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Final Fantasy 15: Ascension Grid Guide

Below you can find details about the Ascension Grid and all the skills you can unlock.

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Final Fantasy XV sports an ability unlock system called the Ascension Grid, where you can spend Ability Points (AP) to earn special moves and bonuses for Noctis and his party. There are tons of different options to spend your precious AP on. With so many to keep track of, we've compiled a guide to help you understand what's available to you. Below you can find 10 skills worth obtaining first, as well as a comprehensive list of every single one you can unlock in the game.

Research and plan ahead.
Research and plan ahead.

There are a multitude of different skills to unlock from the Ascension Grid. Below we've detailed 10 worth saving up for in the beginning of your journey. For more details on each, refer to the comprehensive list below.

  1. Rapid Regen (Recovery)
  2. Enhancement (Techniques)
  3. Dawnhammer (Techniques)
  4. Airstep (Combat)
  5. Light Phase (Combat)
  6. Warp Factor (Combat)
  7. Stalker (Combat)
  8. Link-Up (Teamwork)
  9. Accessory Slots for each character (Stats)
  10. Magic Action (Magic)

Armiger

These skills affect Noctis' Armiger ability, a special state you can trigger that allows him to unleash a flurry of devastating attacks with his arsenal of weapons.

Armiger Perks

  • Iron Armiger - Reduce Armiger bar depletion during Armiger by 30%. (24 AP)
    • Armiger Action - Gain 1 AP every time you conjure Armiger. (48 AP)
    • Armiger Harvester - Boost Armiger bar gain from attacks by 30%. (24 AP)

Armiger Chain Perks

  • Armiger Warchain - Boost Armiger Chain damage by 50%. (24 AP)
    • Armiger Chain Reaction - Gain 1 AP every time you unleash Armiger Chain. (48 AP)
    • Armiger Freechain - Gain unlimited MP for 60 seconds after executing Armiger Chain. (72 AP)
    • Armiger Sagechain - Boost experience gained from Armiger Chain kills by 100%. (99 AP)

Magic

These skills affect Noctis' ability to absorb magical elements from the environment and craft spells.

Elemental Absorption and Magic Power

  • Elementalism - Absorb more energy from elemental deposits (24 AP)
    • Elementality - Absorb even more energy from elemental deposits (72 AP)
    • Enhanced Elementality - Absorb much more energy from elemental deposits (99 AP)
    • Elemagnetism - Enhance energy absorption rate of elemental-absorbing weapons (48 AP)
    • Magic - Enhance the magic of each party member by the number of levels gained. The effect of similar abilities do not stack. (48 AP)
    • Magic Level II - Enhance the magic of each party member by the number of levels gained. The effect of similar abilities do not stack. (99 AP)

Spell Potency and Crafting Perks

  • Powercraft - Enhance potency by 10 when crafting spells. (20 AP)
    • Extra Powercraft - Enhance potency by 30 when crafting spells. (99 AP)
    • Super Powercraft - Enhance potency by 50 when crafting spells. (555 AP)
    • Ultimate Powercraft - Enhance potency by 100 when crafting spells. (999 AP)
    • Magic Action - Gain AP for using elemancy. (24 AP)
    • Bonuspell - Receive an extra spell when crafting. (333 AP)
    • Bonuspell II - Receive two extra spells when crafting. (999 AP)

Recovery

Upgrading Recovery skills enhances Noctis' and his party's ability to recover HP, MP, Stamina, and more in battle.

Noctis Recovery Perks

  • Hang In - Increase HP recovery rate while hanging after point-warp. (12 AP)
    • Sprinter - Boost Stamina (24 AP)
    • Distance Runner - Further enhance stamina. (99 AP)

Prompto/Gladiolus/Ignis Recovery Perks

  • Rapid Regen - Raise HP and MP recovery rate while in cover. (10 AP)
    • First Aid - Recover a bit of HP with a first aid kit when HP is low. (24 AP)
    • Advanced First Aid - Recover a little HP with a fancy first aid kit when HP is low. (99 AP)
    • Expert First Aid - Recover HP with a fully-stocked first aid kit when HP is low. (333 AP)

Party Recovery Perks

  • Savior's Fortitude - Boost an ally's defense after taking them out of danger. (20 AP)
    • Savior's Force - Boost an ally's attack after taking them out of danger. (48 AP)
    • Comeback - Fully restore an ally's HP after taking them out of danger. (99 AP)
    • Savior's Vengeance - Boost an ally's critical hit rate after taking them out of danger. (48 AP)

Techniques

Upgrading Techniques grants Noctis and his party special attacks and enhancements to bring into battle.

