How to Defeat the Rift of Worlds – DARK BEAST (In-depth guide)

Welcome to Summoners War Rift of Worlds In-depth guide!

This discussion will help you decide how to create or enhance your current Rift dungeon teams on defeating the boss.

Contents

I. Dungeon Details

II. Dark Beast Overview

III. Why farm Rift Beasts

IV. Getting Started (Unit Recommendation, Runes, Minimum Stats)

V. Team Set-up

VI. Video of Full Run + Rune showcase

VII. Summary and Conclusion

I. Dungeon Details

Raid Beast Type: Dark
Target Rating: A+, S, SS, SSS (depending on your total damage)

Drops:

• Runes (Fight, Determination, Enhance, Accuracy, Tolerance)
• Enchanted Gems and Grindstones
• Pitch-black Dark Crystals
• Condensed Magic Crystals
• Pure Magic Crystals
• Rune Piece, Rainbowmon, MS, Summoning stone, Shapeshifting Stone

*Note: It is important to defeat the Rift Beast rather than settle for a mediocre run since it gives you more amount of drops and makes your farming efficient. Saves time and energy!

II. Dark Beast Overview

First let’s look at the Dark Beast skill. It is essential to understand the mechanics behind each move so that you can properly create a strategic team against the boss.

Dark Sweep:
Becomes enraged whenever an enemy gains a turn. Attacks all enemies 2 times. Greatly increases the damage proportionate to the number of times the Beast becomes enraged and the rage effect will reset after the attack.

Dark Roar:
Attacks all enemies 3 times with a chaotic roar and grants the [Soul Chain] Effect on 1 nearby enemy. This will become stronger every time the Dark Roar is used.

Soul Chain: This effect will completely exclude you from the battle. It will be removed when you hit the boss a designated number of times. The amount of damage you receive will increase proportionate to the remaining Soul Chain Effect state.

*Note: This is the Dark Beast’s signature skill. The key here is to bring multi-hit units to quickly release the monster affected by [Soul Chain]. You can also speed up your units ATB but be aware that as you gain a turn the boss becomes enraged and you will receive extra damage from Dark Sweep.

*Tip: Units like Xiong Fei, Xiao Lin, Tarq, Wind Homunculus, Rigel, Fuco are recommended to use.

 Thorn of Despair:
Attacks the enemies in the frontline 2 times with a sharp thorn. The damage increases substantially as the target’s Defense decreases. This attack will target the backline if there are no enemies left in the frontline.

*Tip: you can minimize the damage by placing monsters with high DEF in the frontline (Colleen with DEF stats, Xiong Fei, Xiao Lin, etc.)

 Dark Rageful Breath:
Removes all beneficial effects on all enemies and attacks them 6 times with dark breath. The enemies under Soul Chain Effect will be defeated instantly and will become impossible to revive.

 Twisted Body (Passive):
Weakens the effect that inflict damage proportionate to the HP with a twisted power and gains immunity against all harmful effects. The immunity against all harmful effects will be removed during the Groggy State.. Additionally, increases the damage dealt to and received from Light Monsters by 50% each.

III. Why farm Rift Beasts?

This game content is more for mid to late-game players. Since the latest game update, it is now a growing popularity to farm Rift Beasts in crafting Homunculus and new generation runes, gems and grindstones (Fight, Determination, Enhance, Accuracy, Tolerance).

The rune requirement is quite high, but most importantly you need the right team of monsters for every Rift Beast because each has its own unique attack type and weaknesses.

IV. Getting Started

Leader Skill

Attack power > Crit Rate > Def > HP > Speed

Use Crit Rate lead if your nukers’ CR is below 75%, otherwise it defeats the purpose of landing high damage output even with high attack power. Def lead helps frontline to survive better than HP lead. Speed lead is a disadvantage if you have squishy units since the Dark Beast becomes enraged whenever your units gets a turn.

