Whether you’ve played Final Fantasy XI previously and are taking a break, or your interest has been piqued by the latest round of Final Fantasy XIVs Alliance Raids, FFXIV players will soon have a chance to enter Vana’diel at a discounted rate thanks to the Echoes of Vana’diel Discount Campaign. 

The campaign was announced at the tail end of the Live Letter from the Producers 85 live stream on January 7, and it offers players a discounted 30 days to explore Vana’diel and learn more about the world that inspired the Echoes of Vana’diel Alliance Raid series currently underway as part of Dawntrail. 

Between February 12 and March 11, FFXIV players who sign up for a new FFXI account or reactivate an existing one can cut their FFXI service fee in half for the first 30 days. This service fee is usually $11.95 (service fee) plus $1 (character fee), totaling $12.95. If you sign up (or reactivate your account) during the campaign period, you’ll only pay $6.95 for your first month. 

If you’re new to FFXI, you will need to purchase a copy of the game itself to play. Currently, you can purchase it via the Square Enix Store or Steam. Either way, the cost of the game is $29.99. On the plus side, purchasing the game also comes with its own 30-day free play period, so you’ll end up with 60 days of game time for half the cost of a usual month.

This is an amazing opportunity to learn more about the characters we’ve already encountered during FFXIVs Echoes of Vana’diel story and those we’ve yet to meet in the two as-yet-unreleased Alliance Raids. The story is more or less understandable even if you’ve never played FFXI, but the additional knowledge would certainly help to make sense of things. 

Once your initial 30 days are over, you’ll then need to pay the full service fee if you want to keep playing FFXI, which you likely will once you’ve immersed yourself in the world for a full month.

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Final Fantasy XIV players still don’t have a set date for patch 7.2 (at best, we know it’s coming at some point in late March), but we do have a preliminary date for patch 7.18. Best of all, the minor patch will come with a cute collaborative emote for all players. 

Patch 7.18 is due to release on February 25, although this is a scheduled date and is liable to change should last-minute adjustments be needed. This final patch of the 7.1x series comes around a month ahead of patch 7.2, which is due to drop at some point in the latter half of March. During LLP 85, in which players were given a ton of details about patch 7.2, we were also told of this fun photo-based collaboration.

As part of the 7.18 update, Final Fantasy XIV has teamed up with FujiFilm to celebrate Instax, an instant camera brand owned by the company. In-game, this will allow all players to get their hands on a special new emote, which sees your character using a virtual version of the Instax camera to get a snapshot. 

Once the photo-taking emote is released, alongside patch 7.18, Final Fantasy XIV will hold a Screenshot Sweepstakes. These Sweepstakes allow players to submit their screenshots via Twitter for a chance to win items such as Modern Aesthetics - Cloud Strife or the Gaelicat Hat. We’ve seen plenty of these competitions in the past, and they always bring fans together across the globe in appreciation of the Group Pose skills on display. 

Unfortunately, exact details of how the emote will be obtained have not yet been revealed and are likely to be given closer to the scheduled release date for the patch. I’m sure I’m not alone in admitting that I’ll do whatever it takes for this cutie because it deserves a place in my vast and ever-growing collection of emotes. 

If you like the camera used in the emote, it closely resembles the Instax Mini 12, which is currently available to purchase in five different colors for $79.75.

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Concern has been building within the Final Fantasy XIV community lately over a worrying third-party tool called PlayerScope, which exploits a weakness in the Blacklist feature to track down players. During LLP 85, Naoki Yoshida took a moment to address concerns. 

Before viewers were informed about what to expect from the upcoming patch 7.2: Seekers of Eternity, Yoshida took a moment to discuss the worrying plugin, with Foxclon (Toshio Murouchi) providing English Translations. 

He began by stating that, regardless of what the plugin can find, it cannot pull personal identifying details about any player. It’s reassuring to know that the plugin isn’t too much of a security risk, but that doesn’t stop it from being problematic.

The plugin works by exploiting the Blacklist feature, which was updated as part of Dawntrail’s release to ensure that if you blacklisted one character on somebody’s account would also add their alternate characters to the blacklist as well, preventing somebody from being able to find you on an alternate character. This was a commonly requested feature and highly celebrated when it was implemented, but the new system has backfired and allowed for PlayerScope to be created and abused. 

After explaining how it works, Yoshida went on to discuss what the development team plans to do about it. He didn’t go into too much detail, stating that they are still actively working on the issue and more details would be given soon. However, he did say that changes would be coming to the system in patch 7.2 when it releases at some point in late March. 

However it changes, Yoshida assured that the changes already made to prevent stalking or harassment would remain in place. There are no plans to return to the old blacklist system, but changes will be coming to counteract this plugin and what it can currently do. 

As always, Yoshida urged viewers to stay away from any third-party tools or plugins, reminding them that they are strictly against FFXIV's terms of service and that players caught using them risk being banned permanently from the game.

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After months of what some within the community have called a “content drought”, Final Fantasy XIV has successfully reignited passion in players with Live Letter from the Producers 85, providing insight into content coming in patch 7.2. 

Patch 7.2, titled “Seekers of Eternity”, will be releasing at some point during late March, and is filled to the brim with new things to unlock and explore. Not only are we getting new MSQ quests and Arcadion Raids to dive into, but also some much anticipated side content is finally set to drop.

As always, translations used to write this round up were supplied by Miuna and Iluna Minori over on the FFXIV Discord server.

Cosmic Exploration screenshots aplenty

After teasing viewers with a very clear image of Cosmic Exploration on the desk in front of them while they discussed possible future FanFest locations and the cuisine in Saudi Arabia, Yoshida and Foxclon finally went into detail about what we can expect from Cosmic Exploration, the new content designed for Crafters and Gatherers. 

According to Yoshida, a new planet will be added with every major patch of the 7.x series (7.2, 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5), each of which will need to be restored and rejuvenated by the community of players. 

We were shown many before and after screenshots, displaying how the setting of the first planet will change over time once goals are met. There will be zip lines to transport players around the surface of the planet, and an ever evolving base of operations. 

It was stated that whereas the previous content of this type, Shadowbringers' Firmament, could only be seen changing and evolving by players who were there at the time, players who dive into Cosmic Exploration later on will still be able to see how it has changed over time.

After being told that more details will be coming during the next Live Letter, we were shown sneak peaks of two things that scream Star Trek more than FFXIV. The uniform shown (above left) will be available for players to earn in some way through Cosmic Exploration, while the teleporters (above right) were shown without too much explanation.

Occult Crescent details revealed

Deep within Shade’s Triangle, the mysterious and unmapped region of Occult Crescent makes up the setting for the third Large Scale Battle Content, spiritual successor to both Eureka and Bozja. 

Like the previous two, Occult’s Crescent will pit players against a myriad of formidable foes, including large scale bosses, and a 48 player raid that will be available to complete from the very beginning. 

Throughout the screenshots, one shared feature are the strange bubbles in the sky. Yoshida mentioned these multiple times, but refused to comment on what they could actually be. It’s likely not the only mysterious thing we’ll come up against when the content goes live. 

Occult Crescent will also include a new mechanic, which will likely work in a similar way to Lost Actions in Bozja, but is altogether more cute — Phantom Jobs. 

Players will be able to equip these Phantom Jobs alongside their main job while inside Occult Crescent, and each job will grant the player buffs or additional actions. Many of the Phantom Jobs are known from previous Final Fantasy titles, and Yoshida commented that while it may be hard to implement them as full Jobs within the MMO, he wanted to include them here and have some fun with their respective skills. 

Relic Weapons are going back to the beginning 

In a move that will either be welcomed or enrage you, the obtainment of Relic Weapons appears to be getting something of an overhaul. With many players commenting that Endwalker’s Relic Weapons were far too easy to obtain, developers have decided that it might be best to return to the beginning and reinstate previously used methods. 

It wasn’t stated clearly whether this will include a similar mechanic to the books of Zodiak Weapon fame (on a personal note, I might cry if this turns out to be the case), but it was revealed that there will be two different ways to obtain Relic Weapons in Dawntrail. 

Players will be able to obtain a Relic Weapon through completing objectives within Occult Crescent, or they will be able to take part in previously existing duties and activities. This sounds very similar to the ways in which players can now obtain Shadowbringers weapons, which require you to either complete objectives within Bozja, or to complete duties outside of it.

New MSQ content

As always with a major patch, new MSQ quests will be added in patch 7.2. Although no details of the plot were provided, Yoshida made comments about characters' facial expressions, urging players to pay close attention to them. He also noted that Sphene reminds him a little of Asahi, and as Yoshida never says anything without a deeper meaning, this is definitely something to look into before the patch drops. 

We were also shown some sneak peaks of the next MSQ dungeon, revealed to be named “The Underkeep”. While showing off a boss arena of this dungeon, Yoshida mentioned that players might be expected to dance in the dance hall, although didn’t detail exactly what he meant by this. 

Arcadion: Bruiserweight Tier

As expected, the next tier of the Arcadion Raids will be coming in patch 7.2. The Cruiserweight tier will feature four new fights of both normal and savage difficulty, although savage will come the usual week after the normal fights are introduced. 

We were given a few screenshots of the upcoming raid storyline, as well as one from one of the fights itself. Not many details were given, but Yoshida did allude to the arena itself and hint that it might be there as more than simply a backdrop. Dancing seems to be a recurring theme in the upcoming patch, with the arena looking very much like a disco, and mechanics described as “high tempo”. 

Trials and tribulations

The next trial to be introduced was revealed to be named “Recollection”, and both a normal and extreme version will be available to take on when patch 7.2 drops. We were only shown two screenshots from this trial, but Yoshida admitted that while testing the normal difficulty fight, it proved too difficult to complete. As such, mechanics are currently being removed to make it a less challenging experience. 

As always, the a new Unreal Trial will be coming as part of patch 7.2. This time, Suzaku and her DDR mechanics are getting an Unreal makeover, pitting players off against the firebird all over again at a much higher difficulty. 

Hildibrand returns

Although the adventures of Hildibrand may not be a universal favorite, it’s still beloved content in FFXIV. 7.2 will see more quests added to Inconceivably Further Hildibrand Adventures story line. With introductions (and memory fixing) having taken place, we can now get into the crime noir plot in a more meaningful way. 

Yoshida noted that the story line is “a bit over the top”, but by this point players would expect nothing less from Hildibrand and Nashu. 

Dawntrail’s second Allied Society makes its debut

With the Pelupelu already featuring as an Allied Society for Combat Jobs, players have been waiting to see who would come next, and what Jobs they would focus on. 

Well, it was revealed during the Live Letter that the next Allied Society will be the Mamool Ja, who will focus on Gathering. If you’ve not yet leveled Botanist, Miner, or Fisher, then this will be the perfect opportunity to do so. 

Frontline (Secure) is making a comeback

Frontline (Secure) has been missing from rotation since patch 6.4, but it’s undergone a pretty impressive redesign and will be making its return as part of patch 7.2. These updates have changed the appearance of the map significantly, and that’s not all that’s changing in PvP. 

Series 8 will also begin when patch 7.2 drops, and job actions will be tweaked, with additional actions being added to select classes. Which Jobs will be getting additional actions wasn’t specified, but we can expect more details during the next Live Letter. 

The Cornservant makes a brief return

One of my personal highlights of Dawntrail so far has been the Cornservant and its heartwarming quests to feed the many peoples of Tural. Because of how popular this little guy proved to be with both players and the dev team alike, it will be making a brief comeback with an additional quest for players to complete. 

Other updates coming in patch 7.2

As with all major patches, there are a whole host of smaller updates that need mentioning. As you might expect, a new Allagan Tomestone of Mathematics will be added into the mix, likely replacing Heliometry, while Allagan Tomestones of Aesthetics will be phased out. 

The Sunken Temple of Qarn is also set to benefit from Duty Support, which will be interesting, considering the number of mechanics at play within the dungeon.

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The season of love has returned to Eorzea, and Final Fantasy XIV players have another chance to get their hands on a romantic reward for completing 2025’s Valentione’s Day event. 

This year, the main reward is the Bouquet emote, allowing players to offer an obscenely large bundle of roses to another. If you want to get this emote, or any of the other items available this year, we’ve got you covered. 

How to get the Bouquet emote in Final Fantasy XIV

To get the Bouquet emote for your collection, you’ll need to complete the quest that makes up this year’s Valentione’s Day event. It’s a pretty straightforward quest that won’t even require you to leave Gridania.

To begin the event quest “I Promise You a Rose Garden”, head to Old Gridania and talk to Astrid at Mih Khetto’s Amphitheatre (X:10.2, Y:9.4). It turns out that the Botanist in charge of growing the roses is having relationship drama, and who better to act as a relationship counselor than the Warrior of Light? 

After talking to Astrid, head to the Greatloam Growery, either on foot or via the Botanist’s Guild Aethernet Shard, and find Laurovic (X:10.3, Y:9.4). He’ll tell you the full story of Sylginie, his former love who disappeared out of the blue some time ago,  and ask that you go out in search of her with only a description of an Elezen with silver hair and a Rose Earring. 

To find her, you’ll need to go back to Mih Khetto’s Amphitheatre. Your task is made simple thanks to the names given to the three NPCs that you can possibly talk to:

• Woman with a Rose Hairpin (X:9.9, Y:8.9)
• Woman with an Orchid Earring (X:9.5, Y:8.7)
• Woman with a Rose Earring (X:10.4, Y:9.1)

Either speak to them all or head directly for the one with the Rose Earring to complete this step of the quest. Of course, things aren’t ever simple in FFXIV. As it turns out Sylginie does not want to see Laurovic, and sends you off to tell him such. You’ll find him close to the Shaded Bower (X:12.8, Y:9.2), and talking to him will provide a new twist to the story. 

Now the task has changed, and you must plant a rumor around Gridania in order to entice Sylginie out of hiding. You’ll have a choice between saying that Laurovic has been detained by an Ishgardian Knight, or that he’s entered into a duel with one. Either way, the results will be the same, so it doesn’t matter which you choose. 

To spread the rumor, talk to the three following NPCs:

• Woman with a Rose Hairpin (X:9.9, Y:8.9)
• Woman with an Orchid Earring (X:9.5, Y:8.7)
• Woman with a Rose Earring (X:10.4, Y:9.1)

With the rumor in circulation, seek out Laurovic at the Greatloam Growery (X:6.1, Y:7.4) to trigger the final pivotal cutscene of the quest, and see him reunited with Sylginie. 

After that, all that’s left to do is head back to Astrid at Mih Khetto’s Amphitheatre to complete the quest and obtain the Bouquet emote. 

Valentione’s Day 2025 additional rewards

If you want to get the full set of rewards exclusive to the 2025 Valentione’s Day event, make sure to visit the House Valentione Maid (X:10.6, Y:8.7). This “Purveyor of Love” can be found just outside the main entrance to Mih Khetto’s Amphitheatre, and has the following items for sale:

• Heartfelt Valentione's Day Advertisement (2,000 Gil) 
• Prismatic Heart Left (8 Gil)
• Prismatic Heart Right (8 Gil) 

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With the Final Fantasy XIV x BlackMilk collaboration collection set to drop on February 3, BlackMilk have released a preview of all of the items that will be available, including their prices. While most are surprisingly reasonable, some do seem overpriced. 

