Gunbreaker Job Guide for FFXIV — Endwalker 6.55

Last updated on Jan 30, 2024 at 05:53 by Lyra, Rin, and Keelan 12 comments

Gunbreaker is a Tank job in Final Fantasy XIV that focuses on busy burst windows and hard-hitting combo actions that emulate a DPS rotation while using a Gunblade as its primary weapon. Gunbreaker can be unlocked upon reaching Level 60 after purchasing the Shadowbringers expansion and speaking to Gods' Quiver Bow in Central Shroud.

1.

What is Gunbreaker's Playstyle?

Gunbreaker is a high-tempo tank that builds and spends cartridges using its weaponskills and abilities. These cartridges can be spent on the Continuation combo, a flurry of attacks that make the job flow almost like a true DPS.

Gunbreakers want to build up their Cartridge Gauge and then unload onto enemies every minute under the effect of its core damaging buff No Mercy Icon No Mercy. Cartridges are spent on the Gnashing Fang Icon Gnashing Fang combo roughly every 30 seconds and Burst Strike Icon Burst Strike otherwise, with Continuation Icon Continuation used directly afterwards. At max level, they gain the devastating attack Double Down Icon Double Down, which requires two cartridges to use. Gunbreaker optimization is structured around maximizing these strong abilities and using as many cartridges as possible under No Mercy Icon No Mercy.

Defensively, Gunbreaker is a jack of all trades. It boasts the standard suite of tank defensives and can adapt to any situation to assist the party with mitigation and single-target healing over time.

2.

Gunbreaker Strengths and Weaknesses

V Strengths
  • +High burst damage every minute with No Mercy Icon No Mercy.
  • +Great sustained damage with the Continuation Icon Continuation combo.
  • +A jack of all trades, they have defensive tools for every situation.
  • +Rotation is extremely fluid, similar to a DPS toolkit.
X Weaknesses
  • -Harder to move enemies when executing any Continuation Icon Continuation ability.
  • -Has to proactively use mitigation abilities and think about weaving space when bursting.
  • -A badly-timed Superbolide Icon Superbolide can cause headaches for any healer.
  • -Rotation becomes somewhat rigid at max level due to Double Down Icon Double Down requiring two cartridges.
3.

How do you Unlock Gunbreaker?

Gunbreaker can be unlocked as long as the player has a Disciple of War or Magic above Level 60. After meeting the requirements, talk to the Gods' Quiver Bow in New Gridania (x11.5, y11.9) and complete the quest "The Makings of a Gunbreaker" to unlock the job. Gunbreaker starts at Level 60.

4.

The Powder Gauge

Gunbreaker FFXIV Powder Gauge

The Powder Gauge will indicate if the player has their tank stance Royal Guard Icon Royal Guard on or off. It will additionally show how many cartridges the player has stored at the time once the Cartridge Charge trait is unlocked, up to a maximum of three at Level 90.

Cartridges can be spent on four weaponskills: Burst Strike Icon Burst Strike, the Gnashing Fang Icon Gnashing Fang combo, Fated Circle Icon Fated Circle, and Double Down Icon Double Down.

5.

Gunbreaker Video Resources

If you would prefer to watch a video that provides an overview of Gunbreaker, feel free to give the video below a watch. The video was provided by Julia Care, a member of the community on The Balance Discord server.

6.