Unit Recommendations

 Colleen

She is a good sustain unit with multi hit 1st and 2nd skill and gives a 3-turn attack increase buff on your team. Aside from her low cooldown 3rd skill, she spams whenever it’s ready allowing perma attack buff on your team.

• Rune Set

Violent / Guard or Energy or Revenge

*Can also use non-Violent set (to prevent steal turns on your nukers during boss groggy state) recommended only when your team survivability is very stable

SPD / HP% / HP% or DEF%

• Minimum Stats

SPD: 180 (should be the fastest unit on your team so she applies the buff before your nukers attack)

HP: 30k

DEF: 800

*Stats not mentioned are negligible and of little importance 

• Position

Frontline (w/ 800+ def) else, Backline

 Chasun

Reliable frontline, massive heal (scales to her HP) and attack buffer. Her 3rd skill balances HP and ATB which allows her to save a unit and potentially use 2nd skill on the next turn during crucial moments.

• Rune Set

Violent / Nemesis

SPD / HP% / HP% or DEF%

• Minimum Stats

SPD: 180

HP: 30k

DEF: 850

RESISTANCE: 50%

*Stats not mentioned are negligible and of little importance 

• Position

Frontline

 Tarq

Good damage dealer and provides a cooldown refresh to units that attack with him when it casts the group hunt skill. Additionally helps in removing [Soul Chain] effect due to numerous attack counts. It contributes a lot during groggy stage and applies massive damage to boss at active state.

• Rune Set

Violent or Swift / Blade

SPD or ATK% / CD% / ATK%

• Minimum Stats

SPD: 140 or more (keep him as the slowest unit on your team)

ATK: 1400

HP: 15k

DEF: 600

CRI RATE: 70%

CRI: DMG: 150%

*Stats not mentioned are negligible and of little importance 

• Position

Backline

 Hwahee

Damage dealer, healer and attack buffer in 1 unit. She plays a crucial role in getting SS-SSS runs. Aside from being the 2nd healer unit (alongside Chasun, Colleen) she also deals great amount of damage on boss. Her 3rd skill is also a multihit which helps in removing the [Soul Chain] Effect.

• Rune Set

Violent or Fatal / Blade

SPD / CD% / ATK%

• Minimum Stats

SPD: 180 (should be the fastest unit on your team so she applies the buff before your nukers attack)

ATK: 1800

HP: 17k

DEF: 800

CRI RATE: 75%

CRI: DMG: 150%

*Stats not mentioned are negligible and of little importance 

• Position

Backline

 Xiao Lin

Main damage dealer with 1st skill def break and potentially use Twist Kick (30% chance) good for removing [Soul Chain] effect. Her Water Dragon Attack deals tremendous amount of damage to boss and an additional 15% damage for each harmful effect on the enemy, useful during groggy state. While her 3rd skill is on cooldown, she has a 25% chance to counterattack when attacked.

• Rune Set

Vampire or Violent / Nemesis or Blade or Rev

ATK% / CD% / ATK%

• Minimum Stats

SPD: 180

ATK: 1800

HP: 17k

DEF: 900 (for frontline) else, 750

CRI RATE: 75%

CRI: DMG: 160%

ACCURACY: 15-20%

*Stats not mentioned are negligible and of little importance 

• Position

Frontline, Backline

 Theomars

Main damage dealer that provides def break and a good frontline unit (elemental king passive provides immunity to death for 1 turn). With Violent runes, this unit can go crazy allowing succession of hits and triple crush which is useful in removing the [Soul Chain] effect. This unit always gains elemental advantage in all Rift Beasts when attacking (+15% crit rate). Useful Leader Skill +24% crit rate to allies.

• Rune Set

Violent / Rev

SPD / CD% / ATK%

• Minimum Stats

SPD: 180

ATK: 1800

HP: 15k

DEF: 750

CRI RATE: 61% (if you plan to use him as lead) else, 75%

CRI: DMG: 160%

ACCURACY: 15-20%

*Stats not mentioned are negligible and of little importance 

• Position

Frontline, Backline

 Xiong Fei

Reliable Frontline with def break on 1st skill and multihits useful for [Soul Chain] effect. Applies various debuffs on 3rd skill and team heal on 2nd skill.

