Introduction to Reaper

Learn the ins and outs of the Reaper job in Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker. Understand the Soul Gauge, Shroud Gauge, and how to unleash your avatar's power.

Hey there! So you're looking to dive into the Reaper job in Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker? Awesome choice! It's a really cool melee DPS that's all about tapping into the Void for some serious power. Think of it as a dark, edgy fighter who summons a spectral avatar to help them out. It's got a unique playstyle that feels super rewarding once you get the hang of it.

The Reaper's core mechanics revolve around two main gauges: the Soul Gauge and the Shroud Gauge. Mastering these is key to unlocking the job's full potential.

Soul Gauge

The Soul Gauge is where you build up your basic resource. You'll fill it up by using certain weaponskills, especially those that are part of your combos starting with 'Slice,' or by using skills like 'Soul Slice.' You can also gain Soul when you defeat enemies that have 'Death's Design' applied to them. Once you've got enough Soul stored up, you can use it to execute powerful actions like 'Blood Stalk,' 'Grim Swathe' (which you get at level 55), and 'Gluttony' (unlocked at level 76). Essentially, the more Soul you gather, the more potent your abilities become.

Shroud Gauge and Avatar Summoning

Now, the Shroud Gauge is where things get really interesting. This gauge represents the strength of your bond with your avatar. When this gauge is sufficiently filled, you can activate 'Enshroud.' This is when you temporarily become the host for your avatar, unleashing its full power through you.

While you're in this 'Enshrouded' state, you'll see the Death Gauge pop up. This shows you how much time you have left to channel your avatar's power and also displays your stacks of 'Lemure Shroud.' These stacks are crucial because they're consumed to unleash some of the Reaper's most devastating attacks, like 'Void Reaping' and 'Communio' (which you unlock at level 90). So, filling the Shroud Gauge lets you enter a powerful temporary state where you can use even more powerful attacks by consuming Lemure Shroud stacks.

It's a cool loop: build Soul, use Soul abilities to build Shroud, then unleash your avatar with Enshroud and burn through Lemure Shroud stacks for massive damage. Get ready to feel like a true harbinger of doom!