Game director Naoki Yoshida and community producer Toshio Murouchi have fully unveiled the highly anticipated FF14 7.4 update, packed with exciting new content. Following Dawntrail’s conclusion, this patch marks a significant step towards the upcoming 8.0 expansion. Notably, it introduces one of the most substantial overhauls in recent memory, including the long-awaited removal of glamour restrictions. Here’s a comprehensive summary of everything presented during Final Fantasy 14 Live Letter 89.
As this was the initial preview of the next Final Fantasy 14 update, no in-game demonstrations were shown. However, plenty of captivating images provided a tantalizing glimpse. Dawntrail’s previously divisive narrative appears to have regained significant positive sentiment with its last two patches, and its combat content has been exceptionally well-received. While Pilgrim’s Traverse showcased a promising start for the new variable difficulty systems, the upcoming patch aims to solidify this direction.
Director ‘Yoshi-P’ shared insights from a decade of development and acknowledged feedback from Pilgrim’s Traverse, emphasizing his commitment to further establishing Final Fantasy XIV’s standing as a leading MMORPG. The presentation covered the next raid tier, enhancements to Occult Crescent and Cosmic Exploration, improvements to duty support, and new Hildibrand adventures, alongside a brand-new Variant Dungeon. Crucially, several highly requested structural and scheduling adjustments were announced, including a complete overhaul of the glamour system.
(Video presentation from Live Letter 89)
Before the main event, another update is on the horizon. Final Fantasy XIV patch 7.38 is set to launch on Tuesday, November 11. This update will remove the weekly limit on savage rewards for the latest raid tier, allow players to exchange Ordelle and Montiont coins from Dawntrail alliance raids for Evercharged Ester to upgrade tomestone Historia weapons, and introduce an additional furnishing item into coffers from the Return to Ivalice encounters.
The highly anticipated FF14 7.4 update, titled ‘Into the Mist,’ is scheduled for release on Tuesday, December 16. Yoshida explained that the end-of-year timing necessitated a bit more scheduling flexibility.
Due to past frustrations with Christmas Day raid launches, the Arcadion Heavyweight tier (savage) will instead launch on Tuesday, January 6. Yoshida acknowledged extensive internal discussions, noting, “Especially the western community spends their Christmas holidays with family, and we thought if we made them sacrifice family for raiding that might become a whole shit storm.”
Of course, a major component of the patch will be the new Main Scenario Quest, which Yoshida describes as “the first step of the new plot line.” He hinted that “7.5 is also packed, and we hope you enjoy this new arc.” While progressing beyond Dawntrail, players can expect to spend more time in Living Memory, with additional classic Final Fantasy references woven into the narrative.
The new dungeon, ‘Mistwake,’ appears to continue the Final Fantasy 9 themes, with a setting strongly reminiscent of Treno, a city in Alexandria. The accompanying trial, ‘Hell on Rails,’ will pit players against Final Fantasy 8’s iconic Doomtrain, or a similar manifestation. Yoshida light-heartedly referred to it as “A dark Thomas,” and when prompted by Murouchi about the battle mechanics, he cryptically replied, “It will be all over the place – I think it’s good if you pay attention to the model, there might be things growing.”
Occult Crescent introduces three new phantom jobs: Mystic Knight, Dancer, and Gladiator. Additionally, players can discover “beneficial accessories” in critical encounters, treasure chests, magic pots, and from happy bunnies. These accessories, four pieces each for Disciples of War and Disciples of Magic, will provide attribute boosts within the zone.
Phantom weapons will be upgradeable to item level 775, with necessary materials obtainable “from various duties, including the Occult Crescent.” Yoshida indicated that the team is reevaluating future weapon series, stating, “When we consider the weapon series after this one, we might completely change it; this might be the last time for this kind of upgrade system.”
The next destination for Cosmic Exploration is Oizys, a fractured, stony world that evokes imagery similar to Elden Ring’s Crumbling Farum Azula. Yoshida teased, “There used to be something on this planet, a civilization that found its end, and obviously it messed with gravity.” Expect cosmic tool upgrades to item level 765, alongside more rewards from cosmocredits and the cosmic fortune wheel. A new appraisal system, ‘Ruin Exploration,’ is also being added.
The new Variant Dungeon, ‘The Merchant’s Tale,’ will transport adventurers into a vibrant, magical tome world. Its colorful aesthetic might even surpass Shadowbringers’ Pixie playground Lyhe Mheg. Players will be accompanied by a Miqo’te gleaner, and like previous Variant Dungeons, it supports one to four players, with duty actions adjusting to fill group gaps and challenge scaling with party size.
