Garuda Hard Mode

[Ysarel]

How do you avoid the slip streams? I always though it was target based since it wasn't a "red box" move.

It's a conal attack, there's just no ground indicator for it.

For reference, I was able to do HM garuda in a DF group with 6600hp in Defiance on my alt WAR. I died a couple times (we 2 shotted her), and the sentiment that the most worrisome time is the add phase is correct. If you are skilled, you can probably get away with 6000-6200 (?) as long as you have good healers for the add phase. The rest of the damage is negligible, especially if you avoid slipstreams, which a knowledgeable healer will thank you profusely for.

6600 is overkill, you'd be sitting pretty for Titan at that point as long as you and the healers know the fight mechanics. 5500 is enough to MT or OT Garuda as WAR if you're dodging Slipstream. I'd suggest a minimum average iLevel of 55.

[Vortok]

How do you avoid the slip streams? I always though it was target based since it wasn't a "red box" move.

As mentioned, run behind her. It works for a lot of spells in this game (Void Thunder/Fire is another strong example). I know we've all played a lot of MMOs where npc casters can magically face the right direction no matter how much you run around them and finish their cast anyway, but in this game they seem to obey the same rules that player casters have to deal with. Was fighting a Gigas in Mor Dhona earlier that used Stone as its primary attack - just ran around it a bunch and it rarely finished a cast. Similar story for a nearby sprite that used Thunder.

It's probably why the cast time on generic spells that enemies use (Blizzard, Thunder, Stone, etc.) is so fast - to make the effort of dancing behind them less worthwhile, especially if you have melee dps that'll get cranky if you're constantly turning stuff. Might try it next time I'm in Stone Vigil with no DRG or MNK, though. Could lower the damage output of those 'trap card' 3 pulls of sprites since some healers seem to have issues bombing heals during those pulls.

Would've made that giant burst of damage (from 2 adds + the boss casting a void spell) at 25% of the last fight in Haukke Manor a lot easier to deal with if I'd known it back then, haha.

[Kal-El]

Depends really how your party is set up. Garuda really only needs 1 tank but if you're only tanking Garuda I'd be aiming for ilvl 60? That way you're not getting carried by your healers. Solo tanking Garuda and the red add I'd be aiming for DL/AK mix.

If you get a tank drop in AK you get at least 2 pieces at once (usually what happened with me) so it shouldn't take too long

[M1A2]

Slipstream is a frontal beam spell you can dodge by strafing left or right or as others have said running through her you just have to be watching and move early in the cast. Garuda can be main or off tanked with Ilvl 55 armor and hq lvl 48/49 jewelry as long as the healers are decent. One other thing about Garuda she will cast a spell on the #2 target on her hate list if it's a healer or dps and they are far away from her she will leave the mt and run toward them so the off tank needs to try to stay 2nd on hate to keep it from happening.