Level 50, ilvl 42
50, i60
Northern Thanalan (X:15.5, Y:16.8)
Rock the Castrum
So begins the third phase of Operation: Archon, which entails a frontal assault upon Castrum Meridianum, Gaius van Baelsar's seat of power. Forming the main thrust, the Immortal Flames will strike at the stronghold with all their strength, though this is but a feint. While the garrison's eyes are drawn outwards, you and your comrades must steal past its defences and attempt to deactivate the magitek field which protects the Praetorium, the fortress within a fortress wherein the Ultima Weapon is believed to be housed.
In this battle, the boss has four different moves. The first move is called Incendiary Support, which deals moderate raidwide damage in three hits. The second move is Request Assistance, which brings additional imperial soldiers to the battle. The third move is Magitek Cannon, a powerful area of effect attack that randomly targets a player and inflicts heavy damage on all players hit. The fourth move is High-powered Magitek Ray, an untelegraphed line attack that causes heavy damage to all players standing directly in front of the boss.
In this encounter, the boss has several powerful abilities that players need to be aware of. The first is the Cermet Drill, which is a tankbuster attack. Next is the Thermobaric Strike, where a flare is placed in a random corner of the arena. To minimize damage, players should quickly move to the opposite corner. The boss will then use Hypercharge, repositioning at the center of the arena and unleashing a donut AoE and circle AoE attack. Players must find the small donut area to avoid taking damage. Another dangerous ability is the Overcharge, which inflicts heavy damage and Paralysis debuff to all players hit by a frontal cone AoE attack. Lastly, the boss uses Targeted Support, dropping an AoE on all players that can be avoided by moving out of it.
During the battle with Garlean Tribunus Livia sas Junius, players will need to be aware of several abilities. These include Aglaia Climb, which is a tankbuster attack. Artificial Plasma is an unavoidable raidwide damage ability that requires healing. Roundhouse is another move where Livia repositions to the center and casts a circle AoE followed by 8 AoEs on the border of the arena. To avoid this, players must move out and then back in. Infinite Reach is a sequence of a large line AoE down the center of the arena followed by 6 circle AoEs on the sides. Livia will cast this four times on different sides before ending with Angry Salamander. Players need to remember the order of these AoEs to avoid them sequentially. Thermobaric Strike is a cast that prepares for the next two moves. Stunning Sweep is a circular AoE attack that occurs simultaneously with 6 other AoEs on the outside of the arena, leaving two safe areas on opposite edges. Players must move into the safe zone and then leave once the other AoEs go off. Angry Salamander follows, with 8 line AoEs in the middle of the arena and four flare markers on the edge. Players should move between two of the line AoEs and then return to the center. At 18% HP, Livia will use Artificial Boost, increasing her defenses. She will then cast a deadlier version of Artificial Plasma, which now includes four instances of unavoidable raidwide damage. Livia will continue to use Artificial Plasma until she is defeated.