FFxiv m3s Guide Hector Strat Visual | Brute Bomber Savage Dawntrail

Welcome to NOBS Game Guides!

Let’s go and have a look at the ACC Light Heavyweight M3 Savage, also known as M3S—the third Savage raid of Final Fantasy XIV’s latest tier. The mechanics and positions in this video are based on Hector Strat, the most popular strategy in Party Finder. Watching this video will get you 100% ready for the fight.

Phase 1: Opening Mechanics

Starting off, the boss will cast Brutal Impact, a simple raid-wide AoE, followed by Knuckle Sandwich, a tank buster that must be shared by both tanks with mitigation.

[Music]

Then comes the boss’s signature move, Brute Bomber. Throughout the fight, remember this key rule:

• Octo = Spread
• Quad = Pair

Example 1: Octo Attack
The boss casts Octo Lariat. “Lariat” indicates a maximum range AoE. Since it’s an Octo attack, players must spread. Immediately after, the boss will face a direction and cast Dive. This time it’s a Quad Dive, meaning you need to be in pairs.

Dive Mechanics:

• Proximity AoE: The dive attack originates from where the boss is facing.
  • Ranged: Stand in your designated paired or spread position.
  • Melee: Dash in after the impact and adjust to pair or spread positions.

The boss then returns to the middle and casts another raid-wide AoE, testing your healers. Barbarous follows shortly after.

Barbarous Mechanics

This mechanic is simple and always resolves the same way.

1. The group splits into light parties.
2. Start at the middle of the arena and get knocked back diagonally to your paired position.
3. Get knocked back behind the boss.

The only key to success here is remembering where your first tower is and positioning on time.

Phase 2: Dobbing Begins

The boss returns to the center and begins dobbing. The first attack will be either Octo Lariat or Quad Lariat. Remember:

• Octo = Spread
• Quad = Pairs

Fire Fists Variation:
If the boss’s hands are on fire, the Lariat mechanic changes:

• Instead of a max-range AoE, it becomes a donut AoE.

Example:
The boss casts Quad Lariat with fire fists. This means you pair up and prepare for a donut attack immediately after.

The dive attack also changes with fire fists:

• Instead of a proximity AoE, expect a knockback attack.
• Use your knockback immunity for an easier resolution.

The boss returns to the middle, casting another raid-wide AoE. Tanks should use mitigation tools like Reprisal, while DPS use Addle or Feint.

Chain Deathmatch

A new mechanic begins: Chain Deathmatch.

1. Each player is chained to one of the two Brute Bomber clones outside the arena.
2. Stand in the middle of the arena, facing the clone you’re chained to.
3. Move slightly to dodge the other clone’s attack.
4. Quickly relocate to the opposite side of the arena to the next safe spot.

The second safe spot is usually easy to identify by following teammates. Be prepared for a follow-up Octo or Quad Lariat, resolved the usual way.

Fuse Mechanics

Final Fuse:
This mechanic looks complex but is easy to manage if you stick to your safe spots.

• Long Fuse: Stand in between two bombs.
• Short Fuse: Move to your designated marker with a long fuse bomb.

Example:
If you’re marked with a short fuse, find a long fuse bomb at marker A or D. Soak the bomb solo. After the explosion:

1. Long Fuse Players: Move to their safe spot.
2. Short Fuse Players: Move to the new safe spot, opposite the previous one.

Fuse Field:
This phase introduces timed debuffs:

• Big Timer (40s+) = Long Fuse
• Small Timer (20s) = Short Fuse

Use a priority system to resolve positions:

• Tanks and healers resolve long fuse in order.
• DPS resolve short fuse in order.

Wait for the 2-second debuff timer to expire before moving to the next fuse.

Final Phase

The boss enters its final phase with a unique Octo or Quad mechanic, resolved as always:

• Pair or spread depending on the cast.

Afterward, the fight includes a chain mechanic similar to before but now adds the main boss’s attack. You must get hit by both the chain clone and the boss’s attack. Position yourself accordingly.

Barbarous Redux:
This mechanic plays out the same as earlier, except:

• Position at the safe zone based on which scythe the boss raises.

Final Mechanics:

1. Dodge the dive attack and swap tanks for the last tank buster.
2. Survive the last few AoEs and force mechanics.