By gamingepicenter.com 
Final Fantasy 14 players, rejoice! Nearly three years after the launch of Endwalker, the critically acclaimed MMO is finally got its next expansion. Dawntrail released on July 2nd of 2024 for Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PS5, and PC, presenting a brave new journey in an unknown land with tons of new content. Here are 15 things you should know before setting sail. Read more such articles on Gamingepicenter.com
After the culmination of an almost 8-year long saga, what’s next for the Warrior of Light and the Scions? For starters, a new continent called Tural, where they depart for a rite of succession ceremony. Divided into two land masses, Shak Turl and Yak Turl, it has plenty of new characters to meet and stories to experience. Though the stakes aren’t quite as high as the previous expansion, there is plenty of intrigue in Tural, especially when it comes to the mysterious Shades Triangle, inspired by the Bermuda Triangle.
2. New Cities
Of course, it wouldn’t be a new continent without some new cities. Tural is the first, extending from the harbor up a mountain, where people from all over the continent congregate. It’s a melting pot of cultures. On the other hand, there’s Solution Nine, a futuristic-looking city built by a different civilization. What ultimately leads the player here is unknown, but it’s a huge paradigm shift from Tural.
3. New Areas
Beyond the cities, fans will explore Kacha with its vast mountains and vibrant greenery; Kazuka with its expansive forests and plentiful waterfalls; Yakel, where you’ll find cenotes, wild animals, and extensive woodlands; and Sha Alo An, which are dry plains but also where a railroad is being constructed, giving it some Wild West vibes. Heritage Found, a neon-lit area full of thunderclouds, is also included. Each area is home to different beings and cultures, not to mention enemies and potential bosses.
4. New Enemies
Speaking of new enemies, there’s the mysterious mechanical Eliminator with a massive blade and gun barrel on its right arm and a huge hand on its left, perhaps for firing lasers. It also has a strange drone near it, perhaps to assist. Another new threat is the Barrel Tender, which looks like a super buff coeurl. However, the most challenging foe appears to be V Ganda, described as Tural’s mightiest beast and nicknamed the Sky Ruin. Whether it’s a potential story or trial boss, we’ll have to wait and see.
5. New and Returning Characters
Though Thancred and Urianger of the Scions accompany you to the new world, the cast will have plenty of newcomers. There’s Wuk Lamat, competing to win the throne of Tural for the ruling family; Aaronville, Wuk’s childhood friend who guides the player; Kanana, who believes technology is the best path forward for the nation; Zoral Ja, commander of the Landsguard; and the enigmatic Maiden, who appears now and again with a mysterious look. Going by the title’s history, this surely won’t lead to anything bigger. Not at all.
6. New People and Cultures
Each area you explore has different people and cultures to experience, with some lending a hand. Take the Pell, who are small but skilled in crafting and trade. There are the Moblins, who specialize in metalwork and hang around Kazuma searching for materials. The giant Yakhoi inhabit more mountainous areas, though they’re far less in number than others, while the Hanu Hanu are bird people with bright feathers found in watery locations.
7. New Jobs
It wouldn’t be a new expansion without some new jobs, and thankfully there are two new additions to play around with: Viper and Pictomancer. The former specializes in melee combat, striking fast with dual blades that can combine into a two-handed blade staff. They’re not exactly team players, favoring self-buffs to maximize damage.
On the other hand, there’s the Pictomancer, who wields a brush to deploy different magical spells of varying elements and unique abilities. A limited job, Beastmaster, is also coming, though it won’t be available at launch.
8. Increased Level Cap
Previous expansions have raised the level cap, and for better or worse, Dawntrail is sticking to the trend. It’s raising the max level cap from 90 to 100, affecting all jobs in the game. New skills will also be added to keep things fresh, while the Astrologian and Dragoon are getting some reworks.
9. Alliance Raid Series
New alliance raids are inbound, allowing 24 players to get together and tackle some challenging endgame content. The latest series is Echo of Vana’diel, and if that sounds familiar, it’s because Final Fantasy 14 will be crossing over with its predecessor, Final Fantasy 11. Not much is known aside from the tease of venturing to Vana’diel, but it’s exciting all the same.
10. The Arcadian Raid Series
For eight-player raiding groups, there’s The Arcadian. Judging by the official website’s description, it appears to be a competition with top-tier fighters pitting fists against fists and magic against magic in front of a live crowd. It’s an intriguing concept for the MMO, and like previous raid series, it will have regular and savage difficulties, the latter arriving later in July.
11. New Dungeons
Four-player groups can expect new dungeons, one of them being Ihi Kumu, requiring level 91 and starting as a jungle river cruise before venturing to some underground areas. The others have yet to be detailed, but at least one is in Heritage Found, which means players will get up close and personal with those lightning storms.
12. Cosmic Exploration
If you were a fan of the Island Sanctuary’s lifestyle gameplay, Cosmic Exploration looks to go even bigger. You explore different planets and help the Leryt to develop them. The moon appears to be one such location, and it seems multiplayer will have a heavier focus in the new activity. Dawntrail will only be the start, with additional planets to be added in subsequent patches.
13. First Major Graphical Update
For as long as Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn has been available, it’s surprising that Dawntrail will mark the arrival of its first big graphical update. It brings sweeping improvements to material qualities, shadow resolution, textures, and environments. You can expect features like skin tones, facial hair, eyes, and more to look better, revamped environmental lighting, and shinier-looking armor.
Of course, the system requirements are increasing as a result, with the developer listing an Intel Core i7-9700, 16GB of RAM, GeForce RTX 2060 or AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT, and an SSD with 140GB space as recommended for Final Fantasy 14
14. New Trials, Ultimate Raid, Female Hrothgar, and More
There’s much more for players to look forward to, from new variant dungeons and trials to Gold Saucer and Blue Mage updates. You can also look forward to, yes, somehow, more inconceivably further Hildibrand adventures, new Unreal trials, and a new deep dungeon. Futures Rewritten is also getting an ultimate difficulty for a greater challenge to experience. Raiders and everyone can finally play as a female Hrothgar.
15. Early Access
Like many games these days, you can get early access to Dawntrail, which allows for starting on June 28th instead of July 2nd. However, this bonus isn’t exclusive to the more expensive edition. Whether you pre-purchase the standard or collector’s edition, you can get in four days early.
15 Key Things to Know About Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail Expansion Conclusion
As the release of Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail approaches, excitement continues to build in the gaming community. With new regions to explore, jobs to master, and stories to uncover, this expansion promises to deliver an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re a veteran adventurer or a newcomer to Eorzea, there’s something for everyone in Dawntrail. Prepare to embark on a journey filled with wonder, challenge, and camaraderie.
15 Key Things to Know About Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail Expansion FAQS
1. What is the release date for Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail?
Dawntrail will be released on July 2, 2024, with early access available for pre-orders starting on June 28, 2024.
2. What new jobs are introduced in Dawntrail?
The expansion introduces two new jobs: the Viper, a melee DPS class, and the Pictomancer, a magical ranged DPS class.
3. Will there be a level cap increase in Dawntrail?
Yes, the level cap will increase from 90 to 100, allowing players to unlock new abilities and develop their characters further.
4. What new regions can players explore in Dawntrail?
Players will explore the new region of Yok Tural, featuring diverse landscapes and cultures inspired by Mesoamerican and Latin American influences.
5. Are there any pre-order bonuses for Dawntrail?
Yes, pre-ordering the expansion grants players the Wind-Up Zidane Minion and Azeyma’s Earrings, which provide a 30% experience boost up to level 90.