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Final Fantasy 16isn’t a particularly difficult game. Despite that, the game does offer a handful of optional difficult sections, including the intentionally challenging Eikon Chronolith Trials. One such Trial is the Trial by Lightning - Hand of Iaeptus, or more simply put, Ramuh’s Trial.
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Ramuh’s Trial can put even the most seasoned player through their paces, as you will be forced to face a wide variety of foes, testing the limits of your combat skills. Knowing how to prepare for this test and what to expect within could mean the difference between a win and frustrating, repetitive failure.
Unlocking Ramuh’s Trial
The Eikons' Trials are allunlocked by completing the main story missiontitled“Fire in the Sky,”which only becomes available late in the game. For most, this endeavor is best reserved for mid- and late-game builds.
Once the quest is complete, you still need toacquire the power of whatever Eikonyou want to complete theChronolith Trialfor, meaning that some may still be unavailable until even further story progress is made.Ramuh’s powers, however, arealready obtainedby this point in the game.
Riding Ambrosia through the tight corridors on the way to unlock the trial helps blow past some of the enemies instead of fighting them.
After all other prerequisites have been met, it’s time to find thetrial start locationout in theopen zones. Theseoff-white stone slabslook similar to the Arete Stone in The Hideaway. Ramuh’sTrial by Lightning Chronolithis located in theNorvent Valley of Sanbreque,north of theCaer Norvent River Gate Waystone.
Ramuh’s Trial Details
AllChronolith Trialsconsist offour stages, with the first three stages being split intothree different waves. Thefinal stageis always aminibossfight, pitting your elemental powers against a single, powerful foe.
For this particular challenge, your normalEikon feats will be changed to Ramuh’sBlind Justice, limiting you to that single feat alone. Yourabilities will be decided for youas well, changing between pre-decided sets at the start of each stage.
Your health and Limit Break meter carry over from stage to stage, so manage them carefully.
Eikon Trials also have atime limit mechanic, as a clock in the top right of the screen will count down exactly how long you have left to clear the entire trial. However, yourtime can be extended.
Performing specificBattle Techniques(which are done by performing a specific set of actions during combat based on which technique you’re trying to do) willnet you precious extra secondsthat get added to your clock.
Some basic Battle Techniques, such as performing a Precision Dodge or Punish attack, will also bank extra time. Hover over them during the info screens between stages for details.
Ability-specific Battle Techniques reward you with the mostbonus time but can also be a bit tricky to perform. Nonetheless, focusing on them will be critical.
Thankfully, your efforts during this trial will be rewarded with avaluable piece of gearcalledThe Favor of Lightning (Judgment Bolt). This potent accessory makes yourJudgment Boltability deal anadditional five percent damagewhen equipped and can only be found by completing this specific trial.
Related:Final Fantasy 16: All Trial Chronolith Locations
How To Prepare For Ramuh’s Trial
Since enemies are - at a minimum -level 38during this trial, it’s recommended that you reach that level before beginning. Beingunder-leveledmeans Clive would bemissing important base stats, making the trial more of a challenge than it was intended to be.
Additionally, thelevel of trial enemies doesn’t changewhen you level up past level 38, so try grinding out a few more level-ups if you’re struggling.
Ensure that you’re also kitted out with thebest equipment currently availableto you. Stronger weapons and better defensive stats greatly improve your chances of completing the Chronolith, so consider unlocking the next sword upgrade or batch of new equipment.
you’re able to change accessories between stages only before entering the portal to the next stage.
As for accessories, while it’s possible to complete the trial withwhatever accessories you’re most comfortable with, it’s beneficial to occasionally change them out for accessories thatboost the specific Ramuh abilitiesyou’ll be forced to use.
While competing within the trial,you won’t have access to your inventory of consumables, so there is no need to stock up on potions. Instead,make sure that your Limit Break is fully leveled upin the ability tree, as it is the only way to heal yourself after you enter the Chronolith.