BlackMilk is well known for its collaboration collections at this point, and its FFXIV collection has been a popular talking point among players since it was announced on January 27. Thanks to an advanced preview, we now know the cost of each item.

• Cactuar Knit Crop ($57)
• Cactuar Knit Mini Skirt ($57)
• Chocobo High Waisted Pocket Shorts ($57)
• Chocobo Chick Baby Tee ($38)
• Black Mage Hoodie Sweater ($82)
• Mothercrystal Giant Tee ($51)
• Il Mheg Longline Swing Tee Dress ($76)
• Il Mheg Swing Tee Dress ($70)
• Job Icons Spectre Maxi Dress ($101)
• Job Icons Asymmetric Trench Coat ($158)
• World Map Cuffed Pants ($76)
• World Map Squared Up Bishop Skater Dress ($82)

Now, some of these are what I would call reasonable. For a lace maxi dress covered in job icons, I will spend $101. Maybe not happily, per se, but I will because it’s pretty. However, I can’t help but notice that the rest of the items are pretty much all at least 89% polyester and seem massively overpriced. 

Take the World Map Cuffed Pants:

These are, I’m sure you’ll agree, glorified leggings. There is no zip or button at the top, they’re made of 89% polyester, and are going to cost you just under $80. I don’t know about you, but that seems like a stretch for a pair of leggings with a print that isn't even lined up along the seams. On the plus side, they do have pockets, which is definitely a bonus. I’m not sure it’s enough to warrant the price tag, though. 

If you hope to get your hands on either of the "sets," I have bad news. The Cactuar Knit coord and the Chocobo tee and shorts combo are sold separately. The Cactuar set will set you back a staggering $114, while the Chocobo set will cost $95. Until the prices were released, these have only ever been displayed as full sets, so I can see this separation of items coming as a surprise to those hoping to grab the outfits.

This is still an exciting opportunity to get your hands on some officially licensed FFXIV merch that’s actually wearable in an everyday way, as long as you can afford it. And therein lies the problem. Players already pay for their subscription each month, and we all have lives to pay for, so is it really worth forking out for shiny polyester clothes?

The FFXIV x BlackMilk collection goes live at 1 p.m. PST / 4 p.m. EST on February 3, and the clothing brand is insistent that it’s going to sell out fast. If you want to get your hands on anything from the collection, you should be on the website for the drop. You can add items to your wishlist now to have easy access to them when the time comes. 

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Cooking isn’t just a basic necessity for survival, it can actually be a pretty fun hobby. It’s like magic, adding basic ingredients together to form a delicious meal that would otherwise not exist without your input. It’s fun, and fulfilling in more ways than one. 

Of course, life is busy, and the arrival of DoorDash and UberEats has definitely made the idea of ordering food that you don't have to cook a far too tempting prospect. However, there’s something relaxing about the process of cooking, and if you’re lacking inspiration, there are endless cookbooks to get you started. 

If you’re a gamer, there are a select few official cookbooks (and hundreds of unofficial ones that we don’t talk about) to inspire your mind and make your stomach growl, and I’ve got an entire shelf filled with a collection that’s ever-growing. 

Here are 14 of the best gaming-inspired cookbooks, all of which are official to the franchise that they represent.

Fallout: The Vault Dweller’s Official Cookbook

Ever wondered about the secret recipe that goes into every bottle of Nuka Cola? Perhaps you want to make your own Stimpaks, cook up some BlamCo Mac & Cheese, or even some Baked Bloatfly (don’t worry, it’s actually vegetarian meatloaf). 

Well, the official Fallout Cookbook offers all of these recipes and more that are perfectly themed to the lore of the Fallout universe, along with vintage style art, and even some “handwritten” annotations from Vault dwellers of the past to help you along the way.

Each recipe also provides S.P.E.C.I.A.L. stats, which is a nice lore-preserving touch, and suggests other recipes to cook alongside if you want to make a complete multi-course meal. Everything in this cookbook is delicious, and most importantly, surprisingly quick and easy to cook up. 

The Official Stardew Valley Cookbook

If you’re more into the cozy side of gaming, the Stardew Valley cookbook might be the perfect option, especially if you’re a vegetarian or vegan. Sticking admirably close to the themes of the game, not one of the 52 recipes in this cookbook contains meat, and while not all of the recipes are exactly as they are in-game, you can make Pink Cake, or even a Lucky Lunch. 

The artwork is beautiful and effective in keeping with the whole cozy vibe that Stardew Valley brings to the table. This makes an amazing Stardew themed gift and, best of all, if you aspire to cook just one recipe from the book a week, you’ll have a whole year's worth of weekly Pelican-Town-inspired dishes to chow down on. 

Minecraft: Gather, Cook, Eat! An Official Cookbook

When you think of Minecraft, cooking might not be the first thing that comes to mind, but there is an official cookbook to accompany the best selling video game of the 20th century. Admittedly, if you go into this expecting your food to be entirely constructed of cubes then you might be a little disappointed. Then again you could always take the extra time to make it happen, but even I’m not that dedicated to the culinary arts. 

There are a total of 40 recipes included in Gather, Cook, Eat!, with something for everyone to make regardless of skill level, including everything from Baked Potato Bites to Suspicious Pie. I would recommend confining your gathering endeavors to the local supermarket, but again, that’s up to you. 

The Necronomnomnom: Recipes and Rites from the Lore of H.P. Lovecraft

I know what you’re thinking, this one isn’t based on a game so why is it on this list? Listen, I know, but Lovecraftian horror themes have shown up in hundreds of games over the years, and the gaming sphere wouldn’t be what it is without H.P. Lovecraft’s influence. So I’m willing to bend my own rules here ever so slightly to include this gem of a cookbook. 

Plus, with a name like “The Necronomnomnom”, it can’t fail to put a smile on your face, before you’ve even got to the food.

The artwork is stunning and you’ll enjoy simply looking at the pages of The Necronomnomnom, but where this cookbook really shines, as it should, is through the food. Everything in this cookbook looks and tastes absolutely incredible, and is amazing if you want to look like a real chef even if you’re simply good at following instructions. 

Final Fantasy XIV: The Official Cookbook

It’s well known by now that I’m an avid FFXIV player, so when this cookbook was announced I immediately bought it even if it was only destined to sit on my collection shelf and look pretty. However, when I opened it, it sent me down a wormhole. It's actually what sparked my love of cooking in the first place. 

There’s something for everyone in the FFXIV cookbook, regardless of dietary requirements (there’s a handy table at the back that details which recipes are suitable for who), and each recipe is either directly out of FFXIV itself, or heavily inspired by events throughout the main scenario story. With everything from Farmer’s Breakfast to The Minstrel’s Ballad: Almond Cream Croissants (which is as difficult to get right as any of the extreme trials, just as the name suggests), these recipes will make a skilled Culinarian out of you in no time. 

The Witcher Official Cookbook

Sure, The Witcher was originally a staggeringly successful book series by Andrzej Sapkowski, but at this point I’d argue that most people think of the games as the heart of the series (at least, us gamers do), so The Witcher official cokbook gets a well-deserved place on this list. 

There are a lot of recipes available to cook in this cookbook, and each of them is easy to follow but somehow results in absolutely divine meals for your efforts. A fan favorite is the Chicken Sandwich, but there’s something for all tastes, all accompanied by glorious shots of the desired end result and little nods to the lore of The Witcher’s universe.

Assassin’s Creed: The Culinary Codex

Whether you’re a fan of the Ezio trilogy, or you prefer more recent additions to the Assassin’s Creed timeline, The Culinary Codex will give you plenty of delicious meals to cook up and devour while you hop in and out of the Animus. 

The cookbook itself is split into sections for each of the series' main characters that existed prior to 2017 (sorry Odyssey and Valhalla enjoyers). Each section features four recipes relevant to the time period and geographical location in which their associated games were set. Ezio has Il Duomo Semifreddo, which is a Strawberry ice cream cake with Amaretti, while Edward Kenway has a recipe for Banana’s Flambéed in Rum and vanilla, aptly named Buccaneer’s Bananas.

Five Nights at Freddy’s Cookbook

Sometimes you don’t want to cook high-brow dishes fit for a family feast. Sometimes you want to make the kind of food that usually comes with slightly sticky floors and stainless steel booth-style tables, and that’s what’s on offer in the Five Nights at Freddy’s cookbook. 

As you’d expect from a cookbook based on a video game that’s set in a dingy pizza joint, there are plenty of pizza recipes on offer in this cookbook, alongside burgers, tacos, and all of the usual dishes such venues might offer. If you’re looking for something more suitable for the entire family, including younger members with less refined palates, then this one is definitely a safe bet.

The Elder Scrolls: The Official Cookbook

The Elder Scrolls: The Official Cookbook is 192 pages long, and packed to the brim with recipes directly out of the universe of The Elder Scrolls, including meals you’ll likely recognize from Oblivion, Skyrim, and beyond. This is a hefty book, and every recipe is worth making at least once. 

Split into multiple sections that cover everything from the basics (such as seasonings and condiments) to more complicated and time-consuming dishes like Elsweyr Fondue and Horker Loaf, so whether you’re after something sweet or savory, there’s something in here that will get you wanting to cook. 

Sonic the Hedgehog: The Official Cookbook

In the same vein as the Five Nights at Freddy’s cookbook I mentioned earlier, the official Sonic the Hedgehog cookbook is probably most useful if you’ve got a hoard of children to feed (imagine the torture of self-catered kids' birthday parties), or you simply just want something basic yet delicious to quickly cook and enjoy. 

Of course, Sonic’s favorite Chili Dogs are a prominent feature, and that should let you know what to expect from the rest of the included recipes. There are some surprises along the way, such as the Soleanna Princess Special, which actually results in a really pretty apple salad, but most of the recipes are what I’d immediately consider “comfort food”.

That’s far from a bad thing, I actually reach for this cookbook pretty often, and you will too. 

Magic: The Gathering: Cuisines of the Multiverse

Cuisines of the Multiverse is filled with more than 70 recipes inspired by the many planets and planes that together form the Multiverse of Magic: The Gathering. The book is split into different locations, from Dominaria to Zendicar, and each location comes with many recipes to try and enjoy.

Whether you want a Magic-inspired starter, a main course to wow your collective diners, or a drink to round off the evening, there’s a recipe for every taste or skill level. Each recipe is given a difficulty rating, so you’ll know whether you’re in for an easy time or a challenge before you even start cooking, and the photos of the finished meals are inspiring, to say the least. 

Pokémon Cookbook

If you want a cookbook that will help you drag your kids into the kitchen with you, then this is the perfect one. Even my daughter, a notoriously fussy eater and mess avoider, will very quickly begin throwing flour around the room while we cook recipes from the Pokémon Cookbook together, and what’s more, she actually likes around 50% of the recipes we make. 

That might not sound like a solid endorsement for this book, but she would otherwise gladly live off of cheese and potatoes, so it’s actually a huge compliment. 

From an utterly adorable Pikachu Lemon Tart to a stack of pancakes that somehow end up resembling Furret (albeit usually in a charming, wonky sort of way), recipes in this cookbook are separated into the different regions of past generations. Each section features recipes based on Pokémon originally found in that region, and they are all adorable and delicious. What’s better than that combination?

Catan: The Official Cookbook

Venturing away from screen gaming, we take to the tabletop. The Catan cookbook offers a variety of recipes including everything from game night snacks that can be eaten while playing any board game, to more difficult-to-produce but no less incredible main courses and desserts. 

My favorite thing about the Catan cookbook is that it somehow manages to make me feel nostalgic of the cookbooks my grandma had in her kitchen during the 90s, despite being fresh and new. The photographs showcase the recipes perfectly, and while the recipes themselves might not be directly from Catan itself, the inspiration is definitely clear in the names and ingredients used. 

BONUS: Pac-Man: The Official Cookbook

I’ve saved the best, and possibly most confusing cookbook for last. The Pac-Man cookbook isn’t actually out yet, although it is available to pre-order, with various preview pages already online to peruse. From everything we've shown so far, this cookbook will likely go into the same “more fun and less pretty” pile, alongside Five Nights at Freddy’s and Sonic the Hedgehog. 

The thing that caught my attention about this cookbook, and immediately had me pressing the pre-order button, was the fact that to make it relate to the source material of Pac-Man, the writers have done some very bizarre things. Think taking a pizza, cutting a slice out of it, and then calling it Pac-Man. Or dropping some loosely eye-shaped food items into a bowl of tomato soup and calling it Blinky. That kind of thing. 

Outside of that, there are recipes for burgers and hot dogs that make my stomach rumble just thinking about them, and this cookbook is definitely one to consider adding to your collection once it releases on May 13, 2025.

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It barely feels like the new year has begun, but 2025 is surging ahead and the season of all things love is just around the corner. In Final Fantasy XIV, that means that Valentione’s Day is making a return, and it will all begin on February 3. 

Get ready to grab your beau and head down to Mih Khetto’s Amphitheatre, because the 2025 Valentione’s event, “With Roses from the Heart” is coming to Eorzea in a little over a week (from the time of writing). Beginning on February 3 and running until February 17, players will have the opportunity to complete a whole new love-themed quest to earn a rather special emote. 

Dote has long been the go-to emote for those wanting to express their love to special friends in FFXIV, and more recently in 2024, we got the Love Heart emote to go alongside it. Now, another emote, the Bouquet emote, is up for grabs for anyone who completes the Valentione’s Event in 2025.

As a side note, if you missed out on the Love Heart emote and are itching to get your hands on it, the start of this year’s Valentione’s event will also bring the Heart emote to the FFXIV Online Store, so you’ll have a chance to fork out a small amount of real-life money and add it to your ever-growing collection. 

Valentione’s Day 2025 will begin at 3 a.m. EST on February 3, and the emote isn’t the only new thing that will be available. As always, we'll see another unique housing item to be purchased with Gil. This year, this item is the “Heartfelt Valentione’s Day Advertisement”, which features artwork from last year’s event. 

As is standard by this point, Astrid will be waiting at Mih Khetto’s Amphitheatre after the event goes live, and you’ll be able to pick up the event quest “I Promise You A Rose Garden” by talking to her at coordinates (X:10.2, Y:9.4).

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There’s nothing better as a fan of any game than being able to display that love in official merch, and there is a lot of Final Fantasy XIV merch out there fit for purpose. On February 3, more merch is set to arrive in the shape of an official collab with Australian clothing company BlackMilk. 

Set your alarms for 4 p.m. EST on February 3. Do it now, before you forget, because you won't want to miss this collab.

BlackMilk is well known for its collab collections with household names. They’ve got collections filled with designs inspired by the likes of Sailor Moon, Pokémon, Hello Kitty, and even Zelda. Now FFXIV is getting its own collection, and it all looks absolutely stunning. 

What I love about this collection is that it actually looks wearable. Don’t get me wrong, everything is wearable if you’ve got the guts and confidence to pull it off, but a lot of FFXIV releases outside of basic t-shirts do lend themselves more to special occasions and cosplay purposes. The BlackMilk collection, on the other hand, is filled with frankly stunning designs that are more socially acceptable for everyday wear. 

