Sastasha (dungeon)

Sastasha
(天然要害 サスタシャ浸食洞, Tennen Yōgai - Sasutasha Shinshokudō?, lit. Natural Fortress - Sastasha Erosion Cave)
Expansion	A Realm Reborn
Patch	2.0
Type	Dungeon
Location	Sastasha
Weather	Fair Skies
Level	15 (Synced to 18)
Time limit	90 minutes
Party comp	x1 x1 x2
Roulette	Leveling
Unlock quest	It's Probably Pirates
Followed by	The Tam-Tara Deepcroft
Bosses	Chopper Captain Madison (1|2) Denn the Orcatoothed
Available modes	Unrestricted party Duty Support
Duty Support NPCs	Eager Marauder Eager Conjurer Eager Lancer Eager Thaumaturge

After a period of relative silence following the Calamity, the Serpent Reavers have once again taken to terrorizing the inland hamlets of La Noscea─killing the men, kidnapping the women and children, plundering the storehouses, and burning what little they leave behind. For years, it was not known how the pirates were able to raid areas so far from the coast, until a local shepherd sighted a band of painted ruffians entering the Sastasha Seagrot, carrying large quantities of sacks and crates. Could it be that there is more to this cave than meets the eye?

Duty finder description

Sastasha is the first dungeon that players will encounter in Final Fantasy XIV. This grotto hides a den for the Serpent Reavers, pirates aligned with the Sahagin and led by Captain Madison, from which they launch their raids into Lominsan settlements. It is part of a trio of consecutive low-level dungeons alongside The Tam-Tara Deepcroft and Copperbell Mines, all sharing the same loot and serving to acclimatize new players to partying with others. A hard mode of Sastasha was released in patch 2.4.

Objectives

Map of Sastasha.

Objectives are paraphrased and expanded on from their in-game listing for clarity.

• Activate the coral trigger
• Defeat Chopper and open the hidden door
• Discover and defeat Captain Madison
• Obtain the Waverider Gate key and open Waverider Gate
• Defeat Captain Madison again
• Defeat Denn the Orcatoothed

Progression

Sastasha Seagrot

Wauling Pond, Empty Room, and the Cattery

The path to the first boss is a winding one with a handful of dead ends. Immediately after the first group of enemies a small room can be found. It contains a bloody memo that can be examined by a member of the adventuring party before proceeding. This note contains a piece of information regarding the coral formations found in the Cattery, informing the party of which they should touch so as to avoid triggering the trap. The note will state that "The Capten lykes" an object and its color. The options are "his sees Bloo," "his wyne Redd", and "his kebbage Green", indicating blue, red, and green respectively.

Continuing down the path will lead to the Cattery, a large area tightly packed with enemies. A number of Giant Clams are found interspersed through the area accompanied by Shade Seekers, the clams alternating between an open and closed state, becoming invulnerable to damage while closed. The clams will spawn up to two Shade Seekers every time they open if less than four Shade Seekers are alive; however, the clams will not aggro if they aren't attacked, so it is possible to just skip by them and be out of aggro range of any subsequent Shade Seeker spawns. A treasure coffer containing the crafting ingredient Seagrot Water may be found on a side path mid-way through the room, but requires defeating another Giant Clam to reach.

There are no barriers to progression between the duty entrance and the end of the Cattery. Daring parties can potentially chain pull all the way to the first boss, taking care to avoid the optional packs of Shade Seekers in the Cattery.

Inconspicuous Switch

Chopper
チョッパー (Choppā?, lit. Chopper)
Level	15
HP	3,828
Actions	Attack, Charged Whisker
Treasure Coffer	See below

Encounter overview
Action	Phase	Description	Details
Phases	Phase 1: 100-70% HP Phase 2: 70-40% HP Phase 3: 40-20% Phase 4: 20-0%
Attack	All	Melee auto-attack.
Charged Whisker	2-4	Inflicts 15s Paralysis on nearby enemies at 70%, 40%, and 20% HP.

Upon arriving at the end of the Cattery the party will find three coral formations of varying colors. Interacting with the formation corresponding to the color indicated on the memo earlier will reveal the Inconspicuous Switch. Should a player choose the wrong color they will be inflicted with a dispellable Poison for two minutes and spawn a Cave Aurelia.

