On the finish of The Rising Tide DLC in Closing Fantasy XVI, you’ll should go toe-to-toe with Closing Fantasy’s iconic sea serpent: Leviathan. Like its predecessor, Echoes of the Fallen, The Rising Tide is already more difficult than the bottom sport, and Leviathan kicks the issue up one more notch. Not solely is that this a four-phase boss battle, however you even have to make use of Ifrit all through your complete encounter. This implies there are not any particular builds you need to use to cheese this one; it’s simply you and your abilities towards the monster.
Happily, this struggle is surmountable with a little bit of persistence and technique. There are checkpoints for every part of this encounter, and dying will replenish your stack of Firelights for those who want additional therapeutic. Additionally, Leviathan will repeat assaults all through every part, so that you don’t should memorize an excessive amount of to make quick work of the fish. Right here’s what that you must do.
NOTE: This information is predicated on the Closing Fantasy mode model of the struggle. Nonetheless, the mechanics look like equivalent to these seen in Story-Centered and Motion-Centered mode.
Part 1: By the Maelstrom
At first of the encounter, Ifrit might be in freefall towards Leviathan. You’ve seen this gimmick in different Eikon fights (specifically Titan), so the identical guidelines apply. Your motion is proscribed right here, so use long-range magic assaults when Leviathan is way away and melee assaults as soon as it enters into shut vary. Do not forget that of Ifrit’s two particular strikes, Spitflare is a long-range assault and Brimstone is a charged melee assault. This can grow to be crucial in part 3.
You’ll predominantly depend on precision dodges to keep away from harm, so studying Leviathan’s assaults is essential. Leviathan received’t all the time use the identical assaults so as, however it would nearly all the time telegraph them in the identical method all through this part. Right here’s what to look out for.
![An image of Ifrit and Leviathan in freefall.](https://i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/f38a2c2201f47f2b0b0fbc3c98b46d3e.jpg)
One of many first essential assaults Leviathan will use is telegraphed by its tail starting to glow. It is going to spin round and attempt to whip you vertically, so that you’ll wish to time your dodge as soon as Leviathan is the other way up and about to smack you. See the above image for reference.
![Leviathan fires an intense blue beam.](https://i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/c903da615ad2f55dc4b3ccb90409d8be.jpg)
Leviathan may also spit a water jet from its mouth, beginning at one finish of the world earlier than twisting its head (and the beam) to the opposite aspect. To deal with this, look forward to its head to start turning, and dodge roll into the beam. This provides you with a beneficiant window to land a precision dodge and keep away from harm.
![Arcs of glowing blue water criss-cross the screen, and the attack name Riptide can be seen.](https://i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/67f8c8339c1c94ddaed582817c49ae4b.jpg)
Happily, Levithan’s different assaults might be known as out with capability names. When Leviathan casts Riptide, rings of water will seem round Ifrit that can harm him on contact. After about two seconds, the rings will shut in on Ifrit. Much like the water jet, look forward to the rings of water to shut in, then dodge in any course to drag off a precision dodge.
![The attack name Spinning Dive is seen as Ifrit hovers above (or falls below) torrential waters](https://i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/2c00b3016e97ffdbdb123c44d16595e1.jpg)
Spinning Dive is an identical story, nevertheless it’s a bit trickier because the assault will go off solely a second after the title seems on the display. Happily, you’ll be able to predict when it’s coming, since Levithan will swim into the wall of the waterspout earlier than utilizing it. The water will begin to glow, and then you definately’ll wish to dodge proper when Leviathan’s head seems out of the water. There might be a loud splashing sound when Leviathan emerges, so you need to use that as a cue for when to dodge.
![Ifrit evades a massive blue beam as the attack name Tidal Roar is displayed.](https://i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/51f802c0aef47a73859b3f0e9d0c386c.jpg)
The opposite two named assaults are long-range, which makes them a bit simpler to deal with. The primary of those is Tidal Roar, during which Leviathan will telegraph an enormous AoE earlier than blasting it at you. Whereas this appears to cowl your complete enviornment at a look, the edges are secure spots so long as you don’t by chance tiptoe into the assault. Use Wildfire to get out of the best way, and use ranged assaults to get some free hits in.