Take, for instance, that black lace maxi dress. 

At first glance, it looks like simple lace and you might actually wonder where this fits in with the FFXIV theme. However, if you look closer, that lace design is actually made up of individual Job icons, including the latest additions of Pictomancer and Viper, and even Blue Mage. Whatever job you play, it’s represented in the subtle yet very clever design of this dress. 

The virtual lookbook for the entire collection will go live on the BlackMilk website at 9 a.m. EST on January 29, giving those interested a chance to glimpse the full collection, which includes the following items that have already been shared:

• Velvet Eorzean map mini dress
• Eorzean map leggings
• Unisex oversized Mothercrystal tee
• Knit co-ord set with an adorable Cactuar motif design
• And of course, that gorgeous Job icon maxi dress

Following the release of the lookbook, there will also be a collection preview at 5 p.m. EST on January 30, ahead of the official launch at 4 p.m. EST on February 3. 

The BlackMilk website warns that collections have been known to sell out within hours, so interested buyers are urged to set alarms and make sure they’re there at the drop to make sure they get everything they want. You can also sign up for an account on the BlackMilk website now, and you’ll receive email alerts when the collection is available for purchase.

Although prices haven’t been revealed, a brief exploration of other BlackMilk collab collections offers a good indication of potential costs. For instance, a similar maxi dress available as part of the Lord of the Rings x BlackMilk collab costs $103 USD, so the FFXIV dress may be priced similarly.

The post FFXIV x BlackMilk collab clothing collection announced, launching February 3 appeared first on Destructoid.

There are many seasonal events held throughout the year in Final Fantasy XIV, and it can be hard to keep up with what's coming and going. To help sort your schedule, we've got a rolling list of the usual FFXIV events, timing estimates, and even speculation about what's to come.

Below, we'll outline the FFXIV 2025 calendar's confirmed and tentative event schedule — along with some events that may have wrapped up for the year. Additionally, you can check out the MMO's usual calendar too, along with a little explainer on each of the year's festivities.

The FFXIV 2025 event calendar

With the ever-changing nature of time, it's hard to pinpoint or predict exactly when each regular event will take place outside of the general time of year. However, there are some that are easier to predict than others.

Here's what's going on in FFXIV currently and what you can look forward to in the near future:

Expired events

• Heavensturn [December 31, 2024 - January 16, 2025]

Recurring FFXIV seasonal events

While some years haven't always followed this pattern, FFXIV mostly sticks to the same schedule of seasonal staples while throwing a few new festivities in here and there. The table below outlines the usual schedule from year to year, but if you want a peek at timely announcements on newcomers, maybe pencil in time to watch the next FFXIV Live Letter stream.

FFXIV 2024 event schedule

Although there is inevitably some variation in exact dates from one year to the next, it's a good idea to keep one eye on event dates from previous years if you want to gauge when to expect them to occur moving forward.

As such, here is the event schedule from 2024, including the dates on which they were active:

• Starlight Celebration [December 15 - December 31]
• All Saints' Wake [October 18 - November 4]
• The Rising [August 27 - September 11]
• Gong Cha Collaboration Event [July 17 - August 28]
• Moonfire Faire [August 8 - August 26]
• FFXIV Twitch Drops for the Chocorpokkur Mount [July 2 - July 29]
• Mountain Dew Collaboration Event [May 16 - July 14]
• Yo-kai Watch Collaboration Event [April 24 - June 26]
• Fall Guys Collaboration Event [May 23 - June 10]
• Make It Rain Campaign [May 15 - May 31]
• The Path to Infernal FFXVI collab [April 2 - May 8]
• Little Ladies' Day and Hatching-tide [March 14 - April 1]
• A Nocturne for Heroes [Feb. 28 - March 13]
• Valentione's Day [Feb. 7 - Feb. 21]
• The Maiden's Rhapsody [Jan. 22 - Feb. 5]
• Heavensturn [December 31, 2023 - January 15, 2024]

FFXIV events in 2024, what's coming next?

As one of the regularly scheduled events in FFXIV's packed calendar, the next event we're going to see will be Valentione's Day, which is due to begin at some point in early February and continuing past Valentines Day.

2025's event, dubbed "With Roses from the Heart" will begin on February 3, and be live and available to complete until February 17.

The post Every seasonal FFXIV event, ongoing and scheduled for 2025 appeared first on Destructoid.

It feels like just yesterday that patch 7.1 dropped in Final Fantasy XIV, but the development team at Square Enix is already looking ahead to patch 7.2, and we’ll hopefully be getting some long-awaited details about upcoming additions during Live Letter from Producer 85 on February 7. 

Any FFXIV player is intricately familiar with the update process by this point. Updates with one number after the decimal point are the biggies, bringing a host of new content to dive into and additional MSQ quests. Patch 7.2 has the potential to be a very exciting one, depending on what gets revealed to the West during Live Letter 85. 

As is pretty expected by this point, those in the US will need to be awake before sunrise if you want to tune in live. The Live Letter will be streaming on both YouTube and Twitch at 6 a.m. EST (3 a.m. PST) on February 7, so it might be a good idea to get an early night the day before. 

So what can we expect from this Live Letter, and for that matter, patch 7.2 in general?

Well, the biggest thing that players are waiting on, other than a release date for the patch itself, is more details about both Cosmic Exploration and Shade’s Triangle. We were teased with concept art for both the Cosmic Exploration (Crafting and Gathering content similar to that experience in The Diadem) a long time ago, and we’ve only heard whispers of Shade’s Triangle (large-scale battle content similar to both Eureka and The Bozjan Southern Front) as of yet. 

Interestingly, players in the East have been given more details about both than the West, with information and further art revealed during both Chinese and Korean FanFest celebrations. These tidbits of information obviously trickled through to the West, but are we finally going to be directly told more of what to expect? We can hope. 

Of course, there’s no guarantee that we’ll be told anything about either of these bits of content. We’ll likely be given teasers about where the MSQ is headed, along with some information about upcoming dungeons and possible trials. There’s likely to be a new Allied Society announced, and we may even get a new Variant Dungeon, if we’re lucky. But none of this is confirmed, and it won’t be until the day of the Live Letter.

One thing we already know is coming in patch 7.2 is the next tier of 8-player Arcadion raids, dubbed the Cruiserweight tier. This will include four new duties in both normal and savage difficulty, bringing new gear and items to grind for. 

Overall, it’s an exciting time to be an FFXIV player, with a lot to look forward to. Even though it’s going to drag you out of bed before the sun even rises, it’s worth tuning in on February 7 to get the first glimpse of what’s to come.

The post FFXIV Live Letter 85 to offer previews and details of patch 7.2 on February 7 appeared first on Destructoid.

Final Fantasy XIV is filled with extensive side content to explore and complete, and some of it poses a greater challenge to players. The Bozjan Southern Front and Zadnor are among the most fleshed out, with full quest lines and endless hours' worth of gameplay in the two instanced large-scale battle zones. 

While you’re exploring and taking part in skirmishes, critical engagements, and the two dedicated dungeons for the zones, you’ll likely end up accumulating Field Records. These provide information about characters specific to the zone, and while some will fall into your pockets like candy on Halloween, some are incredibly difficult to get. 

What are Field Records for in FFXIV?

Mostly, Field Records provide lore and backstories for all of the characters you’ve encountered in the Bozjan Southern Front and Zadnor, allowing you to tie events in the zones into the timeline of what has happened outside of it. 

There are a total of 50 Field Records to collect, and collecting all 50 will reward the “A Complete History” achievement, which comes with the Al-iklil Identification Key. This is a two-seater mount, and one of the harder mounts to earn, thanks to the difficulty involved in getting some of the Field Records. 

Field Records are a possible (or very rarely guaranteed) drop from certain duties and quests:

• Skirmishes 
• Critical Engagements
• Duels
• Dungeons
• Quests

What to do with duplicate Field Records in FFXIV

It’s safe to say that none of the non-guaranteed Field Records have particularly high drop rates, but some are easier to come by than others. If you end up with multiple copies of the same Field Record, you can trade them with a Resistance Historian:

• Bozjan Southern Front (X:15.0, Y:29.1)
• Zadnor (X:34.6, Y:34.9)

When exchanging a Field Record, you can choose to either get Bozjan Coins of various types — that can then be used to purchase exclusive items in the instanced zones — or Lockboxes, which have a possibility to drop high-value rewards such as minions, weapons, or glamour pieces. 

How to check Field Records in FFXIV

If it’s been a while since you traveled to Gangos and entered either of the instanced large-scale battle zones, then you’ve likely forgotten which Field Records you have and which you’re yet to collect. If this is the case, you can easily check by opening up the “Duty” menu and selecting “Collection”, then “Field Record”. 

Here, you’ll be able to not only see which ones you already have, but you’ll also be able to read through them in full to get a full understanding of the lore of each character, and how they tie into the story of Eorzea as a whole. 

How to get every Field Record in FFXIV

There are multiple ways that I could organize the Field Records, for instance by type of duty or difficulty. However, some Field Records have multiple possible sources, and while there’s definitely a disparity in how hard some of them are to get when compared to others, the easiest way is to separate them into their zones. 

You’ll see moving forward that Field Records with a ★★★★★ rarity have an obtainment method that results in a guaranteed drop. These are Duels, and they’re not only incredibly difficult to complete successfully, but even getting to take part in the first place is done through RNG, selecting individual players rather than inviting all present in the duty to compete for the right to try their luck. 

Field Records obtained in the Bozjan Southern Front

Of the 50 Field Records, 20 are obtained by taking part in activities in the Bozjan Southern Front. Here’s how to get them all, starting with the easiest to obtain and working our way up to the hardest or rarest ones. Bear in mind that this is out of order when compared to the Field Record collection, but makes the most sense when you’re trying to figure out what's what. 

All of the obtainment methods included below are basic Skirmishes (FATEs) in the Bozjan Southern Front, unless otherwise stated.

Field Records obtained from Delubrum Reginae

Delubrum Reginae is a duty for 1-24 players that you’ll access as part of the main Bozjan Southern Front and Zadnor storyline. It can only be entered by talking to either Mikoto at The Lost Trace, or Sjeros in Gangos. 

There are 10 Field Records up for grabs in total, although six of them are just handed over to you as part of the quests that lead you to Delubrum Reginae itself:

• “A Sign of What’s to Come”

  • Lilja Sjasaris
  • Bwagi Ennze Panca

• “Fit for a Queen”

  • Rostik Liubasch
  • Mikoto Jinba
  • Misija Votyasch (Part II)
  • Gunnhildr (Part II)

From within Delubrum Reginae itself, there are four remaining Field Records to collect. These drop after defeating bosses within the duty and are quite rare, with very low drop rates. As such, you’ll likely need to run the duty plenty of times if you want to get your hands on the remaining Field Records.

Field Records obtained from Zadnor

As with the Bozjan Southern Front, Zadnor also has a total of 20 Field Records to earn and collect. As with those listed for the Bozjan Southern Front, let’s organize them from the easiest to get and work our way towards those that are most difficult. All of the following obtainment methods are skirmishes that take place within areas of Zadnor, unless otherwise stated. 

The post FFXIV: Complete guide to Bozjan Southern Front and Zadnor Field Records appeared first on Destructoid.

Final Fantasy XIV is a huge game filled with maps to explore and locations to unlock. This feat is made infinitely easier by using mounts, which speed up your movement and even allow you to fly. 

Sometimes, though, exploring the world on your own is less fun than dragging friends along. Thankfully, a few mounts allow you to take friends with you. They’re all unlocked by completing different duties or quests and seating two, four, or even eight players at once. 

Whether you’re looking for the ultimate party ride for a full party or want something more intimate to share with someone special, here is every multi-seater mount in FFXIV and how to get them. 

Mounts for two people in FFXIV

There are 11 mounts for two people currently available in FFXIV. These range from those that can be purchased on the FFXIV Online Store, to those that take considerable effort to unlock through in-game duties. 

Indigo Whale

There’s nothing more romantic than a candlelit picnic or perhaps a spot of whale watching. Well, the Indigo Whale mount combines the two by placing the picnic on the back of the whale and allowing you to glide through the skies. It’s account-wide, so you only need to buy it once and can use it with all of your characters. 

It’s available to purchase through the FFXIV Online Store for $29.99.

Garlond GL-IS

If, like me, you’ve got a soft spot for a certain never-growing Chocobo first introduced during the Omega raids of Stormblood, then you’ll likely be a fan of the Garlond GT-IS mount. Alpha is permanently perched inside the motorbike's sidecar, while your traveling partner will just have to be happy with clinging on to the back and trying not to fall off. 

This account-wide mount costs $37.00 on the FFXIV Online Store.

Garlond GL-IIT

Included with the many mounts that can be purchased through Island Sanctuary, the Garlond GL-IIT is a red three-wheeled motorbike, complete with a perch on the back for your intended traveling companion. It’s sporty-looking but perfect for any terrain. 

Unfortunately, it will take some effort to get. You’ll need to drag your Island Sanctuary rank to 20 before you can even think about buying it, and then you’ll need to spend 100,000 Seafarer’s Cowries to get it. 

Fat Moogle

I think this account-wide mount was designed to be romantic, in a way, but the effect is lost while you’re staring at the butt crack of a very fat Moogle as it flies through the air, flapping its tiny arms and legs as though it will help it to stay airborne. The owner and their friend sit on a bench swing hanging from the bottom of the Moogle, and there’s something about this mount that will never not be funny. 

To get it, you’ll need to buy it from the FFXIV Online Store for $29.99

Landerwaffe

The Landerwaffe is one of the harder two-seater mounts to unlock in FFXIV, as it requires you to complete all of the level 80 Extreme Trials, including both those included with the main story and those that are unlocked through the Sorrows of Werlyt storyline and successfully obtain the Gwiber mount associated with each duty.

The duties you’ll need to complete (along with the Gwiber you’ll need to obtain from each) are: 

• The Dancing Plague (Extreme) - Fae Gwiber
• The Crown of the Immaculate (Extreme) - Innocent Gwiber
• The Minstrel’s Ballad: Hades’s Elegy - Shadow Gwiber
• Cinder Drift (Extreme) - Ruby Gwiber
• The Seat of Sacrifice (Extreme) - Gwiber of Light
• Castrum Marinum (Extreme) - Emerald Gwiber
• The Cloud Deck (Extreme) - Diamond Gwiber

Once you’ve completed these duties, talk to the Warmachina Fanatic in The Lochs (X:11.5, Y:22.5) and complete the quest “The Dragon Made” to finally get your Landerwaffe Flute.

Draught Chocobo

The Draught Chocobo is one of the more difficult two-seater mounts to get, but not in the same way as Lunderwaffe or Astrope. Rather than having to complete duties, the Draught Chocobo is rewarded as part of the Recruit a Friend Campaign, and will be given to the person who did the recruiting once their friend has been subscribed for 90 days. 

To recruit a friend, head to the Mogstation and log in, then find the “Issue Recruitment Code” box at the bottom. This will provide you with a code that your friend can then input, starting your journey towards the Draught Chocobo. As long as they stay subscribed, that is. 

