Final Fantasy 14: Some Players Can Get Stormblood Expansion For Free

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• FFXIV Patch 7.56 Adds Roguelike Board Mode Crucible of the Unbroken for Beastmaster: Mechanics and Gameplay Strategy

  The countdown to Patch 7.56, the final major update for Dawntrail expansion, is underway. Beyond the conclusion of Main Scenario Quests, the most anticipated addition is Beastmaster limited job.

  It is worth noting that, in addition to being usable in standard combat under specific conditions, this job features an exclusive new gameplay mode: Crucible of the Unbroken.

  This mode offers rewards based on your progress and includes dedicated leaderboards; achieving a high rank unlocks major bonus prizes. If you're interested, be sure to check out our gameplay guide!

  

  Unlocking the mode and difficulty ranks

  Once you select Beastmaster job in FFXIV and level it up to 30, the game will automatically trigger a questline guiding you to unlock and experience Crucible of the Unbroken mode.

  The mode features three difficulty tiers. Tier 1 is designed for players new to the arena, featuring relatively manageable enemy stats. Tier 2 introduces more threatening enemy skill combinations and raises the overall combat requirements.

  The highest difficulty tier is the ultimate challenge, putting both your strategy and execution skills to the test.

  This tier features region-specific seasonal leaderboards, where the system calculates a comprehensive score based on performance metrics such as completion speed, kill count, and remaining resources.

  Placing in the top 300 of your region's leaderboard earns you generous rewards, including the rare, exclusive rainbow golem mount.

  Please note that the initial leaderboard will open two weeks after the launch of Patch 7.56 and remain active until the release of Patch 7.58. Subsequent seasons will follow a similar update schedule.

  How to play?

  Crucible of the Unbroken is a hardcore gameplay mode integrated into Final Fantasy XIV that blends tabletop board game mechanics with single-player roguelike elements.

  Before stepping onto the dedicated game board, you must first assemble a roster of ten beasts from those you have captured.

  For each individual challenge run, you select three beasts to accompany you, though only one beast can be summoned to fight at any given time.

  This means you cannot simply rely on brute-force AoE attacks to crush your enemies; instead, you must constantly switch between your beasts based on the flow of battle, utilizing their unique skills and traits to counter the opposition effectively.

  Furthermore, in actual combat, your beasts do not possess the invincible summon status found in the standard FFXIV open world; they are subject to the specific combat rules governing this mode.

  Beasts in Crucible of the Unbroken mode feature a progression system that allows them to reach a maximum of Rank 25. Higher ranks result in increased base HP, attack, defense, and elemental resistances.

  During combat, your beasts can sustain significant damage or even perish. Unless you use an extremely rare item to revive them, a fallen beast cannot be deployed again for the remainder of the trial.

  All the aforementioned combat mechanics take place on a specialized game board. Crucible of the Unbroken board consists of a complex web of branching paths and nodes, requiring you to manually select your route.

  Along any given path, you will encounter various random scenarios, such as gauntlets against elite enemies, groups of mobs with specific mechanics, or battles influenced by environmental hazards.

  Of course, beyond combat encounters, the map is dotted with treasure nodes (offering loot), choice nodes (triggering random events), and crucial rest nodes.

  

  How to maintain sustainability?

  The most common predicament you will face in Crucible of the Unbroken mode is the depletion of both your own and your beasts' HP. These stats can only be restored through consumables, specific skills, or by visiting rest nodes.

  Moreover, rest nodes limit the number of beasts you can heal. Consequently, you must weigh the condition of your beasts against the remaining path ahead: do you fully restore HP of your primary beast, or distribute healing among two low-health backup beasts?

  Additionally, any items acquired during the trial are wiped clean once the run ends (whether through completion or defeat) and cannot be carried over to the next attempt.

  Therefore, you should use your buff items promptly to avoid wasting them through inventory overflow. In addition to item rewards or potential Gil, progressing across the map can yield special Territory Tokens.

  These can be exchanged at the trials vendor for food, which grants stat boosts to your deployed beast for the duration of the match.

  However, different beasts have varying capacities for food intake, so you must carefully select the most cost-effective food based on their specific traits.

