FFXVI The Breaker of Worlds (Atlas) Hunt Guide: Location, Strategy, etc

The Breaker of Worlds (Atlas) is a Rank Hunt (Notorious Mark), whose location is offically listed as, "??? (It's in Cressida)". You'll need to be at main scenario quest Out of the Shadow to unlock it.

You'll only discover its name, Atlas, upon encountering it. Otherwise only the hunt bill title, "The Breaker of Worlds", is your clue to its identity.

The Breaker of Worlds (Atlas) Location

Where is The Breaker of Worlds (Atlas) located? Atlas is at the very end of Cressida. Remember that abandoned town Cressida, near Martha's Rest where Bernard prayed to his parents? From Martha's Rest, exit north, then head East / Southeast.

Beating The Breaker of Worlds (Atlas)

I was level 34 when I got to him, and was 36 right after. A fun challenge if done immediately.

My first piece of advice? Save your game right outside his arena, after finishing your setup. It's a long walk back if you don't. If you die, simply load game.

Celestial Sphere - A bunch of circular AoE’s surrounding you, and in the middle. Best to just get out completely. This whole sequence happens twice - HE DOES ANY and I mean ANY of his moves during this. Play safe.

The main brunt of his attacks are 3-hit combo's that come from a very wide variery of possible attacks. Downward slash with a wave, Side-swipe, Quick thrust, Lightning stomp... You get the idea. Try to get a feel for the common attacks.

He dashes around a bit at times, so make sure you find a good time to do Wicked Wheel. After 3 hit combos, Lightning Stomp, or his big finishing moves. Speaking of which.

Golden Section and Saber Dance: are his "ultimate" moves. They're very similar. Tremendous in size and damage, they're frontal attacks. One with a dash (Golden Section), and one where his sword "extends" (Saber Dance). The latter seems much more difficult to dodge.

Countering / dealing with Golden Section and Saber Dance: Either you dodge, Will-'o-the-Wykes, Titanic Block, or any combination thereof. Saber Dance is particularly tricky.

Will-o-the-Wykes BLOCKS DAMAGE AUTOMATICALLY, up to four times if upgraded. A little cheesy, but you do what you gotta do.

Note that he can combine Celestial Sphere with his finishers...

There's no secret trick here. Tight play, dodging, and being safe is what's gonna fell Atlas. If you're struggling, simply save Will-o-the-Wykes for Saber Dance, and try to dodge or block Golden Section.

This is the first fight where you might be stretched to maximize your skills. Go hard and try to stagger him. Don't keep skills on cooldown forever and just use them up to speed up staggers. Try to smartly juggle your cooldowns.

The Breaker of Worlds (Atlas) Reccomended Skill Setup

If done ASAP

Phoenix

Rising Flames - preferably used during stagger.
Will-'o-the-Wykes - use freely to stagger OR block damage.

Garuda

Gouge - use after ministagger at 50%.
Wicked Wheel - use freely to stagger.

From here, you have two options

Ramuh (Riskier option, more powerful stagger damage)

Piledrive, or Windup (Mastered) - try to have these up for stagger phase.
Judgment Bolt - godlike stagger finisher.

OR (NOTE: I initially thought Titanic Block would work on his ults. I don't think it does. Just keeping this here if you think Titanic Block makes things safer, or just like it better.

Titan ("Safer", Titanic Block for Golden Section / Saber Dance)

Windup - try to have these up for stagger phase.
Either of the other two titan skills.

I doubt you'll have enough AP at this point to Master Judgment Bolt and place it here.

If not doing ASAP, then use the above as a template.

The Breaker of Worlds (Atlas) Rewards

The Breaker of Worlds (Atlas) Notable rewards are: Fallen Iron, Orichalcum.

The Breaker of Worlds (Atlas) Miscellaneous Info

On finding The Breaker of Worlds (Atlas), Clive says: "Another relic of the Fallen... though it seems this one has a little more life in it. Alright then!"