"Final Fantasy XV" has a combat style that is more fast-paced compared to other RPG. This is a trick to help players slow down time and identify enemy weaknesses to make playing the game more interesting.
Like in most games, different adversaries are frail to particular weapons or spells. One way to identify their weaknesses is through looking at the color and size of the figures that are falling off the enemy after every attack. Smaller figures indicate lesser effective attack, larger numbers mean more effective attack. Although this strategy is good, there is a much more effective way to identify weaknesses.
Engage Wait Mode to Identify Enemy Weakness
The first step to efficiently identify enemy weaknesses is to engage Wait Mode. In the game's combat options, turn on Wait Mode. Next step is to stand still in combat to begin using Wait Mode.
Lock On To a Target to Identify Enemy Weakness
As soon as the Wait Mode appears and the player stopped moving, search for the target or enemy that the player wants to research. There will appear a lock on to the target, create a little box around it. This is the same as what players see when Noctis is looking around prior to Warping towards a target.
Hold R1 or RB to Identify Enemy Weakness
This step depends on the console the player is using. Players can hold down R1/RB and a wheel will appear as soon as it is locked. The wheel will sluggishly fill up and as soon as it is full, a guide with each weapon/attack type will manifest. This can be seen in the top left corner of the HUD. A list of attacks that weakens the enemy faster will light up on the guide. In addition, a list of grayed out attacks will also be seen in the guide, these are attacks which have minimal damage to the enemy.
Use Ignis to Identify Enemy Weakness
Players can then switch weapons or arm the right spell to take down the incoming enemy while on Wait Mode. Aside from this method, Ignis can also scan enemies and detect weaknesses for the player, even without the aid of Wait Time. In the Ascension menu, there is a skill that can be purchased to make Ignis do this prior to combat. The weaknesses will appear outside of Wait Time once he scans them. Although Ignis can do this, it is still handy to read them and switch weapons with Wait Mode active.
