Category:Ambuscade

Ambuscade is a new type of battle content wherein the enemies within change every monthly version update, first released in the April 5th 2016 Version Update[1]. Ambuscade has a variety of difficulty levels, so everyone from seasoned veterans to those just starting out should find a challenge equal to their needs. With varying rewards to match. Those wishing to tackle the strongest foes are advised to select “Very Difficult” and be prepared for a valiant struggle! Latent effects from Legion Rewards denoted with "Legion:" are active in Ambuscade.[2]

Getting Started

Complete the Stepping into an Ambuscade Records of Eminence objective and speak with Gorpa-Masorpa in Mhaura at (G-9) for an explanation about Ambuscade.

• Players must have completed the First Step Forward Records of Eminence objective in order to undertake Stepping into an Ambuscade.
  • Stepping into an Ambuscade can be set from the Tutorial section of the Records of Eminence menu under Basics:

Quests → Objective List → Tutorial → Basics → Stepping into an Ambuscade

Be in possession of either the Ambuscade Primer Volume One or Volume Two Key Items.

• All party members must be in possession of one of these two Key Items.

Eligibility Requirements

In order to participate, players must satisfy the following:

• Complete either the Ambuscade Primer Volume One or Volume Two objectives in order to obtain the Key Item for the corresponding volume of the primer for the type of battle players wish to complete.
  • Players may have only one of each of the Ambuscade Primer Key Items.
    • Objective targets vary by month after a version update, opponents are rotated out, and generally not repeated.

• The Ambuscade Primer Volume One and Two objectives can be undertaken from the Ambuscade category of the Records of Eminence menu.

Quests → Objective List → Content → Ambuscade

Dynamis and Abyssea monsters do not count for kills required

Entry and Progression

• Examine the Ambuscade Tome in Mhaura (G-9) and select the type and difficulty level you would like to attempt.
  • Only the party leader may register the group.
  • The party will be registered so long as the system detects that there are no issues with the layer area or registering party members.
    • Players will be unable to register if:
      • Any player is not in possession of an Amuscade Primer Volume One or Two Key Item.
      • The number of registrants exceeds the maximum of fifty reservations.
      • A party member already has a reservation.
        • To cancel a reservation:
          • A player may cancel their reservation via the ambuscade tome.
          • Three minutes has passed from the time the player is notified that their instance is ready.
          • The registrant boards a boat.
          • The registrant leaves Mhaura in any way.
  • Adding new party members after registration will not cancel the registration, but the party may only enter with the number of players it registered with.
• A message will display for the party leader when entry is ready.
  • As of the July 2016 update^[3], automatic entering was added.
    • The default setting is "off" and may be changed by having the party lead examine the Ambuscade Tome and selecting the Toggle auto-transport function.
    • In line with this, having the auto-transport function off has a notification sound played when it is the party's turn.
      • This may be disabled via the sound settings in the Config menu.
• Examine the ambuscade tome within three minutes to enter.
  • The time limit for an Ambuscade is 30 minutes (Earth time).
  • Between 1~6 players may participate.
    • Trusts may be called after entering Maquette Abdhaljs-Legion.
      • The number of alter egos that may be called forth will depend on the number of players initially registered.
    • Player HP and MP will be restored to full and any status ailments they are suffering from will be removed upon entry.
  • Key Items will only be lost upon victory.
    • Meaning that should a player or group lose, they may reattempt the battlefield without having to reacquire new Key Items.
  • As of the August 2022 update^[4], Exemplar Points are no longer gained or lost in Ambuscade.

Upon victory, a special currencies known as Hallmarks and Badges of Gallantry, which may be exchanged for rewards, Experience/Limit Points, and Capacity points will be given to all players.

Notorious Monsters inside Ambuscade do not drop any treasure directly.

---

Battle Information

A Word On Enmity

• Enmity functions abnormally in two ways.

1. The mobs will go to a random player once someone aggros.
2. After aggro everyone is on the hate list by default, so you can easily get hate with AOE enmity actions like Warcry and Valiance or self target enmity actions like Foil and Pflug.

Battle Type & Levels

There are two types of Ambuscades you may attempt. Entry into either is determined by which Key Item you possess.

