Cloud of Darkness (Final Fantasy XIV boss)

The Cloud of Darkness is a boss from Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. She is the final boss of the Crystal Tower raids, and is based on the final boss from Final Fantasy III.

Strategies
As the final enemy of the Crystal Tower story and one of the most powerful known Voidsent, the Cloud of Darkness is a force to be reckoned with. She uses a variety of Particle Beam attacks (many that inflict Vulnerability Up), each that must be handled in various ways:


 * Zero-form Particle Beam - She teleports to a random spot on the edge of the arena, and then fires the attack. Players much watch careful to avoid getting hit. Inflicts one stack of Vulnerability Up.
 * Feint Particle Beam - One player is targeted (with crosshairs), and the attack strikes. A series of vertical beams chases them across the area. The targeted should sprint away from others until the attack ceases. Inflicts one stack of Vulnerability Up (per hit).
 * Stationary Particle Beams - A glowing emblem appears at various places in the arena, with an energy beam slowly descending. Players must step into each pad to intercept it (indicated by a blue circle), damaging only those inside. Any isolated pads will cause the beam to damage the entire alliance, which can easily wipe the whole raid if multiple are left unchecked.
 * Hypercharged Particle Beams - Three "Hypercharged Clouds" will spawn with an orange barrier eventually surrounding it, preparing a Particle Beam. Each party in the alliance must get to a cloud and destroy them before they can unleash the beams.

When her health reaches 70%, she will begin to prepare her Flood of Darkness by inhaling Dark Clouds and Dark Storms that spawn in the arena. Each that reach her will increase the power of the attack, so it is necessary to defeat them. Any player that touches one of the cloud inflicts Heavy status on it, making it easier for DPS to eliminate them. In addition, vertical Particle Beam pads will appear throughout this sequence. Once she says "Darkness take you all!", the attack fires, hitting everyone in the alliance.

After the first Flood of Darkness, she sends several tentacle Shadowlurkers out. These snakes will pop up and will use Bad Breath or Black Lightning if left alone. However, they will retreat upon taking any damage, so ranged classes can easily drive them off before they can attack. She will eventually summon Hypercharged Clouds to perform Particle Beams (see above).

At 35% health, she readies Flood of Darkness again. There are more clouds to deal with this time, and Shadowlurkers will pop-up along with beam pads.