The Level 50 trial Akh Afah Amphitheatre (Hard), also known as Shiva HM, can be unlocked by accepting the Level 50 Main Scenario Quest (MSQ) “The Instruments of Our Deliverance” from Minfilia in The Rising Stones (X:6.1, Y:5.3).
This MSQ is part of the patch 2.4 Main Scenario Questline for A Realm Reborn, so you’ll need to finish previous MSQs before it becomes accessible.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Step-by-Step Unlock Guide
- Accept the Level 50 Main Scenario Quest (MSQ) “The Instruments of Our Deliverance” from Minfilia at Mor Dhona in The Rising Stones (X:6.1, Y:5.3).
- Talk to Alphinaud outside Snowcloak in Coerthas Central Highlands (X:3.4, Y:21.3).
- Speak with the Stalwart Temple Knight nearby in Coerthas Central Highlands (X:3.2, Y:21.3).
Detailed Unlocking Guide
“The Instruments of Our Deliverance” is a Level 50 Main Scenario Quest (MSQ) deep into the patch 2.4 Main Scenario Questline. You’ll need to finish every MSQ leading up to it before it becomes accessible.
Once you’re caught up on the MSQs, return to The Rising Stones (X:6.1, Y:5.3) in Mor Dhona and talk to Minfilia to begin the quest.
In this part of the main story, the scions are chasing Lady Iceheart and her cult throughout Coerthas Central Highlands.
Large shipments of crystals heading into Snowcloak suggest that the cult is preparing a primal summoning.
With no easy way of entering Lady Iceheart’s stronghold, the scions employed the help of the Sharlayan scholar Moenbryda to fix a broken Aetheryte near Snowcloak.
Talk to Alphinaud outside Snowcloak in Coerthas Central Highlands (X:3.4, Y:21.3) to investigate further.
Upon talking to Alphinaud, a cutscene will trigger showing Moenbryda’s method of restoring the Aetheryte using a white auracite. After the scions embed their aether into it, Moenbryda will channel the auracite’s power toward the Aetheryte, allowing you to attune to it.
After the cutscene, talk to Alphinaud once more and make your preparations.
When you’re ready, talk to the Stalwart Temple Knight nearby in Coerthas Central Highlands (X:3.2, Y:21.3). After a short conversation with the knight, The Akh Afah Amphitheatre (Hard) will be unlocked.
This trial requires at least a Level 50 Disciple of War or Magic job and an average item level of 80 to enter.
Trial Boss Guide: Shiva (Hard)
This trial can be easily soloed with a high-level character if you queue for Akh Afah Amphitheatre (Hard) while unsynced. You can easily survive every mechanic and just DPS the boss down as quickly as possible.
However, you’ll need to do this trial while synced if you’re queuing for this trial for the first time with a Level 50 character or if you encounter it during Duty Roulette: Trials. Check out the boss’ synced mechanics below to help you clear it quickly.
Phase 1: Frost Staff and Frost Blade
The boss will switch between two weapons throughout the fight: “Frost Staff” and “Frost Blade”.
Each weapon has unique mechanics, so always check which weapon the boss uses.
- Frost Staff: The boss always uses this weapon first. She’ll use “Hailstorm” immediately after switching to it.
- Hailstorm: Players will be targeted with ice AoEs that will explode after some time. Spread out to avoid overlapping damage.
- Absolute Zero: A room-wide AoE attack. Mitigate and heal through the damage.
- Frost Blade: The boss always uses this weapon second. She’ll use “Icebrand” immediately after switching to it.
- Icebrand: A frontal cone tankbuster attack on the primary target. Face the boss away from the party and use your mitigation skills.
- Glacier Bash: A non-telegraphed frontal cone AoE that stuns players for three seconds. Face the boss away from the party to avoid unnecessary cleaves.
- Heavenly Strike: A room-wide AoE knockback attack. Stay near the center or use knockback-immunity skills and heal through the damage.
- Icicle Impact (Overlapping): Icicles will drop from above in overlapping circle AoEs that apply stacking “Vulnerability Up” debuffs on hit. Stand inside the narrow spaces between each AoEs to avoid it.
- Dreams of Ice: The boss will gain a stacking “Damage Up” buff for each use. This skill serves as a mini DPS check, but this shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
Phase 2: Ice Soldiers and Diamond Dust
- Ice Soldier: At around 60% HP, the boss will spawn four “Ice Soldier” mobs around the arena. Have the off-tank pick up the mobs while the rest of the party burns them down. Kill the soldiers before the boss uses “Diamond Dust,” or your party will wipe.
- Diamond Dust: A room-wide ultimate AoE attack that inflicts a 20-second “Deep Freeze” stun on the party. This attack will wipe the party if the ice soldiers aren’t killed this attack goes off. The stun will only wear off after the attack hits, so use your mitigation skills during the animation. Kill the ice soldiers as quickly as possible, then heal through the damage.
Phase 3: Permafrost + Repeating Mechanics
The outer edges of the arena will now trap players in ice boulders if they run or slide toward it. Destroy the boulder should anyone get trapped.
Phase 1 mechanics will be repeated, along with some new mechanics.
- Icicle Impact (Circular): The boss will start using a second “Icicle Impact” pattern. The AoEs can now drop consecutively around the outer edges of the arena, followed by a large AoE in the center. Stay in the center until the first AoE explodes, then move into the safe space created.
- Permafrost: All players will get a “Thin Ice” status and a “Permafrost” DoT for 50 seconds. Moving while the “Thin Ice” status is active causes players to slide toward the direction they’re trying to move to. A thin fog will cover the arena for a few seconds to indicate the floor change. Stop moving until the floor goes back to normal and heal through the DoTs.
Rewards
- Shiva Triple Triad Card (not guaranteed)
- Ice Tear (not guaranteed)
Guide Navigation
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Final Fantasy XIV
- The Akh Afah Amphitheatre (Hard): Unlock + Trial Guide (FFXIV)
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