Primer Volume One Type Difficulty Content Level Hallmarks Earned Gallantry Earned Intense Ambuscade Very Difficult 139 3600 300 / 600 / 900 / 1200 / 1500 Difficult 134 2400 240 / 480 / 720 / 960 / 1200 Normal 129 1200 180 / 360 / 540 / 720 / 900 Easy 124 600 80 / 160 / 240 / 320 / 400 Very Easy 119 200 20 / 40 / 60 / 80 / 100

Primer Volume Two Type Difficulty Content Level Hallmarks Earned Gallantry Earned Ambuscade Very Difficult 129 300 30 / 60 / 90 / 120 / 150 Difficult 124 250 25 / 50 / 75 / 100 / 125 Normal 119 200 20 / 40 / 60 / 80 / 100 Easy 114 150 15 / 30 / 45 / 60 / 75 Very Easy 109 100 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50

An Abdhaljs Seal will triple the amount of hallmarks and gallantry you receive from a successful Ambuscade.

Intense Ambuscade (Vol. One)

Volume 1, January 2026, Lamiae

Difficulty Foes Notes Very Difficult Bozzetto Freyja (RNG) Bozzetto Skathi(RNG) x1, Bozzetto Frigg(RNG) x1 Gains aura after breaking enmity for ~4 seconds. Difficult Bozzetto Freyja (RNG) Bozzetto Skathi(RNG) x1, Bozzetto Frigg(RNG) x1 Normal Bozzetto Freyja (RNG) Bozzetto Skathi(RNG) x1, Bozzetto Frigg(RNG) x1 Easy Bozzetto Freyja (RNG) Bozzetto Skathi(RNG) x1, Bozzetto Frigg(RNG) x1 Very Easy Bozzetto Freyja (RNG) Bozzetto Skathi(RNG) x1, Bozzetto Frigg(RNG) x1 Notes: Bozzetto Freyja: Weak to piercing damage. At lower HP, a Lamia will gain a regain effect. If the Skathi and Frigg are defeated before the Bozzetto Freyja they will respawn. Every 25% HP lost on the Freyja will cause all enemies to simultaneously use Eagle Eye Shot. If the target with hate turns their back and breaks gaze contact for ~4 seconds then the Freyja will gain an aura. This causes the Freyja to begin ignoring enmity and changing targets. The new target should bring the Freyja back to the tank and reestablish a gaze on the target will remove the aura and return enmity to normal. Uses the following moves: Tail Slap: Conal damage and Stun. Pinning Shot: AoE damage and Bind. Shadow Thrust: Single target damage. Draw In: Used against players which cast offensive magic (enfeebling magic, geomancy, etc) on Freyja. This draws all players in. Petrifactive Dance: AoE Terror and hate reset if directly facing Freyja. Note: Petrifactive Dance is now Stone Dance as of January 2026 update. Petrifaction: Conal Petrification if directly facing Freyja. Impaling Disregard: AoE 15' Petrification and 5-count Doom if not directly facing Freyja. Note: Impaling Disregard is now Imparing Disregard as of January 2026 update. Bozzetto Skathi: Weak to blunt damage. Uses the following moves: Tail Slap: Conal damage and Stun. Shadow Thrust: Single target damage. Calcifying Deluge: Conal damage and Petrification. Divine Retribution: AoE 15' Damage, Petrification, and hate reset. Blight Dance: AoE Petrification and 300/tic poison if directly facing Skathi. Note: Blight Dance is now Boulder Dance as of January 2026 update. Petrifaction: Conal Petrification if directly facing Skathi. Impaling Disregard: AoE 15' Petrification and 5-count Doom if not directly facing the Skathi. Note: Impaling Disregard is now Imparing Disregard as of January 2026 update. Very Easy - Difficult: Defeating the Bozetto Freyja will cause the Bozetto Skathi to spam Boulder Dance. Normal - Very Difficult: If the target with hate turns their back and breaks gaze contact for ~4 seconds then Skathi will gain an aura. This causes Skathi to begin ignoring enmity and changing targets. The new target should bring Skathi back to the tank and reestablish a gaze on the target will remove the aura and return enmity to normal. Very Difficult: The Bozzetto Skathi will repetitively use Boulder Dance regardless of the Freyja being defeated or not. Bozzetto Frigg: Weak to slashing damage. Uses the following moves: Tail Slap: Conal damage and Stun. Luxurious Dance: AoE 15' Gaze charm and Burn if directly facing Frigg. Note: Luxurious Dance is now Raqs Baladi Dance as of January 2026 update. Chastening Disregard: AoE 15' Amnesia and Mute if not directly facing Frigg. Very Easy - Difficult: Defeating the Bozetto Freyja will cause the Bozetto Frigg to spam Raqs Baladi Dance. Very Difficult: Has an additional effect "Petrification" on auto-attacks, last for 1~2 seconds maximum. Cannot be dispelled. The Bozzetto Frigg will repetitively use Raqs Baladi Dance whether Freyja has been defeated or not. Will use it much more than the rest of her abilities, therefore using a pet to tank it is more safe. If the target with hate turns their back and breaks gaze contact for ~4 seconds then Frigg will gain an aura. This causes Frigg to begin ignoring enmity and changing targets. The new target should bring Frigg back to the tank and reestablish a gaze on the target will remove the aura and return enmity to normal. Beware that this will also work on pets, so if you're using a PUP tank strategy, make sure the puppet face it before pulling it into a corner. Setups and Strategies: Very Difficult: Tested last night with this setup, 6 minute clears Setup: PLD/BLU RNG/WAR RNG/WAR COR/RNG BRD/RDM WHM/SCH Buffs: COR: SAM / Chaos BRD: Honor March / Archer Prelude / Minuet x2 WHM: Barstonra / Barpetra Strategy: Party move 20+ from start and always stay 20.1+ from all three. PLD pulls them to start and faces them to party. PLD turns away on: Stone Dance, Petrifaction, Boulder Dance, and Raqs Baladi Dance. Kill order: Freyja > Skathi > Frigg Dia II followed up with light shot x2 Just before Freyja goes down PLD uses Fealty. Alternate Setup: Tank, CORx2 (or COR, RNG), BRD/WHM, WHM, PUP Samurai / Chaos rolls, and Tactician / Hunter if using second COR. Honor March, Minuet x2, Archer's Prelude (or second Minuet if CORx2 and only 3 songs available). Scherzo on tank. PUP tanks Frigg far away while tank pulls to where party zones in. Tank turns during gaze moves, and faces Freyja and Skathi during any Disregard moves. BRD prioritizes Poisona if tank misses turning or facing a special move while WHM prioritizes Stona. Kill Freyja, then Skathi, and finally Frigg (let the puppet tank Frigg). As long as no one casts a debuff directly on Freyja (causing Draw-in), and the tank can at least avoid Doom (face target during Imparing Disregard), this should be a very easy battle. Key Item Locations: Assaults (Ilrusi Atoll): Deserter Azure Experiments Survival Guide - Arrapago Is. - Caedarva Mire, zone back into Arrapago Reef, and follow the path to the boat with Lamiae on it. Arrapago Staging Point - Scattered around the area.

