FFXIV The Fractal Continuum (Normal): Unlock + Dungeon Guide

Interior of The Fractal Continuum Dungeon in FFXIV

You can unlock the Level 60 dungeon Fractal Continuum by accepting the Level 60 quest “Do It for Gilly” from Notrelchamps in The Pillars (X:14.6, Y:12.2).

This quest can only be unlocked after finishing the final patch 3.0 MSQ “Heavensward” from the Guidance Node in Azys Lla (X:16.0, Y:22.0).

Step-by-Step Unlock Guide

The Fractal Continuum as seen from the skies of Azys Lla / Final Fantasy XIV
The Fractal Continuum as seen from the skies of Azys Lla
  1. Complete the Level 60 MSQ “Heavensward” from the Guidance Node in Azys Lla (X:16.0, Y:22.0).
  2. Accept the Level 60 quest “Do It for Gilly” from Notrelchamps in The Pillars (X:14.6, Y:12.2).
  3. Speak with Wedge at the Aetherochemical Research Facility in Azys Lla (X:21.2 Y:22.4).
  4. Interact with the Allagan teleporter in Azys Lla (X:26.7, Y:33.6).

Detailed Unlocking Guide

The Fractal Continuum is one of the expert-level dungeons for the Heavensward expansion. You’ll need to finish the patch 3.0 main story before you can unlock the dungeon though.

So just complete any backlog of MSQs until you finish “Heavensward” from the Guidance Node in Azys Lla (X:16.0, Y:22.0). Then talk to Notrelchamps in The Pillars (X:14.6, Y:12.2) to begin.

Notrelchamps standing inside The Pillars / Final Fantasy XIV
Notrelchamps standing inside The Pillars

Notrelchamps from Garlond Ironworks has a message for you from Wedge, who requires your presence at the Aetherochemical Research Facility in Azys Lla.

He asks you to meet your lalafellin friend at Azys Lla (X:21.2 Y:22.4) to learn more.

Wedge’s map location in Azys Lla / Final Fantasy XIV
Wedge’s map location in Azys Lla

Wedge intends to obtain a new body for the guidance node he named Gilly, who has helped you in your travels throughout Azys Lla during the main story.

One such body lies inside The Fractal Continuum, an old warship converted into an Allagan technological museum.

He asks for your help in retrieving the body from the abandoned museum and points you to an Allagan teleporter, which you can use to enter.

Head to Azys Lla (X:26.7, Y:33.6) to activate the teleporter and unlock The Fractal Continuum. This dungeon requires at least a Level 60 Disciple of War or Magic job and an average item level of 145 to enter.

Boss #1: Phantom Ray

Phantom Ray boss, where four arms are better than two! / Final Fantasy XIV
Phantom Ray boss, where four arms are better than two!

Mechanics

  • Rapid Sever: A four-hit tankbuster attack on the primary target.
  • Atmospheric Displacement: A room-wide AoE attack. Shield and heal through the damage.
  • Double Sever: Two room-wide cones in front and behind the boss followed by two more on its sides. Each cone will apply a 30-second “Bleed” DoT that can be dispelled.
  • Overclock: A “Damage Up” buff.
  • Atmospheric Compression: After overlocking itself, the boss will spawn ground AoEs that apply stacking “Vulnerability Up” debuffs. These AoEs will appear during the boss’ next “Double Sever” cast.

Rewards

  • 4 Allagan Tomestone of Poetics
Name Type Rarity
Valerian Fusilier’s Bracelet Bracelets Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Shaman’s Bracelet Bracelets Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Smuggler’s Bracelet Bracelets Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Terror Knight’s Bracelet Bracelets Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Wizard’s Bracelet Bracelets Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Dragoon’s Sollerets Feet Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Fusilier’s Boots Feet Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Rogue’s Highboots Feet Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Shaman’s Boots Feet Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Smuggler’s Highboots Feet Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Terror Knight’s Sollerets Feet Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Wizard’s Pattens Feet Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Fusilier’s Ring Ring Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Shaman’s Ring Ring Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Smuggler’s Ring Ring Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Terror Knight’s Ring Ring Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Wizard’s Ring Ring Dungeon (Green)

Boss #2: Minotaur

Half man, half bull Minotaur boss / Final Fantasy XIV
Half man, half bull Minotaur boss

Mechanics

  • 11-tonze Swipe: A non-telegraphed frontal cone tankbuster that knocks players back. Move behind the boss to avoid.
  • 111-tonze Swing: A non-telegraphed, point-blank AoE with knockback. Move away from melee range to avoid.
  • Disorienting Groan + Zoom In x3 + 10-tonze Slash: This nasty combo starts with a room-wide AoE attack. Then, the boss will charge toward random players three times in a row before finishing the combo with a non-telegraphed frontal cone AoE. Stand behind the boss at the end of the combo and heal through the damage.
  • 1111-tonze Swing: A slow-casting room-wide AoE attack that can easily wipe your party. Open one of the four incubators around the arena to interrupt the cast.
  • Feast: The boss will eat an incubated mob to gain one of four resistance buffs. Kill the mob before the boss finishes casting this attack.

