Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail - The Minstrel's Ballad: Sphene's Burden Trial Guide

Conquer the Queen Eternal Extreme in FFXIV's Dawntrail: A Comprehensive Guide

Defeating the final boss, the Queen Eternal, in the Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail expansion unlocks her even more challenging Extreme Trial: The Minstrel's Ballad: Sphene's Burden. This significantly harder encounter demands precise teamwork and a thorough understanding of its mechanics. The rewards, however, particularly the coveted Extreme Trial mounts, make the effort worthwhile.

Unleashing Sphene's Burden: Accessing the Trial

To unlock Sphene's Burden, complete the Main Scenario Quest "Dawntrail." Then, speak with the Wandering Minstrel in Tuliyollal (X:11.2, Y:14.7). Initiating a conversation about Sphene will trigger the duty unlock. This level 100 Extreme Trial requires a minimum Item Level of 710.

Preparation is key. Use the Party Finder to locate groups and study the fight's mechanics beforehand, unless joining a "blind progression" party. Strategies may vary between Data Centers; this guide focuses on North American Data Center strategies.

A Guide to Sphene's Burden: Mastering the Mechanics

Standard Extreme Trial formation applies: two Light Parties (2 DPS, 1 Healer, 1 Tank each). Establish square positioning for Meteor Impact, with DPS outside and Tanks/Healers inside.

The Queen Eternal employs diverse attack patterns across several phases:

Wind Phase

Attack	Type	Description
Aethertite	Special	Similar to the normal mode, Sphene distorts the arena; players on it are pulled in, then healers are targeted by lasers. Damage must be shared.
Virtual Shift	AoE	Heavy raidwide damage; transitions to new attacks.
Laws of Wind	Stack AoE	Healers receive stack markers; groups position accordingly. DPS are tethered to a Tank/Healer with a debuff.
Legitimate Force	Special	Attacks one side of the arena, then the other. Observe the boss to predict the attack order.
World Shatter	AoE	Heavy raidwide damage; returns the arena to normal.

The Wind phase concludes with regular attacks, leading to the Meteor Impact mechanic.

Earth Phase

Attack	Type	Description
Prosecution of War	Double-hitting Tankbuster	Hits the main tank twice, applying Vulnerability Up. Tanks must swap or use invulnerability.
Divide and Conquer	Line AoEs	Line AoEs target all players; lines reappear after the final hit. Players must spread and dodge.
Royal Domain	AoE	Raidwide damage.
Virtual Shift	AoE	Heavy raidwide damage; transitions to a new arena with platforms and a gravity device.
Laws of Earth	Special	Spawns eight "towers"; Light Parties must position to absorb them.
Legitimate Force	Special	Attacks one side, then the other.
Gravitational Empire	Special	Targets two players on each side with a spread debuff and a line AoE.
Meteor Impact	Special	Meteors target all players; players must be floating to survive. "L Meteor" positioning is an alternative strategy.
Weighty Blow	Special	Targets a player on each platform with an explosive attack (four times). Meteors can block these attacks.
World Shatter	AoE	Heavy raidwide damage; returns the arena to normal.

Careful coordination is crucial for the Meteor Impact mechanic; forgetting the gravity device or overlapping meteors is a common mistake.

Coronation

Attack	Type	Description
Prosecution of War	Double-hitting Tankbuster	Hits the main tank twice, applying Vulnerability Up. Tanks must swap or use invulnerability.
Coronation	Special	Spawns four triangles; linked players move them to avoid lasers. Players receive a spread debuff.
Atomic Ray	Special	Laser cast during Coronation.
Absolute Authority	Special	Heavy-hitting AoEs and a knockback; use immunity.

Coronation, while visually complex, is manageable with proper player positioning. Absolute Authority is a significant healing check.

Ice Phase

Attack	Type	Description
Virtual Shift	AoE	Heavy raidwide damage; transitions to an arena with ice platforms that break if multiple players stand on them.
Laws of Ice	Special	Players receive timers; they must keep moving to avoid freezing.
Rush	Line AoE	Players are linked to ice shards; these must be stretched correctly on side platforms.
Legitimate Force	Special	Attacks one side, then the other. Be mindful of the ice bridges.
Laws of Ice	Special	Timers, tethers, and line stacks require precise coordination to avoid heavy AoE damage.
Virtual Shift	AoE	Heavy raidwide damage; returns the arena to normal.

The Ice phase is arguably the most demanding, requiring quick reactions and precise execution.

Shifting Phase

Attack	Type	Description
Radical Shift	Special	Changes the arena to one of the three previous arenas. Observe the spinning effects to predict the next arena.
World Shatter	AoE	Heavy raidwide damage; returns to the normal arena.
Dimensional Distortion	Flare AoE	Moving AoE circles; players must time their movements to avoid damage.
Tyrant's Grasp	AoE	Hits the front area and spawns towers for Tanks to handle.
Royal Banishment	Line AoE	Heavy AoEs requiring significant mitigation.

The Shifting phase repeats Radical Shift twice more. Failure to defeat Sphene before her final Preservation cast results in a wipe. "AFK markers" for Radical Shift help avoid falling.

Rewards of Victory: Sphene's Burden Loot

Players receive two Totem Eternals, exchangeable for other rewards. The Treasure Coffer contains:

Item	Type	Guaranteed?
Queen Eternal Weapon Coffer (ILVL 725)	Weapon	Yes
Random Eternal Weapon	Weapon	Yes
Faded Copy of Paved in Solitude	Orchestrion	No
Eternal Queensguard	Material	No
Wings of Eternity	Mount	No

A Queen Eternal Triple Triad Card is also a possible random drop. Totem Eternals can be exchanged for weapons with Uah'shepya in Solution Nine (X:8.7 Y:13.5). The Wings of Eternity mount requires 99 Totems and becomes available months after the trial's release.

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