Battle in the Big Keep Trial Guide

Battle in the Big Keep is a level 50 trial introduced in Patch 2.5 of A Realm Reborn as part of the Hildibrand Adventures questline. In this encounter, players once again face Gilgamesh, this time accompanied by his companion Enkidu before the battle transitions into a second phase within Amdapor Keep.

The encounter begins as a two-boss fight before shifting into a solo battle against Gilgamesh featuring complex AoE patterns, add mechanics, and powerful tankbuster attacks.

Encounter Info

• Expansion: A Realm Reborn

• Encounter Type: Trial

• Duty: Battle in the Big Keep

• Boss: Gilgamesh

• Secondary Boss: Enkidu

• Level: 50 (Sync: 50)

• Party Size: 8 Players (Full Party)

• Arena: Amdapor Keep

• Unlock Quest: Her Last Vow

Encounter Overview

Battle in the Big Keep is divided into two distinct phases.

The first phase features a dual-boss encounter where players fight Gilgamesh and Enkidu simultaneously. Once Enkidu is defeated, the fight transitions into a second phase inside the keep where Gilgamesh gains new mechanics and attack patterns.

Players must manage:

• multiple random-target AoE attacks

• transformation mechanics

• arena hazards

• add waves during the second phase

• powerful tankbuster abilities

Arena Analysis

The encounter begins outside the keep before transitioning into an interior arena.

The second arena is larger and contains several pattern-based AoE mechanics, requiring careful movement and positioning.

Because Gilgamesh frequently targets random players with attacks, the group must remain aware of spacing to avoid unnecessary damage.

Phase Structure

Phase 1 — Gilgamesh & Enkidu

Both bosses are active and must be managed separately.

Phase 2 — Gilgamesh Alone

After Enkidu is defeated, the fight moves inside the keep and Gilgamesh gains additional mechanics.

Phase 1 Mechanics

During the first phase, the party fights Gilgamesh and Enkidu simultaneously.

Tanks should separate the bosses while the party focuses on defeating Enkidu first.

Once Enkidu is defeated, the encounter transitions to Phase 2 and Gilgamesh’s HP resets.

Enkidu Mechanics

Aero II

Type: Targeted AoE

How to Recognize It

• A player is targeted with a circular AoE marker.

What It Does

Deals moderate damage to players within the area.

How Players Handle It

The targeted player should move away from others.

Web

Type: Debuff attack

How to Recognize It

• Enkidu targets random players.

What It Does

Applies Heavy and Slow, reducing movement and attack speed.

Eerie Soundwave

Type: Conal AoE

How to Recognize It

• Enkidu targets a player with a cone-shaped attack.

What It Does

Deals moderate damage.

How Players Handle It

Move out of the cone before the attack resolves.

White Wind

Type: Healing ability

What It Does

Enkidu heals Gilgamesh.

Why It’s Dangerous

Prolongs the fight if Enkidu is not defeated quickly.

Gilgamesh Mechanics (Phase 1)

Bitter End

Type: Frontal cleave

How to Recognize It

• Gilgamesh faces forward and attacks.

What It Does

Deals heavy damage to players standing in front of him.

How Players Handle It

Only the tank should stand in front of Gilgamesh.

Missile

Type: Targeted AoE

How to Recognize It

• A player receives a crosshair marker.

What It Does

Deals moderate damage in an area around the target.

How Players Handle It

The marked player should move away from the group.

Minimum

Type: Player tether debuff

How to Recognize It

• Two players become tethered and shrink.

What It Does

Reduces damage dealt and increases damage taken.

How Players Handle It

The tethered players should move together to remove the debuff.

Chicken

Type: Transformation mechanic

How to Recognize It

• A player transforms into a Chicken.

What It Does

The player cannot use abilities while transformed.

Special Interaction

Chickened players can safely run through Mini Tornadoes.

Mini Tornado

Type: Environmental hazard

What It Does

Creates wind puddles that knock players into the air and deal damage.

How Players Handle It

Avoid the puddles unless transformed into a Chicken.

Whirlwind Slash

Type: Point-blank AoE

What It Does

Deals damage around Gilgamesh.

How Players Handle It

Move away from the boss before it resolves.

Pradamante

Type: Targeted AoE

What It Does

Targets a random player with a damaging AoE.

Phase 2 — Gilgamesh

After Enkidu is defeated, the fight moves inside the keep and Gilgamesh gains new mechanics.

Gilgamesh Phase 2 Mechanics

Moonlight

Type: Arena-wide AoE

How to Recognize It

• The floor begins glowing.

What It Does

Deals moderate damage across the arena.

How Players Handle It

Players may avoid damage by standing on raised sections of the arena.

Icewind

Type: Pattern-based AoE

How to Recognize It

• Multiple crisscrossing line AoEs appear across the arena.

What It Does

The lines create shifting safe zones that change after the first set resolves.

How Players Handle It

Move to the initial safe area, then reposition quickly when the pattern shifts.

Bloomshower

Type: Large AoE pattern

How to Recognize It

• Multiple curved AoEs appear across the arena forming a flower-like pattern.

What It Does

Deals moderate damage across the affected areas.

How Players Handle It

Move into the safe gaps between the AoE zones.

Iron Chain

Type: Player restraint mechanic

How to Recognize It

• A player becomes chained to Gilgamesh.

What It Does

The player is immobilized and takes damage over time.

How Players Handle It

Other players must destroy the Iron Chain object to free them.

Sword Dance

Type: Tankbuster

How to Recognize It

• Gilgamesh begins a multi-hit attack on the tank.

What It Does

Deals multiple hits of heavy damage.

How Players Handle It

The tank can move behind the boss to avoid the attack.

Giga Jump

Type: Targeted leap attack

How to Recognize It

• Gilgamesh targets a random player before jumping.

What It Does

Deals AoE damage where he lands.

Masamune

Type: Charge attack

How to Recognize It

• Immediately follows Giga Jump.

What It Does

Gilgamesh charges back toward the tank, damaging players in his path.

How Players Handle It

Avoid standing between Gilgamesh and the tank.

Add Mechanics

Dragon’s Head

Four Dragon’s Head enemies appear around the arena.

Abilities

• Dragonfire line attacks

• Dragonstrike raidwide damage if they survive too long

Priority

Players should defeat at least three Dragon’s Heads before they unleash Dragonstrike.

Lightning Orb Mechanic

Purple orbs appear in either:

• the center of the arena

• a ring around the outer edge

Players must dodge the first wave and quickly reposition when the safe zones shift.

Mechanic Interaction Notes

The second phase becomes dangerous when Icewind patterns, orb mechanics, and Dragon’s Head adds occur simultaneously.

Players must carefully reposition while maintaining damage on both Gilgamesh and the adds.

Role Pressure Analysis

Tank Pressure

Tanks must manage positioning and survive heavy tankbuster attacks like Sword Dance.

Healer Pressure

Healers must respond to frequent raidwide damage and players trapped by Iron Chains.

DPS Pressure

DPS players must quickly defeat Dragon’s Heads while maintaining pressure on Gilgamesh.

Common Failure Points

Groups often struggle when:

• Enkidu is not defeated quickly in Phase 1

• Dragon’s Head adds are not killed before Dragonstrike

• players are hit by Icewind patterns

• players stand between Gilgamesh and the tank during Masamune

Difficulty Profile

Guild Summary

Battle in the Big Keep is a multi-phase encounter against Gilgamesh that combines dual-boss mechanics, environmental hazards, and complex AoE patterns. Success depends on defeating Enkidu quickly, managing Phase 2 mechanics, and eliminating Dragon’s Head adds before they unleash their raidwide attack.