Unlocking the Cloud of Darkness (Chaotic) raid in Final Fantasy XIV marks a thrilling return to one of the most iconic bosses from the FF3 legacy, now reimagined as a formidable 24-player alliance challenge. Set in the shadowy depths of Tuliyollal, this high-stakes encounter demands not only top-tier gear and flawless teamwork but also mastery of complex mechanics, promising exclusive rewards like mounts and powerful gear for those daring enough to face the darkness. Ready your combat class at level 100, complete the Dawntrail main scenario, and seek out the Wandering Minstrel to step into this epic battle where every move counts and victory shines brightest.
Fans of The Crystal Tower raid series, the Cloud of Darkness Eden raid fight, and of Final Fantasy 3 will likely want to get in on it, since there’s two mounts you can get from clearing this fight.
Below, we explain where to unlock Cloud of Darkness and where to exchange the loot from the raid in FFXIV.
Where to unlock Cloud of Darkness (Chaotic)
To unlock the Cloud of Darkness (Chaotic) raid in Final Fantasy XIV, players must first complete the level 100 main scenario quest “Dawntrail.” After finishing this quest, visit the Wandering Minstrel located at the docks of Tuliyollal (coordinates approximately X: 11.1, Y: 14.7) to initiate the unlock. Players need to be at least level 100 in a combat class and have a minimum item level of 710 to queue for the raid, which is a demanding 24-player alliance encounter introduced in patch 7.15. This unlock grants access to challenging high-tier content with valuable rewards such as exclusive mounts and gear.
To unlock Cloud of Darkness (Chaotic), you’ll need to talk to the Wandering Minstrel in Tuliyollal as a level 100 combat class. (This is the same place you unlock Dawntrailextreme trials from.) You will also need to have completed the base Dawntrail main scenario quest.
You can find the Wandering Minstrel in the location below:
Once you unlock it, you can register for the duty in the high-end duty finder. You’ll need an item level of at least 710 to participate. You’ll need to make a party via party finder or some other means to take on this fight.
Where to trade in Cloud of Darkness (Chaotic) loot
You can trade the Demimateria obtained from the Cloud of Darkness (Chaotic) raid to Uah’shepya in Solution Nine (coordinates x: 8.7, y: 13.5). These Demimateria serve as currency to purchase high-level gear, including armor pieces for various slots, mounts, and even a hairstyle. Specifically, two Clouddark Demimateria are required for head, hands, or feet gear, while body and legs require three. Mounts and hairstyles demand a larger amount, with 75 and 50 Demimateria respectively. This system allows players to accumulate top-tier equipment by repeatedly clearing the raid, which has no weekly lockout, making it an excellent source for gear progression.
For each clear of Cloud of Darkness, you’ll get Clouddark Demimateria. You can trade in the demimateria you get to Uah’shepya in Solution Nine, at the location below.
The loot costs as follows:
- Dai of Darkness mount: 75 Clouddark Demimateria II
- Shroud of Darkness mount: 99 Clouddark Demimateria I
- A Half Times Two hairstyle: 49 Clouddark Demimateria II
- Clouddark top and leg armor: Three Clouddark Demimateria I
- Clouddark head, gloves, and boots: Two Clouddark Demimateria I
How can I unlock the ultimate challenge of Cloud of Darkness in FFXIV
To unlock the ultimate challenge of Cloud of Darkness (Chaotic) in Final Fantasy XIV, you need to meet the following requirements:
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Reach level 100 on any combat job (Disciple of War or Magic).
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Complete the main scenario quest “Dawntrail” from the Dawntrail expansion.
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Obtain a minimum item level of 710 to queue for the raid (though the unlock itself does not require this).
Once these prerequisites are met, visit the Wandering Minstrel in Tuliyollal at coordinates approximately (X: 11.1, Y: 14.6). Speak to him and select the “World of Darkness” option to unlock the Cloud of Darkness (Chaotic) raid. After a cutscene, the raid will be available to queue via the Raid Finder or Party Finder.
What team coordination tips are essential for beating Cloud of Darkness (Chaotic) in FFXIV
Essential team coordination tips for beating Cloud of Darkness (Chaotic) in FFXIV focus on communication, positioning, and role clarity within the 24-player alliance raid. The raid is split into three alliances (A-West, B-Middle, C-East), each with 8 players, and requires clear communication between alliances to manage mechanics smoothly.
Key coordination points include:
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Positioning and Movement: Players must dodge large AoEs like Blade of Darkness and particle beams by moving quickly and predictably, often following clockwise movement patterns to avoid overlapping damage. Tanks need to soak specific attacks like Feint Particle Beam to protect the group.
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Mechanic Awareness: Players should watch visual cues carefully, such as the boss’s arm movements for AoEs and hand lunges for Grim Embrace, to avoid overlapping damage zones. Managing debuffs like Doom and Curse of Darkness requires healers to cleanse promptly and players to avoid stacking damage.
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Role Assignments: Tanks, healers, and DPS have distinct responsibilities-tanks maintain aggro and soak damage, healers pre-position to mitigate raid-wide damage and cleanse debuffs, and DPS focus on quickly killing adds like Wolfsbane and handling tower mechanics during Particle Concentration phases.
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Stack and Spread Mechanics: Light parties within alliances must coordinate stacking or spreading for certain mechanics to minimize damage and avoid wipes.
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Avoiding Fatal Mistakes: Players must avoid looking at the boss during Mortal Gaze, stay out of purple AoE zones, and ensure no one gets caught by rotating beams to prevent raid wipes.
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Communication Tools: Use voice chat or clear text communication to call out mechanics and coordinate movement, especially during the chaotic final phases when timing is tight.
Following these coordination strategies ensures the team can survive the rapid, overlapping mechanics and defeat the Cloud of Darkness in this challenging chaotic raid.
