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The Whorleater (Hard) is a level 50 Trial inFinal Fantasy 14in which you will battle the Primal of Water, Leviathan. By sending in an elite team to face Leviathan in the middle of the ocean, the Scions and Maelstrom hope to prevent Leviathan from summoning a tidal wave capable of seeping away the entire city of Limsa Lominsa.
This Trial is a full party of eight players, including two Tanks, two Healers, and four DPS. Below, we’ll take a look at everything you need to know about this fight, including each of Leviathan’s moves and the strategies used in each phase of the fight.
How To Unlock The Whorleater (Hard)
The Whorleater (Hard) is unlocked through the Main Scenario, during thePatch 2.2 quests. Follow along through the MSQ until you reach the quest’Lord of the Whorl', which you’re able to accept fromEynzahr Slafyrsyn in Lower La Noscea (X:24.5, Y:33.1).
Leviathan Fight Walkthrough
This fight is divided into three phases, in which Leviathan will use different attacks and mechanics. Here’s what to expect during each phase.
Phase 1
The fight will begin with Leviathan at the top of the arena, with only its head exposed. During this phase, Leviathan will only use basic attacks on its main target, until it reaches around90 percent health remaining. At this point, Leviathan willdive underwaterbefore emerging in ageyser of water.
When Leviathan emerges from the geyser, it will attack withBody Slam, dealing damage to playersdirectly underneath itandknocking the whole party toward the end of the arena Leviathan emerges. Move away from the geyser to avoid this attack, then prepare for the second phase of the fight.
Phase 2
At the beginning of phase two, Leviathan’sHead and Tailwill be targetable. Then, theHeadwill gain the Veil of the Whorl buff,reflecting Ranged damage, while theTailwill receive the Mantle of the Whorl buff,reflecting Magic damage. Magic-based Jobs like Healers andCasters will need to attack the Head, whilePhysical Ranged Jobs will need to focus on the Tail.
Leviathanshares a health bar between its Head and Tail, so damaging the Head and the Tail both damage Leviathan’s overall health.
Dread Tide
Tankbuster
Deals high, untelegraphed damage to Leviathan’smain target. Usedefensive cooldownsthroughout the fight to lessen this damage.
Aqua Breath
Pointblank AoE
Dealsuntelegraphed damagein thearea around Leviathan’s Head. Since this attack hasno cast timeandno AoE indicator, all you’re able to do is recover your health if you get hit by it.
Water Spout
AoE
Dealsuntelegraphed damageto a random player in anAoE. Like Aqua Breath, there’s no way to see this attack coming, so justheal up if you take damage.
Body Slam
Knockback
This is the same attack that Leviathan uses when transitioning from phase one to phase two.
Throughout this phase,Wavespine Sahaginwill periodically appear. These enemies will mostly use basic attacks, but if left alive for long enough, they will start to castHydroshot, dealing damage in anAoEand leaving apuddle on the groundthat inflictsDropsy. Focus down the Sahagin as they appear.
Additionally,Gyre Spumeswill appear, which will slowlydrain the Elemental Conversion meter, which is used to power the elemental converter shield later. When you destroy a Gyre Spume, it willinstantly cast Splash, dealingdamage to the whole party. Destroying all four at once may be dangerous, so try totake them down one at a time.
Eventually, the message’The elemental converter is now operable!‘will appear, and shortly after,Leviathan willdive underwater. One player will need toactivate the elemental converter to create a shieldthat protects the party from Leviathan’s incoming attack,Tidal Wave.
If you fail to activate the elemental converter, or if the Gyre Spumes absorbed too much elemental conversion energy, thenTidal Wave will wipe the party.
After Tidal Wave, the fight will enter phase three.
Phase 3
Phase three of the fight functions very similar to phase two, but with a few additions. Now,Wavetooth Sahaginwill periodically appear. These will mostly use Ruin, dealing minimal damage to their main target, but if left alive for long enough, they will begin to castDreadstorm, dealing damage in alarge AoE on one playerthat inflictsHysteria, forcing the player torun around at random.
Additionally, Leviathan will now occasionally castGrand Fall, dealing damage in alarge circular AoEthat inflictsHeavy, slowing your movement speed. This AoE is indicated by aswirling pool of waterthat appears on the floor; move out of the way to avoid this attack.
Leviathan will repeat these mechanics until it is defeated. Remember thatCasters should attack the HeadwhileRanged DPS should attack the Tail, and be sure toactivate the elemental converter as soon as you’re ableto reduce the damage of Tidal Wave.
