Dancing Mad (Ultimate)
Dancing Mad (Ultimate) is Dawntrail's second ultimate encounter, in which you face off against Kefka Palazzo. But this is not a simulated version of him conjured by Omega; this Kefka is the real deal.
Note: This timeline exposes the timestamps and damage amounts for all auto-attacks in the encounter. Unless this is information that you need, it is strongly recommended to click the cogwheel in the top right and select "Hide minor actions" to hide all auto-attacks from the timeline and make it easier to read.
This page is still a work-in-progress.
Current stage: 3
The page includes detailed explanations of mechanics, but is still missing concrete strategies and/or diagrams.
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Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Heavy tankbuster that hits twice. First hits first-in-enmity, then second-in-enmity.
This action inflicts no vulnerability debuff, so with a
Hits the second player in enmity with a heavy conal tankbuster.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka commands the statue in the background to tether to all DPS or all supports and execute
The tethered players are knocked back away from north just before
Afterwards, the statue fires a 
Magic Vulnerability Up
Damage Down
Note: If neither
Combines
During the cast, Kefka has two rings around him. The upper ring is thunder and the lower ring is ice. Either one ring, no ring, or both rings may be decorated with question marks. This indicates that the corresponding mechanic is inverted. This means that the area of the arena that is telegraphed as unsafe is actually safe, and everything outside of the AoE telegraph is unsafe.
The thunder ring corresponds to the
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Heavy raidwide.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Three back-to-back instant tankbusters on the first-in-enmity player. Has no indicator or cast bar.
Individual hit of
Individual hit of
Individual hit of
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka commands the statue in the background to tether to all players and execute
The right side of the statue tethers to all supports and the left side to all DPS, or vice-versa.
After a Magic Vulnerability Up
There is a brief interlude afterwards involving a
After the second cycle of the mechanic, 
Double-trouble Trap
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Heavy raidwide.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Three back-to-back instant tankbusters on the first-in-enmity player. Has no indicator or cast bar.
Individual hit of
Individual hit of
Individual hit of
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Inflicts 
Tele-Portent (North)
Tele-Portent (East)
Tele-Portent (South)
Tele-Portent (West)
All players are inflicted with two of these status effects. The second resolves three seconds after the first.
Exactly one player is inflicted with 2× Tele-Portent (North) Tele-Portent (South)
When any of these effects resolve, it places a sigil on the ground that teleports a player in the indicated direction if any player steps on it later. These sigils are single-use only and disappear immediately after use. They also disappear on their own a certain time after being placed.
Players are now tethered to either the left or right side of the statue. All players of the same role are tethered to the same side of the statue. The left side will inflict 
Confused
Sleep
A few seconds after Magic Vulnerability Up
Note: All teleportation sigils must be utilized (stepped on) by a Confused
As of June 23, 2026 the effect of arrows has changed. Before the maintenance hotfix released on this date, arrows always teleported you a set distance in the indicated direction based on where you stepped onto the arrow. This was error-prone, as the server does not register a player being "on" an arrow until the next server tick, which means that players sometimes made it farther onto the arrow than other pulls, potentially messing up the teleport and landing short of the next arrow.
The maintenance hotfix changed this: arrows no longer teleport a player from wherever they entered the arrow; instead they always teleport a player from the center of the arrow.
Combines
During the cast, Kefka has two rings around him. The upper ring is fire and the lower ring is thunder. Either one ring, no ring, or both rings may be decorated with question marks. This indicates that the corresponding mechanic is inverted. For
A purple eye appears on the statue in the background. Deals heavy damage and inflicts Damage Down
A glowing yellow eye with a question mark appears on the statue in the background. Deals heavy damage and inflicts Damage Down
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
If Kefka is not brought below 15% HP by this point, he becomes untargetable and wipes the party.
Wipes the party.
Kefka becomes targetable.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Shared tankbuster on first-in-enmity. Deals massive damage if taken solo, but can be survived with
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Heavy raidwide that inflicts 
Spells' Trouble
This is a mechanic composed of eight sets. Each set is composed of exactly two adjacent towers. The requirements for this mechanic are relatively simple:
- During each set, each tower must be soaked by exactly two players. Soaking a tower with any more or less players deals heavy damage and inflicts
- After all eight sets, all players'
Spells' TroubleLight of Judgment instantly kills any player with any remaining
- Each stack of
cone ,circle , andstack . - The spell corresponding to a stack of
Forsaken cast, and every time a player soaks a tower and cleanses a stack afterwards. Once this indicator disappears, there is no longer any way to check which spell your next - There is a difference between even and odd sets of towers: during even tower sets, Kefka casts either
Future's End orPast's End . This resolves at the same time as the towers themselves and results in 3 clones and Kefka jumping on and inflictinga random player and begin castingAll Things Ending . This is ahalfroom cleave that hits either in front of (ifFuture's End was cast before) or behind (ifPast's End was cast before) the clone/Kefka and resolves at the same time of the next odd tower set.