This unit has a leader skill +33% DEF to allies.

• Rune Set

Violent or Vampire / Guard (or Broken sets)

DEF% / CD% / ATK% or DEF%

• Minimum Stats

SPD: 130

HP: 18k

DEF: 1700

CRI RATE: 75%

CRI: DMG: 150%

ACCURACY: 15-20%

*Stats not mentioned are negligible and of little importance 

• Position

Frontline

 Wind Homunculus (Attack) Brand/Magic Bullet Madness

Main damage dealer that applies brand debuff (+25% damage received by enemy) and multihits usefull for [Soul Chain] effect. Additionally, his 3rd skill Magic Bullet Madness deals massive damage even at boss active state. This unit can be crafted and is one of the few choices for most F2P players with small unit pool.

• Rune Set

Violent or Vampire  / Blade

SPD or ATK% / CD% / ATK%

• Minimum Stats

SPD: 150

ATK: 1800

HP: 18k

DEF: 900

CRI RATE: 75%

CRI: DMG: 160%

*Stats not mentioned are negligible and of little importance 

• Position

Backline

 Fire Homunculus (Attack) Chain/Flame Explosion path

Main damage dealer with multihit skills. 1st skill – 4 hits, 2nd skill – 3 hits, 3rd skill – 4 hits. It can be crafted and a good choice for most F2P players with small unit pool.

• Rune Set

Violent or Vampire / Blade

SPD or ATK% / CD% / ATK%

• Minimum Stats

SPD: 180

HP: 16k

ATK: 1800

DEF: 750

CRI RATE: 75%

CRI: DMG: 160%

*Stats not mentioned are negligible and of little importance 

• Position

Backline

 Perna

Main damage dealer and sustains the HP of your team by healing 10% each turn. One of the reasons why some go for YOLO teams with no dedicated healer unit like Colleen. Also a good frontline monster (Eternity passive allows him to revive after death with cooldown of 8 turns).

Most importantly this unit has the best lead skill on Rift Beast (+44% Atk power to allies)

• Rune Set

Violent / Blade

SPD / CD% / ATK%

• Minimum Stats

SPD: 180

ATK: 1800

HP: 23k

DEF: 700

CRI RATE: 75%

CRI: DMG: 165%

*Stats not mentioned are negligible and of little importance 

• Position

Frontline

 Rigel

Multihit 1st and 2nd skills which helps removing the [Soul Chain] effect. Can be runed as frontline or damage dealer depending on your team composition. 3rd skill passive allows him to have more survivability.

• Rune Set

Violent  / Revenge

ATK% / CD% / ATK% (Backline)

HP% / CD% or HP% / DEF% (Frontline)

• Minimum Stats

SPD: 140

ATK: 1800 (Backline only)

HP: 16k (Backline), 24k (Frontline)

DEF: 850 (Backline), 1.4k (Frontline)

CRI RATE: 75% (Backline only)

CRI: DMG: 150% (Backline only)

*Stats not mentioned are negligible and of little importance 

• Position

Frontline, Backline

Fuco

Multihit 1st and 2nd skills which helps removing the [Soul Chain] effect. Can be runed as frontline or damage dealer depending on your team composition. 3rd skill passive allows him to have more survivability.

• Rune Set

Violent  / Revenge

ATK% / CD% / ATK% (Backline)

HP% / CD% or HP% / DEF% (Frontline)

• Minimum Stats

SPD: 140

ATK: 1800 (Backline only)

HP: 16k (Backline), 24k (Frontline)

DEF: 800 (Backline), 1.3k (Frontline)

CRI RATE: 75% (Backline only)

CRI: DMG: 150% (Backline only)

*Stats not mentioned are negligible and of little importance 

• Position

Frontline, Backline

Grego

Multihit 1st and 2nd skills which helps removing the [Soul Chain] effect. Can be runed as frontline or damage dealer depending on your team composition. 3rd skill passive allows him to have more survivability.

