The following is a mitigation framework for the encounter.
It is not a plan for every single cooldown available to the party; instead, think of the following as a bare-bones framework to work with- i.e: these are the things that people will generally look for when mitigation is missing.
Notably, the mitigations below have been planned without taking the healer 120s into consideration, so they can be used wherever needed for comfort.
3x Ascalon's Might
T: 3x 71k-85k
MT short
ST Reprisal, D1
A WAR can Holmgang this instead.
Strength of the Ward
MT + ST: 30% + short
D3
Ancient Quaga
P: 78k-90k
M: 73k-82k
MT Reprisal, ST 90s, H2 30s, D4
This is the latest the tanks can use their 90s and have them back by Ultimate End and Final Chorus.
Heavenly Heel → Ascalon's Might x3
T: 165k-175k
T: 3x 71k-85k
MT + ST: Rampart + 3rd
ST Reprisal, D2
Tank swap MT→ST.
MT's short mitigation may not be available for Heavenly Heel, but the ST's short will be back for Ascalon's Might.
Sanctity of the Ward
P: 85k-104k
M: 85k-104k
H2 90s
This is the latest healers can use their 120s to have it back for an Eye of the Tyrant stack in P3.
Use H2 90s before the third cleave of Ascalon's Might to guarantee it will be back for Final Chorus.
This is a common place for a SGE to Panhaima. SGE can also use Kerachole here.
Ultimate End
P: 73k-103k
M: 68k-97k
MT Reprisal, MT 90s, H2 30s, D1, D4
P3. Nidhogg
Final Chorus
P: 94k-104k
M: 88k-97k
ST 90s, H2 30s, H2 90s, D3
This needs one more extra mit (Collective Unconsciousness, Passage of Arms, Magick Barrier, Improvised Finish, etc.) to guarantee survival with a SGE.
Abilities that boost healing (Physis II, Asylum, Nature's Minne, Mantra) also help here.
Eye of the Tyrant #1
P: 66k-84k
M: 61k-74k
ST Reprisal, H2 30s or H2 120s
A SCH can use Seraph to help cover both Eye of the Tyrant stacks.
Eye of the Tyrant #2
P: 66k-84k
M: 61k-74k
MT Reprisal, D2, H2 30s or H2 120s
D2 adds Feint to the second Eye of the Tyrant instead of the first because two players would take damage from the towers.
Soul Tethers
T: 226k-262k
MT + ST: Invuln
P4. Eyes + Saving Haurchefant
Hatebound
P: 29k-41k
M: 27k-37k
MT 90s, D3
This is to help with healing since there isn't a good spot elsewhere.
Steep in Rage
P: 55k-66k
M: 53k-61k
MT Reprisal
Brightwing #1
P: 49k-65k
M: 49k-63k
Covered by the Tank LB3.
H2 90s will be up for Wrath of the Heavens if used immediately after getting pulled in.
Brightwing #2
P: 49k-65k
M: 49k-63k
MT short → D1
ST short → D2
ST Reprisal, H1 120s, H2 120s, D3
Brightwing #3
P: 49k-65k
M: 49k-63k
Covered by ST Reprisal, H1 120s, H2 120s, D3
Brightwing #4
P: 49k-65k
M: 49k-63k
MT Reprisal, D4
Covered by H1 120s, H2 120s, D3
Pure of Heart
P: 61k-76k
M: 53k-64k
Covered by MT Reprisal, H1 120s, H2 120s, D4
P5. Alternate Timeline Thordan
It may look odd that tanks aren’t using their 30% mitigations here. That is because we want to guarantee their 30% mitigations are available for P6’s Wyrmsbreaths, which hit harder, and have greater consequences of a tank death.
Because P5 is so short, 30% mitigations used at the first Heavenly Heel → Ascalon’s Might sequence may not be back up in time for Wyrmsbreath #1 if the killtime is fast.
This means that tanks will be taking the Heavenly Heel → Ascalon’s Might sequences with their weaker mitigations. In particular, they will need support for the second Heavenly Heel, hence why D3’s party mitigation is used at Heavenly Heel #2 instead of Ancient Quaga #2.
Wrath of the Heavens
H2 90s
Strong shields are useful here because the party will be spread out.
