Changelog

2020/1/10 Added Chitose. Added non-limited setups for Fleur and Yachiyo.

2020/1/9 Initial Release

Overview

High Zodiark's Trial is the last of the 5 Greatwyrm Trials to be released. It mixes elements from previous Trials while adding a few of its own. Although it was considered to be one of the more difficult Standard Trials, its Expert and Master difficulties are considered to be one of the easiest because of their similarities to the Standard one.

Adventurers

[dl adv="mitsuhide"] Mitsuhide & [dl adv="fleur"] Fleur

Mitsuhide/Fleur act as both the baiter and the main DPS. A good Mitsuhide/Fleur can keep up combo count to maintain the bonus STR gained from [dl wp="twinfold_bonds"] Twinfold Bonds and [dl d="daikokuten"] Daikokuten while baiting and taking markers when appropriate.

Name Description Optimal

DPS [dl d="daikokuten"] Daikokuten / [dl d="corsaint_phoenix"] Corsaint Phoenix

[dl wp="twinfold_bonds"] Twinfold Bonds

[dl wp="spirit_of_the_season"] Spirit of the Season



This is the highest DPS build possible for Mitsuhide and Fleur, but you will need to learn how to keep up combo count if you are using Daikokuten. Safer

Heal [dl d="cupid"] Cupid

[dl wp="twinfold_bonds"] Twinfold Bonds

[dl wp="spirit_of_the_season"] Spirit of the Season



If your teammates have trouble with the dashes or tail whips, this is a safer alternative. It gives up some damage for an extra burst heal. Bad Pub

"My Geudens aren't force striking!" [dl d="daikokuten"] Daikokuten / [dl d="corsaint_phoenix"] Corsaint Phoenix / [dl d="cupid"] Cupid

[dl wp="mega_friends"] Mega Friends

[dl wp="spirit_of_the_season"] Spirit of the Season



Before HDT2s and Spirit of the Season came out, it was common to use a Force Strike print to help break faster. Players have stronger options now so those prints have been phased out. However, if DPS is lacking or you see your Gala Princes not force striking enough, using Mega Friends could alleviate that problem. Non-limited [dl d="corsaint_phoenix"] Corsaint Phoenix / [dl d="cupid"] Cupid

[dl wp="twinfold_bonds"] Twinfold Bonds

[dl wp="levins_champion"] Levin's Champion



If you are missing the limited paralysis punisher wyrmprint, the second best option is Levin's Champion.

[dl adv="yachiyo"] Yachiyo

Yachiyo is oftentimes called a "blade co-ab" but she can offer decent DPS and acts as the second bait. In the event that a stronger DPS is in the team, Yachiyo will be relegated to the role of being imprisoned by Purgatorial Prison.

Name Description Optimal

DPS [dl d="corsaint_phoenix"] Corsaint Phoenix / [dl d="daikokuten"] Daikokuten

[dl wp="mega_friends"] Mega Friends

[dl wp="spirit_of_the_season"] Spirit of the Season



Before these two prints came out, Yachiyos opted to use [dl wp="resounding_rendition"] Resounding Rendition and [dl wp="stellar_show] Stellar Show to boost their S1s and S2s, respectively. Mega Friends gives you a bit of both while freeing up the 2nd wyrmprint slot for the paralysis punisher print.



Alternatively, if you only have [dl d="daikokuten"] Daikokuten and are confident that you can keep up combo count, you can use him over [dl d="corsaint_phoenix"] Corsaint Phoenix. Safer

Heal [dl d="cupid"] Cupid

[dl wp="mega_friends"] Mega Friends

[dl wp="spirit_of_the_season"] Spirit of the Season



Similar to what I wrote above for Fleur, if you notice your teammates are having trouble with High Zodiark's attacks, this is a safer alternative so you can heal them. Non-limited [dl d="corsaint_phoenix"] Corsaint Phoenix / [dl d="cupid"] Cupid

[dl wp="resounding_rendition"] Resounding Rendition

[dl wp="stellar_show"] Stellar Show



This is the old wyrmprint setup for Yachiyo.