Cone : Fires an approximately 90° cone towards the closest player, dealing damage and inflictingSpellwave ).Circle : A moderately large point blank AoE that deals damage and inflictsSpellscatter ).Stack : A moderately large (same size as thecircle ) point blank stack that deals lethal damage unless soaked with at least 3 players. InflictsSpelldriver ).
The spells distributed during the initial
- 3 supports or DPS get
circle s. - 3 players of the opposite role get
cone s. - 1 support and 1 DPS get
stack s.
- During odd sets, 1 player gets
cone , 1 player getscircle , and 2 players getstack . - During even sets, 2 players get
cone and 2 players getcircle . - There is one exception to this: the last two sets of towers always distribute 4
stack s. In most cases, this doesn't matter, as these towers would cleanse their soakers' last
Odd tower sets should be soaked by 1× Magic Vulnerability Up
Additionally, because each odd tower set generates 2
It's recommended to split all players into two groups after the
The easiest way to sort players into two groups is to assemble into role pairs during the
- If either you or your partner have
stack , you belong to the first group (group "A"). - If you and your partner have the same spell, you belong to the second group (group "B").
Which tower set which group is responsible for, and what the concrete positions of everyone during a tower set are, depends on the specific strategy you opt to use. There are many possible strategy variations.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Heavy raidwide. Kills any player with any remaining Spells' Trouble
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Three sets of triangles descend. 12 seconds later, the tips of the triangles explode in the order they spawned. These explosions inflict Damage Down
The first triangle set is always composed of three triangles and always appears on the outside of the arena. The second triangle set is composed of only one triangle and also always appears on the outside of the arena. The third triangle set is composed of three triangles and always includes two outside triangles and a triangle in the center of the arena.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
One of Kefka's wings begins to glow and cleaves that half of the arena. Inflicts Damage Down
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
A triangle's tips explode, inflicting Damage Down
A triangle's tips explode, inflicting Damage Down
A triangle's tips explode, inflicting Damage Down
Hits the closest and farthest player with a big circular Magic Vulnerability Up
Shared tankbuster on first-in-enmity. Deals massive damage if taken solo, but can be survived with
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
If Kefka's HP is not reduced to 1 by this point, he becomes untargetable and casts
Wipes the party if Kefka was not reduced to 1 HP before becoming untargetable.
Note: If Phase 1's puzzle mechanic was not correctly executed (see
Knocks back all players from the center of the arena and inflicts 
Down for the Count
Kefka spawns Exdeath and Chaos.
Three times throughout the phase, both bosses will equalize their HP (
As soon as either boss is killed, 
Epic Hero
Fated Hero
References Vaas Montenegro from Far Cry 3, who informs the protagonist that the definition of insanity is "repeating the same thing over and over again and expecting different results" – in other words, exactly what a player group does while attempting to clear this fight.
Chaos and Exdeath become targetable.
Inflicts Epic Hero Fated Hero
Also grants 
Epic Villain
Fated Villain
These debuffs prevent players from dealing damage to Chaos unless they are an Epic Hero Fated Hero
The debuffs last for only a short time, until Exdeath begins casting
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
Exdeath slashes the player who is first-in-enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Exdeath slashes the player who is first-in-enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Chaos inflicts various debuffs on all players.
- 4 random players are inflicted with
Headwind - The other 4 players are inflicted with
Tailwind - 1 random support and 1 random DPS are inflicted with
Entropy - 1 random support and 1 random DPS are inflicted with
Dynamic Fluid
Entropy Dynamic FluidAlso spawns three sigils in the arena (a water square, wind diamond, and fire triangle). These three sigils are always 90° offset from each other. All three sigils target the closest player or players with a mechanic after a corresponding elemental debuff is cleansed:
- The water square targets the closest player(s) with
Tsunami , a smallspread AoE, whenever a - The fire triangle targets the closest player(s) with
Inferno , a moderately largedonut AoE, whenever an - The wind diamond targets the closest player(s) with
Cyclone , a moderately largepartner stack , whenever a
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
Chaos punches the player who is first-in-enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Epic Hero Fated HeroThe status effect(s) fall off from players.
Chaos punches the player who is first-in-enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Chaos punches the player who is first-in-enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Entropy Magic Vulnerability Up
This action can be mitigated by targeted mitigation such as 
Reprisal
Addle
Dynamic Fluid
This action can be mitigated by targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
A large point-blank AoE on Exdeath's position. Inflicts Damage Down
Chaos punches the player who is first-in-enmity, dealing heavy damage.
