Infernal Shadow Boss Guide in FF16

Learn how to beat the Infernal Shadow boss in final fantasy xvi. Understand its attacks like Flurry Rush and Hellfire, and master the two-phase strategy.

The battle against the Infernal Shadow in final fantasy xvi is a challenging two-part boss fight. You may be low on healing items from the previous encounter, and the Infernal Shadow has a particularly damaging maneuver. The first phase is relatively simple, but the second phase is where the true challenge begins.

Infernal Shadow Attacks:

The battle has two phases, with some attacks from the first phase returning with altered properties or in greater numbers.

• Sword Combo: The Infernal Shadow dashes forward and performs two slashes. This is easily dodged.
• Fira: The boss shoots a fireball. This is easy to dodge. In the second phase, a second fireball follows the first, but it does not significantly change the dodge strategy.
• Homing Fireballs: Three fireballs home in on your position. Dodge by moving to the side or forward at the last second. More fireballs are used in the second phase.
• Molten Thrust: The boss charges briefly, then performs a quick dash forward with a fiery trail, attempting to stab you with his sword. This is a common attack type seen from other bosses.
• Flurry Rush: This is the most dangerous move. It begins with two fiery slashes, a brief pause, then more attacks, finishing with two more sword strikes. If you are hit by the initial slashes, you may take significant additional damage. This move is used after the first stagger.
• Incinerate: The ground in front of the boss glows, and fire appears shortly after. This attack only hits in front of the Infernal Shadow, so moving to the sides or behind him is the best avoidance strategy.
• Hammer and Anvil: The boss briefly disappears and reappears above you, then crashes into the ground, causing a large explosion. Move away from the impact area to avoid this.
• Hellfire: Used around half health, the Infernal Shadow teleports to the center of the arena. He floats, surrounded by fire, and summons pillars of fire across the battlefield. Avoid the pillars and stay away from the boss. After a short time, he performs a large pillar of fire around himself.
• Crimson Rush: This is a straight dash attack with a trail of fire, similar to the Infernal Eikon's attack. It is seen after Hellfire is used.
• Eruption: This move occurs after Hellfire. The boss marks spots on the ground where smaller explosions will occur. These eruptions continue for a while, and the boss can perform other moves simultaneously, making it difficult to avoid dodging into an eruption.

Strategy for the Infernal Shadow Boss:

This battle can be difficult, especially if you used many healing items in the previous fight. The boss employs numerous attacks, some of which deal substantial damage. Incinerate and Flurry Rush are particularly challenging due to the difficulty in dodging the former and the rapid succession of attacks in the latter. The number of moves to track increases significantly in the second phase.

The fight starts simply but intensifies after the first stagger, initiating the second phase. When the boss's health is low enough, he will jump to the center of the arena and use Hellfire. You must avoid the resulting eruptions and stay away from the center, as a large explosion follows. The boss gains two new moves in this final phase, with Eruption being especially dangerous as it persists while he performs other attacks. With approximately 1/3 HP remaining, another cutscene (a non-interactive cinematic the game plays automatically) will trigger, unlocking the...