Clive’s fight against Garudo is the second of many Eikon fights within Final Fantasy XVI. Phoenix VS Ifrit near the start was somewhat automatic, so this battle can be considered the first true Eikon boss. Eikons are massive creatures based on the iconic summons found throughout the Final Fantasy franchise. Only a select few characters known as Dominants have the ability to turn into these destructive beasts. These include Clive, Joshua, Jill, Cid, and most of the major antagonists in FFXVI.
Garuda is a winged humanoid Eikon with mastery over wind to a deadly degree. Benedikta transforms into this entity halfway through the Wings of Change mission that follows her initial defeat. Reaching and defeating Garuda becomes the main objective after this frightening transformation occurs. Many plot revelations begin to appear during this vital part of the narrative, and only by fighting Garuda can Clive begin to learn the truth.
Here is everything you’ll need to know about fighting Garuda in FF16.
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How to Complete Wings of Change
Wings of Change is a main quest that begins right after you defeat Benedikta. You can use this guide to learn how to beat her and how to use her wind based move set. Follow the main road along the Glorieuse path you’re put on until you come across a bridge. You’ll have to fight a few Imperial Legionnaire and Imperial War Aevis along the way. The former are very similar to the guards you faced in Benedikta’s castle, while the latter fight identically to the Dragon Aevis that were in the Greatwood forest. The foes along this path will drop wyrrite, meteorite, and other items that can be used to upgrade your gear.
Dragon Aevis.
Gav will split off from Clive, Cid, and Torgal for a while in a cutscene once you reach the bridge. The scene will then transition over to Benedikta’s point of view. She and her knights fled the castle after you defeated them. They get ambushed by raiders who kill all her guards. Benedikta’s anger at the world then transforms her into the ferocious Garuda. Garuda seeks to destroy everything in her path with a massive tornado. You must fight or run your way through a wave of Wind Elemental foes. These are essentially common enemy variations of the Chirada and Suparna bosses that you faced earlier. Head in the direction of the massive tornado until a cutscene plays.
Path to tornado.
The Eye of the Tempest Level
Entering the eye of the storm will initiate another cutscene with a mysteriously hooded figure. Clive will get split off from Cid due to debris falling from the tornado Follow the hooded man along the road. A lot of objects and Garuda herself will fall towards you, but don’t worry you can’t actually be hurt by anything for a while. Reach the top of a hill at the end of the road to find the mysterious man standing by a newly created cliff. Garuda will then appear, and create an arena for you to fight her on.
Mysterious figure.
Garuda Boss Fight Phase 1 Tips
- Garuda’s attacks:
- Garuda will pull either the claws on its wings or leg backwards a little before swinging them at the player. Pay attention to this body language to know when to dodge. Attack right after dodging to perform a Precision Counter. Garuda’s talons are the main thing to look out for during the early part of this phase.
- Garuda’s other abilities mainly include AOF wind attacks. Stay out of their way and just use ranged fire and wind magic if Garuda can’t be hit physically during this time.
- There’s a few quick time events during this fight in which you’ll need to press the R1 or square buttons when they show up on screen. There’s also a part where you’ll have to mash the square button.
- Staggering:
- There is a new mechanic called Takedown introduced in this fight. Large enemies and bosses will become partially staggered after their Will Gauges fall below 50%. Use Deadly Embrace (the circle button attack on the wind move set) to topple foes when they become partially staggered.
- Draining Garuda’s Will Gauge entirely will stagger it in full. This means it won’t be able to attack for a few seconds, and can be damaged more easily by your attacks. Throw all the magic and abilities you have at it while it’s in this state. Gouge can be especially useful since it is a multi-hit ability.
Eikon Garuda.
- Garuda takes more damage at its head.
- Your Wicked Wheel attack can help get you up to this weak spot. It’s a rising attack that lifts you into the air while swinging twin claws.
- The Stomp ability can allow you to double jump off an enemy which can also help you use aerial combos on Garuda’s head.
- Self enhancement:
- Consider purchasing a sword or armor upgrade with your Gil at a shop if you feel either your attack or defense are too low.
- Grab more Potions and High Potions while at a shop too if need be.
- You can also try upgrading your abilities in the main menu with ability points. You should upgrade the abilities mentioned above such as Wicked Wheel and Stomp before others.
- Take time to learn your new wind move set. Fire is better at dealing DPS and AoE moves, but wind has its pros too. There’s plenty of combos and counter abilities to learn.
- Reward:
- The only item drop is a single Sharp Fang.
- You are likely to level up after the upcoming final phase of this fight.
How to Complete Awakening: Ifrit VS Garuda
Clive, now embodying Ifrit, must defeat Garuda in a one-on-one Eikon battle. IIfrit combat is fairly straightforward since the basic attack scheme is the same. Square is for melee attacks, triangle for ranged, and R1 to evade. Your ranged projectile in this form is a massive fireball. Circle has been changed to Eikonic Lunge which works vaguely similar to Phoenix Shift. Your goal here is to get Garuda down to half HP, since most of the fight after that point is semi-automatic (cinematic strike sequences). It will be almost impossible to lose in the second half.
Ifrit catches a rock.
Garuda Boss Fight Phase 2 Tips
- Dodge Garuda’s tornado attack, and then Eikonic Lunge towards her. Eikons move slowly, so she is vulnerable for a few seconds after using an attack.
- Aerial Blast is Garuda’s deadliest attack that can cover a good chunk of the battlefield. Dodge the green glowing areas to avoid massive damage.
- Most melee combos you do will end with an automatic finisher move that deals extra damage.
- Prepare for quick time events when both Ifrit and Garuda start attacking automatically. You’ll mainly be hitting the square button during these since Ifrit is a beast that likes to power through his foes rather than dodging. Cinematic clashes do require some square button mashing at times too.
Ifrit VS Garuda.
Battle Aftermath
You’ll have quite a handful of cutscenes after defeating Garuda. Sit back and enjoy the spectacular fight between Odin and Bahamut as an all out war breaks loose. Ramuh will also appear for the first time in the game to stop Ifrit from burning down the world with its flames. Nearly every Eikon the player knows about will make an appearance in these cutscenes with the exception of Titan. You’ll be transported back to the Hideaway after all the cutscenes. When there you’ll get a chance to reunite with Jill the Dominant of Shiva. You’ll also get a stunning revelation that the mysterious hooded man looks strikingly like Joshua. Clive and Jill decide to revisit their homeland in search of more answers.
Eikon Ramuh.
