STRIKE MISSIONS (IBS 5 + DS)

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Alright folks, let’s dive into another PvE delight: Strike Missions! Since this section is a bit long, I’ve split it into two parts. First, we’ll cover the basics: what Strike Missions are, what you get from them, and why you should bother. After that, I’ll walk you through what you’ll actually face and what to do, step by step.

What Are Strike Missions?

Strike Missions came with the Saga DLC, and honestly, they’re neither dungeons nor fractals. Think of them more like mini raids. Remember how raids had those little events and mini bosses before the big boss? Well, here we skip straight to the boss—hence “mini raids.”

To join, just look for a Strike Mission in LFG and head to Eye of the North. Your character unlocks this content automatically at level 80. Simple as that.

Why Do Strike Missions and What Do You Gain?

Great question! Let me break it down simply. Saga Strike Missions are commonly referred to as IBS 5. In LFG, you’ll usually see them listed as IBS 5 + DS. There are five strikes in sequence, followed by the Dragonstorm (DS) event.

I won’t spoil the story for those curious, but here’s the deal: for each strike, you earn 45 silver plus any loot drops. Multiply that by five strikes, and you’re at 2 gold 25 silver. The DS event gives another 2 gold, bringing the total to roughly 4.5 gold plus loot. Do this daily, and the Eternal Ice Shards you collect can later be converted into Volatile Magic and then gold.

Basically, this content nets you 5–6 gold a day. Do it weekly without missing, and you’re looking at 30–40 gold. Pretty sweet for beginners! And if your Saga Master Points are maxed and you’ve finished DRM tasks, the DS event may even drop infusions, giving you a chance at 2k gold in one go. Ascended weapons drop too!

Now, let’s walk through what first-timers will face in IBS 5 + DS, from easiest to hardest.

Shiverpeaks Pass

Alright, team—this might be the easiest Strike Mission in the game. Any new player can handle it. Enter with your LFG group, traverse snowy mountains, tunnels, and a small jumping puzzle, and then face the boss.

The boss? A giant ice monster. Doesn’t move, doesn’t hit—it just stands there while you smack it. Easy peasy.

Pro tip: if you fall off a jump or get crushed by rolling ice, open your map (M) and look for a blue marker near your teammates. Click it, and you’ll teleport back to the group. Don’t forget! That’s your first 45 silver earned.

Voice of the Fallen & Claw of the Fallen

After Shiverpeaks, we head back to Eye of the North as a team. Don’t panic—the system is simple: the commander starts the strike, and you click the prompt on your screen.

Next up: our mysterious polar bear twins. One has a bow, the other a massive hammer. Stay near the commander; one sets fires on the ground, the other smashes to create shockwaves that can fling you off. Support players keep everyone alive if needed. Take them down, head back to Eye of the North, and snag another 45 silver.

Fraenir of Jormag

Next up is Fraenir, and honestly, this guy’s mechanics aren’t too crazy. The commander rushes toward him, freezing a few unlucky players along the way. After taking some damage, Fraenir retreats for a bit—but don’t relax yet! Remember that ice giant we took down at the very start? Yeah, he makes a comeback, so we have to fight him again.

Once that’s done, Fraenir returns with low health, giving us one last showdown. Finish him off, grab your 45 silver, and call it a day. Easy, right? Well… as easy as battling giant icy monsters can get, anyway!

Whisper of Jormag

Now we enter the tougher territory—WOJ. The boss waits on an icy platform. Approach carefully, or it’ll toss everyone into the air. Pro tip: glide before hitting the ground—falling = instant death.

As the fight progresses, at 75% and 25% health, the boss teleports players to fight adds. Nothing scary, just classic red/green area mechanics: avoid red, stand in green.

The trickiest part? Chains. The boss teleports left, linking some players with icy chains. Walk while linked, and you could wipe teammates. Beginners often fail here, but now you’re ready. Another 45 silver earned!

Boneskinner

And now… the boss to fear: Boneskinner! He’s got complex mechanics. Worms spawn and hit you both up close and from afar, while the boss constantly drops red AoE zones. Step in one? Bye-bye.

Commanders need stack management. Don’t stray too far—red zones pop everywhere. Keep boon control in check: without Aegis or stability, the boss jumps, potentially knocking you off. Support players are critical—heal and shield strategically.

LFG groups often ask for Boneskinner experience. The game tracks kills; commanders might kick you if you haven’t done enough. Don’t stress—you’ll get the hang of it. Finish him, and grab your final 45 silver.

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Forging Steel (Unlocked by: Forging Steel (story))

This one’s a long escort-style event. Defend a tank across the map until the final boss. Success gives 1.5 gold. Not ideal for daily farming—way too long—but if you’re grinding achievements or master points, give it a shot.

Cold War

Ah, Cold War—a reward-rich battlefield mission. Here, you fight mobs and bosses in a long, drawn-out scenario. To maximize loot and open all 9 chests at the end, you really need two coordinated teams. A weak team? You’ll get frustrated opening just 4–5 chests after all that effort.

So, a skilled commander and solid team are a must. The rewards are great, but for beginners, I recommend not doing this daily. If it lines up with a weekly quest, or a daily coincides, then sure—go for it. Otherwise, save your energy.

DragonStorm

I’m not going to dive into all the details here because… spoilers, my friends! But to sum it up: do this every single day! You’ll earn 2 gold when you finish it. And pay attention—this is a daily reward, not “do it twice a day and double dip.” If you enter a second time, no gold for you. So plan accordingly.

The mechanics? The commander splits the team in two: five players handle the ice boss, five take on the fire boss. After defeating the bosses, each team launches special skills at the dragons hanging out behind the bosses. This cycle repeats twice, and then the event ends.

If your team has good DPS and solid buffs, this can be over in 10 minutes flat. Medium-level teams? Expect 10–15 minutes. Relax, folks! We already completed IBS5, finished DS, and now 4.5 gold + loot is ours!

Oh, and remember what I said earlier: if your Saga Master Points and DRM tasks are maxed, the DS event can drop infusions worth 2k gold. And yes, ascended weapons are on the loot table too.

Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for more!