![Many orbs are seen, as is the attack name Grand Fall.](https://i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/d8bedf9d47985a456e0818435452d8d9.jpg)
When Leviathan makes use of Grand Fall, a number of water orbs will seem in a spiral. Every orb will flash earlier than zooming at no matter location you had been in on the time they mild up. There’s actually not a lot to say right here; zip across the enviornment to dodge the orbs, and time your dodges at any time when any orbs get shut. You possibly can chain precision dodges one after the opposite right here, however you may get unfortunate and have an orb hit you proper when your invulnerability frames put on off, so watch out.
Be aware that these water orbs might be a recurring assault all through all phases of this struggle. Even in Part 1, Leviathan can shoot teams of water orbs at you with out utilizing Grand Fall. However whatever the state of affairs, keep in mind that they’ll flash earlier than capturing towards you. Time your dodging accordingly.
Assaults will repeat from right here, so simply maintain dodging and inflicting harm in any secure openings you will discover. As soon as Leviathan reaches about 75% HP, a cutscene will play which can launch you into Part 2. There’s a cinematic dodge to drag off right here, so press R1 on the immediate in the course of the scene.
![Ifrit looks up at Leviathan and a row of blue orbs.](https://i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/e4bb8d18675dd576394ba8dce4a50804.jpg)
Part 2: Surging tides develop daring
Happily, the remaining phases of the struggle will put Ifrit on a correct battle enviornment as a substitute of the extra limiting freefall of Part 1. What’s extra, you’ll begin to see assaults from Part 1 repeat right here. Since you’ll be able to dodge most of them in a lot the identical method as you probably did earlier than (with one slight exception), I received’t cowl every transfer intimately. Nonetheless, for those who didn’t nail the dodge timing earlier than, you now have much more wiggle room to only Wildfire out of the best way of any assaults you see coming.
![Ifrit is seen standing in a glowing ring on the water's surface as the attack name Breach is displayed.](https://i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/d9997dcc051348d8230581f68781c47f.jpg)
One of many central new assaults to be careful for is Breach. Leviathan will dive into the water earlier than the assault title will seem, and a large space of impact marker might be telegraphed round Ifrit. To dodge Breach, instantly use Wildfire to get out of the circle. The timing on that is tight, so that you’ll have higher odds of dodging for those who begin shifting as soon as Leviathan enters the water. I wouldn’t suggest attempting to precision dodge this one, but when you are able to do it, knock your self out!
![Ifrit stands in a glowing ring with a glowing point at its center as the attack name Riptide is displayed.](https://i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/b7e9a2071707df6c0fc29135615b642b.jpg)
Breach is to not be confused with Riptide, which reappears from Part 1. Nonetheless, the rings of water will seem in a method that appears just like Breach at a look, so be sure to discover the distinction. That stated, you’ll be able to dodge Riptide in the very same method. Watch for the rings of water to shut in, and dodge into them to carry out a precision dodge.
As one other visible clue to distinguish between Breach and Riptide, be aware that Leviathan might be out of the water for Riptide, in contrast to the dive that precedes Breach.
![Ifrit burns on the water's surface as a few dozen large droplets or spheres of water fill the sky and the attack name Salt Spray is displayed.](https://i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/588d626c08a3d7f1a6dd3374a97e7243.jpg)
Salt Spray is technically a brand new assault, however that is related in idea to Grand Fall from Part 1. Orbs will seem in entrance of you, and so they’ll fly at you after they individually flash. Nothing new to cowl right here, you have got a lot free area to dodge this one you can actually wing it.