Gunbreaker Actions

Action Name
  • Cast
  • Recast
  • Range
  • Radius
Effect
Keen Edge Icon Keen Edge Lv. 1
  • Instant
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 200.
No Mercy Icon No Mercy Lv. 2
  • Instant
  • 60.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 0y
Increases damage dealt by 20%. Duration: 20s
Brutal Shell Icon Brutal Shell Lv. 4
  • Instant
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 160. Combo Action: Keen Edge Combo Potency: 300 Combo Bonus: Restores own HP Cure Potency: 200 Combo Bonus: Creates a barrier which nullifies damage equaling HP restored Duration: 30s
Camouflage Icon Camouflage Lv. 6
  • Instant
  • 90.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 0y
Increases parry rate by 50% while reducing damage taken by 10%. Duration: 20s
Demon Slice Icon Demon Slice Lv. 10
  • Instant
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 5y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 100 to all nearby enemies.
Release Royal Guard Icon Release Royal Guard Lv. 10
  • Instant
  • 1.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 0y
Cancels the effect of Royal Guard.
Royal Guard Icon Royal Guard Lv. 10
  • Instant
  • 2.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 0y
Significantly increases enmity generation. Effect ends upon reuse.
Lightning Shot Icon Lightning Shot Lv. 15
  • Instant
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 20y
  • 0y
Delivers a ranged attack with a potency of 150. Additional Effect: Increased enmity
Danger Zone Icon Danger Zone Lv. 18
  • Instant
  • 30.0s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 250.
Solid Barrel Icon Solid Barrel Lv. 26
  • Instant
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 140. Combo Action: Brutal Shell Combo Potency: 360 Combo Bonus: Adds a Cartridge to your Powder Gauge
Burst Strike Icon Burst Strike Lv. 30
  • Instant
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 380. Additional Effect: Grants Ready to Blast Duration: 10s Effect of Ready to Blast ends upon execution of any weaponskill. Cartridge Cost: 1
Nebula Icon Nebula Lv. 38
  • Instant
  • 120.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 0y
Reduces damage taken by 30%. Duration: 15s
Demon Slaughter Icon Demon Slaughter Lv. 40
  • Instant
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 5y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 100 to all nearby enemies. Combo Action: Demon Slice Combo Potency: 160 Combo Bonus: Adds a Cartridge to your Powder Gauge
Aurora Icon Aurora Lv. 45
  • Instant
  • 60.0s
  • ↔ 30y
  • 0y
Grants Regen to target. Cure Potency: 200 Duration: 18s Maximum Charges: 2
Superbolide Icon Superbolide Lv. 50
  • Instant
  • 360.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 0y
Reduces HP to 1 and renders you impervious to most attacks. Duration: 10s
Sonic Break Icon Sonic Break Lv. 54
  • Instant
  • 60.0s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 300. Additional Effect: Damage over time Potency: 60 Duration: 30s This weaponskill does not share a recast timer with any other actions.
Rough Divide Icon Rough Divide Lv. 56
  • Instant
  • 30.0s
  • ↔ 20y
  • 0y
Delivers a jumping attack with a potency of 150. Maximum Charges: 2 Cannot be executed while bound.
Gnashing Fang Icon Gnashing Fang Lv. 60
  • Instant
  • 30.0s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 380. Additional Effect: Grants Ready to Rip Duration: 10s Effect of Ready to Rip ends upon execution of any weaponskill. Cartridge Cost: 1 This weaponskill does not share a recast timer with any other actions.
Savage Claw Icon Savage Claw Lv. 60
  • Instant
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 460. Combo Action: Gnashing Fang Combo Bonus: Grants Ready to Tear Duration: 10s Effect of Ready to Tear ends upon execution of any weaponskill. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.
Wicked Talon Icon Wicked Talon Lv. 60
  • Instant
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 540. Combo Action: Savage Claw Combo Bonus: Grants Ready to Gouge Duration: 10s Effect of Ready to Gouge ends upon execution of any weaponskill. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.
Bow Shock Icon Bow Shock Lv. 62
  • Instant
  • 60.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 5y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 150 to all nearby enemies. Additional Effect: Damage over time Potency: 60 Duration: 15s
Heart of Light Icon Heart of Light Lv. 64
  • Instant
  • 90.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 30y
Reduces magic damage taken by self and nearby party members by 10%. Duration: 15s
Heart of Stone Icon Heart of Stone Lv. 68
  • Instant
  • 25.0s
  • ↔ 30y
  • 0y
Reduces damage taken by a party member or self by 15%. Duration: 7s Additional Effect: When targeting a party member while under the effect of Brutal Shell, that effect is also granted to the target Duration: 30s
Abdomen Tear Icon Abdomen Tear Lv. 70
  • Instant
  • 1.0s
  • ↔ 5y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 240. Can only be executed when Ready to Tear. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.
Continuation Icon Continuation Lv. 70
  • Instant
  • 1.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 0y
Allows the firing of successive rounds with your gunblade. Gnashing Fang may be followed by Jugular Rip. Savage Claw may be followed by Abdomen Tear. Wicked Talon may be followed by Eye Gouge. Burst Strike may be followed by Hypervelocity.
Eye Gouge Icon Eye Gouge Lv. 70
  • Instant
  • 1.0s
  • ↔ 5y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 280. Can only be executed when Ready to Gouge. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.
Jugular Rip Icon Jugular Rip Lv. 70
  • Instant
  • 1.0s
  • ↔ 5y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 200. Can only be executed when Ready to Rip. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.
Fated Circle Icon Fated Circle Lv. 72
  • Instant
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 5y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 300 to all nearby enemies. Cartridge Cost: 1
Bloodfest Icon Bloodfest Lv. 76
  • Instant
  • 120.0s
  • ↔ 25y
  • 0y
Draws aetheric energy from target, adding 3 Cartridges to your Powder Gauge.
Blasting Zone Icon Blasting Zone Lv. 80
  • Instant
  • 30.0s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 720.
Heart of Corundum Icon Heart of Corundum Lv. 82
  • Instant
  • 25.0s
  • ↔ 30y
  • 0y
Reduces damage taken by target party member or self by 15%. Duration: 8s Additional Effect: When targeting a party member while under the effect of Brutal Shell, that effect is also granted to the target Duration: 30s Additional Effect: Grants Clarity of Corundum to target Clarity of Corundum Effect: Reduces damage taken by 15% Duration: 4s Additional Effect: Grants Catharsis of Corundum to target Catharsis of Corundum Effect: Restores HP when HP falls below 50% or upon effect duration expiration Cure Potency: 900 Duration: 20s
Hypervelocity Icon Hypervelocity Lv. 86
  • Instant
  • 1.0s
  • ↔ 5y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 180. Can only be executed when Ready to Blast. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.
Double Down Icon Double Down Lv. 90
  • Instant
  • 60.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 5y
Delivers an attack to all nearby enemies with a potency of 1,200 for the first enemy, and 15% less for all remaining enemies. Cartridge Cost: 2 This weaponskill does not share a recast timer with any other actions.
7.

