Vanguard is the latest level 97 dungeon introduced in Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail, presenting a thrilling challenge for adventurers. Emerging from a mysterious dome that engulfed Yyasulani, Zoraal Ja’s mechanical army relentlessly attacks Tuliyollal. This guide will arm you with the knowledge to navigate this perilous dungeon and defeat its formidable bosses. Prepare to board the explosive-laden train and delve into the heart of the dome!
Unlocking the Vanguard Dungeon
To access Vanguard, you must undertake the Main Scenario Quest “All Aboard” at level 97.
- Quest Name: All Aboard
- NPC Location: Wawlika – Shaaloani (X:18.6, Y:13.8)
Progressing through the Dawntrail Main Scenario will naturally lead you to this quest, opening the gateway to Vanguard.
Vanguard Commander R8 Boss Guide
The first major obstacle is Vanguard Commander R8, a high-speed menace riding a futuristic motorcycle. Understanding its attacks is crucial for a swift victory.
| Attack Name | Type | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Electrowave | Roomwide AoE | Damages all players and electrifies the arena’s edges, creating a hazardous zone. |
| Enhanced Mobility | AoE | Marks a circular area before deploying its Wingblade (left or right). The Commander then circles, damaging along its path and on the Wingblade side. Anticipate the Wingblade’s trajectory and position yourself centrally or at the safe edges. |
| Dispatch | Line AoE | Summons four Vanguard Sentry R8 units that unleash line AoEs across the arena. React quickly to their appearance, as the telegraph is brief. |
| Dispatch – Aerial Offensive | Circle AoE | Spawns four Vanguard Sentries that generate expanding circle AoEs. Evade the growing zones and maintain movement until they cease expansion. Later iterations feature two sets of four Sentries, demanding careful navigation of overlapping AoE sets. |
| Dispatch/Electrosurge | Line AoE/AoE Markers | Deploys eight Vanguard Sentries, in two groups of four on opposing walls. Simultaneously, players are marked with AoE markers (Electrosurge). Observe the Sentry paths and spread out to mitigate marker damage and avoid line AoE intersections. |
Vanguard Commander R8 heavily utilizes Dispatch variations, testing your positional awareness. Enhanced Mobility requires keen observation of the Wingblade to correctly predict safe zones.
Protector Boss Guide
The second boss, Protector, presents a more complex encounter with layered mechanics. Mastering these will lead you closer to the dungeon’s depths.
| Attack Name | Type | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Electrowave | Roomwide AoE | Damages the party and converts the square arena’s perimeter into a damaging AoE. Avoid the edges throughout the fight. |
| Search and Destroy | Line AoE/Circle AoE | Deploys untargetable Explosive and Laser Turrets that fire persistent line and circle AoEs. Constant movement is key to evasion. These AoEs are forgiving, not inflicting Vulnerability Up. |
| Fulminous Fence | Summon | Summons six Fulminous Fences around the center, inflicting Paralysis upon contact. These fences persist into the next attack phase. |
| Battery Circuit | Rotating Conal AoE/Circle AoE | Protector unleashes conal AoEs front and back, while slowly rotating. Simultaneously, random circle AoEs appear. Circulate with the boss, avoiding both cones, circles, and crucially, the Paralysis-inducing Fulminous Fences. |
| Rapid Thunder | Tankbuster | High damage single-target attack on the Tank. Tank mitigation is essential. |
| Motion Sensor | Acceleration Bomb/Line AoE | Applies Acceleration Bomb debuffs to players, detonating upon movement expiry. Simultaneously, turrets sequentially fire line AoEs from arena sides. Carefully weave through line AoEs while the bomb ticks down, then stand still during the last second to avert explosion. |
| Tracking Bolt | AoE Markers | Targets all players with expansive circle AoE markers. Maintain distance to prevent overlaps. |
| Heavy Blast Cannon | Line Stack Marker | Marks a player with a line stack marker. Party members should stack on the marked player to distribute damage. |
The Protector fight is intricate, especially Motion Sensor combined with Fulminous Fences. Prioritize fence avoidance, as paralysis increases vulnerability to subsequent AoEs.
Zander the Snakeskinner Boss Guide
The final confrontation is against Zander the Snakeskinner, Ophidian Outrider. This encounter unfolds in two distinct phases, each with unique attacks.
Phase 1
| Attack Name | Type | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Electrothermia | Roomwide AoE | Damages the entire party and electrifies the arena’s edges, similar to previous bosses. |
| Soulbane Saber | AoE | Strikes with a line AoE to the front, followed by an explosion in the same area. Position behind the boss to evade both hits. Later, expect multiple Soulbane Sabers in succession across different arena sections, coupled with player-targeted AoE markers (Soulbane Shock). Spread out while avoiding Saber explosions. |
| Saber Rush | Tankbuster | A high-damage Tankbuster. Tanks should use defensive cooldowns. |
Phase 1 repeats these attacks until Zander’s health depletes, triggering phase two.
Phase 2
Upon reaching zero health, Zander transforms and fully heals, gaining a new arsenal of attacks.
| Attack Name | Type | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Syntheslean | Conal AoE | A cone AoE directly in front of the boss. |
| Syntheslither | AoE | Zander moves to an arena edge and prepares a four-hit sequence. Sword markers appear in a line across the arena. Zander strikes each marker with a conal AoE, the direction dictated by the line’s curvature just ahead of the marker. For instance, a rightward curve indicates a right-side conal strike. This sequence repeats from the opposite arena edge. Easiest evasion is to avoid the initial cone and then stay behind Zander as he progresses, as he only attacks forward. |
| Shade Shot | Tankbuster | High damage Tankbuster. Employ defensive cooldowns. |
| Slitherbane Foreguard | AoE | A line AoE, akin to Soulbane Saber, but with an added half-circle AoE in the same direction. Position behind the boss for safety. |
| Slitherbane Rearguard | AoE | Another line AoE, similar to previous iterations, but with a half-circle AoE to the rear. Position to the left or right of the boss to avoid both components. |
| Screech | Roomwide AoE | Damages all party members. Healers should prepare for raid-wide healing. |
Phase 2 mechanics cycle until Zander’s defeat. While Syntheslither might seem complex, staying behind the boss simplifies evasion. Pay close attention to cast bars for Slitherbane Foreguard and Rearguard to discern safe zones.
Congratulations on conquering Vanguard! With this guide, you are now equipped to face the challenges within and continue your Dawntrail adventure.
