Warrior

job · WAR

The Warrior is the straightforward fighter: hit hard with almost any weapon, buff your own attack, and share an attack and critical-hit boost with the whole party.

WAR · two-hour Mighty Strikes · 12 job abilities · 40 trait ranks · 122 spells · 95 weapon skills

What the job does:
Warrior asks the least of you before a fight and gives the most freedom in it. It is a physical damage dealer built on three ideas: swing more often (Double Attack, Warrior's Charge, Brazen Rush), hit harder (Berserk, Aggressor, Restraint, Mighty Strikes) and lift the people beside you (Warcry, Blood Rage). It can use more weapon types than any other job. Axes and great axes are its home, but swords, great swords, scythes, polearms, clubs, staves, daggers and hand-to-hand all work, and each brings its own weapon skills.

What it is good at: steady, high melee damage; a huge choice of weapon skills; passable tanking in a pinch (Provoke, Defender, Retaliation, a large HP pool and shield traits from level 80); party buffs that cost nothing but a job ability.

What it is bad at: it has no magic, no healing and no escape, and it has no ranged attack beyond a thrown Thr. Tomahawk. Most of its abilities last 30 seconds to 3 minutes, so you spend the fight re-applying them rather than pressing one button and forgetting it.

From the Warrior's seat a fight is a rhythm. Open with Berserk and Aggressor, start Restraint, call Warcry as the party's first weapon skills go off, keep meleeing so Restraint grows, and spend Mighty Strikes or Brazen Rush on the weapon skills that matter most.

Role in a party:
Damage first, tank second. A party expects a Warrior to put out solid melee damage and keep its buffs going. When there is no dedicated tank it can hold hate for a while (Provoke every 30 seconds, Defender, Retaliation, Tomahawk to lower the target's defenses). If you would rather stay on damage, the Trust tanks Invincible Shield (UC) and Halver will take the monster.

What the Warrior brings that nothing else does:

- Warcry: attack up for every party member in range, about +11% at level 99. With the Savagery merit it also gives weapon skills a TP bonus while it lasts.
- Blood Rage: a critical hit rate boost for the party, 30 seconds.
- Mighty Strikes: every hit is a critical hit for 45 seconds, once an hour.
- Tomahawk: lowers the target's defenses. You need a Thr. Tomahawk in your ammo slot, and it is used up.

Subjobs:
A subjob gives you its abilities at half your level, so pick the one that fills what Warrior lacks.

Subjob | Use it for | What it gives |
Samurai | Two-handed weapons (great axe, great sword) | Hasso (STR; needs two hands), Meditate (a trickle of TP), Third Eye, Sekkanoki |
Ninja | A one-handed weapon in each hand, or hard hitters | Dual Wield, Utsusemi shadows. Fencer needs an empty off hand, so it switches off while you dual wield. |
Dragoon | Extra damage | Jump, High Jump, Super Jump (resets your hate), Ancient Circle |
Thief | Hate control and drops | Sneak Attack, Trick Attack, Flee, Treasure Hunter |
Monk | Staying healthy | Boost, Chakra (a heal), Counter |
Paladin | Taking the monster yourself | Cure, shield skills, Cover |

Start with Samurai. Hasso, Meditate and Third Eye suit a great axe. Switch to Ninja when you want a one-handed axe in each hand.

How the abilities work together:
Base recasts and durations as the server has them. Job ability recasts on Vanadreams are 15% shorter than shown.

Ability | Level | Lasts | Recast | Notes |
Mighty Strikes | start | 45 s | 1 hour | Every hit is a critical hit |
Provoke | 5 | instant | 30 s | Hate on one monster |
Berserk | 15 | 3 min | 5 min | Attack +25%, up to +35% from level 90 as a Warrior. Defense -25%. |
Defender | 25 | 3 min | 3 min | Defense +25%, up to +35% from level 90. Attack -25%. |
Warcry | 35 | 30 s | 5 min | Party attack, about +11% at 99 |
Aggressor | 45 | 3 min | 5 min | Accuracy up, evasion down |
Retaliation | 60 | 3 min | 3 min | Counterattacks; slows your movement |
Tomahawk | 75 | 30 s (+15 s per merit) | 3 min | Needs a Thr. Tomahawk |
Warrior's Charge | 75 | 1 min | 5 min | Your next attack is doubled |
Restraint | 77 | 5 min | 10 min | Stores power from every normal hit you land |
Blood Rage | 87 | 30 s | 5 min | Party critical hit rate up |
Brazen Rush | 96 | 30 s | 1 hour | Double Attack starts at +100% and fades by 10 every 3 seconds |

