The Endwalker Sendoff List.All Dungeons, Trials, and Raids Ranked (Normal)
Farewell Endwalker
Dawntrail is just around the corner for Final Fantasy XIV. With Endwalker’s time coming to an end, I thought it would be nice to send the expansion off with a farewell by ranking every instance for it.
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD.
DUNGEONS
13. Vanaspati
We start off with Vanaspati. Vanaspati serves as the eye opening introduction to the Final Days in the story. A jungle on fire and people turning into monsters, causing absolute hopelessness and despair. It’s madness in an absolute eye opening way.
While visually striking, there isn’t much to note about Vanaspati. It’s certainly a thrilling dungeon, but considering Shadowbringers brought the very same aesthetic and presentation in Amaurot, it’s hard to not see Vanaspati as a repeat in a different location. A lot of enemy designs are also taken from the Shadowbringers dungeon which compounds the comparison.
12. Tower of Zot
The first dungeon for Endwalker. Most first dungeons in a new expansion tend to be a bit rough and Tower of Zot is no exception. A run through one of the Fandaniel’s aether eating towers, the dungeon aesthetically is dreary and dark. It’s not the most pleasant place to run through because of that. Not to mention that the enemies in the dungeon hit unreasonably hard, especially in the final section.
The saving grace of the dungeon are the bosses. Tower of Zot features the iconic Magus Sisters as the bosses in the run. First with Mindy then Sandy individually, and finally Cindy, who is joined by the previous two a few moments into her fight. With all three sisters on the field, the final boss fight is one of the most chaotic in the game, and certainly for the expansion.
11. Tower of Babel
Right after the Tower of Zot comes the Tower of Babel. The second dungeon of an expansion tends to be pretty good, and I genuinely enjoy Tower of Babel. The dungeon is a mission to infiltrate the corrupted Imperial Palace of Garlemald. It starts off on a train ride on a secret rail before making its way to the top of the Tower. The second boss of the dungeon has some neat mechanics similar to Alexander Fist of the Son. But the real appeal of the dungeon comes from its final boss, the well known Final Fantasy X summon Anima.
In one of the best fights in the expansion, Anima’s signature mechanics are all reimagined in awesome ways. As a FFX fan who once hailed it as the greatest game I ever played, it’s always a treat to play the fight.
10. The Lunar Subterrane
The final dungeon for all of Endwalker. For fans of Final Fantasy IV, this dungeon is a treat. Deep in the caves of the moon of a parallel dimension, the dungeon transforms into a trek through the memories of the Golbez as he rescued a whole city state of Baron. The dungeon’s name and music come directly from the classic game, making one giant tribute. Seeing the boss which has been the biggest roadblock in IV (The Dark Elf) was certainly the biggest tell. It’s a worthy final dungeon for the expansion.
9. Lapis Manalis
The dungeon added in Patch 6.3, Lapis Manalis starts out as one of the most visually appealing dungeons in Endwalker. It goes from taking a ride on a giant snowmobile similar to Anamnesis Anyder from Shadowbringers. Just as similar, the dungeon transitions to a bleak area, this time a cavern. As the dungeon is supposed to be a trek into the area where the Reaper class originates from, it’s understandably a dark area, with a Reaper training doll for a boss. Similar to the second boss of Stormblood’s Temple of the Fist, the second boss evaluates how fast it is beaten. It’s always been a motivation to see the other levels when beating the boss. Coupled with the bosses gothic lolita design makes it hands down the most notable part of the dungeon. At the end of the dungeon is one of Golbez’s four archfiends, Cagnazzo the Archfiend of Water in a land shark battle.
8. The Fell Court of Troia
Perhaps my most overplayed endgame dungeon.. A dangerous exploration into the World of Darkness, specifically an area which features a floating castle in the sky. The castle is straight out of FFIV and features Scarmiglione, one of Golbez’s four archfiends as its final boss. Topping the FFIV tribute, the typical final boss theme for Endwalker is replaced by a remix of FFIV’s second battle theme. Because of how often I would play this dungeon I came to hate it until it was replaced in Expert Roulette. But ever since I’ve come to like Troia. With the right party the dungeon can be run through in less than ten minutes which is always fun to see and be a part of.
