Silent Surf (CM)

To start the Challenge Mode, ensure your group is prepared for a more punishing version of Silent Surf, where mechanics are intensified and survival becomes paramount. This guide assumes familiarity with the Normal Mode version of the fractal.

Opening Sequence

Upon beginning the Challenge Mode, players will bypass the initial spelunking sections and start directly before the final encounter. However, you must first defeat the Corrupted Luxon Sailors and Corrupted First Mate Dolus before facing the final boss.

The initial sequence requires defeating Corrupted Luxon Sailors and Corrupted First Mate Dolus, introducing the group to the dangers ahead.

Corrupted First Mate Dolus

Corrupted First Mate Dolus is the first major enemy you will encounter. He immediately uses Dread Visage, sending Captain Thess off the platform. Players must avoid looking at Dolus to prevent being feared off the platform. This mechanic is particularly deadly in Challenge Mode as falling results in instant death.

Frightening Speed: This mechanic targets each player with a Roman numeral, marking the order in which Dolus will dash towards them. The area where Dolus begins the attack will become deadly, so players must avoid it. After the dash, a damaging vortex is left behind; players should avoid stacking to prevent multiple hits, as getting hit by another player’s vortex will deal significant damage.

After defeating Dolus, a shadow portal will open, taking you to the final platform where the Unknown Demon, later revealed as Kanaxai, awaits.

Kanaxai – The Unknown Demon

Kanaxai’s Challenge Mode introduces several intensified mechanics and requires precise execution to succeed. The battle is divided into phases, each with escalating difficulty.

• 100%-66% Phase: All Aspects will have the eye icon, and you must look off the edge of the platform to avoid the effects.
• 66%-33% Phase: Kanaxai will teleport to an outer platform before using Dread Visage. Look at the minimap to determine his location and face away accordingly. The safest direction to look is east, where no platforms exist.
• 33%-0% Phase: During the Frightening Speed attack, Kanaxai will also use Dread Visage. Players must stand still and face away from the platform’s edge.

Dread Visage: Throughout the fight, Kanaxai and his Aspects will use Dread Visage. Each time this happens, bright eye icons will appear above Kanaxai and his Aspects. Looking at them when they flash will cause either instant death or fear, likely leading to falling off the platform.

Boon Steal: Kanaxai will occasionally cast Boon Steal, targeting two random areas with orange circles. Avoid standing in these circles as dodging won’t work, and being hit will result in boon loss and buffs for Kanaxai.

Break Bar: Every 10% above 50%, and every 5% below 50%, Kanaxai will gain a defiance bar. Failure to break the bar in time will result in the summoning of an Aspect of Kanaxai, which players must defeat on outer platforms. These Aspects significantly increase Kanaxai’s damage output if not dealt with promptly.

World Cleaver: At 66% and 33%, Kanaxai will tether to specific players, selecting them to destroy his Aspects on outer platforms. If the Aspects are not killed in time, the entire party will be wiped. DPS players should pre-position to be selected, ensuring they can quickly dispatch the Aspects and return safely.

Frightening Speed: