You can unlock the Level 70 Normal-difficulty dungeon Kugane Castle by accepting the Level 70 quest “King of the Castle” from the East Aldenard Trading Company Associate in Kugane (X:13.9, Y:13.3).
But to access this quest you first need to finish the final MSQ from patch 4.0 of the Stormblood expansion.
In this guide we’ll show you how to unlock the dungeon step-by-step, along with detailing all of the boss mechanics and their loot drops.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Step-by-Step Unlock Guide
- Complete the level 70 MSQ “Stormblood” from Pipin in The Lochs (X:32.6, Y:22.9).
- Accept the Level 70 quest “King of the Castle” from the East Aldenard Trading Company Associate in Kugane (X:13.9, Y:13.3).
- Talk to the Sekiseigumi Blade outside the castle’s entrance in Kugane (X12.6, Y:6.2).
Detailed Unlocking Guide
Before you can start unlocking Kugane Castle, you first need to complete the MSQ “Stormblood” from Pipin in The Lochs (X:32.6, Y:22.9).
This quest requires you to finish every MSQ leading up to it, including MSQs from the previous expansion.
Once you’ve finished “Stormblood,” talk to the East Aldenard Trading Company Associate in Kugane (X:13.9, Y:13.3) and accept the quest “King of the Castle”.
The company associate will ask for your help with a dire situation unfolding within Kugane Castle. The outlaws that took over the castle are keeping many important dignitaries as hostages, including the Bugyo of Kugane.
While the Sekiseigumi (Kugane’s peacekeeping force) would normally be tasked with responding to such cases, they don’t want to risk the Bugyo’s life with an all-out assault on the castle.
Instead, they’re opting for a small band of adventurers to infiltrate the castle and deal with the outlaws.
The company associate will have you meet up with a Sekiseigumi Blade outside the castle’s sewer system to learn more about the plan.
Talk to the Sekiseigumi Blade in Kugane (X12.6, Y:6.2) to continue.
The officer will tell you that rebellious samurais and shinobis now occupy the halls of the prestigious castle, headed by a disgruntled merchant named Kageyama.
After getting a quick briefing on the situation, Kugane Castle will be unlocked.
This dungeon requires at least a level 70 Disciple of War or Magic job and an average item level of 280 to enter.
Boss #1: Zuiko-maru
Mechanics
- Clearout: A wide frontal cleave attack on the primary target.
- Harakiri Kosho: Up to two bomb-carrying automaton mobs will tether to players and drop their bombs after some time. Drag the automatons to one side and destroy them. Then, move out of the blast radius to avoid incoming damage.
- Cordage + Death Throes: “Harakiri Kosho” mobs will charge toward players with “Cordage” and attempt to bind them with “Death Throes.”
- Kenki Release: A room-wide AoE attack. Mitigate and heal through the damage.
- Helm Crack: A random player with be targeted with a stack marker. Have everyone stand inside the marker to share incoming damage.
Rewards
- 4 Allagan Tomestone of Poetics
| Name | Type | Rarity |
|---|---|---|
| Arhat Bracelets of Aiming | Bracelets | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Bracelets of Casting | Bracelets | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Bracelets of Fending | Bracelets | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Bracelets of Healing | Bracelets | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Bracelets of Slaying | Bracelets | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Kyahan of Aiming | Feet | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Kyahan of Casting | Feet | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Kyahan of Fending | Feet | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Kyahan of Healing | Feet | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Kyahan of Maiming | Feet | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Kyahan of Scouting | Feet | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Kyahan of Striking | Feet | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Ring of Aiming | Ring | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Ring of Casting | Ring | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Ring of Fending | Ring | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Ring of Healing | Ring | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Ring of Slaying | Ring | Dungeon (Green) |
| Cracked Hanya Mask | Other | Basic |
Boss #2: Dojun-maru
Mechanics
- Issen: A non-telegraphed cleaving attack that deals moderate damage. Face the boss away from the party at all times.
- Juji Shuriken: A narrow line AoE attack towards a random player.
- Clockwork Medium: The boss will spawn multiple “Elite Omnitsu” mobs inside and outside the arena.
- Tatami-gaeshi: Up to four Omnitsus will cast ground AoE attacks that knock players up and apply stacking “Vulnerability Up” debuffs for 30 seconds. Dispel the debuffs as necessary. Later in the fight, these Omnitsus will use “Juji Shuriken” immediately after “Tatami-gaeshi.”
- Elite Omnitsu: Up to three Omnitsus will spawn inside the arena that must be killed as soon as possible.
- Harakiri: “Elite Omnitsu” mobs will eventually suicide if left alive for too long, dealing massive room-wide AoE damage.
- Clockwork Raiton: The boss will target up to two players with circle AoEs. This mechanic will overlap with “Clockwork Medium.” Spread out to avoid overlapping damage.