Lastly, spending a bit of timefamiliarizing yourself with Ramuh’s abilitiesand feat at their max levels is recommended. Every Ramuh ability is used at some point during the trial, so it’s impossible to rely on simply using the ones you may already be comfortable with.
Stage One
In this stage, you will be equipped with thePile DriveandThunderstormabilities. In addition, both abilities haveBattle Techniquesthat award a large sum of time for successfully performing them:Collateral DamageandThunderfall.
Collateral Damagecan be performed by using thePile Driveability to hitmultiple targetsat once, andThunderfallis performed by usingThunderstorm on any enemy you knock down.
Pile Drive knocks down most enemies in this stage, making it perfect for setting up the Thunderfall Battle Technique.
Stage 1-1
This wave includes fourThunderbound Antelopesand threeThunderbound Muggers, a mild mix of easier enemies to start the trial.
Consider dashing in immediately and executing aPile Drive into Thunderstorm comboby using the abilities back-to-back. You should be able to catch all theenemies clumped togetherin the opening moments of the fight.
Stage 1-2
After clearing the previous wave, fiveThunderbound Bugsand twoThunderbound Vultureswill spawn in.
Enemies spawning in as a clustered group is a recurring theme, so be on the lookout for the opportunity to use that to your advantage.
If you anticipate their arrival, you canpreemptively activate Ramuh’s Blind Justicefeat, quickly maxing out the target count and stunning the entire wave.
If the cooldown allows, try to landPile Driveon anothercrowd of enemiesfor bonus time from Collateral Damage.
Stage 1-3
After wave two, aThunderbound Salamanderwill appear. Hisattacks are well-telegraphed, making it easy to landprecision dodgesafter a little practice.
Since this foedeals high damage and makes it difficult to farm extra time, it’s best to dispatch him as quickly as possible and move on to the next stage.
Stage Two
After clearing the previous stage, you will retain yourPile Driverability but will swap your other ability toLightning Rod. This attack comes with a new high-yield Battle Technique:Striking Thrice.
Lightning Rod has a long duration and relatively short cooldown, making it one of Ramuh’s most potent abilities.
PerformingStriking Thriceis as simple as luring your opponent intostriking the floating ball of lightningsummoned byLightning Rodthree times. Doing so will yield a gratifying amount of bonus time.
Pile DriverretainsCollateral Damageas its heavily-rewarded Battle Technique. To rake in the bonus time with this one, just continuehitting as many enemies as you can with each castof Pile Driver.
Stage 2-1
This fight sees Clive facing off against twoThunderbound Mesmerizersand asingle Thunderbound Bighorn. Once again, rushing in and usingPile Drivershould net you easyCollateral Damage.
Clear the Mesmerizers first, as they are far more frail than the Bighorn. With those out of the way,use Lightning Rodto finish the fight.
Even a few bolts from your Blind Justice feat can stun the Mesmerizers, potentially giving you room to breathe during the fight.
As many of theBighorn’s attacks hit multiple times(especially so for his Bucking Bull attack), it provides the perfect opportunity to boost your time through theStriking Thrice Battle Technique.
Stage 2-2
TwoThunderbound Folkstaf, twoThunderbound Sigfreyr, andtwoThunderbound Dragonetswill spawn in all at once, making for quite the crowd. Once again, anticipating these enemies spawning can lead toeasy Blind Justice damage.
If you’re still hurting for time, it may be worth usingLightning RodandTauntin conjunction to bait this group into striking the resulting ball of lightning. Since there are so many bad guys, they quickly trigger theStriking Thrice Battle Technique.
After unlocking it in the Phoenix skill tree, Taunt is performed by holding R2 and pressing the sensor pad on the PS5 controller.
Stage 2-3
Once you manage to chew through all that, you’ll face fourThunderbound Bombsand a singleThunderbound Bavarois. Pile Driver and Blind Justice shine here again, asgrouped enemiesmake optimizing these attacks a breeze.
