Cloud Nine (PvP)

This article is about the PvP map. For the inn in Foundation, see Cloud Nine.

See also: Crystalline Conflict and PvP

Overview

Cloud Nine is a Crystalline Conflict arena introduced in Patch 6.1 for Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker. Set high above the clouds on floating platforms, the battlefield combines open-air combat with unique environmental hazards, including a turbulent launch into the air and powerful wind gusts that can knock players around the stage. The map rewards strong spatial awareness, mobility, and timing.

Layout & Landmarks

Cloud Nine has a map that is symmetrical and compact, with several points of interest:

• Starting Zones: Each team begins on opposite sides of the floating platform, separated by symmetrical bridges that converge toward the center. Each starting zone also offers a jump glyph found to the east that offers quick passage to the central arena.
• Central Arena: The tactical crystal starts on the main platform at the map’s midpoint, surrounded by large walls. A medicine kit can be found on the outer ends of the walls of both teams, offering healing for quick escapes.
• Outer Areas: Narrow paths and ledges flank both sides, with a medicine kit found behind a set of walls.

Map Effects & Gimmicks

Cloud Nine introduces a major environmental hazard known as Turbulence. Prior to Turbulence beginning, a 20 second countdown starts roughly a minute and a half to two minutes after the game begins. During this countdown period, yellow circular ground markers will appear in various parts of the map which begin to scatter slowly and will eventually move around quickly 5 seconds before the effect takes place. If not standing on one of the ground markers, while also not using   Guard (PvP) before the countdown is over, players will be cast up into the air by Cloud Nine's periodic turbulence becoming temporarily invulnerable to attacks and will take 30,000 damage upon being returned unceremoniously to the ground.

Players who stood on the ground marker without   Guard (PvP), will be rewarded with the black feather buff and will negate the 30,000 damage of being launched into the air. In the event of 2 or more players standing on the same ground marker, the one closest to the center will be the one rewarded with the buff. The black feather buff reduces weaponskill and spell cast speed by 10.42%, while simultaneously granting a significant portion of limit break gauge to the respective player's limit break bar.

Turbulence also leaves behind a twister at the site where the ground markers were, moving in either a clockwise or counterclockwise motion depending on where the ground marker was. Stumbling into these twisters will result in damage and knockback.

Lastly, green orb-like cores are left in various parts of the map that can be walked over and grant movement speed akin to the one found at the start of matches on other maps.

Tactical Considerations

Cloud Nine's Turbulence map effect can be used to a player's advantage in several ways. The following is a list of jobs and their respective tool(s) that either allow them to survive turbulence in a unique way, or force a player or players into it:

• -   Sky Shatter (PvP): Can be used to negate the effects of Turbulence while catching unsuspecting players who already used   Guard (PvP) for the Limit Break's damage.
• -   Contradance (PvP): Can break target's   Guard (PvP) forcing Turbulence effect damage.
• -   Tenebrae Lemurum (PvP): Can fear and break targets   Guard (PvP), forcing Turbulence effect damage.
• -   Primal Scream (PvP): Can be casted on targets to negate   Guard (PvP), forcing Turbulence effect damage.

Trivia

• The map’s name and design are a nod to the idiom “on cloud nine,” meaning extreme happiness ironically contrasted with its punishing mechanics.
• The floating structure and cloud backdrop draw inspiration from Azys Lla and The Sea of Clouds regions.