Blade & Soul NEO Classic brings back the nostalgic thrill of the original game while introducing new challenges and rewards for players to enjoy. One of the most iconic and formidable encounters in the game is the Ancient Dragon, a World Boss located in The Cinder lands: The Scorching Sands. This massive, fiery beast is not only a test of skill and coordination but also a source of valuable rewards, including rare items like the Time stream Weapons, Time stream Shadow stone Chest, Ancient Dragon Outfit, BnS NEO Divine Gems and Ancient Dragon's Fervor. In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know to defeat the Ancient Dragon, from preparation and mechanics to tips for maximizing your contribution and rewards.
Understanding the Ancient Dragon Encounter
The Ancient Dragon is a World Boss, meaning it requires a large group of players to defeat. It's a high-difficulty encounter that demands teamwork, strategy, and proper execution of mechanics. The fight is divided into several phases, each with unique abilities and challenges. Here's an overview of what to expect:
Phase 1: The Initial Assault
The Ancient Dragon starts with basic attacks, including swipes, tail slams, and fire breath. These attacks deal moderate damage but can quickly overwhelm unprepared players.
Players should focus on dodging its attacks while dealing consistent damage.
Phase 2: Firestorm
The dragon takes to the air and summons a fiery storm, raining down fireballs across the battlefield. These fireballs deal massive damage and leave behind burning zones that persist for several seconds.
Players must stay mobile and avoid standing in the fire zones.
Phase 3: Enrage
At around 50% health, the Ancient Dragon enters an enraged state, increasing its attack speed and damage output. It also gains new abilities, such as a ground slam that creates shockwaves and a devastating fire breath attack that covers a wide area.
Tanks and healers must be especially vigilant during this phase to keep the group alive.
Phase 4: Final Stand
When the dragon's health drops below 20%, it becomes even more aggressive, unleashing powerful AoE attacks and summoning additional firestorms.
This is the most dangerous phase of the fight, and players must focus on survival while dealing the final blows to the boss.
Preparation: Gear, Skills, and Consumables
Before taking on the Ancient Dragon, it's essential to prepare your character and ensure you have the right gear, skills, and consumables. Here's what you'll need:
Gear
Weapon: A high-level weapon with good damage output is crucial. If possible, equip a Time stream Weapon or another weapon with strong stats and bonuses.
Accessories: Focus on accessories that boost your critical hit rate, attack power, and survivability.
Soul Shields: Equip a set of Soul Shields with high defensive stats and bonuses that complement your class.
Skills
DPS Classes: Prioritize skills that maximize your damage output and provide utility, such as crowd control or buffs for your party.
Tanks: Ensure you have skills that generate threat and reduce incoming damage.
Healers: Focus on healing and support skills that can keep your party alive during intense phases.
Consumables
Healing Potions: Stock up on potions that restore health and remove debuffs.
Buff Food: Use food items that provide temporary stat boosts, such as increased attack power or critical hit rate.
Revival Charms: These are essential for quickly getting back into the fight if you're defeated.
Mechanics and Strategies
To defeat the Ancient Dragon, you'll need to understand and execute the fight's mechanics effectively. Here's a breakdown of the key strategies for each phase:
Phase 1: The Initial Assault
Tanking: The tank should position the dragon facing away from the group to minimize damage from frontal attacks.
DPS: Focus on dealing consistent damage while avoiding the dragon's swipes and tail slams.
Healing: Healers should keep an eye on the tank and DPS players, ensuring everyone stays healthy.
Phase 2: Firestorm
Mobility: Stay mobile to avoid fireballs and burning zones. Use dashes or movement skills to quickly reposition.
Group Coordination: Spread out to reduce the risk of multiple players being hit by the same fireball.
Healing: Healers should prioritize players who are low on health or caught in burning zones.
Phase 3: Enrage
Tanking: The tank must maintain threat and use defensive cool downs to survive the dragon's increased damage.
DPS: Focus on dodging shock waves and fire breath while maintaining high damage output.
Healing: Healers should use their strongest heals and shields to keep the group alive during this intense phase.
Phase 4: Final Stand
Survival: Prioritize survival over damage. Avoid AoE attacks and stay out of firestorms.
Burst Damage: Use all available cool downs and buffs to deal as much damage as possible before the dragon overwhelms the group.
Revival: If players are defeated, use Revival Charms to get them back into the fight quickly.
Maximizing Contribution and Rewards
Defeating the Ancient Dragon is not just about the thrill of the fight; it's also about the rewards. The dragon drops rare items that are automatically registered in the World Boss Auction, where players can bid on them. The proceeds from the auction are distributed among the players who participated in the fight, based on their contribution. Here's how to maximize your contribution and rewards:
Deal Consistent Damage: Focus on dealing as much damage as possible throughout the fight. Use your strongest skills and rotations to maximize your DPS.
Avoid Deaths: Staying alive is crucial. Each death reduces your contribution score, so prioritize survival over risky plays.
Support Your Party: If you're a tank or healer, focus on keeping your party alive and maintaining threat. Your contribution is calculated based on your role's effectiveness.
Use Buffs and Consumables: Buffs and consumables can significantly increase your damage output and survivability, boosting your contribution score.
Coordinate with Your Group: Communication and coordination are key to a successful fight. Work with your group to execute mechanics and maximize overall damage.
Rewards from the Ancient Dragon
The Ancient Dragon drops some of the most sought-after items in Blade & Soul NEO Classic. Here's a look at the rewards you can earn:
Time stream Weapons: These powerful weapons are highly coveted for their strong stats and unique abilities. They can significantly boost your character's performance in both PvE and PvP content.
Time stream Shadow stone Chest: This chest contains valuable Shadow stones, which are essential for upgrading your gear and enhancing your stats.
Ancient Dragon Outfit: A rare and stylish outfit that showcases your victory over the Ancient Dragon. It's a symbol of prestige and achievement.
Ancient Dragon's Fervor: A unique item that provides powerful buffs and bonuses, making it a valuable addition to your inventory.
Tips for Success
Join a Strong Group: The Ancient Dragon is a challenging encounter, so it's best to join a group of experienced players. Look for parties in the faction chat or join a guild that organizes World Boss runs.
Learn the Mechanics: Watch videos or read guides to familiarize yourself with the fight's mechanics before attempting it.
Be Patient: The Ancient Dragon fight can take time, especially if your group is learning the mechanics. Stay patient and focused, and don't get discouraged by setbacks.
Have Fun: While the rewards are important, don't forget to enjoy the thrill of the fight. The Ancient Dragon is one of the most iconic encounters in Blade & Soul, and defeating it is a memorable achievement.
Conclusion
The Ancient Dragon in Blade & Soul NEO Classic is a thrilling and rewarding encounter that tests your skills, coordination, and determination. By preparing properly, understanding the mechanics, and working with your group, you can defeat this mighty World Boss and claim its valuable rewards. Whether you're after the powerful Time stream Weapons, the rare Ancient Dragon Outfit, or the prestige of defeating one of the game's most iconic bosses, the Ancient Dragon fight is an experience you won't want to miss. Good luck, and may your blade strike true!
MMOexp BnS NEO Classic Team