Gunbreaker is the most complex tank in FFXIV, having abilities typical of a DPS yet generating gauge resources simultaneously. Featuring a mix of offensive and defensive skills, Gunbreaker is a common choice among players. But, it’s important to understand that mastering this tank is not easy. You will have to invest a good deal of time analyzing and practicing this job until you come to grips with its basics and advanced capabilities. But let’s take a closer look at this highly effective and tricky tank.
Basics
Gunbreaker is a tank job that behaves like a DPS in most parts of the game, relying on single target combos and AoE combos during attacks. At the same time, the tank’s actions can generate gauge resources that you can spend on offensive weapon skills.
They are also good defendants, having several ways of mitigating the enemy’s damage. You have to reach level 60 with any other character to unlock the Gunbreaker job. Expanding the Shadowbringers is also a requirement for unlocking this tank. Once you do so, you go to Gridania, where a specialized NPC will give you a Gunbreaker-related quest.
Weapon Skills
Gunbreaker boasts multiple weapon skills able to deal a great amount of damage to foes. Some of them entail generating gauge resources, which heals the tank while allowing you to spend it on powerful abilities. But let’s dive into some of the most trusted and effective weapon skills.
Single-target combo
We’ll begin with the 3-piece single target combo. Keen Edge opens the combo with an attack that brings 150-potency damage to enemies. Brutal Shell follows it that deals twice as much damage as Keen Edge and also grants you a self-heal of 150. The last element is the Solid Barrel. Its attack has a potency of 400, and it provides you with a powder cartridge you can spend on a powerful weapon skill.
Burst Strike
Burst Strike is a single target weapon that consumes a powder cartridge and generates 500-strength damage. It gets unlocked at level 30 and has a recast time of only 2.5 seconds.
Fated Circle
You can also spend a powder cartridge on a highly effective AoE weapon, called Fated Circle, that has a potency of 320. Once you cast it, it deals damage to each opponent nearby, even those behind you.
Offensive Abilities
No Mercy
Gunbreaker takes pride in excellent offensive abilities. One of the best ones is the No Mercy buff, active for 20 seconds and increases your damage by 20%.
Damage Zone
Damage Zone offers a potency ranging from 350 to 800 while aiming at a single target. The potency depends on the additional buffs you activate during the attack. You can repeat this skill every 30 seconds.
Bow Shock
Bow Shock allows for a ranged attack, dealing 200-potency damage whose effect lasts for 15 seconds. Mind the one-minute cooldown of this buff before using it.
Jugular Rip
Jugular Rip entails 260-potency damage, and its activation is conditioned. You can trigger it only after Gnashing Fang during the Continuation Combo. Gnashing Fang buff can be earned in exchange for a powder cartridge.
Bloodfest
Bloodfest is a Gunbreaker’s special skill that, once successfully applied on an enemy, gives you two powder cartridges, which you store up for the more powerful opponents or use right away to finish off the current opponent faster.
Defensive Abilities
A tank is originally a defensive job. That’s why you are about to meet a multitude of defensive abilities in Gunbreaker.
Royal Guard
Royal Guard significantly increases your resistance against the enemy’s fierce attacks. Given its remarkable shielding effect, you are good to use it when you are in the main tank.
Camouflage
Another outstanding ability is Camouflage. It offers a 50% parry rate boost and mitigates your damage by 10%. The buff lasts for 20 seconds, so make sure you choose its activation time wisely.
Nebula
Nebula performs greatly against tankbusters, decreasing the damage you take by 30%. This ability stands active for 15 seconds and has a cooldown of two minutes.
Aurora
Aurora boasts a healing ability lasting for 18 seconds. You can apply the healing property both on your character and on other alliance members.
Superbolide
Superbolide is that very buff that saves you from death in the most critical moments of the fight. It makes you invincible against all enemy attacks. Make sure you use it only when you have a low HP and are at a high risk of biting the dust. Using it when your HP gauge is more than half full is a mistake that can cost you a lot later.
Heart of Light
Heart of Light deals with magic damage you and your team members take. Any attack based on magic spells will be mitigated by 10%. You can reuse Heart of Light after a 90-second recast time.
Heart of Stone
Heart of Stone offers a 7-second long barrier to you and your teammates during the Brutal Shell attack. While short-lasting, it can be recast after only 25 seconds, making it a highly useful defensive buff.
Gunbreaker Tips
Since it is one of the most sophisticated tanks in FFXIV, getting to grips with Gunbreaker takes time and effort. You might want to use the following tips to help you master the controls of this tank faster and not commit the mistakes most beginners make.
- Mitigate damage in advance
First of all, keep in mind that Gunbreaker can’t decrease the damage that has already occurred. You must always act in advance and apply damage mitigation, healing, and HP increase buffs before an enemy casts a stone towards you. - Start with a slow-paced tank
Gunbreaker has an extremely fast-paced playstyle, requiring two instant weaves to unleash their full power. If you haven’t tried the tank role before in the game, using Gunbreaker as your first tank may be a mistake. Start your tank career with a slow-paced character to train your finger speed and instant decision-making. - Use combos
For succeeding as a Gunbreaker, you have to actively use combos of different buffs to fight off strong opponents. Make sure you adjust and coordinate the cooldowns of buffs to use as many of them as possible in one combo.
Bottom line
Gunbreaker is the most effective and powerful tank. It combines offensive and defensive abilities to advance through the game. However, mastering Gunbreaker controls is pretty difficult, as it is a fast-paced character with many buffs and game mechanics to understand. You would be best off starting your tank career with a slower-paced tank and, after some practice to step up your game with the Gunbreaker.
