Area of Effect
Area of Effect, abbreviated as "AoE", is the most common type of attack used against players. These attempt to damage players in an area of varying shapes and sizes— often indicated by bright orange highlights on the ground, but sometimes signified through cast names, enemy motions, or other visual warnings.
In high-end content and higher-level normal-difficulty content, these orange telegraphs will often not appear until right before the attack resolves, requiring players to pay attention to the enemy's animation or cast name to determine where to avoid the attack. This is most often the case with content seen in Shadowbringers and later.
In general, these attacks register ("snapshot") when the telegraph disappears, not when the AoE animation finishes. However, some duties feature red-colored AoEs; these attacks will register substantially later than usual after disappearing, and players should mind their positions.
Types
Simple Circle AoE
An unmoving circle AoE of varying size. Will typically be placed directly under an enemy, a player, or preset locations around an arena. Players are generally expected to move out of the highlighted areas in time to avoid taking damage.
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The common circle AoE marker used from A Realm Reborn to Stormblood. -
Circle AoEs used in Shadowbringers and after.
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Simple Donut AoE
An unmoving donut AoE of varying size. Will typically be placed directly under an enemy, a player, or preset locations around an arena. Players must to move into the epicenter of the AoE to avoid damage.
Simple Line AoE
An unmoving rectangular AoE of varying size. Is often used to indicate an enemy firing a powerful projectile or preparing a running charge.
Players are generally expected to side-step these attacks, as their length often extend the full length of the arena.
Simple Cone AoE
An unmoving conal AoE of varying size. Most often originates from the front of an enemy but, in some cases, can come from the rear or sides.
Players are generally expected to circle around the enemy to escape danger. As cones expand outwards from its epicenter, these AoEs are easier to dodge by being closer to the enemy casting it.
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A 90 degree frontal cone AoE. -
The Cone AoE marker used in Shadowbringers and after.
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Cleave
A common term for an unmarked frontal cone AoE aimed at the highest enmity target. These are often undodgeable high-damage attacks only intended for the tanks to take— as such, it is common for DPS and healers to stay behind the boss at all times, while only the tank stays in front.
Puddle
A long-lasting AoE that can apply damage, debuffs, or even buffs when stood inside. Generally a stage hazard that limits movement space. Will often be the after-effects of a Simple Circle AoE or a Spread Circle. Players will typically want to avoid standing in these, but can often control where Puddles are created.
Landmine
A long-lasting mine that explodes if a player gets too close.
Typically must be avoided, but in some cases must be exploded by a tank to avoid a larger explosion later.
Is often paired with a knockback against players hit by the explosion, which may cause chain reactions with other landmines.
Homing AoE
An attack that will drop multiple AoEs on a player sequentially. The player must continuously move in a certain direction to avoid the attack. Indicated by trailing yellow chevrons and a pulsating circle around the targeted player.
Moving AoEs
Circle or line AoEs that will cascade outwards as follow-up AoEs in the direction(s) indicated by the arrows on the AoE telegraph.
Circular moving AoEs are commonly referred to as exaflares by players.
Radial Line AoE
An advanced variant of the Line AoE. This attack fires multiple (usually 4) line AoEs out from an epicenter in indicated directions, creating a starburst-like pattern. Indicated by a ring of chevrons on the ground pointing outwards. The size of this telegraph is usually much shorter than the length of the AoEs.
Line of Sight AoE
A room-wide AoE that hits every player that has a direct, unblocked line of sight to the enemy casting this. Players must stand behind an object, often a large rock, to shield themselves from the incoming blast. Failure to take cover is often fatal.
In later expansions, these attacks are telegraphed by a room-wide radial wave emanating from the center. Older duties will have no visual telegraph, typically only being indicated by a long 10 second cast.
The most common and notable Line of Sight AoE is Ecliptic Meteor, used by Behemoth enemies.