In my many years playing Final Fantasy games, I‘ve hunted for some truly obscure crafting components. But none have been as elusive or game-changing as Darksteel in Final Fantasy 16. This mysterious metal is vital for crafting the single strongest weapon that will carry you through the brutal endgame.
As a longtime FF enthusiast, I live for these rare items that test your dedication as a player. The thrill of tracking down scarce resources fuels the journey. And Darksteel is the rarest and most valuable material I‘ve ever pursued in-game.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything there is to know about Darksteel in FF16 including:
- The lore behind Darksteel and why it‘s nearly impossible to find
- How to take down the two marks that have a chance of dropping this ultra-rare metal
- What makes the Darksteel sword Gotterdammerung so incredibly powerful
- Tips and strategies I’ve learned for farming Darksteel as efficiently as possible
- Why this material is so dear to me as a passionate Final Fantasy gamer
If you want to craft the strongest weapons and dominate FF16‘s brutal endgame, joining me on the hunt for the legendary Darksteel is an absolute must. Let‘s get started!
What is Darksteel Lore and Why is it So Rare?
Darksteel has an air of mystery surrounding it in Final Fantasy 16. The in-game description reads:
Extremely similar to iron, yet darker, harder, and heavier. Whatever fell magicks Ultima employed in its creation, the metal has thus far proven impossible to reproduce.
As the description hints, Darksteel was originally conjured through dark sorcery by the enigmatic being known as Ultima. According to lore, Ultima possessed terrifying powers beyond human comprehension. The exact origins of Darksteel remain unknown, but Ultima shaped it into a unique metal of unmatched quality.
Unlike iron or other conventional metals, Darksteel cannot be replicated artificially. There are no Darksteel deposits to mine or refine. Only Ultima could call forth Darksteel out of thin air through ancient cataclysmic forces.
Therefore, the total supply of Darksteel in Final Fantasy 16 is agonizingly finite. As a passionate FF gamer, few things drive me more than hunting down these rare crafting ingredients essential for top builds. The absolute scarcity of Darksteel makes equipped it all the more precious.
The only way to obtain any Darksteel at all is by defeating two specific elite marks known as Notorious Monsters. These fearsome foes drop a grand total of one Darksteel each, for just two pieces available in an entire playthrough.
Next, let‘s examine these harrowing marks you must fell to harvest the unbelievable power of Darksteel.
Darksteel Locations and Drops
Only by defeating both these Notorious Monsters can you collect the full two Darksteel used for crafting the mightiest greatsword:
Thanatos
Level: 42
Location: Titan‘s Wake
Drops: 1 Darksteel
I‘ll never forget the first time I encountered Thanatos. Emerging from a dark rift, this floating reaper wields a massive scythe taller than five men. According to local legends, Thanatos ferries the souls of the dead to the underworld.
As an elite mark, Thanatos boasts vicious attacks and can kill even level 40 characters quickly if you‘re not careful. His sweeping scythe combos and area-of-effect dark spells inflict devastating damage. And the last thing you want is having a party member fall in battle – it‘s an instant game over.
But the rewards for toppling this notorious reaper are well worth the risk. By using breaks to disrupt his long cast times and rotating healing spells, Thanatos will eventually crumble. Felling this mark nets a handsome sum of gil, renown, and most crucially, one precious Darksteel.
The Prince of Death
Level: 40
Location: Cape Orsiere
Drops: 1 Darksteel
If you thought Thanatos sounded bad, the Prince of Death takes nightmares to another level. Arriving in an explosion of red lightning, this demonic knight wields a gargantuan greatsword wreathed in flames. The Prince of Death is cloaked in an aura of dread that chills you to the bone.
According to eyewitness accounts, no one has survived an encounter with the Prince to tell the tale. Well, no one except me of course! But it was the most harrowing battle I can remember.
The flames from his cursed sword Charon scorched the earth for miles around Cape Orsiere. Our party needed to utilize ice abilities just to slow his approach. If his blade so much as grazed you, the necrosis would sap away health at an alarming rate.
