Techniques are special abilities that cost ability points to use. Some techniques are passive and on all the time (for example, Sense Secrets or Double Attack) and others have to be activated from the battle menu. Depending on the character's primary job, they may have 2 to 5 ability points. Ability points automatically regenerate after some time has passed and can regenerate in or out of battle. Passive abilities require no ability points to use.

Activating a technique requires an ability point, but also time. Most techniques will cause an extra delay between actions. Keep that in mind when choosing a powerful technique.

You can find your characters' techniques by first pressing C to go to the character menu, then jobs, then abilities.