7. Alzadaal’s Legacy
The first dungeon in Endwalker’s endgame storyline. Aldzaal’s legacy feels like an Indiana Jones ruins trip as it’s a delving to find hidden treasure in the deep jungle. From the jungle swamp above to going to a hidden temple underwater housing a massive treasure hoard, the Indiana Jones comparison is more warranted. The dungeon run is colorful and imaginative with its environments. The underwater temple is a sort of Indian version of Atlantis which is a cool tidbit to point out. The final boss has one of the most fun mechanics for Endwalker’s dungeons involving trying to avoid being sent into spikes and the like.
6. The Stigma Dreamscape
One of the three initial endgame dungeons for Endwalker, The Stigma Dreamscape is a neat look into the past of the Omicron race. The dungeon shows the Omicrons buildup and eventual execution of their universal conquests and the development of the ever well known Final Fantasy boss, Omega. All the while a remix of FFXIV’s most romantic music track eScape (look up FFXIV Omega April Fools) is playing. The dungeon is awfully grand to play, and it’s awesome to actually fight against some of Omega’s prototypes for bosses and enemies.
5. The Aitiascope
The Aitiascope can be considered the most emotional dungeon in all of Final Fantasy history. Venturing through FFXIV’s afterlife/heaven, enemies of the past attempt to bar the path, while allies now gone help to reach the goddess Hydaelyn herself.
The dungeon is a trip down memory lane and as it progresses it gets more and more emotional. It’s difficult to not feel sentimental and nostalgic when running Aitiascope. The dungeon also features one of the most grand final boss fights in the expansion, a toe to toe with the Ascian Fandaniel in his Amon form settling one of the most antagonistic grudges in the game’s story. It’s fitting considering the dungeon is the final leveling dungeon before endgame.
4. Ktisis Hyberboreia
If I made a ranking for every leveling dungeon in Final Fantasy XIV, Ktisis Hyperboreia would be a contender for the top spot. There is a lot to love about the dungeon. It’s vibrance, the music, the aesthetic, and even the little details such as the Trust NPCs which are available to play with. There is so much to love about Ktisis Hyperboreia. The dungeon is an infiltration of the research facility which a character Hermes locks himself in. Loads of research subjects are let loose to impede the way before taking to the skies above, just under the reaches of space.
It’s such a delightful dungeon to run and of all the leveling dungeons in Endwalker this is the one I’ve played the most. It’s hard to highlight a few things that stand out about the dungeon because as a whole it works well.
3. The Aetherfont
Ever want to relax and play a dungeon at the same time? Then welcome to the Aetherfont. Located on a remote research island off the coasts of Old Sharlayan, the dungeon feels like a vacation trek into the outskirts of iceland. The smooth acoustic guitar theme playing in the background makes that feeling even more apparent. It’s what makes Aetherfont so nice to run through especially after mastering the bosses and all the mechanics, the dungeon is so stressless.
2. Smileton
Lopporit Madness. That is how you describe Smileton. One of the first available endgame dungeons for Endwalker it is a delightful run into the comically over the top residential area built by the Lopporits. Its design gives us an Alice in Wonderland vibe, but with a chaotic sci-fi feel. You battle rampant construction and caretaker machines while seeing the little bunnies run about in mayhem. I remember first running this dungeon and laughing through the whole thing. The final boss even provokes a laugh as its name is literally “The Big Cheese” (one of the moon’s most famous nicknames) when it’s a construction/demolition robot that rolls bombs towards you. It helps that the theme for the dungeon is one the best tracks in the game, being a smooth jazz tune.
1. The Dead Ends
The final dungeon for the Endwalker main scenario and the entire first saga of Final Fantasy XIV, The Dead Ends is a grand experience to run through. You delve into the memories of Meiteion and her sisters in their journeys through the stars. The dungeon takes you to three worlds they bore witness to the destruction of as Meiteion guides you and recounts the events like harrowing fairytales. One world destroyed by disease, another by war and another by apathy. A beautifully arranged theme plays as the trek through despair goes. The scenery, the music and the story of the dungeon makes The Dead Ends hands down the greatest final dungeon in Final Fantasy history.
