You're standing in the Hideaway, staring at Nektar the Moogle. He’s got that "kupo" attitude and a board full of marks that want to rip Clive’s head off. If you've been playing Final Fantasy XVI for more than five minutes, you know the Drill. The Hunt Board is where the real challenge lives. It's also where the best crafting materials—like Orichalcum and Primitive Puppet—are tucked away behind terrifying bosses. But here is the thing: the game is surprisingly vague about where these monsters actually are. It gives you a general region and a "good luck, hope you don't get eaten" pat on the back.
Finding FF16 hunt board locations isn't just about following a map marker. There are no markers. You actually have to use your eyes, which is a bit of a shock for modern gaming.
I’ve spent dozens of hours wandering through the dust of Dalimil and the marshes of Rosaria. Some of these marks are tucked behind literal corners you'd never think to turn. Others only show up after specific side quests. If you’re looking for the S-Rank terrors or just trying to finish your first B-Rank, you need a plan.
Why the Hunt Board is More Than Just Side Content
Most people think hunts are just for experience points. They're wrong. If you want the Gotterdammerung—the best sword you can get in a standard first playthrough—you have to engage with the hunt board. You can't just buy the materials. You have to take them from the cold, dead claws of an Atlas or a Behemoth King.
The hunts start popping up after the "The Gathering Storm" main quest. Initially, they're easy. Soul Stingers? Piece of cake. But the difficulty spikes fast. By the time you’re hunting S-Rank marks like Pandemonium or Sleeping Mountain, the game stops holding your hand entirely. The board will tell you a mark is in "The Holy Empire of Sanbreque," which is roughly the size of a small country.
Navigating the Rosarian Hunts
Rosaria is the first place you’ll really start exploring for these marks. It’s green, it’s soggy, and it’s full of things that want to kill you. Take Ahriman, for example. He’s your introductory hunt. You’ll find him in the south of Sorrowise, near the bridge. He’s basically there to teach you that "S" on the board means "Stop messing around."
Then there’s the Flan Prince. He’s a bit of a jerk. You’ll find him in the Muddy Meadows. If you fast travel to Hawk's Cry Cliff and head north, you'll see a small path leading to a clearing. That’s his domain. He uses a lot of magic, so stay on your toes.
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One of the trickiest ones in this region is Aruna, also known as The Angel of Death. She’s an intuitive find if you’re exploring Claireview. Just head west from Northreach into the open fields. She’s hard to miss once you’re in the right spot because she’s a giant, glowing harpy, but getting the prompt to spawn can be finicky if you haven't progressed the "Release" questline far enough.
The Desolate Drifts of Dhalmekia
Dhalmekia is a nightmare for navigation. Everything looks like sand. If you’re looking for FF16 hunt board locations in the desert, bring a Chocobo. It’s too big to walk.
The Fastitocalon (A-Rank) is a giant turtle. He's hanging out in the Velkroy Desert. Specifically, look for the Northeast corner of the map. He’s just sitting there, looking like a rock. Don't let the shell fool you; he hits like a freight train.
Then you have Atlas. He’s one of the "Breaker of Worlds" marks. He is located in Cressida. To get there, go to Martha's Rest and head east. You’ll find a path that leads to a fallen bridge and a massive open arena. Atlas is a relic of the Fallen, and he’s level 45 when most players are level 30. Honestly? Don't even try it unless you’re confident in your parry timing. He’s slow, but one hit will delete half your health bar.
Finding the S-Rank Legends
S-Rank hunts don't even give you a name on the board at first. They just show up as "???" until you get close. This is where the hunt for FF16 hunt board locations gets spicy.
- Pandemonium: This orc warlord is hiding in Waloed. You need to go to the Shadow Coast and head into the village of Wolfdene. There’s a specific door that opens up into an arena.
- Behemoth King: He only appears after the "Nobody's Tool" side quest. Once that's done, go to the Vidargraes fast travel point in Waloed. He’s standing right in the middle of the field. You can’t miss him; he’s the size of a house.
- Svarog: This is probably the hardest hunt in the game. He’s a level 50 dragon located in Sanbreque. Go to Caer Norvent Glorieuse Gate and follow the path south into Mornebrume. It’s a dead end on the map, which usually means "Boss Fight."
Svarog is a literal wall for many players. His fire breath covers the entire arena, and his physical swipes have a massive reach. Most experts suggest using Shiva’s "Cold Snap" to dodge his lasers. It’s the only way to stay mobile enough.
The Waloed Problem
Waloed is the final area of the game, and it’s bleak. It’s also where some of the most annoying marks live because the geography is so vertical. Thanatos is a great example. He’s in Titan’s Wake. You’ll see a massive path of destruction. Follow the literal "track" of broken earth. He’s a giant spectral being that uses a beam attack similar to the final boss.
Gorgimera is another one. He’s in the Velkroy Desert (back in Dhalmekia, actually, despite being a late-game unlock). He’s south of the Bandit's Bed. He’s a chimera, so he has three heads and about six different ways to ruin your afternoon.
Tips for Survival
Don't just run at these things. The Hunt Board is a test of your Eikonic loadout. For S-Ranks, I always recommend having Will-o'-the-Wykes (Ifrit). It gives you a shield that absorbs hits. It's basically a "get out of jail free" card when a boss does a massive area-of-effect attack you can't dodge.
Also, check your gear. If you haven't visited Blackthorne recently, you're doing it wrong. The Hunt Board provides "Renown," which you can trade at the Whisper Sign in the Hideaway. This gets you the Berserker Ring, which changes your dodge into a high-speed dash. It’s a game-changer for hunts.
Actionable Strategy for Hunt Completion
Start by clearing the "Notorious Marks" as soon as they appear. If you wait until the end of the game, you'll be overleveled for the C and B ranks, making them boring. The real sweet spot is fighting them when you are 2-3 levels below the mark.
- Check the Board Constantly: New marks are added after almost every major story beat.
- Talk to the Moogle: Nektar sometimes gives verbal clues that aren't written on the paper.
- Use the Chocobo: For locations like the Southern Velkroy or the Royal Meadows, the distance between fast travel points is huge.
- Prioritize the Griffin: The "Blacksmith's Blues" quest requires you to find a Griffin. This unlocks the ability to craft better armor, which you'll need for the S-ranks.
The hunt for FF16 hunt board locations is ultimately about exploration. The game wants you to look at the map, read the description of "ruined castles" or "overgrown forests," and actually find the place. It's a throwback to older RPGs. If you’re stuck, look for the largest "circle" or "dead end" in the area mentioned. 90% of the time, that's where the monster is waiting.
Once you’ve cleared the board, you’ll have enough materials for the legendary gear. Go to the Blacksmith, craft your rewards, and get back to saving Valisthea. You’ve earned it.