The Gunbreaker FFXIV, introduced in the Shadowbringers expansion, is a tank job in Final Fantasy XIV that blends high-octane damage-dealing abilities with strong defensive capabilities. Known for its gunblade, an iconic weapon combining firearms and blades, the Gunbreaker has quickly become a favorite among players seeking a dynamic and engaging playstyle. Whether you’re new to the job or a seasoned veteran, this guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of all things Gunbreaker in FFXIV.
What Is the Gunbreaker Job?
The Gunbreaker FFXIV is a tank that excels in both mitigating damage and dealing powerful bursts of damage. It’s a hybrid job that combines:
Offensive Skills: High-damage combos and explosive abilities.
Defensive Skills: Strong cooldowns and shields to protect yourself and your party.
Utility: Group mitigation tools and party-wide buffs.
Unlocking the Gunbreaker Job in FFXIV
To unlock Gunbreaker, you must meet the following requirements:
Level Requirement: Have at least one combat job at level 60.
Expansion Access: Own the Shadowbringers expansion.
Quest Location: Speak to the NPC in New Gridania (X:11.5, Y:11.9) to begin the quest “The Makings of a Gunbreaker”.
Once completed, you’ll gain access to the Gunbreaker job and its starting gear.
Gunbreaker’s Role in Party Content
As a tank, the Gunbreaker’s primary role is to:
Hold Enmity: Keep enemies focused on you.
Mitigate Damage: Protect yourself and your party from lethal attacks.
Deal Damage: Contribute to overall DPS with your powerful offensive kit.
The Gunbreaker’s playstyle makes it ideal for players who enjoy active combat mechanics and contributing meaningfully to both offense and defense.
Key Skills and Abilities of Gunbreaker
1. Basic Combos
Gunbreaker’s combo revolves around two core sequences:
Keen Edge → Brutal Shell → Solid Barrel
Gnashing Fang Combo: Gnashing Fang → Savage Claw → Wicked Talon (requires Cartridge Gauge)
2. Defensive Skills
Heart of Stone/Heart of Corundum: Reduces damage taken and provides healing over time.
Camouflage: Boosts parry rate and reduces damage taken.
Nebula: Reduces damage by 30%, perfect for tankbusters.
Superbolide: Reduces your HP to 1 but makes you immune to damage for 10 seconds.
3. Utility Skills
Aurora: A healing-over-time ability for yourself or allies.
Heart of Light: Reduces magic damage taken for your party.
Reprisal: Weakens enemy damage output temporarily.
4. Burst Abilities
Continuation: Enhances your Gnashing Fang combo with additional follow-up attacks.
Bow Shock: Deals AoE damage over time.
Blasting Zone: A high-damage single-target ability.
5. AoE Abilities
Demon Slice → Demon Slaughter: Your main AoE combo.
Fated Circle: Consumes Cartridge Gauge to deal significant AoE damage.
Understanding the Cartridge Gauge
The Cartridge Gauge is central to Gunbreaker’s gameplay. It fills as you execute combos and is used to:
Power abilities like Gnashing Fang and Fated Circle.
Enhance your damage output in both single-target and AoE scenarios.
Efficiently managing your Cartridge Gauge ensures you maximize your damage potential.
Gunbreaker’s Playstyle: A Step-by-Step Guide
1. Opening Sequence
Gunbreaker’s opener involves aligning burst abilities for maximum damage:
Start with Keen Edge → Brutal Shell → Solid Barrel.
Follow up with Gnashing Fang and use Continuation for extra hits.
Activate Bow Shock and Blasting Zone for additional burst.
2. Sustaining Damage
After your opener, maintain your rotations by:
Using the Gnashing Fang Combo when your Cartridge Gauge allows.
Keeping AoE damage up with Demon Slice and Fated Circle in multi-target scenarios.
3. Defensive Management
Rotate cooldowns like Nebula and Heart of Corundum to mitigate heavy damage.
Use Superbolide for life-or-death moments when healing support is low.
4. Support Your Team
Use Aurora on allies to provide additional healing.
Activate Heart of Light during heavy magic damage phases.
Time Reprisal to reduce enemy damage output during critical moments.
Best Gear for Gunbreaker in 2024
1. Endgame Gear
To excel as a Gunbreaker, prioritize gear with the following stats:
Strength: Your primary stat, increasing overall damage.
Critical Hit and Direct Hit: Boost your damage output.
Tenacity: Reduces damage taken and increases healing received.
Skill Speed: Optimizes your global cooldown.
Endgame gear is typically obtained through:
Raids: Rewards from Savage raids and Alliance raids.
Tomestones: Purchase gear with Allagan Tomestones of Comedy or Causality.
Crafting: High-quality crafted gear is also a great option.
2. Relic Weapons
Relic weapons provide significant stat boosts and are a great choice for Gunbreaker. In 2024, keep an eye out for relic quests introduced in Dawntrail.
Best Materia for Gunbreaker
When melding materia, prioritize:
- Critical Hit
- Direct Hit
- Tenacity
- Skill Speed (to hit your desired GCD speed)
Gunbreaker in Different Types of Content
Dungeons
In dungeons, Gunbreaker excels at AoE damage and holding enmity. Use:
Demon Slice and Demon Slaughter to control multiple enemies.
Heart of Corundum and Aurora for self-sustain during pulls.
Raids
In raids, Gunbreaker’s strong mitigation tools and burst damage make it a top-tier tank. Coordinate with co-tanks to:
Rotate defensive cooldowns for tankbusters.
Use Reprisal and Heart of Light for raid-wide mitigation.
Trials
Trials often feature high-damage mechanics. Gunbreaker’s abilities like Nebula and Superbolide shine during these moments, ensuring survival while maintaining high DPS.
Tips and Tricks for Mastering Gunbreaker
- Optimize Cartridge Management: Avoid overcapping your Cartridge Gauge to maximize damage.
- Practice Rotations: Smooth execution of combos is key to consistent performance.
- Communicate with Co-Tanks: Proper coordination ensures effective cooldown usage.
- Adapt to Fights: Learn boss mechanics to time your defensive abilities effectively.
- Stay Mobile: Gunbreaker’s mobility lets you adjust positioning without losing uptime.
FAQs
1. Is Gunbreaker a good tank in 2024?
Yes, Gunbreaker remains a top-tier tank with its balance of offensive and defensive capabilities.
2. How do I unlock the Gunbreaker job?
Complete the quest “The Makings of a Gunbreaker” in New Gridania after reaching level 60 and owning the Shadowbringers expansion.
3. What stats are most important for Gunbreaker?
Focus on Strength, Critical Hit, Direct Hit, and Tenacity for optimal performance.
4. Can Gunbreaker solo content effectively?
Yes, with self-healing tools like Aurora and strong mitigation abilities, Gunbreaker is great for solo content.
5. What makes Gunbreaker unique compared to other tanks?
Its fast-paced gameplay, Cartridge Gauge system, and iconic gunblade weapon set it apart from other tank jobs in FFXIV.
Conclusion
The Gunbreaker in FFXIV is a versatile and dynamic tank that brings excitement to any party composition. With its mix of powerful damage-dealing abilities and strong defensive tools, it’s an excellent choice for players looking to dominate the battlefield in 2024. By mastering its combos, managing the Cartridge Gauge, and gearing up effectively, you’ll be ready to tackle any challenge Eorzea throws your way.
If you’re ready to wield the gunblade and make your mark, there’s no better time to embrace the thrill of being a Gunbreaker.