So far as I can inform, Leviathan doesn’t have a selected HP checkpoint that triggers the following part (I’ve had its well being bar above and under 50% when the transition happens). Nonetheless, you’ll actually know when the following part begins, as a result of it’s time for…
![Ifrit looks at Leviathan who is encased in a large watery sphere.](https://i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/86faf14cdbcd4d189b802f6d66d5a47b.jpg)
Part 3: The DPS Test (Troubled Waters)
After a brief cinematic performs, Leviathan will forged Troubled Waters, making a defend round it. Like different defend phases from the principle sport, your aim is to shatter it inside a (largely) invisible time restrict. You’ve got roughly two minutes, and also you’ll solely know you’re operating out of time if you see the phrases “The ocean rises in…” earlier than a 5 second countdown.
When you do want to fret about assaults from Leviathan right here, there aren’t any complicated mechanics to cope with. To inflict as a lot harm as attainable, use the next methods:
![Ifrit burns while attacking Leviathan in its big watery sphere.](https://i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/085ef094aef74183e687eeeae84c92c2.jpg)
1: Use your Spitfire capability ASAP. Because it’s a ranged assault, you’ll be able to whack Leviathan with this proper firstly of the part so long as it’s off cooldown. Utilizing Spitfire early means it cools down sooner, letting you doubtlessly sneak in an additional forged earlier than you run out of time.
2: From there, spam Wildfire to get into melee vary of Leviathan. You’ll should take care of some primary assaults right here, together with some water spurts and extra water orbs that behave like Salt Spray and Grand Fall earlier. You possibly can skirt round these with out an excessive amount of hassle, although it’s possible you’ll must precision dodge the water orbs as you shut in. Don’t attempt to brute drive this half and eat pointless assaults.
![Ifrit and Leviathan do battle in a watery environment.](https://i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/3046331594e3c4a94f01dd50869f14f6.jpg)
3: When you’re in melee vary, cost up and use the Brimstone ability instantly. If each particular strikes are cooling down, spam Ifrit’s primary combo of Sq.-Sq.-Sq.-Triangle to finish your assaults with a burst end. This can bounce Ifrit into the air, however you’ll be able to maintain repeating the combo whereas airborne, so don’t hassle ready for Ifrit to land. If Ifrit’s combo string pushes him away from Leviathan, simply Wildfire or dodge again into melee vary and maintain the stress on.
![Leviathan is in its watery sphere.](https://i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/aaca92aa3af68481513e6c4712ce7084.jpg)
4: Leviathan will proceed to make use of primary water orb and water burst assaults when you’re in melee vary. Once more, don’t attempt to brute drive and eat these hits, because you’ll wind up inflicting much less harm when you get better from the knockback. Taking a second to dodge at simply the correct time is worth it, so don’t get too pressured concerning the time restrict right here. When you can pull off a precision dodge, you’ll be able to chain proper right into a precision counter that can inflict boosted harm (practically on par with a 3 regular melee assaults).
5: After sufficient time in melee vary, Leviathan will glow because the water beneath it ripples. This implies it’s casting a knockback capability that can create distance between you and the boss once more. It is a comparatively lengthy forged, so simply maintain dealing as a lot harm earlier than the flexibility goes off. It inflicts no harm, so don’t fear about dodging something right here.
6: To sneak in a little bit additional harm, you’ll be able to cost your magic by holding Triangle whereas the knockback animation performs. This can allow you to sneak in a charged shot as quickly as you regain management.
![Ifrit is seen dwarfed by the size of Leviathan's watery sphere as the words "The seas rise in..." are displayed.](https://i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/738e6add843aecfedf6254deab959c8f.jpg)
7: Repeat the above steps, since there are not any new mechanics to be taught. Use Spitfire no matter vary, shut distance with Wildfire, and maintain comboing Leviathan whereas utilizing your skills as quickly as attainable. You’ll see yet one more knockback forged earlier than the part ends, so brace your self for that as you pile on the harm.
Make no mistake, it is a tight harm examine, particularly on Closing Fantasy mode. Nonetheless, it doesn’t require good play, particularly for those who observe the steps above. When you slip up alongside the best way, simply maintain preventing. You’ll get it will definitely, and you’ll maintain practising because of the struggle’s beneficiant checkpoints.