A moderately large Magic Vulnerability Up Entropy
This action can be mitigated by targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
The water square hits the two closest players with a small AoE that inflicts Magic Vulnerability Up Dynamic Fluid
This action can be mitigated by targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
Any time a Headwind Tailwind
Wind Resistance Down II
This action can be mitigated by targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
Note that, while this is intended as a
Chaos punches the player who is first-in-enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Chaos punches the player who is first-in-enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Hits the closest player to Exdeath with a heavy tankbuster, then does it again. Inflicts 
Lightning Resistance Down II
Individual hit of
Individual hit of
Chaos punches the player who is first-in-enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
Exdeath slashes the player who is first-in-enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka imbues himself with potent magicks and prepares
With
After all eight Magic Vulnerability Up
Exdeath slashes the player who is first-in-enmity, dealing heavy damage.
First hits a cone-shaped area to Chaos's sides, then in front and behind.
The cone-shaped AoE cast out by Damage Down
The cone-shaped AoE cast out by Damage Down
First hits a cone-shaped area in front of and behind Chaos, then to his sides.
The cone-shaped AoE cast out by Damage Down
The cone-shaped AoE cast out by Damage Down
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
Dynamic Fluid
This action can be mitigated by targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
Entropy Magic Vulnerability Up
This action can be mitigated by targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
The water square hits the two closest players with a small AoE that inflicts Magic Vulnerability Up Dynamic Fluid
This action can be mitigated by targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
A moderately large Magic Vulnerability Up Entropy
This action can be mitigated by targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
Any time a Headwind Tailwind Wind Resistance Down II
This action can be mitigated by targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
Note that, while this is intended as a
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
Chaos punches the player who is first-in-enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka dashes from any cardinal or intercardinal across to the opposite side, dealing raidwide damage to all players.
This action cannot be mitigated by targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
Kefka dashes from any cardinal or intercardinal across to the opposite side, dealing raidwide damage to all players.
This action cannot be mitigated by targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
Kefka dashes from any cardinal or intercardinal across to the opposite side, dealing raidwide damage to all players.
This action cannot be mitigated by targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
At the start of the cast Chaos locks onto the farthest player and jumps to that position at the end of the cast, dealing heavy proximity damage.
Designate a player to bait the jump. They should be at the edge of the arena before the cast begins, then move to the opposite side (along with the rest of the party) before the cast ends.
Kefka dashes from any cardinal or intercardinal across to the opposite side, dealing raidwide damage to all players.
This action cannot be mitigated by targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
Exdeath knocks all players away from him. Can be avoided using knockback immunity such as 
Arm's Length
Surecast
This is players' last opportunity to cleanse Headwind Tailwind
Exdeath slashes the player who is first-in-enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka dashes from any cardinal or intercardinal across to the opposite side, dealing raidwide damage to all players.
This action cannot be mitigated by targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
Kefka dashes from any cardinal or intercardinal across to the opposite side, dealing raidwide damage to all players.
This action cannot be mitigated by targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
Chaos punches the player who is first-in-enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Any time a Headwind Tailwind Wind Resistance Down II
This action can be mitigated by targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
Note that, while this is intended as a
Kefka dashes from any cardinal or intercardinal across to the opposite side, dealing raidwide damage to all players.
This action cannot be mitigated by targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
Kefka dashes from any cardinal or intercardinal across to the opposite side, dealing raidwide damage to all players.
This action cannot be mitigated by targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
Exdeath slashes the player who is first-in-enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Chaos and Exdeath equalize their HP.
Mathematically, the boss with the higher HP transfers half of the HP difference between them and the other boss to the other boss.
Chaos punches the player who is first-in-enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
All players are assigned a
Example: Kefka's initial raidwide pulse goes from west to east. Subsequent pulses proceed clockwise. For
Each hit inflicts Magic Vulnerability Up
This action cannot be mitigated by targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
Keep track of the initial raidwide pulses and which way they're going, then invert that direction in your head. Remember that you don't go where the pulses start, players need to go where they end up.
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
Chaos punches the player who is first-in-enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Chaos punches the player who is first-in-enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Hits the closest player to Exdeath with a heavy tankbuster, then does it again. Inflicts Lightning Resistance Down II
Individual hit of
Individual hit of
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
Inflicts Epic Hero Fated Hero
Also grants Epic Villain Fated Villain
These debuffs prevent players from dealing damage to Chaos unless they are an Epic Hero Fated Hero
The debuffs last for only a short time, until Exdeath begins casting
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
Chaos punches the player who is first-in-enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Chaos punches the player who is first-in-enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Hits the closest player to Exdeath with a heavy tankbuster, then does it again. Inflicts Lightning Resistance Down II
Individual hit of
Individual hit of
Kefka becomes big. Really big.
