Final Fantasy XIV Online 7.1 Update: Long-Awaited Feature Finally Arrives!

If you’ve played Final Fantasy XIV Online for any amount of time, you’re likely all too familiar with the Crystal Alliance raid series — and by too familiar, I mean you’ve spent tens if not hundreds of hours doing those three raids. The age-old frustration of doing Duty Roulettes for experience and, once again, getting dropped into Labyrinth of the Ancients or World of Darkness. Luckily, you’ll have some way to use all that experience very soon, as Final Fantasy XIV Online’s 7.1 update will bring a much-requested feature: alliance raids with increased difficulty.

Titled Chaotic Alliance Raids, this will be one of the major new pieces of battle content in patch 7.1, which is titled “Crossroads.” As you might expect, these are harder versions of the game’s current alliance raids — and the first one will feature World of Darkness. Unlike the normal versions, these Chaotic Raids will have amped-up mechanics, greater challenges, and higher stakes, rewarding those who dare to take on this new level of difficulty. While it doesn’t seem like the raids will include the full scenario, they will highlight specific, key battles from the original raid content, giving players a fresh and exciting challenge.

With 24 players working together to navigate these intensified encounters, the new Chaotic Alliance Raids promise to test even the most seasoned adventurers, requiring precise coordination, skillful execution, and deep knowledge of mechanics. Players can expect thrilling rewards and exclusive items for conquering these raids, adding even more incentive for veterans of Final Fantasy XIV Online to dive back into the familiar but now dangerous landscapes of the World of Darkness.

This update is sure to breathe new life into the Crystal Tower series, turning those once-familiar raids into something truly unpredictable. Prepare yourself, adventurer, as the chaos begins in Patch 7.1: Crossroads!

Exciting New Content Coming in Final Fantasy XIV Online’s 7.1 Update

Of course, that’s far from the only exciting addition coming with Final Fantasy XIV Online’s 7.1 update. While we’ll need to wait for the next Live Letter for the full details, we’ve already gotten a sneak peek at what’s in store. Releasing sometime in November, patch 7.1 will not only continue the Dawntrail main story but also introduce more content that fans are eagerly awaiting.

The new story developments will take place after the Dawntrail expansion and dive deeper into the character Zoraal Ja, offering more insight into his background and motivations. But that’s just the beginning.

In terms of battle content, players can look forward to a brand new Expert Dungeon called Yuweyawata Field Station, which promises to challenge even the most experienced adventurers. For those seeking an even greater test, the update will include an Extreme Trial titled The Minstrel’s Ballad: Sphene’s Burden, which is sure to push your team to its limits with punishing mechanics and thrilling rewards.

Perhaps the most highly anticipated addition, though, is the introduction of the Final Fantasy XI alliance raid series, Echoes of Vana’Diel. This marks the first time Final Fantasy XIV Online will feature content from its predecessor, Final Fantasy XI, in such a large-scale format. The first raid in the series is called Jeuno: The First Walk, and based on the artwork released for the patch, we can expect the beloved characters Prishe and the Shadow Lord to play significant roles in the raid’s storyline.

With all of these updates and more on the horizon, Final Fantasy XIV Online’s 7.1 patch is shaping up to be one of the most exciting and content-rich updates yet. Get ready to face new challenges, uncover more of the Dawntrail story, and experience a crossover raid series like no other!

New Sidequests and Adventures Await in Final Fantasy XIV Online’s 7.1 Update

In addition to the exciting new story quests, Final Fantasy XIV Online’s 7.1 update will bring a variety of new sidequests to keep players engaged and exploring the rich world of Eorzea. Here’s what you can look forward to with these additional quests.

One of the key highlights is the Allied Society Quest featuring the Pelupelu, a new tribe introduced in Dawntrail. Just like with previous tribes, the Pelupelu will offer daily quests that players can complete to level up their combat jobs from 90-100, providing a great opportunity to further develop your character while enjoying the Pelupelu's unique culture and stories.

For crafters and gatherers, Custom Deliveries for the NPC Nitowikwe will be introduced. Players may recognize Nitowikwe from Dawntrail, where she played an important role in the region of Shaaloani. These deliveries will not only help level your crafting and gathering jobs but also reward you with unique items and lore as you aid Nitowikwe with her special requests.

Combat-focused players who have completed all of the Dawntrail role quests will also be rewarded with a new capstone Role Quest. This final quest will tie together the stories of each combat role, offering a fitting conclusion to their arc and valuable rewards for your efforts.

Crafters and gatherers who have completed all crafting and gathering quests can look forward to the Wachumeqimeqi Deliveries capstone quest, bringing closure to their journey and providing additional opportunities to earn rewards through these unique deliveries.

And for those who enjoy the lighter, more whimsical side of Final Fantasy XIV Online, the ever-entertaining Hildibrand Adventures will continue with a new chapter titled Inconceivably Further Hildibrand Adventures, set in Solution Nine. Expect more over-the-top humor, wild antics, and unexpected twists as Hildibrand returns for another round of thrilling (and ridiculous) detective work.

With a mix of combat, crafting, and comedic content, these new sidequests will give players even more to enjoy in Patch 7.1 as they explore new challenges and narratives.

System Updates and New Features in Final Fantasy XIV Online’s 7.1 Patch

Here are some of the new system updates and features you can look forward to in Final Fantasy XIV Online’s 7.1 update, which promises to enhance gameplay in several exciting ways:

Duty Support Expansion: Duty Support is now being expanded to cover dungeons not included in the main scenario. The first to receive this feature in 7.1 will be Halatali, making it easier for players to experience this dungeon with NPC allies, especially when finding groups is challenging.

Hall of the Novice Enhancements: A new “Mechanics Boot Camp” is being introduced in the Hall of the Novice to help players master common visual mechanics like stack markers and other identifiers. This new feature will be unlocked at level 49, giving players a more structured way to learn critical combat skills before reaching the endgame.

PvE Job Updates: While details are still under wraps, PvE jobs will be receiving updates in 7.1. Expect new tweaks and balances to ensure a fresh and exciting gameplay experience, with more information likely to come in future announcements.

PvP Overhaul: PvP will see extensive updates designed to address action execution and hit detection issues that have frustrated players. Additionally, there will be new job actions added for Pictomancer and Viper, alongside improvements for the Crystalline Conflict arena and balance adjustments for Frontline and Rival Wings modes. These updates aim to refine the competitive experience, making PvP more responsive and fun.

Doman Mahjong Feature: A fun update for Doman Mahjong players—now, characters from the Scions of the Seventh Dawn will comment on your matches! Their voices can be purchased at the Gold Saucer using MGP, adding an extra layer of immersion and fun to the game.

Housing Updates: For those who love in-game customization, the housing system is getting an update, adding new interior design options. Excitingly, players will now have the ability to change the design of their homes regardless of the location of their residence, providing more freedom in crafting their ideal living space.

It’s abundantly clear that Patch 7.1 is shaping up to be a massive and diverse update, packed with new content, system improvements, and much-requested features. With the development team sticking to their reliable schedule of releasing patches every 3-4 months, we can expect Crossroads to launch sometime in mid-November. Stay tuned for further details in the upcoming Live Letter, which will likely air a week or two before the patch's release.

Final Fantasy XIV Online continues to be available on PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, ensuring that players across platforms can enjoy all the exciting updates.

For more updates and content, visit Final Fantasy Online.