One of the most engaging and atmospheric hunts in Final Fantasy XV is ‘Beasts Wallow in the Wetlands,’ a quest that takes players deep into the murky swamps of Cleigne. This hunt is not just a simple monster-slaying task it immerses players in the eerie ambiance of the wetlands, where thick fog, shallow waters, and lurking creatures create an experience that’s as much about exploration as it is about combat. For fans looking to uncover every detail of Eos, tackling this hunt is a great opportunity to earn gil, gain experience, and enjoy a suspenseful encounter with fierce creatures native to the region.
Overview of the Hunt
Basic Hunt Details
‘Beasts Wallow in the Wetlands’ is a hunt quest available in Cleigne, specifically at the Old Lestallum outpost. This area is known for its foggy, swamp-like terrain and is home to various dangerous creatures. The hunt involves tracking and eliminating a group of Malbodooms, which are large, aggressive plant-based monsters with high health pools and status-inflicting attacks.
- Location: Old Lestallum, Cleigne
- Target: Malbodoom x3
- Level Requirement: Level 38+
- Reward: 6,280 gil, 1 Oracle Ascension Coin, and 3,400 EXP
How to Unlock the Hunt
To unlock ‘Beasts Wallow in the Wetlands,’ players must have progressed through Chapter 7 or later in the main story and should have a Hunter Rank of at least 5. The hunt is available from the local tipster in Old Lestallum, and players can access it by speaking to the tipster at the outpost’s diner.
Preparing for the Hunt
Recommended Party Setup
The Malbodoom enemies are known for using poison, confusion, and slow effects. It’s crucial to come prepared with the right accessories and magic. The recommended party level is around 40 or higher to ensure survivability and efficient takedowns.
- Ignis: Useful for analyzing enemies and providing elemental damage support with Techniques.
- Prompto: Long-range support can help avoid close-range area-of-effect attacks.
- Gladiolus: Acts as the tank, dealing consistent melee damage and soaking up attacks.
- Noctis: Should use warp strikes and magic to stay agile and avoid getting surrounded.
Useful Items and Spells
Bring healing items and status recovery items such as Remedies, Elixirs, and Antidotes. Equipping accessories like Star Pendants will help resist poison, while Ribbons offer broader protection. Spells like Fire or Lightning (imbued with status effects) are particularly effective against plant-type enemies like Malbodooms.
Finding the Target
Wetland Navigation
The quest marker will lead you to the Fociaugh Hollow wetlands. This area is muddy, foggy, and difficult to traverse. The Malbodooms will spawn in a shallow, water-covered clearing surrounded by trees and mist. Be cautious of additional enemies in the area, such as Flans or Mandrakes, which may interfere with the fight.
Time of Day and Weather
Beasts Wallow in the Wetlands is best attempted during the day if you want to avoid daemon spawns, which appear more frequently at night. However, due to the nature of the wetlands, visibility remains low regardless of the time, so rely on your minimap and your allies’ callouts to stay oriented.
Battle Strategy
Understanding Malbodoom Attacks
Malbodooms are slow but deadly. They can strike with wide sweeping tentacle attacks, release poisonous clouds, and stun players with ground-shaking roars. One of their most dangerous abilities is an area-of-effect poison burst that damages and debilitates party members.
- Status Effects: Poison, Confuse, and Slow
- Weakness: Fire, Greatswords, and Machinery
- Resistance: Water, Light, and Daggers
Best Tactics for Victory
- Start with a Surprise Attack: If you can engage from stealth or get a jump on them, you can take off a chunk of health before they retaliate.
- Use Fire Spells: Craft powerful Fire-based magic, possibly fused with healing items to regenerate health while damaging the enemy.
- Warp Strike Continuously: Noctis should use warp points to recover MP and stay on the move to avoid crowd control effects.
- Take Down One at a Time: Focus on reducing the number of Malbodooms quickly. Don’t split your damage across multiple targets.
- Ignis’ Regroup: Use this Technique to heal and reposition the party when overwhelmed or poisoned.
Post-Hunt Rewards
Collecting Your Bounty
After defeating all three Malbodooms, return to the tipster in Old Lestallum to claim your rewards. In addition to a decent amount of gil and EXP, you’ll also receive an Oracle Ascension Coin, which can be traded for rare items or used for Ascension upgrades.
Loot and Drops
Malbodooms may drop useful materials such as Malboro Tentacles and other crafting items. These can be sold for gil or used to craft powerful magic spells with added debuffs. Check your inventory after the battle to make the most of these rare drops.
Why This Hunt Stands Out
Atmosphere and Design
Unlike many of the other hunts in FFXV, ‘Beasts Wallow in the Wetlands’ offers a chilling, almost horror-like environment. The murky waters, combined with the strange noises of the swamp and the unsettling design of the Malbodooms, create an immersive experience that feels distinctly different from open desert hunts or mountainous encounters.
A True Tactical Challenge
This hunt is not just about overpowering enemies with brute force it’s about managing your party, using the environment, and countering status effects efficiently. It pushes players to plan ahead, adjust during combat, and use all available tools at their disposal. Whether it’s exploiting elemental weaknesses or making the most of Noctis’s warp abilities, the battle requires careful execution.
‘Beasts Wallow in the Wetlands’ is one of the more memorable hunt quests in Final Fantasy XV. It blends environmental storytelling with tactical combat and rewards preparation over recklessness. With its haunting setting and challenging foes, it captures the spirit of what makes hunts in the game rewarding and engaging. For completionists, it’s an essential entry in the hunt log. For players seeking a meaningful side quest with substantial rewards and thrilling gameplay, this is a perfect choice. Equip your best gear, prepare your party well, and enter the wetlands ready to conquer the beasts that lie within.