Final Fantasy XIV has recently experienced a lull in new content, prompting players to explore alternate jobs and painstakingly craft detailed character portraits. However, a major shift is on the horizon with the release of patch 7.2. Following a 24-hour maintenance period on March 24, the new patch is set to go live on March 25.
For those tackling challenging content, the Savage mode of the upcoming Arcadion: Cruiserweight Division tier will be unveiled just a week later, allowing players ample time to prepare their gear. During a live stream, Naoki Yoshida and Toshi Murouchi introduced the first encounter of this new tier, showcasing an amusing male Viera boss named “Dancing Green.”
This boss’s quirky appearance contrasted with the serious demeanor of the player character, leading Murouchi to humorously express his embarrassment over facing such a ridiculous foe while maintaining a serious expression. While FFXIV players are accustomed to quirky bosses, it appears that this encounter will incorporate some rhythm-game elements, with Yoshida hinting at a perfection bonus and comparing the boss’s music to a Dance Dance Revolution track.
In addition to the usual story and raid content, the update will bring enhancements to PvP, a new Cosmic Exploration feature, and a new Field Exploration series inspired by Bozja.
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The Cosmic Exploration content will allow players to level crafters and gatherers starting at level 10 and above, debuting in patch 7.21 on April 22. The theme revolves around constructing bases on distant planets, beginning on the moon and expanding to additional locations in subsequent updates. The primary gameplay loop will involve completing missions to earn credits, which can be used for base expansion. Notable quality-of-life features include a separate inventory and a permanent sprint option.
Players will also have the opportunity to pilot giant mech suits to smash crystals and gather resources. This new content bears resemblance to the Firmament and introduces a new version of Kupo Fortune called Cosmic Fortune, where players can exchange “Lunar Credits” for rewards, including a new dye color.
The next Field Exploration series, titled Occult Crescent, will launch with patch 7.25 on May 27. To enter, players must have completed Dawntrail and have a Disciple of War or Magic at level 100. The content will feature various instances, accommodating up to 72 players each. Similar to the Bozja adventures from the Shadowbringers expansion, Occult Crescent adopts a leveling system where players can lose experience points upon incapacitation unless revived by another player. Additionally, a new support job system called “Phantom Jobs” will be introduced as players progress.
Critical Encounters will also return, encouraging players to gather and participate in time-limited battles against bosses. These encounters are expected to feature numerous challenging mechanics akin to those found in previous content. Additionally, there will be a narrative tied to weapon enhancement called “The Phantom Weapon.”
Two significant quality-of-life improvements include the ability to summon your mount while on the move and a new “jogging” mode that maintains your movement speed for longer after exiting sprint. While these upgrades might seem minor, they greatly enhance gameplay.
In summary, here’s what players can expect from the upcoming 7.2 patches:
- Main Scenario – Seekers of Eternity
- New Arcadion raid tier
- Cosmic Exploration
- The Occult Crescent
- New Dungeon – The Underkeep
- New Trial – Recollection
- New Unreal Trial – Hell’s Kier (Unreal)
- Allied Society Quests
- More Hildibrand quests
- New crafting recipes
- New mounts, minions, and emotes
- PvP updates
