Garuda (Final Fantasy XII)

Garuda is a boss in Final Fantasy XII. It is fought at the entrance to the Tomb of Raithwall.

Bestiary Entry
Note: Shares the bestiary entry of Garuda-Egi.

Genus: Avion Class: Diver

Page 1: Observations
"Being the legendary foe of the wyrms, as told in 'The Legend of the Dragoons'. Living atop only the highest peaks, they feed primarily on serpents. Natural philosophers have confirmed the existence of two kinds: the garuda, whose glimmering gold wings distinguish it as original stock, and the garuda-egi, whose wings have lost their brilliant luster. Many are the cultures that regard these creatures as gods for their auspicious appearance."

Page 2: On the Extraction of Elements
''Now, it is generally held that the sun has an affinity for fire. However, according to those natural philosophers who have studied white incense, the sun's allegiance lies not with the flame, but with holy power. This, of course, discredits the theory that the sun is but a large, fiery sphere, and has led wiser men to suggest that the sun is indeed a holy object, to which flame has clung: a base light yearning for a higher power.''

Battle
Garuda is a flying enemy, meaning it could only be attacked long-ranged weapons, magicks, or the item Knot of Rust.

To make the battle easier, in the Yensan Sandsea, the player can enter a sidequest involving the Urutan-Yensa and the Urutan Eater. In the Sandscale Bank area that is a Save Crystal area, the player can talk to the Sandsea Moogle who tells the party of the Urutan Eater. The player can then find the Urutan Eater in the Withering Shores area and defeat it. Returning to the moogle, the player can follow a Urutan-Yensa and witness a scene and in the end find Eksir Berries. Eksir Berries are useful against the Garuda as it lowers its Attack power and dispels the effects of its Enrage.

Strategy
The party can unleash their full force by using Fire, Thunder, Water, and Dark magick, which does twice as much damage. Another fast way is to try and build a big Quickening chain. This will deplete its health at a decent amount.

Another strategy to employ is to bombard the boss with the Arcane Magick Dark, to which it is weak to.

Blind renders its physical attacks useless, although it may take a few casts to inflict the status.

Related enemies

 * Dive Talon
 * Zu
 * Vulture
 * Garuda-Egi
 * Pyrolisk
 * Charybterix
 * Imdugud (Rare)
 * Phoenix (Elite Mark)