Berserk or Defender. They cancel each other: Berserk takes 25% off your defense, Defender takes 25% off your attack. Run Berserk when someone else has the monster's attention and Defender when you do.

The opening.

- Before the pull: Berserk and Aggressor (Defender if you are tanking), then Restraint so it builds from the first swing.
- As the party engages: Provoke if you are holding hate, Tomahawk if you carry one.
- When the first big weapon skills are about to go off: Warcry, then Blood Rage. Both last only 30 seconds, so use them as the burst starts, not at the pull.

Restraint then the weapon skill. Restraint adds the power it has stored to the first hit of your next weapon skill. The longer you swing before using the skill, the bigger that first hit is. Do not use a 1,000 TP weapon skill when you could be building toward 3,000.

The burst window.

- Reach 3,000 TP with Restraint up.
- Use Warrior's Charge (it lasts a minute, so it will not run out while you wait for TP).
- Use Warcry and Blood Rage.
- Use Mighty Strikes, then the weapon skill. If your build leans on Double Attack, use Brazen Rush instead.

Mighty Strikes and Brazen Rush are separate hour-long abilities, so each is available once per hour.

Fencer and Smite. Fencer (level 45 and up) wants one weapon in the main hand and nothing in the off hand, and adds critical hit rate and a weapon skill TP bonus. Smite (level 35 and up) gives attack with a two-handed w [cut off]

Working with other jobs:
Skillchains. Use the tables on the Skillchains page: wait at least 3 seconds after the opener and close inside the 10 second window. Chains a Warrior can build:

- Great axe: Steel Cyclone (Distortion, Detonation) then Upheaval (Fusion, Compression) makes Fusion. Full Break (Distortion) then Upheaval makes Fusion too. Keen Edge then Fell Cleave makes Detonation.
- Axe: Smash Axe (Induration, Reverberation) then Decimation (Fusion, Reverberation) makes Fragmentation. Add Mistral Axe (Fusion) as a third step and it becomes Light. Ruinator then Decimation makes Fusion.
- Across weapons: Ground Strike (great sword) then Upheaval (great axe) makes Light, if you change weapons between and the TP is there.

Partners.

- Open with Upheaval (Fusion) and a Monk closes with Dragon Kick, or a Samurai with Tachi: Shoha, for Light.
- Open with Steel Cyclone and a Samurai closes with Tachi: Kasha (Fusion) for Fusion.
- A Samurai's Konzen-ittai readies the monster for 10 seconds, so any weapon skill you use 2 seconds or more afterwards forms a skillchain without an opener.

Magic bursts. Fusion bursts with Light or Fire; Fragmentation with Wind or Thunder; Light with Light, Fire, Wind or Thunder. Ask your Black Mage, Red Mage or Shantotto to cast right after the chain lands.

Bards. March (haste), Minuet (attack) and Madrigal (accuracy) all stack with Berserk, Warcry and Aggressor. Joachim and Ulmia each keep two songs, so together they give you four.

Corsairs. Chaos Roll (attack) and Fighter's Roll (Double Attack) are built for you. Qultada always keeps Chaos Roll up.

What it needs from the healer. Haste (a White Mage, Red Mage, or Trusts like Ygnas, Karaha-Baruha and Koru-Moru) and Cure. Tell the healer when you are on Berserk, because you take about a third more damage.

Tanks. If a Paladin or a tank Trust (Invincible Shield (UC), Halver) holds the monster, stay on Berserk and let your weapon skills build. If your damage pulls the monster off the tank, either wait a few seconds before your weapon skill or switch to Defender.