Ancient Quaga #1
P: 85k-97k
M: 75k-93k
MT Reprisal, MT 90s, H2 30s, D1, D3
Notably, Addle is overkill here, and is better served at the second Ancient Quaga.
Heavenly Heel → 3x Ascalon's Might #1
T: 242k-307k
T: 3x 84k-90k
MT + ST: Rampart + short
ST Reprisal, D2
A WAR should Holmgang instead.
Tank swap if not taken by Holmgang.
Death of the Heavens
H1 120s, H2 120s
The damage from Death of the Heavens isn't lethal, but it's good to mitigate the damage to let the healers focus on the mechanic. There also isn't any other good spot to use the healer 120s mitigations.
Ancient Quaga #2
P: 85k-97k
M: 75k-93k
MT Reprisal, ST 90s, H2 30s, D4
Although D3 can use their mitigation early to cover both Ancient Quaga, we don't need it here, and it's more valuable at Heavenly Heel #2 to help the tanks, as they will be using their weakest mitigations there.
Heavenly Heel → 3x Ascalon's Might #2
T: 175k-196k
T: 3x 84k-90k
3rd + short
ST Reprisal, D1, D3
Tank swap.
Healers should help the tanks, as they cannot use their stronger mitigations here.
A DRK can Rampart if it's available, as they can use Dark Mind in P6.
P6. Double Dragons
Notably, DRK is very strong in this phase because Dark Mind will be available for both Hallowed Wings.
However, be careful if your party has DRK + SGE + SCH, as the healers will have trouble topping up the DRK if Living Dead was used at Cauterize.
Wyrmsbreath #1
T: 111k-144k
30% + short
If only one mouth is glowing, the tank whose dragon's mouth glows can give their short mit to the other tank.
Akh Afah #1
P: 69k-76k
M: 65k-71k
MT Reprisal, H2 30s
The MT needs to stand in the middle of the arena to hit both dragons with Reprisal before joining their Akh Afah stack.
Hallowed Wings #1
T: 121k-135k
MT + ST:Rampart + short
ST Reprisal
A DRK can add Dark Mind, or use it instead of Rampart.
The ST may not be able to Reprisal this in the event of tank downtime.
Wroth Flames
P: 4x 56k-62k
M: 4x 53k-60k
MT 90s, ST 90s, H1 120s, H2 120s, D3, D4
Add H2 30s if able- the latest H2 30s can be used and still be back for Akh Afah #2 is when the 2nd set of orbs spawn.
WHM will typically use Liturgy of the Bell here.
SGE will typically use Panhaima here.
Akh Afah #2
P: 69k-76k
M: 65k-71k
MT Reprisal, H2 30s
The MT needs to stand in the middle of the arena to hit both dragons with Reprisal before joining their Akh Afah stack.
Hallowed Wings #2
T: 121k-135k
MT + ST: 3rd + short
ST Reprisal
A DRK can add Dark Mind.
This set of Hallowed Wings hurt more because Rampart is not used. Furthermore, the MT will end up on the opposite side of the party (out of healing range). Additional mitigation helps.
Wyrmsbreath #2
T: 111k-144k
MT + ST:Rampart + 30%
If timed correctly, tank mitigations can last until Cauterize.
A tank's 25s short mitigation likely won't be available.
A DRK will be able to use The Blackest Night.
Cauterize
T: 217k-240k
MT + ST: Invuln or 30% + Rampart + short
H2 30s
A WAR should Holmgang regardless, as Holmgang will be back for Akh Morn's Edge #3.
Alternative End
P: 116k-128k
M: 108k-120k
MT 90s, ST 90s, H2 30s, H2 120s, H2 90s, D3
A SCH can substitute Expedient with Fey Illumination.
P7. Dragonking Thordan
Each hit from Akh Morn’s Edge deals 36k-38k damage/second.
In contrast, each hit from Gigaflare’s Edge deals 67k-71k base damage, but the three hits are spaced out over 8 seconds, leading to an average of 25k-27k damage/second (this is somewhat made up for by having to move and heal).
Note that MT, ST, H2 and D3 should watch the Trinity autoattacks after Exaflare’s Edge to use their mitigations.