Rewards
- 6 Allagan Tomestone of Poetics
| Name | Type | Rarity |
|---|---|---|
| Arhat Earring of Aiming | Earrings | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Earring of Casting | Earrings | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Earring of Fending | Earrings | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Earring of Healing | Earrings | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Earring of Slaying | Earrings | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Kote of Fending | Hands | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Kote of Maiming | Hands | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Tekko of Aiming | Hands | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Tekko of Casting | Hands | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Tekko of Healing | Hands | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Tekko of Scouting | Hands | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Tekko of Striking | Hands | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Hanbo of Healing | Head | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Hanbo of Striking | Head | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Kabuto of Fending | Head | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Kabuto of Maiming | Head | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Kabuto of Scouting | Head | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Sandogasa of Aiming | Head | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Sandogasa of Casting | Head | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Necklace of Aiming | Necklace | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Necklace of Casting | Necklace | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Necklace of Fending | Necklace | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Necklace of Healing | Necklace | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Necklace of Slaying | Necklace | Dungeon (Green) |
Boss #3: Yojimbo
Mechanics
Kageyama will pay the boss with piles of gold throughout the encounter to make his special attack deadlier. The party needs to reduce the payment the boss receives to avoid a wipe.
- Wakizashi: A non-telegraphed cleaving attack that deals moderate damage. Face the boss away from the party at all times.
-
Payday: The boss’ companion, Daigoro, will pick up the piles of gold scattered by Kageyama around the arena. Daigoro will jump from one pile to another, knocking back anyone caught in his way.
Each pile of gold that Daigoro picks up will increase the “Funds” duty gauge by 5. The accumulated gauge number carries over to succeeding “Payday” phases. Don’t let the duty gauge reach 100, or you will wipe.
- Zanmato: A room-wide AoE attack after the “Payday” phase that deals damage based on the “Funds” duty gauge. Keep the duty gauge level to a minimum to mitigate incoming damage.
- Metta-giri: A regular room-wide AoE attack. Mitigate and heal through the damage.
- Inoshikacho: Two sets of butterflies will land consecutively around the arena. Each butterfly set will fall near the middle or near the outer edges of the arena. Determine where the first set will land, wait for the butterflies to explode, then move into the safe zone.
- Iai-giri: A point-blank AoE attack immediately after “Inoshikacho.”
- Dragon’s Lair: Starting from the second “Payday” phase, dragon heads will spawn which can interrupt players picking up gold. Have the DPS burn the heads down while the tank and healer pick up gold.
- Dragonfire: Line attacks that can interrupt players. Destroy the heads as soon as possible.
Rewards
- 10 Allagan Tomestone of Poetics
| Name | Type | Rarity |
|---|---|---|
| Grimoire of the Crimson Lotus | Arcanist’s Grimoire | Dungeon (Green) |
| Longbow of the Crimson Lotus | Archer’s Arm | Dungeon (Green) |
| Astrometer of the Crimson Lotus | Astrologian’s Arm | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Dogi of Casting | Body | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Dogi of Healing | Body | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Hara-ate of Fending | Body | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Hara-ate of Maiming | Body | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Togi of Aiming | Body | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Togi of Scouting | Body | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Togi of Striking | Body | Dungeon (Green) |
| Windfire Wheels of the Crimson Lotus | Dancer’s Arm | Dungeon (Green) |
| Greatsword of the Crimson Lotus | Dark Knight’s Arm | Dungeon (Green) |
| Gunblade of the Crimson Lotus | Gunbreaker’s Arm | Dungeon (Green) |
| Spear of the Crimson Lotus | Lancer’s Arm | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Hakama of Aiming | Legs | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Hakama of Casting | Legs | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Hakama of Healing | Legs | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Hakama of Scouting | Legs | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Tsutsu-hakama of Fending | Legs | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Tsutsu-hakama of Maiming | Legs | Dungeon (Green) |
| Arhat Tsutsu-hakama of Striking | Legs | Dungeon (Green) |
| Musketoon of the Crimson Lotus | Machinist’s Arm | Dungeon (Green) |
| Axe of the Crimson Lotus | Marauder’s Arm | Dungeon (Green) |
| Paladin’s Crimson Lotus Arms (IL 300) | Other | Dungeon (Green) |
| Claws of the Crimson Lotus | Pugilist’s Arm | Dungeon (Green) |
| Naigama of the Crimson Lotus | Reaper’s Arm | Dungeon (Green) |
| Rapier of the Crimson Lotus | Red Mage’s Arm | Dungeon (Green) |
| Daggers of the Crimson Lotus | Rogue’s Arm | Dungeon (Green) |
| Dzi of the Crimson Lotus | Sage’s Arm | Dungeon (Green) |
| Uchigatana of the Crimson Lotus | Samurai’s Arm | Dungeon (Green) |
| Codex of the Crimson Lotus | Scholar’s Arm | Dungeon (Green) |
| Cane of the Crimson Lotus | Two-handed Conjurer’s Arm | Dungeon (Green) |
| Rod of the Crimson Lotus | Two-handed Thaumaturge’s Arm | Dungeon (Green) |
| Dress-up Yugiri | Minion | Basic |
| Deception Orchestrion Roll | Orchestrion Roll | Basic |
Extra Treasure Coffers
Apart from the boss rewards, there are four treasure coffers located throughout the dungeon that you can open for more gear, crafting material, and crystal rewards. Their coordinates are:
- (X:11.0, Y:7.2)
- (X:10.3, Y:9.2)
- (X:11.1, Y:14.5)
- (X:11.6, Y:15.8)
Guide Navigation
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Final Fantasy XIV
- FFXIV Kugane Castle: How To Unlock + Boss Guide
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