Role Actions

Action Name
  • Cast
  • Recast
  • Range
  • Radius
Effect
Rampart Icon Rampart Lv. 8
  • Instant
  • 90.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 0y
Reduces damage taken by 20%. Duration: 20s
Low Blow Icon Low Blow Lv. 12
  • Instant
  • 25.0s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Stuns target. Duration: 5s
Provoke Icon Provoke Lv. 15
  • Instant
  • 30.0s
  • ↔ 25y
  • 0y
Gesture threateningly, placing yourself at the top of a target's enmity list while gaining additional enmity.
Interject Icon Interject Lv. 18
  • Instant
  • 30.0s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Interrupts the use of a target's action.
Reprisal Icon Reprisal Lv. 22
  • Instant
  • 60.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 5y
Reduces damage dealt by nearby enemies by 10%. Duration: 10s
Arm's Length Icon Arm's Length Lv. 32
  • Instant
  • 120.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 0y
Creates a barrier nullifying most knockback and draw-in effects. Duration: 6s Additional Effect: Slow +20% when barrier is struck Duration: 15s
Shirk Icon Shirk Lv. 48
  • Instant
  • 120.0s
  • ↔ 25y
  • 0y
Diverts 25% of enmity to target party member.
8.

Gunbreaker Traits

Action Name Acquired Effect
Tank Mastery Icon Tank Mastery Lv. 1

Reduces damage taken by 20%. Furthermore, grants a bonus to maximum HP based on your vitality attribute, and a bonus to damage dealt based on your strength attribute.

Cartridge Charge Icon Cartridge Charge Lv. 30

Stores a Cartridge in your Powder Gauge after successfully completing a combo with Solid Barrel.

