Final Fantasy XIV Trail Strategy: Thornmarch (Hard)

When ranking FFXIV’s most charming weapon designs, the Moogle-adorned armaments from Thornmarch undoubtedly claim the top position. These whimsical weapons feature delightful kupo-themed decorations that have made them exceptionally popular among FFXIV enthusiasts. Unlike many cosmetic items that require extensive grinding, the Thornmarch weapons offer relatively straightforward acquisition. Mmogah presents this comprehensive strategy guide to help you conquer Thornmarch (Hard) efficiently.

Thornmarch represents a level 50 trial challenge where players must defeat Good King Moggle Mog XII and his loyal Mogglesguards. This encounter demands a full eight-player party with an average item level (iLevel) of 54 or higher. Access requires progression through specific questlines: players must currently be undertaking “You Have Selected Regicide” while having previously completed “Hail to the King, Kupo.” With the current level cap increased to 60, meeting the basic requirements has become significantly more manageable for most players.

Essential preparation details for Thornmarch include:

l  Initiating the quest chain begins with conversing with Vorsaile Heuloix located in New Gridania at coordinates (x9, y11).

l  The challenge level positions Thornmarch strategically between Garuda (Hard) and Titan (Hard) in terms of mechanical complexity.

l  Successful completion rewards players with 9 Allagan Tomestone of Soldiery and 5 Allagan Tomestone of Poetics.

Armed with this foundational knowledge, let’s delve into the Thornmarch encounter alongside Mmogah.

The battle unfolds across two distinct phases, both following an identical elimination sequence for the Moogleguards. The established priority order is: Black Mage (BLM) > White Mage (WHM) > Bard (BRD) > Rogue (ROG) > Archer (ARC) > Paladin (PLD) > Warrior (WAR) > King. (This represents the community-tested approach. The consequences of eliminating the King prematurely remain uncertain—if possible without negative repercussions, consider prioritizing the King before the Warrior). Strategically delaying the King’s defeat proves crucial because his devastating Memento Moogle/Mori ability inflicts massive party-wide damage scaled according to how many moogleguards remain active during casting.

Applying markers during the initial phase ensures persistent target identification through Phase 2. Designate someone to assign markers: BLM(1), WHM(2), BRD(3), ROG(4), ARC(5), PLD(X1), WAR(X2).

Moogle appearances trigger based on elapsed time. Initially, only the Paladin occupies the battlefield. Twenty seconds after engagement commences, the Archer and Black Mage join the fray. Thirty additional seconds later, the White Mage, Rogue, and Warrior arrive. Forty seconds thereafter, the Bard appears. Once all seven moogleguards have spawned, your team maintains approximately sixty seconds before they collectively respawn and unite to summon the King.

Beyond the fundamental mechanics, several advanced considerations can dramatically improve your success rate. The marking system’s persistence between phases represents one of the most underutilized strategic advantages—proper initial marking eliminates target confusion during the chaotic second phase transition.

A critical mistake many groups make involves mismanaging the spawn timer. The sixty-second window between full moogleguard appearance and King summoning allows for systematic elimination if DPS coordination remains disciplined. Healers should anticipate significant raid damage during Memento Moogle casts—having mitigation abilities prepared for these moments proves essential.

Tank positioning requires careful attention; the Paladin and Warrior moogles generate substantial threat and should be kept separated from the more fragile but dangerous caster moogles. Position melee moogles near the edge of the arena to minimize their movement-based attacks disrupting your party formation.

For players seeking additional Class Guide insights that apply cross-game strategic thinking, understanding role specialization significantly enhances trial performance.

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