Which FFXIV Expansions to Play First?

Last Fantasy XIV is arguably probably the most in style MMORPGs on this planet, if not the preferred. The sport has a decade’s value of expansions, and we now have six of them in complete, which incorporates the latest Dawntrail. Every expac opens up new areas, content material, and objects and progresses the general story with every marketing campaign. If you wish to play FFXIV expansions in chronological order, then right here is the development for the entire sport.

Do You Should Play All Expansions in Order?

Sure and no. In gameplay phrases, you solely have to play A Realm Reborn and the latest growth to meet up with the remainder of the neighborhood. You’ll have the ability to sufficiently degree with simply these two expacs, and the gear you get from the latest updates could have you caught up on the present meta. As well as, your development will likely be rather more environment friendly should you deal with the primary and final expansions from the get-go. If you wish to accumulate sure cosmetics from particular campaigns, we advise you to comply with this route first to be sufficiently leveled for many fights. 

Nevertheless, following the chronological order of the expansions can assist you recognize the sport’s lore. Eorzea’s storyline has probably the most thrilling and compelling plots in any MMO, and every character you meet and place you go to leaves a mark on you. Listed below are all of the expansions if you wish to do them in chronological order:

Earlier than A Realm Reborn, FFXIV existed in a earlier model of the world, however the sport was deemed a failure and obtained damaging suggestions from most MMO avid gamers. Happily, Sq. Enix, beneath Yoshi P’s directive, was in a position to revive the sport to its present state by remaking the entire of Last Fantasy XIV with the beginning of A Realm Reborn. 

FFXIV 1.0

This model of FFXIV was launched again in 2010 and is now not playable. This one lined the Sixth Astral Period of Eorzea, which targeted on the battle between the Garlean Empire and the whole continent. The entire story culminated within the Battle of Carteneau, which ended within the occasion generally known as the Catalyst. The Garlean Empire tried to drop the moon Dalamud out of the sky. Upon Dalamud breaking in half throughout this course of, it launched the Primal Bahamut. This occasion triggered 1000’s of deaths however was resolved by the sacrifice made by the sage Louisoix and his disciples. After this occasion, the Seventh Umbral Period began, which initiated A Realm Reborn.

A Realm Reborn

Fast Information:

• Launch Date: August 27, 2013
• New Lessons: Paladin, Warrior, Dragoon, Monk, Bard, Black Mage, Summoner, Scholar, White Mage, and Ninja
• New Raids: The Binding Coil of Bahamut, The Second Coil of Bahamut, and The Last Coil of Bahamut 

ARR is taken into account the weakest by way of storyline as a result of the bottom sport’s principal job was to revive FFXIV, which it efficiently did. It focuses on organising lots of the foundations of the present world, so it was bloated with info. It launched many much-needed modifications whereas additionally offering us with an thrilling storyline. 

Lore (Spoiler Alert)

ARR begins 5 years after the occasions of Carteneau, and it marks the primary look of the Warrior Gentle, who’s the chosen of Mom Crystal Hydaelyn. Gamers can begin within the city-states of Gridania, Ul’dah, or Limsa Lominsa. This entire arc revolves round coNFLicts between the Scions and the Primals and a few incursions in opposition to the Garlean Empire. The Ascians have revealed themselves once more and are proven to be the masterminds behind the Garlean’s plan to make use of the Ultima Weapon. Whereas the Scions defeated the Ascians and destroyed the Ultima Weapon, they have been shortly pressured into exile following the struggle because the group was accused of poisoning the Sultana of Ul’dah.

Heavensward

Fast Information:

• Launch Date: June 23, 2015
• New Content material: Ishgard
• New Lessons: Darkish Knight, Astrologian, and Machinist
• New Raids: Alexander – The Fist of the Father, Alexander – The Cuff of the Father, Alexander – The Arm of the Father, Alexander – The Burden of the Father, Alexander – The Fist of the Son, Alexander – The Cuff of the Son, Alexander – The Arm of the Son, Alexander – The Burden of the Son, Alexander – The Eyes of the Creator, Alexander – The Breath of the Creator, Alexander – The Coronary heart of the Creator, Alexander – The Soul of the Creator

Heavensward rapidly ramps up the liveliness of FFXIV’s world-building by offering us with extra dramatic aptitude and fantasy. It’s action-packed and filled with participating storylines, which set the bar for all subsequent expacs. There are such a lot of issues to discover and revel in in Heavensward that many describe FFXIV as actually ranging from this growth.

