As far as mounts go in Final Fantasy XIV, it’s safe to assume that the most badass rides usually require a fair amount of grind. The Rathalos mount is one of these mounts, but farming for the monster isn’t as bad as you might think, especially not post-Stormblood.
The Rathalos mount is obtained, rather predictably, through fighting Rathalos, who entered Final Fantasy XIV as part of the same Monster Hunter World collaboration event. Unlike other events on the FFXIV calendar, this one has no end date and is now considered a permanent fixture in the MMO.
How to get the Rathalos mount in Final Fantasy XIV
The Rathalos mount is a possible drop from The Great Hunt (Extreme) upon completion. Alternatively, you can trade 50 Rathoalos Scales+ for your own Rathalos Whistle to summon the dragon. Each Trial clear earns you one Rathoalos Scale+ — 50 clears for a mount.
How to unlock The Great Hunt Extreme Trial
- Complete the level 70 MSQ quest “Stormblood”
- Complete both even quests from the Hearty Hunter in Kugane (X:9.7, Y:8.9):
- The New King on the Block (including successful completion of The Great Hunt)
- The Newer King on the Block
It’s true that getting the Rathalos mount can be a bit of a grind unless you get lucky and get the Rathalos Whistle as a drop in the treasure chest after successfully completing the fight, but the grind isn’t as bad as some of the other mount grinds.
The mount isn’t the only reward worth grinding out, either, so it’s a good chance to score more collectibles. You also get four regular Rathalos Scales per clear, which can be exchanged for other items, such as gear pieces and Orchestrion Rolls.
The good news is that, while this is indeed an Extreme Trial, we now have 20 levels over the recommended level, meaning that this one can be unsynced or even fought solo if you’ve got the guts. If you’re hoping to clear this solo, I’d recommend going in as a tank to withstand the damage output of Rathalos and other adds, but it’s pretty easy to get through this one without too much help.