FFXIV Sastasha (Hard): How To Unlock + Dungeon Guide

Interior of Sastasha (Hard) in FFXIV

To unlock the Level 50 dungeon Sastasha (Hard), you need to accept the Level 50 quest “It’s Definitely Pirates” from Bloezoeng in Mor Dhona (X:22.1, Y:8.7).

And to access this quest, you’ll first need to finish the main story for patch 2.0 of A Realm Reborn.

Step-by-Step Unlock Guide

  1. Complete the Level 50 Main Scenario Quest (MSQ) “The Ultimate Weapon” from Raubahn in Northern Thanalan (X:15.0, Y:16.0).
  2. Accept the Level 50 quest “It’s Definitely Pirates” from Bloezoeng in Mor Dhona (X:22.1, Y:8.7).
  3. Speak with Reyner in Limsa Lominsa Upper Decks (X:11.1, Y:5.9).
  4. Talk to D’perjha outside Sastasha in Western La Noscea (X:28.2, Y:21.5).

Detailed Unlocking Guide

Sastasha (Hard)’s entrance / FFXIV
Sastasha (Hard)’s entrance

Before you can accept “It’s Definitely Pirates” from Bloezoeng, you need to finish the MSQ “The Ultimate Weapon” from Raubahn in Northern Thanalan (X:15.0, Y:16.0).

Once you’ve wrapped up the story for patch 2.0, head to Mor Dhona (X:22.1, Y:8.7) and talk to Bloezoeng.

Bloezoeng’s map location in Mor Dhona / FFXIV
Bloezoeng’s map location in Mor Dhona

A friend of chef Bloezoeng has sent him a request for an eager adventurer to help them with an important task. The chef will ask you to meet Commodore Reyner of the Yellowjackets to learn more. Speak with Reyner in Limsa Lominsa Upper Decks (X:11.1, Y:5.9) to continue.

Reyner recalls your previous expedition in Sastasha where you drove the Serpent Reavers away from the Seagrot.

This time around, he warns that fiendish pirates have taken over Sastasha. He’ll ask you to speak with the guard outside Sastasha should you decide to help rid Sastasha of its invaders once more.

Talk to D’perjha in Western La Noscea (X:28.2, Y:21.5) to proceed.

D’perjha of the Yellowjackets / FFXIV
D’perjha of the Yellowjackets

Unfortunately for the Yellowjackets, the first adventuring party they sent immediately fled at the sight of the fiendish pirates.

D’perjha won’t be able to provide you with much detail as to what’s inside, so you’ll be going in blind.

After a brief chat with the guard, Sastasha (Hard) will be unlocked.

This dungeon requires at least a Level 50 Disciple of War or Magic job and an average item level of 80 to enter.

Boss #1: Karlabos

A large scorpion wavekin / FFXIV
A large scorpion wavekin

Mechanics

  • Impale: A single-target tankbuster attack on the primary target. Shield and heal through the attack.
  • Expire + Tail Screw: The boss will debuff a random player with “Slime.” Getting hit by “Tail Screw” while this debuff is active will result in instant death. Dispel the debuff or stun the boss during the “Tail Screw” cast to avoid.
  • Inspire + Stun Claws: The boss will tether to a player with “Prey” for 10 seconds. Then, the affected player will be dragged toward the boss for a non-telegraphed frontal cone attack that stuns for 15 seconds. Have the tank take the tether to soak up the attack.
  • Wild Instinct: The boss will gain “Haste” and “Damage Up” buffs.

Rewards

  • 15 Allagan Tomestone of Poetics
Name Type Rarity
Hero’s Ring of Aiming Ring Dungeon (Green)
Hero’s Ring of Casting Ring Dungeon (Green)
Hero’s Ring of Fending Ring Dungeon (Green)
Hero’s Ring of Healing Ring Dungeon (Green)
Hero’s Ring of Slaying Ring Dungeon (Green)
Antique Sollerets Other Basic

Boss #2: Captain Madison

Captain Madison 2: Undead Boogaloo / FFXIV
Captain Madison 2: Undead Boogaloo

The boss will start with three extra mobs and periodically resummon them as his HP drops. Destroy each wave of mobs before focusing on the boss to reduce incoming damage.

