In Final Fantasy XIV, the world of Eorzea is teeming with dangerous creatures, awe-inspiring bosses, and trials that will test the mettle of even the most seasoned adventurers. One such trial that has captivated the community is The Royal Menagerie, an exciting 8-player battle introduced in the Endwalker expansion. The Royal Menagerie trial takes players through a majestic, yet perilous, battle against a variety of powerful foes. It is an important milestone in the Endwalker story, set against the backdrop of a captivating and extravagant arena.
In this guide, we will break down The Royal Menagerie trial, its mechanics, strategies, and tips to help you conquer this exhilarating challenge. Whether you're stepping into the arena for the first time or aiming to perfect your performance, this guide will ensure that you're well-prepared to face the threats within.
Overview of The Royal Menagerie Trial
The Royal Menagerie trial is a part of the Endwalker expansion and is encountered during the main scenario questline. The trial takes place in an extravagant arena designed to resemble a royal palace or coliseum, where players are tasked with fighting multiple waves of enemies and powerful bosses. It is a spectacle of battle, combining ornate visuals with high-stakes combat.
Unlike traditional dungeon bosses, The Royal Menagerie is a multi-phase encounter where players face different creatures—each with its own set of mechanics. It features some unique, creative battles that require teamwork, quick reactions, and adaptability. Players are also encouraged to study the arena and learn the attack patterns of the bosses and adds (minions) in order to succeed.
Unlocking The Royal Menagerie
Before entering the trial, you must first unlock it through the main Endwalker storyline. The trial will become available after a significant quest marker in the Endwalker campaign. Once unlocked, you can queue for the trial via the Duty Finder, or you can enter it with your party from the quest objective.
The Royal Menagerie is typically queued through the Duty Finder for the Endwalker expansion's level range, and it can be run on different difficulties, such as normal or extreme modes.
Understanding the Arena
The arena for The Royal Menagerie is a grand, open space, beautifully designed with architectural grandeur. However, don't let the aesthetics fool you; the trial is packed with peril. Here's what you need to know about the layout of the arena:
Arena Layout: The Royal Menagerie is a circular arena with no real obstacles or walls for cover. However, there are markers on the ground and sections where hazards will appear, forcing players to be aware of their positioning and movement throughout the fight.
Environmental Hazards: Be aware of sudden environmental changes such as areas of the arena becoming hazardous or even areas that will trigger deadly effects. Pay attention to on-screen warnings to avoid falling into these hazards.
The Royal Menagerie Mechanics: Understanding the Bosses and Their Phases
The Royal Menagerie trial is broken down into multiple phases, each with its own boss and unique mechanics. The overall flow of the encounter will involve taking on different foes, dealing with large-scale mechanics, and coordinating as a team to ensure victory.
Phase 1: The First Boss – The Behemoth
The first major phase of the trial introduces The Behemoth, a powerful, beastly creature that offers a blend of both simple and complex mechanics. Here's what to expect:
Main Mechanics:
Tethering: Players will occasionally be tethered to one another. It's important to keep your distance from the others while tethered, as failing to do so will cause massive AoE damage to nearby players.
Behemoth's Charge: The Behemoth will charge across the arena, causing significant damage to any player in its path. To avoid this, ensure that players maintain good positioning and avoid crossing paths with the Behemoth.
Summon Adds: The Behemoth will occasionally summon small adds (minions) into the arena. These adds should be quickly eliminated before they overwhelm the group.
Strategy:
Tank: The tank will need to manage aggro and ensure that the Behemoth is always facing away from the group to avoid dangerous frontal attacks. Use position and movement to dodge the Behemoth's charge mechanic.
DPS: Damage dealers should focus on dealing sustained damage while staying away from the tethered players and moving out of charge zones.
Healers: Keep an eye on your party's health, especially during moments of high damage output from the Behemoth's abilities. Healers will also need to manage AoE healing during the add phase.
