Variant Dungeons (ヴァリアントダンジョン, Varianto Danjon?) and Criterion Dungeons (アナザーダンジョン, Anazā Danjon?, lit. Another Dungeon) are a type of duty found in Final Fantasy XIV. They were introduced in patch 6.25 and are designed for groups of 1-4 players depending on the duty. Unlike most duties, these are accessed through the "V&C Dungeon Finder" and are (so far) not associated with any roulettes.
Variant Dungeons[]
Variant dungeons see a party of 1 to 4 players escort an NPC through to an end objective. Unlike regular dungeons, there are multiple paths and final bosses, with the routes changing depending on both player choice and chance. Boss mechanics can also be affected by the same variables. On top of this, players able to assign 2 "Variant actions" to assist with clearing the instances.
| Name | Level | Item Level | Escort NPC | Unlock | Tomestones | Release | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
The Sil'dihn Subterrane | 90 | 575 | Nanamo Ul Namo |  A Key to the Past
|
 40  25
|
6.25 |
|
Mount Rokkon | 90 | 605 | Hancock Fitzgerald | Mononoke Aware
|
40 25
|
6.45 |
|
Aloalo Island | 90 | 605 | Matsya | Stranger from Paradise
|
40 25
|
6.51 |
Criterion Dungeons[]
Criterion Dungeons are altered versions of their Variant counterparts. Unlike Variants, these instances are tuned for a light party of max level players and have only one set path. They also feature more dangerous mobs as well as having bosses from the variant countrpart appear with more mechanics. Most forms of player ressurection are restricted, with the exception of the "Variant Raise II" action assigned to all players. Players can only carry and use 1 charge of this action, though charges can be obtained via clearing objectives or experiencing a party wipe. Unlike in Variant Dungeons, Variant Raise II is the only variant action that can be assigned.
For an extra layer of challenge, Criterion dungeons also have (Savage) verions. These instances follow the same layout and structure of Criterion dungeons, but with further buffs to enemy health and damage as well as further restrictions. These include the complete restriction of all forms of ressurection, having to clear the dungeon in a single pull, and all of the enemies in the dungeon having a shared enrage timer that activates from pulling the first enemy.
| Name | Level | Item Level | Final Boss | Unlock | Tomestones | Release | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Another Sil'dihn Subterrane | 90 | 610 | Shadowcaster Zeles Gah | A Key to the Past
|
30
|
6.25 |
|
Another Mount Rokkon | 90 | 640 | Moko the Restless | Mononoke Aware
|
30
|
6.45 |
|
Another Aloalo Island | 90 | 640 | Statice | Stranger from Paradise
|
30
|
6.51 |
