My fellow FF16 warriors, a true test of our power awaits in the far northern reaches of the realm. Only the boldest among us could hope to withstand an onslaught from the mythical Dread Comet said to blaze through the skies but once every hundred years. Today we set forth on an adventure for the ages to locate and defeat this flaming harbinger before its chaotic rampage grows out of control. Destiny calls – now we must answer!
The first leg of our journey brings us through the Sickle Pass cutting a path between the Shrinewoods to the west and Foreboding Peaks eastward. Stay ever wary of threats emerging from those shadowy crags. A wise warrior grinds their skills to honed perfection before daring to tread this realm.
Closer we draw with each step towards the Sickle Basin said to be the comet‘s hateful home. Three days through driving rain brings us to a benefit crumbling watchtower. From its precarious perch I spy in the distance the unmistakable crimson glow – our target awaits!
We gather around a crackling campfire to solidify our strategy before the coming battle…
*Click to reveal our detailed battle plans for every combat role*
Edan the Blade Master (Tank): Utilize Taunt abilities to seize aggro while dodging brutal aerial kicks via well-timed sidesteps. Guard allies using Sentinel Shield assaults when Comet unleashes area blasts.
Valora the Hex Priestess (Crowd Control): Bind the Comet‘s wings to ground its aerial attacks. Set magic traps to damage when triggered by unwary steps. Maintain Mana Barrier on tanks/DPS for added protection.
Thorin the Skycutter (Melee DPS): Strike hard and fade away before retribution comes! Small nicks accumulate to mighty wounds when precisely placed during calculated retreats. Dodge and dive between talon swipes waiting for the next clear shot.
Mira the Stormsong (Ranged DPS): Maintain distance and pelt the beast with a relentless barrage when its gaze turns from you. Lightning Strikes illuminate vulnerabilities for allies to exploit. Move unpredictably so claws never reach your delicate robes.
Behold – The Dread Comet Emerges!
Driving rain hisses against the glowing runes of protection cast by our mages. A distant shriek pierces the skies as a winged shadow takes shape…scarlet plumes materializing into deadly form. With weapons bared, we stand firm against the encroaching threat, unfraid!
Raising its vicious beak, the dread creature bellows forth…the battle begins!!
(The Dread Comet by sirblackpepper on Vimeo, used under Creative Commons license)
Dread Comet Stats (per game files)
Health: 550,000 HP
Mana: 120,000 MP
Attacks:
- Talon Swipe (Physical, 120dmg)
- Choco Storm Dance (Physical AOE 300dmg, 20MP)
- Crimson Plume Protect (Buff, +50 fire defense)
- Meteor Mirage (Fire magic, 500dmg, 65MP)
Weaknesses:
Ice (-20% effects)
Hopelessness aura (reduced confidence, -10% crit rate)
Grounded attacks (when wings bound -50% dmg)
Its wings stretched wide to blot out the sun as the gargantuan chocobo takes immediately to the air. Though we anticipated its movement, sheer speed catches us off guard as a vicious Meteor Mirage takes form overhead! Hands linked, our mystic heroes erect a barely-adequate Mana Barrier while rest of us flee for distant shelter from the impending blast. Searing heat ripples the horizon as boulders transformed into missiles by the impact pelt my retreating back…this foe hits harder than we anticipated!
Regrouping as the dust clears, our tank leads a cautious advance while ranged allies begin unleashing every ounce of their fury, desperate to regain the advantage as our shield-bearers struggle to reclaim mana drained nearly fully from that single attack. Through the chaos I hear our commander shouting to bind its wings and ground the beast before devastation resumes.
Pressing forward slowly, swords raised against another attack. Now the true battle begins on even ground! Have we the power to conquer this legend? Failure here spells doom for all the realms…forward to victory or oblivion!
Village Legends of the Red Comet
Huddled around fire pits in the threading village of Whitebirch along theTradeskull Route, travelling adventurers would often discuss local legends that felt more chilling than any mountain winds. Once such myth spoke of the Dreaded Red Comet said to blaze across the skies every hundred years or so, spreading fire and chaos in its wake…
"When I was just a wee child, my gran would speak of the Red Comet‘s last coming," croaked old Belgar the Trapper between sips of honeyed mead. "Entire forests set aflame by the trails of crimson fire streaking the night skies. In the wake of its passing, fearsome beasts stirred like hornet‘s nests poked by careless youths! Why for months my village could barely gather berries or mushrooms without some giant or venom-fanged whatnot attacking us quick as ya please! Lost a cousin to a ruby-eyed beartusk that summer. Aye the comet‘s wrath lingers long after its passing indeed…"
Wandering monster hunters and sell-swords would scoff at such old wives tales, yet an uncomfortable silence tended to fall after the elders finished their dire tellings. All knew some truth likely lurked behind the myth…what epic foes might such omens unleash upon the land? Few cared to learn firsthand.
