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As the fifth expansion since FFXIV's launch, Dawntrail is finally set to receive the last update of its lifecycle, Patch 7.56, on September 8 of this year; the sixth expansion, Evercold, is expected to launch next January.

Consequently, the significance of Patch 7.56 lies primarily in the introduction of the second part of Main Scenario Quests and a new melee DPS job: Beastmaster. Additionally, this update marks the conclusion of PvP Series 11.

Here, we will focus on introducing Beastmaster job while providing all the essential information you need to experience FFXIV Patch 7.56.

Beastmaster's basic mechanics and unlock requirements

First, note that Beastmaster is the second limited job in FFXIV following Blue Mage. This means that while playing the job offers power levels exceeding the norm, there are restrictions on playable content, and the level cap is set at 50.

To unlock this job, you must have a Disciple of War or Magic at level 50 or higher, have registered Dawntrail expansion, and completed the 2.0 Main Scenario Quest.

Core gameplay of Beastmaster

Given its role as a melee DPS, Beastmaster's combat setup involves wielding a one-handed axe in the main hand and a shield in the off-hand. However, the job's true highlight lies in the utilization of various beasts.

How to capture the beasts?

For FFXIV Beastmaster, utilizing beasts isn't a matter of a simple, fixed skill rotation; instead, it involves creating efficient, real-time synergies based on the beasts you have collected and the specific conditions of the battlefield.

You can target capturable monsters while exploring the open world using a dedicated capture skill, weaken them in combat, and then complete the capture based on your skill level.

Upon the launch of FFXIV Patch 7.56, there will be 50 types of creatures available for capture in the open world.

Once captured, beasts are recorded in Master's Bestiary. This log not only satisfies the urge to collect but also lists basic information, such as habitats, for beasts you have yet to capture, making it easier for you to locate them.

It is worth noting that since beasts are scattered across many locations, you can combine the process of capturing them with completing remaining side quests to avoid missing out on hidden FFXIV Gil.

How to fight alongside beasts?

Once you have collected a certain number of beasts in FF14, you can use a special item called a Warhorn while out of combat to configure a squad of three active beasts; you can then summon and switch between them during battle depending on the situation.

All capturable FF14 beasts fall into eight distinct species. During combat, you can use an ability called Borrow to convert the currently active beast's species into an extra action.

Other available skills include:

• Parting Blow: Commands the beast to unleash a powerful AoE attack before leaving the battlefield.
• Trick: Consumes energy to command the beast to perform its Instinct Action.
• Tempered Release: Commands the beast to execute a special action.

We generally recommend assembling your beast squad based on specific needs, such as the type of boss you are challenging, and deploying them strategically during combat.

Beasts do not equip gear, but you can boost their various attributes by feeding them different types of beast feed. The available feeding slots depend on the beast's species and size.

What is Beastmaster Instinct Combo?

Beastmaster possesses four Instinct Skills: Eldritch, Volant, Rampant, and Durant, each corresponding to a specific energy gauge color. Additionally, every active beast comes with its own unique Instinct Command.

To maximize your damage output, you must command a beast to execute its action and then, within a specific timing window, follow up with your own Instinct Skill in the correct color sequence.

Crucible of the Unbroken Mode

Introduced in FFXIV Patch 7.56 alongside the new Beastmaster job, this mode is described as a solo roguelike combat experience.

The gameplay resembles a magical board game, featuring various nodes and challenges of differing difficulty levels; success relies heavily on your understanding of how to synergize beast skills and attributes.

In Crucible of the Unbroken, your HP does not automatically regenerate after battles; you must use items acquired during your adventure to heal or boost your stats. These items will disappear once the adventure concludes.

Participating not only earns you various rewards but also allows you to rapidly level up your Beast. As your Beast levels up, its base stats will see a significant boost, and you may even unlock new appearances.

New Main Scenario Quests

As the final patch for Dawntrail, Patch 7.56 brings a climactic conclusion to the current chapter of the main story.

After exploring themes of civilizational legacy and the opening of the new world, you will embark, alongside both old and new companions, on a brand-new adventure that paves the way for the next expansion.

Conclusion of PvP Series 11

With the launch of FFXIV Patch 7.56 on September 8, PvP Series 11 will come to an end, giving way to Series 12. Your rank will be reset, requiring you to start fresh and complete new objectives to earn rewards.

Therefore, if there are any Series 11 rewards you have yet to unlock, be sure to work towards them before time runs out.

In short, centered around the new limited job Beastmaster, FFXIV Patch 7.56 delivers an engaging gameplay experience designed to bring Dawntrail expansion to a satisfying close. All that's left is for you to dive in and make the most of the time available!

The official launch of FFXIV Patch 7.55 on July 28th brings more than just new changes and content; it essentially concludes several questlines from the current Dawntrail expansion, paving the way for the arrival of Evercold.

Among these concluding quests, the highlight is undoubtedly the final step in upgrading your Phantom Weapons, a process that allows you to boost your weapon's item level to a maximum of 795!

