Final Fantasy XVI Guide | How To Beat Garuda

Here's everything you need to know on how to beat the Eikon of Wind in Final Fantasy XVI.

Game Guide by Ornstein on Jan 19, 2025

Garuda, the Eikon of Wind, is a multi-phase fight that puts your reflexes and familiarity with the game's fighting systems to the test. Clive goes up against Benedikta and her Eikon, Garuda, during the "Fanning Embers" main quest. To triumph, you will have to adapt to the different attack patterns Garuda has, maximize your powers, and get a feel for the rhythm of combat. Here's a full guide to help you triumph over this epic clash.

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Preparation Before Battle

Before fighting Garuda, prepare Clive by equipping him with better gear and the best possible stats. Invest Ability Points in offensive and defensive abilities such as Rising Flames and Will-o'-the-Wykes. Replenish all your potions, especially high potions, which will help you recover in between battles. If you have unlocked additional Eikon abilities, such as Ramuh's Thunderstorm, then put them to good use by adding them to your assault options. Also, practice dodging and counterattack skills, which will play a crucial role in your survival from Garuda's assault.

Phase 1: Fighting Benedikta

The first phase pits Clive against Benedikta in her human form. She usually attacks by leaping forward with many sword strikes, wind missiles, and fast movements. Be constantly moving to avoid her few attacks from range and precision-dodge to open her up to counterattacks. Most of the skills, like Gouge and Scarlet Cyclone, drain her stagger gauge in no time. If she uses her ultimate, Featherstorm, step to the side to avoid the falling feathers. This phase is almost a warm-up for the fierce conflict that ensues.

Phase 2: Garuda

Things start to get dire when Benedikta assumes her Garuda form. She has several fatal wind-based skills and some very strong, extremely long-range strikes during this phase. Her two most major attacks are her Aerial Blast, which forms whirlwinds that hurt those who dare touch it, and her Cleave-a wide, sweeping strike that covers acres of space. Keep eyes on her before she does these attacks so that it will be easy to see the tell of her movement and dodge that move.

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Just keep trying to close the distance to avoid getting pinned by the attacks from her range. By this point, Garuda's stagger gauge is easier to keep track of. Close the distance using the skill Phoenix Shift and start chaining heavy attacks from it to whittle down her gauge. Once Garuda has been staggered, let out the most furious combo. However, she gets to her feet in no time and retaliates with wild violence.

Phase 3: Eikon Clash

Further into the battle, Clive will invoke his Eikon powers, which builds up for an epic clash between Ifrit and Garuda. You will then assume control of Ifrit during a towering Eikon confrontation. Garuda's movements are larger in scale but easier to read because of the slower pace of Eikon combat. Her signature skills are Cyclone, sucking Ifrit right into the middle of a tornado, and Tempest, an ultra-powerful wind attack.

Counter her movements either by dodging or blocking, then punish her with strong Ifrit moves such as Hellfire and Flame Burst. If possible, perform cinematic strikes for QTEs when able to pierce through with high damage to progress in cinematic combat. The idea is to be on the front foot while dodging her painful wind-based AoE strikes.

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Final Phase: Garuda's Last Stand

Garuda, in the final phase, gets desperate and engages in the strongest attack called Eye of the Storm, creating a massive wind barrier that can restrict movement. In order not to get hit by her continuous barrage of strikes, you need to time dodges perfectly. Attack precisely to stun her for a final time, then use Ifrit's limit-breaking skills to give the finishing blow.

This phase is all about endurance and timing. Pay attention to your health and make good use of your potions, as it might get a bit prolonged if you fail to perform at some key moments. Patience and a bit of effort will help you get through the savagery of Garuda and become victorious.

Rewards After Battle and Tips

Defeating Garuda rewards you with new abilities based on her Eikon powers: Deadly Embrace pulls smaller enemies toward you, and Gouge does considerable stagger damage. Try these abilities out to expand your combat repertoire in future bouts.

Take a moment now to reflect on the mechanics learned in this fight because they will be applicable in other fights against Dominants and Eikons. This really is a good base test of what the combat system is in Final Fantasy XVI in trying to really mesh action and strategy.

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Finally…

The fight with Garuda is a satisfying mix of furious action, with just the right mix of strategic preparation spliced together with cinematic storytelling. When you are appropriately prepared for it, quick reflexes and mastery over Clive's powers see you finishing off this strong Eikon and continuing on with your story as the dominant force in Valisthea.

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