A11N – Cruise Chaser Guide | FFXIV Alexander Creator Raid

Encounter Overview

A11N – Cruise Chaser is the third encounter of Alexander: The Creator and marks a shift toward more layered mechanics and coordination-based execution. The fight introduces multi-pattern AoEs, line-of-sight positioning, and a mid-fight transformation phase that forces players to interact with the environment under time pressure.

The encounter is split into two phases, with the second phase adding overlapping mechanics and stricter execution requirements. While the fight is forgiving compared to Savage, poor positioning or slow reactions can quickly lead to vulnerability stacks and cascading damage.

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If you want to compare this fight against the rest of the tier, see the FFXIV Raid Rankings.

Arena Overview

The arena is a circular platform with interactive elements appearing during certain mechanics. Players will need to use environmental objects to block line-of-sight attacks and interact with ducts during the transition phase. Positioning becomes especially important as mechanics begin to overlap in the later phase.

Boss Mechanics

Phase 1

E.D.D. Add: A flying add that must be picked up by the off-tank and killed quickly. If left alive, it will self-destruct and deal heavy raid damage.

Optical Sight: A multi-pattern mechanic with three variations:

• Spread Circles: Four players receive green AoE markers. Spread out to avoid overlapping damage.
• Center Blast: A large AoE appears in the middle of the arena. Move to the outer ring to avoid damage and Vulnerability Up.
• Rotating Circles: Small AoEs appear in a clockwise sequence around the arena, followed by one in the center. Start in the middle, then move into a safe outer section after the AoEs resolve.

Photon: Reduces multiple players to critically low HP. Healers must quickly restore health to stabilize the party.

Propeller Wind: A line-of-sight mechanic. Players must stand behind one of the round objects in the arena to avoid damage and Confusion. The debuff can be removed with Esuna.

GA-100: Targets the off-tank and deals heavy damage, along with AoE damage to the party. The further the attack travels, the less damage it deals to others. Positioning helps reduce raid-wide impact.

Phase Transition: At around 50%, Cruise Chaser moves to the center, performs a knockback, and becomes untargetable. The boss transforms into its flying form.

Timed Maneuver: Players must interact with one of the four ducts surrounding the boss. During this sequence, players must press the button when the progress bar reaches the correct point. Failing this mechanic results in heavy raid damage or a wipe.

Phase 2

Limit Cut: The boss becomes immune and begins a transition sequence.

Lapis Lazuli Orbs: If the boss was not pushed fast enough before the transition, four orbs will spawn. These must be destroyed quickly or the raid will wipe when the next mechanic resolves.

Eternal Darkness: Heavy raid-wide damage followed by a bleed effect applied to the arena. Healers must be prepared for sustained damage. If any orbs remain alive when this resolves, the party wipes.

Optical Sight (Enhanced): Now includes untargetable flying adds that fire line AoEs during the mechanic. Players must resolve the original Optical Sight patterns while also avoiding these additional line attacks.

Plasma Shield: The boss spawns a shield that can only be damaged from the front. Players must position correctly to break it quickly.

Rush: After the shield breaks (or after a delay), the boss charges toward the main tank. Tanks should be ready to mitigate and stabilize positioning.

Optical Sight + Prey Combo: The boss uses Optical Sight again while marking a player with Prey, often overlapping both mechanics.

Prey: Targets a player with three consecutive AoE hits. The targeted player should move away from the group while healers prepare shields and healing to keep them alive.

Encounter Flow

Phase 1: Handle Optical Sight patterns, manage the E.D.D. add, and resolve Propeller Wind and Photon cleanly. Maintain stable positioning and prepare for the transition.

Transition: Interact with ducts and complete the timed maneuver successfully to avoid heavy damage or a wipe.

Phase 2: Destroy any spawned orbs, heal through Eternal Darkness, and handle enhanced Optical Sight mechanics with additional line AoEs.

Final Sequence: Break the Plasma Shield, manage Prey targets, and resolve overlapping mechanics until the boss is defeated.