Whether you are aiming to acquire FFXIV Relic weapon and complete all upgrade steps before the new expansion launches, or simply need to finish the new steps introduced in Patch 7.55, this guide will prove invaluable.

Phantom Weapon upgrade path

The initial batch of Phantom Weapons for Final Fantasy XIV Dawntrail expansion was introduced in Patch 7.25. By completing the associated questline from that patch, you could unlock your weapon and upgrade it to Phantom Penumbrae version.

With the subsequent releases of Patches 7.31, 7.41, and the latest 7.55, you could, and still can, progressively upgrade these weapons to Phantom Umbrae, Obscurum, and finally Eclipticum & Occultum versions by completing newly added quests.

Upgrading Phantom Weapons in Patch 7.55

We previously reviewed the first three known upgrade steps for Phantom Weapons; now, with the arrival of Patch 7.55, the final upgrades are finally within reach!

To be precise, Patch 7.55 introduces two upgrade steps that advance the weapon to Eclipticum (Item Level 790) and Occultum (Item Level 795) versions. However, before you begin this process, you must first unlock Crescent North Horn.

How to unlock Crescent North Horn?

Crescent North Horn is the second Occult Crescent zone introduced in FFXIV, following the earlier South Horn. To unlock this brand-new field operation zone, you must raise your rank sufficiently within South Horn and complete the specific quest titled Occult Reunion.

You can accept this quest by traveling to Tuliyollal and locating Expedition Messenger. Continue interacting with the messenger to trigger the quest, then follow the steps below to complete it:

1. After speaking with Expedition Messenger, return to the island as instructed.
2. Interact with Ketenramm in Phantom Village.
3. Interact and speak with Jeffroy.
4. While discussing the route to North Horn with Jeffroy, the fairy Iris will appear and ask to join you; agree to let her join.

How to upgrade to Phantom Eclipticum Weapon?

Once you have unlocked and entered Crescent North Horn, you can begin the fourth step of upgrading your Phantom weapon. To do this, first return to Phantom Village and speak with Lydirceil to accept the quest Under No Illusion.

To complete this quest, you must gather four specific items as instructed by Gerolt. Monarch Whetstone can only be obtained from Goplu in exchange for FFXIV Gil, while the other three materials (listed below) can be obtained via trade or crafted yourself:

• Ancestral Alloy Ingot
• Ascendant Twine
• Majestic Polish

After turning in these four items, speak with Lydirceil again to accept the quest Phantoms to Fillet. This requires you to complete random tasks, FATEs, or other challenges within Crescent North Horn zone to collect 100 of each of the three types of Phantom Dispeller, then deliver them to Gerolt.

Once this step is complete, Lydirceil will issue the final quest, A Phantom Unveiled. This is relatively simple to finish: exchange Allagan Tomestones of Aesthetics for three Ecliptic Arcanite items and turn them in. After that, you will unlock Phantom Eclipticum Weapon!

How to upgrade to Phantom Occultum Weapon?

This step is considered Phase 2 of Phantom weapon upgrade Step 4. To complete it, you must not only have finished all previous upgrade steps but also ensure your current job has reached level 100.

Next, interact with Lydirceil to accept the quest Final Phantasm. This quest requires you to fill Knowledge Crystal using Martial Memories. Once done, Phantom Occultum Weapon will be unlocked, allowing you to further customize the weapon's stats.

However, to be honest, completing this step requires finishing a significant amount of Final Fantasy XIV Dawntrail content, and Phantom Eclipticum version is already close to Best-in-Slot (BiS) quality. So, if you are short on time or aren't aiming for perfection, stopping at Phantom Eclipticum stage is perfectly fine.

However, if you decide to see it through to the end, you must first defeat specific enemies in zones such as Urqopacha, Kozama'uka, and Yak T'el, and complete any five FATEs with the gold rank.

Next, you will need to clear, at least once each, five leveling dungeons, eight level-100 dungeons, seven normal-difficulty trials, three Echoes of Vana'diel alliance raids, and twelve Arcadion normal-difficulty raids.

Finally, while upgrading your weapon to Phantom Occultum stage, you can choose to complete a fun side quest called All Too Fleeting to obtain Phantom Philleter culinary tool. Note, however, that you must have Culinarian job unlocked to equip it.

Bonus tips

Once you have upgraded any Phantom weapon to Eclipticum stage, you can visit Dodokkuli and exchange Ecliptic Arcanite to obtain another Phantom Eclipticum Weapon directly.

Furthermore, if you unlock Phantom Occultum version for one weapon, any other Phantom weapons you own can be upgraded to that same stage without consuming any additional materials.

Also, since the upgrade steps have specific job level requirements, avoid switching jobs midway through the process; doing so could prevent you from successfully completing subsequent quests.

Completing the final upgrade certainly offers great rewards, but don't force yourself if it proves too difficult, after all, having fun is what matters most in the game!