Final Fantasy Brave Exvius: The Ultimate Guide to the Mobile JRPG

Final Fantasy Brave Exvius (FFBE) is a free-to-play mobile role-playing game (JRPG) developed by Square Enix in collaboration with Alim. Part of the Final Fantasy franchise, FFBE combines classic turn-based combat, a compelling story, and a vast roster of iconic characters from throughout the Final Fantasy series. Launched in 2015, the game has become a massive success, continually updated with new content, collaborations, and events. Whether you’re new to the game or a veteran looking to sharpen your skills, this comprehensive guide will provide you with everything you need to know about Final Fantasy Brave Exvius.

1. What is Final Fantasy Brave Exvius?

Final Fantasy Brave Exvius is a turn-based mobile RPG that mixes traditional fantasy elements with a fresh story and characters. The game is set in the world of Lapis, where players embark on a journey with a band of heroes to stop a malevolent force threatening their world. Featuring an intricate story, strategic combat, and a collection of beloved characters from the Final Fantasy franchise, FFBE delivers a satisfying mobile JRPG experience with both casual and hardcore appeal.

1.1 Game Overview

The game features a unique combination of classic RPG elements and a gacha system, where players collect units (characters) and build teams to battle through story chapters and various events. The combat is turn-based with the addition of a strategic “chain” system, which rewards players for combo attacks. Players can also summon characters through the gacha system, engage in multiplayer co-op battles, and participate in seasonal events and story campaigns.

2. Core Gameplay Mechanics

Understanding the core mechanics is essential to mastering Final Fantasy Brave Exvius. The game involves both traditional turn-based combat and various RPG elements, from building and managing a team of characters to collecting and upgrading equipment.

2.1 Combat System

The combat in FFBE is turn-based, with a twist: it uses a “tap combo” system for attacks. Players perform regular attacks by tapping on the screen, which builds a chain of damage that can be increased through perfect timing. This feature adds an extra layer of strategy to battles, allowing players to execute longer chains for bonus damage.

• Unit Abilities: Each character (unit) has a set of unique abilities, including normal attacks, special skills, and limit breaks that can be triggered once certain conditions are met.
• Chain Combos: Players can link attacks between their characters for bonus damage. Timing is critical, as chaining too early or too late can reduce the effectiveness of your attacks.

2.2 Units (Characters)

Units are the backbone of your team in FFBE. They are divided into several categories:

• 5-Star Units: The most powerful units that players can summon, often including iconic characters from the Final Fantasy series (e.g., Cloud Strife, Terra Branford).
• 4-Star Units: Strong but less powerful than 5-star units. These characters are often used as fillers or support in teams.
• 3-Star and Lower Units: These are the more common units that are used for early-game progression but are often replaced as players summon more powerful characters.

Each unit has a set of attributes:

• Attack, Defense, Magic, and Spirit: These stats determine a character’s effectiveness in combat.
• Traits: Units have unique abilities that can be passive or active, providing buffs or special abilities.
• Limit Burst (LB): A powerful ultimate attack that requires the accumulation of a special resource.

2.3 Equipment and Espers

• Equipment: Players can equip their units with a variety of weapons, armor, and accessories that enhance their stats or grant special abilities. Equipment is vital for building a powerful team, and players need to carefully manage their loadouts for each unit.
• Espers: Espers are powerful summonable creatures that grant bonuses to units. Players can summon, upgrade, and summon Espers to provide stat boosts and powerful attacks in battle.

3. Gacha System and Summoning

Like many mobile RPGs, FFBE uses a gacha system to summon new units, including powerful 5-star heroes from Final Fantasy. The gacha mechanic can be a huge draw for players, as it allows them to collect and build a diverse team of characters.

