Dark Monster Troops

In Final Fantasy: A New Empire before the Dark World was released, we had Monster Troops, but they proved to be irrelevant very quickly. With that being said, it has us hesitant whether even to bother looking into it or not. Especially with the Research required to unlock them.

In this guide, we will cover:

• Monster Ranch and where to produce eggs
• Monster Ranch Blueprints requirements and Dark Monster Eggs per level
• Three types of Dark Monster Troops along with their strengths and weaknesses
• Researching and Training Dark Monster Troops and how to save on Resources
• Why does having Citadel 221+ help your Dark Monster Troops?
• Other areas to look into when boosting them.

First, let’s check out the Monster Ranch Building!

Monster Ranch

The Monster Ranch is where your Monster Troop eggs will produce to be available to train in the Mercenary Pits. The higher your Monster Ranch is, the higher the rate of eggs it will create per hour, and the higher the capacity will be.

The Monster Ranch needs to be minimum level 11 for the Dark Monster Eggs to start their production. Check out below how many prints are required and the egg production rate per level!

Monster Ranch Building Blueprint Chart

Monster Ranch Egg Production Chart

Dark Monster Troops

There are three Dark Monster Troops, and they are astonishingly powerful. Their stats in comparison to other Troops are at T20. That’s right; you read that right, Tier 20 equivalent. So when you see Empires burning all around because of these sturdy troops, it’s because they are that mighty. However, since the release, it has been toned down some, but they still make a massive impact.

Here are the Monster Troops:

Iron Giants

Quetzalcoatls

Behemoth Kings

Each of them has its strengths and weaknesses:

How do I unlock/train Dark Monster Troops?

There are two different buildings to locate when obtaining the troops. To unlock them, the research requirements need to be met from the University. Then once the Research is reached and they are opened, they can be trained through the Mercenary Pits.

University

For you to be able to train these troops, they must be researched through the University under the Dark Monster Troops section.

Dark Monster Troop Unlocks is required to unlock the three troops, and Dark Monster Research Tomes is needed for the rest of it.

Be careful the Research required to do even the bare minimum to unlock the Dark Monster Troops are costly.

This would be an excellent time to take advantage of the Lead Researcher’s Gear Set Bonus, check out in the photos below the difference it has made.

Remember, you do not have to wear the Gear itself to reap in the benefits in this situation. 

As you can see, the difference is substantially vast.

*this only benefits level one Dark Monster Troops*

Tip for newer servers!

When Citadel 230 is released (one week after Dark Monster Troop release), a Neutral Realm event will happen called Niflheim Classified Map Room that will provide 50% Dark Monster Troop Research Resource and Speed up Cost Reductions. 

This event was purely Pay to play only, but they were included in packs that contained the new releases for that following week.

Level Two Dark Monster Troops

(June 23rd, 2020)

Dark Monster Troop Level 2 secures its way into Eos, proving to be 20x’s more powerful than the previous ones. 

If you’re questioning why your Dark Monster Troops seemed like they abruptly tanked in battle or why you’re not winning marches even though you annihilated more of their Troops, don’t fret there is a reason behind this! The troops’ combat style has been adjusted to create stability and balance so that burning on a pure Monster March isn’t as favorable.

This is the new adjustment that was made:

1 Monster Troop death = 200 Dark Core Troops

So for every one Dark Monster Troop death, it is equivalent to about 200 Dark Core Troops. This does not mean that their stats are lowered or altered; it just merely suggests that victory or defeat is held differently to ensure you from burning as often.

Level 2 Dark Monster Troops have the same strength and weaknesses as level one does, so check above for reference if needed. 

The costs to unlock all three of Level 2’s’s are 5M total. Please keep in mind that this is NOT including the Research in between.

Check out the chart below!

Level Two Dark Monster Troop Unlock Cost Chart

Keep in mind that you need Dark Monster Eggs Lv 2 from the Monster Ranch to acquire the eggs to train Level 2 Dark Monster Troops. Level up your Monster Ranch and/or your Monster Market Expansion to produce them!

Monster Ranch Building Blueprints Level 2 Chart

**Stay tuned! This will be updated soon!**

Mercenary Fighting Pits

When the Research in the University is completed, you may now train them in the Mercenary Fighting Pits!

Level one and two Dark Monster Troops require 100 Dark Monster Eggs per Troop.

Why is having a minimum Citadel 221+ important to your Dark Monster Troops?

When your Citadel reaches 220, leveling buildings from 220 to 221 make a jump in stats, then it plateaus. Some of the buildings will now contain Dark Monster Troop stats when the buildings reach 221+, so if they become your focus, then make sure to check these buildings out and build them to strengthen them even more.

