Ultimate Fantasy XIV is arguably one of the vital standard MMORPGs on the earth, if not the most well-liked. The sport has a decade’s price of expansions, and we’ve got six of them in complete, which incorporates the newest 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 Need to Play All Expansions in Order?
Sure and no. In gameplay phrases, you solely have to play A Realm Reborn and the newest enlargement to meet up with the remainder of the group. You’ll have the ability to sufficiently degree with simply these two expacs, and the gear you get from the latest updates may have you caught up on the present meta. As well as, your development can be rather more environment friendly for those who 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 observe this route first to be sufficiently leveled for many fights.
Nonetheless, following the chronological order of the expansions will help you respect the sport’s lore. Eorzea’s storyline has one of the vital 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 detrimental suggestions from most MMO players. Luckily, Sq. Enix, below Yoshi P’s directive, was capable of revive the sport to its present state by remaking the entire of Ultimate 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 centered on the battle between the Garlean Empire and your entire 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 precipitated hundreds 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 Courses: 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 Ultimate Coil of Bahamut
ARR is taken into account the weakest by way of storyline as a result of the bottom sport’s important activity was to revive FFXIV, which it efficiently did. It focuses on establishing lots of the foundations of the present world, so it was bloated with info. It launched many much-needed adjustments 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 Mild, who’s the chosen of Mom Crystal Hydaelyn. Gamers can begin within the city-states of Gridania, Ul’dah, or Limsa Lominsa. This complete arc revolves round conflicts between the Scions and the Primals and a few incursions towards 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 Courses: 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 shortly ramps up the liveliness of FFXIV’s world-building by offering us with extra dramatic aptitude and fantasy. It’s action-packed and stuffed with participating storylines, which set the bar for all subsequent expacs. There are such a lot of issues to discover and luxuriate in in Heavensward that many describe FFXIV as actually ranging from this enlargement.
Lore (Spoiler Alert)
Heavensward continues the storyline from ARR because the Warrior of Mild and the Scions take refuge in Ishgard. We get embroiled within the battle between town and the Dravanian dragons, referred to as the Dragonsong Battle. Initially, the Scions have been tasked with repelling the dragons, however it was shortly 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 Mild, you continue to have to defeat the enormous 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 remains to be alive, and the homicide accusations towards the Scions is cleared.
Stormblood
Fast Information:
Launch Date: June 20, 2017
New Content material: Ala Mhigo and Doma
New Courses: Purple 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 without doubt one of the franchise’s much less standard expansions, primarily resulting from how excruciatingly lengthy it was. Nonetheless, it’s not a weak expac. It offered gamers with a powerful narrative about oppression and revolt, 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 offered us with one of the vital 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 Mild and native resistance have been initially defeated by the Garlean Emperor’s son, Zenos. Nonetheless, 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 — certainly one of 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 Courses: 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 plenty of agree that it’s one of the best enlargement of the franchise. Other than gameplay, the story on this expac explored themes such because the phases 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 absolutely sympathize with the villain. The very good lore and heavy theme made Shadowbringers shine as top-of-the-line expansions ever.
Lore (Spoiler Alert)
The Shadowbringer’s story focuses on the Warrior of Mild serving to out the First in one other dimension. The Crystal Exarch summoned them to assist save this world from being consumed by the Mild, turning the Warrior of Mild right into a Warrior of Darkness in the meanwhile 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 precipitated the sundering. Emet goals to revive his civilization by sacrificing everybody within the present period. The Scions have been capable of defeat Emet-Selch and even save the First. In the meantime, Zenos reclaimed his physique and killed his father to develop into the brand new emperor of the Garlean Empire to organize for his subsequent struggle with the Warrior of Mild.
Endwalker
Fast Information:
Launch Date: December 3, 2021
New Content material: Previous Sharlayan
New Courses: 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, however it shortly turned a fan favourite, and as we see it, has develop into FFXIV’s most emotional enlargement. 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 one of the vital satisfying ends to a long-standing arc that not many MMOs dare to do.
Lore (Spoiler Alert)
Endwalker is the fruits 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 Mild defeats this celestial being, however his demise triggers the Ultimate 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 towards the Endsinger, which they succeeded. The Goddess imbues a few of her energy to the group and provides them a crystal pointing towards the situation of Meteion earlier than she fades from existence. The group then boards a vessel referred to as Ragnarok to journey in direction of Endsinger’s nest. The journey was fraught with sacrifices, and solely the Warrior of Mild reaches Meteion intact. Luckily, a last-ditch effort made by a revived Emet-Selch and Hythlodaeus was capable of restore the deceased Scions. In the long run, the Endsinger was defeated with the assistance of Zenos, which prevented the Ultimate Days. Zenos and the WoL had a ultimate duel the place the Warrior of Mild narrowly secured victory earlier than returning residence.
Dawntrail
Fast Information:
Launch Date: July 2, 2024
New Content material: Tural
New Courses: Viper, Pictomancer, and Beastmaster
New Raids: AAC Mild-heavyweight M1, AAC Mild-heavyweight M2, AAC Mild-heavyweight M3, and AAC Mild-heavyweight M4
Many discover Dawntrail a rehashed Stormblood marketing campaign, however it 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 coloration and vibrancy. Its recent tackle the morality that FFXIV teaches us provides 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 develop into the brand new Dawnservant. She undergoes a sequence of trials to show her mettle with the assistance of a number of the former Scions. The marketing campaign has but to conclude, however options many twists that change our view of the story. Luckily, 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 most recent enlargement they’ll entry, Stormblood or Dawntrail. This resolution will rely upon whether or not you may have the free trial or subscription variations of the sport. If you wish to expertise one of the best enlargement 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.
