FFXIV Patch 7.5 Guide: Windurst: The Third Walk (Echoes of Vana’diel Finale)

Windurst: The Third Walk is the third Alliance Raid in Dawntrail, offering challenging encounters for three coordinated parties of 8 players each. Featuring five bosses, this raid tests positioning, mechanics awareness, and team communication. Here’s a complete guide to conquering the raid.

How to Unlock Windurst: The Third Walk

To unlock this raid:

1. Complete San d'Oria: The Second Walk, available via the sidequest “An Otherworldly Encounter” from the Hoobigo Messenger at Tuliyollal (x13.0, y11.6).
2. Progress through the quest chain to “The Hollow Promise”, which unlocks the Third Walk.
3. Ensure all Dawntrail main scenario quests are completed, as the raid series requires full storyline progression.

Lore Overview

The Third Walk continues the story of Sareel Ja's schemes. With Prishe gravely injured and Bakool Ja Ja aiding the Landsguard, your team, along with Alxaal and echo companions, must face new dangers to prevent a coronation that threatens the realm. Each boss encounter reveals more of this escalating story while testing your raid coordination.

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The Third Walk Raid Guide

Boss 1: Shantotto the Demon

Shantotto is the first encounter in the Third Walk.

Mechanics Overview:

• Flare Play: Raidwide magic damage.
• Vidohunir: Tank buster shared by three tanks.
• Empirical Research: Line AoE in the direction Shantotto faces.
• Superior Stone II: Creates north and south cliffs. Position in the middle for safety.
• Groundbreaking Quake: Cliffs smash together—find the widest gap.
• Diagrammatic Doorway: Summons ley lines with sequential tethers.
• Circumscribed Fire: Donut AoE around Shantotto, cast with each jump.
• Localized Blizzard: Point-blank AoE at the final ley line.
• Thunder and Error, Meteoric Rhyme, Shockwave, Aero Dynamics, Final Exam: Marked and raidwide AoEs.

Tips:

• Track Shantotto’s facing to anticipate line AoEs.
• Use cliffs to mitigate knockbacks from Aero Dynamics.
• Spread after Circumscribed Fire for ice and lightning attacks.

Boss 2: Alexander Resurrected

Alexander Resurrected is the second boss. Defeat waves of adds first to prepare for the main fight.

Mechanics Overview:

• Banishga IV: Raidwide magic damage.
• Divine Arrow: Rotating conal AoEs with ground indicators.
• Impartial Ruling: Side cleaves when gauges fill.
• Radiant Sacrament: Arena grid with column AoEs.
• Divine Spear: Triangle AoEs around the arena.
• Mega Holy: Stack damage on healers.
• Perfect Defense: Invulnerable phase spawning Gordius System adds.
• Divine Judgment: Raidwide damage.
• Electrify: Large circle AoEs tethered to containers.

Tips:

• Track Divine Arrow rotation to anticipate AoEs.
• Stay in safe columns during Radiant Sacrament.
• Focus DPS on adds during Perfect Defense.

Boss 3: Promathia

Promathia is the third encounter, preceded by mini-boss Aw’aern and four Aw’zdei adds.

Mechanics Overview:

• Empty Salvation: Creates puddles; stepping in them heavies players.
• Fleeting Eternity: Puddles tether and trigger large AoEs.
• Wheel of Impregnability, Pestilent Penance: Arena rings with AoEs.
• False Genesis: Platform-based mechanics with knockbacks.
• Deadly Rebirth: Massive raidwide damage.
• Earthbound Heaven, Malevolent Blessing, Infernal Deliverance: Conal AoEs and puddle stacks.
• Meteor: Marked AoEs and tank busters.

Tips:

• Observe the purple light for Fleeting Eternity safe zones.
• Stand in front of walls during platform knockbacks.
• Avoid center of Infernal Deliverance markers for easier escape.

Boss 4: Shinryu Paradox

Shinryu Paradox is the first half of the final boss. The arena has two floors; falling or using portals affects which mechanics hit you.

Mechanics Overview:

• Cosmic Breath/Tail: Platform-specific AoEs.
• Cloak of Twilight: Light/dark debuffs; match colors.
• Twilight Nebula: Roomwide AoEs split by floor.
• Starcrossed: Intersection line AoEs.
• Cataclysmic Vortex: HP-reducing timers; obey instructions to survive.
• Dark Nova: Tank buster AoE.

Tips:

• Go to the correct platform for top/bottom AoEs.
• Match Cloak of Twilight color to dodge mechanics.
• Follow Cataclysmic Vortex instructions carefully to avoid instant deaths.

Boss 5: Hollow King

Hollow King is the second half of the final boss.

Mechanics Overview:

• Towers: Must be soaked individually to manage debuffs.
• Empty Proclamation: Raidwide magic damage.
• Left/Right Swordscross: Diagonal AoEs across arena halves.
• Twin Blaze: Front-orb AoEs; dodge sides.
• Cataclysmic Blade, Burst, Cosmic Flame, Atomic Ray, Super Nova: Various line, ring, and multi-hit AoEs.

Tips:

• Take a tower at the start but avoid consecutive ones.
• Follow Swordscross directions to dodge damage.
• Position at the edge for Cosmic Flame to reduce movement stress.

Rewards

Each boss drops gear in a weekly coffer. Key rewards include:

• Boss Gear Pieces: Two per treasure coffer, one can be obtained per week.
• Final Treasure Coffer: Wind-up Prishe minion, Tattered Third Movement Score icons, and Shinryu Paradox Triple Triad cards.

General Raid Tips

• Communication is essential: Voice calls for AoEs, tethers, and interrupts.
• Know your rotation and cooldowns: Each class contributes differently.
• Positioning: Avoid stacking AoEs and anticipate knockbacks.
• Preparation: Ensure gear is up to date to reduce wipe risk.

Conclusion

Windurst: The Third Walk Alliance Raid is a true test of teamwork, strategy, and mechanics mastery in FFXIV. By understanding each boss’s unique abilities, coordinating with your team, and practicing positioning and timing, you can overcome all five encounters and secure weekly rewards. Whether you’re aiming to collect rare gear, minions, or Triple Triad cards, mastering this raid rewards both skill and dedication, making it a highlight of Dawntrail’s endgame content.