Eternal Strands: How To Defeat Ark Of The Living Flame

A Guide to Overcoming the Heat-Infused Boss and Unlocking New Powers

In Eternal Strands, the third realm, Upper Dynevron, introduces players to an intense challenge with new enemy types and the introduction of a fearsome new Ark boss, the Ark of the Living Flame. As players advance through this heat-heavy realm, they will encounter not only more formidable enemies but also a variety of Ark units that deal powerful elemental damage. Among the epic encounters in Upper Dynevron, the Ark of the Living Flame stands out as a formidable opponent, testing players’ resilience and combat strategies.

This fiery boss is unique in that it deals only Heat damage, requiring players to prepare adequately to face it. Read on for a breakdown of how to defeat this dangerous boss and unlock new abilities for Brynn.

Preparing for Battle: Heat Resistance is Key

The Ark of the Living Flame specializes in dealing Heat damage, making it crucial for players to Reforge their armor with heat-resistant materials. This will significantly reduce the damage dealt by the Ark’s fiery attacks, allowing you to focus on attacking and avoiding its high-intensity projectiles. Gear up with heat-heavy armor pieces before entering the battle to enhance your chances of surviving the encounter.

Best Weapons for the Job

Both melee and ranged weapons are viable for dealing damage to the Ark of the Living Flame, but certain types can help optimize your damage output. The Flame Bow equipped with fire arrows works especially well against the Ark, as it synergizes with the boss's heat-based nature, increasing the overall damage dealt. However, the flame damage from the Ark’s body may inflict minimal damage, so relying on raw arrows is also an effective alternative.

When it comes to melee weapons, both the Sword & Shield and the Frost Sword & Shield (if you've unlocked the blueprint) work well. As your goal will be to climb up the boss's body and land hits on its weak spots, the Frost Sword’s elemental damage isn’t crucial but still adds value in terms of controlling the fight.

Special Spots and High-Value Drops

The Ark of the Living Flame features several special spots on its body, which offer high-value material drops. While these spots don’t correspond to the boss's vulnerable body parts, hitting them can reward you with items like Cinder-Infused Linen (5-star) and Refined Serenite (4-star), which can help enhance your gear. There are five special spots in total:

• Two on top of the wrists

• Two behind the knees

• One on the chest

The chest spot can be easily targeted with your bow, while the wrist and knee spots are better dealt with using your sword. Destroying the shell in these special spots will expose the Ark's red muscle, which should also be destroyed to receive the high-value drops.

Targeting Vulnerable Parts of the Ark

After securing the special drops, focus your attacks on the vulnerable spots of the Ark of the Living Flame. These include:

• The belly

• The arms

• The lower half of the legs

The belly area is especially important as it will take significant damage, draining half of the boss’s health before it becomes immune. Targeting the legs with your sword is another straightforward approach, as the muscles there are relatively easy to hit and deal consistent damage.

Avoiding the Ark’s Dangerous Attacks

The Ark of the Living Flame doesn’t just throw fireballs; it also has a powerful melee attack. If you see the Ark’s hand reaching down to grab you, dodge quickly—its grab will launch you away and cause significant damage. When this happens, drop down and run to avoid being thrown. Timing your movements to avoid this attack will keep you in the fight longer.

Obtaining Ember’s Servant Strand

Once the Ark of the Living Flame is defeated, it will drop the Ember’s Servant Strand. Delivering this item to Dahm in the camp will grant Brynn access to a new Fire ability, which allows her to summon a companion to aid in future battles. This is a valuable ability that can help Brynn as she continues her journey through Upper Dynevron and beyond.

Conclusion

Defeating the Ark of the Living Flame in Eternal Strands is no easy task, but with the right preparation and strategy, you can overcome the heat-based challenges and unlock new powers for Brynn. Be sure to Reforge your armor with heat-resistant materials, equip the best weapons for both ranged and melee combat, and target the boss’s special spots for valuable rewards. With careful planning and swift action, you’ll be able to conquer this fiery foe and move one step closer to mastering the challenges of Upper Dynevron.