FFXIV The Whorleater (Hard): Unlock + Trial Guide

The Whorleater (Hard) Leviathan Trial Boss in FFXIV

You can unlock the Level 50 trial The Whorleater (Hard), also known as Leviathan HM, by accepting the Level 50 Main Scenario Quest “Lord of the Whorl” from Eynzahr Slafyrsyn in Lower La Noscea (X:24.6, Y:33.2).

We’ll cover the full unlocking details and trial mechanics below.

Unlocking Quest: Lord of the Whorl

Eynzahr Slafyrsyn’s map location in Lower La Noscea / Final Fantasy XIV
Eynzahr Slafyrsyn’s map location in Lower La Noscea

“Lord of the Whorl” is a Level 50 MSQ deep into patch 2.2 of A Realm Reborn, so you’ll need to do every MSQ leading up to it before it can be unlocked.

Once you’ve accepted the quest, you’ll know that a fight with the Lord of the Whorl, Leviathan, is about to go down.

As you talk to Eynzahr in Lower La Noscea (X:24.6, Y:33.2), he’ll inform you that the platform you’ll be using to fight Leviathan, The Whorleater, is now ready to be sailed across the La Noscean seas.

He’ll also point out a certain mechanism on The Whorleater that will be vital in defeating Leviathan, the “Elemental Converter.” This converter will be explained in more detail in the mechanics section.

Once preparations are complete and you’re ready to depart, The Whorleater (Hard) will be unlocked. This trial requires at least a Level 50 Disciple of War or Magic and an average item level of 60 to enter.

Trial Boss Mechanics: Leviathan (Hard)

The Lord of the Whorl, Leviathan / Final Fantasy XIV
The Lord of the Whorl, Leviathan

While it’s easy to solo this trial with a high-level character, you’ll need to do it while synced if you ever encounter it in Duty Roulette: Trials.

Check out the mechanics below to help you clear the trial smoothly in your synced runs.

Phase 1: Leviathan and Leviathan’s Tail

In Phase 1, you’ll see the boss for the first few attacks before it dives underwater and reveals its tail. The boss and its tail share the same HP but have different resistances.

Leviathan

Due to “Veil of the Whorl,” Ranged DPS should not hit the main boss to avoid reflected damage.

  • Attack: How original. The boss’ regular auto-attacks on the primary target that deal moderate damage.
  • Dread Tide: A single-target tankbuster attack on the primary target that occurs between its regular attacks. Use damage reduction skills and heal through the damage.
  • Aqua Breath: A point-black AoE attack in front of the boss. Stay away from the boss if possible (especially if you’re using ranged characters) to minimize incoming damage.
  • Waterspout: The boss will target random players with water-aspected AoEs. Spread out to avoid overlapping damage.
  • Body Slam: The boss will dive underwater and reappear on one side of the arena. Then, the boss will slam that side with its upper body. The slam will damage anyone in front of him, tilt the arena, and send players sliding across.

    Position yourselves on the opposite end of the arena as soon as the boss reappears to avoid it. On the very first “Body Slam,” it will always appear on the west side.
  • Veil of the Whorl: A buff that reflects ranged attacks.

Leviathan’s Tail

Due to “Mantle of the Whorl,” Caster DPS and Healers should not hit the main boss to avoid reflected damage.

  • Scale Darts: The tail’s regular auto-attacks. Have the off-tank grab the tail since this auto-attack still hits pretty hard on squishy characters.
  • Tail Whip: An instant, non-telegraphed frontal cone AoE. Always stay away if you’re using ranged characters.
  • Mantle of the Whorl: A buff that reflects magic attacks.

Phase 2: Wavespine Sahagin

When the boss’ HP drops under 85%, it’ll begin to summon two “Wavespine Sahagin” minions at a set interval. Have the tanks pick up one Sahagin each while the rest of the party burns them down to avoid the nasty debuffs.

  • Stun Shot (Wavespine Sahagin): A single-target attack that applies a 30-second “Paralysis” debuff. This debuff can be dispelled.
  • Hydroshot (Wavespine Sahagin): The Sahagin’s primary target will be marked with a circle AoE that applies a “Dropsy” DoT for nine seconds. This AoE also drops a water-aspected DoT puddle that applies the same debuff. Kill the Sahagin before this is cast, or bait the AoEs away from the center.

Phase 3: Gyre Spumes and Tidal Wave

Gyre Spume orbs that should be killed ASAP / Final Fantasy XIV
Gyre Spume orbs that should be killed ASAP

At around 65% HP, the boss will gain new attacks and spawn “Gyre Spumes” that need to be killed immediately.

  • Tidal Roar: An unavoidable room-wide AoE attack. Heal through the damage.
  • Gyre Spume: Four yellow orbs will spawn around the room and start siphoning the “Elemental Conversion” gauge. The gauge reduces the “Tidal Wave” ultimate attack’s damage based on its current level.

    Kill the spumes as soon as possible to keep your gauge at a decent level. Upon death, each spume will explode for a room-wide AoE attack that needs to be healed through.
  • Elemental Converter: An interactable machine that mitigates the damage of “Tidal Wave.” Have one player standing near the converter and immediately use it when the boss flies up in the air.
  • Grand Fall: Random players will be marked with water-aspected circle AoEs that apply a 30-second “Heavy” debuff. Getting slowed by this attack may make it difficult to avoid the “Spinning Dive” attack that will follow, so move out of these immediately.
  • Spinning Dive: The boss will thrust its entire body across the arena, rushing through and damaging anyone in its path. This attack is telegraphed and covers around half of the platform. Move to the other side.
  • Tidal Wave: After “Grand Fall” and “Spinning Dive,” the boss will become invulnerable and cast its ultimate AoE attack. Use the Elemental Converter to avoid an instant party wipe and heal through the rest of the damage.

Phase 4: Wavetooth Sahagin and repeated mechanics

After “Tidal Wave,” the boss will repeat most of its mechanics and begin alternating between Wavespine Sahagins and the new Wavetooth Sahagins.

  • Wavetooth Sahagin: Prioritize killing these over Wavespine Sahagins to avoid “Dreadstorm.”
  • Dreadstorm (Wavetooth Sahagin): The Sahagin’s primary target will be targeted with a circle AoE that applies a 10-second “Hysteria” debuff. After the attack drops, a puddle will appear that also applies the same debuff. “Hysteria” causes players to wander around aimlessly, so you do not want to get hit by this. Kill Wavetooth Sahagins immediately.

Rewards

Leviathan TT Card from Whorleater (Hard) / Final Fantasy XIV
Leviathan TT Card from Whorleater (Hard)
  • Leviathan Triple Triad Card (not guaranteed)
  • Leviathan’s Barb Crafting Material (not guaranteed)

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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