Cruise Chaser

Cruise Chaser is a bit of a strange mount, mainly because it has two forms, and the transition between them causes the entire mount to spin and change shape, which looks like it would throw you and your friend off. Of course, it doesn’t do that, really, but it can still throw you off mentally if you’re not expecting it. 

To get the account-wide Cruise Chaser mount, you’ll need to spend $24.00 on the FFXIV Online Store. 

Ceremony Chocobo

The Ceremony Chocobo is a perk of taking part in the Ceremony of Eternal Bonding in FFXIV. My personal Chocobo is called Charlie (don’t ask), and is the go-to mount while I’m playing with my fiancé. He has served us well over the last four years, but I digress. 

You’ll only receive the Ceremony Chocobo if you choose to pay for your ceremony, and how much you pay will vary depending on which options you choose. For each partner to get their own Ceremony Chocobo, it will cost either $10.00 each (for the Gold plan ceremony) or $20.00 each (for the Platinum plan ceremony). 

Astrope

Ah, Astrope. The bane of my existence for a long time and one-time absolute white whale of a mount. Astrope is beyond difficult to get, and the grind is real. To get Astrope, you’ll need to not only complete all of the requirements necessary to become a Mentor in FFXIV, but you’ll also then need to complete 2,000 successful runs of Duty Roulette: Mentor. 

I’m not saying it’s impossible, but to even register for that duty you need to play solo, which I rarely do. Plus, the Mentor roulette can easily throw you into some of the most difficult content of the game, so it’s really a gamble as to whether you’ll be in and out quickly or settling in for the long haul. It takes a very long time, but it’s worth it. 

Amber Draught Chocobo

Like a fancier version of the Draught Chocobo, the Amber Draught Chocobo is earned through the Recruit a Friend Campaign by exchanging 8 Gold Chocobo Feathers with a Calamity Salvager. The problem is that each friend you recruit will only earn you 5 Gold Chocobo Feathers straight away and then more, depending on how long they remain subscribed.

So you’ll either need to recruit more than one friend or wait until the first has been subscribed for 150 days to get more feathers. 

Al-iklil 

Another of my old white whale mounts, Al-iklil is earned through completing a certain objective in The Bozjan Southern Front and Zadnor. Namely, you need to collect all 50 Field Record entries. 

Easier said than done, considering the drop rate on some of them is abysmal, and you also need to successfully defeat the enemies involved in each of the duels to get some others. It can take forever to even spawn the duels, let alone complete them, but on the plus side, you’ll become very familiar with both Bozja and Zadnor in the meantime.

Mounts for four people in FFXIV

Only five mounts available will seat up to four people, but they’re very useful if you are going on Treasure Hunts or Hunt Trains. Here’s how to get them all. 

Skyslipper

The Skyslipper mount is remarkably easy to get, especially now that the level cap has increased to 100. It’s a guaranteed drop from the level 80 Eden’s Gate: Sepulture (Savage) raid, and now that you can unsync the duty with two or three people, possibly solo if you’ve got the guts and skill, you’re not going to be fighting against seven other people to win the drop. 

Regalia Type-G

The Regalia Type-G is somewhat time-limited, as it is a reward that’s only up for grabs during the Nocturne for Heroes crossover event with FFXV. I say somewhat time-limited, because this event first occurred in 2019 and has thus far been repeated twice in 2021 and 2024, so there’s every likelihood we could see it return within the next couple of years. 

If the event does return, you can purchase the Regalia Type-G mount for 200,000 MGP from the Gold Saucer as long as you’ve completed the event quests. One particularly cute thing to note about this mount is that when a Lalafell sits in the back, they stand up on the seat to look over the side of the car.

Chocobo Carriage

The Chocobo Carriage is the only four-seater mount available for purchase through the FFXIV Online Store. It’s absolutely massive and offers multiple options for each person to sit, each with their own pose. Thankfully, as with most mounts from the store, this one is account-wide, so you only need to buy it once, and it will be immediately available to all of your characters, even new ones you create.

To get it, you’ll need to spend $35.99. 

Cerberus

The Cerberus mount is a stunning (albeit smaller) copy of the three-headed pup that you’re likely to have faced in the World of Darkness Alliance Raid from A Realm Reborn. It allows for four riders, one on its back and one per head, and looks absolutely beastly bounding towards you. 

To get it, you’ll need to successfully complete the level 80 duty Delubrum Reginae (Savage). On the plus side, it’s attached to the achievement for doing so, rather than as a drop, so you’re guaranteed to get it if you complete the dungeon. 

Blackjack

I’d argue that this is one of the easier four-seater mounts to get in FFXIV if you don’t want to spend any real-life money, but you still won’t be able to get your hands on it without a significant amount of effort and time spent in the Gold Saucer. 

However you decide to earn your MGP, you’ll need to save up a whopping 4,000,000 to purchase the Blackjack mount. 

Mounts for eight people in FFXIV

Surprisingly, despite the number of full parties who group up for Hunt Trains and Treasure Hunts, Square Enix has only ever released a single eight-seater mount. 

Lunar Whale

The Lunar Whale is a bit of a dividing subject with many FFXIV players, because you either love the design or you hate it. The mechanical whale design is all well and good, but you can’t see your character (or any of your passengers) while you’re using it. You’re just a mecha-whale floating through the skies. 

If that’s what you like, I have good and bad news. The good news is that you can get the Lunar Whale by purchasing it from the FFXIV Online Store. The bad news? It costs $42.00, so it’s definitely not a cheap option.

The post All multi-seat mounts and how to get them in Final Fantasy XIV appeared first on Destructoid.

If you have a special someone that you love exploring Eorzea with in Final Fantasy XIV, there’s no better way to show your love for them than taking part in the Eternal Bonding ceremony with them. In other words, say your vows and get hitched in the MMO. 

Getting married in MMO comes with many perks, including the ability to teleport directly to each other (with a 30-minute cooldown between uses) and some rather fetching glamour pieces for your collection. There are also gifts for guests and even a two-seater Chocobo mount up for grabs just for tying the knot. 

Undertaking the Eternal Bonding ceremony is far from straightforward, though. There are three different types of ceremony, one being free and two coming at additional cost. Each tier of ceremony comes with different options and different rewards, so it’s worth knowing what you’re getting into before taking the plunge. 

How to get married in Final Fantasy XIV

Before you can get married, there are a few things you’ll need to make sure you’ve done:

• Have at least one class leveled to at least level 50
• Complete the level 17 MSQ quest “The Scions of the Seventh Dawn”

you’ll need to book your ceremony. To do this, you’ll need to purchase your desired plan through the FFXIV Online Store. 

Whatever option you choose (see below for more details about the three options), you’ll need two of them. One person can buy both, or each person can buy their own, but it’s a good idea to make sure you’re buying the same plan as your partner. 

Once you’ve purchased them both, wait for the Promise Wristlets to come through to your in-game inbox, and then each equip one. Then, get into a party with only your partner and head to the East Shroud together to begin the planning process. Now, the fun begins. 

Planning a wedding is stressful, even in the virtual world, so be prepared for some fun times ahead. To begin, head to the Sanctum of The Twelve in East Shroud and talk to Claribel (X:17.5, Y:18.2) to begin the level 1 quest “The Ties That Bind.” The first couple of steps involved in completing this quest are relatively straightforward, but get ready to take a pilgrimage. 

After the Pilgrimage is complete, you’ll be able to book a date and time for your ceremony by talking to Hawu Bajihri near the entrance to the Sanctum of the Twelve. Then, all that’s left to do is invite your guests (if you want any) and wait for your Ceremony of Eternal Bonding. 

All Mark of the Twelve locations in Final Fantasy XIV

This pilgrimage will see you and your partner heading all over Eorzea to visit the Marks of The Twelve. When you reach each Mark, you’ll need to use the /pray emote together with your partner. To make this easier, here are the coordinates for each mark:

All Ceremony of Eternal Bonding options in Final Fantasy XIV

The three different tiers of ceremony are split into Standard, Gold, and Platinum. Of course, picking a higher tier comes with additional rewards for both you and your guests, but it also comes at a higher cost. While you can get hitched for free and wait for your anniversary to benefit from all the options of a Platinum plan, you may miss out on some worthwhile items by doing so, so it’s worth looking at all of the options. 

Some things always remain the same, regardless of which option you go for. All Ceremonies of Eternal Bonding share the following:

• Three choices of officiant/ceremony style
• Eternity Ring and Embrace emote received upon completion of ceremony 
• 80 guest invitation, shared between both characters

Outside of this, options differ depending on which tier of ceremony you choose.

The Standard Plan Ceremony of Eternal Bonding comes with the following items for you and any guests you may have:

If you choose the mid-range option, your personalization options increase pretty significantly, and your guests benefit from this choice as well:

The most expensive of the three ceremony tiers comes with even more options to choose from, allowing you to truly personalize the experience for you and your chosen bonding partner:

Celebrating your anniversary in Final Fantasy XIV

If you want to relive the events of your Ceremony of Eternal Bonding in FFXIV, you can do so each year on the anniversary of your original ceremony. You’ll need to register your anniversary with Hawu Bajihri at the Sanctum of the Twelve (X:17.5, Y18.4) and then each year, you’ll receive a notification inviting you to reaccept the quest “The Ties That Bind”. 

You won’t need to complete the pilgrimage again, but you’ll get to plan your wedding all over again. Regardless of which option you chose for the original ceremony, from your first anniversary onwards, you’ll be able to choose from all the options that regularly come included as part of the Platinum Plan. 

The post How to get married in FFXIV, all options and rewards appeared first on Destructoid.

Back when Final Fantasy XIV announced that they were altering the Blacklist system, some players pointed out that the new system could enable players to access information that shouldn’t be for their eyes. Worryingly, this prediction has come true in the form of the PlayerScope plugin. 

FFXIV is strictly against any use of plugins or mods. Anyone caught using any type of game-changing software is permanently banned, which should be enough to put anybody off. However, this hasn’t stopped people from creating or using mods, and the latest doing the rounds is particularly troublesome, and it seems to have been enabled by changes made by Square Enix themselves and were warned of at the time.

The changes made to the Blacklist feature with the release of Dawntrail gave each player a unique account ID, which can be picked up by the PlayerScope plugin, allowing anyone who uses it to track not only specific characters, but alt characters tied to the same account, movement of each character, and appearance changes as well. This poses massive risks for things like harassment and stalking, which is already something of a problem for the MMO.

Players who have tested the plugin, such as wetsh0laze on Reddit, have reported that in order to prevent their data being leaked through the plugin, they had to download it themselves, connect to it using a Discord account, and then finally opt out of the process. 

However, a recent update from the developer of the mod has revealed that they will be removing the option to opt out from the mod itself, instead inviting players to join the Discord server and join a certain channel to “whitelist” their account. This will, however, require people to “verify their Lodestone account through the plugin”, which still leaves the entire process open to misuse and abuse. 

Dalamud, the third party tool that many use to implement mod usage in FFXIV, has issued a statement regarding the plugin. It states that it “fundamentally does not approve” of the plugin, but “it’s not possible for the Dalamud project to prevent plugins from gaining access to these values (Account IDs)”. It’s also not possible for them to ban the mod from a custom repository such as where PlayerScope is stored, so it’s here to stay, unfortunately. 

Considering their one-strike policy on mod usage, it can only be hoped that Square Enix take swift action against creators and users of this plugin. The only viable solution that would prevent the further use of the mod is for FFXIV to overhaul the Blacklist system again, perhaps backtracking it to the system that was in place before. Unfortunately, this doesn’t seem likely, but hopefully a way forward can be found that will protect players from those who abuse the system.

The post FFXIV Plugin is causing huge risks for both privacy and security appeared first on Destructoid.

It’s hard to believe that we’ve crossed over into 2025, and it’s now officially closer to 2030 than 2020, but here we are. MMOs are still dominating the gaming space, and they’re an incredible way to meet friends, have fun, and work towards goals without too much pressure. 

There are a lot of MMOs out there, and it can be hard to decipher which ones are still worth playing. New titles are released all the time, and they either quickly build up a solid player base or they fade into obscurity with a few cult followers. Of course, MMOs, by definition, are “massively multiplayer”, so player numbers definitely count when it comes to deciding what to play. 

Here are 10 MMOs that are worth playing in 2025. 

World of Warcraft

It’s almost staggering that World of Warcraft is now over 20 years old, but it’s been an absolute behemoth in the MMO sphere since it was released back in 2004, and it shows no signs of slowing down. It’s had ten major updates in the last two decades, with one released every two years and the last one in 2024. 

Although there isn’t likely to be anything major added in 2025 according to this schedule, there is never a shortage of things to do or classes to try out new characters, making World of Warcraft an absolute must for any MMO fan. 

The Elder Scrolls Online

A decade younger than World of Warcraft but now an absolute mainstay in the genre, Elder Scrolls Online takes everything beloved from the in-game universe that brought us Oblivion and Skyrim with an MMO twist. Design and tweak your character to your own taste and then set out into Tamriel. 

Prior to 2025, Elder Scrolls Online received annual chapter releases, but this is set to change. ZeniMax Online Studios announced in December 2024 that they would be making the shift towards seasonal updates, so there’s plenty to look forward to in the coming months and a whole world of content to catch up on in the meantime. 

Brighter Shores

Brighter Shores is one of the more recently released titles on this list and perhaps the most risky addition as well. According to SteamDB, the highest total number of players to ever have been concurrently playing is only 21,272, but I don’t think that should be held against creator Andrew Gower of RuneScape fame. 

For a start, it’s free to play (up to a certain point in the main story) and while the graphics are certainly dated by today’s standards, they’re definitely appealing to those who played RuneScape previously and want a new challenge. You’ve got nothing to lose by giving it a try, and with incredibly low system requirements, you don’t even need a particularly high-end setup to play. Just be prepared for a grind, as nothing comes easy in Brighter Shores.

Path of Exile 2

As the most recently released title on this list, Path Of Exile 2 has quickly become one of the most-played games on Steam alone and reaches approximately 300,000 players per day without taking into account those who are on different platforms. It’s still in early access, with new features, classes, and updates planned in the coming months, so there’s a lot to look forward to. 

There’s also a lot to currently do. At first glance, progression through the game and evolution of your character looks akin to studying for a university thesis, but it’s easy to get the hang of things, and as you explore Wraeclast, you’ll find a lot to fall in love with. 

Final Fantasy XIV

Final Fantasy XIV turns 12 years old in 2025 if you measure from the moment Naoki Yoshida took over development and transformed the faltering MMO into A Realm Reborn. It’s been a solid constant in the genre ever since and still pulls in around 200,000 players a day, even in the downtime between content updates. 

Admittedly, I may be biased when it comes to this, as it’s definitely my most-played MMO title, and I have 9,000 hours sunk into it. But Eorzea is filled with things to experience and people to meet, both NPCs and other players, who never fail to make it worth your time. Plus, with the recent update to the free trial, you can now play from the beginning of A Realm Reborn to the end of Stormblood without spending a penny. That’s a lot of content and certainly nothing to complain about. 

Dune: Awakening

One of only two titles on this list that haven’t actually been released yet, Dune: Awakening is definitely an MMO to keep an eye on in 2025. The action takes place on what’s described as “the most dangerous planet in the universe,” and if you’ve ever so much as heard of Dune, then you’ll absolutely believe that description to be true. 