• Rune Set

Violent  / Revenge

ATK% / CD% / ATK% (Backline)

HP% / CD% or HP% / DEF% (Frontline)

• Minimum Stats

SPD: 140

ATK: 1700 (Backline only)

HP: 16k (Backline), 26k (Frontline)

DEF: 850 (Backline), 1.3k (Frontline)

CRI RATE: 75% (Backline only)

CRI: DMG: 150% (Backline only)

*Stats not mentioned are negligible and of little importance 

• Position

Frontline, Backline

 Liu Mei

Main damage dealer that applies def break on 1st skill and 30% chance to proc 2nd skill allowing multiple hits which is useful in removing [Soul Chain] effect. Her 3rd skill is also multihit with high damage multiplier. While her 3rd skill is on cooldown, she has a 25% chance to counterattack when attacked.

• Rune Set

Violent or Vampire / Blade

ATK% / CD% / ATK%

• Minimum Stats

SPD: 160

ATK: 1700

HP: 16k

DEF: 850

CRI RATE: 75%

CRI: DMG: 160%

*Stats not mentioned are negligible and of little importance 

• Position

Backline

 Fei

Main damage dealer that applies def break on 1st skill and 30% chance to proc 2nd skill allowing multiple hits which is useful in removing [Soul Chain] effect. High scaling damage and a multi-hit 3rd skill with a chance to ignore def. While her 3rd skill is on cooldown, she has a 25% chance to counterattack when attacked.

• Rune Set

Violent or Vampire / Blade

ATK% / CD% / ATK%

• Minimum Stats

SPD: 170

ATK: 1800

HP: 16k

DEF: 700

CRI RATE: 75%

CRI: DMG: 170%

*Stats not mentioned are negligible and of little importance 

• Position

Backline

 Raoq

Inflicts great damage to boss when it procs multihits and applies def break on skill 1. 2nd skill allows him to attack with an ally and refreshing the ally’s skill cooldown by 1 turn.

• Rune Set

Violent / Blade

ATK% / CD% / ATK%

• Minimum Stats

SPD: 150

ATK: 1500

HP: 14k

DEF: 700

CRI RATE: 75%

CRI: DMG: 150%

ACCURACY: 15%

*Stats not mentioned are negligible and of little importance 

• Position

Backline

Jamie

Damage dealer with multihit skills. 1st skill has a 25% chance to ignore def and 2nd skill can hit many times with 50% chance to hit consecutively when boss HP is higher. 3rd skill also provides attack buff usefull for YOLO teams.

• Rune Set

Violent / Blade

ATK% / CD% / ATK%

• Minimum Stats

SPD: 150

ATK: 1700

HP: 14k

DEF: 850

CRI RATE: 75%

CRI: DMG: 150%

*Stats not mentioned are negligible and of little importance 

• Position

Backline

Tesarion

Main damage dealer that provides def break on 2nd skill. With Violent runes, this may allow the unit for succession of hits and triple crush which is useful in removing the [Soul Chain] effect. Additionally, when enemy is suffering under harmful effects damaged is increased by 30%.

• Rune Set

Violent / Rev

SPD / CD% / ATK%

• Minimum Stats

SPD: 180

ATK: 1700

HP: 20k

DEF: 900

CRI RATE: 75%

CRI: DMG: 150%

ACCURACY: 15-20%

*Stats not mentioned are negligible and of little importance 

• Position

Backline

 Mav

Speed buffer and provides skill refresh on your team allowing frequent use of 2nd and 3rd skills from nukers. Good combo with Chasun, Hwahee, multihit and other utility units. 2nd skill does not waste precious groggy turns from nukers, therefore violent set is recommendable. It can be placed on either frontline or backline.