Rewards

  • 6 Allagan Tomestone of Poetics
Name Type Rarity
Valerian Fusilier’s Earrings Earrings Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Shaman’s Earrings Earrings Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Smuggler’s Earrings Earrings Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Terror Knight’s Earrings Earrings Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Wizard’s Earrings Earrings Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Dragoon’s Gauntlets Hands Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Fusilier’s Halfgloves Hands Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Rogue’s Halfgloves Hands Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Shaman’s Dress Gloves Hands Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Smuggler’s Halfgloves Hands Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Terror Knight’s Gauntlets Hands Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Wizard’s Fingerless Halfgloves Hands Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Dragoon’s Barbut Head Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Fusilier’s Pot Helm Head Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Rogue’s Bandana Head Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Shaman’s Temple Chain Head Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Smuggler’s Bandana Head Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Terror Knight’s Barbut Head Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Wizard’s Hat Head Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Fusilier’s Choker Necklace Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Shaman’s Choker Necklace Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Smuggler’s Choker Necklace Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Terror Knight’s Choker Necklace Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Wizard’s Choker Necklace Dungeon (Green)

Boss #3: The Curator

The Curator boss screenshot / Final Fantasy XIV
The Curator boss screenshot

Mechanics

  • Sanctification: A cleaving tankbuster attack on the primary target. Face the boss away from the party at all times.
  • Unholy: A room-wide AoE attack. Shield and heal through the damage.
  • Clockwork Alarum: Clockwork mobs will spawn and slowly light up sections of the arena. Each lit-up section will deal damage and apply a stacking “Vulnerability Up” debuff. Kill the alarums as soon as they spawn.
  • The Educator: The boss can also light up sections of the arena similar to the alarums. Avoid these sections while dealing with the alarums.
  • Seed of the Rivers: Targeted AoEs on random players.
  • Aetherochemical Explosive: A random player will receive an “Aetherochemical Bomb” timer that lasts 20 seconds. When the timer hits zero, the debuff will explode, dealing damage to its target and knocking back anyone nearby. Dispel the debuff immediately.
  • Aetherochemical Mine: Mines will spawn on random sections of the arena, applying 15-second “Paralysis” debuffs if detonated.

Rewards

  • 10 Allagan Tomestone of Poetics
  • Curator Triple Triad Card (not guaranteed)
Name Type Rarity
Baldur Axe Greataxe Dungeon (Green)
Baldur Blade Greatsword Dungeon (Green)
Baldur Bow Bow Dungeon (Green)
Baldur Cane Cane Dungeon (Green)
Baldur Claws Fist Weapon Dungeon (Green)
Baldur Codex Book Dungeon (Green)
Baldur Daggers Daggers Dungeon (Green)
Baldur Grimoire Book Dungeon (Green)
Baldur Katana Katana Dungeon (Green)
Baldur Planisphere Star Globe Dungeon (Green)
Baldur Rimfire Firearms Dungeon (Green)
Baldur Rod Staff Dungeon (Green)
Baldur Spear Polearm Dungeon (Green)
Baldur Tuck Rapier Dungeon (Green)
Paladin’s Baldur Arms (IL 160) Other Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Dragoon’s Mail Body Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Dragoon’s Trousers Legs Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Fusilier’s Gambison Body Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Fusilier’s Sarouel Legs Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Rogue’s Gaskins Legs Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Rogue’s Gilet Body Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Shaman’s Chasuble Body Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Shaman’s Smalls Legs Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Smuggler’s Gaskins Legs Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Smuggler’s Gilet Body Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Terror Knight’s Plate Mail Body Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Terror Knight’s Trousers Legs Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Wizard’s Longkilt Legs Dungeon (Green)
Valerian Wizard’s Robe Body Dungeon (Green)
Owlet Minion Basic
Unbreakable Orchestrion Roll Orchestrion Roll Basic

Extra Treasure Coffers

One of the four extra coffers in the museum / Final Fantasy XIV
One of the four extra coffers in the museum

Apart from the boss rewards, there are four treasure coffers located throughout the dungeon that you can open for more gear, dye, or prism rewards. Here are their coordinates:

  • (X:9.7, Y:11.4)
  • (X:11.1, Y:10.8)
  • (X 7.9, Y:9.3)
  • (X:14.5, Y:9.3)

Lore Readings

A guide panel with lore info / Final Fantasy XIV
A guide panel with lore info

As you go through the dungeon, you’ll find different panels explaining the variety of creatures stored within The Fractal Continuum. Here’s the full list of lore readings you’ll encounter:

  • (X:11.7, Y:12.2)
  • (X:12.4, Y:10.9)
  • (X:11.1, Y:10.3)
  • (X:11.3, Y:12.1)
  • (X:9.0, Y:11.4)
  • (X:9.0, Y:10.6)
  • (X:9.4, Y:10.0)

Marc Vista

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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.

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