Interacting with the inconspicuous switch will immediately spawn Chopper, the first boss. Chopper is a simple fight, with only one easily avoided ability that it uses sparingly. At 70%, 40%, and 20% HP it will use Charged Whisker, a radial AoE that does no damage but will inflict Paralysis on anyone hit by it. Beyond this Chopper will only auto-attack.

The inconspicuous switch will not function again until Chopper is defeated. Interacting with it afterwards will open a hidden door, allowing passage deeper into the dungeon.

Dead Man's Drink

The first Rambade

Captain Madison
マディソン船長 (Madison Senchō?, lit. Captain Madison)
Level	15
HP	4,785
Actions	Attack, Fast Blade
Other information	Flees when HP is low Remaining enemies do not despawn
Treasure Coffer	See below

Encounter overview
Mechanic	Phase	Description	Details
Phases	Phase 1: 100-80% HP Phase 2: 80-50% HP Encounter ends at 50% HP
Attack	All	Melee auto-attack.
Shallowtail Reavers	1	Two Shallowtail Reavers accompany Captain Madison. Shallowtail Reaver Mechanic Description Details Attack Melee auto-attack. Heavy Swing Untelegraphed melee damage to primary target.
Fast Blade	2	Untelegraphed melee damage to primary target.

After proceeding down a short corridor with only a single pack of enemies, the party will encounter Captain Madison alongside two shallowtail Reavers. None have any abilities beyond basic weaponskills, and Madison will flee the once he drops below 50% HP. Unlike other boss encounters his minions won't despawn upon his defeat, preventing the party from being able to ignore them.

Central Dead Man's Drink, Captain's Quarters, and Waverider Gate

Chasing after Captain Madison will lead the party into Dead Man's Drink, a sprawling pirate hideout crawling with Serpent Reavers. Madison will flee through the Waverider Gate in the southwest corner of the room, and the party will need to obtain the Waverider Gate Key to follow after him. To quickly pass through this room, players can ignore all other side rooms and proceed directly to the south. Along the way they will encounter a shallowscale Reaver who will drop the Captain's Quarters Key, allowing access to the Captain's Quarters at the south end of the hideout. Upon entering the Quarters the party will encounter a particularly burly shallowtail Reaver with twice as much HP than usual who will drop the Waverider Gate key when defeated.

Rowers' Quarters, Navigator's Quarters, Deckhands' Quarters, and the Hole

More adventurous parties or players seeking to fully map out Sastasha may wish to explore the various side chambers in Dead Man's Drink, which contain additional treasure. The Rowers' Quarters to the north and the unnamed room to the northwest are the least fruitful of these, containing no treasure and only enemies. The Navigator's Quarters to the west, Deckhands' Quarters to east, and the Hole to the southeast each contain a coffer. The Deckhands' Quarters can be explored without engaging any enemies, as they will start fighting amongst themselves as soon as the party enters, allowing the party to collect the coffer without drawing any attention. The Hole requires The Hole Key to enter, which is conveniently found right outside the door.

The second Rambade

Captain Madison
マディソン船長 (Madison Senchō?, lit. Captain Madison)
Level	15
HP	4,785
Actions	Attack, Fast Blade, Sandslinger
Other information	Flees when HP is low Remaining enemies do not despawn

Encounter overview
Mechanic	Phase	Description	Details
Phases	Phase 1: 100-80% HP Phase 2: 80-50% HP Phase 3: 50-20% HP Encounter ends at 20% HP
Attack	All	Melee auto-attack.
Fast Blade	All	Untelegraphed melee damage to primary target.
Shallowtail Reavers	1	Two Shallowtail Reavers accompany Captain Madison. Shallowtail Reaver Mechanic Description Details Attack Melee auto-attack. Heavy Swing Untelegraphed melee damage to primary target.
Sandslinger	2-3	Inflicts 15s Accuracy Down on primary target.
Scurvy Dogs	3	Four Scurvy Dogs appear at 50% HP. Scurvy Dog Mechanic Description Details Attack Melee auto-attack.