Sets all players' HP to 1, inflicts players with various status effects, and spawns an earth shape in the middle of the arena.
- 1 random support and 1 random DPS are inflicted with
Accretion - 1 random DPS, 1 random support, and one of the
First in Line
Primordial Crust - 1 random DPS, 1 random support, and the other
Second in Line - The remaining 2 players are inflicted with
Third in Line
Accretion Primordial CrustCleansing either Accretion Primordial Crust
Earth Resistance Down II
Dying at any point while either Primordial Crust Accretion
Be aware that this entire mechanic is essentially one long Primordial Crust Earth Resistance Down II
Note: Primordial Crust
Healers should methodically cleanse Accretion Accretion
Primordial Crust
Unbecoming
Meanest Existence Primordial Crust
Ensure that you never have two or more Meanest Existence
Failing to cleanse both
Slap Happy Left /Slap Happy Right leads to an instant wipe.Cleansing two debuffs at the same time results in an instant wipe.
Getting hit by an avoidable AoE and dying to it, or dying due to insufficient healing, triggers
Earthquake and results in an instant wipe if this happens duringNothingness .Failing to aim Chaos at an intercardinal relative to Kefka before
Longitudinal Implosion /Latitudinal Implosion is an almost guaranteed wipe, as it is not possible to dodge Chaos'sShockwave s in a way that is also safe fromSlap Happy Left /Slap Happy Right .Not taking your tether far enough can easily result in you getting clipped by another
Nothingness , likely resulting in a wipe.Walking through either boss during
Black Hole can easily result in a death or wipe, as the two boss models are big enough to completely cover a potential black hole.Not returning to the center of the arena and looking directly at Kefka before each tether set can result in a wipe, as Kefka is so large that the perspective can easily make it seem like a tether black hole is directly in front of him when it actually isn't, thus causing someone to pick up the wrong tether.
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
Accretion Primordial Crust Earth Resistance Down II
Targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
Accretion Primordial Crust Earth Resistance Down II
Targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka hits the right side of the arena relative to where he's facing with a series of slaps, then hits the center of the arena and casts a conal full party stack at a random player at the same time (
This sequence of hits cannot be mitigated by targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
Kefka hits the left side of the arena relative to where he's facing with a series of slaps, then hits the center of the arena and casts a conal role spread at one random player of each role (
This sequence of hits cannot be mitigated by targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
Chaos punches the player who is first-in-enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Exdeath creates a series of small black holes around the arena. Stepping into one inflicts Damage Down
Some of the black holes close to the edge of the arena tether to players. The tether can be passed. After a short time, these black holes fire Unbecoming Meanest Existence
This mechanic repeats two more times, but the distribution of
Black Hole 1: one tether, followed by two tethers.Black Hole 2 and 3: three tethers, followed by three tethers, followed by another three tethers.Black Hole 4: two tethers, followed by one tether.
Meanest ExistenceAt the end of each
The first two sets of
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
A black hole fires a line AoE at its tethered player, inflicting Unbecoming
If the player already has Unbecoming Meanest Existence
If the player already has Meanest Existence
Chaos and Exdeath equalize their HP.
Mathematically, the boss with the higher HP transfers half of the HP difference between them and the other boss to the other boss.
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
A black hole fires a line AoE at its tethered player, inflicting Unbecoming
If the player already has Unbecoming Meanest Existence
If the player already has Meanest Existence
Chaos punches the player who is first-in-enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Chaos punches the player who is first-in-enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Hits the closest player to Exdeath with a heavy tankbuster, then does it again. Inflicts Lightning Resistance Down II
Individual hit of
Individual hit of
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
Exdeath slashes the player who is first-in-enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Chaos faces a random player and begins casting. At the end of the cast, deals heavy damage and inflicts Damage Down
Exdeath slashes the player who is first-in-enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka hits the right side of the arena relative to where he's facing with a series of slaps, then hits the center of the arena and casts a conal full party stack at a random player at the same time (
This sequence of hits cannot be mitigated by targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
Individual hit of Damage Down
Individual hit of Damage Down
Individual hit of Damage Down
The center AoE at the end of Damage Down
A conal full party stack originating from the center of the arena. Always follows
Kefka hits the left side of the arena relative to where he's facing with a series of slaps, then hits the center of the arena and casts a conal role spread at one random player of each role (
This sequence of hits cannot be mitigated by targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
Individual hit of Damage Down
Individual hit of Damage Down
Individual hit of Damage Down
The center AoE at the end of Damage Down
A cone originates from the center of the arena. Inflicts Magic Vulnerability Up
- Left hand: Targets one random player
of each role (DPS, healers, tanks) for heavy, fixed (i.e. not shareable) damage. - Right hand: Targets one random player for a full party
stack .
