The Chronolith Trials inFinal Fantasy 16offer a unique challenge in the way they strip you of nearly every Eikonic power. After obtaining Garuda, you’ll be able to test your mettle in the Hand of Dione Chronolith. Remarkably, it is one of the easier trials due to Garuda’s abilities that can quickly tear through enemies.

Related:Final Fantasy 16: How To Beat Phoenix’s Trial

To fend off the draining time limit, you must demonstrate mastery of each of Garuda’s Eikonic Abilities. After clearing three stages of enemy waves, you’ll fight the Windbound Coeurl. This lightning wielding leopard can see you restarting the whole trial if you fail to accumulate enough time to defeat it.

General Tips For Fighting Garuda

Garuda’s Deadly Embracewill be an invaluable tool for reeling in enemies to getBattle Technique Bonusesfor additional time.

Pulling an enemy into you then unleashing your abilities is an easy way to get bonuses like theFull Gouge and Triple Wheel Bonus which reward 12 seconds each.

Using an extended Gouge against the Minotaur enemy.

Remember that for the Full Gouge Bonus, you need topress the attack button repeatedly during Gougeto extend its duration.

Don’t forget thatDeadly Embrace can be used to topple enemieswhen their Will gauge is half empty. This will leave themtemporarily vulnerable, incapable of fighting back.

Garuda’s Chronolith location shown on the map, near Drakos Deep.

While the Gouge and Wicked Wheel abilities aren’t the strongest, they areperfect for cutting down an enemy’s Will gauge.After using Wicked Wheel,perform a three-hit comboto get the Deadly Takedown bonus. After that, continue usingDeadly Embrace or Lungeto close the distance on enemies.

To get the most out of Rook’s Gambit,this ability must be used to dodgean attack.Successful dodges can reward time bonusesand will deal more damage than a regular Rook’s Gambit.

The Windbound Elemental preparing to attack with their blade arms.

Where To Find Garuda Chronolith

Travel tothe Obelisk in Dalamilto reach the Chronolith. From Dalamil,head north and then east through the Southern Velkroy Desert.Enter Drakos Deep and follow thepath through the canyon.

The Chronolith will be at adead end close to The Krozjit Echoes Obeliskon the map.

A group of enemies standing in the arena for stage one of Garuda’s trial.

Garuda’s Trial Walkthrough Guide

You need to carve your way throughthree stages of enemiesbefore you reach the final enemy. In this trial there are plenty of enemies that will try to evade you through flight or teleportation.

Rely on thepower of Garuda’s Embraceto pursue these elusive enemies and acquire time bonuses.

A group of enemies standing in the arena for stage two of Garuda’s trial.

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1-2

A group of enemies standing in the arena for stage three of Garuda’s trial.

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1x Windbound Minotaur

The first group of enemies is nothing special,take advantage of their weaknessand get some easy time bonuses.

Lunge into the horde of enemies and use an extended Gouge to get more time. Additionally, you canuse Wicked Wheel then use a three-hit comboto get bonus time.

The Windbound Coeurl, the trial’s proctor, preparing to attack in the final stage of Garuda’s trial.

Avoid locking onto enemieswhen using Gougeto avoid being stuck in one direction. Using Gouge without being locked onto an enemy willlet you move around and trap other enemiesin the slaughter.

The Muggers will attempt to distance themselves from you before launching an attack, useDeadly Embrace or a blast of Aerora to interrupt them.This wave of enemies can also be wiped out pretty easily with the use of Gouge and Wicked Wheel,use basic attacks to finish off anythingthat your abilities fail to kill.

The Minotaur is a powerful, butslow enemy that you’ll be able to evadewith ease. Use Wicked Wheel to deplete the Minotaur’s Will gauge by half,then use Gouge to stagger the enemyand finish them.

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2-3

1x Tognvaldr 3x Windbound Specter

You’ll receivea time bonus for aPrecision Rook’s Gambitduring this stage. While you should attempt to go for a Precision Rook’s Gambit whenever possible, the timing is difficult to get used to.Stick to basic Rook’s Gambit if you can’t nail the timing, it won’t be worth the risk of losing a huge chunk of health.

Use Wicked Wheel and Rook’s Gambit on the Aevisonce the stage begins. You’ll want to dispatch the Aevis first because they will constantly interrupt you if you try attacking the Hornets. After dealing with the Aevis,use Deadly Embrace to pull in Hornetsand eliminate them.

The second wave of enemies are not strong andcan be defeated with regular attacks.However, Weavers and Orcs are capable ofbombarding you with magic spellsfrom a distance. Use Deadly Embrace or Lunge to close the gap anduse Aero to interruptspell casting.

In the last wave,destroy the Specters before fighting the Tognvaldr.Specters will teleport around the arena, so be prepared pull them back with Deadly Embrace.

At this pointuse your Limit Breakto take down the Tognvaldr. This enemy is quick, butwith Limit Break you’ll be able to easily parrymost of their attacks. Youcan’t parry their Katon attack, so dodge to the left or right to avoid the flames.

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3-3

1x Windbound Elemental 1x Windbound Gigas

In this stage you now have access to the devastating Aerial Blast ability. You’ll receive a time bonus if yourAerial Blast hits multiple enemies at once.

In the first wave,take down the Weavers firstthen focus on the Bighorn. The Bighorn’s attacks are strong and slow, making itthe perfect opportunity to go for a Precision Rook’s Gambit.Continue using regular attacks and Rook’s Gambit to wear down the bull.

UseAerial Blastat the beginning of the second waveto get a time bonusfor collateral damage.UseAero on enemies ensnared in the tornadoto eliminate them faster.

In the final wave,use your Limit Breakand target the Gigas first. Their attacks are slow just like the Bighorn,use a Precision Rook’s Gambitif you’re comfortable with the timing.Gigas' Big Swing attack is especially easy to dodgesince it’s just the enemy swinging their club in a circle.

Lock on to the Elemental anduse regular attacks and any abilities off cooldownto wear down the Will gauge. The Elemental’s attacks are quick and hefty, butthe bright green glow that emits from the Elemental foreshadows most attacks.

Final Boss

Windbound Coeurl

As soon as the battle begins,launch an Aerial Blast and Lungeinto the enemy. Then,use Gouge to destroy the opponent’s Will gaugein seconds. After staggering the beast, use your Limit Break to maximize damage output.

From here, use basic attacks and Rook’s Gambit to take down the enemy. Many of the Coeurl’sattacks are telegraphed by blue lightingthat appears on its claws and whiskers. The lightning helps with the timing for a Precision Rook’s Gambit, which can easily stagger the Coeurl once more.

Be careful when unleashing Aerial Blast,this ability obscures your vision of enemiesconsumed by the tornado. If you’re running low on health,hold off on using Aerial Blast until an enemy is staggered.Don’t forget to use Deadly Embrace once the Will gauge is half-empty.