Regular Ambuscade (Vol. Two)

Volume 2, January 2026, Arcana

Difficulty Foes Notes Very Difficult Archytas () Overseeing Eye x1, Sturdy Decanter x1 Difficult Archytas () Overseeing Eye x1, Sturdy Decanter x1 Normal Archytas () Overseeing Eye x1, Sturdy Decanter x1 Easy Archytas () Overseeing Eye x1, Sturdy Decanter x1 Very Easy Archytas () Overseeing Eye x1, Sturdy Decanter x1 Notes: Archytas: Archytas takes reduced damage from all sources until the other two are killed. Once they're dead, Archytas takes normal damage from piercing and magic damage. Uses typical Doll TP abilities. Overseeing Eye is very evasive and takes single digit damage from all sources, but has low HP. Sturdy Decanter is resistant to all damage types except blunt damage. Both use typical TP abilities for their families. Setups and Strategies:

Previous Battles

Old battlefield information is stored on the Ambuscade Archive page.

Rewards

See Ambuscade Rewards for specific item and equipment rewards.

Hallmarks

Hallmarks are the primary currency of Ambuscade. They can be used to purchase items from Gorpa-Masorpa.
There are two types of rewards available. Those received in exchange for Hallmarks and those received for total amount of hallmarks accumulated.

• Hallmarks are not expended upon receiving items from the list of rewards for total amount of hallmarks accumulated.
• The types of items available vary with the content of that month’s Ambuscade.
• Your total number of hallmarks will reset back to 0 after each month's version update.

Hallmarks and Badges of Gallantry are reset upon the next month's version update being implemented (usually set to happen from around the 3rd to the 10th of a month).^[5]

Gallantry

Badges of Gallantry are the secondary currency of Ambuscade. They can be used to purchase items from Gorpa-Masorpa, and are only given to those who participate in Ambuscade with other players.

• Like Hallmarks, your Badges of Gallantry will reset back to 0 after each month's version update.

Hallmarks and Badges of Gallantry are reset upon the next month's version update being implemented (usually set to happen from around the 3rd to the 10th of a month).^[6]

Monthly Adventurer Campaigns

There is one type of campaign that may run any given month.

Ambuscade Point Bonus Campaign

• When this Monthly Adventurer Campaign is active, hallmarks and badges of gallantry will yield double the normal amount once per day when participating in each Ambuscade difficulty level.
  • This bonus will reset at Japanese Midnight Earth time and stacks with the effects of Abdhaljs Seals to yield a total of four times the normal amount.
    • Unclear on whether a mistranslation. Currently observed value with Campaign active and Seal used is 5 times the normal amount.
      • As of July 2024, using a Seal during the Campaign stacks multiplicatively, resulting in 6 times the usual Gallantry.

Ambuscade Gallantry Campaign

• When this Monthly Adventurer Campaign is active, the number of Badges of Gallantry earned from Normal and Intense Ambuscades will be doubled once per Earth day.
  • This bonus will reset at Japanese Midnight Earth time and stacks with the effects of Abdhaljs Seals.

JSE Cape Augmentation

Job-specific Back equipment obtained with a Ambuscade Voucher: Back can be augmented by trading them along with certain items to Gorpa-Masorpa.

• See the JSE capes page for augment information for the Job Specific Capes.

To augment a cape:

• Trade the item to Gorpa-Masorpa along with either an Abdhaljs Thread, Abdhaljs Dust, Abdhaljs Sap, Abdhaljs Dye or an Abdhaljs Resin.
• Select the desired attribute, and confirm your choice. After the initial trade, you can max out that path on your next trade if you also trade enough materials.
  • Augments may be changed by repeating the above steps.
  • Changing the augment path will not return any items used up to that point.
    • However, when using an Abdhaljs Needle to change the augment, the current potency is maintained.
• Further trading an augmented item with items corresponding to the attribute initially selected will increase the strength of the augmentation.
  • For maximum strength augments the following are all required per cape:

Abdhaljs Thread x20, Abdhaljs Dust x20, Abdhaljs Sap x10, Abdhaljs Dye x10, Abdhaljs Resin x5

Armor Upgrade

To upgrade Salvage Armor Variant Ambuscade Armor trade either the NQ or +1 variant and the requisite Abdhaljs Metals to Gorpa-Masorpa:

Base Armor	Trade	Armor Piece +1	Trade	Armor Piece +2	Jobs
Sulevia's		Sulevia's +1		Sulevia's +2	WAR / PLD / DRK / DRG
Hizamaru		Hizamaru +1		Hizamaru +2	MNK / NIN / SAM / PUP
Inyanga		Inyanga +1		Inyanga +2	WHM / BRD / SMN
Meghanada		Meghanada +1		Meghanada +2	THF / RNG / BST / COR / DNC / RUN
Jhakri		Jhakri +1		Jhakri +2	BLM / RDM / BLU / SCH / GEO

To upgrade Limbus and Nyzul Armor Variant Ambuscade Armor trade either the NQ or +1 variant and the requisite Abdhaljs Fibers to Gorpa-Masorpa:

Base Armor	Trade	Armor Piece +1	Trade	Armor Piece +2	Jobs
Flamma		Flamma +1		Flamma +2	WAR / PLD / DRK / SAM / DRG
Tali'ah		Tali'ah +1		Tali'ah +2	BST / PUP / SMN
Mummu		Mummu +1		Mummu +2	MNK / THF / RNG / NIN / COR / DNC
Ayanmo		Ayanmo +1		Ayanmo +2	WHM / RDM / BRD / BLU / RUN
Mallquis		Mallquis +1		Mallquis +2	BLM / SCH / GEO