Chaos punches the player who is first-in-enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Exdeath slashes the player who is first-in-enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
Chaos punches the player who is first-in-enmity, dealing heavy damage.
The next three sets of
A black hole fires a line AoE at its tethered player, inflicting Unbecoming
If the player already has Unbecoming Meanest Existence
If the player already has Meanest Existence
Accretion Primordial Crust Earth Resistance Down II
Targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
A black hole fires a line AoE at its tethered player, inflicting Unbecoming
If the player already has Unbecoming Meanest Existence
If the player already has Meanest Existence
Accretion Primordial Crust Earth Resistance Down II
Targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
A black hole fires a line AoE at its tethered player, inflicting Unbecoming
If the player already has Unbecoming Meanest Existence
If the player already has Meanest Existence
Accretion Primordial Crust Earth Resistance Down II
Targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
Exdeath slashes the player who is first-in-enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Chaos faces a random player and begins casting. At the end of the cast, deals heavy damage and inflicts Damage Down
Kefka slams the arena in a
Chaos punches the player who is first-in-enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Hits the closest player to Exdeath with a heavy tankbuster, then does it again. Inflicts Lightning Resistance Down II
Individual hit of
Individual hit of
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
Exdeath slashes the player who is first-in-enmity, dealing heavy damage.
The next three sets of
A black hole fires a line AoE at its tethered player, inflicting Unbecoming
If the player already has Unbecoming Meanest Existence
If the player already has Meanest Existence
Accretion Primordial Crust Earth Resistance Down II
Targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
Chaos and Exdeath equalize their HP.
Mathematically, the boss with the higher HP transfers half of the HP difference between them and the other boss to the other boss.
A black hole fires a line AoE at its tethered player, inflicting Unbecoming
If the player already has Unbecoming Meanest Existence
If the player already has Meanest Existence
Accretion Primordial Crust Earth Resistance Down II
Targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
A black hole fires a line AoE at its tethered player, inflicting Unbecoming
If the player already has Unbecoming Meanest Existence
If the player already has Meanest Existence
Accretion Primordial Crust Earth Resistance Down II
Targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
First hits a cone-shaped area to Chaos's sides, then in front and behind.
The cone-shaped AoE cast out by Damage Down
The cone-shaped AoE cast out by Damage Down
First hits a cone-shaped area in front of and behind Chaos, then to his sides.
The cone-shaped AoE cast out by Damage Down
The cone-shaped AoE cast out by Damage Down
Petrifies any player not at full health and kills any player under 50% health.
Kefka hits the right side of the arena relative to where he's facing with a series of slaps, then hits the center of the arena and casts a conal full party stack at a random player at the same time (
This sequence of hits cannot be mitigated by targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
Individual hit of Damage Down
Individual hit of Damage Down
Individual hit of Damage Down
The center AoE at the end of Damage Down
A conal full party stack originating from the center of the arena. Always follows
Kefka hits the left side of the arena relative to where he's facing with a series of slaps, then hits the center of the arena and casts a conal role spread at one random player of each role (
This sequence of hits cannot be mitigated by targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
Individual hit of Damage Down
Individual hit of Damage Down
Individual hit of Damage Down
The center AoE at the end of Damage Down
A cone originates from the center of the arena. Inflicts Magic Vulnerability Up
- Left hand: Targets one random player
of each role (DPS, healers, tanks) for heavy, fixed (i.e. not shareable) damage. - Right hand: Targets one random player for a full party
stack .
Exdeath slashes the player who is first-in-enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
The last two sets of
A black hole fires a line AoE at its tethered player, inflicting Unbecoming
If the player already has Unbecoming Meanest Existence
If the player already has Meanest Existence
Accretion Primordial Crust Earth Resistance Down II
Targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
Kefka slams the center of the arena, then gets up on top of it in the direction he slammed.
A black hole fires a line AoE at its tethered player, inflicting Unbecoming
If the player already has Unbecoming Meanest Existence
If the player already has Meanest Existence
Accretion Primordial Crust Earth Resistance Down II
Targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
Chaos punches the player who is first-in-enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Two sets of delayed AoEs spawn underneath all players. Each AoE Inflicts Damage Down
Kefka climbs onto the arena and stomps twice with each foot. Each stomp represents a Magic Vulnerability Up
These hits cannot be mitigated by targeted mitigation such as Reprisal Addle
If a DPS is targeted by
Freezes and inflicts Damage Down
AoEs resolve wherever the Damage Down
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
Both bosses auto-attack their first-in-enmity target, dealing heavy damage.
If neither boss is defeated by this point, they become untargetable and cast their enrage.
As soon as either boss is defeated, the other immediately begins casting their enrage but does not go untargetable.