Captain Madison is once again encountered beyond Waverider Gate with two shallowtail Reavers, but now instead of fleeing below 50% health he will summon four Scurvy Dogs from the southeast corner of the room. The tank should be prepared to gather up the dogs before they start harassing the rest of the party. The dogs have no abilities and very low HP, and can be quickly put down by what few AoE abilities the party may have at this level. Madison will once again flee once he falls below 20% HP, and leave the party to deal with the remaining adds.

Mistbeard Cove

The Sultana's Lap

Following the Captain to the Sultana's Lap will reveal another room full of pirates. There is not reason to clear out the entire room, and if the party keeps to the south wall they should be able to proceed to the final arena while avoiding the packs in the pavilion to the north.

Spawning grounds

Denn the Orcatoothed
鯱牙のデェン (Shachi Kiba no Dēn?, lit. Orca Fang Deng)
Level	15
HP	5,869
Actions	Attack, Hydroball, Jumping Thrust, True Thrust
Drops	Sahagin Card
Treasure Coffer	See below

Encounter overview
Mechanic	Phase	Description	Details
Phases	Phase 1: 100-80% HP Phase 2: 80-60% HP Phase 3: 60-40% HP Phase 4: 40-0% HP
Attack	All	Melee auto-attack.
Hydroball	All	Deals damage and inflicts 3s Silence in a frontal cone.
True Thrust	All	Untelegraphed melee damage to primary target.
Jumping Thrust	2-4	Untelegraphed melee damage to primary target at 80%, 60%, and 40% HP.
Unnatural Ripples	2-4	The Unnatural Ripples in the arena activate, each spawning a Baleen Guard if they aren't deactivated in time. Two Ripples activate at 80% HP, three at 60%, and four at 40%. Baleen Guard Mechanic Description Details Ambuscade Damages and knocks back nearby enemies 10y upon spawning. Attack Melee auto-attack. Water Cannon Untelegraphed ranged damage to primary target.

Denn will appear upon entering the southern platform, dispatching Captain Madison in the process. At 80%, 60%, and 40% HP, the unnatural ripples around the room will start bubbling—first only two of them, then three, and finally all four. Players can interact with the ripples to disable them. If they are not disabled in time, a Baleen Guard will spawn from each bubbling grate. The guards have low HP and can be killed quickly, but it is important that the tank aggro them immediately before they start harassing the healer and DPS. Denn's abilities are otherwise fairly basic, with a couple instant-cast weaponskills and a conal AoE.

The encounter can be fairly trivial if the party focuses on disabling the unnatural ripples, preventing any Baleen Guards from spawning. The first two sets of adds can also be phase skipped if the party deals enough damage to Denn to start the next set, as their spawn timers will reset at each phase. The last set can be difficult to prevent any from spawning, but as Denn will be on his last legs at this point any guards that appear can generally be ignored in favor of focusing on the boss.

Enemies

Enemy	Pic	HP	Abilities	Areas
Baleen Guard		315	Ambuscade, Attack, Water Cannon	The Sultana's Lap
Black Bat		905	Attack	Sastasha Seagrot
Captain Madison (1|2)		4785	Attack, Fast Blade, Sandslinger	Dead Man's Drink
Cave Aurelia		905	Attack, Numbing Tendrils	Sastasha Seagrot
Chopper		3828	Attack, Charged Whisker	Sastasha Seagrot
Denn the Orcatoothed		5869	Attack, Hydroball, Jumping Thrust, True Thrust	The Sultana's Lap
Fossilshell		905	Attack, Small Claw	Sastasha Seagrot
Giant Clam		319	Invulnerable when closed Summons Shade Seekers upon opening	Sastasha Seagrot
Sastasha Orobon		905	Attack, Gnaw, Feeding Frenzy	Sastasha Seagrot
Scurvy Dog		269-905	Attack	Dead Man's Drink The Sultana's Lap
Shade Seeker		24-80	Fire	Sastasha Seagrot
Shallowclaw Reaver		905	Attack, Gutripper	Dead Man's Drink The Sultana's Lap
Shalloweye Reaver		905	Attack, Heavy Shot, Raging Strikes	Dead Man's Drink The Sultana's Lap
Shallowscale Reaver		994	Attack, Cure, Fast Blade	Dead Man's Drink The Sultana's Lap
Shallowtail Reaver		905-1811	Attack, Heavy Swing, Overpower	Dead Man's Drink The Sultana's Lap

Items

Each party member is guaranteed to receive one of the below weapons or pieces of armor useable by their current discipline upon completion of the duty, in addition to any other items received.