Do your best toclear the Bombs first, as leaving them at low HP could lead to themself-destructing. Once the Bombs are dead, you’re once again presented with an opportunity to useLightning Rodto farm extra time.
The Bavarois’spinning arm attackand itsThundaga attackboth hit multiple times in quick succession, making it perfect for triggeringStriking Thrice.
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Stage Three
For Stage Three, you will be given theJudgment BoltandLightning Rodabilities. While Lightning Rod should feel familiar by now, this is the first time during the trial you’re given Ramuh’s signature attack.
The Battle Technique they want you to target with Judgment Bolt is calledCollateral Bolt, and it’s achieved byhitting more than one enemywith a single use ofJudgment Bolt. This ability has alarger area of effectthan it may seem but be sure to mind thelong cooldown.
Judgment Bolt slows down time when the cast animation plays out, so there is no need to fear taking hits or losing out on stagger time.
Lightning Rodcan still be used to proc theStriking ThriceBattle Technique in this stage, so be on the lookout for enemies that are well-suited for farming time with this strategy.
Stage 3-1
This wave pits you against a powerful combination offourThunderbound Nodesand oneThunderbound Undertaker. To take advantage of theclustered groups spawning in, useJudgment Boltto triggerCollateral Bolt.
Having ranged enemies poke you while a large brute chases you down can be difficult to handle, sodispose of the easier-to-kill Nodesas fast as possible.
TheUndertaker isn’t particularly hard to dodgeonce the Nodes are gone, and itsSpirits Withinlaser hits multiple times, making it great for potentially farming time throughLightning RodandStriking Thrice.
Dodging into the Undertaker’s attacks rather than away from them can make avoiding them easier.
Stage 3-2
Next, a wave ofthreeThunderbound Orcsand twoThunderbound Crusaderswill show up.Blind Justiceis a great opener here, but only if you can catch them just as they first appear.
If yourJudgment Boltis back up, try to catch multiple enemies with it forCollateral Bolt, increasing the time you’ll have to face off against the last wave and final boss.
Lightning Rod pulls enemies a little closer to the center when it hits, potentially clustering your foes for more Collateral Damage.
Lightning Rod, versatile as always, will continue to be a potent tool here.Taunting enemies into attackingyour ball of lightning will easily yield more bonus time here once again.
Stage 3-3
The final wavebefore the boss is potentially moredangerousthan the boss itself. This time, aThunderbound PantherandThunderbound Guardianappear.
Try not to spread your damagearound too much, as taking out one of the targets before moving on to the other will make the fight much easier.The Panther dies faster, making it the better target to focus your efforts on.
Once the Panther’s quick and sporadic attacks are no longer a concern,dodging the Guardian’smuch more telegraphed attacks should be manageable. Itsspinning blades attackhasmultiple hitsto it, whichLightning Rodloves to play with.
Final Stage
By now, you’ve hopefully gotten the hang of Ramuh’s abilities and havefarmed up enough bonus timeto finish off the final boss: TheThunderbound Griffin. You’ll be given the Judgment Bolt and Thunderstorm abilities for this fight.
Youwon’t have to worry about Battle Techniques here, asyoucan no longer gain bonus time. If you’ve been saving yourLimit Break meter, now’s the time to use it, as you’ll have to take down the boss before your clock runs out
Limit Break lets you power through most hits to keep fighting. You’ll still take the damage, though.
The Griffin’s attacks are just likethe Griffin from the main story. Pay attention to itstelegraphed wind-ups, as they will enable you to consistently dodge all of its slower attacks.
Yourabilitieshere should typically beused as soon as they’re off cooldownto maximize your damage dealt. The exception is when the Griffin isclose to being staggered.
In such a case, save all the abilities you can to dealmassive damageafter you’ve built thestagger damage multiplier, ideally dispatching your newfound foe in the process.
NEXT:Final Fantasy 16: Complete Guide And Walkthrough
