FFXIV: World Of Darkness Chaotic Guide

The Chaotic mode of the World of Darkness has released for Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail. This pits an entire alliance against a powered-up level 100 version of the Cloud of Darkness, previously seen in the story events of A Realm Reborn. This isn’t just the same fight with a 50-level increase; instead, Cloud of Darkness has additional moves and behavior to keep everyone on their toes. As long as the whole team can coordinate, the boss should prove to be a medium challenge.

World of Darkness (Chaotic) can be unlocked by completing the level 100 Dawntrail quest How the West Was Sung. Speak to the Wandering Minstrel in Tuliyollai (x: 11.2, Y: 14.7) after completing the main story of patch 7.0 and gain access to the raid. Square Enix has stated that completing the raid with 12 players is technically possible. However, on launch, it is recommended that you bring 24 players with the composition of six tanks, six healers, and 12 DPS. Everyone also must have a minimum item level of 710, which is easily achieved from the Echoes of Vana’diel raid.

Cloud Of Darkness Attacks And Strategy

Stay Away And Dodge Quickly

Despite the ferocity of the Cloud of Darkness, it doesn’t use any new attacks not already seen in FFXIV expansions Shadowbringers or Endwalker. If you have completed those Savage-level raids, it will be easier to anticipate what is happening. However, the Cloud of Darkness attacks incredibly quickly and can overwhelm with several simultaneous moves. It is this combination onslaught that truly makes the raid earn its chaotic title.

The first thing to know is that the Cloud of Darkness auto-attacks all three main tanks. These hit hard and reduce the tank’s resistance to further damage. This makes it important for the three off-tanks to use Provoke to protect their partners, a shared ability of all tanks in FFXIV. Additionally, a powerful Bleed damage over time effect can also occur, making it important for Healers to both recover hitpoints and be active with Ensua the whole fight.

Main Attacks Of The Cloud of Darkness

When starting the fight, the boss can cleave a massive area of the field from either the right or left hand. Like many attacks in FFXIV, this is highly telegraphed and can be dodged by standing under the opposite arm. Alternatively, she can slam the ground directly in front of her, making running far from melee range important.

Next, the Cloud of Darkness will unleash two moves at once. First, a number of lasers will spawn in the south and east of the map. Turn your camera to spot all of them and dodge accordingly. Second, a random amount of players will be hit with Stillness markers seen in past FFXIV raids like Eden’s Gate. This starts at a counter of five, and when they hit zero, you look away from the rest of the raid.

The Cloud of Darkness has both push-out and pull-in mechanics from the center in FFXIV. If a blue circle appears, get as close as possible to the circle to avoid being knocked off the arena. If the circle is black, get far away so that you are not instantly killed, then run to the dead center to avoid the follow-up attack.

Stygian Shadow Minions

At around 70% health, the Cloud of Darkness will summon three Stygian Shadow clones positioned on the west, south, and east of the map. These are essentially the same enemies from Eden’s Promise of FFXIV: Shadowbringers. Tanks will need to move these minions to dodge attacks from all four enemies. This includes tanks moving close to the main Cloud when it attacks outward and dragging the minions to the outer circle when using common line attacks from FFXIV.

At various points, Meteor pads will spawn. Upwards of three to four players must stand on them to avoid spreading heavy-raid wide damage, as seen in many other FFXIV raids. The Stygian Shadows themselves will also tether off a wall and unleash cone-shaped blasts: one directly forward or two from the side; this order is random. The Shadows can also cleave left or right from where the main tank is facing.

After dealing enough damage to all three Stygian Shadows, the Cloud of Darkness will reset back to its original pattern. If your team's DPS is strong, it should be down to 20% health. It should only take another three or four minutes of fighting and dodging to win the raid. All players will gain the Cloud Strife achievement, a slight nod to Final Fantasy 7.

Rewards And Armor Trade-Ins

There Are Direct Drops And Tokens

Upon defeat, the Cloud of Darkness will drop two armor chests corresponding to the normal FFXIV armor slots of head, body, hands, legs, and feet. Using this item in town will spawn item level 730 gear for your current job. Players will need to roll lots against their seven teammates.

Additionally, the number of Clouddark Demimateria will drop. By default, this will be two per person, but additional currency will drop if anyone in the raid has cleared it for the very first time. Take these Demimateria to Uah’shepya in Solution Nine (x: 8.7, Y: 13.5) to buy more FFXIV gear.

World of Darkness (Chaotic) can seem very daunting to take on in Final Fantasy 14. But, with no weekly lockout, it is a great way of accumulating a lot of top-line equipment. Practice with a group of friends or a Grand Company, and you may be able to clear it with enough practice and patience.