[dl adv="dragonyule_malora"] Dragonyule Malora

Dragonyule Malora offers the most flexibility and can fill any role, including the baiter role. She offers higher DPS than Yachiyo and a Def co-ab to replace a Gala Prince.

Name Description Optimal

DPS [dl d="corsaint_phoenix"] Corsaint Phoenix / [dl d="daikokuten"] Daikokuten

[dl wp="kung_fu_masters"] Kung Fu Masters

[dl wp="spirit_of_the_season"] Spirit of the Season



This is the highest DPS build possible for Dragonyule Malora.



You may also opt to use [dl d="daikokuten"] Daikokuten if you are confident with keeping up combo count on an Axe. Safer

Heal [dl d="cupid"] Cupid

[dl wp="kung_fu_masters"] Kung Fu Masters

[dl wp="spirit_of_the_season"] Spirit of the Season



Similar to what I wrote above for Mitsuhide/Fleur and Yachiyo.

[dl adv="gala_prince"] Gala Prince

Gala Prince is the main reason why the 4 DPS strategy is so popular. He offers a +15% Def Up before the blast allowing teammates to skip the [dl wp="ruler_of_darkness"] High Zodiark print, [dl d="cupid"] Cupid buffs at the beginning to push for an early Overdrive, and sword Force Strikes to break quickly.

Name Description Pub

Best for public lobbies [dl d="cupid"] Cupid

[dl wp="the_chocolatiers"] The Chocolatiers

[dl wp="sisters_day_out"] Sisters' Day Out



This is not the highest DPS option, but it is more accomodating for the variety of pub skill levels you may encounter. Cupids are required if you cannot clear by the 1st Shadow Blast, which is oftentimes the case. DPS

Optimal if HZD can be cleared before 1st Shadow Blast [dl d="corsaint_phoenix"] Corsaint Phoenix / [dl d="daikokuten"] Daikokuten

[dl wp="the_chocolatiers"] The Chocolatiers

[dl wp="sisters_day_out"] Sisters' Day Out



If you know your team has high DPS, rarely dies to the dashes and tail slams, and can clear before the 1st Shadow Blast, this will speed up your clears even more.



Gala Prince's A1 increases the time spent in your dragon form and the dragon's attack rate so having a DPS dragon on him fits him well.

[dl adv="chitose"] Chitose

Chitose can take the flex spot and act as pure buffer for the 3 DPSers while providing a Wand co-ability.

Name Description Pub

Best for public lobbies [dl d="popstar_siren"] Popstar Siren / [dl d="cupid"] Cupid

[dl wp="castle_cheer_corps"] Castle Cheer Corps

[dl wp="a_game_of_cat_and_boar"] A Game of Cat and Boar



This is a common setup for a S1 STR buffer. The force charges can be used to push for an early Overdrive and Break and to get another STR buff prior to break.

[dl d="cupid"] Cupid, [dl d="corsaint_phoenix"] Corsaint Phoenix, or [dl d="daikokuten"] Daikokuten?

Although both Corsaint Phoenix and Daikokuten unequivocally do more damage both in adventurer form and dragon form, there are times when using Cupid may be better.

The main reason to use Cupid would be if your teammates continue to get hit by High Zodiark's dashes or tail slams.

A second reason to use Cupid is if your team keeps dying to the 1st Shadow Blast for some unknown reason. Dying at the 1st Shadow Blast even if no one got hit prior is due to two things:

3 out of 4 people in your team are using Corsaint Phoenixes or Daikokutens. Your team did not do enough damage for the last person (usually the Gala Prince) to get his 2nd Cupid in time to heal everyone.

If this is the case, then it is best to wear Cupid to give everyone the heal to pass the 1st Shadow Blast. Otherwise, your team may keep dying there.

If you are deciding between Corsaint Phoenix and Daikokuten, use Daikokuten if you are comfortable keeping up combo count and are playing anyone but Gala Prince.

Keep in mind that in a speedrun composition (i.e. sub-1 min clears), even Gala Prince will use Corsaint Phoenix or Daikokuten.

Team Composition

4 DPS Team

[dl adv="mitsuhide"] Mitsuhide or [dl adv="fleur"] Fleur

[dl adv="yachiyo"] Yachiyo or [dl adv="chitose"] Chitose

[dl adv="gala_prince"] Gala Prince

[dl adv="gala_prince"] Gala Prince

[dl adv="dragonyule_malora"] Dragonyule Malora can replace any one spot.