Ambuscade Weapons

Speaking with Gorpa-Masorpa and listening to the message from Abdhaljs will allow you to exchange an Ambuscade Voucher: Weapon for a weapon of your choice or the grip.
Each stage is then upgraded as follows:
Abdhaljs Nugget x5 (1,500 Total Hallmarks / 4,500 Total Gallantry)
Abdhaljs Gem x5 (2,500 Total Hallmarks / 7,500 Total Gallantry)
Abdhaljs Anima x5 (4,000 Total Hallmarks / 12,000 Total Gallantry)
Abdhaljs Matter x5 (6,000 Total Hallmarks / 18,000 Total Gallantry) and one of any non-Ambuscade Pulse Weapon^‡

• Any means literally any. The Pulse Weapon type does not have to match up with your desired Ambuscade Weapons. For example, one could use Ephemeron to create Gokotai.
• Total Hallmark milestone rewards grant an Ambuscade Voucher: Weapon as well five(5) of each of the above upgrade materials (not including Pulse Weapon), allowing you to score a complimentary Kaja Weapon by collecting 5,300 Hallmarks, or (if you have a Pulse Weapon) a fully-upgraded Ambuscade Weapon by 9,600 Hallmarks, per monthly reset.
• Beyond the one complimentary item each month, additional Weapon Vouchers and upgrade materials may be purchased using Hallmarks or Gallantry. The full cost per weapon including the Weapon Voucher and upgrade materials comes to 15,000 Hallmarks or 48,000 Gallantry.

Weapon Type	NQ Tokko	Trade	Ajja Version	Trade	Eletta Version	Trade	Kaja Version	Trade	Final Form
Hand to Hand	Tokko Knuckles		Ajja Knuckles		Eletta Knuckles		Kaja Knuckles	➕ 1 Pulse Weapon‡	Karambit
Dagger	Tokko Knife		Ajja Knife		Eletta Knife		Kaja Knife		Tauret
Sword	Tokko Sword		Ajja Sword		Eletta Sword		Kaja Sword		Naegling
Great Sword	Tokko Claymore		Ajja Claymore		Eletta Claymore		Kaja Claymore		Nandaka
Axe	Tokko Axe		Ajja Axe		Eletta Axe		Kaja Axe		Dolichenus
Great Axe	Tokko Chopper		Ajja Chopper		Eletta Chopper		Kaja Chopper		Lycurgos
Scythe	Tokko Scythe		Ajja Scythe		Eletta Scythe		Kaja Scythe		Drepanum
Polearm	Tokko Lance		Ajja Lance		Eletta Lance		Kaja Lance		Shining One
Katana	Tokko Katana		Ajja Katana		Eletta Katana		Kaja Katana		Gokotai
Great Katana	Tokko Tachi		Ajja Tachi		Eletta Tachi		Kaja Tachi		Hachimonji
Club	Tokko Rod		Ajja Rod		Eletta Rod		Kaja Rod		Maxentius
Staff	Tokko Staff		Ajja Staff		Eletta Staff		Kaja Staff		Xoanon
Bow	Tokko Bow		Ajja Bow		Eletta Bow		Kaja Bow		Ullr
Grip	Tokko Grip		Ajja Grip		Eletta Grip		Kaja Grip		Khonsu

‡ Eligible Pulse Weapons	Source	Potpourri Category
Sagasinger	Arch Dynamis Lord	None
Ephemeron	Aello	Voidwatcher Goodness 2
Coruscanti	Qilin	Voidwatcher Goodness 2
Murasamemaru	Uptala	Voidwatcher Goodness 2
Borealis	Ig-Alima	Voidwatcher Goodness 2
Asteria	Botulus Rex	Voidwatcher Goodness 2
Delphinius	Bismarck	Voidwatcher Goodness 2
Aytanri	Morta	Voidwatcher Goodness 2
Girru	Paramount Gallu	Legion Clomper Goodness 2
Ikarigiri	Paramount Botulus	Legion Clomper Goodness 2
Tenkomaru	Svaha	Burrower Goodness 2
Himthige	Grannus	Burrower Goodness 2
Adflictio	Samursk	Burrower Goodness 2
Gusterion	Dreyruk	Burrower Goodness 2
Dukkha	Silagilith	Burrower Goodness 2
Chastisers	Urmahlullu	None
Router	Fleetstalker	None
Annealed Lance	Shockmaw	None