While a little bit behind the previous trend of one expansion every two years, players of Square Enix’s popular MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV Online have new adventures to look forward to very soon. Over the weekend, it was confirmed that the fifth expansion, titled Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail, is scheduled to launch on the PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S starting 2 July 2024.
In addition to the next major expansion to the main scenario quest, players can also look forward to two new playable jobs (Pictomancer and Viper), new dungeons and encounters, a boost in the level cap to 100, and an assortment of familiar expansion pack additions and some new surprises as well.
Question is… which version of Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail will players buy? On the pricey end of things will be the Dawntrail Collector’s Edition (Physical), which contains a code for the game (and its digital Collector’s Edition bonuses), plus a range of physical goodies including:
- Dawntrail Special Art Box – A unique art box with a shimmering golden base, evocative of a fabled city of gold. It features a Dawntrail illustration by artist Yoshitaka Amano.
- Expertly Crafted Viper Figure – An impressive high-quality figure that showcases the Warrior of Light as a viper. Including the base, the figure measures approximately H 9.65″ x W 4.52″ x D 5.90″ (H 24.5cm x W 11.5cm x D 15cm).
- Adventurer’s Cloth Map – The latest version of the FFXIV world map, which includes new locations debuting in Dawntrail. Printed on high-quality cloth, measuring approximately 16.53″ x 29.52″ (42cm x 75cm).
- The Unending Journey – A ruled notebook inspired by a favorite journal of adventurers, measuring approximately 5.90″ x 4.33″ (15cm x 11cm).
- Adventurer’s Pen Case – A roll-up pen case to hold writing instruments and other small items essential to your adventures. Unfolded, the pen case measures approximately 8.26″ x 9.44″ (21cm x 24cm).
For those who just want the goodies, the Dawntrail Collector’s Box will also be available, sans the game – for those who may want to purchase the game separately and not wait for delivery.
A digital Collector’s Edition will also be available, and includes the following goodies:
In-game Item: Ark Mount – Cleave a trail through the heavens with your own personal Ark, modeled after the dynamic eidolon from FINAL FANTASY IX. A trailer showcasing the mount can be viewed here:
In-game Item: Garnet Minion – Freer than a canary and sharper than a dagger, this lovingly rendered mammet of FINAL FANTASY IX’s Garnet will fly fearlessly to lands afar.
In-game Item: Chocobo Brush: Pictomancer Weapon – With its charming chocobo motif and signature twinkling star effect, this whimsical brush draws out the best in any pictomancer.
Pre-ordering the game, regardless of the edition, from participating storefronts and retailers will also net you the following goodies, the latter two of which can be redeemed immediately:
In-game Item: Wind-up Zidane Minion – This miniature version of FINAL FANTASY IX‘s Zidane makes for an ideal adventuring companion─so long as you keep an eye on your valuables.
In-game Item: Azeyma’s Earrings – Earrings crafted in the image of the radiant sun, symbol of the goddess Azeyma. These useful earrings feature attributes that will vary according to the user’s class/job and current level when equipped. Additionally, the earring grants a 30% increase in EXP gained by defeating enemies when worn, perfect for leveling your jobs to 90.
From launch and subsequently across multiple updates, Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail is set to feature a range of features for new and returning players, including:
- Level cap increase from 90 to 100
- Tural, a vast continent where new adventures await
- New cities: Tuliyollal and Solution Nine
- Distinctive new areas, including Urqopacha, Yak T’el, Kozama’uka, Shaaloani, and Heritage Found
- New allies to encounter: the Pelupelu, Moblins, Mamool Ja, Yok Huy, and Hanuhanu
- New threats to overcome, including Valigarmanda, Eliminator, and the Barreltender
- New dungeons
- A new raid series: The Arcadion
- A new alliance raid series: Echoes of Vana’diel
- A new limited job: Beastmaster
- Expansive new lifestyle content: Cosmic Exploration
- New gear and crafting recipes
- New variant dungeons
- New Field Operations
- A new Ultimate raid: Futures Rewritten (Ultimate)
- New trials
- New Unreal trials
- PvP updates
- Blue Mage updates
- Inconceivably Further Hildibrand Adventures
- New plans for Deep Dungeons
- Gold Saucer updates
- First graphical update
- Duty Support updates
- System updates
For those who don’t pick up Dawntrail but still enjoy the world of Eorzea and Final Fantasy XIV Online, some features will also be enjoyable to you, including:
- New playable race: female Hrothgar (requires Shadowbringers expansion)
- Major graphical update
- System updates
- Gold Saucer updates