TRIALS
8. The Gilded Araya
The final trial to unlock in all of Endwalker, via the Hildibrand questline, The Gilded Araya is a surprisingly challenging trial for being part of a slapstick comedy story. The boss is a wicked primal interpretation of a Thavnairian goddess, Asura. With six sword wielding hands, Asura is deceptively tough mechanics wise. Random changing locations, on your toes areas of effect, and a mechanic which constantly trips players up.
7. Mount Ordeals
The trial introduced in Patch 6.3, Mount Ordeals’s boss is Rubicante, The Archfiend of Fire of Golbez’s Four. While second to last, there isn’t really anything wrong with Mount Ordeals. It features really cool looking and occasionally difficult mechanics, particularly in the second phase when Rubicante transforms.
6. The Voidcast Dais
A battle straight out of Final Fantasy IV, The Voidcast Dais is a fight against the iconic FFIV antagonist. The boss fight can be very difficult if not attentive to mechanics, some of which are deceptive and easy to forget. The fight is chaotic as a result, especially for healers and tanks.
5. The Dark Inside
The trial that made everyone go, “Wait…this early???” The first trial in Endwalker and the most surprising trial in the game as the boss is Ascian God of Darkness Zodiark. Hyped through the previous expansions to be a god rivaling the supposed creator Hydaelyn, it comes as one of Endwalker’s biggest plot twists that Zodiark is nowhere near the final boss. The fight certainly gives the final boss feels regardless as it is mechanically intense while having a grand battle theme. Some of the mechanics in this fight are borderline intense. One in particular, which turns the entire arena around, is one of the coolest in the entire game.
4. The Mothercrystal
Perhaps the most awesome boss in the entire game, The Mothercrystal is a test of strength and will against the goddess Hydaelyn herself. I remember how it looked right before queuing into the fight with the Trust system (making it the only trial to feature the option) and having the sense of something truly grand. And that is what the fight is, grand. Much like Zodiark’s fight, Hydaelyn gives off final boss impressions as a remix of A Realm Reborn’s and her theme, “Answers” plays and a breadth of mechanics are slapped on the party.
3. Storm’s Crown
The first trial in Endwalker’s endgame storyline introduced in Patch 6.2. Storm’s Crown is a showdown in the World of Darkness against one of Golbez’s archfiends, Barbarricia coming straight out of FFIV. From the boss, the mechanics, and the background music, this fight is entertaining as hell. Particularly when the fight gets to Phase 2 the mechanics become frequent and chaotic in the best way. Barbariccia is a nice treat to note in the fight as she starts off calm and collected before devolving into a berserker state, desperately trying to wipe the party away.
2. The Abyssal Fracture
Leave it to Naoki Yoshida and the team to find a way to bring a classic Final Fantasy era boss into the modern age. The final trial of the Endwalker endgame storyline, this boss fight is grand. It’s challenging, but not crazy so, just the right amount. It’s what makes the fight so enjoyable, the mechanics keep players on their toes, especially if healing. In a treat to FFIV fans, the main theme of the game plays as the boss’s theme during the final phase. Meanwhile, the main boss theme prior is a techno remix of Zodiark’s theme from IV which is brilliantly done.
