Flight of a Fledgling

Master the 'Flight of a Fledgling' quest in Final Fantasy XVI. Get expert tips for playing as Joshua and Clive, and dominate the Phoenix vs. Ifrit Eikon battle.

Alright, so you've just wrapped up the swamp and taken down that pesky Malboro in 'Lost in Fog.' Next up on our journey through Final Fantasy XVI is the Phoenix Gate. This is where things really start to heat up! You'll see the army celebrating Clive's win and gearing up for what's next. During the feast, Joshua will have a little chat with Clive, and then, bam! The Imperial Soldiers invade. It's a rough scene, but we'll get through it.

Playing as Joshua at Phoenix Gate

First off, you're stepping into Joshua's shoes. Don't worry, even though he's got a sword, his real power is magic. Think of this part as playing a super-powered support character. Just follow the path; you'll walk a short distance through the area. When you see enemies, hit [Triangle] to unleash some magic. It'll seriously weaken them, making it a breeze for Wade to finish them off. Keep moving until you reach an injured guard – another cutscene will trigger, and you'll be reunited with Joshua before switching over to Clive.

Playing as Clive at Phoenix Gate

Now you're back as Clive, with all his awesome combat moves! Head into the Phoenix Gate feast hall and clear out any soldiers. The path is super straightforward, so you won't get lost. Keep an eye out for items like Potions and High Potions along the way. Once you burst out into the courtyard, get ready for a fight with some Imperial Soldiers. Your main priority here is the magic-user hanging back – they can unleash some nasty ranged attacks. This skirmish won't last long. After you've dealt with them, a Dragoon known as the Knight of the Blinding Dawn will make an appearance.

This guy can be tough, but don't sweat it. Use the quick time event to dodge his initial assault, and then rely on your normal dodge to stay out of his attack range. The key is to avoid getting slammed from the air. Once you've beaten him, another cutscene will roll, leading into the epic Eikon battle.

Phoenix vs. Ifrit Eikon Battle

Get ready for a blast from the past! You're jumping back to the very beginning, seeing Phoenix and Ifrit clash as they plummet into a chasm. You'll be playing as Joshua, channeling the Phoenix. Honestly, this is mostly a cinematic spectacle. Your main job is to hit dodge when prompted and blast fire. There's a bit of aiming involved, but don't stress – it's pretty hard to miss Ifrit, even with all the aerial acrobatics. Just keep laying into him until the prologue wraps up and you're ready to dive into the main game with the mission 'A Chance Encounter.'