There are a total of 41 trials in Final Fantasy XIV, not including the hard, extreme, or ultimate versions of regular 8-player trials. That’s a lot of content, a lot of battles, and a lot of memories made during your time in Eorzea.
In these trials, we’ve faced everyone, from deities to archfiends, but some are more memorable than others. I’ve taken those 41 trials and narrowed them down to my top 10.
10. The Gilded Araya
The latest addition in terms of trials in Final Fantasy XIV and the final one we’ll see before Dawntrail drops, The Gilded Araya is unlocked through the Somehow Further Hildibrand Adventures. It features some killer mechanics that prove to be incredibly satisfying once you figure out how to do them properly.
9. The Mothercrystal
After years of hearing about Hydaelyn, we finally come face to face with her during The Mothercrystal. This trial is here simply because it’s an epic face-off. Strangely, this is the only 8-player duty in existence that can be completed using the Duty Support system, which is one hell of an experience that I both recommend but also do not.
8. The Akh Afah Amphitheatre
One of the main reasons this trial is here is because of the massive shift in the musical score halfway through. From choral tones to heavy metal, is there any way to signify a change in mechanics than that? There’s also the inevitable “step on me” which enters chat at about the same time, which always makes things fun.
7. The Great Hunt
This standalone trial is part of the now permanent Monster Hunter crossover and is how you get your hands on not only the Palico minion and Rathalos mount but also Monster Hunter-themed gear items and other goodies. This fight features a mechanic designed to throw you off kilter, and I love any fight that does that.
6. Thok ast Thok
I’m not entirely sure I can put into words why I enjoy this trial so much, but I’ll try. Ravana is everything you’d want out of a foe, with a voice that wouldn’t sound out of place in any horror movie. He’s genuinely terrifying, and that’s without the addition of his four giant blades very capable of slicing a WoL in half.
5. Containment Bay S1T7
It’s always a fun moment when Sephirot falls off the platform, and first-timers celebrate a successful kill, only for Sephirot to come back ten times bigger and a whole lot stronger than before. I shouldn’t laugh, but I definitely do every time. Good-naturedly, of course. The music in Containment Bay S1T7 is what really sticks in my mind, though, and I’ll be impressed if you don’t have it stuck in your head for hours afterward.
4. The Jade Stoa
There’s a mechanic included in The Jade Stoa which I don’t think is ever included again in Final Fantasy XIV – the falling mech. It’s the transition between phase one and phase two, and the first time you encounter it, you’ll have no idea what you’re supposed to be doing. However, once you figure it out, it feels super satisfying to make it the entire way without taking any damage.
3. The Cloud Deck
If you’ve never done this before, you’re going to die the first time you do. Probably more than once. This trial is arguably one of the hardest to master in the entirety of Final Fantasy XIV because just as you think you’ve got it all figured out, you quickly come to learn that you have no idea what you’re doing. I envy people who can do this trial without having to think too much because I’m definitely not one of those people.
2. The Dancing Plague
I mean come on, anything which draws heavy inspiration from A Midsummer Night’s Dream is going to be a winner. Facing off against not only Titania but her backup in the form of Puck, Peaseblossom, and Mustardseed is hugely satisfying when you get it right but disastrous if you mess up. The only thing missing is a donkey faced character named Bottom, which would just make this trial all the better.
1. Storm’s Crown
I love any trial that features a massive number of overlapping AOEs, forcing me to move, dodge, and swerve as if my life depended on it. Come to think of it, my life really does depend on my ability to avoid her quick succession of incoming attacks. Who would have thought that playing with an archfiend’s hair would be so memorable?
