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Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers is the third expansion for Final Fantasy XIV. It was announced in November 2018, and was released on July 2, 2019. The expansion takes players to the First, one of thirteen reflections of the Source that is being consumed by a Flood of Light.

Story[]

Amidst burgeoning tensions between the Eorzean Alliance and the Garlean Empire, the Scions of the Seventh Dawn lie comatose, their souls whisked away from their bodies. To find their friends, the Warrior of Light must place their trust in the very being that took them, a decision that soon sees them travel across the dimensions to a dying world plagued by Primordial Light: The First.

Features[]

Shadowbringers would see players explore the region of Norvrandt, an area roughly analogous to the Source's Eorzea. Their adventures would carry them from the shores of Lakeland, through the faerie kingdom of Il Mheg, the shadows of the Rak'tika Greatwood, the desert of Amh Araeng, the desolate island of Kholusia, to the depths of the Tempest. Two news cities were introduced in the Crystarium and Eulmore, with opposing viewpoints on how to handle the threat of the sin eaters.

Two new playable races were introduced in the rabbit-like Viera and lion-like Hrothgar, which are female and male exclusive respectively. New jobs were introduced in Dancer Dancers and the Final Fantasy VIII-inspired Gunbreaker Gunbreakers, which both start at level 60. The level cap for all disciplines bar Blue Mage Blue Mage was increased to 80. TP was removed, being replaced by MP for all combat disciplines.

Eight new dungeons were included at launch, six of which were compatible with the newly introduced Trust System, which allows players to run dungeons with their NPC companions. Three trials were also added, including Extreme trials against the Lightwardens Titania and Innocence. Patch 5.01 was released shortly after launch, introducing the Final Fantasy VIII-themed raid series Eden, with its first wing in eden's gate, while patch 5.05 added dungeons of lyhe ghiah, a new treasure dungeon.

Major updates[]

Note that the below version updates also added features and adjustments to A Realm Reborn (2.x), Heavensward (3.x) content or Stormblood (4.x).

Vows of Virtue, Deeds of Cruelty (5.1)[]

FFXIV Vows of Virtue, Deeds of Cruelty

Patch 5.1 was released on October 29, 2019. The main scenario saw the Scions travel to The Grand Cosmos The Grand Cosmos in search of a means to return to the Source.

The Minstrel's Ballad: Hades's Elegy The Minstrel's Ballad: Hades's Elegy was added as a new extreme trials, while the first alliance raid in the YoRHa: Dark Apocalypse storyline was introduced in The Copied Factory The Copied Factory. 5.11 added a new ultimate raid in The Epic of Alexander (Ultimate) The Epic of Alexander (Ultimate).

New daily quests involving the pixies were added, as well as new custom deliveries to Kai-Shirr. New Game+ was introduced, allowing players to re-experience main scenario storylines going back to Heavensward. The GARO x Final Fantasy XIV crossover event ended.

5.11 also introduced the Ishgardian Restoration storyline, allowing gatherers and crafters to contribute to the reconstruction of the Firmament housing district in Ishgard. The Diadem The Diadem was once again revamped to accommodate this. 5.15 increased the level cap for Blue Mage Blue Mages to 60, with new spells and content for The Masked Carnivale The Masked Carnivale, and introduced the new Frontline PvP map Onsal Hakair (Danshig Naadam) Onsal Hakair (Danshig Naadam).

Echoes of a Fallen Star (5.2)[]

FFXIV Echoes of a Fallen Star

Patch 5.2 released on February 18, 2020. The main scenario saw the Scions plumb the depths of Anamnesis Anyder Anamnesis Anyder to learn more about the Ascians after one turns up in the body of a fallen friend.

The Eden raid series continued in Eden's Verse, while the Sorrow of Werlyt trial series began in Cinder Drift Cinder Drift. Resistance Weapons were introduced in the Save the Queen: Blades of Gunnhildr storyline.

New daily quests were added for the Qitari in the Rak'tika Greatwood, being the first daily beastmen quests that were uniquely for Disciples of the Land only. The Ishgardian Restoration continued with further adjustments to the Diadem, and the introduction of Skysteel Tools. Ocean fishing was introduced for Fisher Fishers, and side story questlines were added to New Game+.

Reflections in Crystal (5.3)[]

FFXIV Reflections in Crystal

Patch 5.3 released on August 11, 2020. The main scenario saw the Scions work against time to return to the Source before it is too late, running The Heroes' Gauntlet The Heroes' Gauntlet before arriving at The Seat of Sacrifice The Seat of Sacrifice.

