Ahead of Patch 6.1: Newfound Adventure going live next week for Final Fantasy XIV, and with it the first steps towards the next era of the long-running MMORPG, Square Enix has shared preliminary patch notes about what can expect in the main release. While there are many of the already advertised core features of the update which are listed, which include the new dungeon, expansion to the main scenario quest, new trials, the new Empyreum housing district and more – I would like to share some of the lesser highlighted features which deserve some attention.
Instant Quest Battles Feature Changes to Additional Hotbars
Ever had that problem where you have gone into an instanced story quest, given control over a different character, and found that the skill mapping didn’t work for you? I certainly have! As of v6.1, you will be able to amend the additional hotbar which will be reset when you log out of the game OR when playing as another alternate character.
Live in an Evil Witches Candy House
Designed as if it were taken out of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale Hansel and Gretel, you too can build your in-world home out of candy and perhaps lure some innocent Lalafell into your home to cook them up and eat them like potatoes*.
* You certainly should not eat Lalafell, you monster!
Housing Plot Changes
With the introduction of the game’s fifth housing district, the Final Fantasy XIV development team have rolled out a number of changes to make getting a house much more equitable, including:
- A lottery system for the purchase of land has been implemented.
- Every housing district will now have dedicated wards for private and free company estates.
- To prevent the reselling of plots, players must now remain in a free company for a minimum of 30 days before they are allowed to purchase a free company plot.
- The designated price of plots will no longer be reduced over time.
In addition, the first Housing Savage on the Oceanic Data Center will commence in this patch.
Pod 602 Mount Purchasable Through Golden Saucer
It is surprising it took so long to make these available, given the animations for Pod 602 mounts were first implemented in Patch 5.1 through the first Nier: Automata collaboration alliance raid, but you can acquire a ‘Pod 602 Identification Key’ through the Golden Saucer. To exchange GP for this, you are required to have completed the Chronicles of a New Era quest “Brave New World”.
New Hairstyles Available for Hrothgar and Viera
When creating or editing your Hrothgar and Viera characters, new hairstyle options have been made available for both races. Additionally, for Hrothgar, certain options have now been moved to the hairstyle section from facial features, and new facial features have been implemented.
Unending Codex Provides Compendium of Information About In-Game Terminology and Characters
Want to revisit certain elements of the in-game storyline but don’t want to play through a dozen cutscenes again or go through New Game Plus? The Unending Codex is being introduced, providing “players easy access to a compendium of vital information about in-game terminology and characters”. This will begin unlocking as you progress through this patch’s main story, but hopefully makes content available from all previous expansions soon.
Changes to Epic of Alexander (Ultimate)
Deemed to be a measure to “prevent illicit activity”, which those in the know will be aware of, the timing of both “Contract Prohibition” and “Escape Prohibition” has changed. Whether this means just a simple timing change or complete randomisation is unknown.
Gender Locking Removed on a number of outfits
Simply put, kudos to the Final Fantasy XIV development team for making this possible, and hope future updates make even more content gender unrestricted.
- Quaintrelle’s Hat
- Quaintrelle’s Ruffled Dress
- Quaintrelle’s Ruffled Skirt
- Quaintrelle’s Dress Shoes
- Boulevardier’s Hat
- Boulevardier’s Ruffled Shirt
- Boulevardier’s Ruffled Pantaloons
- Boulevardier’s Dress Shoes
- Frontier Ribbon
- Frontier Dress
- Frontier Dress Gloves
- Frontier Pumps
- Frontier Hat
- Frontier Jacket
- Frontier Trousers
- Frontier Shoes
- Thavnairian Wool Autumn Dress
- Thavnairian Wool Autumn Shirt
- Gryphonskin Breastguard
- Gryphonskin Pantalettes
- Uraeus Body Armor
- Uraeus Breeches
- Southern Seas Skirt
- Southern Seas Trousers
- Riviera Dress
- Riviera Doublet
- Riviera Slops
- Oasis Tunic
- Oasis Sarouel
- Oasis Doublet
- Oasis Halftrews
- Ishgardian Gown
- Ishgardian Thighboots
- Far Eastern Smock
- Augmented Rathalos Helm [F]
- Augmented Rathalos Mail [F]
- Augmented Rathalos Vambraces [F]
- Augmented Rathalos Coil [F]
- Augmented Rathalos Greaves [F]
- Rathalos Helm [F]
- Rathalos Mail [F]
- Rathalos Vambraces [F]
- Rathalos Coil [F]
- Rathalos Greaves [F]
- Augmented Rathalos Helm [M]
- Augmented Rathalos Mail [M]
- Augmented Rathalos Vambraces [M]
- Augmented Rathalos Coil [M]
- Augmented Rathalos Greaves [M]
- Rathalos Helm [M]
- Rathalos Mail [M]
- Rathalos Vambraces [M]
- Rathalos Coil [M]
- Rathalos Greaves [M]
Adventure Plate Calling Card Implemented
Continuing to slowly build upon the game’s community features, players can now create a “calling card” for their character, outlining their character name, levels, free company, times frequently on and an updated message. This also includes the introduction of an ability to create character portraits using a dedicated system (See below), customise your plates design and content, and more.
5 More Glamour Plates
Meeting parity with the 20 playable jobs on offer as of the Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker expansion pack, players now have access to 20 Glamour Plates. This means you no longer have to compromise if you, like myself, like jumping between all 20 jobs and don’t like doubling up on outfits. Although still not possible to use the plates in duties, they can now be used in sanctuaries.
Changes to Castrum Meridianum and The Praetorium
The ‘Main Scenario Roulette’ was valuable to those looking to grind EXP once a day, but came with the sacrifice of time among a duty with unskippable cutscenes and easy to beat mobs and bosses. Changes to both these legacy dungeons from ‘A Realm Reborn’ have now been implemented, to coincide with the updated Trust system for ARR content. These changes include:
Castrum Meridianum
- Maximum party size has been reduced from 8 to 4.
- The content of the battle with the Black Eft has been adjusted.
- The content of the battle with the magitek vanguard F-1 has been adjusted.
- The content of the battle with Livia sas Junius has been adjusted.
- Extensive changes to general progression have been implemented.
The Praetorium
- Maximum party size has been reduced from 8 to 4.
- The content of the battle with the Mark II magitek colossus has been adjusted.
- The content of the battle with Nero tol Scaeva has been adjusted.
- The content of the battle with Gaius van Baelsar has been adjusted.
- The battle with the Ultima Weapon has been removed.
- The battle with Lahabrea has been removed.
- Extensive changes to general progression have been implemented.
- The ability to skip certain cutscenes has been added.
Cape Westwind is no longer a Trial
Cape Westwind is now considered a solo instanced quest battle, meaning that there are no trials that can be completed sync’ed in just a minute.