  

  Combat tips

  First, you need to select a beast that counters the enemy's attributes. If the enemy excels at inflicting Bleed or Poison effects, it is best to feed your beast items that boost resistance to these ailments beforehand, or simply deploy a beast that possesses innate resistance to them.

  Although Crucible of the Unbroken mode in FFXIV is designed around a board-game-style map, the actual combat utilizes standard MMORPG mechanics.

  This means you must pay close attention to the names of enemy skill-casting bars and their wind-up animations to dodge attacks in time. You also need to use the follow command to pull beasts out of danger and prevent them from taking unnecessary damage.

  Beyond a beast's innate abilities, you must utilize two special combat commands, Challenge and Snarl, to maximize their effectiveness.

  Use Challenge when your beast's HP is critically low and facing a lethal blow, or when an enemy is about to unleash a skill that deals bonus damage to beasts; this draws the enemy's attention to you, giving your beast time to recover.

  Snarl works the other way around: if you are low on HP or an enemy is about to unleash an unavoidable ultimate attack, using Snarl prompts a tank-type beast to intercept the attack for you.

  That covers the essentials for playing Crucible of the Unbroken mode in Final Fantasy XIV. If you aim to climb the leaderboards later on, however, you will need plenty of practice!

• FFXIV Patch 7.56 Will Bring More Content Centered on the Second Limited Job Beastmaster: How to Unlock and Master It?

  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!

• FFXIV Patch 7.55 Brings All the Quests to Upgrade Your Phantom Weapons to the Ultimate Occultum Version: How to Complete?

  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!

• FFXIV Patch 7.55 Phantom Weapons Guide: Appearance Preview & Unlock Tips

  Final Fantasy XIV Patch 7.55 will be released on July 28th. As the date approaches, the official preview of the final stage of Phantom Weapons has finally been released. For every player, the final form of Relic Weapons is always one of the most anticipated features of each major expansion.

  In FFXIV, Relic Weapons refer to class-specific weapons that are progressively upgraded through a series of enhancement quests in each major expansion (such as 5.0, 6.0). This 7.55 patch is the final stage of Relic Weapons from 7.0 Dawntrail - the Phantom Weapons. This guide will give you a glimpse into their cool appearance and provide unlocking methods.

  Appearance Analysis

  

  Before delving into how to obtain them, let's take a look at what these new weapons actually look like. From the currently released preview images, the final stage of the 7.55 patch's Phantom Weapons delivers a remarkably excellent visual design.

  Viper's weapon is undoubtedly the most visually appealing, with its orange and blue color scheme being a stroke of genius. The warm orange and cool blue intertwine and collide on the sword, creating a striking visual depth.

  Warrior's hammer is equally eye-catching. Many players have always been hesitant about overly glowing weapons, but this time the lighting effect is well-controlledb - bright enough without being glaring and obscuring the weapon's design details.

  White Mage's weapon takes a different approach - pink paired with blue-green, creating a soft and dreamy texture. While Gunbreaker's weapon wasn't shown separately, its overall style maintains the same high design standards.

  The only current regret is the lack of confirmation on whether the final stage will support coloring. If coloring is added in the future, the glamour potential of this weapon set will be further enhanced.

  How to obtain?

  According to current information, Final Fantasy XIV Patch 7.55 will unlock the fourth and final stage of Phantom Weapons. However, before challenging the final stage, players must complete the questlines released in previous versions.

  Stage One

  If this is your first time embarking on Phantom Weapons journey in FFXIV 7.0 Dawntrail, your first stop is the Expedition Messenger in Tuliyollal. This will unlock Phantom Village - the central hub for all Phantom Weapons-related activities. You can re-enter at any time via Tuliyollal Pier.

  This stage is a one-time quest requiring you to collect six different types of Demiatma, three of each, for a total of 18. These materials can be obtained through FATEs and Critical Encounters in Occult Crescent, as well as FATEs in various areas of Dawntrail.

  It's recommended to farm FATEs in Dawntrail area. Since this is a one-time quest, you can join a FATE party, level up other classes, and obtain Bicolor Gemstones.

