The new FFXIV expansion brings a little bit of new content that players are already excited about, including a new healer, housing and non-combat modes.
The Final Fantasy 14 The Announcement Showcase brought exactly the level of early news that the team had been suggesting for months. The most important thing brought us the teaser trailer for Endwalker, the newest expansion representing the MMORPG 6.0 patch.
But, of course, they couldn’t just leave it at that. Typically, announcements of this scale are made at “Fan Festivals”, which are two-day conventions for FFXIV fans. This means that the beloved director Naoki Yoshida, with Koji Fox, leader of folklore and English translation, had a lot to present instead of a typical Fan Fest speech.
Many of the main features of the Endwalker were revealed during this presentation. We’ve completed some of the most interesting changes and new features to come.
As for the release date – all we know is “Autumn 2021”. But, considering the past year, as a wise man once said, “Let the expansion contract, and become instantaneous.” In other words, who knows how long it will actually look like?
New expansion FFXIV: Endwalker, The End Of The Hydaelyn / Zodiark Storyline
Since 1.0, players have followed the silent and simmering war between Hydaelyn and Zodiark. And while the importance of this is kept quiet from time to time, Shadowbringers brought this huge story to the forefront in ways that have implications for the FFXIV universe. We already know that Hydaelyn manifests as the mother crystal, and some stories strongly suggest that Zodiark had some manifestation linked to the moon.
Now, it looks like the FFXIV The team is doing everything to finally give this story an attention worthy of its importance. Players invested in the tradition will finally get a reward, as it is explicitly stated that Endwalker will focus on the explosive implications of what we learned about Hydaelyn and Zodiark. After the events of Shadowbringers, we know that this relationship – and ours with each entity – is more complicated than we initially knew.
Now, our journey to understand includes a trip to the moon! Because apparently multiplayer games can’t escape the moon, I think. But we’ll also see Garlemand, who … um, spoilers. In fact, there are only a lot of spoilers going on, so I’m going to leave it at that.
If you are concerned about this closure FFXIV itself, don’t worry! Yoshida and Fox go to great lengths to assure us that this will not end FFXIV in itself. In fact, they claim that immediately after the 6.0 storyline, a new arc will be introduced. After all, they say that often the end is just the beginning – “they” here in a general sense, and also by Yoshida and Fox themselves.
New healer FFXIV: Sage
It turns out that, once again, we will have two new roles with Endwalkerlaunch of: a healer and a melee DPS. During the Advertising Show, we heard about Sage, the new healer. Sage has a very cool design, with four floating sword-like devices. It is quite obviously inspired by Gundam and other modern weapon styles, as it was a joke in the stream. Alphinaud will be the representative NPC, as shown in Endwalker trailer.
What we now know is that it will have a similar utility to Scholar, which is a “barrier healer”, as described. Players will be able to provide barriers and cures, as well as buffs for their own combats and healing spells.
You will have to buy the expansion to access this class; but as soon as you have it all sorted out, you can pick it up in Limsa Lominsa as soon as any of your classes reach level 70. And if you want to know more for now, we talk a little more at MMORPG.com about what’s next come with Sage, so take a look!
Island Sanctuary
If you’re looking for more casual endgame content, it looks like Endwalker will give you a lot to do with your new Island Sanctuary. Apparently located on the new island of Thavnair, you will be given your own island to rejuvenate and get your hands dirty!
Island Sanctuary has been described as a possibly “fun and relaxing” experience with some new features. You will be able to take an arid island and turn it into something fruitful (maybe literally?). Although it appears that it is focused on creation and collection, developers guarantee that those without non-craft work will also be able to take advantage.
All the details about the gameplay that will be presented have not yet been given, but we have some tips. We have been told that we will be able to raise and sell items to other people, as well as leave our lackeys free to leave. Brief speculation here, but perhaps this is finally the answer to Chocobo’s breeding and gardening being locked behind houses. Who knows? After all, it looks as exciting as it is relaxing!
Ishgard Housing
Yes it is here. Its confirmed. It’s finally coming. It is the Ishgardian Housing.
With the closure of the Ishgardian Restoration, it now appears that we will have the option of inhabiting mandatory accommodation for regional adventurers in Ishgard. Of course, this has been sought, given the praise for To the sky high fantasy themed region. It will be the second housing district located outside an initial city, after Shirogane, located and themed in the Stormblood region in the Far East.
As for the logistics: as soon as 6.0 starts, we will be able to check the new areas before the accommodation is actually sold. As with the launch of Stormblood’s Shirogane, the purchase option will come with 6.1. It will have the same number of wings as any other housing district.
Personally, I know MANY RPG players who will be exodus to Ishgard – even non-Ishgardians. It’s a very exciting prospect, as the city in the game keeps its gates open to new economies. In addition, there are a ton of Ishgardian RPG players out there, of course. Will you be part of the Ishgard Housing (Savage) race?
No more belts
They are just removing the groove from the belt. That’s it. That is the news. They explained very explicitly that this is not just for statistical purposes, but mainly because they don’t show up, so you can’t even glamor with them. (In contrast, the rings remain largely because of cosmetic needs.) It appears that this is also part of a plan to resize combat statistics.
Once 6.0 hits, your belt will be unequipped. You CAN get any belt you have fitted on Calamity Salvager if you want to sell it or something. (You can always sell it on the Doman Enclave.) But what’s the use of a Final Fantasy game without the belts? Tragic.
Then again, some pants in this game are basically belts and some fabric for your personal belongings. Or, in Square Enix’s not-too-high fantasy tradition, some clothes are essentially a ton of belts held together by sheer stylistic audacity. Take it as you like.
Will you miss the belts? Or will you be too busy examining Ishgardian dwellings to notice?