Although there are limited details available about the game and no set release date other than “2025”, Dune: Awakening shows a lot of promise and potential. Character creation looks to be filled with detail, progression looks just complicated enough to keep it interesting, and there’s even a base-building element, letting you create a safe oasis away from the threat of Sandworms. Hopefully. 

Throne and Liberty

Throne and Liberty was developed and published by NCSoft and released through Amazon Games into early access at different times through 2023 and 2024, depending on your location. It reached North America and Europe in October 2024 and quickly attracted a huge number of players to the world of Solisium.

There are a large amount of microtransactions in Throne and Liberty, but try not to let that put you off. They’re not strictly necessary, although they do definitely provide an edge, so you can get through content without spending a penny because the initial game itself is free at a basic level. There are surprisingly cute elements, such as the Amitoi, and the world of Solisium is beyond stunning.

Chrono Odyssey

Korean MMO Chrono Odyssey is stuck with a “to be announced” tag on Steam when it comes to a release date, but it’s supposedly coming at some point in 2025, and it’s definitely worth watching. With a focus on time manipulation, there’s definitely something that stands out about Chrono Odyssey, something that makes it just different enough from anything else on this list. 

Set to include a variety of different biomes to explore, all of which will change according to the seasons or time of day, meaning there’s no shortage of things to get excited over. We’re promised six classes to try out, multiple weapons to get to grips with, and “extensive customization” to look forward to. There will be some microtransactions, but they won’t be necessary to win.

Albion Online

Albion Online is a free-to-play MMO that is constantly receiving updates, including the Rogue Frontier update that’s set to drop soon with a whole new range of content centered on the theme of Smugglers. There’s always something to do in Albion and always something to wait for, making it perfect for anyone who loves the MMO genre. 

Set in the world of Arthurian legend, there aren’t any classes in Albion Online. Instead, the weapon and gear you equip define how you can fight and earn Fame to increase your skills. All items are made by players, with a completely player-driven economy, so you can easily thrive if you have the skills. The map is absolutely huge, and you’ll have the opportunity to enter PVP zones as you explore if you’re brave enough. 

The Lord of the Rings Online

I’m a sucker for the universe created by J.R.R. Tolkien, but you don’t necessarily have to be to enjoy Lord of the Rings Online, although you’ll likely get more enjoyment out of the incredible recreation of Middle-Earth if you’re on the same page as me. 

The MMO is still being updated and constantly evolving despite first being released way back in 2007, and there’s a roadmap of updates for the months of 2025, so there’s more content on the way. You can craft, fight, and explore Middle-Earth to your heart’s content, and there are twelve classes to choose from, depending on which of the eight races you choose to play as. 

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No matter where you are in the world, the news of California’s raging wildfires seems to be at the top of everybody’s news feed. Thousands of acres of the US state have been swept through by devastating flames, and this has been noticed by the powers that be at Final Fantasy XIV. 

In news shared via the Lodestone on January 9, the FFXIV team has temporarily canceled the automatic demolition of player housing on North American servers, giving players in the affected areas some breathing room while they tackle much more pressing real-life devastation caused by the fires in Hurst, Kenneth, Eaton, and the worst affected, Palisades. 

So far, ten people are confirmed to have been killed in the fires, while uncountable people are facing the stark reality of a life completely changed by the devastation sweeping the state. Terrifying footage of the disaster has been shared online, and reports are harrowing. The development and management team at FFXIV said their “hearts go out to those who are affected” by the fires and that it is their “sincere hope that recovery is swift.” 

The suspension began at 8:20 p.m. PST and is in place until further notice, with the FFXIV team keeping a close eye on how the situation develops over the coming weeks. It’s worth noting that when the suspension ends, the countdown will begin from where it left off, so if you were at risk of demolition before the suspension you will be straight back there when the suspension lifts. 

Housing estates enter the auto-demolition status in FFXIV after being unentered by the owner or any FC member for one month. Entering your estate for any period of time will cancel the auto-demolition status.

The suspension of player housing demolition in FFXIV is becoming an all-too-common occurrence, with 2024 seeing it happen twice for Japan’s Noto Peninsula earthquake in January and Hurricane Helene in October. Before that, automatic demolition suspensions were implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and the Fukushima earthquake in 2016.

The post FFXIV once again suspends automatic housing demolition due to California wildfires appeared first on Destructoid.

Final Fantasy XIV is rich in lore and history. Despite only being around for just over a decade, the world of Eorzea itself feels centuries old, thanks to the stories we hear throughout our adventures. The Twelve are the pillars on which religion in Eorzea is based, but who are they?

In case you haven’t guessed yet, there are 12 of these deities, each corresponding with a month of the Eorzean (and Gregorian) calendar. The importance of these mystical characters has fluctuated over the last 10 or so years, from having an effect on your base stats to their Marks forming a pilgrimage that must be completed by a couple about to go through an Eternal Bonding ceremony. 

Warning: This article contains many spoilers for late-game storylines and is probably best read once you’ve completed Endwalker and its associated content.

Who are The Twelve in Final Fantasy XIV?

Each of The Twelve represents one of the six elements that make up everything in the universe (Ice, Water, Wind, Lightning, Fire, and Earth). Prior to patch 4.2, when making a new character and choosing your birthday, which deity represented your birth month would have an impact on your elemental resistances, but this is no longer the case. Now the choice is much less impactful, but you should get to know each of The Twelve to see if you can relate to any of them on a deeper level. 

You should also know that they aren’t actually deities at all. Each of The Twelve was actually created by Hydaelyn, formed from the body of an Amaurotine. They were created after the Sundering, which left Etheirys split into the Source and its Reflections, with Hydaelyn tasking them to guide the planet's races as it remained. Hydaelyn resurrected Ancients who had fallen during the Sundering to do this. 

Eorzea doesn’t follow the Gregorian calendar, and instead splits the year into 12 “Moons”. It can be hard to decipher which Moon your birthday would fall in, let alone which of The Twelve represents each and their element, so here’s a quick rundown:

With that basic (albeit confusing) information out of the way, let’s get to know each of The Twelve in a little more detail, including both the myth and where these ‘deities’ actually originated.

Halone - The Fury

Myth:

Halone, also known as The Fury, is the goddess of war and the patron saint of Ishgard, likely chosen due to the ever-present threat of Dragon attacks when the first settlers arrived at the location. Halone is also the central figure of the Ishgardian Orthodox Church, which oversees the Holy See and Temple Knights. According to Eorzean myth, she was brought forth from The Whorl with her elder brother Byregot, and both became wards of Rhalgr. 

Truth:

Halone was actually created from one of Venat’s companions, becoming a skilled warrior who hunted down potentially dangerous creations in Elpis. When the Convocation of the Fourteen was being formed, she was a leading contender for the seat of Pashtarot, although did not end up taking it.

Halone’s mark depicts three spears befitting her role as the goddess of war and can be found at The Fury’s Gaze in Coerthas Central Highlands (X:7.4, Y:31.5) to this day, affixed to a stalactite in the roof of a cavern. 

Menphina - The Lover

Myth:

Keeper of the Twin Moon and the goddess of love, Menphina is also the sister of Azeyma and lover of Oschon. Also representing the element of ice, Menphina has a connection to the Heaven and Hell of Ice, although it is often described as Halone’s Domain in myth and lore. Because of Menphina’s role as Keeper of the Twin Moon, she is worshipped by the nocturnal Keepers of the Moon.

Truth:

One of the youngest companions of Venat and a former student under the Words of Lahabrea went on to become Menphina. As Menphina, she discovered the magic that was later used to seal Zodiark away.

Menphina’s mark can be found in Coerthas Central Highlands just as Halone’s can, but Menphina’s mark is north of Camp Dragonhead. You can find it near the site of Haurchefant’s grave to the west of Steel Vigil (X:22.7, Y:8.0). 

Thaliak - The Scholar

Myth:

Thaliak is the ruler of rivers and the god of knowledge, so it makes sense that he is the guardian deity of Sharlayan, with a huge statue of him guarding the entrance to Scholar’s Harbor. He’s also the father of Llymlaen and the teacher of Byregot. According to myth, Thaliak created the Heaven of Water, where scholars, inventors, and teachers reside. From there, the water drips down into The Pit and stagnates to become Hell of Water, which drowns deceivers, counterfeiters, and false prophets. 

Truth:

Thaliak was once the headmaster of Akadaemia Anyder and a renowned scholar among the Amaurotine people. He was also a close friend of Venat before he went on to become Thaliak. 

Whether you choose to believe in myth, Thaliak’s mark can be discovered by traveling to Rathefrost in Mor Dhona (X:18.6, Y:17.7). The scroll is etched into a rock surrounded by level 45 Plasmoids.

Nymeia - The Spinner

Myth:

Watcher of celestial bodies and the goddess of fate, Nymeia is the younger sister of Althyk and master of Rhalgr. According to myth, it was Nymeia who melted the star into which Thaliak placed the essence of knowledge, allowing them to create both the Heaven of Water and the Hell of Water. Prior to the fall of the state, Nymeia was the patron deity of Ala Mhigo. 

Truth:

Along with her brother Althyk, Nymeia was created from an Amaurotine who was a close companion to Venat. Together, they observed the creations of Elpis. 

To visit the mark of Nymeia, head to Moraby Drydocks in Lower La Noscea and go slightly south. You’ll find the spinning wheel mark etched into a rock on a small outcrop of land overlooking the sea (X:26.5, Y:37.1). 

Llymlaen - The Navigator

Myth:

For anyone who began their journey in Limsa Lominsa, Llymlaen will be very familiar, as there are depictions of the goddess throughout La Noscea, including a huge statue in the center of Aleport. Llymlaen is the watcher of the seas and goddess of navigation and, therefore, the perfect choice of guardian deity for ocean-faring Limsa Lominsa.

According to myth, Llymlaen created both the Heaven and Hell of Wind. The former is a mountain range overlooking the sea, where adventurers and explorers come to rest. Hell of Wind, on the other hand, is plagued by a harsh wind that rips the flesh from pirates and bandits. 

Truth:

The truth and myth of Llymlaen aren’t too different. In truth, Llymlaen was created from an Amaurotine who spent her life researching aquatic creations in Metabeaseios Thalassi. She was incredibly protective of her specimens and once threw a knife at someone who got a little too close for comfort. 

Llymlaen’s mark can be found at the Anchor Yard on Limsa Lominsa Upper Decks (X:7.4, Y:14.6), overlooking the harbor. This is thought to be a reference to the Heaven of Winds. 

Oschon - The Wanderer

Myth:

If you’ve completed the Myths of the Realm quest line, you will know exactly who Oschon is and may even be more comfortable calling him Deryk, but that’s neither here nor there. Oschon is considered to be the ruler of mountains and is the god of wanderers and vagrants. He is the brother of Nald’thal and lover of Menphina, as well as a close friend of Halone. According to the lore, he can be found ruling over the mountain range in the Heaven of Winds. 

Truth: 

Hydaelyn created Oschon from a companion of Venat who she met while traveling, Oschon went on to create the human form of Deryk to enable his continued exploration of the physical realm. 

The Mark of Oschon can be found in Outer La Noscea, below the Kobold Dig location on the map (X:25.2, Y:18.3). There is also a lighthouse on The Gods’ Grip in Lower La Noscea called Oschon’s Torch sitting opposite another lighthouse called Llymlaen’s Ring. 

Byregot - The Builder

Myth:

Purveyor of architecture and industry, Byregot is also the god of the arts. According to myth, he is the older brother of Halone and the “son” of Rhalgr due to being made his ward alongside Halone after they emerged from The Whorl.

Byregot reigns over the Heaven of Lightning, which contains a huge clockwork spire forged using the metal of a comet and powered using Rhalgr’s levinbolts. The Heaven of Lightning is thought to be the resting place of engineers, architects, and “conquerors of evil.” The Hell of Lightning, on the other hand, is a land of horror for vandals and warmongers. 

Truth: 

Byregot was once an Amaurotine gifted in creation magicks that allowed him to create inanimate objects, such as buildings and other structures. In life, he was a supervisor in the Bureau of the Architect.

Byregot’s Mark can be found in the South Shroud, just outside of Camp Tranquil to the northwest (X:15.9, Y:27.4). Like many of the other Marks of the Twelve, it is etched into a rock.

Rhalgr - The Destroyer

Myth:

Rhalgr is the breaker of worlds and the god of destruction. He is the patron deity of Ala Mhigo, who believe that he saved them from the Sixth Umbral Calamity by sending a comet down from the heavens to protect them. According to myth, he is an attendant to Nymeia, who assigned him as the guardian of Halone and Byregot.

Not much else is known about Rhalgr, as he is somewhat ill-defined, even in Eorzean creation myth, although he is believed to reign over the Heaven and Hell of Lightning alongside Byregot. 

Truth: 

The Amaurotine from whom Rhalgr was created has been described as “brawny,” and he earned the moniker of “The Destroyer” by destroying a meteor that was approaching and threatening all of Etheirys. 

The Mark of Rhalgr can be found carved into a rock on the upper platform in the southern tunnel in Little Ala Mhigo in Southern Thanalan (X:19.8, Y:14.8). Rhalgr’s Reach is also a place of importance to Rhalgr’s worshippers, as it is believed that the deity himself graced the location with his presence, and was used as a base for the Fist of Rhalgr monks until the reign of the Mad King Theodoric. 

Azeyma - The Warden

Myth:

Known as the keeper of the sun and goddess of inquiry, Azeyma is worshipped by Miqo’tes, who are part of the Seekers of the Sun tribe. She is the daughter of Althyk and the older sister of Menphina. According to myth, it was Azeyma’s sun that provided the heat that fired the golden bricks that Nald’thal used to create the city known as the Heaven of Fire, a resting place for the just and fair. Rubble from the building efforts were thrown down to create the Hell of Fire, where those who judge others wrongly or trick each other go to be condemned. 

Truth:

The Amaurotine who went on to become Azeyma was a judicial officer in the Bureau of the Administrator and a stout supporter of the seat of Azem in the Convocation of the Fourteen. 

To find Azeyma’s Mark, you’ll need to travel to the Final Prayer at Burning Wall in Eastern Thanalan (X:24.4, Y:29.6). The Sunken Temple of Qarn is also thought to be the remains of a temple where Belah’dian people once worshipped their patron deity. 

Nald’thal - The Trader

Myth:

Nald’thal is the perfect choice as the patron deity of Ul’dah, not because he’s the overseer of the underworld (although he is), but because he is the god of commerce and trade is rife in Ul’dah. Strangely, while Nald’thal is seen as a single deity throughout the rest of Eorzea, Ul’dahns see a pair of twins called Nald, keeper of the living and Thal, keeper of the dead. It is said that Nald’thal is responsible for casting the rubble of the Heaven of Fire into the pit, casting it aflame to reduce those stuck there to ashes. 

Truth: 

Nald’thal was once an Amaurotine who was close friends with Oschon and a companion to Venat. He was a merchant and said to have been both outgoing and reserved in equal measure. 

Although Nald’thal technically has two Marks in Ul’dah, one in each temple dedicated to each of the twin deities, the only one you can access is in the Arrazaneth Ossurary (otherwise known as the Thaumaturge’s Guild) on the Steps of Nald (X:7.0, Y:12.6), and the other is understood to be found in Milvaneth Sacrarium on the Steps of Thal, although this is inaccessible. 

