Failing at the Howling Eye Trial as BLM

I hope this is the right forum for this. After waiting for 45 minutes to get into the trial, after about 15 minutes, it was abandoned. The plumes seemed to be the biggest issue next to the tank keeping Garuda away from us and the pillars. As a BLM, I seemed to have issues with the plumes. I felt I couldn't DPS them fast enough. I realize it's up to DPS to get the plumes so I'm asking for any advice that can help me DPS them faster. I'm depending on Fire II to do most of the DPS on groups of the plumes.

Thank you.

Is it the story Garuda? Or the Hard Mode Garuda? If its story Garuda, then yeah, fire is the best bet. Also the other dps are suppose to be helping you, and if the healer can throw a dps spell here and there, the better. I dont know much about BLM yet, but do you have a Fire AoE spell? Use that better, also any blizzard AoE spells you have.

Hope this can help a little bit.

As BLM, you are pretty key to taking down the feathers. Try to learn the timing for them appearing around Garuda - if you can land a Fire II or Blizzard II right when they spawn around her, you'll hit them all and do some pretty hefty damage.

The actual best at dealing with them is a WHM (Cleric Stance -> Double Holy will wipe all plumes in like 6 seconds) but not every WHM will be comfortable with shifting into that/the MP cost of doing so, and obviously you may not have one in the party.

I am not sure which Step of Garuda you talk (Story, Hard Mode, Extreme)...

as you obviously have an Alc-Char, I there is no hint either...

If Hard/Ex - save your Swiftcast and some MP, when the first set´s spawn, you easily can make a huge blow by Swiftcast+Flare...

Garuda story mode can be a stumbling block for a lot of people. Everyone needs to be on point.
The tank needs to keep Garuda at her rock on the North facing away from the rest of the party. They also need to avoid slipstream.
No one else should be standing anywhere near the pillars because they will get hit if you are targeted by friction.
As mentioned, landing an aoe on Garuda just as the plumes spawn can help a lot. If the tank is a warrior, they can also use overpower. At that level, fire 2 is your best bet. Use raging strikes if you have it from cross-class. A bard can also put their dot aoe under Garuda just before the plumes spawn. This helps damage them a bit at the beginning.
If the plumes do too much damage, try using the tank limit break to survive her massive attack. She only does it once in story mode.

Thank you for all of your support. It's the light party so I don't have flare yet. Next time I get in, I'll try and ask the tank to try and have Garuda facing away from us and have the party stand away from the pillars.

Correct. Garuda should be facing outside the pillars aa much as possible : )

If you feel your damage is too low and you are entering the fight at the minimum of 44, consider getting to 45-46 as you will get some of your AF gear and maybe a weapon upgrade which should help you significantly.

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Originally Posted by Estellios

If you feel your damage is too low and you are entering the fight at the minimum of 44, consider getting to 45-46 as you will get some of your AF gear and maybe a weapon upgrade which should help you significantly.

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This is good advice. The level 45 Job Quests (There are two) will score you one new ability, and also job-specific gear for several slots that are, despite being equippable at level 45, on par statistically with level 50 gear, which should give you a little bit of an edge.

When Garuda comes back, take care to obtain a Fire III stack immediately and then AOE Fire on the plumes as soon as you can target them, then Swiftcast and another AOE Fire. After this, there should be only a few plumes left. If they are grouped, continue with AOE Fire, if not take them one by one with single target damage. But all DD's have to go all out on them, not only the BLM. Since they spread quite quickly, it is important to kill them ASAP.

After waiting 75 minutes for the duty to begin, we downed her on our 4th attempt. All the advice was very helpful. I think a lot of it is luck; luck in getting people familiar with the mechanics.

One thing I think we were doing wrong initially is that during her Aerial Blast, we all were trying to hide behind the pillars. That seemed like instant death. But tonight, it seems like we were all grouped in the middle where she was. Is that what needs to be done to survive Aerial Blast?

Thank you!

Actually, Aerial Blast doesn't matter if you're behind pillars or right on top of her, it hits for the same damage. Or so I've heard. What matters more is the number of rocks in the pillars that are left. I think I heard 6+ reduces the damage the most, and there's like 4-6 rocks in each pillar, which gives you 24-36 rocks total. You can also buff, Stoneskin/Protect/Adliq(SCH 30s buff), maybe even BLM's Manawall/ward, to reduce the damage further.

Her big move hits for the same amount no matter where you are. Her smaller moves after the other teleports are directional and that's when you need to hide behind pillars.

Grouping in the middle for Aerial blast just makes it easier for the healer to recover from it and afterward she will surround the arena with wind so you will have to run to the center anyways.

You all have been very helpful. I really appreciate your time and expertise. Thank you.