  However, after completing this first stage, all subsequent Phantom Weapons for each class can be redeemed for only 1500 Allagan Tomestones of Mathematics. These can be quickly obtained through a rank train or daily random quests.、

  

  Stage Two

  Stage Two requires players to collect several crafting materials. Submitting these materials will reward you with an Aether Well Array. You need to accumulate 10,000 Aether points, primarily obtained from the following four types of quests:

  1. High-Level Dungeons
  2. Alliance Raids
  3. Normal Raids
  4. Trials

  Frankly, if you haven't reached this stage yet, completing it before July 28th will be a tough battle.

  Stage Three

  If you've diligently progressed to stage Three, things will be much clearer - this stage may only take 12 days to complete. You need to complete the following steps:

  1. Purchase an Umbral Clay for 500,000 gil
  2. Own three crafted items
  3. Collect Crystal Pastes, in stages, totaling 600

  Similarly, completing these quests will greatly benefit other classes. Subsequent class weapons can be directly exchanged for 1,500 Allagan Tomestones of Mathematics.

  Final Stage

  While the official details for FFXIV version 7.55 have not yet been released, however, based on the design patterns of previous Relice installments and community discussions, the final stage will most likely remain deeply tied to Occult Crescent: North Horn, ultimately pushing the weapon to its true ultimate form.

  Job Recommendation

  If you need to progress through each stage from now on or relearn the mechanics, Warrior is recommended. With its Bloodwhetting and powerful self-healing abilities, it can easily withstand 78 vulnerability stacks, giving new players the opportunity to gradually familiarize themselves with the combat mechanics.

  At the same time, acquiring each stage of Phantom Weapons requires a significant amount of gil, and insufficient gil is a common problem for players just starting out. To complete all prerequisite progress before the 7.55 release, you can buy FFXIV gil from IGGM.com to speed up the process.

  In short, the final stage of Phantom Weapons in version 7.55 is visually and physically impressive, but the prerequisite quest chain is long and time-consuming. Plan your progress carefully and avoid blindly rushing.

  Patch 7.55 will be a significant milestone for Dawntrail. We're finally going to get our hands on those exquisite, sparkling Phantom Weapons and head to the all-new volcanic permafrost region of North Horn for some serious exploration.

• FFXIV Patch 7.5 Drops a Massive Item System Overhaul | Dyes Consolidated to Three Categories and Armoire Gets Expanded

  Players, FFXIV Patch 7.5 Trail to the Heavens is officially releases on April 28th! This update includes updates to quests, combat, PvP, and the item system, focusing on extensive system optimization. Let's take a look at all the content!

  Quest System Updates

  Main Story Quests

  This update adds five new main story quests, with the new villain Halmarut and his manipulated puppets becoming the main threat.

  Players will face off against Shantotto, a well-known character from FFXXI, who will use Black Magic directly and control the entire battlefield.

  Echoes of Vana'diel collaboration story finally reaches its final chapter, with players facing off against Shantotto, a well-known character from Final Fantasy XI, who will use Black Magic directly and control the entire battlefield.

  In addition, players who collect all seven Extreme Trials mounts can accept a new bonus quest to obtain an additional special mount.

  

  The new Game+ mode adds questlines from Chronicles of a New Era and Echoes of Vana'diel series. Some regular quests are now restricted to specific classes for certain time periods to prevent class incompatibility issues.

  Combat Updates

  This update adds a new dungeon called The Clyteum, located in Snowfield ruins of Garlemald, showcasing the empire before its destruction.

  The new raid Enuo, available in Normal and Extreme difficulties, is now live. Enuo features a faster pace and higher difficulty, but fewer environmental mechanics, and focuses more on the boss's actions. The Extreme difficulty's area-of-effect attacks and pathfinding mechanics are particularly challenging.

  Players should note that Chaos dungeon, The Cloud of Darkness (Chaotic), has received a major update. Players can now easily conquer it with higher levels or higher gear grades.

  More importantly, when the minimum item level requirement is enabled, all rare rewards, including two Mounts, Pets, and Hairstyles, will drop, significantly lowering the barrier to entry. If you happen to have few Final Fantasy XIV gil, that's even better.

  Additionally, the weekly limit for Heavyweight Division in Normal mode has been removed, the number of Holoblades required to exchange for weapons has been reduced to four, and Echo effect of Cruiserweight Savage has been further improved.

  PvP Update

  Crystalline Conflict has launched series 11, along with a new map called Archieia Harmonias.