Noctis Techniques

  • Tech Strike - Add to tech bar when Noctis lands attacks. (48 AP)
    • Tech Damage - Add to the tech bar when Noctis suffers damage. (99 AP)
    • Quick Tech - Accelerate tech bar replenishment rate for entire party. (333 AP)

Prompto Techniques

  • Starsshell - Draw enemy attention across a wide area with a firearm. Weakens daemons. Depletes the tech bar by one. (8 AP)
    • Gravisphere - Draw enemies in an area closer together with machinery by creating a gravitational field. Depletes the tech bar by two. (18 AP)
    • Trigger-Happy - Unleash a barrage at multiple enemies with a pair of firearms. Depletes the tech bar by three. (72 AP)
    • Limit Break - Break limit on damage from Prompto's techniques. (999 AP)
    • Recoil - Deal heavy damage with machinery by overloading its energy output. Depletes the tech bar by two. (18 AP)

Ignis Techniques

  • Regroup - Bring all allies together in stalwart defense. Rescues from danger and restores Hp quickly. Depletes the tech bar by two. (8 AP)
    • Enhancement - Imbue Noctis's weapon with the element gis target is weakest to. Depletes the tech bar by one. (18 AP)
    • Sagefire - Unleash a devastating fire attack with daggers. Depletes the tech bar by three. (72 AP)
    • Limit Break - Break limit on damage from Ingis's techniques. (999 AP)
    • Overwhelm - Concentrate ally attacks on a foe with devastating Deathblow strikes. Depletes the tech bar by two. (18 AP)

Gladiolus Techniques

  • Dawnhammer - Deal heavy damage to a single enemy with a powerful greatsword slash. Depletes the tech bar by two. (8 AP)
    • Royal Guard - Move quickly to guard Noctis with a shield. Depletes the tech bar by one. (18 AP)
    • Impulse - Ambush enemies with a frontal sweeping greatsword area attack. Depletes the tech bar by three. (72 AP)
    • Limit Break - Break limit on damage from Gladiolus's techniques. (999 AP)
    • Cyclone - Deal damage to nearby enemies with a fearsome shield shockwave. Depletes the tech bar by two. (18 AP)

Combat (For Noctis Only)

These combat skills focus purely on Noctis' offensive and defensive skills, attributes, and abilities.

Aerial Maneuvers

  • Airstep - Use left stick and O to take a step in midair after attacking (costs MP), one time only. (6 AP)
    • Airsplip - Dodge enemy attacks in mid-air by holding square. (16 AP)
    • Airstride - Perform a second Airstep after a second midair attack. (52 AP)
    • Airdance - Airstep after midair attacks an unlimited number of times. (333 AP)
    • Death Drop - From afar press O in midair to warp into range and strike down from above. (28 AP)
    • Osmostrike - Recover MP when an aerial attack connects. (52 AP)

Phasing Cost

  • Light Phase - Reduce MP cost of phasing. (8 AP)
    • Ultralight Phase - Further reduce the MP cost of phasing. (32 AP)
    • Experimagic - Increase Noctis's MP by the number of levels he has gained. The effects of similar abilities no not stack. (99 AP)

Warpstrike and Blindside Strike

  • Chained Fury - Boost damage dealt when unscathed during chain attacks. (10 AP)
    • Warp Factor - Boosts warp-strike damage. (24 AP)
      • Daemon Destroyer - Warp-strike to break daemon appendages. (24 AP)
    • Warp Factor Level II - Further boost warp-strike damage. (52 AP)Point-Blank Warp-Strike - Deliver a critical hit when warp-striking at close range. (333 AP)
    • Stalker - Boost blindside damage. (28 AP)
    • Super Stalker - Further boost blindside damage. (64 AP)

Evasive Maneuvers

  • Blink - Phase through an enemy's attack without using MP by pressing square at the last second. (16 AP)
    • Blink Boost - Recover a bit of MP by blinking through attacks at the last second. (32 AP)
    • Impervious - Negate damage by pressing square immediately after being hit. (333 AP)
    • Warp Decoy - Leave a hologram to divert enemies after warping. (99 AP)
    • Static Edge - Significantly increase damage dealt after entering stasis. (34 AP)

Teamwork

Teamwork skills enhance Noctis' party, providing them with a wide range of perks and damage bonuses.

Prompto Cooperative Perks

  • First Shot - Gain first strike against a nearby enemy with a firearm. Adds to tech bar. (6 AP)
    • Shock Drop - Electrocute an enemy with machinery when Noctis attack it in midair. (24 AP)
    • Sharp Shock - Boost Shock Drop damage. (99 AP)
    • Scintilla - Deliver a counterattack and stun enemies with a firearm. (18 AP)
    • Ballistic - Swiftly unleash damage on an area with a firearm. Makes enemies flinch. (64 AP)

Gladiolus Cooperative Perks

  • Reflex - Deliver a powerful counterattack with a greatsword. Makes enemies flinch. (6 AP)
    • Engage - Gain first strike by delivering a powerful greatsword slash. (18 AP)
    • Intercept - Protect Noctis from enemy attacks with a shield. (64 AP)
    • Antagonize (Gladiolus) - Make an enemy flinch with a paralyzing kick while Noctis is defending. (24 AP)
    • Acute Antagonism - Boost Antagonize damage. (99 AP)

Ignis Cooperative Perks

  • Analyze - Automatically scan most enemies weaknesses at the onset of battle. (6 AP)
    • Lancet - Deliver a counterattack and drain an enemy's HP with a polearm. (18 AP)
    • Regenerate - Heal an ally with a hidden recovery item. (99 AP)
    • Vemon Fang - Poison an enemy with daggers when Noctis chain attacks it. (24 AP)
    • Virulent Venom - Boost Venom Fang damage. (64 AP)

