Exploratory Mission

Exploratory Missions are an upcoming feature in Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward. By riding an airship owned by a Free Company or with House Haillenart in Ishgard, players can journey into uncharted floating islands in the Sea of Clouds above Abalathia's Spine.

These should not be confused with the unmanned Exploratory Voyages that Free Company airships may be dispatched to undertake.

Participation
Each sector has three difficulty modes: Easy, Normal, Hard. Please note that only Free Companies can enter Hard versions, and only if their airship had previously journeyed to the sector during a voyage.

Free Companies
To journey to the Sea of Clouds, players must access the airship flight control panel in the comnpany's workshop. An airship can only dispatch players if it has sufficient rank, and must not already be in transit to the Sea of Clouds or performing Exploratory Voyages.

Players from outside the Free Company can join in provided at least one Company member is in the party. Unlike deployment from Ishgard, lotting rules may be set for the party.

The rank requirements for each difficulty is as follows:
 * Easy: 10
 * Normal: 25
 * Hard: 50

Mercenary
Players unaffiliated with a Free Company or otherwise unable to use a Company airship may still participate from Ishgard. Unlike queueing at a Free Company estate, item lot rules is set to "Greed Only." In addition, only Easy and Normal versions may be accessed.

Gameplay
Players can only remain in the instance for 90 minutes, and will be unable to go on another Exploratory Mission until 120 minutes elapse from entering. There are no further restrictions on entry or item lotting rules. Since island exploration features both combat and gathering, job changing is permitted while within the instance.

Unlike most instanced duties, there is no set clear condition, as the focus is mainly on exploration. Players will be awarded Allagan Tomestones of Esoterics by completing objectives, however.

Exploration
Flight can be enabled by examining the Aetherial Turbulences on the starting island, and must be attuned each time a player enters an instance.

Each instance may be shared by a maximum of nine full parties. Note that the starting island cannot be chosen.

Combat
Multiple parties may engage in an enemy, similar to FATEs, and damage dealt determines how rewards are distributed.

Treasure chests come in Bronze, Silver, and Gold categories.

Gathering
Throughout the floating islands are gathering nodes and fishing holes.