1. The Final Day
This is how you do a final boss fight. The ultimate boss fight for Endwalker and the first saga of Final Fantasy XIV, The Final Day couldn’t have a more fitting title. It’s an epic battle between the Warrior of Light and the embodiment of all despair, The Endsinger and everything about the fight screams this. The background music is a compilation of every final boss theme for FFXIV to this point mixed with the main theme of the entire Final Fantasy franchise. The final boss hurls planets and meteors at you in prime FF “all powerful” boss fashion. It all culminates in an ultimate attack where Endsinger tries to smash the party with a star sized planet which can only be survived with a limit break. If you survive she rewinds time to do it again which causes the screen to go black. And presents the greatest transition to a second phase ever as your allies pray for your survival and victory. In the second phase you are all but invincible, with light and hope pushing back against the Endsinger and her despair, overwhelming her as she desperately tries to defeat the Warrior of Light to no avail. It’s a powerful moment which I’d love to see more of in other RPGs of similar elk and sets the ultimate finale that Endwalker is for the first saga of Final Fantasy XIV
NORMAL RAIDS
12. Pandaemonium Asphodelos: The Third Circle
I hate this boss. Two years after its release, I still hate this boss. Penultimate raids in a tier tend to be the hardest and P3 is very much a part of this trend. With how much needs to be done and coordinated in this raid it could be fooled for a Savage tier. But alas, it’s a normal raid. The boss is Phoinix a prototype for the actual Phoenix. The boss features annoying mechanics which will ravage unprepared parties. Every time I see this raid in roulette the first thing I say is, “Ah crap…” A sentiment my friends also share. It’s a testament to how bad this fight is when we share that thought.
11. Pandaemonium Asphodelos: The First Circle
Zzz… Oh sorry. I fell asleep. Like how I fall asleep doing this specific raid. No, seriously… The First Circle is hands down one of the easiest boss fights in the entire game. I always make a joke to my friends about how someone could do the raid in their sleep. Yet, it doesn’t even feel like a joke at times with how basic the mechanics are. There’s nothing to note about the fight aside from its walk in the park difficulty. For the start of a raid series, this is the most underwhelming.
10. Pandaemonium Asphodelos: The Second Circle
From a walk in the park to a swim in the sewage (literally). Unlike the laughably easy First Circle of Pandemonium, The Second Circle brings the first true challenge in Endwalker’s endgame raids. Where the challenge comes from is Second Circle’s suffocating style of mechanics, eliminating space and making it difficult to move freely.
9. Pandaemonium Anabaseios: The Ninth Circle
The first of the final tier of Pandemonium raids, The Ninth Circle is a little underwhelming. It’s nowhere as easy of P1 but P9 isn’t difficult per se. The fight switches to various sets of mechanics arguably getting gradually more difficult with each switch before cycling back.
8. Pandaemonium Anabaseios: The Tenth Circle
Tim Burton, you may have lost your spider. It’s here, as the boss of The Tenth Circle of the Pandemonium raids. If I had to rank the most difficult raids in the entire game, P10 would be on that list. The raid is as insane as the boss’s design. Especially as a healer every skill as a player is tested in P10 as the mechanics are punishing as hell. I’ve wiped and been frustrated in this raid more than enough times to declare it hard. Yet it’s a welcome challenge.
7. Pandaemonium Abyssos: The Eighth Circle
The final raid for the Abyssos tier. The Eighth Circle is a fight with a younger clone of the Ascian Lahabrea in a semi transformed state. Switching from three to four sets of mechanics, the boss fight isn’t all that difficult when mastered. Presentation is one of the biggest positives of the fights as Lahabrea’s voice actor reprises his role for the boss and a few of it’s mechanics are call backs to previous raids and boss fights with Lahabrea.
6. Pandaemonium Abyssos: The Sixth Circle
The raid that introduced the ever popular battle theme “Scream”, The Sixth Circle is a fight against a mutated ancient in snake riddled madness. The mechanics aren’t too hard and not too easy either, making it a perfect balance in terms of difficulty.
5. Pandaemonium Abyssos: The Fifth Circle
Ready for the cage match of the Final Fantasy century(?) In comparison to the other starting raids for a tier in this series, The Fifth Circle is actually challenging. Aside from the comically monstrous carbuncle existing being a positive, the fight is as wild as the boss. After the cinematic transition to the second phase, the fight becomes even more crazy, with the arena becoming a poisonous pit and the monstrous Carbuncle set free from its cage.
