Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles – Best Builds & Overpowered Combos

Final Fantasy Tactics has always rewarded clever players who dig deep into its legendary Job System—and The Ivalice Chronicles doubles down on that legacy. Between Ramza’s unique growth path, the infamous Arithmetician, and devastating dual-wield setups, it doesn’t take long before you stumble on a strategy that feels downright broken.

If you’ve ever wanted to wipe the map clean in one turn, trivialize Wiegraf, or stack damage so high it feels unfair, this guide is for you. Below, we’ll break down the best builds and combos in Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, how they compare to the original, and why they’ll help you dominate no matter the difficulty setting.


🏆 Top 5 Overpowered Builds at a Glance

Perfect for quick reference or speed-runners:

  1. Ramza Arithmetician Squire (Map-Wipe Nuker)

  2. Dual Wield Squire (Physical Powerhouse)

  3. Ninja + Arts of War (Crippling Assassin)

  4. Black Mage + Arithmeticks (Instant Clear Mage)

  5. Summoner + Arithmeticks (Versatile Nuker)


Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles – Best Builds & Overpowered Combos Guide
💥 The Builds That Break the Game

1. Ramza Arithmetician Squire – Map-Wipe Nuker

  • Primary Job: Arithmetician

  • Secondary Job: Squire (unique skills)

  • Key Support: Math Skill + Any Elemental AoE

Why it’s broken:
Ramza combines his Squire-exclusive buffs with Arithmeticks, allowing him to cast spells instantly across the entire map. Whether it’s Fire, Cure, or even buffs, he turns into a one-man army.

Best Use:

  • Trivializes Wiegraf and other boss fights.

  • Clears random battles in one turn.


2. Dual Wield Squire – Physical Powerhouse

  • Primary Job: Squire

  • Secondary Job: Ninja (for Dual Wield)

  • Key Support: Attack Up / Martial Arts

Why it’s broken:
Dual Wield lets Ramza swing two high-tier weapons per turn while retaining his Squire-exclusive utility. Pair it with Attack Up and you’ve got the ultimate physical damage machine.

Best Use:

  • Shreds through bosses with no setup.

  • Perfect for short fights where spellcasting is too slow.


3. Ninja + Arts of War – Crippling Assassin

  • Primary Job: Ninja

  • Secondary Job: Samurai (Arts of War)

  • Key Support: Move+2 or Teleport

Why it’s broken:
Ninjas already dominate with speed and dual weapons. Add in Arts of War to cripple enemy stats or break their gear, and suddenly you’re shutting down fights while still dealing massive damage.

Best Use:

  • PvP-style encounters.

  • Long battles where weakening enemies pays off.


4. Black Mage + Arithmeticks – Instant Clear Mage

  • Primary Job: Black Mage

  • Secondary Job: Arithmetician

  • Key Support: Short Charge

Why it’s broken:
Arithmeticks eliminates charge time. Every spell—Fire, Ice, Bolt—hits the entire map instantly. With Short Charge, you’re never waiting around.

Best Use:

  • Farming EXP and JP fast.

  • Any map where enemies cluster.


5. Summoner + Arithmeticks – Versatile Nuker

  • Primary Job: Summoner

  • Secondary Job: Arithmetician

  • Key Support: Magic Attack Up

Why it’s broken:
Summons like Bahamut or Zodiac normally take ages to cast. With Arithmeticks? They go off instantly and hit everyone. It’s the ultimate AoE powerhouse build.

Best Use:

  • Late-game boss encounters.

  • Group-heavy maps where precision isn’t needed.


⚖️ Difficulty Mode Comparison

One of the biggest changes in The Ivalice Chronicles is the introduction of three difficulty modes—Squire, Knight, and Tactician. Here’s how these OP builds stack up:

  • Squire Mode (Easy): Overkill. Most of these builds turn the game into a cakewalk.

  • Knight Mode (Normal): Still powerful, but enemy scaling makes Dual Wield and Arts of War more practical than spamming Arithmeticks.

  • Tactician Mode (Hard): Arithmetician-based builds shine brightest here since they let you bypass AI advantages with map-wide control.


🗡️ Honorable Mentions

  • Auto-Potion + Blade Grasp: Nearly unkillable defensive combo.

  • Teleport + Summoner: Full-map nukes with endless mobility.

  • Ramza Martial Arts Build: Turns him into a monk that breaks the damage cap.


Final Thoughts

The Ivalice Chronicles doesn’t just bring back FFT’s legendary Job System—it celebrates it. Whether you’re wiping maps with Arithmeticks, dual-wielding your way through bosses, or crippling foes with ninja tactics, the builds above prove why FFT is still the king of strategy RPGs.   


🌐 Community & Resources

Want to stay updated or share your own strategies? Here are the best places to connect with other Final Fantasy Tactics fans:

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