Final Fantasy 14has been on the rise in the MMO world over previous years and continues its steady development, constantly addingboth storyand gameplay elements to its world. It is known for having a regular patch cycle, with a large-scale update coming out every few months. Numerous patches have been released over the years, some more notable than others.
Large patches can be noted by introducing a continuation of the main quest scenario (MSQ) and some raiding content, whether for normal or Alliance raids. Most of them also add a brand new trial to the game, sometimes as part of the main quest story and sometimes as a side quest chain.
10The Dark Throne
Meeting The Ebon Knight
DespiteEndwalkerpatches presenting a smaller storyline than other cycles, patch 6.4 raises the stakes significantly. It is where the Warrior of Light and the Scions meetGolbez, the antagonist teased over previous patches, and battle against him in the trial of Voidcast Dais on the crimson moon of the Thirteenth reflection.
This patch also concluded the Pandaemonium raid storyline, allowing the player to meet Lahabrea and Elidibus one last time. The new series of raids takes place in the stream where past and future collide, allowing players to defeat Pandaemonium itself and later its former owner, the ancient Athena, who attempted to achieve immortality.
9Dreams Of Ice
Building Blocks Of Heavensward
While patches ofA Realm Rebornare commonly criticized for being dragged out and boring, patch 2.4 is where the plot picks up. It sees the Warrior of Light work with Alphinaud and his Crystal braves as they hunt the elusive Lady Iceheart, the leader of Heretics who opposes the Theocracy of Ishgard. They eventually fight her in a trial.
The trial has Lady Iceheart summon Shiva, an elezen of old times who was known for falling in love with a dragon. This patch also has the player battle against Bahamut Prime in its side chain of raids, concluding the unfinished threat that began as early as 1.0. It also sets up the character of Alisaie, who will become prominent.
8Prelude In Violet
Preparation For War
After the conclusion of a highly tragic and personalized story, patch 4.4 begins the setup forShadowbringersandEndwalkeras it sees the Garlean Empire march to war. The Warrior of Light helps Domans protect their country from invasion and learn more about Imperial advancement. Most notably, this patch has the firstappearance of Emet-Selch, one of the most beloved characters in the game.
In terms of side content, 4.4 presents a wide array. It concludes the Omega raid storyline, which allows the player to battle the AI in its original and involved forms. Another feature presented is a side trail named Hell’s Kier, the domain of the auspice Suzaku.
7Before The Fall
A Knife In The Back
Patch 2.5 is one of the most talked about patches of the game due to its storyline and the dramatic conclusion toA Realm Reborn. Its story includes meeting the dragon Midgardsormr, fighting the bold Ascian Nabriales, and seeing one of the Eorzean leaders, Sultana Nanamo, get poisoned with the Warrior of Light getting accused.
Gameplay-wise, the story introduces Chrysalis’s trial and a solo duty where the Warrior of Light has to defend Ishgard from attacking dragons. Its Alliance Raid is in the world of Darkness, which marks the first time the player is able to visit another shard, setting up further development ofFF14’scosmology.
6Death Unto Dawn
Apocalypse Begins
Patch 5.5 acts as a prologue toEndwalker, which plays an important role considering the expansion and acting as aconclusion to the Hydaelyn and Zodiark saga. Nevertheless, 5.5 shows the chaos unfolding in the world now that Fandaniel’s towers have begun summoning lunar primals and sending Telophoroi armies to support them.
However, the main quest is far from the only notable storyline of the patch. The trial storyline presents a battle against the Diamond Weapon. It concludes Gaius’s character arc, while the Tower at Paradigm’s Breach Alliance Raid includes a crossover betweenFF14and multipleNiergames.
5Soul Surrender
Warriors Of Light And Darkness
While patch 3.4 could be expected to be a breather after the conclusion of Dragonsong War, it is anything but. The MSQ puts Warriors of Darkness front and center as they attempt to incur a calamity. The conclusion of the patch shows the Scions battling all warriors and eventually learning their tragic stories and desperate missions.
Other notable battles in the patch include the clash with Alexander Prime, the final boss of the Alexander questline. What follows are reveals of the time loop and Alexander’s origins. The battle against Sophia sees the players return to Azys Lla to battle another primal of the Warring Triad.
4Reflections In Crystals
The Emissary’s Requiem
5.3 serves as the culmination of theShadowbringersstoryline. It is a patch many love, and it’s easy to see why. It reveals the nature of Elidibus,the Emissary of the Convocation, and the last remaining Unsundered. He attempts to flood the First reflection with his spectral heroes, eventually leading to a climactic fight between him and the Warrior in the Crystal Tower.
This patch incorporates many tragic and bittersweet elements, such as Elidibus’s valiant battle despite his brothers being gone and the scions saying goodbye to the people of the First. Its side content includes the Puppet’s Bunker and a unique solo duty against the Sapphire Weapon.
3Under The Moonlight
The Spider Lily’s Demise
Patch 4.3 is not as grandiose as some other X.3 patches, but that does not make it any less impactful. It presents the conclusion to Yotsuyu’s storyline, a trial in which the playerfights her as a primal Tsukuyomi. The trial shows echoes of her tragic life and internal conflict, leading to her death.
Other notable content includes the Rhidorana Lighthouse alliance raid, notable for its unique bosses. It also provides the first opportunity for the players to play as another character, this time Alphinaud Leveilleur. The storyline of Four Lords also gets developed with the addition of a beautiful dungeon, the Swallow’s Compass.
2Requiem For Heroes
The Call Of War
4.5 is the final patch of theStormbloodexpansion, notable for showing the heart of the conflict between the Eorzean Alliance andthe Garlean Empire. It shows an insight into the character of Varis and his motivations for uniting the world under a single banner. The storyline later presents an opportunity to visit the front lines in Ghimlyt Dark Dungeon, where the Warrior is assisted by world leaders.
This patch also adds an alliance raid commonly considered the hardest by theFF14community, Orbonne Monastery, with bosses such as Thunder God and Ultima. The trial of the patch is Seiryu, the strongest of the four lords who seeks to challenge the Warrior.
1Revenge Of The Horde
The Dragonsong Concludes
Patch 3.3 is the thematic conclusion of theHeavenswardexpansion, specifically theDragonsong War arc. It is the payoff to multiple patches of buildup as Nidhogg unleashes his final assault on Ishgard, ending with a dramatic trial called The Final Steps Of Faith, where the player puts the dragon down and saves Estinien Wyrmblood.
The Warrior doesn’t stand alone in this battle as the full might of Ishgard and Hraesvelgr’s brood join the battle, showing a moment of unity between man and dragon. While the main quest overshadows the side content, the City of Mhach is an entertaining alliance raid that will challenge many players.
