The Akh Afah Amphitheatre (Hard)

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Disambig icon.png This article is about the story-mode Main Scenario trial. For the level 50 challenge-mode trial, see The Akh Afah Amphitheatre (Extreme).
Trial.png

The Akh Afah Amphitheatre (Hard)

Akh Afah Amphitheatre (Hard).png
Level
50 (Sync: 50)
Item Level
80
Difficulty
Hard
Party size
Full Party
8 man 2 Tank role.png 2 Healer role.png 4 DPS role.png
Unsyncing
Allowed
Time limit
60 minutes
Duty Finder
Trials (A Realm Reborn)
Roulette
Trials
Tomestones
Allagan Tomestone of Poetics 15 
Req. quest
Main Scenario quest The Instruments of Our Deliverance
Entrance
Coerthas Central Highlands (X:3.1, Y:21.2)
Location
The Akh Afah Amphitheatre
Region
Coerthas
Patch
2.4
The echo icon1.png The Echo
On wipe: +10% (max +50%)

For as long as their nation has warred with Dravania, there have been Ishgardians who instead chose to ally themselves with the dragons. Shiva is said to have been among the first, hence why the heretics revere her as a saint. That Iceheart and her followers intend to summon Shiva with the crystals they have stolen is plain. But is this unprecedented act even possible? If so, then Ishgard─if not the entire realm─is in grave danger.

— In-game description

The Akh Afah Amphitheatre (Hard) is a level 50 trial introduced in patch 2.4.

Guide

Aggressive difficulty r6.png Lady of Frost: Shiva

It's worth noting that on Hard (instead of Extreme) mode her Icebrand during Sword & Shield cannot be soaked by the party and Shiva should simply be tank & spanked away from the party at all times. Also, the Damage up icon2.png Damage Up buff will cap at 16 stacks, serving as a soft enrage, although this is almost never an issue.

  • In her unarmed form, Shiva's auto attacks will hit in a small cleave so she should be faced away from the party.

Phase 1

  • Dreams of Ice: Shiva occasionally uses this action, gaining a permanent, stackable Damage up icon2.png Damage Up buff.
  • Shiva will periodically switch between one of three stances (sword, staff, or unarmed) determining her attacks.
  • Staff form:
    • Shiva's Frost brand icon1.png Frost Brand buff will slightly increase the damage she deals.
    • Hailstorm: Telegraphed circle AoEs on random players. Spread out to avoid overlap.
    • Absolute Zero (no cast bar): Untelegraphed party-wide damage.
  • Shiva will return to her unarmed form:
    • Icicle Impact (no cast bar): Initially spawns five circle AoE telegraphs. Move to one of four safe spots that are 90 degrees from each other. Being hit will inflict a stack of Vulnerability Up icon1.png Vulnerability Up.
  • Sword form:Also note that failing any mechanic will debuff with a stacking Vulnerability Up icon1.png Vulnerability Up
    • Shiva's Frost blade icon1.png Frost Brand buff will reduce the damage she takes and give her slight healing-over-time.
    • Icebrand (no cast bar): An untelegraphed conal tankbuster immediately used after switching to this form. The main tank should use mitigation and ensure to face this away from the party.
    • Heavenly Strike (no cast bar): Untelegraphed minor knockback from the boss's current position. Can be prevented with Surecast.png  Surecast or Arm's Length.png  Arm's Length.
    • Glacier Bash: Frontal cone that will inflict heavy damage and Stun icon1.png Stun anyone hit. Move behind.

Phase 2

  • Shiva will go to the center of the arena and spawn four Ice Soldier adds. These should be picked up by the tanks, grouped together, and killed by the rest of the party.
  • Shiva will still transition into staff or sword form and repeat the previous attacks. The party should be especially mindful not to be cleaved with Icebrand.
  • After the adds are killed or if enough time passes, Shiva will inflict Deep Freeze icon1.png Deep Freeze on everyone and use Diamond Dust, dealing party-wide damage. If any adds are still alive before Shiva disappears, the party will be wiped instead.

Phase 3

  • From here on, touching the edge of the arena will freeze the player into a boulder. Frozen player can be freed after party members kill the boulder.
  • Shiva will continue transitioning between unarmed, staff, and sword forms and has all of her previous attacks. In addition, she will use two new attacks:
    • Icicle Impact (version 2, no cast bar): Nine circle AoEs will sequentially appear covering the middle and the outside of the arena. Start in the last AoE telegraph and dodge into the first one after it resolves. Being hit will inflict a stack of Vulnerability Up icon1.png Vulnerability Up.
    • Permafrost: Shiva temporarily freezes the floor, giving everyone Thin Ice icon1.png Thin Ice, causing to slide a long distance if they move. Players should remain still when the floor is frozen to avoid sliding into the wall. After each Permafrost, Shiva will use Dreams of Ice and gain another stack of Damage up icon2.png Damage Up.

Loot

Images