Hermes Boss (Ktisis Hyperboreia)

Learn how to defeat Hermes in Ktisis Hyperboreia in Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker. This guide covers his mechanics like Trismegistos, True Tornado, Meteor, and Hermetica.

Stats / Weaknesses:

• Hermes can be interrupted during True Bravery.

Phases:

1. Trismegistos: Room-wide AoE. After the first cast, the arena edge gains a Windburn AoE (damage over time).
2. True Tornado: Tank buster. Use defensive cooldowns. If cast after Double, a small AoE appears under the tank that must be dodged.
3. Double: Augments the next spell cast.
4. Quadruple: Augments the next two spell casts.
5. True Aero: Unavoidable line AoE on all party members. Spread to avoid overlapping. If cast after Double, a second avoidable line AoE follows.
6. True Aero II: Avoidable purple/pink circle AoE that follows the player. Spread to avoid overlapping. If cast after Quadruple, a second AoE follows, which can be avoided by running out of the circle.
7. True Bravery: Hermes gains a 20-second damage buff. Can be interrupted.
8. Meteor: Four meteors spawn in each corner. Stand in the center to mitigate damage. After landing, use meteors to block Hermetica's line AoE attacks.
9. Hermetica: Hermes summons gates that fire wide line AoEs. Patterns vary based on prior Double or Quadruple casts:
   • Two sets of two gates: Stand in the center.
   • One set of two gates in the middle, one on each side: Stand in the corner next to a gate.
   • After Double: Two sets of four gates. Use uncracked meteors for line of sight, rotating around the arena as they fire in order.
   • After Quadruple: Four sets of two gates. Stand in the center, move towards the opening next to each set as they fire in order.

Strategy:

• Hermetica: The most challenging mechanic. Visualize the line AoEs from the gates. Use meteors as cover when necessary, especially after Double or Quadruple.
• Meteor: Safest spot is the center to mitigate damage. Healers should shield/regen the party. Use meteors to block Hermetica's line AoEs.
• True Aero / True Aero II: Spread out to avoid overlapping AoEs. Dodge the second True Aero if Double is active. Run out of True Aero II if Quadruple is active.
• True Bravery: Interrupt this buff using Interject or Head Graze.
• Trismegistos: Be prepared for a party-wide AoE. Healers can use Medica II. Be aware of the Windburn AoE around the arena edge after the first cast.
• True Tornado: Tanks must use defensive cooldowns. Dodge the secondary AoE if Double is cast beforehand.
• Tanking: No specific tank mechanics outside of general tanking duties. Focus on managing party-wide mechanics.