Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gaming
  3. Guides

How to use Soul Shield in Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin

Jesse Lennox
By

Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin borrows almost all of its gameplay mechanics more from action games than Final Fantasy titles. Even the more action-focused games in the series, such as Final Fantasy 7: Remake and Final Fantasy XV, are very different compared to how this game wants you to interact with it. This makes sense when you realize it was developed by Team Ninja, the team behind the Souls-like Nioh series. While Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin is certainly not a Souls-like game itself, it has a lot of mechanical depth that you would expect to find in those games. Outside of the more basic and streamlined RPG mechanics, the default abilities Jack and crew have to combat Chaos require a higher level of execution to master.

Outside of attacking, blocking, dodging, and parrying, a new system introduced in Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin is the Soul Shield. As the name implies, this is yet another defensive option but is also a way to vastly expand your options for offense. The game does try and make sure you grasp how it works, but especially for those not too familiar with action games like this, the concept may not be as clear as it should be. Get your edgy rock music ready because this is how the Soul Shield works in Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin to help you finally kill Chaos.

Recommended Videos

See more

What Soul Shield is and how to use it

stranger-of-paradise-final-fantasy-origin-coming-in-2022

Rather than just adding a second block, which wouldn’t make much sense, Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin gives you an alternative to the normal block and parry with the Soul Shield. This is a special defensive move that is used to block a specific type of attack, although it can be used against normal strikes as well (even if it isn’t very advisable) and does more than just negate damage.

By pressing and holding either Circle or B, Jack will bring up his Soul Shield. While active, it will block any incoming attack as you would expect. However, where things get interesting, is that any attack you block will allow you to do a follow-up attack, almost like a normal parry. That’s good, but the two best features are when you use Soul Shield against attacks that are labeled with a purple background. If you block one of those with the Soul Shield, two things happen: You regain some MP and get an Instant Action attack. Depending on the attack you absorb, that stored Instant Action attack will change to match what you caught, such as a fire spell.

This makes the Soul Shield great for not only giving you an additional way to block, but also restoring MP for your spells and abilities, plus stocking up on special attacks you can throw back at your foes. It can also be used to stagger enemies that wouldn’t be phased by your normal block. However, you shouldn’t forget your normal block and just rely on this new defensive option. There is one major downside to the Soul Shield.

When to avoid using Soul Shield

Jack fights with the Samurai Job in Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin.

Summoning your Soul Shield will constantly drain your Break Gauge. You only get a few precious moments with it out before it drains fully, leaving you completely vulnerable to the next hit that lands. You should reserve using it against smaller, weaker foes and preserve your Break Gauge. Also, remember to swap Jobs to replenish your Break Gauge if it gets too low. It is also not a good idea to pull it out against enemies that dish out long combo strings since that, again, will be too much of a drain on your gauge. If you’re good enough, you can treat the Soul Shield like a parry, just tapping the button, and you should always aim to have it out for as little time as possible.

Editors' Recommendations

Jesse Lennox
Jesse Lennox
Jesse Lennox loves writing, games, and complaining about not having time to write and play games. He knows the names of more…
The best games like Final Fantasy
team-ninja-rumored-to-be-developing-final-fantasy-action-game

The Final Fantasy series has spanned decades, with the 16th mainline title announced, plus dozens of spinoff titles across dozens of consoles. The series was one of the first to establish many of the conventions JRPGs would be known for and also revolutionized those systems with nearly every installment. It isn't just the combat that made this series so popular for all this time, though. The story, worlds, and characters have kept players invested for hundreds of hours.

While Final Fantasy remains the biggest name in the JRPG market, that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of other high-quality games that have a similar feel to these classic adventures. Whether you like classic turn-based battles, more action-focused titles, or just want a gripping story to sink dozens of hours into, there are more options than you might think there are outside of this series. If you're looking for something similar to scratch that itch, or perhaps find a new series that can hold you over until the latest entry drops, we've rounded up the best games like Final Fantasy you can play right now.

Read more
Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin DLC announced via Rick roll
Jack Garland with the Warriors of Light in Final Fantasy Origin.

Fans who were quick to check out the DLC trailer for Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin on the official Square Enix site were instead met with Rick Astley.

The Trials of the Dragon King expansion for Final Fantasy Origin was just revealed as the first major expansion coming as part of the game's season pass coming on July 20. The game's official website was updated with what should have been a trailer for the upcoming content, but when early fans attempted to view the trailer, they found themselves getting "Rickrolled."

Read more
Final Fantasy 7 Ever Crisis: release date speculation, trailers, gameplay, and more
Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis

Perhaps the final part of the long-running compilation of Final Fantasy 7, which follows the odd naming convention of AC for Advent Children, BC for Before Crisis, CC for Crisis Core, and DC for Dirge of Cerberus, making it Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis (EC), is more what you would expect a true remake of the original game to be. Unlike Remake, this retelling of events is more comprehensive and faithful, at least in terms of the original game, than what we got before. Outside of the new trilogy, this title is meant to bring all the elements of the compilation into one package.

Remake was many people's first taste of the world and characters of Final Fantasy 7 and inspired plenty of people to go back and see what the original was all about. As it turns out, there's a lot to go back and catch up on, some of which, like Before Crisis, are not even available in the west. Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis aims to give those who want the full Final Fantasy 7 experience a better understanding of Remake and the sequels in one convenient package. Get ready for a whole lot of turn-based action combat as we run down everything we know about Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis.

Read more