'Final Fantasy 15' Wait Mode Explained: How It Works And When To Activate It

Final Fantasy XV introduces a whole new style of combat to the legendary JRPG franchise, one that’s a bit more rough n’ tumble than fans of the series may be accustomed to.

FFXV ’s Wait Mode won’t bring you back to the SNES-era, menu-driven Active Time Battle system, but it will give you a bit more time to catch your breath and plot your next move, especially when dealing with larger groups of enemies or formidable bosses. Need a bit more time to suss out your enemies? Not sure if you should link up with Gladiolus or Prompto? Can’t decide between Noctis’ polearm or two-handed sword? That’s where Wait Mode comes in.

How to activate Wait Mode in Final Fantasy XV

It’s simple enough, but easy to miss. First, pause the game. You don’t need to be in a fight. Then go to the Options menu >> Combat >> then toggle from Active to Wait.

What does Wait Mode do? How does it work?

Essentially, Wait Mode effects how time works in battles. Time flows normally if you move, issue commands, or are hanging from a height to recover. In other words, Wait Mode only kicks in if you STOP moving. Even if you have it activated, if you’re moving around a lot, combat won’t feel much different.

It’s important to note that you can’t just chill out in Wait Mode forever; this is not your window to grab a snack during that 72-hour battle. (At least, not until you unlock the unlimited wait time ascension node, detailed below.)

When Wait Mode is activated, you’ll see a timer at the bottom of the screen. Its duration varies depending on your difficulty setting. When it reaches zero, you’re back in the thick of it, ready or not.

When to use Wait Mode in FFXV

Basically, anything you might want a little extra time or precision for, such as:

• Scanning an enemy’s weaknesses using Libra (press R1 / RB)
• Looking for a point-warp location to allow Noctis to recover
• More precisely target an area-of-effect spell
• Locate a sniper / hidden enemy before they can do loads of damage to the party
• Plotting your next move in a fight where you’re outnumbered and/or outmatched
• Checking out who’s targeting who: blue lines indicate who your allies are attacking, while red lines show where the enemy is directing their attention

Wait Mode is designed not to get in your way, so it won't hurt to leave it on most of the time. You probably don't need it for grinding and sidequests, but it's a good idea to switch on when facing swaths of foes above your current level or major bosses.

If wait mode isn’t enough to get you through a particular battle, it might not mean it’s time to spend hours grinding. You can always toggle the difficulty level to get through a tough spot. To do this, enter the pause menu, then select Difficulty, then switch to Easy. You can always switch back. With the lower difficulty setting, enemies are weaker and (as mentioned above) the Wait Timer is extended, giving you longer to make your decisions.

Wait Mode Ascension Tree Abilities

There is an entire dedicated Ascension Tree for enhancing the perks of Wait Mode. Here are all the skills you can use AP to unlock:

• Time Restore: Wait Timer recovery every time you defeat an enemy
• Time Freeze: Unlimited Wait Timer
• Presto Libra: Reduced time to reveal a target’s weaknesses with Libra
• Sage: Increased damage inflicted by the party based on the number of enemies in Libra state
• Elementalist: Increased damage inflicted by a scanned elemental weakness
• Warp Punish: Increased damage with Warp-Strikes when targeting enemies with 50 percent HP or less
• Warp Ambush: Increased breakage odds with Warp-Strikes when targeting enemies attacking other party members

Have you noticed any perks to using Wait Mode? Any drawbacks we didn’t cover? What do you think of the system? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Also, be sure to check out some of our guides:

• 'Final Fantasy 15' Review: Combat, Plot, Characters Create Something Flawed, Beautiful, Fantastic
• Justice Monsters Five Rewards List: Every Item To Snag From The Pinball Mini-Game
• Combat Guide: Tips & Tricks For Weapons, Blitz Combos, Breaks And Royal Arms To Inflict Maximum Damage In Battle
• Ascension Tree Tips: 9 Must-Have Skills To Prioritize Early On
• Max AP Guide: How To Farm AP, Grind For Best Ascension Skills And Unlock Powerful Magic Early
• Favorite Foods List: Complete Recipes, Stat Boosts & Effects For Noctis, Gladiolus, Ignis and Prompto
• Magic Guide: Tips And Tricks For How To Use Elemancy And Craft Powerful Spells
• How To Summon Astrals In ‘Final Fantasy 15’: Summoning Ramuh, Titan, Leviathan, Shiva & Bahamut
• Outfits Guide: Attire Stat Bonuses And Buffs For Noctis And Allies’ Gear
• How Many Chapters Are in 'Final Fantasy 15'? Tips For Pacing Yourself
• Flying Car Guide: Here's How To Get The Regalia Type-F [VIDEO]
• How To Fish In 'Final Fantasy 15' Skill Guide: Best Locations, Equipment And Bonuses To Level Fishing Fast
• Full List Of Trophies And Achievements [NO SPOILERS]
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• Royal Arms Locations: Where To Find Tombs, Legendary Weapons In Eos' Optional Dungeons
• Royal Arms Guide: Tips And Tricks To Master Combat
• EXP Guide: How To Power Level Up Fast With Lodgings, Meals And Sidequests