Mechanics

Enemy Skills
Captain Madison

Hornswaggle: A cleaving tankbuster attack on the primary target. Always face Madison away from the party.

Walk the Plank + Scuttle + Keelhaul: The boss will knock a DPS or Healer back and stun them for three seconds. Then he will charge toward them for a cleaving attack.

This combo is immediately followed up by “Aim + Musket.” Focus on DPSing Madison as soon as this attack goes off.

Aim + Musket: A random player will be marked and constantly attacked by Madison. With each attack, he’ll gain a “Damage Up” buff that stacks up to 16. Focus on killing Madison until the attacks stop.

Captain’s Leech Water or Thunder: Single-target magic attacks.
Captain’s Boy Rive: A line attack that knocks players back on hit.
Captain’s Guard Bloodstain: A point-blank AoE attack.
Captain’s Slave Tackle: The slaves will bind a player until they are killed.

Rewards

  • 20 Allagan Tomestone of Poetics
Name Type Rarity
Hero’s Bracelet of Fending Bracelets Blue (Tomestone)
Hero’s Bracelet of Slaying Bracelets Blue (Tomestone)
Hero’s Bracelet of Aiming Bracelets Blue (Tomestone)
Hero’s Bracelet of Casting Bracelets Blue (Tomestone)
Hero’s Bracelet of Healing Bracelets Blue (Tomestone)
Hero’s Earrings of Fending Bracelets Blue (Tomestone)
Hero’s Earrings of Slaying Bracelets Blue (Tomestone)
Hero’s Earrings of Aiming Bracelets Blue (Tomestone)
Hero’s Earrings of Casting Bracelets Blue (Tomestone)
Hero’s Earrings of Healing Bracelets Blue (Tomestone)
Antique Gauntlets Other Basic
Antique Helm Other Basic

Boss #3: Kraken

Eorzean Cthulhu / FFXIV
Eorzean Cthulhu

Focus on killing “Kraken’s Arm” mobs and stay away from the tentacles. Once the arms are down, you can ignore the tentacles and continue hitting the boss.

Mechanics

  • Ink Blot: A targeted circle AoE on random players.
  • Ink Jet: A frontal cone AoE that applies “Blind” for six seconds. Dispel the debuff as necessary.
  • Water Cannon (Tentacle): A ranged attack on random players.
  • Seize + Hurl (Tentacle): The boss’ tentacles will stun and throw any player that stands near them toward the boss. This combo will eventually drop affected players inside an “Ink Jet” AoE. Always stay away from tentacles.
  • Wallop (Kraken’s Arm and Tentacle): A non-telegraphed line attack.
  • Clearout (Kraken’s Arm): A non-telegraphed frontal cone AoE with a knockback.
  • Stranger Tides: The boss will summon whirlpools underneath players that explode into point-blank AoEs. This attack will also respawn the boss’ tentacles and arms. Spread out to avoid overlapping damage.

Rewards

  • 35 Allagan Tomestone of Poetics
  • Kraken Triple Triad Card (not guaranteed)
  • Faded Copy of Riptide Orchestrion Roll (not guaranteed)
Name Type Rarity
Hero’s Necklace of Fending Necklace Dungeon (Green)
Hero’s Necklace of Slaying Necklace Dungeon (Green)
Hero’s Necklace of Aiming Necklace Dungeon (Green)
Hero’s Necklace of Casting Necklace Dungeon (Green)
Hero’s Necklace of Healing Necklace Dungeon (Green)
Antique Mail Other Basic
Antique Breeches Other Basic
Tight-beaked Parrot Minion Basic

Extra Treasure Coffer

Splintered Chest crafting material / FFXIV
Splintered Chest crafting material

Apart from the boss rewards, there’s an extra treasure coffer located at (X:7.5, Y:16.3) containing a “Splintered Chest” crafting material.

This can be used to craft the “Dead Man’s Chest” Indoor Furnishing.

Marc Vista

155 articles

Marc is a casual FFXIV Summoner veteran, retired TF2 Soldier main, and professional communicator. He's also a huge fan of anime, Hololive, and the Golden State Warriors.

View Writer's Posts →