to get away from the epicenters of battles, replenishing MP, giving him sanctuary to recover HP, and allowing for players to assess from afar to best estimate the next course of action. He is only capable of warping with melee weapons. Constantly warp-striking depletes his MP, and running out puts him into the Stasis status, leaving him vulnerable.

Magic
Through the powers of the Crystal, Noctis is responsible for providing the magic of the party. Everyday medicinal items—from tinctures, folk cures, and first aid articles, to even drinks the party has at their disposal—are the other catalyst responsible for enacting the special effects that otherwise are not possible by anyone else. His powers allows the team to draw out elemental energy points used in the craft of Elemancy.

Further magical powers unique to him are that of spells usable only by wielding the Ring of Lucii, including a counterattack specialized Holy, gradual mortality inducing Death, and the void summoning Alterna, and attaining the graces of Astrals will allow their powerful presence to be summoned in various situations. Although magic can be equipped to all team members, it is recommended for Noctis to be the designated caster, as relying on the AI is a matter of chance.

Armiger
Armiger, Noctis's "Limit Break", summons a barrier of any collected Royal Arms to surround him, and confers onto him a state of super speed, high mobility, greater chaining ability, heightened endurance to weaker enemy attacks, as well as levitation. Noctis enters a state of unlimited MP, a higher HP regeneration rate, and no HP cost for any Royal Arms used. It is meant for tight binds, as team-up actions, such as Link Strikes and Backside Strikes, are nearly impossible to achieve in this state. Armiger is upgraded with every Royal Arm the player finds, and every node the Armiger Ascension Sphere unlocks.

Equipment
Noctis can use any weapon type and can wield multiple different weapons in a single battle. The maximum he can carry on hand in action is four weapons assigned to any direction on the D-pad, but they can be changed an time from the menu, and are not actively used by him on hand. Swords and Royal Arms are exclusive to Noctis, the former being basic quick-striking one-handed swords, and the latter being weapons exclusive to the Lucian royal family. Royal Arms are uniquely powerful at the cost of HP per landed hit. There is an accessory Noctis can equip that changes his weapon every strike he makes.

Fishing
Noctis is the team's angler for the game's fishing minigame. Fishing requires the purchase of lures and good equipment. Fishing lets the player catch various fish from the various fishing spots in the world, and some of the fish unlock new recipes and can be cooked at camp by Ignis. The absolute favorites of the team are among these recipes, such from Grilled Wild Baramundi enjoyed by Noctis and Skewered Wild Trout enjoyed by Gladiolus. Some recipes earned from fishing provide extremely helpful effects, from Tide Grouper Carpaccio conferring Deathproof to Golden Tail Soup boasting the highest HP Regen effect and the only dish allowing for the critical hit dealing Clarivoyant effect. Progression on his skill levels makes fishing easier from reinforcing the durability of the line to ensuring discounts at fishing shops, and is improved by constantly making catches. Fishing is also a source of AP, especially if the Sportfisher ability is unlocked.

Food
Noctis is the fussiest to feed favorite dishes to. Many of the foods he favors are reminiscent of homecooked meals, and he dislikes vegetables. He often enjoys recipes that can be only made by hunting down monsters, spending a considerable sum money at markets, making leaps of progress in sidequests, and investing in fishing. Noctis likes hot sandwiches, sauteed freshwater fish, donburi bowls, and decked out fruit-seasoned cakes. His favorites will come along as the player goes through the game at their pace, and are the least complicated in terms of ingredients.