[dl adv="yachiyo"] Yachiyo is considered to be the flex spot, meaning other adventurers can replace her.

This composition is the most widely used composition in both public rooms and pre-mades. It clears very quickly (anywhere from sub-1 minute to 3 minutes), allows everyone to use 2 DPS wyrmprints, and is easy to execute.

The idea behind this composition is to give your team +30% Def Up before the initial blast to allow everyone to bring a 2nd DPS wyrmprints instead of the [dl wp="ruler_of_darkness"] High Zodiark print and clear quickly enough to skip the hectic 3rd phase. This can be achieved with either both Gala Princes using their S2s before the blast or having Malora's Def co-ability replace one of those Gala Princes' S2s.

In addition, [dl d="cupid"] Cupid heals will keep everyone at healthy HP or cover for errors.

High Zodiark Moveset

This moveset describes the most popular strategy, which is the 4 DPS one.

High Zodiark: Expert by N4D

IMPORTANT: This guide was written with the assumption that everyone is similarly invested. If you are in a lobby with varying levels of STR and might, the weakest players should get imprisoned by Purgatorial Prison. For example, if you are in a room with a 8k might Gala Prince and a 6.5k might Yachiyo, the Yachiyo should get imprisoned over the Gala Prince despite this guide saying otherwise.

Phase 1

The first phase is where you will be introduced to most of the fight's mechanics and do most of the damage.

Moves Target

Iframeable? Strategy Cursed Catastrophe All

No [dl adv="gala_prince"] Gala Princes

Gala Princes will use their S2 before the blast to give everyone up to +30% Def Up to skip using the [dl wp="ruler_of_darkness"] High Zodiark print. Breath Closest

No [dl adv="mitsuhide"][dl adv="fleur"][dl adv="dragonyule_malora"] Baiter

Baiter baits the breath upwards.



[dl adv="gala_prince"] Gala Princes

Gala Princes shapeshift and give everyone Cupid heals and buffs to put everyone at full HP and push for an early Overdrive. Charge Closest

Yes [dl adv="mitsuhide"][dl adv="fleur"][dl adv="dragonyule_malora"] Baiter

Bait this charge to the bottom-right. Iframe this or else your combo count necessary for [dl wp="twinfold_bonds"] Twinfold Bonds will drop. You can also Force Strike and roll away right before the charge but it is riskier. Accursed Venom x2 Closest x2

No [dl adv="mitsuhide"][dl adv="fleur"][dl adv="dragonyule_malora"][dl adv="yachiyo"][dl adv="chitose"] Baiters

The first Accursed Venom targets the closest person, and the second one targets the second closest. Bait the two venoms to the right and top. Do not bait them towards the Cupids. Dash Farthest

No [dl adv="gala_prince"][dl d="cupid"] Gala Princes in Cupid Form

The two Gala Princes will bait this dash to the bottom wall with their Cupids. Tail Slam Behind HZD

Yes Umbral Chaser All

No Do not BREAK here.

Do not break High Zodiark during the chasers! If damage is too high, stop attacking or do one tap at a time to keep combo count.



If you want to maintain your 100% STR buff from [dl wp="spirit_of_the_season"] Spirit of the Season, do not stack here. Otherwise, it is okay to eat another person's chaser. Cursed Realm (▯)



Purgatorial Prison x2 Closest





Farthest x2

No BREAK

You should be breaking here to cancel both the marker and the prisons. Remember to break AFTER the prisons occur so your team does not have two players doing nothing.



[dl adv="mitsuhide"][dl adv="fleur"][dl adv="dragonyule_malora"] Closest Player

The closest player will be targetted by the marker.



