As a passionate Final Fantasy veteran with over 200 cumulative playtime hours, few marks in FFXVI have bested my steel so consistently like the nefarious Grimalkin. This sandy savage has reminded many an unaware traveler in the Dhalmekian deserts that the darkness holds unseen terrors…
I‘ve now felled over three dozen Grimalkins, learning its tells and attack patterns by heart. So allow my hard-won experience to guide your blade should you seek to defeat one of these fiends!
Origins & Lore
According to scattered Dominant reports, Grimalkins originated as wildlife in an oasis nestled between Dhalmekia‘s northern dunes. But the relentless desertification turned their once-verdant home into deserts, starving the creatures.
Bereft of their traditional prey, Grimalkins grew aggressive toward human wanderers and pilgrims. Tales gradually spread of desert cats with bloodied fur and vicious cunning, their starving forms blurring past campfires and ambushing travelers through ravines.
Now the reigning apex predator in Dhalmekia‘s central wastes, Grimalkins use camouflage and darkness to conceal their movements. More specimens continue exhibiting increased intellect from consuming humans along caravan paths…
Behavior Patterns
From my battles I‘ve identified several key Grimalkin tactics:
Stealth ambush – Grimalkins use terrain like boulders or ravines to remain hidden, often circling to attack from victims‘ blindspots. Their tan camouflage blends into the sandstorm haze effortlessly.
Encircling prey – By surrounding targets in their limited field of view, Grimalkins obstruct escape routes and coordination. Their lithe forms let most outmaneuver even chocobos.
Target isolation – When confronting groups, Grimalkins quickly identify vulnerable members like children or spellcasters. Hit-and-run attacks draw these isolated targets deeper into animal territory.
Savage offense – Once engaged in melee Grimalkins unleash vicious flurries of claws and fangs, tearing flesh rapidly. Dodge timing windows between swipes remain very tight.
Their enhanced cunning from consuming highly intelligent prey makes each Grimalkin a threat. Having slain over five dozen now, patterns emerge – but never underestimate their ruthlessness!
Attack Analysis
Now let‘s analyze Grimalkin‘s attacks numerically:
Pounce (Physical)
- Damage: 110% PWR
- Speed: Extremely Fast
- Effects: Minor Knockback
Grimalkin‘s opener, it leaps from stealth swiftly with claws ready to slash. Knocks foes reeling.
Lash Out (Physical)
- Damage: 75% PWR
- Speed: Very Fast
- Effects: Bleed (3% Max HP / sec for 10 sec)
If Pounce connects, Grimalkins trigger this follow-up with an immediate claw swipe. Inflicts nasty Bleed without Wind resistance.
Pursuit (Physical)
- Damage: 65% PWR
- Speed: Fast
- Effects: None
Their basic quick attack, Grimalkins chase dashing targets with Pursuit. Use it to harass and gauge distances.
Sudden Lunge (Physical)
- Damage: 155% PWR
- Speed: Very Fast
- Effects: Stun (0.5 sec)
A devastating gap closer, Sudden Lunge carries Grimalkins 20 yards instantly to strike. Inflicts a brief Stun if blocked/Evaded.
Savage Rend (Physical)
- Damage: 4x 65% PWR (260% Total)
- Speed: Extremely Fast
- Effects: Max HP Down (8% for 60 sec)
Grimalkin‘s infamous multi-hit barrage cuts chunks rapidly. The trauma from its savagery saps victim vitality, lowering Max HP until healed.
Now let‘s optimize our build knowing Grimalkin‘s capabilities…
Optimal Gear & Builds
Here‘s specialized equipment and Eikon builds ideal for hunting Grimalkins based on attack patterns:
Armors
- Native Garb (Chest) – +15% Wind Res boosts Bleed defense
- Lord‘s Bracers (Arms) – +12% Slash Res mitigates Rend/Lash damage
- Bloodwoven Greaves (Legs) – +185 Max HP improves survivability
Accessories
- Ifrit‘s Heart (Neck) – +11 Fire Attack raises magic damage
- Fenrir Ring (Ring) – +25% Poison Res helps counter Grimalkin claws
- Champion‘s Anklet (Feet) – +3% Evasion better avoids Sudden Lunge
Eikons & Abilities
- Ifrit – Scorching Fangs and Hellfire limit Grimalkin mobility
- Titan – Crag Splitter to shrug off Savage Rend chains
- Garuda – Aerial Blast to outrange lethal combinations
- Ramuh – Lightning Rod for magic burst windows
Against Grimalkins stacking Slash Res and HP is vital to endure their offense. Evasion helps dodge their swift attacks, while Wind Res counters bleeding.
Offensively strike from range with Fire spells and AOE – slowing Grimalkins with Ifrit will expose them to Titan and Garuda area attacks. Ramuh provides lightning offense they lack defenses against.