Levelling it:
Level | What you get |
start | Mighty Strikes |
5 | Provoke, Resist Virus |
15 | Berserk |
25 | Defender, Double Attack |
30 | Attack Bonus, Max HP Boost |
35 | Warcry, Smite |
45 | Aggressor, Fencer, Defense Bonus II |
50 | Double Attack II |
60 | Retaliation |
75 | Tomahawk, Warrior's Charge, Savagery, Aggressive Aim, Double Attack III |
77 | Restraint |
80 | Damage Limit+ II, Shield Mastery |
87 | Blood Rage |
96 | Brazen Rush |
99 | Double Attack V, Shield Def. Bonus III |

- Levels 1 to 15: use whatever weapon skill you have; Warrior is simple here. Fight with Trusts: a healer (Ygnas or Kupipi) and a tank (Curilla or Invincible Shield (UC)).
- 15 to 45: Berserk and Double Attack carry you. Records of Eminence give steady levels.
- 60 to 77: Retaliation, then the big 75 batch. Restraint at 77 changes how you use your TP.
- To 99: your level cap starts at 70. Win Shattering Stars from Maat in Ru'Lude Gardens (level 66 or higher) to open level 99. You level at the standard rate, with Trusts and Records of Eminence rather than large parties. Classic mode keeps you at 75, then 90, until you finish its lists; Moogle Mode runs at faster rates.

Trusts for a Warrior: Ygnas or Kupipi to heal, Curilla or Invincible Shield (UC) to tank, Ulmia or Joachim for songs, Qultada for rolls. Set how they engage with !trustengage.

At 99 and endgame:
Merits (five levels each):

- Group 1: Berserk, Defender, Warcry and Aggressor recasts (10, 6, 10 and 10 seconds shorter per level) and Double Attack rate (+1% a level).
- Group 2: Warrior's Charge (adds a Triple Attack chance), Tomahawk (+15 seconds a level), Savagery (100 TP bonus per level on Warcry), Aggressive Aim (ranged accuracy with Aggressor).
- Weapon skill merits raise Upheaval, Ruinator, Entropy, Resolution, Stardiver, Requiescat, Exenterator, Realmrazer and Shattersoul for you, at 20 to 30 merits a level.

Job points. The job is mastered at 2,100 job points. Gifts to aim at:

- 10: Attack +10. 80: Fencer effect. 125: Double Attack +2.
- 150: Critical Damage +2. 550: Weapon Skill Damage +3.
- 2,100: Mighty Strikes and Brazen Rush come back 15 minutes sooner.
- First spend category points on Blood Rage (20% plus one per rank), Berserk and Brazen Rush.

Master levels. Talk to Maat or the Nomad Moogle in Ru'Lude Gardens: Job Breaker at level 99, Master Breaker on a mastered level 99 job.

Where it shines. Omen, Odyssey, Ambuscade, Vagary, Dynamis - Divergence, Limbus and Walk of Echoes all allow Trusts. Sortie, Nyzul Isle, Einherjar, Salvage and Assault do not, so bring players there. In alliances, Warcry and Blood Rage reach every melee in range.

Gear to aim for:
Band | Weapons | Armor and accessories |
1 to 30 | Great Axe, Military Axe | Mighty Ring, Rajas Ring |
30 to 49 | Kheten, Gigant Axe | Keep your level 1 to 30 accessories |
50 to 74 | Berserker's Axe, Sparth, Alastor | Fighter's Lorica, Warrior's Mask, Warrior's Calligae, Dark Torque, Fortitude Torque, Hercules' Ring |
75 to 98 | Bravura, Conqueror, Ukonvasara, Dynamis Bhuj | Warrior's Lorica, Brutal Earring, Mars's Ring, Fotia Gorget (72), Fotia Belt (87) |
99 | Minos (made by Oboro in Port Jeuno), Conqueror, Bravura, Ukonvasara, Chango, Laphria, Drastic Axe, Lycurgos | The sets below |