This unit has a leader skill +30% HP for allies with wind attribute.

• Rune Set

Violent / Guard

SPD / HP% / DEF%

• Minimum Stats

SPD: 170

HP: 22k

DEF: 1000

*Stats not mentioned are negligible and of little importance 

• Position

Frontline, Backline

 Shihwa

Good damage dealer with multihit attacks on 1st and 3rd skill. Can self heal and inflict branding effect on boss during groggy state.

• Rune Set

Violent / Blade or Revenge

ATK% / CD% / ATK%

• Minimum Stats

SPD: 160

ATK: 1800

HP: 15k

DEF: 800

CRI RATE: 75%

CRI: DMG: 160%

*Stats not mentioned are negligible and of little importance 

• Position

Backline

Eva

Main damage dealer and element advantage with multihit attacks on 1st and 3rd skill. If this unit have full HP when using 3rd skill, it does not go on cooldown.

• Rune Set

Violent or Vampire / Blade

ATK% / CD% / ATK%

• Minimum Stats

SPD: 150

ATK: 1800

HP: 18k

DEF: 800

CRI RATE: 75%

CRI: DMG: 150%

*Stats not mentioned are negligible and of little importance 

• Position

Backline

 Feng Yan

Good frontline unit and damage dealer with multihit 1st skill. Has sustain skill and counterattacks useful to remove the [Soul Chain] effect.

• Rune Set

Violent or Vampire  / Blade

SPD or DEF% / CD% or DEF% / HP% or DEF%

• Minimum Stats

SPD: 150

HP: 23k

DEF: 1700

CRI RATE: 75%

*Stats not mentioned are negligible and of little importance 

• Position

Frontline

 Ethna

Main damage dealer and applies def break on 2nd skill. Her 3rd skill hits incredibly hard with a total of 950% attack multiplier on all 5 hits. Team her up with skill refresh units to provide massive overall damage.

• Rune Set

Violent / Blade

ATK% / CD% / ATK%

• Minimum Stats

SPD: 145

ATK: 2200

HP: 14k

DEF: 800

CRI RATE: 75%

CRI: DMG: 130%

*Stats not mentioned are negligible and of little importance 

• Position

Backline

 Taor

Main damage dealer with speed scaling skills that deals huge damage. Make sure his speed is around 180 for a high damage Squall.

This unit has a leader skill +50% HP for allies with water attribute.

• Rune Set

Swift / Blade

SPD / CD% / ATK%

• Minimum Stats

SPD: 180

ATK: 1800

HP: 17k

DEF: 700

CRI RATE: 75%

CRI: DMG: 165%

*Stats not mentioned are negligible and of little importance 

• Position

Backline

 Laika

Frontline unit that deals massive damage to boss. Team up with a couple of def breaker units to inflict huge damage.

This unit has a leader skill +50% DEF for allies with fire attribute.

• Rune Set

Vampire / Blade

SPD or ATK% / CD% / ATK%

• Minimum Stats

SPD: 160

ATK: 2000

HP: 17k

DEF: 800

CRI RATE: 75%

CRI: DMG: 160%

*Stats not mentioned are negligible and of little importance 

• Position

Frontline

 Lagmaron

Main damage dealer with a speed scaling 2nd skill and a good damage from his 3rd skill.

This unit has a leader skill +50% HP for allies with wind attribute.

• Rune Set

Violent or Swift / Blade

SPD / CD% / ATK%

• Minimum Stats

SPD: 180

ATK: 1600

HP: 16k

DEF: 750

CRI RATE: 75%

CRI: DMG: 160%

*Stats not mentioned are negligible and of little importance 

• Position

Backline

Honorable Mentions:

 Stella – Applies brand debuff (+25% damage received by enemy) and a 1st skill def break. Her 3rd skill also deals good damage with multihits depending on her total SPD, starting from 100 (2 hits) and an additional hit per 25 spd increment up to 7x hits (225 spd).

