Barnabas Boss Guide in Final Fantasy 16

Master the Barnabas boss fight in Final Fantasy XVI. Learn his attacks, phases, and strategies to overcome this challenging encounter with our comprehensive guide.

The fight against Barnabas is a lengthy one, featuring three distinct phases and interspersed cutscenes. Barnabas is an agile opponent, frequently teleporting, which necessitates maximizing your offensive opportunities. He also possesses several powerful attacks capable of dealing significant damage.

Stats / Weaknesses:

• Barnabas teleports frequently, making him hard to pin down.
• He has powerful attacks that can deplete your health quickly.

Phases:

1. Phase 1: Barnabas begins with his basic attacks.
2. Phase 2: Occurs after the first stagger. Barnabas gains new, more dangerous moves like Blinding Steel.
3. Phase 3: Starts around 50% health. Barnabas uses Ultimate Zantetsuken and enhanced versions of his attacks, including Great Divide and The All-wielder.

Strategy:

• General: Stay mobile and make the most of your offense when opportunities arise due to Barnabas's teleportation.
• Cleave: Dodge the initial overhead swing and the subsequent shockwave. Later phases add a horizontal shockwave.
• Double Slash: This is a two-hit combo; dodge both slashes.
• Sword Flurry: Dodge to the sides or back away when he charges his sword and creates a damaging dome.
• Gungnir: Dodge the spear toss and the resulting shockwave. Jumping and evading mid-air is effective against the shockwave. Avoid the pulsating dark pool left on the ground.
• Stab and Slash: A two-hit combo. Dodge the initial stab and be prepared for the follow-up diagonal slash.
• The Lord’s Measure: Avoid the lines on the ground and Barnabas himself as he performs slashes that release dark energy. Later phases increase the number of lines, requiring careful positioning.
• Counter Slash: If Barnabas blocks three hits consecutively, he will counter with a wide horizontal slash. Stop attacking or use an Eikon ability when he blocks.
• Blinding Steel (Phase 2): A dangerous move where a beam shoots from a red line. Either time a Precision Dodge at the start or stick close to Barnabas and move behind him.
• Ultimate Zantetsuken (Phase 3): Barnabas charges this powerful attack. Continue fighting normally while he charges. If you fail to deplete the purple bar before he unleashes it, you will likely die.
• Great Divide (Phase 3): Barnabas buffs himself with Quieting before attacking. This involves an overhead strike followed by a horizontal slash. Dodge or jump over these attacks.
• The All-wielder (Phase 3): This attack follows Great Divide and is an even larger overhead strike. Time your dodge just before impact for a Precision Dodge.