O3N – Halicarnassus

Encounter Overview

Halicarnassus introduces a mechanics-heavy encounter centered around role-based positioning, forced movement, and layered AoE patterns. Compared to earlier fights in Deltascape, this encounter requires faster recognition of mechanics and more deliberate positioning to avoid accumulating vulnerability stacks.

The fight cycles through structured phases that combine stack/spread mechanics, directional movement, and environmental interactions such as role tiles and forced movement effects. Clean execution depends on reading cast cues quickly and committing to positioning early.

Dungeons Trials Raids

Relic Weapons Relic Armor

For a full breakdown of raid difficulty across all tiers, see the FFXIV Raid Rankings.

Arena Overview

The encounter takes place on a square arena that periodically transforms through The Playing Field, altering safe zones and required player positioning.

Players must frequently adjust to tile-based mechanics, role assignments, and forced movement effects. Positioning discipline is critical, especially during overlapping mechanics where safe zones are limited.

Boss Mechanics

Halicarnassus

Ribbit

An untelegraphed wide frontal attack that transforms players into frogs. Players should stay behind the boss whenever possible to avoid being caught off guard.

Spellblade Thunder III

A line AoE targeting a player that inflicts paralysis. The targeted player should move away from the group to avoid clipping others.

Spellblade Holy

Applies stack and/or spread markers. Marked players must resolve appropriately, while unmarked players adjust to support stack mechanics.

Spellblade Blizzard III → Fire III

A paired mechanic requiring movement from circular AoE (Blizzard) into safe zones for donut AoE (Fire). Players should move out, then quickly reposition either inside the boss hitbox or far out.

Place Dark Token

Summons Soul Reaper adds that perform point-blank AoEs, leaving specific safe zones. Players must identify safe regions while handling additional overlapping mechanics.

The Queen’s Waltz

Targets players with narrow conal AoEs that knock back on impact. Players should spread and aim cones away from others to maintain control of positioning.

The Playing Field (Role Tiles)

Transforms the arena into role-based tiles. Each player must stand on the tile matching their role or suffer heavy penalties. This mechanic tests awareness and role discipline.

Mindjack (Forced March)

Applies directional movement that forces players to walk in a set direction. Players must pre-position to ensure they end in a safe location after movement resolves.

Great Dragon (Frost Breath)

A summoned add that performs a frontal cleave. Tanks should immediately pick it up and face it away from the group.

Earthly Dance (Blue Tiles Phase)

During the altered Playing Field, only blue tiles are safe. Players must remain on these tiles to avoid damage and knock-up effects.

Aetherial Tear (Sand Maze)

Transitions players into a grid-based maze with directional tiles. Players must navigate to the exit quickly or be eliminated. Efficient pathing rewards players with buffs.

Gusting Gouge

Line AoEs from adds that leave limited safe tiles. Players must quickly identify and move into the safe lane.

Dimensional Wave

Raid-wide damage that occurs during later phases, adding pressure as mechanics overlap.

Encounter Flow

The fight begins with basic telegraphed mechanics and quickly introduces Ribbit and Spellblade combinations, requiring players to adjust positioning and avoid frontal attacks.

Mid-phase mechanics introduce The Playing Field and Mindjack, forcing players to coordinate role-based positioning and controlled movement while resolving AoEs.

The encounter transitions into the Sand Tile Escape, temporarily shifting gameplay into a navigation challenge before returning to the arena.

Final sequences combine earlier mechanics under tighter timing, including forced movement, role tiles, and overlapping AoEs. At this stage, consistent execution and awareness are required to finish the encounter cleanly.