Better to be leagues away, such fiery tales best left for shivering at when huddled safe around tavern hearths. That was the common wisdom at least…perhaps such thinking would need revisiting in the weeks ahead!
Sage Advice From Monster Hunting Veterans
Seeking clues to better prepare my party before facing the dread creature‘s wrath, I managed to track down several veteran beast hunters at a weapons market peddling their unusual wares. Between bargaining with fortune seekers, these grizzled mountain folk shared hard-earned secrets from many battles against mystical foes from beyond mortal realms.
"Many‘s the moon we lost good people trying to fell that winged devil, boy. Fire from the great beyond in its veins, I tell ya! Arrows melt before getting close, swords shatter ‘gainst feather steel. Magic seems the route, aye. Ground that beastie quick as ya can, those talons shred diamond armor like wet parchment when angered. Pray too…you‘ll be needin‘ all the gods on yer side for this fight!" – Jarek Icevein, Icehunters Clan Chieftan
Not the most inspirational words, but wise ones never the less. Stocking up on mystic relics and potions to augment our elemental enchantments would prove most prudent. I began researching binding spells as well – perhaps a modified Curse of Chains would suffice? Hopefully Mystara the Formless could craft something suitable in her peerless workshops…none surpassed her art save perhaps the mountain wizards lost to age.
Before destiny‘s call, I shall prepare every possible advantage and tactic suggested by such learned sages. The coming battle shall test our limits like none before!
Grinding Towards Comet-Conquering Might
Word of our impending showdown spread, soon the entire zone filled with would-be heroes and desperate merchants looking to arm us for a sizable share of the impending spoils. Blacksmiths forged mighty enchanted gear never seen outside the lost Jade Towers of yore. Alchemists proffered elixirs and pyrestones able to enhance even pure-blood dragonborns with the strength of ancients. Seeing our party wield god-gifted Eikons only increased the fanfare and free assistance.
For weeks we trained relentlessly, bonding with our magical partners to maximize their gifts. I unlocked three more deadly techniques for my garnet-toned Ifrita and gained two full levels mastering their nuances while grinding powerful enemies. Between skirmishes, our support clerics would heal wounds and fatigue alike, keeping our focus battle-sharp.
By the time we set forth north towards the Sickle Pass and whatever fiery fate awaited us, rarely had any group entered such a climatic fray so well prepared and provisioned by allies. Spirits soared as confidence of victory rising daily…these realms may sleep safely whether we return or not. Some causes justify any sacrifice – a lesson history tends to reiterate often in the bloody pages of her memoir.
Onwards then to destiny!
*Click to view my character‘s learned abilities/gear for facing the Dread Comet*
Cid Highwind – Level 42 Shock Soldier / Ifrita Summoner
Equipment:
- Shield of the Macabre Oak (+20 Fire Resist)
- Thunderlord‘s Epaulets (Elec Dmg +15%)
- Greaves of the Lightning Count (Haste +25%)
- Slicer of 100 Storms (150 Elec/Phys Dmg)
Abilities:
- Jet Acceleration (+50% Movement Speed, -25% Physical Damage Dealt)
- Voltaic Discharge (500 Magic Electric Damage, costs 95% Mana)
- Tempest Haze (Inflict Temporal Flux debuff, -35 Accuracy, 30s)
- Fulmination (Ultimate Ability) – Call down thundering meteors dealing massive electric damage over time in large area of effect.
Ally Buffs Applied:
- Edan: Lightning Aspect Applied via Fulmination (+15% Electric Damage Dealt)
- Valora: Temporal Flux Immunity Granted by Chrono Pendant (Prevents debuff)
The Battle Continues..Victory or Oblivion Awaits!
Twisting shadows wreathed in blinding flashes of of lightning and fire as our epic struggle unfolded. Allies fell one by one to the dread creature‘s relentless assaults even as we slowly chipped away at its otherworldly endurance.
Both sides were giving their all..neither refusing to yield in this battle of titans to determine the fate of the realms. Just when doom seemed certain as my remaining comrades struggled to stand before the shattered hulk dripping molten feathers…I unleashed my ultimate technique saved precisely for this moment.
"By Ifrita‘s Scouring Flame may you face oblivion foul beast!! Fulmination!!", I cried defiantly.
In response the very heavens split open as thundering meteors wreathed in scorching lightning rained down, decimating all in a league-wide radius including my own exposed allies. The agonized death shrieks of the Dread Comet sliced the ash-choked skies as its core exploded in a blinding cataclysm of unleashed forces beyond mortal reckoning. None could witness such might untouched…darkness embraced me, my epic purpose fulfilled as prophesied.
Now future generations might pen their legends and gather round fires to hear of another mythic Comet‘s fall…but my own tale ends here amidst the fading echoes of glory in my mind. Fear not…even should oblivion claim me, more heroes will arise to face the new threats this shattered world births!
The cycle continues…forever and ever.
The End?