Nophica - The Matron

Myth:

If ever there was a perfect patron deity for Gridania and its surrounding farmland, Nophica is it. She’s the tender of soils and harvests and the goddess of abundance, so it makes sense that the people of the lush green landscape worship her. Daughter of Azeyma and younger sister of Llymlaen, it is said that Nophica created the Heaven of Earth from just a single seed. The leaves of the trees shelter farmers and historians, while the Hell of Earth is made of rotted vegetation and is where liars, thieves, and defilers of nature go to rot. 

Truth: 

The Amaurotine who was turned into Nophica by Hydaelyn was once a very well-known landscape architect, gardener, and botanist. Despite having creation magicks, she preferred to tend to her plants with natural methods rather than with mystical powers. 

Nophica’s Mark can be found at Nophica’s Altar in Old Gridania (X:7.9, Y:10.9). The rock with the engraved symbol is located directly above the entrance to the tunnel that takes you to the Conjurer’s Guild. 

Althyk - The Keeper

Myth:

Known as the surveyor of change and space, as well as the god of time, Althyk commands the element of earth, as you might expect by this point. He’s the father of Azeyma and Menphina and older brother to Nymeia. When Nophica planted the seed to become the Heaven of Earth, Althyk brought it to maturity by speeding up time. 

Truth: 

The Amaurotine who went on to become Althyk was a friend of Venat and spent his time researching new creations in Elpis. 

The Mark of Althyk can be found in the South Shroud, close to the entrance to Amdapor Keep (X:23.7, Y:25.0). As with the other Marks of the Twelve, it is immortalized in stone and is a source of strength to the people of Eorzea during hard times. 

Who is The Thirteenth in Final Fantasy XIV?

At the same time as she created The Twelve, Hydaelyn also created The Thirteenth, who is unnamed in lore until you reach the culmination of the Myths of the Realm storyline. At this point, it’s revealed that Hydaelyn created both The Twelve and The Watcher, who have since been shaped by the worship and prayers of the people of Etheirys. 

The Amaurotine who became The Watcher was chief archivist at Anamnesis Anyder, and joined Venat in opposition of Zodiark. When she created The Watcher, Hydaelyn placed him on the moon to keep watch over the imprisonment of Zodiark, to prevent further harm like that caused by the Sundering.

The post Who are The Twelve in Final Fantasy XIV? appeared first on Destructoid.

Whether you want to capture epic battle moments in Final Fantasy XIV, or you’re really feeling your Glamour and want to immortalize it in photo format, you’re going to be taking a lot of screenshots in the MMO. But where do they end up? And do you get a choice in the matter?

In the six years I’ve been playing FFXIV, I’ve amassed thousands of screenshots. I have more photos of my Miqote than I have of myself in real life, and I’ve even ended up with an external hard drive dedicated to storing online memories. Even the beginning of my relationship with my now-fiancé, who I met while playing, is chronicled through screenshots—a surprisingly common occurrence.

Here’s how to find your screenshots, how to change the save destination to make things easier in the future, and other tips to help you unleash your in-game photography genius. 

Where to find your FFXIV screenshots on PC

When you’ve pressed the Print Screen button and heard the satisfying shutter sound that FFXIV supplies by default, you’ll then need to locate your screenshots folder. To do this, open up File Explorer and follow these steps:

• Select “Documents”
• Select “My Games”
• Select “FINAL FANTASY XIV - A Realm Reborn”
• Select “Screenshots”

It doesn’t matter what expansions you own or were playing through when the screenshot was taken. All are sent directly to this folder. As you obtain more and more screenshots, this folder might be slow to load and organize itself, so it's a good idea to transfer photos you want to keep to an external location every so often.

Tip: If you take a lot of screenshots and want easy access to this folder, remember to pin it to quick access in File Explorer. To do this, click on the three dots at the top of the window and select ”Pin to Quick Access.” It will now show up alongside folders like “Pictures” and “Documents” on the right side of the window whenever you open File Explorer.

How to change the screenshot destination folder in FFXIV

If you want to change where your screenshots go by default, there’s a way to do that through the settings in FFXIV. To do this, make sure you’re logged in and then follow these steps:

• Open up the menu and select “System Configuration”
• Navigate to the “Other Settings” tap (second from the bottom, the icon with three dots)
• Under the “Screenshot Folder” subheading, click on “Change Folder.”

Tip: If you want to save precious storage on your computer's main drive, it’s a good idea to save your screenshots directly to an external hard drive. While this means that you’ll basically always need the hard drive plugged in, it will prevent you from filling up your main drive with screenshots, which will happen quickly without you even realizing it.

The post How to find your FFXIV screenshots on PC, or change where they save appeared first on Destructoid.

There are many sought-after glamour items in Final Fantasy XIV, and while most of them can be obtained by spending Gil on the Marketboard, some can only be gained by completing certain quests. One such set is the Yakaku set, including the lovely Yakaku Dogi. 

The Yakaku Dogi is a casual, loose-fitting, martial arts-style top that falls from one shoulder, revealing a default blossom tattoo on the bare arm. It’s a level one piece, meaning it can be worn by any race, class, or gender regardless of character level. For that reason, it’s one of the more popular items in FFXIV, but how to get it?

How to unlock the Yakaku Dogi in Final Fantasy XIV

The Yakaku Dogi is part of the Yakaku set, which is rewarded for completing the quest “An Auspicious Opportunity,” which makes up part of the Tataru’s Grand Endeavor quest line. You’ll only be able to complete this quest once you’ve reached level 90 and ticked off a list of prerequisites. 

First, you’ll need to have completed the MSQ up to and including the level 90 quest “Newfound Adventure.” That’s the easy part. From here on out, everything gets a little bit complicated, and you may need to go back and complete lower-level content to continue the Tataru's Grand Endeavor quest line and unlock the quest that rewards the Dogi and the rest of the Yakaku set. 

1. Complete the Shadow of Mhach quest line

The Shadow of Mhach Alliance Raids were added as part of Heavensward, so the following quests are level 60. You need to complete all of them and their associated Alliance Raids, too, before you can continue the Tataru’s Grand Endeavor storyline:

2. Complete The Four Lords quest line

To further continue the Tataru’s Grand Endeavor quest line and unlock the second quest “Soaring Profits”, you’ll also need to complete Stormblood’s The Four Lords quest line. This will take  you through a series of Dungeons and Trials rather than Alliance Raids, and you’ll need to complete all of the following level 70 quests:

How to get the Yakaku Dogi in Final Fantasy XIV

Now that you’ve worked through the two quest lines necessary to progress far enough into Tataru’s Grand Endeavor, getting your hands on the Yakaku set is remarkably easy. 

After completing “The Fifth Lord” and the two previous Tataru’s Grand Endeavor quests, you’ll be able to pick up a third quest called “An Auspicious Opportunity” from Mehdjina in Old Sharlayan (X:11.8, Y:9.8). This quest consists of a lot of traveling around Kugane and The Ruby Sea, but is otherwise simple to complete. 

For completing “An Auspicious Opportunity,” you’ll receive the Yakaku set, including the following items:

• Yakaku Kamidome (Head)
• Yakaku Dogi (Torso)
• Yakaku Koshita (Legs)
• Yakaku Fundoshi (Legs)
• Yakaku Geta (Feet)

The post How to get the Yakaku Dogi in Final Fantasy XIV appeared first on Destructoid.

After years as the brains behind the Scions, Tataru ventured out on her own in Endwalker and started her own business. Unfortunately, there’s a long list of sidequests from previous expansions that must be completed. Here’s everything you need to know about unlocking and progressing through Tataru’s Grand Endeavor! 

How to unlock Tataru’s Grand Endeavour

The only requirement for unlocking the initial quest of Tataru’s Grand Endeavor is the completion of the first post-Endwalker quest titled “Newfound Adventure.” To pick up this quest, talk to Tataru (X:6.0, Y:5.9) herself at the Rising Stones in Mor Dhona. 

Once you’ve completed “Newfound Adventure,” you’ll be able to pick up a quest titled “Small Business, Big Dreams” by talking to Mehdjina (X:11.8 Y:9.8) in Old Sharlayan. This is the first quest in the Tataru’s Grand Endeavor storyline. 

Unfortunately, this is the most (and only) straightforward step in the chain. Beyond this point, you need to check off a whole host of past sidequests from previous expansions. The good news is that they’re all very popular sidequests, so there’s a high likelihood that you’ve already completed them.

Quick-fire requirements

• The Shadow of Mhach quest line from Heavensward, starting with “Sky Pirates” and finishing with “A Redbill Farewell”
• The Four Lords quest line from Stormblood, starting with “An Auspicious Encounter” and finishing with “The Fifth Lord”
• The Sorrows of Werlyt quest line from Shadowbringers, starting with “Ruby Doomsday” and finishing with “Forever at Your Side”

Just in case you haven’t already completed them, though, let’s look a little deeper at each follow-on quest and what you need to do in order to unlock it.

Duremert - Eorzea’s newest portrait vendor

The first follow-on quest from “Little Business, Big Dreams” is called “Soaring Profits”. In order to unlock this quest, you must have completed the entire Shadow of Mhach quest line, including the three Alliance Raids that are tied to it.

Soaring Profits requirements

Once you’ve completed this quest line, head back to Old Sharlayan and talk to Mehdjina (X:11.8 Y:9.8). You’ll be reunited with Leofard from the Shadows of Mhach quest line and accompany him around Idyllshire in an attempt to get back some stolen cargo.

Completion of this quest will unlock Duremert, the portrait artist. Going forward, he can be found in The Pillars of Ishgard. He offers various portraits of beloved friends, costing 20,000 gil each:

Reuniting with Hancock

The next follow-on quest from “Small Business, Big Dreams” is “An Auspicious Opportunity,” and sees you reunited with Hancock. He’s received word from the Four Lords that an imposter is causing problems, and the Warrior of Light is obviously the only person who can solve this mystery. 

Once you’ve completed the Four Lords quest line, head to Old Sharlayan and talk to Mehdjina (X:11.8 Y:9.8) to unlock “An Auspicious Opportunity”.

Completing this quest gives the Yakaku set. For more information about the quest involved, head on over to our guide on this specific quest. 

Gaius van Baelsar’s Endwalker questline

The third and final quest, “Aggressive Expansion,” reunites us with Gaius, who needs our help tracking down a stolen mechanical war machine. 

Following the now familiar pattern, in order to unlock this quest, you need to have completed some past content. This time, it’s the Sorrow of Werlyt quest line from Shadowbringers, including three 8-player trials - Cinder Drift, Castrum Marinum, and The Cloud Deck.

Aggressive Expansion requirements

If you’ve got these completed, find Mehdjina (X:11.8 Y:9.8) in Old Sharlayan, and she’ll have the “Aggressive Expansion” quest.

Completing this Tataru’s Grand Endeavor quest unlocks an optional sidequest, “Forever in Our Hearts,” that completes Gaius’ Endwalker quest line. To unlock it, head to Terncliff and find Gaius (X:6.1, Y:5.9). 

I won’t give spoilers for this quest as I believe that it’s best experienced firsthand and having gone in blind, but the completion reward is a poignant painting of Gaius and his adopted children.

After you've completed "Forever in Our Hearts", you'll be able to head back to Old Sharlayan to talk to Mehdjina again, this time to pick up the quest "Treasured Bonds". Completing this quest will unlock the last of the currently available quests in the Tataru's Grand Endeavor quest line, "More Precious than Gil", which will reward the Tataru's Bespoke Framer's Kit and Wayfarer's Barding.

Tataru's Grand Endeavor in Dawntrail and beyond

Although "More Precious than Gil" did an excellent job of tying off Tataru's story and bringing the quest line to a close, it's entirely possible that more content of the same ilk will make a comeback in future patched past 7.0, although nothing has been mentioned on this front.

However, Tataru is nothing if she's not an opportunist, and there's definitely a place for her in Tural if she decides to make the journey and continue providing her fashion expertise to the Turali people, or those in Alexandria.

The post Tataru’s Grand Endeavor FFXIV guide, all quests and rewards appeared first on Destructoid.

No matter what class you originally chose in Final Fantasy XIV, you’ll need to complete Class and Job Quests to progress and learn new skills, and even your Job Stone. As you unlock new Jobs, you’ll need to complete even more quests, and it’s very easy to lose track of where you’re supposed to be. 

In the interests of full disclosure, and to hopefully prevent others from making the same mistake that I did back when I originally played, it’s vitally important that you complete your Class or Job Quests when they become available. Not only do they allow you to progress from a base class (such as Gladiator) to the Job equivalent (in this case, Paladin), but they also unlock new skills that you’re definitely going to need. 

It’s very easy to lose track of your Job Quests, especially if you’re leveling multiple Jobs at once. Here’s every Job Quest for every Job in FFXIV, including later additions. I’m only going to provide the location for the initial unlock quest for each Job, but to find the location for your next quest on any Job, click on the quest under the MSQ quest bar to be shown the location on the map. 

A Realm Reborn Classes

Classes that were available to play in A Realm Reborn have their quests split up into both different types — Class and Job Quests. Until you hit level 30, you’ll be completing Class Quests, and then you’ll have an additional level 30 quest to complete that will unlock your Job Stone and allow you to progress to your Job Quests. 

It goes without saying that A Realm Reborn classes have a lot more quests to complete than any other, as more have been added in further expansions. 

Paladin quests 

How to unlock: Find and talk to Lulutsu in Ul’dah - Steps of Thal (X:9.2, Y:11.7) to complete “Way of the Gladiator”.

Warrior quests

How to unlock: Talk to Blauthota in Limsa Lominsa Upper Decks (X:11.0, Y:6.3) and complete “Way of the Marauder”.

White Mage quests

How to unlock: Head to Old Gridania and talk to Madelle to complete the quest “Way of the Conjurer”.

Scholar quests

Scholar and Summoner both begin life as Arcanist, and only split off into the two separate jobs after level 30, depending on which level 30 quest you choose to complete. 

How to unlock: Complete “The Way of the Arcanist” by talking to Murie in Limsa Lominsa Lower Decks (X:4.5, Y:11.2). 

Monk quests

How to unlock: Talk to Gagaruna in Ul’dah - Steps of Nald (X:9.4, Y:10.2) and complete “Way of the Pugilist”. 

Dragoon quests

How to unlock: Head to Old Gridania and talk to Jillian (X:14.1, Y:5.8) to complete “Way of the Lancer”.

Ninja quests

How to unlock: Complete “My First Daggers” by talking to Lonwoerd in Limsa Lominsa Lower Decks (X:8.1, Y:16.1). 

Bard quests

How to unlock: Pick up and complete “Way of the Archer” from Athelyna in New Gridania (X:15.2, Y:12.1). 

Summoner quests

For details of how to unlock Summoner and the Class Quests you’ll need to complete as Arcanist, see the list for Scholar. 

Below are the quests from level 30 upwards for Summoner:

Black Mage quests

How to unlock: Talk to Yayake in Ul’dah - Steps of Nald (X:7.3, Y:12.4) and complete “Way of the Thaumaturge”. 