- Artifact: Pummeler's Mask and Pummeler's Lorica (which strengthens Berserk).
- Relic: Agoge Mask +3, Agoge Lorica +3, Agoge Mufflers +3, Agoge Calligae +3.
- Empyrean: Boii Mask +3, Boii Lorica +3, Boii Cuisses +3, Boii Calligae +3, Boii Earring.
- Accessories: Moonshade Earring, Cessance Earring, Brutal Earring, Chirich Ring, Petrov Ring, Fotia Gorget, Fotia Belt.
- Weapon skill weapons: Conqueror (King's Justice), Bravura (Metatron Torment), Ukonvasara (Ukko's Fury), Chango (Upheaval), Farsha (Cloudsplitter).
- Shield: Ochain.

Common mistakes:
- Running Berserk with a nervous healer. You take about a third more damage; warn them or swap to Defender.
- Stacking Berserk and Defender. They cancel each other. Pick one for the situation.
- Spending a weapon skill at 1,000 TP with Restraint running. Wait for 3,000 TP.
- Opening with Warcry and Blood Rage at the pull. They last 30 seconds each; use them when the weapon skills start.
- Mixing Fencer and Smite gear. Fencer wants one weapon and an empty off hand; Smite wants two hands or hand-to-hand.
- No Thr. Tomahawk in the ammo slot. Tomahawk fails without one, and each use takes one.
- Weapon skill before the tank has the monster. Let hate settle first, or use Defender.
- Hasso with a one-handed weapon. Hasso needs a two-handed weapon.

Job abilities: Mighty Strikes (SP, recast 1h): Turns all melee attacks into critical hits. | Provoke (Lv 5, recast 30s): Goads an enemy into attacking you. | Berserk (Lv 15, recast 5 min): Enhances attacks but weakens defense. | Defender (Lv 25, recast 3 min): Enhances defense but weakens attacks. | Warcry (Lv 35, recast 5 min): Enhances attacks of party members within area of effect. | Aggressor (Lv 45, recast 5 min): Enhances accuracy but impairs evasion. | Retaliation (Lv 60, recast 3 min): Allows you to counterattack but reduces movement speed. | Tomahawk (Lv 75, recast 3 min): Expends a throwing tomahawk to inflict a special defense down effect on an enemy. | Warrior's Charge (Lv 75, recast 5 min): Will double your next attack. | Restraint (Lv 77, recast 10 min): Enhances your weapon skill power with each normal attack you land. | Blood Rage (Lv 87, recast 5 min): Enhances critical hit rate for party members within area of effect. | Brazen Rush (Lv 96, recast 1h): Increases your chance to execute a double attack.

Traits: Resist Virus (Lv 5), Defense Bonus (Lv 10), Double Attack (Lv 25), Attack Bonus (Lv 30), Max HP Boost (Lv 30), Resist Virus II (Lv 35), Smite (Lv 35), Damage Limit+ (Lv 40), Defense Bonus II (Lv 45), Fencer (Lv 45), Double Attack II (Lv 50), Max HP Boost II (Lv 50), Resist Virus III (Lv 55), Fencer II (Lv 58), Attack Bonus II (Lv 65), Smite II (Lv 65), Max HP Boost III (Lv 70), Resist Virus IV (Lv 70), Fencer III (Lv 71), Aggressive Aim (Lv 75), Double Attack III (Lv 75), Savagery (Lv 75), Crit. Atk. Bonus (Lv 78), Damage Limit+ II (Lv 80), Shield Def. Bonus (Lv 80), Shield Mastery (Lv 80), Resist Virus V (Lv 81), Fencer IV (Lv 84), Double Attack IV (Lv 85), Crit. Atk. Bonus II (Lv 86), Defense Bonus III (Lv 86), Shield Mastery II (Lv 87), Shield Def. Bonus II (Lv 88), Max HP Boost IV (Lv 90), Attack Bonus III (Lv 91), Shield Mastery III (Lv 94), Smite III (Lv 95), Fencer V (Lv 97), Double Attack V (Lv 99), Shield Def. Bonus III (Lv 99)