Phase 2: The Second Boss – The Cerberus
After defeating The Behemoth, players will face The Cerberus, a terrifying three-headed dog that will bring a variety of mechanics to the table. This phase introduces more complexity to the encounter.
Main Mechanics:
Head Swap: The Cerberuswill periodically change which head is its "active" head, triggering different abilities depending on which head is active.
Bite and Stun: The Cerberus will use a bite attack that stuns any player it hits. This mechanic requires players to be aware of their positioning to avoid being caught.
Flames: The Cerberus will periodically breathe fire on different sections of the arena, creating areas of high damage. These areas must be avoided at all costs.
Strategy:
Tank: The tank must be vigilant during the head swap phase, adjusting positioning and making sure that the Cerberus doesn't target the wrong player. Tanks will also need to use cooldowns wisely to mitigate the stun effect of the bite.
DPS: Damage dealers should prioritize focusing on the Cerberus's active head. Be ready to reposition quickly if the fire breath or bite attack targets your area.
Healers: The healing role will need to react quickly to AoE damage from the Cerberus's flame breath and the bite stuns. Keeping up shields and heals for players under pressure is essential.
Phase 3: The Final Boss – The Royal Beast
The final stage of The Royal Menagerie introduces The Royal Beast, the ultimate opponent in this trial. This battle will feature a blend of all previous mechanics, mixed with new abilities designed to challenge players' coordination and ability to avoid AoEs.
Main Mechanics:
Arena-Wide AoE: The Royal Beast will periodically summon devastating AoEs that cover large areas of the arena. Players must be mindful of these and adjust their positioning quickly to avoid being hit.
Vortex: The Royal Beast will create a vortex that pulls players towards it. This mechanic requires players to stay spread out and away from the center of the arena.
Summon Royal Beasts: During this phase, additional royal beasts will be summoned. These adds must be killed quickly to avoid being overwhelmed.
Strategy:
Tank: Maintain aggro on the Royal Beast while positioning it to avoid the AoE and vortex mechanics. When adds are summoned, the tank may need to briefly switch to handling the new enemies.
DPS: Prioritize quick damage on the Royal Beast, but be ready to deal with adds when they appear. During the vortex phase, players should keep their distance and focus on surviving while dealing damage. You can buy FFXIV Gil from MMOexp.com, to improve your damage.
Healers: The final phase will be intense, with heavy AoE and high-damage mechanics. Healers will need to be on their toes, healing quickly and efficiently as players attempt to survive the onslaught of the Royal Beast's attacks.
Tips for Success
Here are some general tips to keep in mind when facing The Royal Menagerie trial:
Communication is Key: The mechanics of The Royal Menagerie require coordinated movement, so make sure your group is communicating effectively. Whether it's positioning or handling adds, good communication will make or break the encounter.
Positioning Matters: Always be mindful of where you're standing in relation to your teammates. Avoid standing too close to others, especially when tethers are involved, and be quick to react when areas of the arena become dangerous.
Prepare for Environmental Hazards: The arena can change during the fight, and new hazards may emerge. Keep an eye on the floor markers, warnings on your screen, and the boss's movements to avoid being caught off guard.
Practice and Patience: The Royal Menagerie trial is challenging, but it's also a test of patience and persistence. Don't be discouraged if you wipe a few times. Learn from each attempt, adapt to the mechanics, and you'll soon master the fight.
Conclusion
The Royal Menagerie trial in Final Fantasy XIV is an exhilarating and complex encounter that tests players' ability to work as a team, handle multiple mechanics, and stay alert throughout the battle. By preparing for each phase, learning the mechanics, and communicating with your party, you'll be able to overcome the challenge and reap the rewards that await. Whether you're in it for the experience, the loot, or the story, The Royal Menagerie is an exciting addition to the Endwalker expansion that promises memorable moments and unforgettable battles.
MMOexp Final Fantasy XIV Team