Final Fantasy XVI Guide | How To Beat The Akashic Dragon

Here's everything you need to know on how to beat the Akashic Dragon in Final Fantasy XVI.

Game Guide by Ornstein on Jan 19, 2025

Akashic Dragon is one of the most challenging opponents in Final Fantasy XVI, featuring some of the most brutal hits and multiple phases of combat that would keep even a seasoned veteran pleased. Only a deeply thought-out tactic, informed by close attention to the details of its attacks and a good understanding of Clive's talent, will help you defeat this terrifying monster. Here's your step-by-step walk through this problematic encounter.

Preparation for Battle

Akashic Dragon is not something to be trifled with, so prepare for it. Arm Clive with the best available weapon and best available equipment at this stage in the game. Any accessories that make him deal more attack power increase his stagger dealing capabilities, or take fewer hits will make a difference. Restock on potions, hi-potions, and elixirs in order to sustain yourself through the fight. Also, Eikon should be equipped with abilities useful in combat against huge, mobile opponents like Garuda's "Gouge" to generate staggers or, in the case of Ifrit's "Ignition," to deal with damage over time.

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Pay a lot of attention to your ability, timing, and precision upon usage. Most of the Akashic Dragon's attacks leave it open to be countered, so you should use your ability cooldowns wisely for the best damage output. Control over the fight means you would have to balance the Eikon wheel between offensive and defensive abilities.

Phase 1: Pattern Observation and Attack Avoidance

Akashic Dragon, in the very beginning of the combat, reveals his mobility and strength. During this first phase of the fight, the main attacks the dragon will use are melee ones: claws, swinging its tail, and performing biting lunges. The monster also uses some far-ranging abilities, like fire breath, which sweeps across the area of combat, and fireballs.

This whole phase involves reading its attack patterns. Most of its moves are heavily telegraphed, making them relatively avoidable or parryable. For instance, when it recoils to spew fire, just sidestep the flames while closing in for a counterattack. Lastly, use Precision Dodge to freeze time and set up very strong counter combos. Drain his stagger bar whenever possible because this is key to critical damage when the dragon is in his vulnerable state.

Pay particular attention to his tail swings, as the area he sweeps through is pretty big and is hard to dodge if you are behind the dragon. Try sticking around its sides to limit your exposure to its wide-range attacks. Always pay close attention to your health, taking the time to heal if you get caught in one of its attacks.

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Phase 2: Increased Aggression and New Abilities

When you deplete the Akashic Dragon to a health of about 50%, it goes into phase two, which is much more difficult as the dragon gains new abilities and becomes more aggressive. One of the most devastating things it can do in this phase is a thing called "Infernal Dive," where it flies into the air and smashes down, creating a huge AOE. You will see bright, red markings on the floor, and you must leave the collision area as quickly as possible. Another ability to pay attention to is a shockwave-style attack called "Aetherial Roar" extending in all directions. Many times, this is preceded by the dragon emitting or building energy before it performs it. Again, keep your distance or apply the skill Phoenix Shift to avoid the attack and then reposition yourself.

During this phase, the Akashic Dragon gains stagger resistance and thus becomes much harder to stagger and interrupt. This requires players to rely on fast, consistent damage, timing their skills between every one of the dragon's pauses between moves. Employ other Eikon long-range abilities such as "Judgment Bolt" by Ramuh or attack with ranged weapons for safe, out-of-range damage from more lethal attacks.

Limit Break and Eikon Ability Usage

In the combat setting, your Limit Break gauge may prove to be a game-changer. Use it when Akashic Dragon is in a stagger state or those heated moments when you really have to heal up but just cannot afford to stop dealing damage. Limit Break increases your attack power and healing capabilities, allowing you to capitalize on stagger windows and thus flip a fight around quickly.

Use Eikon abilities judiciously. For instance, Garuda's "Deadly Embrace" can pull him down from flight, disrupting his flying-based attacks and creating opportunities for damage. Shiva's "Diamond Dust" slows down the movement of the dragon, affording more response time against its attacks. Rotate your Eikon abilities to maintain constant offense with staggered cooldowns for longer use.

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Phase 3: The Last Stand

In this last phase, the Akashic Dragon is beyond desperate and much more resolute. The attacks he launches inflict more damage, and his movements are highly unpredictable. You should expect everything he has used so far but very often consecutively, leaving little recovery time in between. In this phase, try to be as composed as possible; your main task is to survive. This phase is all about timing your dodge correctly and waiting for the right opening for an attack rather than making unwarranted moves that would result in getting hurt.

Now's the time to cash in on your planning. Use all remaining potions and elixirs as needed, and don't hesitate to let loose with a Limit Break if things get hairy. If you've been managing your abilities intelligently throughout the fight, you should still be in a position to unleash powerful Eikon skills that can take the dragon out. Keep chipping away at its health, and when its stagger meter starts to fill, put everything into maximizing damage to end the fight.

Conclusion: Victory over the Akashic Dragon.

For one to defeat the Akashic Dragon, much-needed patience and timing are required to study his rhythm. You can conquer this fearsome monster if you arm yourself with the necessary knowledge regarding Clive's talents and the patterns that the dragon follows in his attacks. Always be focused; avail yourself of the chances to beat stagger and use your resources judiciously.

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