FFXIV Mount Ordeals guide

MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV may be more than ten years old now, but it is still enjoyed by thousands of players every day. Alongside the timeless pull of the Final Fantasy universe, the game has managed to stay at the top, thanks to consistent and challenging content updates for both solo and group play. Update 6.3, Endwalker, introduced several new sections to the main scenario, including the level 90 Desires Untold quest. Part of this is a tough group boss trial against Rubicante, The Autarch of Flame. If your group is struggling with it, read on for our FFXIV Mount Ordeals guide.   

Mount Ordeals Trial Guide Final Fantasy XIV walkthrough

There are three distinct phases to the Mount Ordeals battle. At first, you’ll be fighting Rubicante directly. Inferno will damage everyone in the raid individually before you face your first Ordeal of Purgation (see below). Shattering Heat follows this, an AoE attack that targets the tank with the most Enmity, so keep your distance, and healers and shielders should be ready for these attacks.

Then it is Arch Inferno, a central AoE (pushing players away) alongside a series of AoE attacks that circle the arena, so all players need to keep moving to avoid them as they work their way clockwise. During Arch Inferno, there will also be Conflagration (a line AoE) and Radial Flagration (coned AoE) attacks to be avoided, so try to keep to the edge of the arena for more dodging room. Once Arch Inferno has completely circled the platform, you'll face another round of Ordeal of Purgation before the phase ends.

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Ordeal of Purgation

Rubicante’s signature attack is the Ordeal of Purgation. Blue fuses appear on the ground of the arena, each leading out to a large rune on its edge. When you see a fuse being lit by an orange glow, run across to the rune that is being triggered and stand to either side of it. When it triggers, a large cone AoE attack will come out from the rune, damaging half the arena. Players will also be immobilized by Penitent’s Shackles when it fires off, so if you haven’t moved to a safe spot, you’re in trouble. This happens twice in succession, with the second attack not following a straight line, but it is still indicated by an orange line.

When the Ordeal of Purgation happens the second time, at the end of the phase, it can be harder to follow. The middle ring of the arena will show an arrow, and that section will move one space in that direction when the fuse is lit. So, you need to work out which section this means it will trigger and move to safety. Overall, there is a lot of dodging to be done, so non-tank players will be better off nearer the edges of the arena. But do be careful, as it is possible to fall off the edge.

Phase two

You’ll know you’ve reached phase two when Rubicante becomes untargetable, moves to the north side of the arena, and adds arrive in the shape of a Greater Flamesent and three Flamesent. Get your tank to collect them into a group and hit them with AoEs until they’re down.

The Greater Flamesent repeatedly casts Ghastly Torch, DoTing all players, while the Flamesent casts Ghastly Wind (AoE cone), Ghastly Flame (circular AoE), and Shattering Heat (as above, so stay away from the tank), respectively. You’ll also get a stacking debuff the longer this phase continues.

Take the Greater Flamesent down first, as the at DoT is deadly. And be quick, as if the boss's counter reaches 100 with any Flamesent still standing, you'll lose the battle. Once they’re down, Rubicante will become targetable once more and launch Blazing Rapture, damaging everyone in the raid, so be ready with those shields, buffs, and heals.

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How to defeat Rubicante

For the final part of the battle, Rubicante’s attacks are similar but intensified. After a cut scene, a new and improved Inferno will now also inflict Bleed and is AoE, so make sure you all stay apart to avoid overlapping damage. Arrows will appear and spin below Rubicante, and where they stop will see a line AoE (Flamerake) go right across the arena through its location. It then spreads out to the edge, so run to the center after the initial strike.

Soulscald then targets each player, this time with a line AoE, so again, keep apart and avoid the lines crossing for overlap damage. Once again, these lines will hit the edge of the arena and come back, so be prepared to avoid it again on its way back to the middle of the arena. Dualfire is a telegraphed conal tankbuster AoE, so get those heals ready and stay away from the tanks. Next up is Sweeping Immolation, for which you’ll need to get behind Rubicante to avoid a half-arena cleave. But also stay apart from each other, as it includes a targeted AoE on each player too.

If Rubicante is still standing, phase one and phase three will continue to repeat until it is down.

Looking for more FFXIV guides? Check out All new MSQ quests in Final Fantasy XIV Patch 6.3 and How to unlock Omega Protocol Ultimate raid in Final Fantasy XIV right here at Pro Game Guides!