Just like Blizzard has done with countless others over the years, Square Enix has decided to throw three of Final Fantasy XIV's toughest raid battles back into the mix, tuned for players who've geared far above their requirements of the years before.
Back when Final Fantasy XIV relaunched as 'A Realm Reborn' in 2013, the entire 2.X series of patches revolved around a high-end raid known as 'The Binding Coil of Bahamut'. A place used to rebuild the dragon that essentially reforged the failed MMO, it had a couple of bodyguards players had to beat before taking on the dreadwyrm himself.
Of course, players succeeded. But not without a struggle. The first leg of the Binding Coil housed Twintania - a creature fans of Final Fantasy XII likely recognised. Launch server issues likely kept this one alive longer than it should have, but its complicated mechanics were a bottleneck for players long after. Then came Nael Deus Darnus, a reoccurring character who ushered in the end of the original game. Personally, this one took me and my team a good two months to best. Then came Bahamut himself, or rather, his corporeal form. Again, we won. But not without a real struggle.
New to Final Fantasy XIV? Check out our Beginner's Guide!
Here are what we think to be the best RPGs on PC right now
Now, many years later, they're all back. Not in some cruel twist of fate, but as a challenge for the best of the best to relive while awaiting the next leg of Stormblood's own raid - and further nod to Final Fantasy lore - Omega Weapon. Live with today's 4.1.1 patch, The Unending Coil of Bahamut (Ultimate) is a 2-hour encounter that pits players against new, brutal, versions of the end encounters found in each leg of the Binding Coil.
Players have gotten far better at killing off raid creatures in record time over the years, but with this being ahead of the usual top-end 'Savage' difficulty, the race is on to see if the players - or monsters - are up to the task.
