Frost Helgaia Introduction
Frost Helgaia is the first Raid Level 4 Guardian and you need to be at least 960 Item Level to enter this Guardian Raid. This Guardian drops Tier 2 Accessories, Upgrade Materials and Ability Stones as well as rare drops including Runes, Engraving Books and Cards. It takes 15% more damage from Lightning Element skills.
This Guardian has a similar skillset as the Raid Level 3 Guardian Helgaia. But Frost Helgaia deals higher damage with his most frequent skills, even the Evolve mechanic has an additional layer of difficulty.
All of the Guardian's skills apply a Slow debuff on hit which stacks up to 10 times. Upon reaching 10 stacks, the player gets frozen for a few seconds and is exposed to Frost Helgaia's heavy hitting skills. Having cleansing skill classes in the party such as Paladin, Soulfist and Gunlancer, reduces the risk of slow and freeze significantly.
This Guardian guide assumes you know the basics of a Guardian Raid. Check out the General Guardian Raid Guide to learn more.
Special Interactions & Patterns
Counterable Charge
Counter attack is possible during the charge attack pattern. At the start of this attack animation, the Guardian glows blue. The player has a short window to cast a skill with a Counter Attack affix while standing in front of the Guardian. If you manage to pull this off fast enough, the Guardian's attack will be interrupted and staggered for a few seconds. This gives you and your team a short window to use buffs and deal additional damage.
Evolve
Frost Helgaia has 3 different phases, but there are some major difference from the previous encounter with Helgaia. For instance, during the evolve attempt, snow swirls appear at random locations around the Guardian. They apply the Slow debuff to nearby players. If you try to interrupt the evolve attempt by using Stagger affix skills, don't stand close to a snow swirl. If you fail to interrupt the evolve attempt, Frost Helgaia will unleash a devastating Area of Effect (AoE) attack, which one shots squishy classes.
At the initial encounter, the Guardian is at Phase 1. If the party deals high damage within a short time frame, the transition to Phase 2 happens without giving the players the chance to interrupt the evolve attempt. If the party doesn't deal high damage, you might get the chance to interrupt the evolve attempt to Phase 2.
Once in Phase 2, the Guardian frequently attempts to evolve to Phase 3. This attempt can be interrupted up to 2 times by using Stagger affix skills and Combat Items. The 3rd attempt can't be interrupted! Either you run away or use the Awakening shield from a Paladin or Bard to prevent the one shot. With those shields, you can keep dealing damage to the Guardian during the 3rd evolve attempt.
Once Frost Helgaia evolves into Phase 3, its attacks will deal high damage. During this phase the focus should be on dealing high Stagger damage. After taking a certain amount of Stagger damage, the Guardian is incapacitated for a few seconds which should be used to deal as much damage as possible. After recovering, the Guardian performs a Jump attack and flees to a different area.
Be aware, upon re-encountering the Guardian, it will immediately evolve to Phase 2.
Encounter
Upon encountering Frost Helgaia for the first time or after an escape, it floats off screen in the sky. Once a player passes below the Guardian, a shadow appears followed by a smash attack which deals high damage on hit. Make sure to dodge or move away as soon as you see the Guardian's shadow. Once the Guardian lands on the ground, the actual fight begins.
Blizzard
The Guardian screams loudly before flying up and disappearing into the air. If this happens, run away from the guardian immediately! Shortly afterwards, a huge area below the Guardian is covered by a blizzard which deals damage and can freeze you within seconds. Once frozen, you won't be able to escape the follow-up finisher from the Guardian. The finisher deals massive damage and one-shots most classes in range.
General Patterns
Jump
A high damage jump attack added to the attack pool of Frost Helgaia starting from Phase 2. It can be only avoided by reacting fast enough and dodging to the left or right of the Guardian. This attack can be performed up to 2 consecutive times and knocks down the player on hit. Phase 3 amplifies the Attack Speed of this pattern, which makes it even harder to dodge.
Flap
The Guardian uses its right wing and flaps it quickly towards its front, knocking up everyone in front of the Guardian. To avoid getting hit move or dodge towards the opposite wing. If hit and knocked down it is safer to dodge away from the Guardian, because Frost Helgaia can follow up with another Flap attack using the left wing.
During Phase 3, a third and more deadly flap attack can be used by the Guardian. This attack hits everyone in front of the Guardian in a more narrow area but with increased range. Dodge or move towards either of the wings to avoid the 3rd hit. But in general, staying behind Frost Helgaia is the safest spot.
Flying Charge
Flying Charge is an upgraded version of the Charge attack used in Phase 3. In addition to dealing increased damage, the Guardian summons pillars of ice on its flying path. These pillars can block your path and should be destroyed as soon as possible.
Beak Attack
The Guardian attacks a player in front of it with its beak, up to 2 times. This attack staggers the player on hit.
Tail Swipe
Frost Helgaia looks for a brief moment to the side and follows up with a tail swipe towards that direction. This attack staggers the player on hit. Very close behind the Guardian is a safe spot.
Wing Swipe
The Guardian pulls one of its wings towards its head and swipes it back. This attack hits a big area on one side of the Guardian and Staggers on hit.
Flip
Frost Helgaia grabs a player with its beak and throws them behind the Guardian.
Gameplay Video
Credits
Written by Perciculum
Reviewed by Facefoot