Similar to Final Fantasy, Bravely Default 2 has Limit Breaks which are called Special Abilities. They are associated with Jobs not characters though, so Seth's Freelancer Special Ability and Adelle's Freelancer Special Ability will be the same. Funnily enough, there is a Special Ability called Limit Break for the Bravebearer Job, so Square Enix knew what they were doing.
To make things easier, let's just refer to them all as Limit Breaks. All that being said, we take a look at the most essential Limit Breaks in the game that will help turn the tides in the direst of battle situations. Even the worst Jobs can have good Limit Breaks.
10 Battle Hymn
Battle Hymn is the Special Ability for the Bard Job. It increases everyone’s physical and magical attack power for three turns. The bonus effects include increasing the party’s aim by 15%.
Battle Hymn can be triggered by using the Job’s specific command twelve times. Any sort of Special Ability that acts on the party instead of as an attack is good, even if the Job itself is not that valuable on its own, like the Bard in this game.
9 Invincible
Invincible is the Special Ability for the Bastion Job. It has two parts to it as Invincible not only strikes all enemies with a holy magic attack, but it gives everyone a barrier that can block any one attack. That could be good, but as these attacks can’t be chosen in terms of when to block, it sort of makes these barriers useless.
However, knowing when a strong attack will come could make this Special Ability invaluable, if timed correctly. The bonus effects include increasing the party’s speed by 20%. Invincible can be trigged by simply Defaulting thirteen times.
8 All-Out Assault
All-Out Assault is the Special Ability for the Freelancer Job. Among all of the physical Special Abilities in the game, this is pretty good depending on your attack power. Since it doesn’t rely on any sort of elemental attributes, it also can’t be absorbed by most enemies.
The bonus effects include increasing the party’s physical and magic power by 20% and All-Out Assault can be trigged by simply using attack commands twelve times.
7 Portcullis
Portcullis is the Special Ability for the Shieldmaster Job. It increases the physical and magic defense for the party for three turns. The bonus effects include increasing the party’s physical power by 15%.
This is a good Special Ability when you really need to block attacks which comes in handy later in the game. Portcullis can be trigged by using the Job’s specific command twelve times.
6 The Hastening
The Hastening is the Special Ability for the Oracle Job. It has an odd effect in that all allies will act quicker, much like the Haste spell already, but the caster does not get this boon. The bonus effects include increasing the party’s magical power and defense by 15%.
The Hastening can be trigged by using the Job’s specific command twelve times. It’s a good Special Ability in a pinch, but definitely not top tier.
5 Jackpot
Jackpot is the Special Ability for the Gambler Job. It completely restores the party’s MP, which is a hard thing to do on its own, even with items, and it also randomly generates money. That bonus in particular won’t amount to much though, so don’t get hopeful.
The bonus effects include increasing the party’s critical chance by 30% which is actually very good. Jackpot can be triggered by using the Job’s specific command ten times.
4 Shakedown
Shakedown is the Special Ability for the Thief Job. It hits one enemy with a physical attack but more importantly it steals an item, often a rare one, which is great for bosses. It’s usually a guarantee too, which is why it’s so great. The Job overall is not worth keeping around though.
The bonus effects include increasing the party’s physical attack power and speed by 15%. Shakedown can be trigged by using this Job’s specific command thirteen times.
3 Limit Break
Limit Break is the Special Ability for the Bravebearer Job. It does some damage with a physical attack, but the big boon is the increase of everyone’s BP by one. The bonus effects include increasing the party’s physical and magic power by 30%.
Timing this Special Ability just right can be great to have everyone Brave and then unleash their strongest abilities, all while these bonus effects are in place. It can be a game-changer in Bravely Default 2. Limit Break can be trigged by using the Job’s specific command thirteen times
2 Sacred Light
Sacred Light is the Special Ability for the White Mage Job. It completely heals HP and more importantly cures every status ailment. This can be good when in a bind like toward the end of the game with the various Night’s Nexus bosses which dump effects like parade trucks on the fourth of July.
The bonus effects include increasing the party’s physical and magical defense by 15%. Sacred Light can be triggered by using the Job’s specific command twelve times.
1 Holy Mist
Holy Mist is the Special Ability for the Spiritmaster Job. It restores max HP and casts Regenerate and Reraise on the party. The bonus effects include increasing the party’s magical power by 15%.
Holy Mist can be trigged by using the Job’s specific command twelve times. Because of everything together, this is the best special ability in the game. It would be nice if it cured status ailments too like the White Mage’s Special Ability, but getting Reraise and Regenerate are good enough.