The Steps of Faith

The Steps of Faith

Quest giver

Marcelain

Location

Coerthas Central Highlands (X:18, Y:14)

Quest line

Seventh Astral Era

Level

50

Experience

 2,340

Gil

 3,306

Previous quest

An Allied Perspective

Next quest

Administrative Decision

Patch

2.55

“

Ser Marcelain wishes to prepare you for the siege of Ishgard.

— In-game description

Rewards

Choose one of the following options:

• 1   Quickarm Materia IV
• 1   Quicktongue Materia IV

Unlocks

•   Broken Bridges

Walkthrough

Patch 6.2 removed  The Steps of Faith and converted the encounter with Vishap into a solo instanced duty. The duty is vastly different from the trial, but still much longer than most solo duties done at this point in the game. The fight essentially functions as a long DPS race, but now ends at the Third and last Ward.

First Ward

When the battle begins, Lucia the Radiant, Y'shtola and Thancred will be fighting at your side alongside numerous other NPCs against Vishap's horde. Vishap remains untargettable, so focus your attention on the adds. Soon, a Horde Armored Dragon will appear, but has no noteable abilities other than a damaging Dragon Stomp. Once it is defeated, Vishap stuns everyone and prepares Cauterize, an extremely long line AoE that kills anyone caught in it. Once the stun wears off, follow your allies as they retreat in front of the First Ward. Once that is done, a knockback AoE appears to indicate Vishap landing and becoming targettable for the first time. The abilities he uses here are

• Fireball: A purple marker will appear on every single NPC to indicate Vishap launching fireballs on everyone. Make sure you do not overlap with anyone to minimize damage.
• Seismic Shriek: Moderate unavoidable damage attack.
• Body Slam: A knockback AoE that is at the same time being cast with Fireball, now a bunch of AoE circles on the ground. Make sure you are not standing in front of any AoEs before the knockback occurs.
• Flame Breath: An untelegraphed line AoE in the middle that will destroy the First Ward. After that occurs, Lucia will order you and the party to run off, beginning the next phase.

Second Ward

When Vishap becomes untargettable and he and the Horde charge ahead, that's the cue to retreat. Vishap will be spamming untelegraphed fireballs, Blazing Fireballs at the party in random locations as they retreat. Thancred and Y'shtola will stay to hold back Vishap while you and Lucia retreat to the Second Ward to protect it, where Yda and Papalymo are also helping. After defeating numerous adds, including a Horde Transcendent, Vishap will return to the arena, indicated by a knockback. Abilities in the first phase are retained, but new ones are present as well.

• Earth Shaker: A frontal cone AoE. Move to the left or right walls to avoid being hit.
• Earthrising: This will be the first time players will ever encounter this kind of mechanic, consisting of two Exaflares. Exaflares are red circles with yellow arrows that indicate numerous untelegraphed circle AoEs going ahead in a straight line, so don't be in front of them when they cast.

• Flame Breath: Just like in the first phase, Vishap uses this to destroy the first ward, forcing Lucia to order a retreat to the next and final Ward.

Third Ward

Once again, watch out for Blazing Fireballs as you retreat and let Yda and Papalymo hold back Vishap while you help Estinien Wyrmblood and the other defenders keep the Horde away from the Final Ward. Vishap, though untargettable, will be spamming circle AoEs at the party with Fireball. After beating the adds, Vishap returns to the battlefield for the last time, beginning the party's last stand. He retains the mechanics from the previous two encounters, and severely weakens the final ward with Flame Breath before showing new mechanics.

• Earth Shaker: This now spawns three cone AoEs that cover the entire arena. Go the spot where the AoE covered the ground last and stay there until the other two are cast to reveal a safe spot.

• Scorching Breath: Vishap prepares a final attack to destroy the last barrier; however, Lucia and her knights form a shield and take the brunt of Vishap's relentless flames to protect the Ward. A Knights' Resolve gauge will appear to indicate how long the player has before Lucia and her knights are killed; defeat Vishap before the gauge reaches 0 and the duty will be over.

Steps

• Speak with Marcelain.
• Speak with Alphinaud at the Gates of Judgement.
• Speak with Minfilia at the Rising Stones.

Journal

• Ser Marcelain wishes to prepare you for the siege of Ishgard.

• Ser Marcelain explains that the damage Iceheart inflicted on Ishgard's arcane barrier has allowed the dragons to land directly upon the Steps of Faith─the bridge which spans the Sea of Clouds between the Gates of Judgement and the city proper. You are to take up position on the Steps of Faith, and aid the Temple Knights in defending the vital structure against the Dravanian Horde.

• You have succeeded in driving the Dravanian Horde from the Steps of Faith. Return in triumph to the Gates of Judgement.

• As the remnants of the Dravanian Horde take to the skies in disarray, Ishgard's weary defenders breathe a sigh of relief. The siege is ended. Speak with Alphinaud at the Gates of Judgement and find out how your allies fared in the battle at the Steel Vigil.

• Moments after greeting Alphinaud, you are joined by a grateful Ser Aymeric, who humbly thanks you for your service. When the lord commander subsequently takes his leave, Alphinaud triumphantly declares that the stage has been set for Ishgard's return to the Eorzean Alliance. Make your way back to Revenant's Toll, and report your success to Minfilia.

• Minfilia greets your return with a mixture of triumph and relief. Having snuffed out the Dravanian threat, it is time to enjoy a well-earned rest.