Heavensward Jobs

Jobs added from Heavensward onwards have no class quests, and you’re automatically granted your Job Stone upon completing the initial unlock quest for each Job. As such, there are significantly fewer quests to complete per Job moving forward. Heavensward Jobs begin at level 30 but are unlocked at level 50. 

Dark Knight quests

How to unlock: Talk to the Ishgardian Citizen in Foundation (X:13.2, Y:8.8) and complete both level 50 quests “A Dark Spectacle” and “Our End”.

Machinist quests

How to unlock: Talk to Stephanivien in Foundation (X:8.1, Y:10.1) and complete both level 50 quests “So You Want to Be a Machinist” and “Saviour of Skysteel”. 

Astrologian quests

How to unlock: Complete both level 50 quests “What’s Your Sign” and “Stairway to the Heavens” by talking to Jannequinard in Foundation (X:15.2, Y:10.0).

Stormblood Jobs

The number of quests to complete per job is still reducing, as Jobs are now unlocked at higher levels. All Stormblood Jobs begin at level 50, unlocked at the same level. 

Red Mage

How to unlock: Find and talk to the Distraught Lass in Ul’dah - Steps of Thal (X:14.1, Y:11.7) and complete the level 50 quest “Taking the Red”.

Samurai quests

How to unlock: Talk to Ul’dahn Citizen in Ul’dah - Steps of Nald (X:9.2, Y:9.1) to complete the level 50 quest “The Way of the Samurai”. 

Shadowbringers Jobs

Two more jobs were added during Shadowbringers, and both start at level 60, unlocked at the same level. 

Gunbreaker quests

How to unlock: Complete the level 60 quest “The Makings of a Gunbreaker” by talking to Gods’ Quiver Bow in Central Shroud (X:19.0, Y:28.0). 

Dancer quests

How to unlock: Talk to the Eager Lominsan in Limsa Lominsa Lower Decks (X:9.8, Y:12.0)  and complete the level 60 quest “Shall We Dance”. 

Endwalker Jobs

Both Reaper and Sage were added with Endwalker, both of which can be picked up and begun at level 70. 

Reaper quests

How to unlock: Head to Ul’dah - Steps of Nald and talk to the Flustered Attendant (X:12.8, Y:8.6) to complete the level 70 quest “The Killer Instinct”. 

Sage quests

How to unlock: Talk to Lalah Jinjahl in Limsa Lominsa to pick up and complete the level 70 quest “Sage’s Path”. 

Dawntrail Jobs

Finally, Dawntrail added two new jobs in Pictomancer and Viper. Both Jobs begin at level 80. Neither job rewards additional actions through completing Job quests, but you should complete them nonetheless. 

Pictomancer quests

How to unlock: Talk to the Cheerless Healer in Old Gridania (X:8.0, Y:10.3) to pick up and complete the level 80 quest “The Joy of Pictomancy”. 

Viper quests

How to unlock: Complete the level 80 quest “Enter the Viper” by talking to the Worried Weaver in Ul’dah - Steps of Nald (X:9.3, Y:9.2).

The post FFXIV: All class and job quests, listed appeared first on Destructoid.

There's little worse than not being able to log in and play your favorite RPG because of server issues. That is what is happening with players encountering error 2002 when trying to play Final Fantasy XIV. If you have been having the same issue, there are some things you can try to fix it. Let's go through them and we are sure to get you playing in no time.

What is error code 2002?

This FFXIV Error does not give you a lot of information. You will be simply kicked out of the lobby, with a message saying "The lobby server connection has encountered an error" or a similar text "The data-center connection has encountered an error" with code 2002. Unfortunately, that's all of the information you have, so this is where you have to find out if the problem is on the server's side or on your home connection.

Naturally, many players trying to log in at the same time will cause servers to react much slower than usual and, of course, lobbies to be the first to start acting up. With the 2002 error, basically the server ensures that the lobby won't be overcrowded and the server can avoid being too lagged or even crashing. So what can you do to fix it?

How to fix Final Fantasy XIV error code 2002

First of all, you want to make sure the problem is not on the servers' side. To do that, you can check the server status by going to this website. If all the servers are in the green status, then things seem to be working fine. Still, that doesn't mean that you won't get the error, but at least you know you won't need to wait for technical maintenance to be finished.

Restart your router

This is a simple fix that we recommend doing to make sure your connection does not have any issues. Turn off and unplug your router, then let it rest for a couple of minutes before plugging it back in again. You might also want to restart your PC after this, in case you have not done so already.

Renew your IP address and DNS

This is a process that simply refreshes your IP address and DNS, to make sure your connection is up and running. Follow these steps.

• Press the Windows key + R
• Type cmd.exe then hit enter
• In the screen that opens, first type "ipconfig /release" then enter.
• Now type "ipconfig /flushdns" then press enter.
• Finally, type "ipconfig /renew" then press enter.

Use a standard DNS

You can try to use a standard Google DNS to make sure your internet options are being configured correctly. Follow these steps.

• Head to the Windows Control Panel.
• Now click on "Network and Internet", then on "Network and Sharing Center" and finally on "Change adapter settings" in the list on the left.
• Right-click on the connection you are currently using (with the green connection) and select "Properties".
• You will see a list of items in use by the connection, scroll to the "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)", right-click then select "Properties".
• In the following screen, select "Use the following DNS server addresses".
• Input "8.8.8.8" as the preferred DNS server and "8.8.4.4" as the Alternate DNS Server.
• Click OK and reboot your router and computer.

Add Final Fantasy XIV to your firewall exceptions

If you are using a firewall, such as Windows Defender, you want to make sure Final Fantasy XIV is among the exception rules, otherwise, the game won't be allowed to communicate with the internet. Follow these steps.

• Head to the Windows Firewall app.
• Click on "Allow an app to communicate through Windows Defender Firewall" from the list on the left.
• Click on "change settings" in the upper right, then on "Allow another app".
• Select the game from the folder that you have installed it in.
• Click "Add" and select both "Private" and "Public" in the tab.
• Click OK and restart the game.

Change Data Center

If all of these options still haven't worked, as a last resort it is possible to change your local Data center. This will allow you to try to connect to a less populated World, even though it is not a choice we would recommend as it can be quite a long process and not even guaranteed to solve your issue. To initiate the process, select the character on the main login screen and then select the “visit another data center” option. The game will show you which data centers you can visit at this time, note that the transfer might take a while.

The post How to fix Final Fantasy XIV (FF14) Error Code 2002 appeared first on Destructoid.

Whether you’re a hardcore raider, spend all of your time adventuring, or are addicted to glamouring in Final Fantasy XIV, one thing that all players have in common is a worrying amount of Gil spent on the Marketboard. 

The Marketboard in FFXIV is essentially a place where players can sell their own unwanted items to make some much-needed money. Prices aren’t set by any kind of rule, and they fluctuate depending on demand, so you never know how much your items are going to sell for. On the other hand, it’s hard to gauge how much Gil you’ll need to part with in order to get the items you want. 

While it’s entirely possible to check on Marketboard prices while you’re logged in and wandering around Eorzea, it’s not always possible to get online to check prices. Thankfully, there are a couple of options if you want to check the market on the go. 

How to check FFXIV Marketboard prices using the Companion App

If you play FFXIV and haven’t downloaded the Companion App yet, then you’re missing out on some features that can be used on the go, away from Eorzea, including access to the Marketboard in a limited way. You can buy or sell through the Companion App, check prices for any item, and see the sale history for those items as well. 

There are some stipulations to this, though. You can only buy or sell as many items as you have Kupo Nuts, which are earned through logging into the Companion App daily, and you can only carry a maximum of two with a free subscription to the app. Subscribing to the Premium service in the Companion App allows you to earn two Kupo Nuts per day and hold more in total. 

Kupo Nuts also expire 180 days after they’re obtained. It’s worth logging in once a day and making use of these Kupo Nuts, even if it’s just to adjust the prices of items you’re already selling through your Retainers. 

How to check FFXIV Marketboard prices using Universalis

Universalis is a fan-made resource that uses crowd-sourced information to provide up-to-date information regarding sales and purchases of items on the Marketboard across all servers, something that you can't even do in-game unless you physically travel to a different server or data center. This is where it has the Companion App beat because it allows you to not only check prices on your own server but also cross-compare against other servers and data centers, allowing you to plan server-hopping escapades to get the best price. 

Sadly, you can’t purchase or sell items through Universalis, but it does allow you to keep an eye on patterns and fluctuations that take place, ensuring that you sell your items at the right time or make the most of a slump in an item's price. You can also set up alerts, allowing you to stay up to date on an item's price and make a run for Eorzea if the need arises.

The post How to check FFXIV Marketboard prices without logging in appeared first on Destructoid.

2024 is at an end, and with the world slowly starting to welcome 2025, the Heavensturn event is back in Final Fantasy XIV, celebrating Eastern culture and the year of the snake. Here’s how to get all of the Heavensturn 2025 rewards. 

The events during Heavensturn events are never particularly challenging, but those during the 2025 event are easier than they’ve been in recent years. Getting your hands on the Great White Tsuchinoko minion is remarkably easy, as long as you have some knowledge of Eastern culture and customs, as well as some understanding of in-game lore. 

How to get the Great White Tsuchinoko minion in FFXIV

To begin the Heavensturn 2025 event quest, head to Limsa Lominsa and make your way to the Aftcastle. When you get there, seek out the Hebi Bugyo (X:11.5, Y:13.9) and talk to them to start the level level 15 quest “Heavensssturn Trivia”. 

The Bugyo will send you off to talk to her three sisters to answer three snake-based questions, in honor of the year of the snake. You’ll need to hunt down all three sisters nearby, and each will pose a question before giving you a selection of possible answers. 

Related: How to Unlock Containment Bay S1T7 in FFXIV

Rather than guessing your way through, here are the three sisters locations, their questions, and the answers you should give:

Blue hebi yoriki (X:11.1, Y:12.7)

• Question: What blessing can one hope to receive from the humble Hebi?
• Answer: Fair fortune

Yellow hebi yoriki (X:10.8, Y:10.5)

• Question: Some snakes are luckier than others and they happen to have one thing in common: their color. What color are they?
• Answer: White

Red hebi yoriki (X:10.3,Y: 7.9)

• Question: What did the people of Hingashi use to pay respects during Heavensturn?
• Answer: Rice cakes

Once you’ve answered all three questions correctly, you can head back to Hebi Bugyo at the Aftcastle to complete the quest and get the Great White Tsuchinoko minion. 

Other Heavensturn 2025 rewards

As well as the main minion reward from completing the event quest, there are also a couple of other event exclusive items available to purchase as well. These can be bought from the Hebi Shonin (X:11.4, Y:13.6).

The items you can purchase here are as follows:

• Zoni (16 Gil)
• Magicked Prism (Advent Cakes) (19 Gil)
• Oriental New Year’s Meal (5,000 Gil)
• Springtide Fan Stand (2,000 Gil)

Last year's event quest reward, the Ryunosuke minion, is also now available to purchase on the FFXIV Online Store, costing $5 USD.

How to get an Omikujishi in FFXIV

An Omikujishi is a fortune that is supposed to give you a hint about how the next 12 months can go but doesn’t take it too seriously. You can receive as many Omikujishis as you like, but you’ll need to pay 100 Gil per fortune. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a good fortune the first time around, but you can always just keep going until you get something that doesn’t sound completely terrible.

To get your fortune for the year ahead, talk to the Far Eastern Omikujishi (X:11.7, Y:14.1), and you’ll enter into a cutscene. After shaking around the red box, your fortune will appear on screen. You won’t be able to revisit a fortune after you’ve pressed escape, so make sure to screenshot it if you want to keep hold of it. 

The post How to get the Great White Tsuchinoko minion in Final Fantasy XIV (Heavensturn 2025 event guide) appeared first on Destructoid.

Heavensturn is either the first or last event of the Final Fantasy XIV calendar, depending on how you look at it, celebrating Eastern traditions as well as the animal of the upcoming year’s Chinese Zodiac. 

Heavensturn will begin on December 31, 2024, and will be available to complete until January 16, 2025. This year’s quest is called “Blessed Hebi Squirm as the Heavens Turn”, and to begin the event you’ll need to head to Limsa Lominsa and talk to Hebi Bugyo (X:11.5, Y:13.9).

With 2025 being the Year of the Snake, symbolizing a particularly creative year filled with growth, it should come as no surprise to long-term players that a beloved and instantly recognizable little friend is returning for the festivities — The Great Serpent of Ronka. The little dude is coming back in the shape of a new minion, The Great White Tsuchinoko, complete with a tangerine atop its head and a seasonally appropriate ribbon around its neck. 

Along with the new adorable minion, a couple of new housing items will also be available for purchase during the event. The table-based Oriental New Year’s Meal and wall-based Springtide Fan Stand will be purchased using Gil from one of the event’s merchants, likely located in Limsa Lominsa close to the returning Omikujishi.

The Omikujishi is where you can get fortunes for the upcoming year, ranging from promising to disastrous. It’s not currently known whether any new fortunes have been added this year to include facts and lore from Dawntrail, but there were 12 new fortunes added last year that are likely to return, so keep an eye out for those. 

Keep an eye on the FFXIV Online Store as this year’s Heavensturn gets underway because the Ryunosuke minion that was rewarded for completing last year’s event will become available for purchase as the event goes live, alongside the other rewards that were only available last year. 

The post FFXIV celebrates year of the snake with Great Serpent of Ronka themed Heavensturn event appeared first on Destructoid.

The Sightseeing Log has been a staple in Final Fantasy XIV since it was introduced back in patch 2.28, encouraging players to explore areas they wouldn’t usually go to and offering rewards for the effort. 

Each expansion has added a collection of new Vistas to locate and interact with, and Dawntrail is no different. Dawntrail adds an additional 45 Vistas to find, and although there is no title or physical reward for finding all of them, the views themselves are breathtaking and worth seeking out. 

How to unlock Vistas in FFXIV

Originally, some Vistas could only be unlocked by using specific emotes or at different times of the Eorzean day. Thankfully, this process has been simplified over the years and unlocking Vistas in Dawntrail is done by simply standing in the glowing orb and using the “/lookout” emote. After doing so, a pop-up will appear containing the name of the Vista and more information about it.

To check which Vistas you still have to check off, you can open up the "Logs" menu and then select "Sightseeing Log." You can see Vistas from all expansions here, and the ones that you've yet to find will be shown as a question mark on top of footprints.

Vistas don’t show up on your maps, mini or otherwise, and the only way you’ll find them is if you stumble across them by accident or are guided there. If you want to unlock all of the Vistas in Dawntrail, here’s a full list of where they can be found. 

Complete guide to Dawntrail’s Sightseeing Log

The 45 Vistas scattered across Dawntrail areas are split between the eight different areas, and only about half (1 - 29) are unlocked by completing the initial quest in Tuliyollal. To unlock Vistas 29 - 45, you’ll need to head to Solution Nine and talk to Emeline Ironheart (X:16.7, Y:13.1) to complete a quest called “Sights of the West and Beyond.” 