If Exdeath is not defeated by this point, he wipes the party.
If Chaos is not defeated by this point, he wipes the party.
Kefka becomes targetable.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Spawns Neo-Exdeath and Chaos on the outside of the arena and prepares to execute various debuff-inflicting mechanics.
Neo-Exdeath will cast Grand Cross three times and Chaos will cast
These debuffs may be inverted depending on whether or not Neo-Exdeath/Chaos have Kefka's question marks surrounding them during the cast. This applies only to the debuffs inflicted by that specific cast. This means that all debuffs or no debuffs could be inverted, or (more likely) a mix of both real and inverted debuffs.
It is strongly recommended to have at least one player on macro duty. They would then keep track of at least 
Cursed Shriek Cursed Shriek Entropy Dynamic Fluid
Forked Lightning
Compressed Water
References the popular game Simon Says, which mirrors this phase quite closely. In Simon Says, the designated "Simon" gives commands to the other players, but those commands are fake if "Simon" does not prefix them with "Simon says [...]". Following a fake command, or failing to follow a true command, results in immediate disqualification.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Combines
During the cast, Kefka has two rings around him. The upper ring is thunder and the lower ring is ice. Either one ring, no ring, or both rings may be decorated with question marks. This indicates that the corresponding mechanic is inverted. This means that the area of the arena that is telegraphed as unsafe is actually safe, and everything outside of the AoE telegraph is unsafe.
The thunder ring corresponds to the
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Deals heavy raidwide damage and inflicts Forked Lightning Compressed Water Cursed Shriek
Acceleration Bomb
Neo-Exdeath may have Kefka-like question marks surrounding him during the cast, in which case all inflicted status effects are inverted (fake). Check the description for each status effect to learn about what that means for any given effect.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Deals moderate raidwide damage and inflicts Dynamic Fluid
Chaos may have Kefka-like question marks surrounding him during the cast, in which case all Dynamic Fluid Dynamic Fluid
Deals moderate raidwide damage and inflicts Entropy
Chaos may have Kefka-like question marks surrounding him during the cast, in which case all Entropy Entropy
Combines
During the cast, Kefka has two rings around him. The upper ring is thunder and the lower ring is ice. Either one ring, no ring, or both rings may be decorated with question marks. This indicates that the corresponding mechanic is inverted. This means that the area of the arena that is telegraphed as unsafe is actually safe, and everything outside of the AoE telegraph is unsafe.
The thunder ring corresponds to the
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Deals heavy raidwide damage and inflicts Forked Lightning Compressed Water Cursed Shriek Acceleration Bomb
All debuffs have a different duration than the previous set, and no player may be inflicted with a debuff they already have.
Neo-Exdeath may have Kefka-like question marks surrounding him during the cast, in which case all inflicted status effects are inverted (fake). Check the description for each status effect to learn about what that means for any given effect.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Deals moderate raidwide damage and inflicts Entropy
Chaos may have Kefka-like question marks surrounding him during the cast, in which case all Entropy Entropy
Deals moderate raidwide damage and inflicts Dynamic Fluid
Chaos may have Kefka-like question marks surrounding him during the cast, in which case all Dynamic Fluid Dynamic Fluid
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Combines
During the cast, Kefka has two rings around him. The upper ring is thunder and the lower ring is ice. Either one ring, no ring, or both rings may be decorated with question marks. This indicates that the corresponding mechanic is inverted. This means that the area of the arena that is telegraphed as unsafe is actually safe, and everything outside of the AoE telegraph is unsafe.
The thunder ring corresponds to the
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Deals heavy raidwide damage and inflicts 
Black Wound
White Wound
Beyond Death
Allagan Field
Neo-Exdeath may have Kefka-like question marks surrounding him during the cast, in which case all inflicted status effects are inverted (fake). Check the description for each status effect to learn about what that means for any given effect.
Note: the truthiness (inverted) state of the status effects inflicted by this action does not matter, because either both effects are true or both effects are inverted at the same time, meaning they cancel out.
The left half of the arena is
A thin strip in the middle of the arena during
Half the arena explodes in white antilight. Its effect depends on the player's debuff:
Opposite colours (real Black Wound White Wound
White Wound Black Wound
Note that this action may be fake, in which case it is replaced by
Half the arena explodes in black antilight. Its effect depends on the player's debuff:
Opposite colours (real White Wound Black Wound
Black Wound White Wound
Note that this action may be fake, in which case it is replaced by
Allagan Field
In the case of a fake Allagan Field
Stores the truthiness of the next
Grants Kefka 
Mana Charge
Compressed Water
Forked Lightning
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Line AoEs resolve, dealing heavy damage and inflicting Damage Down
If the lightning ring around Kefka has question marks, this AoE is inverted, instead hitting where the telegraph isn't.