Lore (Spoiler Alert)

Heavensward continues the storyline from ARR because the Warrior of Gentle and the Scions take refuge in Ishgard. We get embroiled within the battle between town and the Dravanian dragons, known as the Dragonsong Battle. Initially, the Scions have been tasked with repelling the dragons, but it surely was rapidly revealed that the people within the space have been the primary ones to betray the draconic race. 

Even with this revelation, because the Warrior of Gentle, you continue to have to defeat the large Wyrm Nidhogg. After defeating the Archbishop of Ishgard to keep up peace, Nidhogg possesses one of many Scions, and also you’re pressured to battle him once more to free Estinien. On the finish of the story, it’s revealed that Sultana continues to be alive, and the homicide accusations in opposition to the Scions is cleared. 

Stormblood

Fast Information:

• Launch Date: June 20, 2017
• New Content material: Ala Mhigo and Doma
• New Lessons: Pink Mage, Samurai, and Blue Mage
• New Raids: Deltascape V1.0, Deltascape V2.0, Deltascape V3.0, Deltascape V4.0, Sigmascape V1.0, Sigmascape V2.0, Sigmascape V3.0, Sigmascape V4.0, Alphascape V1.0, Alphascape V2.0, Alphascape V3.0, and Alphascape V4.0

Stormblood is among the franchise’s much less in style expansions, primarily as a consequence of how excruciatingly lengthy it was. Nevertheless, it’s not a weak expac. It supplied Gamers with a robust narrative about oppression and rise up, which touched the hearts of many Gamers. Most of the new zones on this expac have been extra tranquil, which is ironic contemplating the setting. It nonetheless supplied us with probably the most vital character developments within the sport and confirmed us how the political panorama in a single area can have an effect on somebody. 

Lore (Spoiler Alert)

Stormblood revolves across the battle between the Scions and the Garlean Empire, which has occupied the Ala Mhigo city-state. The Warrior of Gentle and native resistance have been initially defeated by the Garlean Emperor’s son, Zenos. Nevertheless, the Scions might regroup in Doma and overthrow the Empire’s garrison there. This occasion impressed different occupied areas, which ended up within the liberation of Ala Mhigo. 

After Zenos seemingly slit his personal throat in defeat, the Scions succumbed to a extreme headache that pressured them right into a comatose state, with their minds transported to a different dimension. In the meantime, Ascians make a comeback and reveal that they’ve three leaders — one among which is Elidibus, who has now possessed Zenos’ physique. We additionally come to search out out that Zenos is definitely nonetheless alive and is trying to reclaim his physique. 

Shadowbringers

Fast Information:

• Launch Date: July 2, 2019
• New Content material: the First
• New Lessons: Dancer and Gunbreaker
• New Raids: Eden’s Gate: Resurrection, Eden’s Gate: Descent, Eden’s Gate: Inundation, Eden’s Gate: Sepulture, Eden’s Verse: Fulmination, Eden’s Verse: Furor, Eden’s Verse: Iconoclasm, Eden’s Verse: Refulgence, Eden’s Verse: Umbra, Eden’s Verse: Litany, Eden’s Verse: Anamorphosis, and Eden’s Verse: Eternity

Shadowbringers is a masterpiece, and lots of agree that it’s the most effective growth of the franchise. Other than Gameplay, the story on this expac explored themes such because the levels of grief and acceptance. The world-building, storytelling, and character growth on this model are top-notch, and it’s one of many few tales on the market the place we are able to totally sympathize with the villain. The very good lore and heavy theme made Shadowbringers shine as among the best expansions ever.

Lore (Spoiler Alert)

The Shadowbringer’s story focuses on the Warrior of Gentle serving to out the First in one other dimension. The Crystal Exarch summoned them to assist save this world from being consumed by the Gentle, turning the Warrior of Gentle right into a Warrior of Darkness in the intervening time to struggle the Lightwardens. 

Throughout these occasions, the third chief of the Ascians lastly revealed himself, Emet-Selch. He explains the historical past of his group and the way they got here to be after the battle between Hydaelyn and Zodiark triggered the sundering. Emet goals to revive his civilization by sacrificing everybody within the present period. The Scions have been in a position to defeat Emet-Selch and even save the First. In the meantime, Zenos reclaimed his physique and killed his father to change into the brand new emperor of the Garlean Empire to arrange for his subsequent struggle with the Warrior of Gentle.