Akh Morn's Edge #1
T: 5x 63k-72k
P: 5x 36k-39k
M: 5x 33k-37k
MT + ST:Rampart + 3rd
MT Reprisal, H1 120s, H2 30s, D1
Use H2 30s right after the second Trinity auto-attack after Exaflare's Edge.
Gigaflare's Edge #1
P: 3x 57k-69k
M: 3x 51k-67k
ST Reprisal, H2 30s, D2, D4
Akh Morn's Edge #2
T: 6x 63k-72k
P: 6x 36k-39k
M: 6x 33k-37k
MT + ST: 30%
MT Reprisal, MT 90s, ST 90s, H2 30s, D3
Use MT 90s, ST 90s, H2 30s, and D3's mitigation right after the second Trinity auto-attack after Exaflare's Edge.
This is the latest you can use your MT 90s, and have it back by Ultimate End
Heavenly Heel
Rampart + 3rd
Ultimate End
Reprisal, MT 90s
A WAR/PLD can use Shake It Off/Divine Veil right after Sanctity of the Ward and get an additional use at the second Eye of the Tyrant stack, if killtime is slow enough.
P3. Nidhogg
Eye of the Tyrant #2
Reprisal
Soul Tethers
Invuln
The MT can mitigate the auto-attacks after Soul Tethers.
P4. Eyes + Saving Haurchefant
Resentment
Rampart → 30%
MT 90s
This is just to help out with healing, as there is no other place to use it before saving Haurchefant.
Steep in Rage
Reprisal
Pure of Heart
Reprisal
P5. Alternate Timeline Thordan
Ancient Quaga
Reprisal, MT 90s
Use your MT 90s early to have it back by the second Ancient Quaga.
Heavenly Heel #1
Rampart + short
If you have a WAR, they should Holmgang this instead. Tank swap if this wasn't taken with Holmgang.
Ancient Quaga #2
If you used your MT 90s early enough in the previous Ancient Quaga, it will be back up here.
Heavenly Heel #2
3rd + short
A DRK can add Rampart if it's available because they can substitute it with Dark Mind in P6.
P6. Double Dragons
Wyrmsbreath #1
30% + short
If Hraesvelgr's mouth isn't glowing, use your short mitigation on the ST co-tank.
Akh Afah #1
Reprisal
Stand in the middle of the arena to hit both dragons with Reprisal before joining the Akh Afah stack.
Hallowed Wings #1
Rampart + short
A DRK can Dark Mind instead of Rampart.
Wroth Flames
MT 90s
Akh Afah #2
Reprisal
Stand in the middle of the arena to hit both dragons with Reprisal before joining the Akh Afah stack.
Hallowed Wings #2
3rd + short
A DRK can Dark Mind in addition.
Wyrmsbreath #2
30% + Rampart
If timed correctly, these can also be used to mitigate Cauterize.
Cauterize
Invuln or 30% + Rampart + short
Alternative End
MT 90s
P7. Dragonking Thordan
Akh Morn's Edge #1
Rampart + 3rd
Reprisal
Akh Morn's Edge #2
30%
Reprisal, MT 90s
Use MT 90s right after the second auto-attack after Exaflare's Edge.
Akh Morn's Edge #3
Rampart + 3rd
A WAR will Holmgang instead.
Reprisal, MT 90s
Use MT 90s as soon as it's available.
ST
P2. Thordan
3x Ascalon's Might
Reprisal
If the MT is a WAR, they'll be taking this with Holmgang.
Strength of the Ward
30%, short
Heavenly Heel
Reprisal
3x Ascalon's Might
Rampart + short
P3. Nidhogg
Final Chorus
ST 90s
Eye of the Tyrant #1
Reprisal
Soul Tethers
Invuln
P4. Eyes + Saving Haurchefant
Resentment
Rampart → 30%
ST 90s
This is just to help out with healing, as there is no other place to use it before saving Haurchefant.
Brightwing #2
Reprisal
P5. Alternate Timeline Thordan
Heavenly Heel #1
Rampart + short
Reprisal
A WAR MT will Holmgang this. Tank swap if this wasn't taken with Holmgang.
Ancient Quaga #2
If you used your MT 90s early enough in the previous Ancient Quaga, it will be back up here.