Cursed Shriek
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Moderate raidwide.
The invisible AoE dropped by Entropy Damage Down
Compressed Water
Forked Lightning
Cone AoEs resolve, dealing heavy damage and inflicting Damage Down
If the ice ring around Kefka has question marks, this AoE is inverted, instead hitting where the telegraph isn't.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Cursed Shriek
Kefka shows a ring with optional question marks for both thunder and ice, same as during
However, he does not execute the AoEs immediately. Instead, he executes
Note that these AoEs combine the truthiness state of both the question mark rings during
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
The invisible AoE dropped by Dynamic Fluid Damage Down
Combines the truthiness state of both
Combines the truthiness state of both
Kefka kicks the first player in enmity, dealing heavy damage.
If Kefka is not brought below 25% HP by this point, he becomes untargetable and wipes the party, otherwise he begins casting
Wipes the party.
Moderate raidwide.
Kefka becomes targetable for the final phase. The auto-attacks in this phase are called
Heavy 4-hit raidwide.
Targets the first-in-enmity player and a random DPS and healer with a heavy
Each of these deals a fixed amount of damage. They are not stacks.
Heavy tankbuster-like auto-attack on first-in-enmity.
A
A
Targets the first-in-enmity player and a random DPS and healer with a heavy
Each of these deals a fixed amount of damage. They are not stacks.
Heavy tankbuster-like auto-attack on first-in-enmity.
A
A
Targets the first-in-enmity player and a random DPS and healer with a heavy
Each of these deals a fixed amount of damage. They are not stacks.
Heavy tankbuster-like auto-attack on first-in-enmity.
A
A
Telegraphs 4 sets of 2 diagonal line AoEs each in quick succession, then executes them, inflicting Damage Down
As the attack is executed, four random players in a row are targeted by
Targets multiple players with multiple sets of AoEs.
First set:
- First-in-enmity is targeted by
Flare , a moderately large AoE that deals heavy damage and inflicts a brief
Surprise Flare - Second-in-enmity is targeted by
Flare , a moderately large AoE that deals heavy damage and inflicts a brief
Surprise Holy - 3 other random players are targeted by
Holy Random , a moderately large AoE that deals heavy damage and inflicts a long
- First-in-enmity is targeted by
Chaotic Flare , a moderately largeshared tankbuster . - The three closest players to Kefka are targeted by
Holy Proximity , a moderately large AoE that deals heavy damage and inflicts a long
defamation -type AoE that deals heavy damage and inflictsFlare Diffusion ).stack (Chaotic Holy ).
First set: Everyone spreads outside Kefka's hitbox as overlapping AoEs is lethal. Both tanks should be next to each other (but spread), so they can collapse together to share
Second set: Tanks collapse to share
Third set: The off-tank (with Surprise Holy
Provoke Surprise Flare Surprise Holy Surprise Holy
Three random players who are not first or second in enmity take moderate damage and are inflicted with a long Magic Vulnerability Up
Hits first and second in enmity with a heavy AoE attack. First-in-enmity is inflicted with Surprise Flare Surprise Holy
The three closest players to Kefka take moderate damage and are inflicted with Magic Vulnerability Up
A simple shared tankbuster.
Surprise Flare Magic Vulnerability Up
Surprise Holy Magic Vulnerability Up
Targets the first-in-enmity player and a random DPS and healer with a heavy
Each of these deals a fixed amount of damage. They are not stacks.
Heavy tankbuster-like auto-attack on first-in-enmity.
A
A
Targets the first-in-enmity player and a random DPS and healer with a heavy
Each of these deals a fixed amount of damage. They are not stacks.
Heavy tankbuster-like auto-attack on first-in-enmity.
A
A
Spawns 9 elemental towers around the arena and inflicts 2 players with 
Fire Resistance Down II Lightning Resistance Down II
Ice Resistance Down II
The towers spawn in a random configuration, but there are always 3 fire towers, 3 lightning towers, and 3 ice towers. All towers belonging to the same element are guaranteed to always be beside each other. All towers are 2-person towers and will explode if soaked with less players. A tower that explodes deals mild raidwide damage and inflicts Damage Down
There are three sets of tower resolutions. Each set involves all 4 towers and all 3 elements. This means that two elements will feature one tower resolving and the last element will feature two towers resolving. Towers that are about to resolve begin to glow. Towers that have already resolved do not disappear, but they are inactive for the rest of the mechanic and cannot resolve again.