The Sorrow of Werlyt storyline continued as Cid Garlond introduced a secret Weapon of his own to use against the Empire's Weapons. The YoRHa storyline introduced The Puppets' Bunker The Puppets' Bunker, and The Akh Afah Amphitheatre (Unreal) The Akh Afah Amphitheatre (Unreal) was introduced as the first Unreal trial, allowing players to challenge old trials at max level. 5.35 saw the Save the Queen storyline continued in The Bozjan Southern Front The Bozjan Southern Front along with a new open dungeon, The Battle of Castrum Lacus Litore The Battle of Castrum Lacus Litore.

New daily quests for Disciples of the Hand were added with the dwarves. The Ishgardian Restoration continued apace, and included new custom deliveries to Ehll Tou. A Trial Synthesis system was introduced, allowing crafters to simulate a craft without losing valuable materials.

The main scenario questline of A Realm Reborn saw significant retooling designed to ease progression into Heavensward for new players, and allowing for the use of flight in A Realm Reborn overworld zones upon completion of the base main story scenario. The Crystal Tower raid series became mandatory to progress into Heavensward, while those already in Heavensward and beyond were required to complete it before attempting the 5.3 main scenario. New Game+ was expanded in 5.3 and 5.35 to include the revamped A Realm Reborn questline as well as class questlines (but not job questlines).

Futures Rewritten (5.4)[]

FFXIV Futures Rewritten

Patch 5.4 released on December 8, 2020. The main scenario saw the Scions face new challenges after making their return to the Source, as Alisaie sought a cure for tempering and strange towers appeared across the realm.

New duties included the dungeon Matoya's Relict Matoya's Relict, the continuation of the Sorrow of Werlyt trials series in Castrum Marinum Castrum Marinum, and the finale of the Eden raids in Eden's Promise. Players were required to complete the Reflections in Crystal main scenario quests before continuing the finale of the Eden raids. A new treasure dungeon was introduced in The Shifting Oubliettes of Lyhe Ghiah The Shifting Oubliettes of Lyhe Ghiah, and players once again faced off against Titan in The Navel (Unreal) The Navel (Unreal).

A new Explorer Mode was added, allowing players to explore previously completed Shadowbringers dungeons with no enemies or obstacles, while allowing the use of mounts and unlimited Limit Breaks for screenshots.

Patch 5.41 saw the final phase of the Ishgardian Restoration while bringing adjustments to crafting and gathering. Patch 5.45 continued the Save the Queen storyline with a new open dungeon, Delubrum Reginae Delubrum Reginae. In addition, 5.45 increased the level cap for blue mages to 70 while adding new spells and Masked Carnivale content.

Death Unto Dawn (5.5)[]

FFXIV Death Unto Dawn

Patch 5.5 released on April 13, 2021. The main scenario saw the Scions using the newfound cure for tempering, as the Ascian Fandaniel continued his plan to bring about The Final Days.

New duties included the dungeon Paglth'an Paglth'an, the conclusion of the Sorrow of Werlyt trials series in The Cloud Deck The Cloud Deck, and the finale of the YoRHa storyline, taking place in The Tower at Paradigm's Breach The Tower at Paradigm's Breach. Additional custom deliveries were added, assisting the Count of House Durendaire Charlemend de Durendaire, as well as concluding the Ishgardian Restoration by having patch-long festivities called Fêtes.

Patch 5.55 brought the second half of the main scenario quests, where Zenos Galvus served as an introduction to the new class Reaper. The finale of Save The Queen concluded in Zadnor Zadnor, with another open dungeon, The Dalriada The Dalriada. Players who continued the weekly epilogue of the YoHRa: Dark Apocalypse raids were able to read the last of Konogg's letters.

Official service for the Playstation 5 version of Final Fantasy XIV began on May 25, ending the open beta. The previously released Explorer Mode was expanded to include Level 70 dungeons from Stormblood.

Patch 6.0 was released on December 3, 2021, and brought with it the fourth expansion, Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker.

Production credits[]

Voice cast[]

