FFXIV Garuda Fight Guide

In the wake of my continued success within Final Fantasy XIV, I have another valuable battle guide to share. I have bested Garuda and would like to share how I accomplished it. If you’re looking for the Hard Mode version please check my new Garuda Hard Mode guide. The fight really only has 2 main phases though the actions do vary a bit within them.

Look at me chase Garuda. FEAR ME GARUDA!

Phase 1

Garuda will start on the opposite side of the map with 4 pillars between the party and her. As a team you’ll want to approach from 2 different sides. The tank on right and DPS and healer on the left. There is a rock positioned behind Garuda that you’ll want to fight her beside so the tank needs to go all the way to her.

When engaging in the battle, Garuda will target one of the other members with an attack. In the normal story mode version of this battle, it’s imperative that you eat this attack instead of letting it hit a pillar. I’d assume it’s the same in the Hard Mode, but I haven’t done it yet. After that attack you’ll want the DPS to position themselves on the left side of the rock so that Garuda is parallel with the pillars and not perpendicular.

Here is a good look at how you start the fight.

Until about 75% the fight is a simple tank and spank battle. At 80% however Garuda will warp right in front of the rock, (even though she should already be there) and will use Mistral Shriek. You’ll want to use the pillars to protect you from this attack as it’s a straight shot attack covering the entire map. After Shriek Garuda will move back towards the tank so reposition yourselves quickly and continue fighting. Approximately 30 seconds after Shriek Garuda summons Razor Plumes that will attack the pillars. Kill these asap, you still need the pillars. If the pillars go down, just reset the fight.

Once you kill the plumes, get back on Garuda and she will do her second Shriek at around 60%. This time, she ports to the side opposite the rock so position accordingly. After Shriek you can choose to fight her on that side instead of pulling her back over to the rock. Again, she will summon Razor Plumes, so make sure you kill them.

At around 40-50% Garuda will port to the middle and summon a third set of Razor Plumes. After you kill these, prepare for large changes to the fight. Once the Razor Plumes are dead, you need to do just a bit of damage to force Garuda into phase 2.

Phase 2

This is the best image I have from Phase 2. You really can’t see the circle from this angle, but as you can see the area is smaller than the previous images.

During phase 2, the fight is much more intense. Phase 2 starts with Garuda porting to the center of the area and using Aerial Blast. You’ll want to utilize the largest pillar to protect yourself from this attack. You will take damage no matter what, but you take less when you use the biggest pillar. After this move the pillars will be no more.

The healer needs to cap everyone off as soon as possible. Garuda will create a circle in the arena and you want to remain inside of this circle at all times. After you are able to start damaging Garuda again, have a DPS use their limit break on Garuda to push her down as fast as possible.

When Garuda stops moving, she is preparing a straight shot AoE that will one shot you so get behind her. For Normal Mode, I haven’t noticed the cardinal winds notifications that Hard Mode gives so the only advice I can suggest for avoiding Shriek is to stand on the far side inside the circle from where Garuda uses the skill. Note, Hard Mode there will be clones so there is only a tiny space in which to stand. Garuda will still randomly summon Plumes in this phase that will now attack players.

Phase 2 is a DPS race really, you’re likely to lose at least one member in this phase due to slow reaction or mis-management. Bring some Mega Potions if you have them.

As always, thanks for reading. Leave a comment below if this guide was useful. Also, let me know if you would like a specific guide done in the future. Please share this out so that people can find it. For more guides please check my list of FFXIV guides.