Buildings that contain the bonuses:

• Prison
  • Iron Giant, Quetzalcoatl, and Behemoth King Armor
• Armory
  • Iron Giant Attack
• Hospital
  • Dark Monster Troop HP
• Hero Monument
  • Dark Iron Giant HP
• University
  • Dark Quetzalcoatl HP
• Guild Hall
  • Dark Behemoth King HP
• Training Post
  • Dark Behemoth King Attack
• Resource Vault
  • Dark Quetzalcoatl Attack

Monster Market Expansion

(April 14th, 2020)

This Monster Expansion works a little differently than the average Expansion, this one requires three Expansion slots to build it, and you can only have two of them as well. 

Expansion benefits:

*stats are at maxed level (10)

• 1.1T% Dark Monster Troop Armor
• 750B% Dark Monster Troop Attack
• 350B%  Dark Monster Troop HP
• 3B Monster Troop March Size
• 9B Monster Troop Rally Capacity

These Expansions requires Attuned Expansion Blueprints.

(June 23rd, 2020)

When the next ten levels get released, it will drop Monster Eggs NOT Monster Troops from this point forward. 

Here are the increased stats at level 20:

• 7.5T% Dark Monster Troop Attack
• 3.7T% Dark Monster Troop HP
• 11.2T% Dark Monster Troop Armor
• 5B Monster Troop March Size
• 15B Monster Troop Rally Capacity

Level 11-20 Monster Market Expansion requires Dark Prospering Empire Expansion Blueprints. 

Check out the charts below to see how many they require!

Monster Market Expansion Chart

Monster Market Expansion Level 11-20 Chart

Other Areas to look into when intensifying your Monster Troops.

Besides powering up the buildings mentioned above and performing your Dark Monster Troop Research, there are some other fields to consider if you want to get the most of your Dark Monster Troops.

Here are some things to check out:

• Dark Adventurer’s Research
• Dark Combat Research
• Mounts (if summoned)
• Astrals
• King of Lucis (if summoned)
• Hero Mastery Skills
• Power of Astrals and Challengers
• Mirror Heroes
• Oracle Temple
• Cores
• VIP
• Permanent Lifetime Boosts

Dark Adventurer Research

In the University, you will also notice a new Adventure Research tab (released a week after Dark Monster Troops). In the Adventure Research section at the bottom, Challenger’s Crest, there is a boost. Make sure to engage in events to take advantage of it!

Dark Combat Research

Dark Monster Troop Debuff

• 3T% Dark Monster Troop Attack Resistance
• 1.5T% Dark Monster Troop Armor Piercing
• 500B% Dark Monster Cripple HP

Mounts

Anak Stag

Nature’s Darkside

*stats are at maxed level

• 100M% Dark Monster Troop Attack
• 50M% Dark Monster Troop HP
• 150M% Dark Monster Troop Armor

Depths of Darkness

*stats are at maxed level

• 4M Monster Troop March Size
• 12M Monster Troop Rally Capacity

Emerald Chocobo

Alpha Monster

*stats are at maxed level

• 15B% Dark Monster Troop Attack with Mount
• 7.5B% Dark Monster Troop HP with Mount
• 22.5B% Dark Monster Troop Armor with Mount

Monster Herder

*stats are at maxed level

• 2B% Monster Troop March Size
• 6B% Monster Troop Rally Capacity

Chickatrice 

(April 11th, 2020)

Beak Breaker

• 160B% Dark Monster Troop HP
• 480B% Dark Monster Troop Armor

Pursuing Needles

• 500B% Dark Monster Troop Attack

Feathers Touch

• 8B Monster Troop March Size
• 24B Monster Troop Rally Capacity

Matriarch Garula

(May 10th, 2020)

Taming of Beast

• 750B% Dark Monster Troop Attack
• 375B% Dark Monster Troop HP
• 1.3T% Dark Monster Troop Armor

Behemoth Mount

(June 16th, 2020)

Monsters Affray

• 8T% Dark Monster Troop Attack
• 2T% Dark Monster Troop HP
• 6T% Dark Monster Troop Armor

Astrals

Ramuh

Monster Troop Debuff

*stats are at maxed level

• 10B% Dark Monster Troop Attack Resistance and Armor Piercing
• 5B% Dark Monster Troop Cripple HP

Titan 

(March 24th, 2020)

Monster Troop Bonus

• 500B% Dark Monster Troop Attack
• 210B% Dark Monster Troop Armor
• 70B% Dark Monster Troop HP

Shiva 

(April 27th, 2020)

Mount and Monster Debuff

• 5T% Dark Monster Troop Attack Resistance
• 6T% Dark Monster Troop Armor Piercing
• 2T% Dark Monster Troop Cripple HP

Power of Astrals

Ramuh 

Monster Troop Boosts

• 12.5B Dark Monster Troop Attack
• 6.25B% Dark Monster Troop HP
• 18.8B Dark Monster Troop Armor

King of Lucis: Crepera

(April 21st, 2020)

The Queen of Lucis is the first of the summons to provide Dark Monster Troop stats, yes girl slay all day! *ahem* Anywho, check out how she assists them!