Heavenly Heel #2
3rd + short
A DRK can add Rampart if it's available because they can substitute it with Dark Mind in P6.
Reprisal
P6. Double Dragons
Wyrmsbreath #1
30% + short
If Nidhogg's mouth isn't glowing, use your short mitigation on the MT.
Hallowed Wings #1
Rampart + short
Reprisal
You may not be able to get this Reprisal if it's tank downtime.
A DRK can Dark Mind instead of Rampart.
Wroth Flames
ST 90s
Hallowed Wings #2
3rd + short
A DRK can Dark Mind in addition.
Reprisal
Wyrmsbreath #2
30% + Rampart
If timed correctly, these can also be used to mitigate Cauterize.
Cauterize
Invuln or 30% + Rampart + short
Alternative End
ST 90s
P7. Dragonking Thordan
Akh Morn's Edge #1
Rampart + 3rd
Gigaflare's Edge #1
Reprisal
Akh Morn's Edge #2
30%
ST 90s
Used ST 90s right after the second auto-attack after Exaflare's Edge.
Gigaflare's Edge #2
Reprisal
Akh Morn's Edge #3
Rampart + 3rd
ST 90s
Use ST 90s as soon as it's available.
H1
This assumes your H1 is either a WHM or AST. As double barrier healer parties are fairly common, adapt this as needed if H1 is a SCH or SGE.
P2. Thordan
H1 120s mitigations are not commited anywhere in this phase. You can choose between:
Strength of the Ward + Final Chorus
Ancient Quaga + Heavenly Heel
Sanctity of the Ward + Eye of the Tyrant #2
3x Ascalon's Might
Aquaveil/Exaltation → MT
If the MT is a WAR, they'll be taking this with Holmgang.
Sanctity of the Ward
An AST's Macrocosmos is useful here, allowing an accidental 5-3 split to survive.
P3. Nidhogg
H1 120s are not committed to any part of this phase, so feel free to use it for comfort.
P4. Eyes + Saving Haurchefant
Brightwing #2
H1 120s
A WHM would Liturgy of the Bell here.
A WHM can use Benediction on Haurchefant.
P5. Alternate Timeline Thordan
Death of the Heavens
H1 120s
Heavenly Heel #2
Aquaveil/Exaltation → MT
P6. Double Dragons
Wroth Flames
H1 120s
A WHM would use Liturgy of the Bell here.
Hallowed Wings #2
Aquaveil/Exaltation here on a tank is very nice.
Cauterize
An AST would use Macrocosmos here.
P7. Dragonking Thordan
Akh Morn's Edge #1
H1 120s
Akh Morn's Edge #2
H1 180s
Akh Morn's Edge #3
H1 120s
H2
P2. Thordan
A SGE would prefer to Holos at Strength of the Ward, because Sanctity of the Ward can be covered by Kerachole + Panhaima (in addition to Zoe shields).
A SGE may also need to hold Holos for Final Chorus, in which case they can use Holos only at Strength of the Ward.
Ancient Quaga
H2 30s
Sanctity of the Ward
H2 90s
Use this during the Ascalon's Might cleaves to ensure it will be back up in time for Final Chorus, even with faster killtimes.
P3. Nidhogg
Final Chorus
H2 30s, H2 90s
A SGE may need to add Physis II if no other extra mitigations are available.
Eye of the Tyrant #1
H2 30s
P4. Eyes + Saving Haurchefant
Steep in Rage
H2 30s
Brightwing #2
H2 120s
A SGE would use Panhaima here.
P5. Alternate Timeline Thordan
Wrath of the Heavens
H2 90s
Ancient Quaga #1
H2 30s
Death of the Heavens
H2 120s
Ancient Quaga #2
H2 30s
P6. Double Dragons
Wyrmsbreath #1
H2 90s
A SGE can catch this with a Kerachole (and have it back for Akh Afah) if Kerachole is used right after the second GCD.
Akh Afah #1
H2 30s
Wroth Flames
H2 120s
A SGE would Panhaima here.
Hallowed Wings #2
The tanks are taking more damage here, so give them more attention.
