Patch 6.11 of Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker introduced the Dragonsong's Reprise (Ultimate) Raid, along with the new Ultimate Weapons of the Heavens. As is traditional with this type of content, players are given the task of challenging extremely difficult versions of past content, in this case, fights from the Heavansward expansion. Ultimate Raids are tailor-made for hardcore FFXIV adventurers and should not be taken lightly. For persevering, players with be rewarded with the Ultimate Weapons of the Heavens.
Before even beginning to challenge this content, fans must be at the highest level of play. Luckily, the game supplies adventurers with many avenues to practice their skills. Current Extreme Trials are a great way to "test the waters" and try out some higher-end mechanics. After players are comfortable, they can move on to the newest Savage Raids, obtaining FFXIV's best gear before the Ultimate content. Adventurers are then ready to unlock the Dragonsong's Reprise (Ultimate).
Players must first have cleared Asphodelos: The Fourth Circle (Savage), which is the final segment of The Pandaemonium Raid series. Once done, a level 90 Disciple of War or Magic can speak to the Wandering Minstrel in Old Sharlayan (X: 12.7, Y: 14.2) to unlock the Ultimate Raid. While a minimum of ilvl 580 is required to enter the activity, it is recommended that adventurers have an average of ilvl 600 gear. Ultimate difficulty content is truly challenging, and any extra amount of stats can be crucial for victory.
Unlocking The Ultimate Weapons of the Heavens in Final Fantasy XIV
In the Dragonsong's Reprise (Ultimate) Raid, players will face the strongest versions of bosses that appeared in the Heavensward expansion. The content can be accessed via the Raid Finder to form an eight-player party, but a "static" is preferred. This is a consistent group that can form the best job combinations in FFXIV and can communicate with each other efficiently. Some of the powerful foes adventurers will refight are King Thordan, The Knights of The Round, Nidhogg, and Hraesvelgr. After beating the Raid, players will be rewarded with one Dragonsong Token. This currency can be traded with Nesvaaz in Radz-at-Han (X: 10.6, Y: 10.0) for a choice of any Ultimate Weapon of the Heavens. A single Dragonsong Token can be earned per week, but only one is needed to exchange for each piece of gear, except for Paladins, who need two.
Ultimate Raids offer some of the best-looking weapons in the entire game. The armaments rewarded from clearing the Dragonsong's Reprise (Ultimate) are no exception. They all have a golden glow, with iconography from Ishgard and the Holy See. Top-level players can show off their Ultimate Weapons on the Heavens on the recently added Adventurer Plates in FFXIV. While extremely difficult, completing an Ultimate Raid can be an immensely fulfilling journey.
Final Fantasy XIV is available on PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PC via Steam or Square Enix's official website.