Party Cooperative Perks

  • Link Up - Boost link strike damage. (8 AP)
    • Super Link Up - Further boost link-strike damage. (32 AP)
    • Critical Link - Always deliver a critical hit when link-striking. (333 AP)
    • Limitless Link - Break limit on link-strike damage. (999 AP)
    • Deathblow (All except Noctis) - Deliver a devastating blow to a vulnerable enemy. (16 AP)
    • Ultimate Deathblow (All except Noctis) - Deliver an utterly devastating blow to a vulnerable enemy. (99 AP)

Stats

These skills affect the stats of Noctis and his party by increasing their health, spirit, vitality, and accessory slots.

Base Stats

  • Health Level I - Increase HP of each party member by 2x the number of levels gained. The effects of similar abilities do not stack. (10 AP)
    • Health Level II - Increase HP of each party member by 5x the number of levels gained. The effects of similar abilities do not stack. (99 AP)
    • Health Level III - Increase HP of each party member by 10x number of levels gained. The effects of similar abilities do not stack. (333 AP)
    • Spirit Level - Increase spirit of each party member by the number of levels gained. The effects of similar abilities do not stack. (99 AP)
    • Vitality Level - Increase vitality of each party member by the number of levels gained. The effects of similar abilities do not stack. (99 AP)

Accessory Slots

  • Accessory Slot (Noctis) - Equip two accessories. (16 AP)
    • Accessory Slot (Noctis) - Equip three accessories. (333 AP)
    • Accessory slot (Gladiolus) - Equip two accessories. (16 AP)
    • Accessory Slot (Gladiolus) - Equip three accessories. (333 AP)
    • Accessory Slot (Ignis) - Equip two accessories. (16 AP)
    • Accessory Slot (Ignis) - Equip three accessories. (333 AP)
    • Accessory Slot (Prompto) - Equip two accessories. (16 AP)
    • Accessory Slot (Prompto) - Equip three accessories. (333 AP)

Exploration

Upgrading Exploration Skills enhances the special talents of Noctis and his party.

Survival Skills (Gladiolus)

  • Happy Camping - Increase AP gained for making camp. (20 AP)
    • Happier Camping - Further increase AP gained for making camp. (48 AP)
    • Fitter Survival - Occasionally double the items from Gladio's survival skill. (99 AP)
    • Fittest Survival - Receive double the items from Gladio's survival skill. (999 AP)
    • Roadrunning - Gain AP for long trips in the car. (32 AP)
    • Roadlife - Gain experience for long trips in the car. (99 AP)

Fishing Skills (Noctis)

  • Angler Action - Gain AP for catching a fish. (18 AP)
    • Item Angler - Double the items gained from fishing. (84 AP)
    • Sportfishing - Gain more AP for reeling in a big catch. (99 AP)
    • Expert Item Angler - Triple the items gained from fishing. (Angler 555 AP)
    • Reel Experience - Gain experience for catching fish. (333 AP)

Photography Skills (Prompto)

  • Snapshot - Take photos in battle. Up to five can be saved. Depletes the tech bar by one. (12 AP)
    • Aperture - Chance of gaining AP through Snapshot. (333 AP)

Cooking Skills (Ignis)

  • Aftertaste - Extend the status boost time from meals eaten at camp. (18 AP)
    • Lingering Aftertaste - Further enhance status boost time from meals eaten at camp. (99 AP)
    • Persistent Aftertaste - Greatly enhance status boost time from meals eaten at camp. (333 AP)
    • Appetize - Gain AP for cooking someone's favorite food. (20 AP)

Chocobo Riding

  • Chocojockey - Gain AP for winning chocobo races. (32 AP)
    • Chocoracer - Gain experience for winning chocobo races. (99 AP)
  • Chocobump - Gain AP for long trips by chocobo. (32 AP)
    • Chocobonus - Gain experience for long trips by chocobo. (99 AP)

Wait Mode

Wait Mode is a special battle mode you can trigger from the options menu. It allows you to pause the action in a fight after halting your movement, giving you time to decide what to do next. These skills are only worth obtaining if you use this mode.

Wait Mode Warp Strike Perks

  • Warp Ambush - During Wait Mode, warp-strike an enemy not targeting Noctis to increase the likelihood of breaking its appendage. (18 AP)
    • Warp-Punish - During Wait Mode, warp-strike an enemy with half or less of its HP remaining to increase damage inflicted. (99 AP)

Wait Mode Recovery Perks

  • Presto Libra - Scan enemies even faster when using Libra. (12 AP)
    • Time-Restore - Restore the Wait Timer by defeating an enemy. (48 AP)
    • Time-Freeze - Stop the Wait Timer from depleting. (99 AP)

Wait Mode Damage Perks

  • Elementalist - Boost damage inflicted by a scanned enemy's elemental weakness. (32 AP)
    • Sage - Boost damage inflicted by allies for each enemy scanned. (99 AP)

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