Source	Item
Treasure coffer 1 Sastasha Seagrot - The Cattery	Chance for one armor from the following: Plundered Sabatons Foestriker's Boots Acolyte's Thighboots Guaranteed the following: Seagrot Water
Chopper coffer Sastasha Seagrot - The Cattery	Guaranteed one armor from the following: Plundered Celata Plundered Goggles Plundered Cavalier's Hat Plundered Gauntlets Foestriker's Mitts Acolyte's Halfgloves Guaranteed one accessory from the following: Plundered Ear Cuffs Plundered Earrings Aetherial Brass Gorget Aetherial Brass Wristlets
Captain Madison coffer Dead Man's Drink - The Rambade	Guaranteed one armor from the following: Plundered Cuirass Foestriker's Tabard Acolyte's Robe Plundered Trousers Foestriker's Skirt Acolyte's Skirt
Treasure coffer 2 Dead Man's Drink - The Hole	Guaranteed one armor from the following: Plundered Celata Plundered Goggles Plundered Cavalier's Hat Plundered Gauntlets Foestriker's Mitts Acolyte's Halfgloves
Treasure coffer 3 Dead Man's Drink - Deckhands' Quarters	Guaranteed one armor from the following: Plundered Cuirass Foestriker's Tabard Acolyte's Robe Plundered Trousers Foestriker's Skirt Acolyte's Skirt
Treasure coffer 4 Dead Man's Drink - Navigator's Quarters	Guaranteed one weapon from the following: Plundered Falchion Plundered Battleaxe Plundered Guisarme Plundered Knuckles Plundered Knives Plundered Shortbow Plundered Staff Plundered Grimoire Plundered Cane If Plundered Falchion was received above, guaranteed the following: Warded Round Shield Chance for one armor or shield from the following: Nightprowler's Targe Pirate's Bandana Plundered Haubergeon Plundered Jacket Plundered Bliaud Plundered Moccasins Plundered Duckbills
Denn the Orcatoothed coffer Mistbeard Cove - The Sultana's Lap	Guaranteed one weapon from the following: Plundered Falchion Plundered Battleaxe Plundered Guisarme Plundered Knuckles Plundered Knives Plundered Shortbow Plundered Staff Plundered Grimoire Plundered Cane If Plundered Falchion was received above, guaranteed the following: Warded Round Shield Chance for one armor from the following: Plundered Sabatons Foestriker's Boots Acolyte's Thighboots Chance for the following: From the Depths Orchestrion Roll

Quests

Sastasha is unlocked during the main scenario quest It's Probably Pirates, and completion of the duty is required to continue the main scenario. In addition, defeating Denn the Orcatoothed is one of the requirements of the Book of Skywind I for the quest Trials of the Braves, part of the Relic Weapons questline.

