Bahamut Boss Guide in Final Fantasy 16

Master the Bahamut boss fight in Final Fantasy XVI! Learn Bahamut's attacks, weaknesses, and strategies for each stage to emerge victorious.

Alright, let's talk about Bahamut in Final Fantasy XVI. This fight is a bit unique because you won't just be controlling Clive as Ifrit the whole time. It's broken into three main parts. You'll be Ifrit for the first and third parts, which are pretty similar, though Bahamut throws more at you in the third. The middle section is where things get different – you'll be controlling another character, and it feels a lot like that flying section from earlier in the game.

Stats / Weaknesses:

• Bahamut has different attack patterns and introduces new moves in each of its three stages.
• Understanding the timing of his dodges is key, especially for ground-based attacks.
• In the second stage, controlling Phoenix changes the gameplay significantly.

Phases:

1. Stage 1 (Ifrit): Focus on learning Bahamut's basic attacks and dodging patterns. This stage sets the foundation for the rest of the fight.
2. Stage 2 (Phoenix): This stage is a departure, focusing on aerial combat and different abilities. You'll need to adapt quickly to the new controls and Bahamut's attacks in this phase.
3. Stage 3 (Ifrit): Bahamut ramps up the intensity here. Expect more aggressive attacks and potentially faster sequences of his moves. You'll need to apply everything you've learned from the previous stages.

Strategy:

• Ground Shockwave: When Bahamut slams the ground, sending a shockwave, stay at a distance and time your dodge. If you're close, you might need to dodge his subsequent divebomb. He can do this twice in a row in the third stage.
• Spinning Dash: This is a straightforward dash attack. You should be used to dodging these by now, so just time your dodge accordingly.
• Aura Burst: If you're close to Bahamut and he uses this, a large circle will appear around him. Retreat out of the circle before the explosion. You'll usually have enough time.
• Wing Shockwaves: Bahamut will send out multiple crescent-shaped shockwaves from his wings. Be prepared to dodge several of these in a row. They're much easier to avoid if you're not right next to him.
• Quintessence: Bahamut summons slow-moving orbs. You can use Spitflare to destroy them, or just dodge them normally as they don't move too quickly.
• Megaflare: This attack involves Bahamut firing a barrage of arcing projectiles. Dodging through the attack rather than to the sides might be more effective. In the second stage, this attack is longer and has more projectiles.
• Laser Beam: Bahamut spins and fires a straight laser. It's easy to avoid due to the wind-up time. In the third stage, a second, horizontal beam is added.
• Homing Laser (Stage 2): While controlling Phoenix, Bahamut fires a laser that tracks you. Stick to the edges of the screen and keep evading.
• Large Orbs (Stage 2): Bahamut conjures large orbs that track you, change color, and explode. You can use Volley or Charged Flame to destroy them.
• Laser Orbs (Stage 2): These orbs have their own health bars and fire lasers independently. You'll need to deal with them while also dodging Bahamut's attacks. Charged Flames are effective here.
• Gigaflare (Stage 2): Bahamut summons six large orbs and starts charging Gigaflare. Focus entirely on destroying these orbs while dodging smaller projectiles and exploding orbs. Destroying them stuns Bahamut.
• Mortal Coil (Stage 3): Bahamut fires an orb that creates a pillar of light upon impact. He charges this up, giving you time to dodge. A variation, Triple Coil, fires three such orbs.
• Raining Lasers (Stage 3): While dashing, Bahamut shoots lasers into the sky that then rain down, causing small explosions. Dodge the dash first, then watch the impact points on the ground to avoid the falling lasers.