Final Fantasy XIV: Battle on the Big Bridge Trial Guide
In the expansive and dynamic world of Final Fantasy XIV (FFXIV), trials are an integral part of the game's content, offering players a chance to battle powerful bosses in exciting, high-stakes encounters. One such trial that has become iconic among the player base is "Battle on the Big Bridge"—a pivotal fight in the game's "Stormblood" expansion. This trial, which takes place on the massive Big Bridge spanning the Kholusia region, offers a thrilling challenge, memorable music, and rewarding loot. For those gearing up to face off against Gilgamesh and his allies, this guide will provide everything you need to know to successfully conquer this trial.
1. Introduction to the Trial
The Battle on the Big Bridge trial is part of the Stormblood expansion and occurs after players complete a series of quests surrounding the Kholusia region. The fight takes place on a gigantic bridge, setting the stage for an epic clash between the Warrior of Light and Gilgamesh, one of the most iconic figures in the Final Fantasy series. Known for his somewhat goofy personality and penchant for collecting powerful weapons, Gilgamesh has become a fan-favorite character in FFXIV and is a central figure in this trial.
As players progress through the main story of Stormblood, they come to this trial as part of the quest "The Ultimate Weapon,"where they must confront Gilgamesh and his band of cohorts. This trial also offers an engaging story and a nostalgic callback to Gilgamesh's previous appearances in other Final Fantasy games.
2. The Trial Overview
Level: 60
Role: 8-player (1 tank, 2 healers, 5 DPS)
Location: Kholusia, The Big Bridge
Boss: Gilgamesh
Duration: 10–15 minutes (depending on group coordination)
Unlock: The trial is unlocked through the main story quest "The Ultimate Weapon."
Gilgamesh's Personality and Lore
In FFXIV, Gilgamesh is portrayed as a comical, over-the-top character with a penchant for fighting and collecting rare and powerful weapons. Known for his energetic personality, he is always looking for the next great challenge, which brings him into conflict with the Warrior of Light. Gilgamesh's battle in this trial isn't just a straightforward brawl—it also serves as a way to showcase his eccentricity and love for collecting powerful weapons from across the multiverse.
During the fight, Gilgamesh is aided by several iconic bosses from previous Final Fantasy titles, adding an extra layer of nostalgia for long-time fans of the franchise. These bosses are powerful and require strategic coordination to defeat, and each one adds a new twist to the encounter.
3. Battle Mechanics Breakdown
The Battle on the Big Bridge trial has a few key mechanics that players must pay attention to in order to successfully defeat Gilgamesh and his team. The fight progresses in phases, with each phase bringing new challenges.
Phase 1: Gilgamesh and the Battle Starts
The Trial Begins: The fight kicks off with Gilgamesh appearing on the Big Bridge, wielding his iconic Excalibur. As the fight progresses, the floor of the bridge will begin to change, introducing various environmental hazards.
Gilgamesh's Attacks:
Cleaving Strike: Gilgamesh will use a powerful cleave attack that targets players in front of him. Tanks should face him away from the group to prevent damage.
Swords and Shields: Gilgamesh's attacks become more unpredictable as he summons weapons from the multiverse. Players will need to be ready to dodge various area-of-effect (AoE) attacks.
Phase 2: Summoning the Bosses
Once Gilgamesh's health drops below a certain threshold (around 60% HP), he will summon two powerful bosses from the Final Fantasy franchise: Enkidu and Ultros.
Enkidu: A giant creature that uses several powerful attacks. Enkidu's Roar can deal significant damage to the whole party, so players should be prepared to stack up or spread out as needed.
Crushing Leap: This ability targets a random player and deals massive AoE damage. Healers should be prepared to heal up the affected players.
Stone Gaze: Enkidu will use this attack to petrify players. Affected players will be stunned and vulnerable to follow-up attacks, so DPS should be ready to break them free.
Ultros: The infamous purple octopus makes an appearance in this trial, and he brings with him several unique mechanics.
Tidal Wave: Ultros will target players with large AoE attacks that deal damage and can knock back. Players must position themselves carefully to avoid being knocked off the bridge.
Tentacle Strike: Ultros will summon tentacles that deal heavy damage. DPS must destroy the tentacles before they overwhelm the party.
Phase 3: Gilgamesh's Final Gambit
After defeating Enkidu and Ultros, Gilgamesh will return to the fray, even more determined to defeat the Warrior of Light. During this phase, he will begin to summon weapons with greater frequency, making his attacks much more dangerous.
Excalibur II: Gilgamesh summons a morepowerful version of Excalibur, dealing massive AoE damage to the entire party. Players must quickly spread out to minimize the impact of this attack.
Weapons of Legend: Gilgamesh will summon iconic weapons from past Final Fantasy games (such as Ultima Weapon and Masamune), each with their own unique abilities. Players must be prepared for a series of mechanic-heavy attacks, including targeted AoEs and debuffs.
Final Push: Defeating Gilgamesh
The final moments of the battle focus on delivering a coordinated effort to defeat Gilgamesh. His health will be reduced to critical levels, but he will unleash one final, devastating set of attacks that players must avoid at all costs.
Weapons of Mass Destruction: At this point, the bridge itself will begin to collapse, and the party will need to stay on their toes, moving quickly to avoid being caught by deadly attacks.
Victory: Once Gilgamesh's health reaches 0%, the trial will come to an end. Players will be rewarded with a cutscene, and they will have successfully completed one of the most iconic battles in Final Fantasy XIV.
4. Strategy Tips
Tank Positioning: As the tank, always face Gilgamesh away from the group. Pay close attention to his cleaving strikes, as these can deal substantial damage to anyone caught in front of him.
DPS Awareness: When Enkidu or Ultros appears, DPS should focus on the appropriate targets. For Enkidu, avoid standing near players who are about to be affected by Crushing Leap or Stone Gaze. For Ultros, prioritize avoiding knockbacks and destroying tentacles as quickly as possible.
Healers' Responsibilities: Healers need to keep an eye on the entire group. Gilgamesh and his allies deal a lot of AoE damage, so make sure to keep everyone topped off, especially during the later stages when multiple bosses and weapons are involved.
Movement is Key: Be prepared to move quickly during the final phases of the battle when the bridge is actively collapsing. This can throw off positioning, but staying mobile is crucial to survival.
5. Rewards
Completing Battle on the Big Bridge rewards players with the following:
Loot: A chance to earn powerful gear and items appropriate to your class, including high-level weapons and armor that will help you progress through the expansion.
Mount: Players may also earn a Gilgamesh-themed mount upon successful completion of the trial, further adding to the legacy of this iconic encounter.
6. Conclusion
The Battle on the Big Bridge trial is one of the most exciting and memorable encounters in Final Fantasy XIV. It brings together nostalgia, challenging mechanics, and a unique atmosphere that captures the essence of Final Fantasy while adding new layers of strategy and teamwork. Gilgamesh, the quirky yet fearsome foe, provides players with a memorable battle that combines humor, lore, and high-stakes combat. Final Fantasy XIV Gil and FF14 Boosting service on MMOexp.com, help you quickly understand the game and improve your gaming experience. With careful preparation, teamwork, and a bit of luck, you and your party will emerge victorious, leaving the Big Bridge in your wake as you continue your journey through the world of Eorzea.
MMOexp Final Fantasy XIV Team