[dl adv="gala_prince"][dl adv="chitose"][dl adv="yachiyo"] Lower DPS Characters

The two farthest players will be prisoned while the marker is about to go off. Priority of characters who get imprisoned are (1) Any non-DPS, (2) Gala Prince, and (3) Yachiyo. If you are one of these characters, run far away early! Do not imprison your main DPS (i.e. your Mitsuhide or Fleur). Charge Closest

Yes Spectral Flames Break only the bottom one. Cursed Realm (▯) Closest

No [dl adv="mitsuhide"][dl adv="fleur"] Closest Player

The closest player will grab this marker, usually the baiter. Shapeshift and then go to right side of the bottom Flame region you just broke but not into the purple of the right Flame. Dragon skill to solo tank this marker. Make sure that no one else is inside the marker. Dash x4 Closest to Farthest

No Dash order

High Zodiark will dash four times, each one targeted at a different player. The order of who gets targeted is determined by the distance from High Zodiark right before the first dash. For example, whoever is hitting High Zodiark will be dashed first and whoever is sitting right up against the wall will be dashed last.



Line up before the Dash

Before the first dash occurs, line up, pick your order, and stop attacking. Prepare to move out of the first dash's trajectory. Getting an extra hit or two during this time will not do anything and will only confuse which dash is whose.



If you are first in line but are not the host, stop attacking because attack combos (especially daggers, axes, and swords) oftentimes cause positional desync on the host's screen, making the first dash go towards the right or left instead of straight down.



Baiting the Dashes

When it is your turn to bait the dash, aim the dashes perpendicularly into the wall and try to keep High Zodiark towards the bottom wall. Then, roll through High Zodiark before the purple dash AoE appears but not so early that he turns around with you and dashes to the top. Baiting perpendicularly will reduce how much High Zodiark slides sideways, and baiting towards the bottom wall will reduce the distance that High Zodiark moves.



If you are not sure which dash is yours, just bait multiple to be safe.



High Zodiark's back is safe.

If the dashes are baited properly, it is possible to continuously DPS as long as you are hitting his back. Only the front and sides (if High Zodiark slides) are dangerous. If you don't trust your teammates, just play it safe and be ready to dodge. Charge Closest

Yes Breath Closest

No [dl adv="mitsuhide"][dl adv="fleur"][dl adv="dragonyule_malora"] Baiter

Bait this breath away from your teammates. Tail Slam

Yes Be careful! If you get hit by this tail slam, you may die to the upcoming Shadow Blast. The only way to save yourself here is for someone to Cupid and heal immediately.

Phase 2

The second phase starts to mix up all the moves in the first phase. A 4 DPS composition will clear halfway through this phase.

Moves Target

Iframeable? Strategy Shadow Blast All

No [dl adv="gala_prince"][dl adv="chitose"][dl adv="yachiyo"] Lower DPS Characters

If you are one of the lower DPS characters, quickly move away as far as possible before the blast goes off. The next move will imprison the two farthest characters while High Zodiark throws venom at the two closest. If the imprisoned characters are too close, they may die to the venom.



[dl adv="gala_prince"][dl adv="chitose"][dl adv="yachiyo"][dl adv="dragonyule_malora"] Lower DPS Characters If Someone Died

If someone in your team died, two of the three remaining players should run as far away as possible. The reason for this is that High Zodiark will imprison two of the three remaining characters but will still target the two closest for venom. Therefore, characters who are usually in charge of baiting the second venom will get imprisoned and then have venom thrown at them. Purgatorial Prison x2 Farthest x2

No [dl adv="gala_prince"][dl adv="chitose"][dl adv="yachiyo"] Lower DPS Characters

You should already be far away from High Zodiark when you get imprisoned. Attempting to run right after the Shadow Blast, may not give you enough time to get far away. Accursed Venom x2 Closest x2

No [dl adv="mitsuhide"][dl adv="fleur"][dl adv="dragonyule_malora"][dl adv="yachiyo"] Baiters

This is the same as the first one. If your imprisoned teammates are too close, try your best to bait the venoms away from them. Spectral Flames Break the bottom and right ones. Breath Closest

No [dl adv="mitsuhide"][dl adv="fleur"][dl adv="dragonyule_malora"] Baiter

Bait this breath towards where the right Flame used to be, then move left until you are out of the purple AoE. Failure to bait this breath towards the right will result in a wipe. Cursed Realm (▯)/Field (▭)



Purgatorial Prison x2

Closest





Farthest x2



No A typical 4 DPS run clears around here if not earlier.