Spells by level: Shantotto 1, Naji 1, Kupipi 1, Excenmille 1, Ayame 1, Nanaa Mihgo 1, Curilla 1, Volker 1, Ajido-Marujido 1, Trion 1, Zeid 1, Lion 1, Tenzen 1, Mihli Aliapoh 1, Valaineral 1, Joachim 1, Naja Salaheem 1, Prishe 1, Ulmia 1, Shikaree Z 1, Cherukiki 1, Iron Eater 1, Gessho 1, Gadalar 1, Rainemard 1, Ingrid 1, Lehko Habhoka 1, Nashmeira 1, Zazarg 1, Ovjang 1, Mnejing 1, Sakura 1, Luzaf 1, Najelith 1, Aldo 1, Moogle 1, Fablinix 1, Maat 1, D. Shantotto 1, Star Sibyl 1, Karaha-Baruha 1, Cid 1, Gilgamesh 1, Areuhat 1, Semih Lafihna 1, Elivira 1, Noillurie 1, Lhu Mhakaracca 1, Ferreous Coffin 1, Lilisette 1, Mumor 1, Uka Totlihn 1, Klara 1, Romaa Mihgo 1, Kuyin Hathdenna 1, Rahal 1, Koru-Moru 1, Pieuje (UC) 1, I. Shield (UC) 1, Apururu (UC) 1, Jakoh (UC) 1, Flaviria (UC) 1, Babban 1, Abenzio 1, Rughadjeen 1, Kukki-Chebukki 1, Margret 1, Chacharoon 1, Lhe Lhangavo 1, Arciela 1, Mayakov 1, Qultada 1, Adelheid 1, Amchuchu 1, Brygid 1, Mildaurion 1, Halver 1, Rongelouts 1, Leonoyne 1, Maximilian 1, Kayeel-Payeel 1, Robel-Akbel 1, Kupofried 1, Selh'teus 1, Yoran-Oran (UC) 1, Sylvie (UC) 1, Abquhbah 1, Balamor 1, August 1, Rosulatia 1, Teodor 1, Ullegore 1, Makki-Chebukki 1, King of Hearts 1, Morimar 1, Darrcuiln 1, AAHM 1, AAEV 1, AAMR 1, AATT 1, AAGK 1, Iroha 1, Ygnas 1, Monberaux 1, Cornelia 1, Matsui-P 1, Excenmille [S] 1, Ayame (UC) 1, Maat (UC) 1, Aldo (UC) 1, Naja (UC) 1, Lion II 1, Zeid II 1, Prishe II 1, Nashmeira II 1, Lilisette II 1, Tenzen II 1, Mumor II 1, Ingrid II 1, Arciela II 1, Iroha II 1, Shantotto II 1