Cauterize
H2 30s
Alternative End
H2 30s, H2 90s, H2 120s
A SCH can substite Expedient with Fey Illumination.
P7. Dragonking Thordan
Notably, SCH would prefer to use Seraph at Gigaflare's Edge, while a SGE's Panhaima excels at Akh Morn's Edge #1 and #3.
Akh Morn's Edge #1
H2 30s
Use H2 30s right after the second auto-attack following Exaflare's Edge.
Gigaflare's Edge #1
H2 30s
Akh Morn's Edge #2
H2 30s
Use H2 30s right after the second auto-attack following Exaflare's Edge.
Gigaflare's Edge #2
H2 30s, H2 120s
Akh Morn's Edge #3
H2 30s
D1
P2. Thordan
3x Ascalon's Might
Feint
A WAR will Holmgang this.
Ultimate End
Feint
P3. Nidhogg
Feint doesn't change any breakpoints in this phase, so feel free to use it as you please.
P4. Eyes + Saving Haurchefant
Brightwing #2
Feint
P5. Alternate Timeline Thordan
Ancient Quaga #1
Feint
If the party has two casters, this Feint should go to the melee DPS, as it's more important that Feint is back for the second Heavenly Heel.
Heavenly Heel #2
Feint
P6. Double Dragons
There aren't any great places to Feint. To just help out, the best places would either be Wroth Flames, or Hallowed Wings #2.
P7. Dragonking Thordan
Akh Morn's Edge #1
Feint
Gigaflare's Edge #2
Feint
D2
This assumes D2 is a melee DPS.
P2. Thordan
Heavenly Heel
Feint
P3. Nidhogg
Eye of the Tyrant #2
Feint
P4. Eyes + Saving Haurchefant
Brightwing #4
Feint
P5. Alternate Timeline Thordan
Heavenly Heel #1
Feint
P6. Double Dragons
There aren't any great places to Feint. To just help out, the best places would either be Wroth Flames, or Hallowed Wings #2.
P7. Dragonking Thordan
Gigaflare's Edge #1
Feint
Akh Morn's Edge #3
Feint
D3
P2. Thordan
Strength of the Ward
Troubadour/Tactician/Shield Samba
P3. Nidhogg
Final Chorus
Troubadour/Tactician/Shield Samba
P4. Eyes + Saving Haurchefant
Hatebound
Troubadour/Tactician/Shield Samba
Brightwing #2
Troubadour/Tactician/Shield Samba
P5. Alternate Timeline Thordan
We want D3's mitigation to help the tanks cover the second Heavenly Heel and Ascalon's Might, as they are the weakest there.
This means we want D3 to cover the first Ancient Quaga, but not the second. This also means that there is no need to try and time D3's mitigations to cover both Ancient Quaga.
Ancient Quaga #1
Troubadour/Tactician/Shield Samba
Heavenly Heel #2 → 3x Ascalon's Might
Troubadour/Tactician/Shield Samba
P6. Double Dragons
The best places for a MCH to use Dismantle would either be at Wroth Flames, or at Hallowed Wings #2 (use Dismantle on Hraesvelgr).
Wroth Flames
Troubadour/Tactician/Shield Samba
Alternative End
Troubadour/Tactician/Shield Samba
A DNC can extract the maximum value from Improvised Finish if they start Improvisation when Thordan's dialogue box disappears.
P7. Dragonking Thordan
Akh Morn's Edge #2
Troubadour/Tactician/Shield Samba
Use after the second auto-attack after Exaflare's Edge.
Akh Morn's Edge #3
Troubadour/Tactician/Shield Samba
Use as soon as it's available.
D4
P2. Thordan
Ancient Quaga
Addle
Ultimate End
Addle
P4. Eyes + Saving Haurchefant
Brightwing #4
Addle
P5. Alternate Timeline Thordan
Notably, D4 shouldn't Addle the first Ancient Quaga as it is already covered by D3. We prioritize D3 at the first Ancient Quaga because we need it back to help the tanks with Heavenly Heel #2.
Ancient Quaga #2
Addle
P6. Double Dragons
Wroth Flames
Addle
Nidhogg will start out of range if it's the downtime pattern. You can also use Addle at Hallowed Wings #2 instead (on Hraesvelgr).