Endwalker

Fast Information:

• Launch Date: December 3, 2021
• New Content material: Previous Sharlayan
• New Lessons: Reaper and Sage
• New Raids: Asphodelos: The First Circle, Asphodelos: The Second Circle, Asphodelos: The Third Circle, Asphodelos: The Fourth Circle, Abyssos: The Fifth Circle, Abyssos: The Sixth Circle, Abyssos: The Seventh Circle, Abyssos: The Eight Circle, Anabaseios: The Ninth Circle, Anabaseios: The Tenth Circle, Anabaseios: The Eleventh, and Anabaseios: The Twelfth Circle

Endwalker serves because the climax to the continued story, which spanned 5 updates. Its launch in the course of the pandemic made many fear about its reception, but it surely rapidly grew to become a fan favourite, and as we see it, has change into FFXIV’s most emotional growth. The stakes have been excessive within the marketing campaign because the story vastly emphasised the values of friendship, hope, sacrifice, and perseverance. This expac gave probably the most satisfying ends to a long-standing arc that not many MMOs dare to do. 

Lore (Spoiler Alert)

Endwalker is the end result of FFXIV’s overarching story, the battle between Hydaelyn and Zodiark. The marketing campaign is centered round Previous Sharlayan, Garlemald, and Ultima Thule, the sting of the universe. Whereas initially there to research anti-tempering expertise developed by alchemists, the Scions go to the Garlean Empire to confront Zenos and attempt to cease his plans of releasing Zodiark from this jail.

Zenos succeeds in releasing the Ascian god however is betrayed by his companion, Fandaniel, who merges with Zodiark. The Warrior of Gentle defeats this celestial being, however his loss of life triggers the Last Days. This units off a worldwide apocalyptic occasion, which forces the Scions to search out solutions by going again in time, whereby they study the origins of Meteion and the Endsinger. 

Hydaelyn fought the Scions and WoL to check their readiness in opposition to the Endsinger, which they succeeded. The Goddess imbues a few of her energy to the group and provides them a crystal pointing towards the placement of Meteion earlier than she fades from existence. The group then boards a vessel known as Ragnarok to journey in the direction of Endsinger’s nest. The journey was fraught with sacrifices, and solely the Warrior of Gentle reaches Meteion intact. Happily, a last-ditch effort made by a revived Emet-Selch and Hythlodaeus was in a position to restore the deceased Scions. In the long run, the Endsinger was defeated with the assistance of Zenos, which prevented the Last Days. Zenos and the WoL had a remaining duel the place the Warrior of Gentle narrowly secured victory earlier than returning house.

Dawntrail

Fast Information:

• Launch Date: July 2, 2024
• New Content material: Tural
• New Lessons: Viper, Pictomancer, and Beastmaster
• New Raids: AAC Gentle-heavyweight M1, AAC Gentle-heavyweight M2, AAC Gentle-heavyweight M3, and AAC Gentle-heavyweight M4

Many discover Dawntrail a rehashed Stormblood marketing campaign, but it surely has deserves. It’s extra lighthearted and fewer gloomy than most franchise expansions. The area’s theme was additionally centered on Latin American roots, which gave the area extra shade and vibrancy. Its recent tackle the morality that FFXIV teaches us offers Dawntrail an opportunity to face independently. 

Lore (Spoiler Alert)

Because the earlier total arc wrapped up in Endwalker, Dawntrail now encompasses a new storyline impartial of the final sequence however solely partially disconnected. On this area, we assist Wuk Lamat attempt to change into the brand new Dawnservant. She undergoes a collection of trials to show her mettle with the assistance of a few of the former Scions. The marketing campaign has but to conclude, however options many twists that change our view of the story. Happily, this lore is lighter and extra laid again than earlier expansions’ gloomy and apocalyptic vibes.

Which Ones Ought to You Play First

We advise Gamers to play A Realm Reborn first as a result of it helps newbies study the ropes as they begin in Eorzea. Afterward, they need to proceed to the newest growth they will entry, Stormblood or Dawntrail. This resolution will depend upon whether or not you might have the free trial or subscription variations of the sport. If you wish to expertise the most effective growth first, many will affirm that Shadowbringers was FFXIV’s strongest entry, which Endwalker follows. ARR has the weakest story, however many individuals are okay with it as a result of it’s the beginning marketing campaign for newer Gamers.