What you need to know
- The first major post-launch update of Square Enix's popular MMORPG, Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker has been released.
- This update contains tons of new content like new quests, a new raid, a PVP mode, job changes, etc.
- This update is also revamping dungeons from previous expansions and implementing a system that will allow you to challenge them with a party of NPCs.
In February 2022, Square Enix revealed the roadmap for Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker, the latest for their popular MMORPG, Final Fantasy XIV. The roadmap involved plans of implementing new content and updating older content from Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. The first major update of this roadmap, Patch 6.1 "Newfound Adventure," has now been released for subscribers to download.
Patch 6.1 contains a mountain of new content for returning players, including new quests, dungeons, trials, a new raid, new mounts, new Job changes, and so much more. There are also reworks to the PvP game modes and a new system where players can bring NPCs along to tackle PvE duties from previous expansions. Here are some of the biggest highlights you can expect to find in Patch 6.1
New Quests
Patch 6.1 will feature new Main Scenario Quests that take place after the events of Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker. After saving the world from an apocalyptic event known as the "Final Days," the Warrior of Light (aka the player's character) returns to their roots to embark on a new journey as a simple adventurer.
There will also be new Role Quests to complete, and all of Endwalker's Main Scenario Quests and Role Quests will be added to the New Game Plus mode.
The Ameliance custom delivery quests, Arkasodara sidequests, Tataru's Grand Endeavor sidequests, and the Somehow Further Hildibrand Adventures sidequests are scheduled to be implemented in Patch 6.15.
Myths of the Realm Alliance Raid
The first installment of the Myths of the Realm 24-man Alliance Raid series, titled "Aglaia," will debut in Patch 6.1. This raid will take players on an adventure where they will discover the truth behind Eorzea's mythical gods, collectively known as "The Twelve."
New Trials
There will be two new challenging Trials to undertake in Patch 6.1. These are the Minstrel's Balled: Endsinger's Aria, where you must defeat a far more dangerous version of the Endsinger, the physical embodiment of despair. And Ultima's Bane (Unreal), where you must fight the Ultima Weapon from A Realm Reborn, but this time its power has been upgraded to match the full might of the Warrior of Light.
The Ultimate Trial "Dragonsong's Reprise" is scheduled to be implemented in Patch 6.11.
New PvP mode: Crystalline Conflict
There will be a new PvP game mode called Crystalline Conflict in Patch 6.1. This game mode involves two teams of five players fighting for control of a crystal, and the goal is to move it toward their enemy's goalpost within the time limit to win.
However, gaining control of the crystal will be no simple task. There are three maps where you can play Crystalline Conflict, and each of them features environmental traps and items that can turn the tide of battle. In addition, players will gain access to new PvP-exclusive Job abilities and Limit Breaks they can use to fight back against the enemy team.
New PvP reward system
Patch 6.1 will feature a new PvP reward system that will be applied to all PvP game modes called Series Malmstones. This system will reward players who participate in PvP games during a "Series," which is the length of time between major patch updates (e.g., Series 1 will last from Patch 6.1 to Patch 6.2).
Every time you play PvP, you will gain EXP towards earning a Series Level, and every level will gift you with various rewards like items, armor, and more. The rewards also include Trophy Crystals, a new form of currency that can be exchanged for items.
The GARO collaboration has returned
To top off all the updates for PvP, Patch 6.1 will be bringing back the PvP-exclusive GARO collaboration armor sets and mounts. These items are based on GARO, a popular TV show in Japan that tells the story of warriors called "Makai Knights," protecting humanity from terrifying monsters known as "Horrors."
These items were created as part of a collaboration between Final Fantasy XIV and GARO back in Patch 5.1 of Shadowbringers for a limited time. By popular demand, they will return in Patch 6.1 for new players who missed out on them the first time and old players looking to complete their GARO item collection.
New residential district: Empyreum
After many years of hard work, Ishgard's Firmament has been restored with new facilities and has opened a new residential district called the Empyreum. Players can buy new plots of land in this district through a lottery system during the first round of sales. So, if you ever wanted to own a house within the marvelous, snow-covered architecture of Ishgard, now is your chance.
Duty Support
Patch 6.1 will introduce a new system called Duty Support, and it will allow players to tackle main scenario duties solo with a party of NPC allies. As of this update, this system will support the main scenario duties of A Realm Reborn, Shadowbringers, and Endwalker. In future updates, Duty Support will be implemented for duties found within A Realm Reborn's 2.x patches, Heavensward, and Stormblood.
Revamped Realm Reborn content
New dungeons, trials, and raids aren't the only highlight of this update. Patch 6.1 will also be revamping the old dungeons, trials, and quest duties of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn.
For example, "Cape Westwind, " initially an 8-man Trial, has been changed into a main scenario quest instanced boss fight that players will have to overcome solo. Another significant change is that the battle with Ultima Weapon at the end of "The Praetorium" dungeon has been removed and made into a separate Trial named "The Porta Decumana."
Miscellaneous
- The Adventurer Plates is a new system where you can create a personalized calling card of your player character and show them off to other players.
- The Unending Codex is a new compendium containing crucial information on Final Fantasy XIV's characters, in-game terminology, and lore. The Unending Codex will be unlocked as you progress through Patch 6.1's new main scenario quests, and new entries will be made available as you advance further into the story.
- There will be a feature called Dreamfitting, and it will allow players to try on outfits, items, and accessories from the FFXIV Online Store before purchasing them.
- Every Job will be receiving new changes to their PvE abilities.
- There will be new mounts, minions, emotes, fashion accessories, Chocobo bardings, hairstyles for the Hrothgar and Viera races, bug fixes, and more in Patch 6.1.
New adventures await you
Needless to say, there is a lot of content in store for returning players coming in Patch 6.1 and beyond. And we haven't even mentioned all the smaller quality-of-life improvements coming in this update. If you wish to peruse through minute detail, the lengthy patch notes for Patch 6.1 are available on the Final Fantasy XIV Lodestone website.
The developers are going beyond the call of duty in this patch. Not only are they creating a plethora of new content, but they are going back and updating old content so that it stays relevant for new players and veterans alike. This is one of the reasons Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker is one of the best PC multiplayer games and how it became the most profitable entry in the Final Fantasy franchise.
The time has come to forestall The Final Days
After 10 long years, the ongoing war between the forces of Hydaelyn and Zodiark will be drawing to a dramatic finale in Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker. The world is teetering on the edge of oblivion, and only you and your friends are the only ones who can save it from total destruction. Learn how to wield the new Reaper and Sage Jobs, discover uncharted lands, and take a stand against the cataclysmic event known as "The Final Days."
