In Final Fantasy XIV, some mounts are more than mere transportation; they’re symbols of prestige. The Demon Haul mount, inspired by the franchise’s iconic Demon Wall enemy, is one such reward. Introduced in Patch 7.25, this flying slab of demonic architecture is earned only by conquering one of the most difficult raids in the Dawntrail expansion: Forked Tower: Blood.
This guide walks you through the entire process—from unlocking the Occult Crescent to mastering the raid and claiming your mount.
What Is the Demon Haul Mount?
The Demon Haul is a one-seater flying mount modeled after the Demon Wall—complete with glowing runes, ominous ambient sound, and its own summoning BGM. Unlike shop-purchased or RNG drop mounts, this one is tied directly to a difficult achievement and requires organized team effort to unlock.
Step 1: Unlocking the Occult Crescent Zone
To begin the journey toward the Demon Haul, you must gain access to the Occult Crescent—a new Field Operations zone introduced in Dawntrail. Think of it as a spiritual successor to Eureka or Bozja, with its own layered progression system.
Before venturing into this zone, ensure you meet the following requirements:
Prerequisites:
- Expansion: Own the Dawntrail expansion.
- MSQ Completion: Complete the main story up to “Dawntrail” (from Living Memory).
- Level Requirement: Reach Level 100 on at least one combat job.
- Gear Check: Minimum item level is 690, but 700+ is strongly recommended.
Once you meet these requirements, your next step is to initiate the questline that unlocks the zone.
How to Unlock:
To access the Occult Crescent:
- Travel to Tuliyollal and speak with the Expedition Messenger at (X:17.1, Y:11.8).
- Accept the quest titled “One Last Hurrah.”
- Completing this opens the teleport to Phantom Village, the staging ground for South Horn, the first sector of the Occult Crescent.
Essential tip: Phantom Jobs are unique combat roles within this zone, and one of them Chemist, is crucial for survival in the raid. You should begin leveling Phantom Jobs as soon as possible.
Step 2: Unlocking Forked Tower: Blood — A Multi-Layered Challenge
Once inside South Horn, your main goal is to progress through a unique metric called Knowledge Level. This functions similarly to Resistance Rank in Bozja or Elemental Level in Eureka, gating access to higher-level content.
Unlocking the Forked Tower requires the following steps:
Zone Progression:
- Reach Knowledge Level 20: This is the cap for South Horn and is required to unlock the raid.
- Interact with the Survey Point at (X:15.6, Y:29.5) to unlock “The Abandoned Ascent” record.
- Return to Base Camp and accept the quest “Past and Crescent.”
- Completing this quest unlocks the Forked Tower: Blood raid.
This process introduces players to the layered exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving that define Occult Crescent’s core gameplay. With Knowledge Level 20 reached and the quest complete, you’re almost ready—but there’s one more requirement.
Step 3: Acquiring the Sanguine Cipher
Even after unlocking the Forked Tower, you can’t enter it freely. Access to the raid is gated by a consumable item called the Sanguine Cipher, which you must purchase using currency earned in the zone.
Here’s how to obtain it:
Where to Get It:
- Speak to the Expedition Antiquarian at (X:38.1, Y:7.0).
- Choose between two pricing options:
- 600 Enlightenment Silver Pieces, or
- 960 Enlightenment Gold Pieces
These currencies can be earned through various activities in the Occult Crescent, such as FATEs, puzzle events, and elite enemy encounters.
When to Use:
The Sanguine Cipher can only be used during a specific weather condition called Auroral Mirage, where the sky turns pink-red.
- Travel to the Solitary Pavilion at (X:22.5, Y:21.4).
- Wait for the weather event to trigger.
- Use the Cipher to enter the raid.
This condition adds another layer of timing and planning to the raid process, increasing the exclusivity of entry.
Step 4: Surviving Forked Tower: Blood
Now comes the real challenge. Forked Tower: Blood is a 48-player instanced raid, comparable in difficulty to Savage-tier content. There are no checkpoints, tight revival rules, and a multi-phase gauntlet of brutal mechanics.
Raid Overview:
- Structure: Four bosses back-to-back with trash mobs in between.
- Minimum IL: 690, though 700+ is highly encouraged.
- Revival Restrictions:
- Only three total revives allowed during the entire raid.
- Only Chemist Phantom Jobs can revive players.
- If you die after all revives are used, you’re permanently out until the next run.
These constraints demand precision, group coordination, and strong knowledge of the mechanics. Going in blind or with undergeared players will almost certainly result in failure.
Bonus Encounter:
There is also an optional secret boss—the Sanguine Recluse—that can spawn if players solve a hidden in-raid puzzle. Defeating this boss offers two major benefits:
- Extra Sanguinite, the zone’s rare currency.
- The removal of a buff from the final boss, significantly easing the final encounter.
Strategies for Success:
Before entering, make sure you:
- Fully level at least one Phantom Job, with Chemist being essential.
- Equip raid-ready gear and stock up on potions, food buffs, and tinctures.
- Learn boss mechanics in advance using community guides or videos.
- Coordinate via Discord or join pre-formed statics—random PUGs rarely succeed here.
Step 5: Claiming the Demon Haul Mount
Clearing the raid once is enough to earn the coveted achievement. However, the mount is not automatically placed in your inventory—you’ll need to claim it manually.
How to Claim the Mount:
- Open the Achievements menu.
- Navigate to the “Last Five” tab under the Relevant category.
- Hover over the achievement titled “A Fork to Be Reckoned With I.”
- Click to receive the Demon Haul Horn.
- Use the horn from your inventory to register the mount.
This extra manual step ensures only attentive players walk away with the reward.
Optional: Other Patch 7.25 Mounts to Collect
If you’re a collector, Patch 7.25 also introduces several other mounts tied to the Occult Crescent and its content systems. These can be earned through currency grinding or daily tasks.
Petalodus
- A standing shark mount with striking design. Costs 99 Sanguinite, which drops from Forked Tower bosses and optional encounters like the Sanguine Recluse.
Note: This mount is tradable and sometimes found on the Market Board.
Ancient Airship
- A four-seater flying vehicle. Costs 5,000 Enlightenment Silver Pieces and can be bought from the Expedition Antiquarian.
Branchbearer
- A reward from the Mamool Ja Allied Society. Requires 18 Mamool Ja Nanook tokens obtained through daily tribal quests.
These mounts offer variety in design and function, but none carry the same prestige as the Demon Haul.
Optional Note: Boosting Services
While not officially endorsed and often against game terms of service, some players choose to use paid boosting services to clear Forked Tower. These typically cost between $99–$499, depending on server, boost type, and requirements. Boosters often demand that your character already have:
- Knowledge Level 20
- All Phantom Jobs unlocked and leveled
- Required gear and loadouts pre-equipped
Use such services at your own risk and always verify ToS compliance.
Final Thoughts
Earning the Demon Haul mount is one of the most challenging and rewarding feats currently available in Final Fantasy XIV. Between unlocking the Occult Crescent, leveling Phantom Jobs, collecting raid entry currency, and coordinating with 47 other players under tight restrictions, the journey is intense and demanding.
But for those who endure, the reward is worth it. Soaring through the skies on a massive demonic wall while eerie music echoes below is a flex few can match.
