The Steps of Faith

Quest giver: Marcelain
Location: Coerthas Central Highlands (X:18.1, Y:14.9)
Quest line: Seventh Astral Era Main Scenario Quests
Level: 50

Experience: 2,340
Gil: 3,306
Previous quest: An Allied Perspective
Next quest: Administrative Decision
Patch: 2.55
Links: EDB GT TC

Main Scenario Progress: 232 / 987 (23.5%)

A Realm Reborn Progress: 232 / 241 (96.3%)

Ser Marcelain wishes to prepare you for the siege of Ishgard.

— In-game description

Rewards

Choose one of the following options:

Unlocks

Broken Bridges

Walkthrough

Vishap

Patch 6.2 removed The Steps of Faith and converted the encounter with Vishap into a solo instanced duty. The duty is vastly different from the trial, but it's still much longer than most solo duties done at this point in the game. The fight essentially functions as a long DPS race, but now ends at the Third and last Ward. Each ward will have a Barrier Strength Gauge; when at 0, the ward will break.

First Ward

When the duty begins, Lucia the Radiant, Y'shtola, and Thancred will be fighting at your side alongside numerous other NPCs against Vishap's horde. Approach Vishap to begin the duty, and he will summon many dragon adds. Vishap remains untargettable, so focus your attention on the adds. While you are fighting them, Vishap will cast twice Flame Breath, an initially untelegraphed AoE down the middle, to weaken the First Ward. Get out of the middle or risk taking massive damage.

Soon, a Horde Armored Dragon will appear, but has no noteable abilities other than a damaging Dragon Stomp. Once it is defeated, Vishap stuns everyone and prepares Cauterize, an extremely long line AoE that kills anyone caught in it. Once the stun wears off, follow your allies as they retreat in front of the First Ward. Once that is done, a knockback AoE appears to indicate Vishap landing and becoming targettable for the first time. The abilities he uses here are:

Fireball: A purple marker will appear on every single NPC to indicate Vishap launching fireballs on everyone. Make sure you do not overlap with anyone to minimize damage.
Seismic Shriek: Moderate unavoidable damage attack.
Body Slam: A knockback AoE that is at the same time being cast with Fireball, now a bunch of AoE circles on the ground. Make sure you are not standing in front of any AoEs before the knockback occurs.
Sidewise Slice: Vishap will rear his head forward and slice it around the arena. Get underneath Vishap or huddle against the Ward to get out of range of Vishap's bashing head.

Eventually, Vishap will use Flame Breath to completely destroy the First Ward, beginning the next phase.

Second Ward

When Vishap becomes untargettable and he and the Horde charge ahead, that's the cue to retreat. Vishap will be launching untelegraphed fireballs, Blazing Fireballs at the party in random locations as they retreat. Thancred and Y'shtola will stay to hold back Vishap while you and Lucia retreat to the Second Ward to protect it, where Yda and Papalymo are also helping. This add wave ends with a Horde Transcendent, which Yda will kill with a Limit Break. Vishap then returns to the arena, indicated by a knockback. Abilities in the first phase are retained, but new ones are present as well.

Earth Shaker: A frontal cone AoE. Move to the left or right walls to avoid being hit.
Earthrising: This will be the first time players will ever encounter this kind of mechanic, consisting of two Exaflares. Exaflares are red circles with yellow arrows that indicate numerous untelegraphed circle AoEs going ahead in a straight line, so don't be in front of them when they cast.
Flame Breath: Just like in the first phase, Vishap uses this to destroy the first ward, forcing Lucia to order a retreat to the next and final Ward.

Third Ward

Once again, watch out for Blazing Fireballs as you retreat and let Yda and Papalymo hold back Vishap while you help Estinien Wyrmblood and the other defenders keep the Horde away from the Final Ward. Watch out for AoE circles caused by the untargettable Vishap casting Fireball. Once the adds are defeated, Vishap returns to the battlefield for the last time, beginning the party's last stand. He retains the mechanics from the previous two encounters, and severely weakens the final ward with Flame Breath before showing new mechanics.

Earth Shaker: This now spawns three cone AoEs that cover the entire arena. Go the spot where the AoE covered the ground last and stay there until the other two are cast to reveal a safe spot.
Scorching Breath: Vishap prepares a final attack to destroy the last barrier; however, Lucia and her knights form a shield and take the brunt of Vishap's relentless flames to protect the Ward. A Knights' Resolve gauge will appear to indicate how long the player has before Lucia and her knights are killed; defeat Vishap before the gauge reaches 0 and the duty will be over.

Steps

Speak with Marcelain.
Speak with Alphinaud at the Gates of Judgement.
Speak with Minfilia at the Rising Stones.

Journal

Ser Marcelain wishes to prepare you for the siege of Ishgard.

Ser Marcelain explains that the damage Iceheart inflicted on Ishgard's arcane barrier has allowed the dragons to land directly upon the Steps of Faith─the bridge which spans the Sea of Clouds between the Gates of Judgement and the city proper. You are to take up position on the Steps of Faith, and aid the Temple Knights in defending the vital structure against the Dravanian Horde.

You have succeeded in driving the Dravanian Horde from the Steps of Faith. Return in triumph to the Gates of Judgement.

As the remnants of the Dravanian Horde take to the skies in disarray, Ishgard's weary defenders breathe a sigh of relief. The siege is ended. Speak with Alphinaud at the Gates of Judgement and find out how your allies fared in the battle at the Steel Vigil.

Moments after greeting Alphinaud, you are joined by a grateful Ser Aymeric, who humbly thanks you for your service. When the lord commander subsequently takes his leave, Alphinaud triumphantly declares that the stage has been set for Ishgard's return to the Eorzean Alliance. Make your way back to Revenant's Toll, and report your success to Minfilia.

Minfilia greets your return with a mixture of triumph and relief. Having snuffed out the Dravanian threat, it is time to enjoy a well-earned rest.

Dialogue

Accepting the quest

Start of cutscene.

Marcelain

Ere you commit yourself to the siege, you should know what it is you are tasked with defending. Beyond the Gates of Judgement lie the Steps of Faith─a great bridge of stone that leads directly to the city of Ishgard.

More than simply a means to cross the Sea of Clouds, the bridge serves as a foundation for the arcane wards that form the barrier we call Daniffen's Collar.

Alas, in dispelling the barrier's outermost layer, that thrice-damned witch Iceheart stripped the bridge of its protection, and thus are the dragons now able to land unhindered upon the Steps of Faith.

Should the Dravanians succeed in destroying the remainder of the wards, the winged devils will be free to swarm within the city itself.

Needless to say, we cannot suffer that to happen. It shall be our task as defenders to prevent any harm from coming to those parts of the bridge wherein the wards are sealed.

Three yet remain, and we have dispatched our forces accordingly. I would ask you and your comrades to accompany our defenders at the outermost ward.

???

I should hope that includes us as well, yes?

Marcelain

The Scions of the Seventh Dawn!?

Y'shtola

We could not well stand idly by while the Horde threatens the good people of Ishgard.

Papalymo

Indeed. To do otherwise would go against all that Master Louisoix has taught us.

As for where we may be of most assistance, I think it prudent we divide into two groups. Yda and I will join the rearguard.

Yda

Right! If the dragons should reach us, we'll be sure to give them what for.