Stone, Sky, Sea

See also: The Circles of Answering, The Lawns and The Burning Field

Stone, Sky, Sea is a type of solo combat duty first introduced with Patch 3.2 of Heavensward. It offers trials tailored to various high-level duties, in which players will be tasked with destroying a Striking Dummy. The strength of the striking dummy varies depending on the difficulty selected, with all trials having a time limit of three minutes. By completing these challenges in the allotted time, players can gauge their ability to perform in the duties associated with each challenge.

The available duties include the final Main Scenario Quest story-mode trial of the base expansion, extreme trials, normal raids, and savage raids. The story-mode trials and normal raids are included, even though the duties usually do not have enrage timers. Stone, Sky, Sea exercises are not available for unreal trials, ultimate raids, high-difficulty field operations, or criterion dungeons, which are high-end content implemented in later expansions.

Stone, Sky, Sea exercises are not subject to level or item level sync, with the exception of the "Level X0" exercises.

This was the developers' answer to player complaints over banning DPS meters in the Terms of Service. The training dummies allow players to indirectly gauge their DPS without the complication of avoiding boss mechanics. By clearing the dummy, players can have a rough idea if their gear and rotation are the bare minimum of sufficient.

However, Stone, Sky, Sea is a highly imperfect measure of player potential in the relevant duty. Because the exercises are undertaken solo, it will only consider player damage in a vacuum, while in a party setting, buff usage and alignment are critical for optimizing damage. Next, because each exercise only has a 3 minute timer, random variations in damage (e.g., from critical hits) play a larger role than in a longer encounter. Each training dummy also has a health amount that reflects the developers' perception of job balance but does not necessarily reflect actual job balance in the specific encounter. Perhaps most importantly, it does not gauge a player's ability to perform mechanics or appropriately use healing/mitigation while doing damage. This is especially true for healers.

Stone, Sky, Sea Locations

Each Stone, Sky, Sea location is always in the overworld zone adjacent to the Minor City of the respective expansion. After unlocking each level category, players may talk to an NPC at the following locations to access it. The NPC is not marked on the map.

Level 60 - The Dravanian Hinterlands (18, 11)
Level 70 - The Fringes (30, 11)
Level 80 - Kholusia (24, 38)
Level 90 - Thavnair (30, 17)
Level 100 - Heritage Found (16.5, 9)

Entry Requirements

Complete the level 60 quest A Striking Opportunity by speaking to Boisterous Bruiser in Idyllshire (x7,y6). Players must first complete the Main Scenario Quest Heavensward.

After completing the quest A Striking Opportunity, speak with the Goodly Adventurer in The Dravanian Hinterlands (x18,y10) and select from a list of trials to begin.

Trial List

Trials available are based on the list of raids and trials you have unlocked.

^[1] Has a level sync of 60 and an item level sync of 160.

^[2] Stone, Sky, Sea - Basic Training is tailored to the trial The Singularity Reactor. The trials for Alexander: Gordias, Alexander: Midas, and Alexander: The Creator are applicable to all four areas of their respective normal mode encounters. Furthermore, the challenge for The Limitless Blue (Extreme) is applicable to Thok ast Thok (Extreme).

Doing the Trial

Starting the Trial

Once summoned to your training ground, you will have a brief period in which to prepare. However, you may engage the striking dummy and commence your trial early should you choose to do so.

Ending the Trial

The trial will end when any of the following requirements are met:

The striking dummy is destroyed.
Time runs out.
You step outside of the ring for a certain period of time.
You leave the area via teleporting.

The Circles of Answering

The Circles of Answering is the expansion to Stone, Sky, Sea released in Stormblood (4.0), covering level 70 duties.

The Lawns

The Lawns is the expansion to Stone, Sky, Sea released in Shadowbringers (5.0), covering level 80 duties.

The Burning Field

The Burning Field is the expansion to Stone, Sky, Sea released in Endwalker (6.0), covering level 90 duties.

The Spire of Trial

The Spire of Trial is the expansion to Stone, Sky, Sea released in Dawntrail (7.0), covering level 100 duties.

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