Sunqua Peak (CM)

2 months ago

Introduction

Sunqua Peak Challenge Mode (CM) is a more difficult version of the Sunqua Peak fractal. It skips the initial encounters, focusing solely on the final boss, Ai, Keeper of the Peak. The CM version introduces additional mechanics, increased damage, and an entirely new Dark Phase after defeating Ai in her Light Phase. This guide assumes familiarity with the Normal Mode and focuses on the critical mechanics and strategies needed to overcome the Challenge Mode.

Ai, Keeper of the Peak

The fight against Ai is divided into two main phases:

Light Phase (100% – 1%)
Dark Phase (100% – 1%)

Each phase has its own set of mechanics and challenges that players need to manage effectively.

Light Phase (100% – 1%)

The mechanics from the Normal Mode carry over, but with more intensity and new mechanics. Here’s a breakdown of each elemental phase:

Air Phase:

Energy Sources: In CM, you must destroy eight clouds instead of six. The timer is tighter, and failing to clear the clouds in time will result in a party wipe.
Cloud Timing: If the clouds are not cleared within the first wave of Ai’s powerful attack, the group will wipe. Dodging this attack with precise timing is crucial.

Fire Phase:

Meteorites: Ai summons meteors in waves of 3, 3, 4, and 2 tethered meteors. The tethers attach to random players, requiring careful positioning to avoid hazardous overlaps.
Arena-wide Attack: Ai channels a massive AoE attack that requires players to hide behind two meteors. Only one meteor will be safe from the fire aura, which will always be on the right side when facing the arena’s center.

Water Phase:

Tether Mechanic: Two green AoEs can now spawn simultaneously, requiring the group to coordinate stacking. The dark blue orbs will spawn clockwise, starting from the north.
Hamstrung Danger: Combining Tidal Bargain with Hamstrung can lock a player in place. Players must carefully manage the tethering to prevent anyone from getting stuck and causing a wipe.

The Dark Phase (100% – 1%)

Upon reaching 1% health in the Light Phase, Ai restores to full health and enters her Dark Form. This phase introduces new and more punishing mechanics revolving around Doubt, Fear, Sorrow, and Guilt. The phase is relentless, with a focus on intense AoE and crowd control (CC) management.

It is recommended that groups /gg during the ‘roleplay’ transition into Ai’s dark phase to reset and prepare.

New Conditions: Ai’s attacks now apply and , stacking rapidly and making cleansing crucial.

Fear Mechanic (100%-66%):

Fears: If not phased within two minutes, Ai teleports to the center and spawns four Fear enemies. These enemies are invulnerable and fixate on random players. If a Fear reaches a player, it stuns them for six seconds and detonates, dealing heavy damage to the group. Players must kite Fears while dodging the AoEs Ai sends out from the center.

Sorrow Mechanic (66%-33%):

Sorrow Enemies: When Ai reaches 66% health, she teleports to the center and starts channeling a split phase. A stationary Sorrow enemy spawns with a defiance bar that must be broken within 10 seconds. If not broken in time, Sorrow casts a deadly attack that heavily damages the party.
Fears: Continue spawning during this phase, so players must manage them alongside the defiance bar break.

Guilt Mechanic (33%-1%):

Tether Mechanic: At 33%, a Guilt enemy spawns, tethering to the nearest player. This tether applies Crushing Guilt to players, stacking up to 10 stacks, which downs the player. The tether should be passed between multiple players to share the burden. If Guilt tethers to Ai, she gains stacks of Cacophonous Mind, increasing her damage and reducing incoming damage.
Double Sorrow: Two Sorrow enemies spawn during this phase, requiring coordinated CC to prevent their deadly attacks.

Dark Phase Mechanics

Sorrow (66%-33%):

Sorrow Mechanic: As Ai’s health drops to 66%, she introduces Sorrow, a stationary enemy with a defiance bar. This mechanic requires the group to break the bar quickly to avoid a devastating attack.

Sorrow appears and begins a deadly attack if the defiance bar is not broken in time. Watch the mechanics in action to ensure you manage this phase effectively.

Split Attack AoE:

Split AoE Attack: Ai targets random players with a split AoE attack. The targeted player must move away from the group to prevent overlapping damage.

During the Split Attack AoE, targeted players must spread out to avoid overlapping damage, which can devastate the group.

Dark Line Attack:

Dark Line Attack: Ai casts a line attack that moves across the platform. Players must dodge or use defensive abilities to avoid the attack.

The Dark Line Attack is a deadly move from Ai that sweeps across the platform. Ensure you dodge or use defenses to survive this mechanic.

Dark Dash:

Dark Dash: Ai dashes across the platform, dealing heavy damage and knocking players back. This attack requires precise positioning and timing to avoid.

Ai’s Dark Dash is a quick and powerful attack that can knock players off the platform. Position yourself carefully to avoid being caught.

Dark Breakbar Attacks:

Dark Breakbar: Ai’s Dark Phase includes breakbar attacks that must be managed quickly to prevent her from gaining powerful buffs or dealing massive damage to the group.