  This map features Healing Glyphs and checkpoints for charging payloads, and its capture mechanic differs from other maps. The map rotation cycle has been shortened from 90 minutes to 60 minutes, allowing players to experience different terrains more frequently.

  Furthermore, PvP scoring system has been adjusted. Character deaths no longer deduct points, and points gained from knockdowns and assists are now affected by morale, significantly speeding up the pace of matches.

  Housing & Renovation

  The furniture cap for all types of housing has been increased by 50%, and the outdoor furniture cap has been increased by 100%.

  Specifically, the number of Apartments and Private Chambers has increased from 100 to 150, Cottages from 200 to 300, Houses from 300 to 450, and Mansions from 400 to 600.

  A new Dark Minimalist Style has been added as an interior design theme.

  Regarding display, players can adjust the number of furniture items displayed on screen simultaneously within an area, while the PS4 version will reduce system load by decreasing shadow lighting.

  The next major housing update will introduce a large-capacity storage feature similar to Tardis, currently in testing and expected to launch before version 8.0.

  Major Optimizations to the item System

  Dye system has undergone a large-scale consolidation. Hundreds of loose Dyes have been consolidated into three standardized categories, meaning that common Dyes that previously occupied a large amount of warehouse space can now be covered by just three types.

  However, high-value dyes such as general-purpose pure black and pure white remain unchanged, so the related market will not be affected.

  Armoire system has also been enhanced. From some dungeon gear in version 2.x to dungeon gear from version 3.0 and later, gear can now be converted into set transmogrification, with each set occupying only one Armoire slot. Class-specific gear and dungeon gear from version 7.0 and later can also be stored in Armoire.

  In addition, several PvP gear sets, as well as sets like Thaliak and Fury, have gained a second transmogrification slot.

  Exploration and Wilderness Content

  Occult Crescent has opened the new area North Horn, which includes both Normal and Hard difficulties of Forked Tower (Magic).

  Phantom class abilities have also been adjusted. Cannoneer's Shotgun has changed from lightning to neutral. Dark Knight's Pledge now grants immunity to certain debuffs and damage. The drop rate of Rare Soul Crystals has been significantly increased, and Phantom experience and silver rewards have also been comprehensively increased.

  Finally, the difficulty calculation method for FATEs has also changed. Players within and around FATEs will have their health added to the enemy's HP, making it less likely for players running towards FATEs to miss the battle due to lack of time.

  This update primarily aims to pave the way for 8.0, with significant effort put into convenience and system optimization. Get ready for the April 28th release!

• FFXIV Patch 7.4 Into The Mist Preview | New Raids, Dungeons, Hell On Rails Trial, And Glamour System Overhaul Revealed

  During FFXIV Live Letter 89 on October 31st, official release dates and major updates for Patch 7.38 and Patch 7.4 were announced. Patch 7.38 will be released on November 11th, while Patch 7.4 will be released on December 16th.

  Patch 7.38 contains only minor updates, and the focus of this live stream was Patch 7.4, which will unlock a new main storyline and new areas.

  

  Patch 7.38 Main Content

  Patch 7.38 removes the weekly acquisition limit for AAC Cruiserweight Tier (Savage), allowing players to exchange Ordelle coins and Montion coins obtained from new Alliance raid for Evercharged Ester, used for weapon upgrades.

  Additionally, Patch 7.38 will add a new piece of furniture, Ivalice Chronicles poster, which can be used for interior wall decoration in residential areas. This item originates from remastered game Ivalice Chronicles and is obtained through an in-game raid quest.

  Patch 7.4 Main Content

  Raid And Dungeon

  New Trial: Hell On Rails

  

  Hell on Rails includes Normal and Extreme difficulties. Resembling Doom Train, its combat may be similar to Phantom Train from previous Final Fantasy titles, or involve being chased by trains like in Sigmascape.

  Arcadian Raid

  In Patch 7.4: Into the Mist, Arcadian: Heavyweight (Normal) Raid will conclude Arcadian storyline. It will introduce new Allagan Tomestones of Mnemonics and new craftable gear.

  Meanwhile, Arcadian: Heavyweight Tier (Savage) will be delayed until January 6, 2026. This delay is due to player feedback from the release of Cloud of Darkness (Chaotic) during last year's Christmas season, to ensure players can enjoy the holidays with their families rather than focusing on raiding.

