Final Fantasy XIV Patch 5.3's Preliminary Patch Notes Released Four Days From Launch

After a longer than usual wait for the next patch to arrive on servers, Square Enix is due to publish Patch 5.3: Reflections in Crystal on Final Fantasy XIV next week. To mark the impending release and give fans a taste of what to expect, a preliminary patch notes document has gone live on the game’s official website. As previous preliminary documents, some information is redacted, with all information to be available come 11 August 2020.

Some players such as myself have taken a break as they wait for new content to play through, and it is great to see that many more hours of collaborative fun and gameplay awaits.

One thing which doesn’t come as much of a surprise is that the contents of this patch will be spread out over the coming months through sub-patches. While a majority of the content will be available come 11 August, a few significant pieces such as Ishgardian Restoration Updates (5.31), Save the Queen: Blades of Gunnhildr, Resistance weapons, and Skysteel tools (5.35) are to be introduced later.

Some of the major inclusions in the main patch are:

The next chapter in the main scenario quest, pitched as drawing the Shadowbringers storyline to a close.
Introducion of the new ‘Heroes’ Gauntlet’ dungeon, which can be unlocked through the main scenario quest.
Implementation of a “Hidden” trial, with extreme variant.
Implementation of the second YoRHa: Dark Apocalypse alliance raid, which was guest directed by NieR: Automata director Yoko Taro.
The Sorrow of Werlyr, following on from where players left off defeating Ruby Weapon.
Dwarf Tribe questline and daily quests.
An overhaul of the main scenario quests for A Realm Reborn, reducing the grind found in the game’s original content.
Mounts can now be flown in A Realm Reborn maps. This will be available to all players who have completed the main scenario quest ‘The Ultimate Weapon’. There is no need to complete any other missions to unlock flying, although requirements remain for Heavensward areas onwards.
The first ‘Faux Hollows’ Unreal Trial will be implemented, pitting players against Shiva in Arh Afah Amphitheatre.
Sticker Mode expansion to the group pose system