Maximum Cartridges: 2

Enhanced Brutal Shell Icon Enhanced Brutal Shell Lv. 52

Grants the effect of Brutal Shell after successfully completing a combo with Brutal Shell.

Duration: 30s

Danger Zone Mastery Icon Danger Zone Mastery Lv. 80

Upgrades Danger Zone to Blasting Zone.

Heart of Stone Mastery Icon Heart of Stone Mastery Lv. 82

Upgrades Heart of Stone to Heart of Corundum.

Enhanced Aurora Icon Enhanced Aurora Lv. 84

Allows the accumulation of charges for consecutive uses of Aurora.

Maximum Charges: 2

Melee Mastery Icon Melee Mastery Lv. 84

Increases the potency of Keen Edge to 200, Brutal Shell to 160, and Solid Barrel to 140.

Enhanced Continuation Icon Enhanced Continuation Lv. 86

Become Ready to Blast after executing Burst Strike.

Duration: 10s

Cartridge Charge II Icon Cartridge Charge II Lv. 88

Increases Powder Gauge capacity to 3 Cartridges.

Executing Bloodfest stores 3 Cartridges.

9.

Gunbreaker Lore

The Hrothgar of northern Ilsabard have passed the art of the gunblade from one generation to the next. The weapon itself combines a sword with a firing mechanism, emitting a range of magical effects by utilizing aetherially imbued cartridges. Originally employed by Queen Gunnhildr's personal guard, they were once known as "Gunnhildr's Blades" and differ greatly from the similarly named weapons used in the Garlean Empire.

10.

Changelog

  • 02 Feb. 2024 (gear page): Updated for Patch 6.55
  • 18 Jan. 2024 (rotation page): Updated for patch 6.55.
  • 18 Jan. 2024 (Leveling page): Updated for patch 6.55.
  • 18 Jan. 2024 (melding page): Updated for patch 6.55.
  • 18 Jan. 2024 (this page): Updated for patch 6.55.
  • 13 Oct. 2023 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 6.5
  • 13 Oct. 2023 (Leveling page): Updated for Patch 6.5
  • 13 Oct. 2023 (gear page): Updated for Patch 6.5
  • 13 Oct. 2023 (melding page): Updated for Patch 6.5
  • 13 Oct. 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 6.5
  • 02 Aug. 2023 (melding page): Corrected the food and potion section for the latest patch.
  • 28 Jul. 2023 (gear page): Updated for Patch 6.45
  • 29 May 2023 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 6.4
  • 29 May 2023 (Leveling page): Updated for Patch 6.4
  • 29 May 2023 (gear page): Updated for Patch 6.4
  • 29 May 2023 (melding page): Updated for Patch 6.4
  • 29 May 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 6.4
  • 12 Jan. 2023 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 6.3
  • 12 Jan. 2023 (Leveling page): Updated for Patch 6.3
  • 12 Jan. 2023 (gear page): Updated for Patch 6.3
  • 12 Jan. 2023 (melding page): Updated for Patch 6.3
  • 12 Jan. 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 6.3
  • 09 Sep. 2022 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 6.2
  • 09 Sep. 2022 (Leveling page): Edited to clarify Bow Shock in the rotation.
  • 09 Sep. 2022 (gear page): Updated for Patch 6.2
  • 20 Apr. 2022 (Asphodelos page): Updated for Patch 6.1
  • 20 Apr. 2022 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 6.1
  • 20 Apr. 2022 (gear page): Updated for Patch 6.1
  • 20 Apr. 2022 (melding page): Updated for Patch 6.1
  • 20 Apr. 2022 (this page): Updated for Patch 6.1
  • 01 Apr. 2022 (Asphodelos page): Guide added.
  • 17 Mar. 2022 (Leveling page): Guide added.
  • 16 Feb. 2022 (rotation page): Page added.
  • 16 Feb. 2022 (gear page): Page added.
  • 16 Feb. 2022 (melding page): Page added.
  • 15 Feb. 2022 (this page): Page added.
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