Final Fantasy 16: Who Is Benedikta And How To Beat?

Benedikta Harman is a powerful and cunning character belonging to the Waloed nation. She is one of my favorite characters from the campaign.

Primarily, Banedikta is an Intelligencer and is the Dominant of Garuda, an adversarial Eikon in the game. Furthermore, she is also the Warden of the Wind.

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Key Takeaways

• Benedikta Harman is the Dominant of Garuda and the Warden of the Wind and an exciting character.
• Players first get to interact with her during a meeting in Zirnitra Stronghold.
• The second meeting with Benedkita proves to be the last, as she is the first boss players will face during the Headwind quest. Being the first boss fight in the game, players can rather win it easily.
• The boss fights with Benedikta Harman happens in two phases. She appears in her human form; in the second Phase, she transforms into semi-prime. 

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Players first interact with her in the Zirnitra Stronghold during a board meeting, after which she disappears following Hugo Kupka. 

Fun Fact: Nina Yndis, a popular actress and filmmaker famous for her role in Peaky Blinders, voiced Benedikta Harmans.

How To Beat Benedikta?

The fight occurs in two phases. Benedikta appears in a human form during the first phase, and during the second and final Phases, she turns into her semi-prime form.

• Upgrade your skills by spending as many skill points as possible.
• Stacking your abilities points will do you no favor and more harm as your skills will become less impressive against enemies with each level up. 
• While it would not be an easier task at this point in the game, switching between different abilities during various stages of the fight can give you a significant edge over Benedikta in Final Fantasy 16.
• As most of Benedikta’s attacks are projectiles, having the ability to ensure an effective defense can prove decisive. For that, we recommend prioritizing the ‘Heatwave’ ability.
•  Give special attention to Benedikta’s movements while she is on the attack. It will allow you to comprehend and map her attacking patterns. Consequently, you can use these patterns to your advantage by strategizing or maneuvering your movements accordingly. 
• Finally, without complicating the fight, run around to confuse Benedikta and move around to dodge her attacks. It is the best defense, and you can avoid taking lots of damage this way while simultaneously launching powerful attacks.

With these tips and tricks in mind, let us discuss the two phases of the boss fight in detail.

First Phase

Benedikta is not as deadly in her human form and deals bearable attacks. I could dodge most of her attacks quite quickly during this Phase. 

1. Banedikta will always start with wind projectiles.
2. Consequently, the first attack players will face from her is Aerora, a ball of wind. While this windball travels reasonably, players can still defend themselves by dodging or moving around. Prepare yourself to move when she starts swirling wind around her.
3. Don’t be at ease if you have survived this attack because now, Benedikta will unleash an advanced form of Aerora on you.
4. Be prepared to defend yourself when Bendetika starts to charge up a windball above her head. The modified Aerora, or Aeroga, will explode after release to unleash a whirlwind. Players can dodge it easily by moving around.

   

5. For the long-range attacks, Benedikta will move away from you and charge up for the Wind Blades. I recommend preparing to dodge the attack when you see blue particles surrounding her.
6. I also recommend launching Charged Magic shots to disrupt her attack and damage her further. If she successfully launches her attack, players must dodge two sets of three vertical arcs toward you.

   

I suggest you get through the first Phase quickly and use more and more Eikonic abilities. Moreover, Titan’s Upheaval seems to have a severe effect on her. Use it more often to deal severe damage. Titanic Block and Deadly Embrace are also underrated abilities that can prove crucial against her.

Phase Two

As Benedikta’s Will bar drops drastically, a cutscene appears, representing the start of the second Phase.

After the cutscene, Benedikta will reappear in her Semi-prime form while utilizing Garuda’s powers. This new form is significantly more potent and dangerous, thanks to her upgraded abilities and powerful attacks. 

1. Using the upgraded Aerora skill, Benedikta will launch two wind orbs rapidly. Players can dodge them in the same way.
2. With the upgraded Aeorga, Benedikta will load three windfalls above her head and launch them rapidly, with more speed, damage, and range. Again, the strategy to avoid getting hit is the same. 
3. Using Aerial Slash, the upgraded form of the Wind Blades, of course, Bnedikta will launch a set of three vertical arcs, followed by a set of horizontal arcs, and finally, another group of three verticals to ensure maximum damage.
4. Ensure your defense while at the same time dealing with precise blows.

These were a few attacks that Benedikta also incorporated in the previous Phase. Now, let me tell you about some newly added intense and more dangerous attacks by the Guardian of Garuda:

1. Using the Aero Rain ability, Benedikta will go airborne and target you with six wind orbs. If you succeed in dodging the attack, Benedikta will launch another set of eight wind orbs. 

   

2. Nosedive is another new ability Benedikta will use to disappear in the air and re-emerge from the ground with lethal attacks. Keep looking for the blue sparks on the ground to ensure you dodge her time before she emerges from the ground.
3. Green lights will spawn on the ground, and wind will gather around these lights. Immediately move around as these lights will transform into deadly tornadoes. 
4. Circular winds may emerge below you on the ground. Avoid getting caught in these wind clouds, as they will trap your movements, allowing Benedikta to target you with the pieces of the tower.
5. This new ability is called Rammelfall, and Benedikta will only use it once her Will bar drops to one-third.
6. Benedikta, frustrated after losing more than half of her Will bar, launches Garuda’s claws at you. If you fail to dodge them, you will be trapped inside while Benedikta will release tornadoes at you. 
7. Finally, with the most dangerous attack, Benedikta will launch you into the air and slam you down on the ground, dealing severe damage.
8. Being low on health can result in your death. Avoid it as much as possible or drink potions to recover your health bar.

   

From my experience, Benedikta becomes even more aggressive during the ending Phase of the battle. During this stage, she will launch a combination of various attacks together to deal as much damage as possible.

• After going on the back foot, Benedkita will suddenly launch herself toward you. While doing so, she will continuously attack you with her claws.
• The attack does not stop, as she attacks you again by slamming Garuda’s foot on the ground. This deadly combo can eat a massive chunk of your health bar.
• Benedicta will go airborne again and launch two wind orbs at you in Final Fantasy 16. She will immediately follow the orbs with another significant attack like Dealy Embrace, Nosedive, or Twister.

If you succeed in deterring these attacks and executing planned and precise attacks, Benedikta will finally have to give up the fight. The final battle will reward you with 60 Experience Points, 150 Ability Points to upgrade your abilities, crafting materials, and other things to help you quickly progress through the storyline.

Major Challenges Encountered

Benedikta’s fight was challenging because she would leave a narrow path for survival with intense moves that could cost players a lot. In most cases, she will be draining your character’s HP no matter how you dodge the incoming strikes, but the right strategy can still prove beneficial for clearing the boss fight. 

She is a fun character and an easy opponent to defeat in the game. I was quite intrigued by her character and was invested in my fight against her. Regardless of that, she gives tough competition to beginners. Therefore, I recommend players use this fight to hone their fighting skills.

Did you find our guide helpful in defeating her? Tell us in the comments.

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