4. Pandaemonium Abyssos: The Seventh Circle
The penultimate raid for Abyssos. Like almost every penultimate raid in a tier, P7 is intense. Not just because Scream is playing in the background but because the boss can be unforgiving at some points. Changing platforms, massive aoes that will take up nearly all the space and mad overlaps of mechanics, this raid can be intense.
3. Pandaemonium Asphodelos: The Fourth Circle
Hello hot vampire daddy. I mean…Hesperos. The final boss of the first tier of Pandemonium Raids, Asphodelos, The Fourth Circle remains one of the best of the entire series. A fight against Final Fantasy XIV’s version of Dracula, with a rock vampire theme playing to boot, the raid feels like an epic gothic duel. While the bosses mechanics aren’t innovative, the presentation of the mechanics is top notch making the raid one of the most visually appealing. And speaking of presentation, yes, the boss Hesperos is hands down one of the most handsome looking characters in the game.Far and away the most handsome of all the bosses I would say.
2. Pandaemonium Anabaseios: The Eleventh Circle
The penultimate raid of Endwalker’s endgame, The Eleventh Circle feels like a duel with a longtime friend rather than a bitter fight. Another way to describe it is beautiful. A beautiful golden background, a beautiful song playing in the back, and this beautiful feeling of nostalgia and light. The boss is Themis (Elidibus) in his true transformed state. A culmination of all the events and interactions with Themis/Elidibus to this point, the raid is an emotional one. Typically penultimate raids are some of the hardest, but P11 is pleasant. It’s just pure enjoyment by every measure. Not to say it’s a total walk in the park though, while a lot of the mechanics are easy to deal with, they are just as easy to mess up. Even about a year after it’s release I still notice players screw up in some of the most foolish ways.
1. Pandaemonium Anabaseios: The Twelfth Circle
The final raid of the Pandemonium Raids, The Twelfth Circle is every bit the finale to a raid series. The boss for the raid is Athena, The Tireless One. Essentially the evil version of Venat and Hydaelyn the fight is fittingly intense with a series of almost insane mechanics. The only other raid I can think of being similar in intensity would be the like of Eden’s Verse: Furor. I have seen parties torn down by this raid. All the while a song with ominous lyrics plays in the background which pushes the sociopath character of the boss. It’s all these factors which make P12 the most entertaining raid finale since Omega Alphascape V4.0.
ALLIANCE RAIDS
3. THALEIA
It’s normally not a good sign when the last raid in a series is the worst, but in the case of Thaleia, it’s because of how much better the other two are, rather than it being worse.
Thaleia acts as the send off raid for the Twelve Gods of Eorzea. Fittingly the main theme playing as you traverse is an emotional and grand track which really hits as you come to the final stages of the raid. The deities you fight in the raid are Thaliak, The God of Knowledge and Wisdom; Lylymlaen, The Goddess of Navigation; Oschon, The God of Adventures; and Eulogia, a fusion of the entire Twelve pantheon. It’s a fitting sendoff to the pantheon in an emotional farewell.
2. AGLAIA
Aglaia acts as the divine introduction to the Twelve. And I do mean divine. The music, the aesthetic all screams divine beings of worship. Fittingly the raid is a riveting experience as you meet The Twelve Gods of Eorzea. In the first raid you meet Bygerot, God of Creation/Crafting, Rhalgr, God of Destruciton, Azeyma, Goddess of Inquiry and Nald’thal, God of Commerce. The Nald’thal fight comes with an impressive theme song which stood as the best 24-raid theme, Until the next entry in this list…
1. EUPHROSYNE
Enter the waifu goddess raid. Euphrosyne might go down as my favorite Alliance Raid ever. The raid from the get go is fun. You start off with everyone’s favorite harvest goddess Nophica, Goddess of Fertility and Harvests. To a double god fight with Althyk, God of Time and Space and his sister Nymeia, Goddess of Fate. To Halone, Goddess of War. Finally, a Sailor Moon-esque showdown with Menphina, The Goddess of Love (and her dog, Dalamud).
Every single fight in the raid is full as hell, especially the final fight which features a Sailor Moon like soundtrack that can be considered the best 24-man raid theme in the entire game.