The three elemental vulnerability debuffs each last for 20 seconds. When a tower resolves, it applies the corresponding Resistance Down debuff on the players who soaked it. This debuff lasts for the rest of the mechanic. The debuffs that are inflicted by the
At the same time as the first and third set of towers, Kefka casts
After the initial cast, 6 players will have debuffs. These players find the three towers that correspond to their debuff (e.g. if you have Ice Resistance Down II
The 2 players without debuffs must soak the duplicate active elemental tower, i.e. the second active tower for the element that has two active towers, because no other player can soak that tower. These players need simply check which element has two active towers and soak the rightmost (clockwise) one each time.
Watch out for
Heavy 4-hit raidwide.
Targets the first-in-enmity player and a random DPS and healer with a heavy
Each of these deals a fixed amount of damage. They are not stacks.
Heavy tankbuster-like auto-attack on first-in-enmity.
A
A
Targets the first-in-enmity player and a random DPS and healer with a heavy
Each of these deals a fixed amount of damage. They are not stacks.
Heavy tankbuster-like auto-attack on first-in-enmity.
A
A
Spawns multiple exaflares originating from northwest and northeast.
There are, in total, 6 sets of exaflares – 3 coming from northwest and 3 from northeast. All exaflare sets are composed of two Damage Down
The first set always spawns from northwest, the second from northeast, the third from northwest again, and so on.
These are some of the simplest exaflares we have seen so far, simpler even to resolve than Golden Bahamut's exaflares. Look northwest at the start of the cast and position yourself outside the path of the first set of exas. Then look northeast and, without leaving the safe row for the first set of exas, move in a straight line so you're now in the safe row for the second set of exas too. Repeat until done.
Each exaflare set always has a safe row in melee range, so you do not need to leave melee range for this mechanic.
During the last set of exas, find your
Simple spreads on all players, dealing moderate damage and inflicting Magic Vulnerability Up
Targets multiple players with multiple sets of AoEs.
First set:
- First-in-enmity is targeted by
Flare , a moderately large AoE that deals heavy damage and inflicts a brief - Second-in-enmity is targeted by
Flare , a moderately large AoE that deals heavy damage and inflicts a brief - 3 other random players are targeted by
Holy Random , a moderately large AoE that deals heavy damage and inflicts a long
- First-in-enmity is targeted by
Chaotic Flare , a moderately largeshared tankbuster . - The three closest players to Kefka are targeted by
Holy Proximity , a moderately large AoE that deals heavy damage and inflicts a long
defamation -type AoE that deals heavy damage and inflictsFlare Diffusion ).stack (Chaotic Holy ).
First set: Everyone spreads outside Kefka's hitbox as overlapping AoEs is lethal. Both tanks should be next to each other (but spread), so they can collapse together to share
Second set: Tanks collapse to share
Third set: The off-tank (with Surprise Holy Provoke Surprise Flare Surprise Holy Surprise Holy
Three random players who are not first or second in enmity take moderate damage and are inflicted with a long Magic Vulnerability Up
Hits first and second in enmity with a heavy AoE attack. First-in-enmity is inflicted with Surprise Flare Surprise Holy
The three closest players to Kefka take moderate damage and are inflicted with Magic Vulnerability Up
A simple shared tankbuster.
Surprise Flare Magic Vulnerability Up
Surprise Holy Magic Vulnerability Up
Targets the first-in-enmity player and a random DPS and healer with a heavy
Each of these deals a fixed amount of damage. They are not stacks.
Heavy tankbuster-like auto-attack on first-in-enmity.
A
A
Targets the first-in-enmity player and a random DPS and healer with a heavy
Each of these deals a fixed amount of damage. They are not stacks.
Heavy tankbuster-like auto-attack on first-in-enmity.
A
A
Targets the first-in-enmity player and a random DPS and healer with a heavy
Each of these deals a fixed amount of damage. They are not stacks.
Heavy tankbuster-like auto-attack on first-in-enmity.
A
A
Extremely heavy raidwide that begins the enrage sequence.
The enrage sequence begins of 4 sets. For each hit there is:
- A large telegraphed AoE on the cardinal or intercardinal closest to the party (
Forsaken AoE ). - Two large telegraphed puddle AoEs on a random cardinal or intercardinal. (Or the middle for the first set.) Leaves behind a puddle that, when entered at any point, inflicts
ForsakenForsaken Ground ). - A full party stack on a telegraphed player (
Forsaken Bonds ) that deals extremely high damage. - A few seconds later, another
Forsaken raidwide that deals extremely high damage and begins the next set.
If any player is still alive by the end of this soft enrage sequence, Kefka begins to cast Forsaken
Move as a party, in a coordinated manner. This is one of the hardest hitting raidwide sequences in the entire game, so a proper mitigation plan is essential.
Do not be afraid of moving through
The final enrage cast.
After this cast finishes, Kefka executes a final attack animation. This animation lasts for approximately 4 seconds. Once it finishes, all players are inflicted with Forsaken
Kefka inflicts Forsaken
A'rhaeda Vhil 
