Launch multiple shards of ice that, upon striking lighter enemies, draw them toward Clive. Can be used in midair.
Description
Mesmerize is one of Shiva's default Eikonic Abilities in Final Fantasy XVI that the player can assign to Clive's loadout. Clive will launch shards of ice that damage enemies and pull small enemies toward him. Mesmerize has an especially short cooldown.
Obtained[]
Clive gains access to Shiva's powers as part of the story, during "Through the Maelstrom", usable in his loadout after the events in Naldia Narrow. Mesmerize is already learned when Clive gains Shiva's powers.
Mechanics[]
Clive can use Mesmerize in battle whenever it is equipped to his current loadout. He can have two Eikonic Abilities alongside his Eikonic Feat, which for the ice loadout is Cold Snap.
Mesmerize has Clive shoot out icicles that damage enemies and pull small enemies toward him. In the ability's base version, Clive shoots three icicles to the front of him. After Mesmerize is upgraded, he will also launch three ice shards behind him. Mesmerize can be used both grounded and while airborne; if used while airborne, enemies that are susceptible to being pulled by the ability are drawn below Clive.
Mesmerize activates the battle technique, Mesmerized, when damaging multiple enemies with one use of Mesmerize.
After being used, the ability has a 12-second cooldown before being able to be used again. It has the shortest cooldown of all Eikonic Abilities bar the abilities that have conditional cooldown for perfect execution. Upgrading/mastering the ability has no effect on its cooldown.
| AP cost | Effect |
|---|---|
| Already learned | Able to equip Mesmerize to Clive's ice loadout. |
| 525 (Upgrade) | Also fires three more shards behind Clive. |
| 1000 (Master) | Able to equip Mesmerize to any loadout. |
Use[]
Mesmerize is worth upgrading to add icicles shooting behind Clive as well if the player is using the ability in their loadout. Mesmerize's boon is its especially short cooldown, allowing Clive to spam it, letting the damage stack. Though Mesmerize can only pull small enemies, it will damage any enemy, and so remains useful in all encounters. It can be used to pull small flying enemies down to Clive's reach. When used right next to a large enemy, the player can ensure all icicles will hit, multiplying damage potential.
Mesmerize can have some synergy with Shiva's Rime and Ramuh's Lightning Rod in pulling small enemies toward Clive. Mesmerize is also fairly good on its own, having decent damage and stagger potential.
Mesmerize's downside is that using it against a formidable foe or boss, Clive will still perform the second part of the animation, which may leave him vulnerable to the enemy's follow-up attack. It is therefore good to use against bosses permafrozen with Cold Snap's perfect dodge.
During the chronolith trial with the Shiva's abilities, triggering Collateral Mesmerize by striking two enemies with one use of Mesmerize earns a 12-second time bonus.