Crepera Monster Troop bonuses:

*stats are at maxed level (50)

• 800B% Dark Monster Troop Attack
• 750B% Dark Monster Troop Armor
• 250B% Dark Monster Troop HP

Hero Mastery Skills

Prompto

Dark Monster Troops

*stats are at maxed level

• 400M% Dark Monster Troop Attack
• 120M% Dark Monster Troop HP
• 360M% Dark Monster Troop Armor

Glauca

King of Monsters: Monster Troop Attack Resistance, Cripple HP, and Shred Armor

*stats are at maxed level

• 1B% Dark Monster Troop Cripple HP
• 8B% Dark Monster Troop Attack Resistance
• 3B% Dark Monster Troop Armor Piercing

Mirror Hero Glauca: Monster Troop Cripple HP

*stats are at maxed level

• 500M% Mirror Hero Glauca: Dark Monster Troop Cripple HP

Nyx 

(April 21st, 2020)

Mirror Hero Nyx Ulric: Monster Troop

• 500B% Mirror Hero Nyx: Monster Troop Attack
• 750B% Mirror Hero Nyx: Monster Troop Armor
• 200B% Mirror Hero Nyx: Monster Troop HP

Power of Challengers

(April 14th, 2020)

The Power of Challengers provides additional boosts to Ardyn, Cor, Gilgamesh, Glauca, and your Ravus Hero. Each of the Heroes has a Dark Monster Attack skill that benefits your Dark Monster Troops, remember they stack! In addition to that, Glauca has his own distinct Dark Monster benefits as well!

PER Hero

*stats are at maxed level

Dark Monster Attack

• 750B% Dark Monster Troop Attack
• 75B% Dark Monster Troop HP and Armor

Glauca

*stats are at maxed level

Dark Monster Attack II

• 550B% Dark Monster Troop Attack
• 20B Dark Monster March Size
• 60B Dark Monster Troop Rally Capacity

Mirror Heroes

Glauca

Mirror Hero Glauca: Monster Troop Cripple HP

*stats are at maxed level

• 500M% Mirror Hero Glauca: Dark Monster Troop Cripple HP

(May 19th, 2020)

Mirror Hero Empowerment: Gluaca

• 3T% Mirror Hero Glauca: Dark Monster Troop Cripple HP

Nyx

Mirror Hero Nyx: Monster Troops

• 250B% Monster Troop Attack
• 125B% Monster Troop HP
• 375B% Monster Troop Armor

(May 19th, 2020)

Mirror Hero Empowerment: Nyx

• 3T% Mirror Hero Nyx: Monster Troop Attack in addition to Armor
• 1T% Mirror Hero Nyx: Monster Troop HP

Remember that even if you research these Mirror Hero Tree that you MUST have that Mirror Hero trained for the benefits to be active. Also, Mirror Heroes DO STACK, but on a limited basis. The more you have, the less effective it will stack.

Oracle Blessings

(April 27th, 2020)

In your Oracle Blessings, there are some Monster Troop benefits and debuffs you can take advantage of.

Select the tab Dark World, then Dark Monster Troop Combat.

In order to activate them, you will need Dark Cosmic Essence, or you will need the combination of Dark Cosmic Oracle Energy and Dark Cosmic Stone. 

If you manage to unlock them all, you can get up to:

• 6.7T% Dark Monster Troop Attack Resistance and Armor Piercing
• 2.2T% Dark Monster Troop Cripple HP

Outrageous Core

(April 25th, 2020)

This Core was obtainable through performing events (April Showers) and decreases the effectiveness of enemy Monster Troops! When Monster Troops make another comeback after Supplies becoming the next big thing, you can easily burn with 1M-5M Dark Monster Troops if you’re not careful. 

Check out the stats on the Outrageous Core to see how it benefits you.

*stats are maxed at level 6 (Gold)

• 5.5T% Dark Monster Troop Attack Resistance and Armor Piercing
• 2T% Dark Monster Troop Cripple HP

Glauca’s Military Gear Set

The Military Gear Set bonus has the stats as well. You do not have to wear the set for the bonus to work. However, the Gear itself does have stats that will boost them as well. Check out how it does!