This means that if the run goes past this, people may not know High Zodiark's next set of moves.



[dl adv="mitsuhide"][dl adv="fleur"][dl adv="dragonyule_malora"][dl adv="yachiyo"] Closest Player with Shapeshift

The closest player will grab this marker. It is highly recommended that the person grabbing this marker has shapeshift ready. Move away from your teammates, shapeshift, then dragon tank the marker alone. If you ended up getting the marker but do not have shapeshift ready, it is best to sacrifice yourself.



[dl adv="gala_prince"][dl adv="chitose"] Everyone Else

Move away to the wall if you aren't close to getting a 2nd break here. Dash Farthest

No [dl adv="chitose"][dl adv="yachiyo"][dl adv="gala_prince"] Farthest Player

People die to this dash a lot because they either don't know the fight beyond this point or forgot. Get ready to move out of the way. Tail Slam Behind HZD

Yes Breath Closest

No Shadow Blast All

No Spectral Flames Break the bottom one only



OR



break the bottom and right ones. Cursed Realm (▯)/Field (▭)



Umbral Chaser

Closest





All



No Broke bottom Flame only.

[dl adv="mitsuhide"][dl adv="fleur"][dl adv="dragonyule_malora"][dl adv="yachiyo"][dl adv="gala_prince"] Closest Player

Like the previous markers, the closest player will be targetted by the marker. The one with the marker should stand next to High Zodiark or close to the right side of the bottom Flame area (depending on the orientation of the marker) and dragon tank it.



[dl adv="chitose"] Everyone Else

Everyone else should crowd towards the bottom wall without overlapping chasers.



OR



Broke bottom and right Flames.

[dl adv="mitsuhide"][dl adv="fleur"][dl adv="dragonyule_malora"][dl adv="yachiyo"][dl adv="gala_prince"] Closest Player

The one with the marker should stand where the right Flame used to be and dragon tank it.



[dl adv="chitose"] Everyone Else

Everyone else should crowd where the bottom Flame used to be. Dash Farthest

No Accursed Venom x2 Closest x2

No [dl adv="mitsuhide"][dl adv="fleur"][dl adv="dragonyule_malora"][dl adv="yachiyo"][dl adv="gala_prince"] Baiters

These venoms are not paired with the Purgatorial Prisons, so just bait them however you want.

Phase 3

The third phase is where everything starts to get hectic. The reason the 4 DPS composition is so favored is that you get to skip this part entirely.

Moves Target

Iframeable? Strategy Shadow Blast All

No Charge Closest

Yes Breath Closest

No Tail Slam Behind HZD

Yes Spectral Flames Break the bottom and right ones.







Breath



OR



Cursed Realm (▯)/Field (▭)



Umbral Chaser Closest

No





Closest

No HZD will randomly choose between the two.



[dl adv="mitsuhide"][dl adv="fleur"][dl adv="dragonyule_malora"] Baiter or Closest Player

The baiter or the one with the marker moves to the open area on the right side.



[dl adv="gala_prince"][dl adv="chitose"][dl adv="yachiyo"] Everyone Else

Everyone else should sit where the bottom flame used to be. Spectral Flames (one by one) These Spectral Flames are different. They pop up one by one starting from the top, the sides, then the bottom. They also explode at different times, meaning the top Flame's venom explosion will expire first. You do not need to break any, but it may help a little to break a couple if possible. Tail Slam Behind HZD

Yes Accursed Venom x2 Closest x2

No [dl adv="mitsuhide"][dl adv="fleur"][dl adv="dragonyule_malora"][dl adv="yachiyo"][dl adv="gala_prince"] Baiters

Bait these venoms one towards the right Flame and one to the left Flame. Breath Closest

No [dl adv="mitsuhide"][dl adv="fleur"][dl adv="dragonyule_malora"][dl adv="yachiyo"][dl adv="gala_prince"] Baiters

Bait this breath towards the bottom Flame, and roll through to the top where the top Flame's explosion expired. Dash x4 Closest to Farthest

No At this point, you are running out of time. Shapeshift if you have it and hope for the best. If not, then try your best to not die while attacking. Breath Closest

No The run ends here.

Known Bugs