Character Japanese English
Alphinaud Leveilleur Shinnosuke Tachibana Colin Ryan
Alisaie Leveilleur Rie Murakawa Bethan Walker
Thancred Waters Yuichi Nakamura Peter Bramhill
Ryne Kana Ichinose Emma Ballantine
Urianger Augurelt KENN Timothy Watson
Y'shtola Rhul Ai Kayano Robyn Addison
Tataru Taru Mariya Ise Carina Reeves
Oracle of Light Yuna Kamakura Zoë Tapper
Feo Ul Minami Takahashi Olivia Morgan
Lyna Yoshino Nanjo Salóme R. Gunnarsdóttir
Kai-Shirr Mutsuki Iwanaka Charlie Rix
Tesleen Asumi Yoneyama Rosie Jones
Runar Itaru Yamamoto Joe Tandberg
Magnus Yasuhiro Mamiya David Menkin
Chai-Nuzz Riki Kitazawa Bruce Mackinnon
Dulia-Chai Yuka Keicho Rachel Atkins
Vauthry Yasuhiro Mamiya Edward Dogliani
Ran'jit Akio Nojima David Rintoul
Gaius van Baelsar Akio Otsuka Michael McElhatton
Estinien Wyrmblood Kenji Hamada Robert Vernon
Zenos Galvus Kohsuke Toriumi Luke Allen-Gale
Varis zos Galvus Jouji Nakata Michael Maloney
Crystal Exarch Yuma Uchida Jonathan Bailey
Emet-Selch Hiroki Takahashi René Zagger
Ardbert Junichi Suwabe Joe Dempsie
Biggs Go Inoue Antony Byrne
Wedge KENN Ryan Gage
Traveling Merchant Toshitsugu Takashina Timothy Watson
Cassard Takuya Nakashima Antony Byrne
Moren Kohei Yoshiwara Nigel Pilkington
Glynard Itaru Yamamoto Edward Dogliani
Bragi Mitsuaki Kanuka Gunnar Cauthery
Katliss Asumi Yoneyama Beatriz Romilly
Theva Shoko Haraguchi Zoë Tapper
Irvithe Kohei Yoshiwara Ryan Gage
Grithil Mutsuki Iwanaka Luke Allen-Gale
Blue Jongleur Yuka Keicho Rosie Jones
Red Jongleur Aiko Ninomiya Beatriz Romilly
Eulmoran Adjutant Tadaaki Doi Ryan Gage
Ys Iala Shoko Haraguchi Rosie Jones
Sul Uin Aiko Ninomiya Nigel Pilkington
Oul Sigun Mizue Tsunashima Emma Ballantine
Aenc Thon Tadaaki Doi Ryan Gage
Seto Mitsuaki Kanuka Brian Protheroe
Almet Asumi Yoneyama Alfrun Rose
Uimet Mariya Ise Nina Yndis
Cymet Mizue Tsunashima Melkorka Óskarsdóttir
Ghen Gen Yasuhiro Mamiya Nigel Pilkington
Guthjon Yasutaka Tomioka Gunnar Cauthery
Thaffe Go Inoue Adam Howden
Bismarck Toshitsugu Takashina Brian Protheroe
Tolshs Aath Kenji Hamada Bruce Mackinnon
Titania Yuna Kamakura Robyn Addison
Krile Maya Baldesion Yoshino Nanjo Gemma Lawrence
Gaia Yuna Kamakura Anna Rust
Beq Lugg Mariya Ise Jaimi Barbakoff
Wrenden Takuya Nakashima Timothy Watson
Halric Yuka Keicho Carina Reeves
Elidibus Akira Ishida Matt Stokoe
Merlwyb Bloefhiswyn Atsuko Tanaka Tracy-Ann Oberman
Kan-E-Senna Rie Tanaka Hannah Arterton
Nanamo Ul Namo Mariya Ise Joanna Ruiz
Aymeric de Borel Tatsuhisa Suzuki Blake Ritson
Raubahn Aldynn Hiroki Yasumoto Nick Boulton
Lyse Hext Aya Endo Laura Aikman
Maxima quo Priscus Ryota Takeuchi Gunnar Cauthery
Matoya Yu Sugimoto Sheila Reid
Cid Garlond Rikiya Koyama Gwilym Lee
Nero tol Scaeva Riki Kitazawa John Heffernan
Sicard Kenji Hamada Luke Allen-Gale
Hyllfyr Hiroki Takahashi Antony Byrne
Ga Bu Mizue Tsunashima Joanna Ruiz
2nd Order Patriarch Za Da Tadaaki Doi Ryan Gage
Arenvald Lentinus Kohei Yoshiwara Joe Dempsie
Fordola rem Lupis Marika Hayashi Annabel Scholey
Fourchenault Leveilleur Kenyu Horiuchi Anthony Howell
Fandaniel Junichi Yanagita Matt McCooey

Gallery[]

Artwork
Screenshots
Locations
Merchandises

Trivia[]

  • The Japanese subtitle 漆黒の反逆者(ヴィランズ) (Shikkoku no Viranzu?) translates to "Jet Black Villains". The kanji 反逆者 (Hangyakusha?) means "Traitors".
  • Just like with the announcements of the previous expansions, director Naoki Yoshida wore a certain shirt to the announcement event to tease a new upcoming content, this time being a Bugs Bunny shirt. Unlike previous shirts, this one was not related to an upcoming job, but for an upcoming new playable race, revealed to be the Viera.
  • Shadowbringer is the name of Final Fantasy IV protagonist Cecil Harvey's ability when he was a dark knight.
  • The new Crystarium area is a near identical recreation of the unnamed city that first appeared in the Rapture demo from 2005.
  • Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers was the highest rated Final Fantasy title in 13 years.[1]

External links[]

Citations[]

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