  New Dungeon

  The new dungeon in patch 7.4 is Mistwake, a dark, possibly underground cavern with a structure resembling a reactor or gate. It culminates in a parody of a futuristic city inside a dome, complete with watchtowers and a touch of Fallout style.

  New PvP Content

  PvP Season 10 will launch with patch 7.4, offering new rewards, and seasonal rankings will also be updated.

  The update will also introduce a new Frontline Map, Worqor Chirteh, set in Ul'dah, where weather conditions will affect gameplay.

  New Unreal Combat

  

  The new Unreal combat is Tsukuyomi's Pain, a classic from Stormblood, scaled to level 100 as usual and offering new Faux Hollows rewards.

  Gameplay Updates

  Patch 7.4 increases item level of Phantom weapons to 775. Materials for upgrading can be obtained from various quests, including those within Occult Crescent itself. The developers also stated that system for this weapon series may be completely changed afterward, and this may be the last time the current upgrade system is implemented.

  Gold Saucer

  A new map called Cildalaes will be added to Air Force One minigame in Gold Saucer, where players will fight sea monsters above Hullbreaker Isle.

  Occult Crescent Update

  Three new Phantom jobs will be added to Occult Crescent: Mystic Knight, Dancer, and Gladiator. Additionally, new buff items have been added to Occult Crescent. Four new trinkets each will be added to Disciple of War and Disciple of Magic sets. These items only boost stats within Occult Crescent and can be obtained rarely from magic pots, chests, happy bunnies, and other means.

  Patch 7.5 will bring a major update to Occult Crescent, including a new island and a tower with multiple difficulty levels, while Patch 7.4 will update the existing southern corner area.

  Cosmic Exploration Update

  A new planet named Oizys is one with two binary rings, and strange plants. Its backstory involves a civilization that perished due to manipulating gravity, and it also adds cosmic tools at level 765.

  Players can excavate ancient records related to planet's history and appraise them for item rewards, including new mounts and spacesuit appearances.

  Through participation in events, players can earn new Cosmo Credits, Cosmic Fortune prizes, and a new token for redeeming items. Players can use Cosmo Credits to redeem new mounts and transmog outfits.

  Variant Dungeon Update

  The new Variant Dungeon is Merchant's Tale, whose main story involves a relative of Y'shtola. Based on player feedback, developers have made significant adjustments to Variant Dungeon:

  Variant Mode

  Variant Mode remains unchanged, and this mode can be played solo or with up to 4 players, and includes exploration, branching paths, and multiple endings.

  Advanced Mode (New)

  Players can directly challenge three bosses in any order, and there is no exploration. Slightly more difficult than Variant Mode. Can be played by 2-4 players, with difficulty automatically adjusted and respawns available. Defeating a single boss grants a personal reward, while defeating all three at once grants an additional reward.

  Criterion Mode (New)

  Criterion Mode is more difficult and also lacks exploration. Boss battles are more challenging. Players have limited respawn options and must defeat bosses in order. It requires a standard team composition of 1 tank, 1 healer, and 2 DPS.

  Rewards include, but are not limited to, a new desert-themed Glamour set, a magic carpet mount, and Final Fantasy XIV Gil.

  

  UI & QoL Updates

  Finally, there are some miscellaneous updates. A new UI theme is available, offering a choice of crisp green and crisp white. Retainer Interface has also received visual improvements.

  In terms of quality of life, strategy board will be officially added to the game, allowing players to plan and share dungeon mechanics. It will be expanded to more flexible templates in the future.

  Additionally, any content that can be placed on the hotkey bar, such as emotes, macros, and gear sets, can now be organized into up to four expandable panels, each with 25 slots.

  Glamour System received a significant update, removing class and level restrictions for armor transmogrification. This means healers can now transmogrify tank outfits, although weapons still require the corresponding type due to animation limitations.

  However, planned removal of housing interior restrictions and increase of land plots will be delayed until patch 7.5 due to technical issues such as CPU and performance limitations.

  Overall, Patch 7.4 initially seemed like a routine update, but complete liberation of Glamour System and some quality-of-life updates made it can be the best update since 7.0.