When you shatter the defend, Leviathan might be staggered. Reap the benefits of this chance, since that is all free harm you’ll be able to inflict earlier than the following part begins. When you occur to have skills off-cooldown, be sure to make use of them now when you can stack up harm multipliers!
![A whirlpool-like formation is seen on the water's surface and the attack name Maelstrom is displayed.](https://i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/647904de8717e96efd174f7045863eb6.jpg)
Part 4: Seething currents whorl
After Leviathan recovers from stagger, it would roar and instantly forged Maelstrom. This capabilities type of like a mixture of Breach and Riptide from Part 1. A big space of impact will spawn round Ifrit, and after a couple of second, the water will flash and start to shut in in direction of the middle. This assault may be very difficult to dodge, as Ifrit might be pulled towards the middle and can take harm as soon as it begins to shut in.
Essentially the most constant technique I discovered right here was to leap away from the middle, use Wildfire in midair, and time a dodge on the water’s edge. If performed proper, you’ll keep away from all harm. Nonetheless, even for those who flub it a bit, this transfer offers monumental harm for those who’re near its heart when it resolves. So, on the very least, it is best to mitigate some harm by making an attempt to flee. Make sure that to make use of Firelight for those who want therapeutic!
![Numerous arcs of glowing blue energy are seen as the attack name Riptide is displayed.](https://i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/28193e8bd7c777ea032362eab4c2e1ec.jpg)
The rest of this struggle makes use of lots of the mechanics seen in Part 2, albeit far more aggressively. You will note a brand new iteration of Riptide seem right here, during which Leviathan will scatter a number of rings of water across the enviornment. Happily, this transfer seems to be scarier than it’s. Give attention to the rings that Clive is within, and dodge into them as soon as they start to shut in. Only one well-timed dodge can resolve this whole assault, however it’s possible you’ll must chain into one other dodge relying on the ring placement.
![What appears to be a massive pillar of water rises out of the ocean's surface as the attack name Waterspout is displayed.](https://i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/f33768f2b9722181a53bc09033c8f7e3.jpg)
You’ll see a cinematic play because the struggle progresses, which is an elaborate telegraph for the transfer Waterspout. This can summon a large twister that fills up practically your complete display, and it’ll inflict monumental harm if it connects. Happily, this assault strikes in a set trajectory that received’t essentially observe Ifrit. Spam Wildfire to maneuver both left or proper to get out of the best way of the assault.
After Waterspout, Leviathan will transfer instantly into Indignant Seas. Regardless of the brand new title, this assault is predominantly a fast string of its earlier named strikes utilized in fast succession. The one difficult half is that the person strikes received’t be recognized by their names, since this whole sequence is labeled as “Indignant Seas.”
![Arcs of blue energy are seen and the attack name Angry Seas is displayed.](https://i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/71e091cb1b721f9ccd93f66d0da15192.jpg)
Happily, this transfer seems to observe a set collection of mechanics, so you’ll be able to predict every part if it helps. Indignant Seas consists of Riptide thrice, Maelstrom, Salt Spray (from behind Ifrit in my testing), Waterjet, Salt Spray (in entrance this time!), and Tidal Roar. That is the primary you’ve seen Tidal Roar since Part 1, however you’ll be able to dodge it in the identical method you probably did earlier than. Simply be sure to’re exterior of that broad space of impact marker within the water.
Indignant Seas is a really lengthy assault, so attempt to spam Triangle to maintain capturing magic at Leviathan when you dodge. With a bit of luck, you may break Leviathan’s stagger bar once more and interrupt the onslaught.
After Indignant Seas resolves, you’re within the dwelling stretch for this encounter. Preserve piling on harm, and as soon as Leviathan solely has a small little bit of its well being remaining, it would warp away from you and summon an enormous Tsunami. That is the tip of the struggle, so mash the Sq. button on the immediate in the course of the cutscene and benefit from the fairly ending cinematic. Congratulations on clearing the principle story of The Rising Tide!