How to Get the Rathalos Mount in FFXIV

In Final Fantasy XIV (FFXIV), mounts are more than just a means of transportation-they're symbols of achievement, style, and dedication to the game's rich content. Among the most iconic and sought-after mounts is the Rathalos, a fiery wyvern hailing from the Monster Hunter: World collaboration. With its crimson scales and imposing wingspan, riding a Rathalos turns heads in any corner of Eorzea. But unlocking this majestic beast requires navigating specific quests, mastering a unique extreme trial, and a bit of patience. This guide will walk you through every step to claim the king of the skies as your own.

Prerequisites: What You Need Before Starting the Hunt

Before you can even set your sights on Rathalos, you must meet a few fundamental requirements. First and foremost, you need to have completed the main scenario quest (MSQ) for the Stormblood expansion, titled "Stormblood" itself. This quest is level 70, so you'll need to progress through the expansion's story until you reach this milestone.

Additionally, your character must be a Disciple of War or Magic at level 70. This ensures you have the combat proficiency needed to tackle the challenges ahead. There's no need for specific gear at this stage-especially with post-expansion level caps making the content more accessible-but having a solid understanding of your job's abilities will make the process smoother.

Step 1: Unlock the Great Hunt Quests

The path to the Rathalos mount begins with two key collaboration quests from the Hearty Hunter NPC in Kugane. Kugane is the main city of Stormblood, and you can find the Hearty Hunter in the Rakuza District at coordinates (9.7, 8.9). Head there once you've met the prerequisites, and speak to him to pick up your first quest: "The New King on the Block."

This quest tasks you with gathering information about a mysterious wyvern (Rathalos) in the Azim Steppe. You'll need to speak to NPCs in Reunion, lie in wait for the beast, and eventually team up with a Felyne companion to confront Rathalos in "The Great Hunt"-a level 70 trial. Completing this trial (the normal version, not extreme) is mandatory to unlock the next step.

After defeating Rathalos in the normal Great Hunt, return to the Hearty Hunter in Kugane. He'll reward you with the achievement "The New King on the Block" and unlock the second quest: "The Newer King on the Block." This quest is your ticket to the extreme trial-the real challenge that stands between you and the mount.

Step 2: Mastering The Great Hunt (Extreme)

"The Great Hunt (Extreme)" is the centerpiece of the Rathalos mount grind. Unlike most FFXIV trials, this one features mechanics straight out of Monster Hunter: World, making it a unique and exciting challenge. The trial is limited to 4 players, and while it was once a tough fight at level 70, modern players (at level 90 or 100) can tackle it unsynced, solo, or with a small group.

Key Mechanics to Know

Rathalos in extreme mode has no auto-attacks and ignores enmity, meaning you can't "tank" him in the traditional FFXIV sense. Instead, you'll need to watch his animations closely and react to his attacks. Here are the most critical mechanics to remember:

First, all party members are provided with 10 Mega Potions at the start of the fight. These potions heal you to full health after a short drinking animation-use them wisely when you're low on HP. Rathalos uses fireballs, claw swipes, and a 360-degree tail swipe (always counterclockwise) that can poison or stun players.

During phase 2, a "turf war" event occurs, and you'll get the chance to mount Rathalos temporarily. Use the hunting knife provided to deal extra damage-this is also a great opportunity to break his tail, which increases your chances of earning valuable materials later.

Finally, carting (dying) three times results in a mission-failed animation and a full reset of the battle. Take your time, avoid unnecessary damage, and communicate with your party if you're grouping up.

Farming Tips for The Great Hunt (Extreme)

To maximize efficiency, use the Party Finder to form a pre-made group with an "Unrestricted Party" setting (level sync disabled). This doesn't affect loot drop rates and allows higher-level players to breeze through the fight. A party of four DPS jobs is ideal, but any composition works-you can even solo it at level 100 with relative ease.

If you prefer a more challenging experience, you can enable level sync and use the "Minimum Item Level" or "Silence Echo" settings, but these are unnecessary for farming. Solo queuing via the Duty Finder is not recommended, as it can lead to longer wait times and less coordinated groups.

Step 3: Obtaining the Rathalos Mount

There are two ways to get the Rathalos mount: through a rare drop or by exchanging materials earned from the extreme trial. Here's how both methods work:

Method 1: The Rare Drop (Rathalos Whistle)

After defeating Rathalos in The Great Hunt (Extreme), a treasure chest will spawn. Inside, there's a small chance (estimated at around 5% initially, increasing in later patches) of finding the Rathalos Whistle-the item that summons the mount. This is purely luck-based; some players get it on their first clear, while others grind for weeks without seeing it.

If the whistle drops, you'll need to roll for it with your party members. Since the mount is highly desirable, be prepared to compete-but remember to be respectful of other hunters' efforts too.

Method 2: Exchanging Rathalos Scale + (Guaranteed Mount)

For most players, the guaranteed method is the way to go: exchanging 50 Rathalos Scale + for the Rathalos Whistle. Every clear of The Great Hunt (Extreme) rewards you with 1 Rathalos Scale +, which you can also get by carving Rathalos' tail after the fight. This means you'll need to complete the trial 50 times to earn enough scales- a grind, but one with a guaranteed payoff.

Once you have 50 Rathalos Scale +, return to Kugane and visit the Smithy NPC (also at coordinates 9.7, 8.9). Speak to them, and you can exchange the scales for the Rathalos Whistle. Congratulations-you now own the mount!

Bonus Rewards: More Than Just a Mount

Farming The Great Hunt (Extreme) isn't just about the mount. Each clear also rewards you with 4 regular Rathalos Scales, which you can exchange for other Monster Hunter-themed cosmetics: gear pieces, orchestrion rolls, and even the adorable Poogie minion. You'll also earn 15 Allagan Tomestones of Poetics per day for completing the trial, which can be used to purchase endgame gear or glamour items.

Final Tips for Success

While the Rathalos mount requires dedication, it's one of the more accessible extreme trial mounts in FFXIV thanks to unsynced farming. Here are a few final tips to make the process as smooth as possible:

Farm with friends or a static group: Queuing with people you know makes the grind more enjoyable and efficient.

Take breaks: 50 runs can feel tedious, so spread them out over a few days instead of trying to finish in one session.

Use macros or hotkeys for Mega Potions: Having quick access to healing will save you from unnecessary deaths.

Embrace the theme: The Monster Hunter collaboration is full of Easter eggs and references-take a moment to appreciate the unique dialogue and mechanics.

Ride the Fiery Wyvern

The Rathalos mount is more than just a trophy-it's a testament to your willingness to explore FFXIV's collaborative content and master its challenges. Whether you get lucky with a rare drop or grind your way to 50 scales, the feeling of summoning this fiery wyvern for the first time is unparalleled. Follow this guide, stay patient, and soon you'll be soaring through Eorzea's skies as the envy of fellow adventurers. Collect more Final Fantasy XIV Gil and rare items! Happy hunting!

MMOexp Final Fantasy XIV Team