Script

Sastasha script
Empty Room Only one of the following lines will appear, determined at random at the start of the duty.
Bloody Memo	You find a bloodstained scrap of parchment with a message scrawled upon it in faded ink. “The Capten lykes his sees Bloo.”
Bloody Memo	You find a bloodstained scrap of parchment with a message scrawled upon it in faded ink. “The Capten lykes his wyne Redd.”
Bloody Memo	You find a bloodstained scrap of parchment with a message scrawled upon it in faded ink. “The Capten lykes his cabege Green.”
The Cattery
System	You find a switch. Press it?
System	You are doused with poison!
System	You hear something move in the distance.
System	You discover a switch, but it does not appear to function at this time...
System	A hidden door opens!
The Rambade
Captain Madison (on engaging)	How did ye find this place?
Madison's colibri (on engaging)	Squawk!
Captain Madison (at 90%)	Me loyal pups!
Captain Madison (at 80%)	Come closer. I'll slit yer throat and toss yer corpse to the mad serpent.
Captain Madison (at 70%)	Wh-Where are me men!? Wh-Where are me maidens!?
Captain Madison (at 50%)	Try an' catch me, ye two-legged lubber!
Madison's colibri (at 50%)	Two-legged lubber! Two-legged lubber! Squawk!
Dead Man's Drink
Virgin Captive	You must save us!
System	The door is locked tight.
System	The shallowscale Reaver drops a captain's quarters key.
System	You obtain a captain's quarters key.
System	Unlock the door to the captain's quarters?
System	The Captain's Quarters opens.
Captain's Quarters
Virgin Captive	What shall it be tonight, Cap─ You're not the captain!
Shallowtail Reaver (Overpower)	Ain't no bastard gettin' by me!
System	The shallowtail Reaver drops a Waverider Gate key.
System	You obtain a Waverider Gate key.
The Hole
System	The door is locked tight.
System	You obtain a key to the Hole.
System	Unlock the door to the Hole?
System	The Hole opens.
Virgin Captive	Forgive me, my lord! I did not mean to offend!
Virgin Captive	Am I...free?
Virgin Captive	Thank the Twelve! This nightmare is over!
Virgin Captive	I shan't bite any more... Just let me out!
Virgin Captive	Mother... Father... What did I do to deserve this?
Virgin Captive	I don't think I can last another night in the Deckhands' Quarters...
Virgin Captive	Please, milady/milord, I'm ever so sore...
Virgin Captive	Slit them between the legs! Every last one of them!
Deckhands' Quarters
Roegadyn Shallowclaw Reaver	Get them gropers off me grog!
Hyur Shallowclaw Reaver	Sod off! I drink what I want.
Roegadyn Shallowclaw Reaver	I'll cut ye a new gob so's that ye can drink all grog ye like!
Hyur Shallowclaw Reaver	Not afore I cut ye a new piss'ole!
Waverider Gate
System	The door is locked tight.
System	Unlock Waverider Gate?
System	Waverider Gate opens.
The Rambade
Captain Madison (on engaging)	Back fer more, eh? I sharpened me blade, just fer this very occasion.
Madison's colibri (on engaging)	Squawk!
Captain Madison (Sandslinger)	What do you see now? Nothin'! Nothin' at all!
Captain Madison (at 50%)	Eat 'em alive!
System (at 50%)	Captain Madison releases the scurvy dogs!
Captain Madison (at 20%)	M-M-Might ye consider a parley?
Madison's colibri (at 20%)	Parley! Parley! Parley! Squaaawk!
The Sultana's Lap
Captain Madison	The boss ain't goin' to like this one bit...
Denn the Orcatoothed	Pshhh... You shully our shpawning groundsss, shorewalker!
	Denn strikes down Madison before turning his attention to the party.
Denn the Orcatoothed	Pshhh! Finleshhh fools!
Denn the Orcatoothed	The Lord of the Whorl shhhall sssup on your sssouls!
System (at 80%, 60%, and 40%)	Bubbles begin forming on the water's surface.
System (disabling a ripple)	The evil presence has gone.
System (if a baleen guard spawns)	An enemy approaches!
Assorted dialogue
Virgin Captive	I'm not one of them! I swear it on what little remains of my virtue!
Virgin Captive	Who are you?
Serpent Reavers	Die!
Serpent Reavers	Take the women alive!
Serpent Reavers	To the abyss with ye!
Madison's colibri	Cap'n is strong! Cap'n is strong! Squawk!
Madison's colibri	Batten down the hatches! Batten down the hatches! Squawk!
Madison's colibri	Scurvy dog! Scurvy dog! Squawk!

Musical themes

"From the Depths"

"From the Depths" is the theme that plays in the background of Sastasha, and its orchestrion roll is a potential drop from Denn the Orcatoothed. Like many low-level dungeons, the theme that plays when fighting regular battles in Sastasha is "The Promise of Plunder", the theme for boss battles is "A Fine Death", and the final boss's battle theme is "Nemesis".