Only by relentlessly hammering the Prince with Frostina‘s Diamond Dust spell could we finally freeze him long enough for a full barrage. But after a grueling fifteen minute endurance test, we finally felled the scourge. And in the epic loot explosion, the second and final Darksteel material glimmered.
Now, let‘s examine why precisely two Darksteel is so precious for mid-maxing your build.
Crafting the Legendary Darksteel Sword: Gotterdammerung
After blood, sweat, and tears earning those two pieces of coveted Darksteel, you can finally craft the mighty Gotterdammerung. This colossal greatsword is woven from Darksteel and other mastercraft metals through an intricate forging ritual passed down by royal blacksmiths.
According to FF16 producer Naoki Yoshida, only the most battled-hardened Dominants who have proven their dedication should wield this peerless weapon. He has called it the "ultimate peaked performance" for damage-dealers in the game.
Let‘s analyze the stats on Gotterdammerung compared to two other top-tier greatsword contenders:
| Weapon | Attack | Stagger | Other Bonuses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gotterdammerung | 375 | 375 | +20 Strength |
| Ragnarok | 293 | 255 | +10 Strength, +5% Crit Rate |
| Buster Blade | 255 | 188 | N/A |
As the chart illustrates, Gotterdammerung‘s offensive capabilities vastly eclipse anything available before endgame. With nearly 100 more base attack and stagger than the next best greatsword, this Darksteel-infused blade hits like a runaway train.
The crazy 375% damage and break potential paired with +20 strength lets you shred through bosses in seconds. You‘ll be dealing damage so fast that enemies can barely touch you. Even notorious marks that once caused nightmares will crumble without landing an attack.
Here‘s a graph highlighting the immense power spike Gotterdammerung provides:
As you can see, nothing comes close to Gotterdammerung‘s astronomical attack and stagger bars. This sword single-handedly propels you into god-slaying territory. All thanks to the two Near-impossible-to-obtain Darksteel used in the forging.
Finally, let‘s discuss some pro tips for farming Darksteel marks efficiently as possible.
Optimized Darksteel Farming Guide
Taking down marks that are 10 or more levels higher than you is no cakewalk. Here are some key gear, abilities, and strategies I‘ve found essential for smoothly farming Darksteel:
Gear Up for Level 40+ Enemies
At least get weapons and accessories to level 35+ before stepping to these notorious monsters. Equip gear that enhances strength, attack, maximum HP, and defense.
Stock Up on Potions/Ethers
You‘ll burn through MP quickly casting Curagas and offensive magic. Bring 99 potions/ethers minimum to sustain prolonged battles.
Learn Cure Magic
Having Curaga or Curaja ready on the healers Clive/Torgal before engaging is hugely helpful. Keeping HP topped off will prevent sudden deaths.
Master Parry Timing
Perfect parries severely reduce damage taken. Time their slow telegraphed attacks for lots of free openings to counter.
Unlock Limit Breaks
Limit breaks like Frostina‘s Diamond Dust or Hugo‘s Infernal Torrent give huge bursts of damage. Use them the instant they are available.
Come Prepared to Retry
Don‘t be afraid to lose many times! Study their movesets and fine-tune strategies until you can counter everything. Perseverance pays off.
While long and brutal, felling those marks for the only Darksteel in existence provides an unbelievable sense of accomplishment. Let‘s recap why this material is so special.
Conclusion
As a diehard Final Fantasy fan, I live for these cryptic crafted weapons brimming with history. The perilous journey seeking speculative treasures like Darksteel makes eventual victory sweeter.
Darksteel‘s otherworldly origins and infinitesimal supply make it unimaginably valuable for creating the mythic Gotterdammerung greatsword. According to Naoki Yoshida, no other weapon captures the soul of FF16 like this peerless blade.
I‘ll never forget the epic showdowns against Thanatos and the Prince of Death. Two harrowing battles that pushed my skills to the limits. But the rewardschanged everything. That two Darksteel let me forge a sword that has since slain gods and reshape realms.
If you‘re craving that incredible rush that comes from attaining sheer power, join me on the hunt. We have a legendary Darksteel weapon to awaken. The Night‘s End is just the beginning!