As before, numerous choices will alter the path through the region, leading to distinct outcomes. Previous Variant Dungeons have contained significant lore tidbits that later connected to main story content, suggesting ‘The Merchant’s Tale’ could offer clues for future developments. A welcome addition is the ability to level jobs from 90 within this dungeon.
In line with Square Enix’s new adaptable difficulty initiatives, an intermediary step before the Criterion Dungeon is being introduced: ‘Variant Dungeon (Advanced).’ This mode allows players to challenge all three boss battles from the base version in any preferred order. Personal rewards, specific to each enemy, are earned upon defeat, with the option to stop after any single fight. However, a bonus payout awaits those who successfully clear all bosses in one continuous run.
This advanced form requires at least two players, as Yoshida stated it was deemed unsuitable for solo play, but scales up to four. He elaborated, “We’ve made a lot of content and of course savage is high-end, but we’ve always had the request to be allowed to practice individual phases. We thought for this advanced Variant Dungeon, since we already have the three bosses anyway, we might add this feature.”
Progressing to the Criterion Dungeon presents the ultimate challenge. This mode features no exploration, requiring players to confront all three bosses in a specific sequence, boasting increased strength and more unforgiving mechanics. Trash mobs are absent, revival options are limited, and the traditional one tank, one healer, two DPS composition is mandatory unless in a pre-formed party.
These changes appear to be excellent responses to feedback from Endwalker’s Variant Dungeons, but the rewards will need to be equally enticing to encourage repeat engagement. The new glamour options (previewed below) and a flying carpet mount are likely immediate draws, though Yoshida offered no further specifics at this time.
Other highlights of patch 7.4 include the new Arcadion Heavyweight tier, the final segment of the eight-player raid series. This features a Gladiator-style “death match” and an intimidating Elezen, whom Yoshida humorously called “evil Urianger” and noted, “he definitely gives off champion vibes.” The fourth of five planned acts for the Inconceivably Further Hildibrand Adventures is also on its way. The next unreal trial is Tsukuyomi, continuing the trend of modernizing classic Stormblood encounters. Additionally, Duty Support will be implemented for two notoriously challenging optional A Realm Reborn dungeons: Dzemael Darkhold and Aurum Vale.
“I have a friend who recently started the game,” Yoshida shared, “he was asking me, ‘What am I supposed to do as a healer in Aurum Vale?'” He then revealed another welcome addition to Duty Support across all duties, designed to mitigate instant wipes from character K.O. Players will now gain ‘protection stacks’ each time they fall against a boss. These stacks, similar to those used in eight-player trials with NPCs, will absorb a single fatal blow and reset upon defeating the encounter.
Two new UI color schemes, green and white, will be available. Finally, the ‘Strategy Board,’ an official raid planner tool, is arriving in 7.4. Tired of cluttering your hotbars with emotes? The new ‘Command Panel’ offers a four-page layout with 25 slots per page, capable of housing anything assignable to a standard hotbar. Each page can be hidden behind a single button, significantly reducing HUD interference.
The Gold Saucer is also receiving attention, with a new Air Force One track featuring a showdown against the Kraken, a familiar foe from dungeons like Hullbreaker Isle. For PvP enthusiasts, Series Ten will commence alongside various balance adjustments (details to follow closer to release) and an additional Frontline map with a unique rule set.
Yoshida reserved the most significant announcement for last. “I did release a post about the modding community a few weeks ago, and I get that FF is changing over time, and I do want everyone to enjoy the game.” The barrier has been lifted: players can now use any gear for glamour, “irrespective of class, job, or level restrictions.” This means a Dark Knight can don White Mage robes, or a Dragoon can wear gatherer gear—the possibilities are truly limitless. Yoshida quipped, “Of course, everyone is asking for more space in the glam dresser instantly.”
While housing updates will arrive in Patch 7.5, this particular change is undoubtedly a major victory for the community. Yoshida concluded by expressing the team’s eagerness to introduce more open-world field content, a prospect many players would welcome. Overall, Live Letter 89 strongly indicates that Square Enix is actively responding to player feedback, which is incredibly exciting for the game’s future.
Final Fantasy 14 patch 7.4, ‘Into the Mist,’ releases on Tuesday, December 16. That’s all for today, but it sounds like it’s going to be quite a busy holiday season in Final Fantasy XIV. Thanks as always to ‘Miuna’ and ‘iluna minori’ on the FF14 Discord for their live translation of the presentation.
To ensure your raid group doesn’t miss a single callout in the Heavyweight savage tier, consider a high-quality gaming headset. You’ll also want to monitor the FF14 server status and maintenance times to know exactly when you can dive in.
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