Tuliyollal Vistas

There are a total of five Vistas to find in Tuliyollal, located in the following places:

Urqopacha Vistas

Urqopacha comes with six Vistas to be discovered and unlocked. They can be found in the following locations:

Kozama’uka Vistas

As with Urqopacha, Kozama’uka has six Vistas:

Kozama’uka Vistas

Six more Vistas can be found in Yak T’el, located in the following places:

Shaaloani Vistas

Shaaloani only comes with five new Vistas to locate:

Solution Nine Vistas

Before you can find the five Vistas in Solution Nine or subsequent areas, you’ll need to complete the quest mentioned above:

Heritage Found Vistas

Although you have to go through Heritage Found to reach Solution Nine, you won’t be able to find or unlock any of the six Vistas there until after you’ve unlocked Solution Nine and completed the unlock quest for the second half of Dawntrail’s Sightseeing Log:

Living Memory Vistas

The final six Vistas can be found in the following locations in Living Memory after completing the unlock quest for the second round of Dawntrail Vistas:

The post FFXIV: All Sightseeing Log locations in Dawntrail appeared first on Destructoid.

Custom Deliveries in Final Fantasy XIV are an excellent way to gain EXP for your crafters and gatherers, as well as earning Scrips for exclusive items and improved gear. You also get to meet some interesting characters, and there are titles up for grabs as well. 

Before you can even begin to think about undertaking Custom Deliveries, you’ll need to unlock Collectables and the Scrip Exchange. This starts at level fifty with Inscrutable Tastes, and additional ongoing quests become available as you level up. These further quests unlock more inventory and higher-level collectible appraisers in different expansion locations. 

Here’s the list of quests and which level you need to be to unlock them, as well as what they unlock:

How do Custom Deliveries work in Final Fantasy XIV?

Custom Deliveries can be completed by either crafting or gathering classes, and once unlocked, Custom Delivery NPCs will have specific requests for items. These differ depending on which class you’re playing and change depending on how many items you’ve previously handed in. 

In order for a Custom Delivery to be accepted by the NPC, you need to make sure that the Collectability rating of the item is high enough. This is managed through careful use of actions and gets easier with better gear. 

Successfully handed-in items reward Scrips, Gil, and EXP, so Custom Deliveries are worthwhile if you’re looking to improve your gear or increase your level. As you hand in more items, the ‘Satisfaction rank’ of the recipient NPC will increase. 

You’ll need to hand in three deliveries to reach rank two and then six per level between three and five. You can complete a maximum of 12 deliveries per week and six deliveries per single NPC per week, so you’ll need to juggle your allocation wisely or otherwise focus on one Custom Deliveries NPC at a time. 

After reaching rank 5 with an NPC, you’ll receive a title reward and some of them will allow you to dress them, and there are titles up for grabs for giving a fixed number of deliveries to each NPC.

Heavensward Custom Deliveries

Zhloe Aliapoh

Location: Idyllshire (X:5.8, Y:7.0)

To unlock Zhloe Aliapoh’s Custom Deliveries, you’ll need to have completed the following:

• The level 58 MSQ quest “A Great New Nation”
• The level 60 side quest “Go West, Craftsman”

Once you’ve done that, talk to Geimolona in Idyllshire (X:5.8, Y:6.9) and pick up the quest “Arms Wide Open”. 

Stormblood Custom Deliveries

M’naago

Location: Rhaglr’s Reach (X:14.6, Y:9.4)

To unlock M’naago, you’ll need to have completed the following quests:

• The level 70 post-Stormblood MSQ quest “Return of the Bull”
• The level 60 side quest “Reach Long and Prosper”

After doing that, make sure you are equipped as either a Disciple of the Land or Hand class and head to Rhalgr’s Reach to talk to Galiena (X:9.8, Y:12.5). Pick up the quest “None Forgotten, None Forsaken”. 

Kurenai

Location: The Ruby Sea (X:28.3, Y:15.3)

Kurenai is harder to unlock than most of the other Custom Deliveries NPCs and requires the completion of an entire questline. To unlock her, make sure you’ve done the following:

• Complete the level 63 MSQ quest “Forever and Ever Apart”
• Unlock M’naago by completing the level 60 quest “None Forgotten, None Forsaken” 
• Complete Kurenai’s questline, including the following level 63 quests:

  • “The Palace of Lost Souls” 
  • “Fathoms Below” 
  • “A Part of Your World”
  • “The Elixir of Life”
  • “The Two Princesses of Sui-no-Sato”

Once you’ve completed all of these quests, you can head to Kugane and talk to Kojin Hireling (X:10.1, Y:9.9). Pick up the quest “The Seaweed Is Always Greener” and complete the quest to unlock Kurenai as a Custom Delivery NPC. 

Adkiragh

Location: Idyllshire (X:4.8, Y:6.6)

Adkiragh is located quite close to Zhloe in Idyllshire, though he doesn’t unlock as a Custom Delivery NPC until much later. He’s got a giant golden pig head, you can’t miss him. To unlock him, you’ll need to do the following:

• Complete the level 70 MSQ quest “Stormblood”
• Unlock Zhloe by completing the level 60 side quest “Arms Wide Open”
• Complete the level 65 side quest “Purbol Rain”

Once you’ve done this, you can talk to Geimlona in Idyllshire (X:5.7, Y:6.9) to pick up Adkiragh’s unlock quest, “Between a Rock and a Hard Place”. 

Shadowbringers Custom Deliveries

Kai-Shirr

Location: Eulmore (X:11.7, Y:11.7)

In order to unlock Kai-Shirr, you’ll need to complete the following:

• Complete the level 80 post-Shadowbringers MSQ quest “Moving Forward”
• Complete the level 80 side quest “The Boutique Always Wins” to unlock Shadowbringers collectibles

Having done this, head to Eulmore and talk to Kai-Shirr himself at the above-mentioned location, picking up the unlock quest “Oh, Beehive Yourself”. 

Ehll Tou

Location: The Firmament (X:13.5, Y:11.2)

Ehll Tou is one of two Custom Deliveries NPCs within The Firmament, so it goes without saying that you should definitely unlock The Firmament. To do this, you’ll need to interact with a Recruitment Notice in Foundation (X:9.7, Y:11.5). You’ll need to complete the following quests of the Firmament questline before you can unlock Ehll Tou:

• “Towards the Firmament”
• “A Home in the Firmament”
• “Overseer for a Day”
• “Shadow of an Icy Past”
• “To That a Frozen Heart”

Alongside doing this, you’ll need to have done the following:

• Complete the level 60 MSQ quest “Litany of Peace”
• Complete the level 60 side quest “Go West, Craftsman”

Once you’ve done that, head to The Firmament and talk to Ehll Tou (X:14.2, Y:12.7). Complete the following two quests to unlock the little dragon’s Custom Deliveries:

• “If Songs Had Wings”
• “O Crafter, My Crafter”

Charlemend

Location: The Firmament (X:8.9, Y:8.5)

Before you can unlock the second of the two Custom Deliveries NPCs within the Firmament, you’ll need to complete the rest of the Firmament questline quests:

• “The Making of a Market”
• “Dealings in the Desert”
• “A Parley with Pirates”
• “May Featherfall Flourish”
• “Not by Bread Alone”
• “Francel’s Fervent Wish”
• “An Unexpected Symphony”
• “Smiles Across the Sky”

You’ll also need to have completed the following quests:

• The level 60 side quest “The Brume Lifts”
• The level 60 side quest “Go West, Craftsman”

Once you’ve done that, find Francel within The Firmament (X:11.0, Y:14.5) and pick up the quest “You Can Count on It” to unlock Charlemend as a Custom Delivery option. 

Endwalker Custom Deliveries

Ameliance

Location: Old Sharlayan (X:15.6, Y:7.2)

Having adventured alongside Alisaie and Alphinaud for a very long time, I have to admit it’s quite nice to get to know their family. Ameliance is the mother of the twins, and in order to unlock her Custom Deliveries, you’ll need to have completed the following:

• Level 90 MSQ quest “Endwalker”
• Level 60 side quest “Go West, Craftsman”

If you’ve done this, you can head to Old Sharlayan and talk to the Well-dressed Attendant (X:12.6, Y:9.7).

Anden

Location: Il Mheg (X:17.0, Y:34.0)

Anden is a pretty unforgettable Custom Deliveries NPC, mainly because for most of his story he has a bush for a head. You’ll find him in Il Mheg, but you’ll need to complete the following before he becomes available for Custom Deliveries:

• The level 90 MSQ quest “Endwalker”
• The level 60 side quest “Go West, Craftsman”

Once you’ve ticked those off of your to-do list, head to The Crystarium and find a Supplicant Sheep (X:9.3, Y:11.3). Pick up the quest “That’s So Anden”, and complete it to unlock his Custom Deliveries. 

Margrat

Location: Labyrinthos (X:20.4, Y:20.1)

Before you can unlock Margrat as a Custom Deliveries NPC, make sure you’ve done the following:

• Complete the level 90 post-Endwalker MSQ quest “Going Haam”
• Complete the level 60 side quest “Go West, Craftsman”

Having done that, go to Old Sharlayan and pick up the quest “A Request of One’s Own” from Theopauldin (X:13.8, Y:15.0).

Dawntrail Custom Deliveries

Nitowikwe

Nitowikwe is a female Hroth’gar who works alongside the shades of some very familiar faces first encountered during the main story of Shadowbringers on The First. She can be found in Shaaloani, and working through her Custom Deliveries and leveling her up will allow you to unlock the Dawnblazer glamor set. 

To unlock Nitowikwe, you’ll need to have completed the following:

• Complete the level 100 quest “The Warmth of Family”
• Complete the level 60 side quest “Go West, Craftsman”

Once you’ve ticked off these steps, head to Tulliyolal and talk to the Railroad Employee (X:14.1, Y:12.1) while equipped as a crafting or gathering class to pick up the quest called “Laying New Tracks”. This will be the first step to actually unlocking Nitowikwe and learning her story. 

The post How to unlock all Custom Deliveries in Final Fantasy XIV appeared first on Destructoid.

Wachumeqimeqi Deliveries are an amazing way to not only gain a ton of experience for your crafters in Final Fantasy XIV but also get into the nitty-gritty of the lore in Yak Tural and beyond. 

If you’re looking to level your crafters from 90 to 100 in Dawntrail, I strongly recommend doing the Wachumeqimeqi Deliveries side quests. While some of the crafts themselves can be a little challenging with under-leveled gear (if you’re like me and stubbornly refuse to buy any new gear before hitting 100), the stories told by the Wachumeqimeqi NPCs are touching, and each grants a unique title. 

If you’re wondering which crafting or gathering class to start leveling first, or you just want to know what you’re up against before you get there, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. 

Wachumeqimeqi crafting NPCs

For each crafting-related NPC in Wachumeqimeqi Deliveries, there are six quests to complete (not including the initial introductory quest). For most of these, you’ll need to source your own materials either through gathering or purchasing them on the Marketboard. For each NPC, the second level 95 quest materials and only level 100 quest materials are provided as part of the quest. 

Apart from the second level 95 quest and the level 100 quest, you’ll need to make six of each item.

XRral Soj Metalwares

Epistles by Pameka

Xeerol Ja Juicecraft

Wachumeqimeqi gathering NPCs

Gathering quests in Wachumeqimeqi work similarly to those for crafting, except you have to go out into the world and find the needed items. To help, I’ll note where each item can be found. 

Shunye’s Apothecary

Fish Fancies Donuhanu

Additional Wachumeqimeqi quests

Once you’ve completed all of the quests for each of the individual Wachumeqimeqi vendors, you’ll unlock additional quests that serve to wrap up the storyline and provide rewards for doing so. 

To pick up these quests, you’ll need to have completed all previous Wachumeqimeqi quests and also the MSQ of Dawntrail up to and including the level 100 quest “Dawntrail”. Once you’ve done this, head to Tuliyollal and talk to Ropli (X:16.1, Y:11.1) and pick up the quest "Appreciated Value". 

The additional quest itself is a relatively simple one to complete and just involves you talking to all of the various vendors from Wachumeqimeqi in various locations. The reward for completing "Appreciated Value" is a Wachumeqimeqi Balloon furniture item that can be placed down in your house or apartment, showing off your dedication to the cause. You'll also unlock the "Trade and True" achievement, which comes with the "Beader of Bonds" title.

The post FFXIV Wachumeqimeqi Deliveries: All recipes and ingredients listed appeared first on Destructoid.

If you’ve been playing FFXIV for a while, you’ll be no stranger to Custom Deliveries. They’re not only a rich source of EXP for your crafting and gathering classes, but they’re also full of additional lore. As part of the 7.15 update, the first Custom Delivery NPC has been added — Nitowikwe. 

Nitowikwe is a female Hroth’gar who lives in Shaaloani, and we already know at least some of her storyline thanks to her involvement in the main story of Dawntrail. We also know that by working through her storyline and delivering her requests, we’ll be able to get our hands on a very nice glamor set. 

Because of this known reward, it’s definitely worth going through the effort of unlocking Nitowikwe’s Custom Deliveries and completing her requests and storyline. Custom Deliveries are also always 10 levels below the maximum level for any expansion, so they’re an excellent way to level both your crafting and gathering classes to the maximum level. 

With all of that in mind, here’s how to unlock Nitowikwe as well as everything you need to know about her quests.

How to unlock Nitowikwe in Final Fantasy XIV

Before you can unlock Nitowikwe, you’ll need to have ticked off everything on the following checklist:

• Complete the MSQ up to and including the level 100 MSQ quest “The Warmth of Family"
• Complete the level 60 side quest “Go West, Craftsman” with Lydirlona in Mor Dhona
• Have at least one crafting or gathering class leveled to level 90

While equipped as a crafting or gathering class that’s at least level 90, speak to the Railroad Employee close to the main Aetheryte Plaza in Tuliyollal (X:14.1, Y:12.1) to pick up the level 90 quest called “Laying New Tracks”. 

You’ll immediately be sent off to Shaaloani Railroad Station, which is best accessed via the Sheshenewezi Springs Aetheryte. When you get there, talk to Shenza (X:19.7, Y:16.6) then go directly back to Sheshenewezi Springs to talk to Wawlika in the main Railroad Office. To prevent Nitowikwe from having to step down as the train’s driver, it’s up to us to keep the Railroad sufficiently stocked.

After unlocking her, Nitowikwe can be found near the Sheshenewezi Springs Aetheryte at (X:14.3, Y:19.3). She’ll be here at all times, and you’ll be able to hand in six deliveries per week to get some precious EXP, Gil and Crafters’ or Gatherers’ Scrips, depending on your chosen class. 

There are also two new vendors that are helpful in completing Nitowikwe’s Custom Deliveries, both of which are located next to her:

• Peyapewi

  • Merchant selling materials to complete Custom Deliveries for Nitowikwe

• Kenawna

  • Scrip Exchange

After every 12 deliveries, you’ll increase your satisfaction level with Nitowikwe and unlock a new recipe to make for her (or an item to source, if you’re working on a gathering class). After reaching Satisfaction Level 5 with Nitowikwe, you’ll be able to pick up a second quest in her storyline and be one step closer to getting the Dawnblazer glamour set.

The post How to unlock Nitowikwe Custom Deliveries in Final Fantasy XIV appeared first on Destructoid.