Weapon skills: Combo (Hand-to-Hand 5; Impaction), Shoulder Tackle (Hand-to-Hand 40; Reverberation/Impaction), Backhand Blow (Hand-to-Hand 100; Detonation), Spinning Attack (Hand-to-Hand 150; Liquefaction/Impaction), Wasp Sting (Dagger 5; Scission), Shadowstitch (Dagger 70; Reverberation), Gust Slash (Dagger 40; Detonation), Energy Steal (Dagger 150; ), Evisceration (Dagger 230; Gravitation/Transfixion), Fast Blade (Sword 5; Scission), Burning Blade (Sword 30; Liquefaction), Red Lotus Blade (Sword 50; Liquefaction/Detonation), Flat Blade (Sword 75; Impaction), Shining Blade (Sword 100; Scission), Seraph Blade (Sword 125; Scission), Circle Blade (Sword 150; Reverberation/Impaction), Spirits Within (Sword 175; ), Vorpal Blade (Sword 200; Scission/Impaction), Savage Blade (Sword 240; Fragmentation/Scission), Sanguine Blade (Sword 300; ), Hard Slash (Great Sword 5; Scission), Power Slash (Great Sword 30; Transfixion), Frostbite (Great Sword 70; Induration), Freezebite (Great Sword 100; Induration/Detonation), Shockwave (Great Sword 150; Reverberation), Crescent Moon (Great Sword 175; Scission), Ground Strike (Great Sword 250; Fragmentation/Distortion), Herculean Slash (Great Sword 290; Induration/Impaction/Detonation), Resolution (Great Sword 357; Fragmentation/Scission), Raging Axe (Axe 5; Detonation/Impaction), Smash Axe (Axe 40; Induration/Reverberation), Gale Axe (Axe 70; Detonation), Avalanche Axe (Axe 100; Scission/Impaction), Spinning Axe (Axe 150; Liquefaction/Scission/Impaction), Rampage (Axe 175; Scission), Calamity (Axe 200; Scission/Impaction), Mistral Axe (Axe 225; Fusion), Decimation (Axe 240; Fusion/Reverberation), Bora Axe (Axe 290; Scission/Detonation), Cloudsplitter (Axe; Darkness/Fragmentation), Ruinator (Axe 357; Distortion/Detonation), Shield Break (Great Axe 5; Impaction), Iron Tempest (Great Axe 40; Scission), Sturmwind (Great Axe 70; Reverberation/Scission), Armor Break (Great Axe 100; Impaction), Keen Edge (Great Axe 150; Compression), Weapon Break (Great Axe 175; Impaction), Raging Rush (Great Axe 200; Induration/Reverberation), Full Break (Great Axe 225; Distortion), Steel Cyclone (Great Axe 240; Distortion/Detonation), King's Justice (Great Axe; Fragmentation/Scission), Fell Cleave (Great Axe 300; Scission/Detonation/Impaction), Ukko's Fury (Great Axe; Light/Fragmentation), Upheaval (Great Axe 357; Fusion/Compression), Slice (Scythe 5; Scission), Dark Harvest (Scythe 30; Reverberation), Shadow of Death (Scythe 70; Induration/Reverberation), Nightmare Scythe (Scythe 100; Compression/Scission), Spinning Scythe (Scythe 125; Reverberation/Scission), Vorpal Scythe (Scythe 150; Transfixion/Scission), Spiral Hell (Scythe 240; Distortion/Scission), Infernal Scythe (Scythe 300; Compression/Reverberation), Entropy (Scythe 357; Gravitation/Reverberation), Double Thrust (Polearm 5; Transfixion), Thunder Thrust (Polearm 30; Transfixion/Impaction), Raiden Thrust (Polearm 70; Transfixion/Impaction), Leg Sweep (Polearm 100; Impaction), Penta Thrust (Polearm 150; Compression), Vorpal Thrust (Polearm 175; Reverberation/Transfixion), Impulse Drive (Polearm 240; Gravitation/Induration), Sonic Thrust (Polearm 300; Transfixion/Scission), Stardiver (Polearm 357; Gravitation/Transfixion), Shining Strike (Club 5; Impaction), Seraph Strike (Club 40; Impaction), Brainshaker (Club 70; Reverberation), Starlight (Club 100; ), Moonlight (Club 125; ), Skullbreaker (Club 150; Induration/Reverberation), True Strike (Club 175; Impaction/Detonation), Judgment (Club 200; Impaction), Black Halo (Club 230; Fragmentation/Compression), Flash Nova (Club 290; Induration/Reverberation), Realmrazer (Club 357; Fusion/Impaction), Heavy Swing (Staff 5; Impaction), Rock Crusher (Staff 40; Impaction), Earth Crusher (Staff 70; Detonation/Impaction), Starburst (Staff 100; Compression/Reverberation), Sunburst (Staff 150; Compression/Reverberation), Shell Crusher (Staff 175; Detonation), Full Swing (Staff 200; Liquefaction/Impaction), Spirit Taker (Staff 215; ), Retribution (Staff 230; Gravitation/Reverberation), Shattersoul (Staff 357; Gravitation/Induration), Exenterator (Dagger 357; Fragmentation/Scission), Requiescat (Sword 357; Gravitation/Scission)