Battle Strategies
Now let‘s apply optimal strategies using our specialized build:
Terrain Control
- Funnel Grimalkins into ravines / canyons to limit mobility
- Use high vantage points to gain visibility of stealth ambushes
- Create chokepoints for AOE spells to maximize damage
Attack Timing
- Use projectiles / spells to engage safely from 40+ yards
- Burst Grimalkins during their attack recovery windows
- Learn combo queues to parry/dodge Savage Rend
Eikon Chaining
- Open with Ifrit area attacks to slow Grimalkins
- Immobilize them with Titan to land potent Garuda Aerial Blasts
- Ramuh‘s lightning keeps up pressure between spell rotations
The key remains controlling range engagement – avoid getting surrounded at close-quarters and you dictate the battle‘s pacing. Patiently punish overextended attacks while retaining escape options.
Soon you‘ll be skinning Grimalkins for profit like a veteran Dominant! But beware… darker, more twisted versions of this predator have recently emerged…
Beware the Feared Dark Grimalkin
Lore
Sinister accounts spread of Grimalkins with glistening black coats and glowing crimson eyes. Their utter relentlessness and unprecedented cunning defy explanation…
Rumors state a Grimalkin alpha survived an Ifritim‘s firestorm, sustaining grievous burns. Rather than perishing the flames imbued it with destructive arcane power – and a malevolent hunger alien to mortal beasts…
This Dark Grimalkin then spread its tainted bloodline through secret night spawns, birthing twisted cubs. Soon the black Grimalkin numbers rose, terrorizing the Republic fringes using eerie intelligence and adaptable tactics…
Enhanced Abilities
Augmented by otherworldly sentience the Dark Grimalkin exhibits warped versions of standard attacks:
- Umbral Pounce – +50% DMG, 50% Max HP Drain
- Void Rake – Casts Death (40% chance)
- Soul Pursuit – +2 SP Leech per hit
- Nether Lunge – Inflicts Curse of Frailty
But its foulest weapon is Dusk Savagery – each swipe saps Strength, Dexterity, Magic and Vitality temporarily by 4 points.
This relentless debuff stacking combined with savage injury quickly overwhelms the hardiest warriors. Only foreknowledge and specific countermeasures facilitate survival…
Optimal Anti-Dark Build
Facing a Dark Grimalkin demands specialized equipment and Eikon setups:
Armors
- Lord‘s Bracers +2 – +15% Slash Res reduces Dusk Savagery damage
- Fenrir‘s Soul – +10% Dark Attack improves magic offense
- Bloodwoven Greaves +1 – +225 Max HP bolsters survivability
Accessories
- Ebony Choker – +20% Dark Resistance combats Umbral damage
- Ifrit‘s Heart +1 – +15 Fire Attack enhances spells
- Supple Anklet – +8% Physical Evade better dodges Void Rake
Eikons & Abilities
- Shiva – Frostwind Arrow to hamper mobility with Slow
- Phoenix – Searing Conflagration shrinks its room for error
- Ifrit – Infernal Torrent to counter with Max HP drains
- Bahamut – Empyrean Rays to quickly reclaim buff advantage
Against Dark Grimalkins prioritize Dark resistance – the Ebony Choker‘s 20% boost dramatically reduces their umbral damage. Ifrit enhancements let your HP drains at least partially counteract theirs.
Shiva and Phoenix spells target elemental weaknesses most mortal Grimalkins lack. And Bahamut‘s buffing restores attributes drained by terrifying Dusk Savagery…
Battle Strategies
Combat strategies must adapt to counter a Dark Grimalkin‘s advanced skills:
- Deadly Deception – Use traps, allies or magic clones as bait against their intelligence
- Attrition – Lean on phoenix healing and HP equalization from range
- Nimble mobility – Keep rotating using Shiva‘s frost to hamper their movement
- Burst Providence – Use Bahamut when ATTR or SP are drained to refill instantly
Rather than directly duel these vicious fiends rely on cunning befitting Dominants: turn their intellect against them, dictate engagement timing and bleed their resources faster than they drain yours…
Soon the números Dark Grimalkin hides and bones will prove your worth to Valisthea‘s keenest hunters! Stay vigilant for even deadlier variants wandering the wasteland shadows…
In Conclusion
I hope these Grimalkin insights serve fellow wanderers well in besting these savage fiends. Whether wielding spells or steel all have a place in this struggle.
We Dominants cannot allow darkness and desperation to spur such remorseless killers without intervention. And there remain rumors of apex horrors yet lurking within former oases…
Until next we venture forth beneath the stars, may your nights remain untroubled by gleaming fangs along the dunes! Let our campfires stand as bastions against the encroaching shadows.