3.1 Types of Summons

There are several types of summons in FFBE:

• Regular Summon: A free summon that players can perform daily or through special in-game events.
• Premium Summon: Requires a premium currency (Lapis) or specific summoning tickets to summon higher-tier units. This is the main gacha mechanic.
• Special Summon: These summon banners feature specific units or characters from particular Final Fantasy games or special events (e.g., Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy XIV).
• Step-Up Summon: A limited-time event summon that increases the chances of pulling high-tier units as players summon more times.

3.2 Lapis and Other Currencies

• Lapis: The primary premium currency used for summons, purchases, and upgrades. Lapis can be obtained through story progression, events, or by purchasing with real money.
• Tickets: Summoning tickets, typically earned through events or login bonuses, can be used for specific banners or to summon units at a reduced cost.
• Gil: The in-game currency used for purchasing items, equipment, and materials.

4. Story and Events

The story of Final Fantasy Brave Exvius follows the journey of three protagonists: Rain, Laswell, and Fina, as they work together to save the world of Lapis from a mysterious and malevolent force. Along the way, players encounter both new and familiar faces from the Final Fantasy universe, forming alliances, battling foes, and uncovering hidden truths.

4.1 Main Story Chapters

• Story Progression: The main storyline is divided into multiple chapters and regions, each with its own narrative, enemies, and environments. Players advance through these chapters, unlocking new characters and features as they progress.
• Main Quests: Players need to complete quests to unlock new areas, gear, and characters. Each chapter concludes with a challenging boss battle, providing great rewards for completing the story.

4.2 Limited-Time Events

• Seasonal Events: FFBE regularly hosts time-limited events based on holidays, anniversaries, or Final Fantasy crossovers. These events typically feature exclusive units, items, and special challenges.
• Crossover Events: Since FFBE features characters from various Final Fantasy titles, it often hosts crossover events that feature iconic characters and storylines from the series.
• Collaborations: Special collaborations with other games or franchises offer unique opportunities to summon special units or participate in exclusive missions.

5. Strategies and Tips for Success

To succeed in Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, players need to balance their strategy across combat, unit building, and resource management.

5.1 Building an Effective Team

• Synergy: Ensure that your team has good synergy. This means balancing physical and magical attackers, tanks, healers, and buffers. A well-rounded team can adapt to a wide range of situations.
• Elemental Affinities: Pay attention to elemental strengths and weaknesses. For example, using fire-based attacks against ice enemies will deal more damage.
• Limit Burst Usage: Time your Limit Burst attacks carefully. These powerful abilities can turn the tide of battle, so using them at the right moment (like after defeating a large portion of the enemy’s team) is critical.

5.2 Resource Management

• Lapis: Don’t spend Lapis recklessly. Save up for premium banners that feature powerful units or step-up summoning events.
• Event Participation: Always participate in limited-time events. These events often give out great rewards, including exclusive units and Lapis, which can be used for summons.
• Unit Enhancements: Focus on enhancing and upgrading a select few units rather than spreading your resources too thin. Prioritize the most versatile or powerful units.

5.3 Boss Battles

Boss battles are an integral part of FFBE. Each boss has specific weaknesses, attacks, and phases that players need to anticipate.

• Status Effects: Use debuffs like silence, blind, or paralyze to reduce the boss’s effectiveness.
• Buffs: Buffing your characters with increased attack or defense will help survive the boss’s special moves.
• Staggering Damage: Use high-damage combos to overwhelm bosses and reduce their ability to retaliate.

6. Progression and Endgame Content

FFBE offers a wealth of content for players to engage with as they progress. After completing the main story, there is a lot more to explore and conquer.

6.1 Vortex Dungeons

Vortex Dungeons offer challenging endgame content, providing powerful rewards and opportunities to test your team’s strength. These dungeons often feature difficult bosses and require careful planning.

6.2 Arena Battles

Compete against other players’ teams in the Arena, where you can earn rankings and rewards based on your performance. The Arena requires you to have a well-rounded team and knowledge of your opponents’ strategies.

6.3 Trials and Special Bosses

Some of the toughest content in FFBE are the Trials, which offer difficult, multi-phase bosses that require