Final Fantasy XVI Thanatos
Screenshot by Destructoid

Final Fantasy XVI (FF16) Thanatos, Usher to the Underworld location and Hunt guide

Be prepared for the Final Fantasy XVI Usher to the Underworld hunt because it certainly packs a punch (and a huge laser as well). It looks daunting but with the tips below, you’ll be able to wipe it off the face of Valisthea. Fair warning though: you’ll be dodging a lot. Here’s how to beat the Usher to the Underworld boss and where to find it.

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Keep in mind that you can’t challenge the mighty Final Fantasy XVI Usher to the Underworld Thanatos boss until you reach the Brotherhood main story mission. This is near the end of the game.

Final Fantasy XVI Thanatos location
Screenshot by Destructoid

Where to find Final Fantasy XVI (FF16) Usher to the Underworld boss

The Final Fantasy XVI Usher to the Underworld boss is located near The Gilded Path fast travel point in the Dhalmekian Republic. Find it on the World Map and transport Clive and his friends there. Once they’ve arrived, head west to Titan’s Wake. Taking Clive’s chocobo for a ride will speed up the process. In the middle of the pathway, a cutscene will begin, revealing the huge Thanatos boss. Get ready for a tricky fight.

Final Fantasy XVI Thanatos fight
Screenshot by Destructoid

How to beat Thanatos

One of the first moves Thanatos will use is Spirits Without. If you’re not careful, it will zap Clive in an instant. On impact, it takes around 1,000 damage. The boss will send this beam at the protagonist and his friends multiple times, so try to dodge as much as possible into the laser.

Thanatos’ main attacks include a leap into the world, in which once its landed on the ground, a wave of energy disperses. Try to dodge or jump over them to take no damage. Another attack is when it stomps. Don’t be near it when the boss does this; it takes 600 damage just for one stomp. The last standard move from Thanatos is a charge. If you see it shuffling its feet, watch out. All of these attacks are slow in nature and it recovers in a subdued pace. When it’s finished its attack, try to get a few cheeky hits in before it retains itself.

As it reaches half health, it will use Destrudo. It puts its hands on the ground and summons blue fire around itself. It’s easy to avoid the plumes but do be careful regardless. It also ups the amount of times it jumps in a combo from one ripple to three ripples so watch out for that too.

As its health crumbles even further, it will begin to slam its fist to the ground after charging it up. An AoE (Area of Effect) explosion occurs so be ready to precision dodge out of the way. I wouldn’t risk trying to parry its attacks, however. The risk is too great.

My general advice for this fight is be patient and wait for opportune moments to strike. When its attacks hit Clive, they’ll certainly hurt.

Rewards for defeating Thanatos

For defeating the Final Fantasy XVI Usher to the Underworld hunt, you’ll gain the following:

  • 1 Darksteel
  • 9,000 Experience Points
  • 110 Ability Points
  • 17,000 Gil
  • 45 Renown

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Image of Chris Penwell
Chris Penwell
Chris is a writer for multiple outlets, including Destructoid! He loves narrative games like Kingdom Hearts, Life is Strange, and Beyond Good & Evil. However, he does enjoy Fortnite and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate from time to time.