The Chaotic version of the World of Darkness has launched for Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail. In this intense encounter, a whole alliance faces off against a powered-up level 100 version of the Cloud of Darkness, a foe familiar to players from the events in A Realm Reborn. This isn’t just a simple rehash with a higher level; the Cloud of Darkness comes equipped with new abilities and behavior that keeps the team alert. With solid coordination among players, this boss fight is designed to be a moderate challenge.
To unlock World of Darkness (Chaotic), players must complete the level 100 quest titled Dawntrail: How the West Was Sung. After finishing the main story of patch 7.0, talk to the Wandering Minstrel at Tuliyollai (x: 11.2, Y: 14.7) to access the raid. While Square Enix has mentioned that the raid can technically be completed with 12 players, it is advisable to form a group of 24, consisting of six tanks, six healers, and 12 DPS. Additionally, each player is required to possess a minimum item level of 710, which can be achieved through the Echoes of Vana’diel raid.
Cloud of Darkness Attacks and Strategy
Stay Away and Dodge Quickly
While the Cloud of Darkness is relentless, its attack patterns draw from strategies familiar to players who have completed the Savage raids in Shadowbringers and Endwalker. Although veteran players will have an advantage in predicting the boss’s moves, the speed and intensity of its attacks can easily catch teams off guard. The combination of quick strikes is where this fight truly earns its chaotic reputation.
One key aspect to understand is that the Cloud of Darkness auto-attacks all three main tanks. These hits are powerful and diminish the tank’s damage mitigation, which means that off-tanks must use Provoke to draw the boss’s attention and shield their partners—an essential tool for all tanks in FFXIV. Furthermore, the possibility of a damaging Bleed effect emphasizes the need for healers to actively restore health throughout the encounter.
Main Attacks of the Cloud of Darkness
At the start of the fight, the boss will perform a sweeping attack that affects a wide area from either its left or right. Like many moves found in FFXIV, this attack is clearly telegraphed, allowing players to avoid it by positioning themselves directly underneath the opposite arm. Alternatively, it may slam down in front of it, urging melee players to keep their distance.
Following that, the Cloud of Darkness will initiate two simultaneous attacks. First, lasers will appear in the southern and eastern sections of the arena. Players should adjust their camera views to spot these and dodge accordingly. Secondly, a selection of players will receive Stillness markers, reminiscent of mechanics from past FFXIV raids like Eden’s Gate. The counter begins at five; when it hits zero, those players must look away from the main group.
During these actions, three of the six tanks will be marked with Flares. If this happens to you, move away from your teammates and activate defensive cooldowns to mitigate incoming damage. Ranged DPS should also be cautious and maintain distance from these tanks.
The Cloud of Darkness employs both push-out and pull-in mechanics. When a blue circle appears, players should position themselves as close as possible to it to avoid being knocked off the platform. Conversely, if a black circle is present, players need to stay far away to avoid instant death, then retreat to the center for protection against follow-up attacks.
Stygian Shadow Minions
An additional six minions could spawn across the map. The off-tanks can attempt to control these, but it is advisable for ranged DPS to eliminate them to ease the tanks’ burden.
During various points in the battle, Meteor pads will appear. It is crucial for three to four players to occupy these pads to prevent significant raid-wide damage, a mechanic commonly seen in other FFXIV encounters. The Stygian Shadows will also tether off walls and unleash cone-shaped attacks. These will either fire straight ahead or from the sides, in a random order. Additionally, the Shadows can cleave left or right based on the main tank’s orientation.
After inflicting enough damage to all three Stygian Shadows, the Cloud of Darkness will revert to its initial attack patterns. With efficient DPS, the boss’s health should drop to 20%, and it will only take another few minutes of battling and dodging to secure victory. Players will be awarded the Cloud Strife achievement, a nod to Final Fantasy 7.
Rewards and Armor Trade-Ins
There Are Direct Drops and Tokens
Upon defeat, the Cloud of Darkness rewards players with two armor chests that correspond to the regular FFXIV armor slots including head, body, hands, legs, and feet. Using this item in town will yield item level 730 gear for your current job. Players will need to roll for loot against their seven teammates.
Additionally, players will receive Clouddark Demimateria. Normally, each person will earn two pieces, but those who clear the raid for the first time will receive extra currency. Bring these Demimateria to Uah’shepya in Solution Nine (x: 8.7, Y: 13.5) to trade them for more FFXIV gear.
To purchase a single head, hands, or foot piece, you’ll need two Clouddark Demimateria. For items related to the body or legs, three Clouddark Demimateria are required. Players can also buy a mount and hairstyle for 75 and 50 Clouddark Demimateria, respectively.
Taking on the World of Darkness (Chaotic) in Final Fantasy 14 might seem intimidating at first. However, without any weekly limitations, it offers a fantastic opportunity to gather top-tier equipment. Gather a group of friends or join a Grand Company, and with some practice, you’ll likely clear it in no time.
