Final Fantasy XV Episode Ignis Guide: Securing the Best Ending and Mastering Combat
Navigating the emotional and action-packed journey of Final Fantasy XV: Episode Ignis can be as challenging as it is rewarding. This story DLC puts you in the polished shoes of Ignis Scientia, Noctis's loyal strategist, during the fateful events in the city of Altissia. Your choices, both in combat and in crucial narrative moments, dramatically alter the outcome of the story. This comprehensive guide is designed to walk you through the best choices for achieving the optimal ending, mastering the unique combat system, and uncovering all the secrets Altissia has to offer. We'll cover everything from the essential Episode Ignis best choices to advanced Ignis combat techniques, ensuring you have the knowledge to experience this poignant chapter to its fullest.
Whether you're a first-time player seeking the best ending for Episode Ignis or a completionist looking for every hidden item, this guide has you covered. We will delve into the specifics of the pivotal decision points, break down the most effective strategies for dealing with the formidable enemy forces, and provide a clear path to maximizing your playthrough.
Understanding the Core Mechanics: A Recipe for Success
Before we dive into the critical story choices, it's important to grasp what makes Ignis's gameplay tick. Unlike Noctis, Ignis is a methodical and precise fighter. His signature ability, Marking, is the cornerstone of his combat style. By holding the attack button, you can target multiple enemies and then unleash a devastating flurry of attacks on all of them simultaneously. This is your primary tool for crowd control and dealing massive damage to groups.
The key to mastering Ignis combat techniques is understanding the elemental properties of his daggers. Throughout the DLC, you'll collect various elemental blades—Fire, Ice, and Lightning. Enemies often have weaknesses to these elements. Swapping between them mid-combo not only deals extra damage but can also interrupt enemy attacks and create openings. Don't just spam the attack button; be strategic. Use Fire daggers on foes weak to fire, Ice on those susceptible to cold, and so on. This elemental awareness is a crucial part of any effective Episode Ignis combat guide.
Another vital technique is his Total Clarity mechanic. As you parry and dodge attacks, a gauge fills. Once full, you can unleash a powerful area-of-effect attack that can turn the tide of a difficult battle. Learning to parry effectively is essential for building this gauge quickly. Furthermore, his traversal ability, the Hookshot, isn't just for navigating the beautiful, water-logged streets of Altissia. In combat, you can use it to quickly close the distance on archers or spellcasters, pulling yourself towards them and initiating an attack before they can react.
The Path to the True Ending: Your Most Important Decisions
The narrative heart of Episode Ignis revolves around a series of choices that culminate in one of two primary endings: the "Good" or "True" ending, and the "Bad" or "Alternate" ending. Achieving the best ending requires making specific, selfless choices at key moments. Here is a breakdown of the Episode Ignis best choices you need to make.
The First Critical Choice: "What should I do?"
After the initial battles and the Leviathan's awakening, you'll find yourself on a rooftop with Ravus Nox Fleuret. He will question your motives, leading to the first major dialogue option. The choices are:
- "To save the Oracle."
- "To save Noctis."
For the best ending, you must select "To save Noctis." This choice reinforces Ignis's core character motivation: his unwavering loyalty to his king. It sets the tone for his actions throughout the rest of the DLC and is the first step on the path to the true conclusion.
The Climactic Choice: "I'll lend you my strength."
The most significant and well-known decision point occurs during the final confrontation with Ardyn. After a brutal battle, Ardyn will taunt you, offering a way to overcome him at a great cost. The game will present you with two options:
- "I'll lend you my strength."
- "No. There's another way."
This is the definitive moment. To unlock the best ending, you must choose "No. There's another way." This choice reflects Ignis's refusal to accept a corrupt power from Ardyn, believing in his own strength and the bond he shares with Noctis. Choosing the other option, "I'll lend you my strength," immediately locks you into the alternate, tragic ending.
The Final Affirmation: "I'll never give up."
Following the choice to refuse Ardyn's power, you will engage in one final, challenging battle. Afterward, there is one last dialogue prompt. Ignis, battered and blinded, must find the resolve to continue. The options are:
- "I'll never give up."
- "Is it really over?"
To solidify the true ending, you must choose "I'll never give up." This final affirmation of his duty and hope is the last piece of the puzzle. It completes his character arc and leads directly into the beautiful and hopeful conclusion that aligns with the main game's ending.
By following this sequence of choices—prioritizing Noctis, refusing Ardyn's deal, and never giving up—you will experience the emotionally satisfying best ending for Episode Ignis, a conclusion that adds profound depth to his character and his relationship with Noctis.
Mastering the Battles: A Guide to Key Encounters
Knowing the right choices is half the battle; the other half is surviving the intense combat scenarios. Here’s a quick Episode Ignis combat guide for the toughest fights.
The Ravus Battle: This duel is a test of your parrying skills. Ravus is aggressive and powerful. The key is patience. Watch for his telegraphed attacks, parry them to build your Total Clarity gauge, and counter-attack when he's vulnerable. Don't get greedy with long combos; hit him a few times and then prepare to dodge or parry again. Using the correct elemental daggers (observe what he's weak to) can shorten the fight significantly.
The Ardyn Clash: The final battle against Ardyn is a marathon, not a sprint. He is fast, unpredictable, and hits hard. Your Marking ability is your best friend here. Constantly move, dodge his teleporting attacks, and use Marking to target him whenever possible. When he summons clones, use area-of-effect elemental attacks or a fully charged Marking strike to clear them out. Managing your potions and elixirs is crucial; don't wait until you're critically low to heal.
Completionist's Corner: Finding Hidden Treasures
For players aiming to see everything, exploring Altissia thoroughly is a must. The DLC is filled with hidden items and a challenging optional boss.
- Collectible Journals: Scattered throughout the city are pages of Ignis's personal journal. Finding them all provides deeper insight into his thoughts and feelings during the chaos. They are often tucked away in alleys, on top of buildings, or down hidden paths. Using the Hookshot to reach high places is essential for finding them all.
- The Omega Weapon Secret Boss: This is the ultimate challenge in Episode Ignis. To unlock it, you must find a specific key item hidden in a side alley during Chapter 2. Fighting Omega is an extreme test of your mastery of Ignis's combat system. You'll need to be at a high level, have the best weapons, and have perfected your dodging and parrying to stand a chance. Defeating it rewards you with a powerful accessory and the satisfaction of conquering one of Final Fantasy XV's toughest foes.
In conclusion, Episode Ignis is a masterful piece of storytelling that enhances the world of Final Fantasy XV. By making the selfless choices to save Noctis, refuse Ardyn's power, and never give up, you will be rewarded with its most poignant and canonical conclusion. Couple this narrative knowledge with a firm grasp of his strategic, element-based combat, and you are equipped not only to survive the turmoil in Altissia but to truly master it. This guide ensures you have all the tools for an unforgettable journey through the eyes of the ever-dependable Ignis Scientia.