Gear Set Bonus

*stats are at level 6 (Gold)

• 10.7M% Dark Monster Troop Attack Resistance

Glauca Gear Pieces

*stats are at level 6 (Gold) PER piece 

• 129M% Dark Monster Troop Attack and Attack Resistance
• 85.7M% Dark Monster Troop Cripple HP
• 257M% Dark Monster Troop Armor Piercing

VIP (290)

(May 5th, 2020)

• 1B Monster Troop March Size
• 3B Monster Troop Rally Capacity
• 200B% Dark Monster Troop Attack as well as HP
• 600B% Dark Monster Troop Armor
• 2T% Dark Monster Cripple HP

Permanent Lifetime Boosts: Dark Monster Troops

• Up to 1K% of ALL Dark T3 Resource Cost Efficiency – Dark Monster Troops Research
• Up to 500M Monster Troop March Size

How does Lifetime Boosts work?

When acquiring a Lifetime boost, remember that the same type of Lifetime Boosts DO NOT STACK with each other though they do stack with the other releases prior and afterward.

The highest value that you obtain will be applied to your Empire.

If they do stack somehow, it will be mentioned in the blog, such as the +1 Astral Per March boost. So if you decide to buy these boosts, make sure to double-check the blog to see whether they do or not.

When purchasing Boosts in terms of March size, MP, etc. they tend to go in increments of 50’s of that corresponding number.

Example:

MP Lifetime Boosts

Up to 1T MP boost

The first pack will contain 50B MP.

The second pack will contain 100B MP.

The third would be 150B MP.

If you buy three packs and receive the 50B MP, 100B MP, and 150B MP, then the 150B MP will take the place of the 50B and the 100B MP you previously bought as they do not stack within one another.

The first Monster Troop Lifetime set will include 50M Monster Troop March size and 100% ALL Dark T3 Resource Cost Efficiency – Dark Monster Troops Research.

Efficiency vs. Reduction

When looking into Efficiency, it is crucial to look into your numbers. It is beneficial but at a high percentage.

Keep in mind that Efficiency is NOT a Reduction! If it says 100% Efficiency, it does not mean 100% Reduction. There is a big difference.

From what we know this is the formula for Efficiency

Original cost/(1+efficiency) = Efficiency Cost 

So basing off of that, when looking into packs making observations, it is essential to be on the lookout for those bonuses while 100% Efficiency vs. 70% Reduction, In contrast, the 100% Efficiency may look more appealing when 70% reduction is significantly better.

But because we cannot see our exact RSS or Timers requirements sometimes due to the fact the number is so enormous, we should round it up to give ourselves a more stable estimate. It is better to over guess slightly than underestimate and end up hurting ourselves. Let’s provide an example below of Reduction vs. Efficiency to understand better how it works.

Let’s say we have a 50% reduction in medals. Well, that’s easy, right? Since reduction divides in half.

1M Noctis Medals required/50% Reduction = 500k Noctis Medals required

Next, let’s say we have a 100% efficiency on T3 Dark RSS, and we need 1M Dark T3 apples for a Gil Bank we are about to build.

1M T3 Dark Apples/(1+.1) = 500K T3 Dark apples

When applying the efficiency percentage into the formula, make sure to convert to decimal form. 

How to avoid being burned by pure Dark Monster Troops

There are now boosts that can contradict the Dark Monster Troops, as mentioned above. 

It is essential to assure you have enough boosts such as Attack Resistance, Cripple HP, along with Armor Piercing to counteract the Attack, HP, and Armor. 

I will only make mention of the passive benefits, that way once it’s done, it’s done. However, even though Cores are not passive, it plays a considerable determinant. 

Outrageous Core is one major key factor because it contains over 5T% worth of Dark Monster Attack Resistance and Armor Piercing alone. Make sure to equip and activate quickly if anyone is approaching you with Dark Monster Troops solely.

Next, skill your Shiva and Ramuh as mentioned above, they also have a decent portion of Monster Debuff related skills such as Dark Monster Attack Resistance, Armor Piercing, and Cripple HP.

Here are some other areas where there are Dark Monster debuffing:

• Glauca’s Mastery Skills
  • King of Monsters: Monster Troop Attack Resistance, Cripple HP, and Shred Armor
  • Mirror Hero Glauca: Monster Troop Cripple HP
• Glauca’s Mirror Hero
  • Mirror Hero Glauca: Monster Troop Cripple HP
• Oracle Blessings
  •  Dark Monster Troop Combat
• Glauca’s Military Gear Set Bonus

What to Read Next?

Since we have other areas that boost your Monster Troops, I recommend you take a moment to read a few guides that will help you benefit them further.

Prompto 500

Prompto’s Mastery Skill can not only help you increase their stats, but did you know he is a beast in the Halls again?

Click here to read the Prompto 500 guide!

Lead Researcher’s Gear Set

Do you want to save on an abundance of Resources when researching? Even if you do not have the Lead Researcher’s Gear, still check it out to see the additional areas where you can conserve Resources or Speedups on your Research!

Click here to read the Lead Researcher’s Gear guide!

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