 Lushen – Leader skill: +33% ATK. Great damage and multihit 3rd skill with ignore def.

 Yen – Leader skill: +25% ATK. High damage based on speed and 3rd skill passive with 15% chance for additional turn.

 Ran –  Leader skill: +25% ATK. High damage based on speed.

 Hwa – Leader skill: +19% Crit Rate. High damage based on speed and passive allows her to strike again with 20% chance.

 Hellea – Leader skill: +30% ATK to allies with dark attribute. Multihit 1st and 2nd skill and applies brand debuff and def break.

 Verdehile – Leader skill: +28% SPD. Team ATB booster and multihit 1st skill.

 MHW – Leader skill +33% DEF. Good frontline unit, apllies def break and damage dealer.

 Trevor – Reliable frontline unit and damage dealer where his ATK and DEF increases as your HP decreases. Easy to rune because of ATK and Crit Rate self-buff.

 Ariel – Leader skill: +50% HP for allies with water attribute, DEF scaling attacks and a good healer

 Bastet – Leader skill: +33% DEF. Attack buffer and provides shield to protect allies. Multihit 2nd skill and good for YOLO teams.

Lisa – Multihit skills and allows 1-turn cooldown refresh on allies she bring when she casts 3rd skill.

 Shi Hou  – Leader skill: +33% ATK to allies, good damage dealer with multihit 3rd skill.

V. Team Set-up

Stable team (S, SS, SSS)

• Frontline (2-3 units, 1 healer/tanker, 1 bruiser/damage dealer, 1 revive/endure). – Colleen, Chasun, Xiong Fei, Theomars, Xiao Lin, etc.
• Nukers and Multihit units (3-4 units, Backline) – Tarq, W. Homunculus, Fei, Stella, Raoq, Shihwa, Ethna, Eva, etc.

YOLO team / fast run (SS, SSS)

• Frontline with high defense (2-3 units) – Perna, Laika, Colleen, Chasun etc.
• Backline nukers with pure damage (3-4 units) – Taor, Ethna, Theomars, Fei, Grego, Xiao Lin, etc.

2-4 Set up (Sample)

3-3 Set up (Sample)

4-2 Set up (Sample)

VI. Video of Full Run + Rune showcase

Full Run video:

Rune Showcase:

VII. Summary and Conclusion

Multihit units and high damage nukers are key in clearing Dark Beast. When the boss casts [Soul Chain] on your frontline unit, there are 2 ways to counter it. First, tank the next attacks (Thorn of Despair -> Dark Sweep) with the remaining frontline units and make the boss fall down to its groggy state using heavy hits from your nukers. Second way is to immediately remove the [Soul Chain] effect with your multihit units and tank the next attack (Thorn of Despair), this usually stacks enrage on boss where you have to brace incoming damage from Dark Sweep.

It is also disadvantageous to speed up your turns because it will enrage the boss giving him more attack power per unit turn. Using speed boosters is like a double edge sword, removing the [Soul Chain] effect fast but receiving more damage per boss attack.

When your units are equipped with high quality runes and exceeds the required stats, the boss falls to its groggy state without tanking the Dark Sweep on 1st and 2nd phase. 3rd Phase is crucial so make sure your team complies all stat requirements so they can tank incoming attacks. Never allow the boss to cast the 2nd Dark Sweep and Dark Rageful Breath.

Aside from the rare ones, units that shine in this dungeon are Wind and Fire Homunculus, Theomars, Xiao Lin, Colleen, Xiong Fei, Tarq, Eva, Rigel, and Fuco. Just keep the minimum HP and DEF requirements as stated on recommendations and your will definitely clear the Dark Beast. With full knowledge about team set-up and runes, you can also get a good clear rating using F2P units.

Hope you learned from this guide and please do share your progress with us.

You can leave comments below with any additional comments or suggestions. Thanks for visiting!