ffxiv Live Letter Part LXXI Recap (Patch 6.2 Details)

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Did you miss FFXIV's recent Letter from the Producer LIVE? Catch up on all the details surrounding what's coming to the game here.

Did you miss FFXIV's recent Letter from the Producer LIVE? From new raids and encounters to the highly anticipated Island Sanctuary release, the presentation provided many details about what's to come in Patch 6.2. Have no fear, as we've taken the time to compile the broadcast's key points and slides in one place for you!

Patch 6.18

The broadcast began by describing details about the upcoming Patch 6.18, which will be implemented after a 24-hour maintenance period starting tomorrow at 3 a.m. (PDT). The patch will introduce the long-awaited data center travel, in addition to various updates regarding the Japanese and European data centers.

Patch 6.2: Buried Memory

Next, the devs introduced Patch 6.2, titled Buried Memory. The patch will be released in late August of this year, featuring updates such as new Main Scenario Quests, Tataru's Grand Endeavor Quests, the Omicron Beast Tribe, and Somehow Further Hildibrand Adventures.

To our surprise, we learned that the Hildibrand questline is required to complete the game's next installment of relic weapons. Some players aren't very enthusiastic about the announcement, as the optional storyline spans over 40 quests and three trials, totaling upwards of 10 hours for completion. For more details on the Hildibrand questline and upcoming relic weapons, check out Ara's post here.

New Battle Content

The patch's new battle content will include a new dungeon, The Fell Court of Troia, in addition to a new Normal and Extreme trial. 

The next installment of the eight-man savage raid, titled Pandaemonium: Abyssos, will also release in Patch 6.2. The raid's Savage version will be released one week after Normal mode. As stated on the presentation slides, "There are both requests asking for and against this, so we'd like to make this a test run. Whether or not the next Savage will also be moved by one week will be considered based on the results of this test run as well as player feedback."

Players can also anticipate job adjustments for both PvE and PvP. According to devs, "Extensive adjustments to the Dragoon and Astrologian jobs have been postponed. Intentions behind job adjustments will be explained." Additionally, there will be Critical and Direct Hit adjustments.

As for PvP, Crystalline Conflict Season Two will begin Tuesday, July 5, with the release of Patch 6.18, and Season Three will begin in Patch 6.2. Rival Wings is also slated to return in the latter patch.

Variant Dungeons

Previously introduced as "Criterion Dungeons," Variant Dungeons are a new form of variable-difficulty content for level 90 players. There are no role restrictions in the dungeon, job changes are allowed, and a party of up to four players can be formed. Enemy strength is determined by party size, and the route of progression branches based on player action, similar to the game's Treasure Dungeons.

According to the slides, a "certain someone" will accompany you through the dungeon.

Criterion Dungeons

Surprise! We are still getting new content titled Criterion Dungeons!

"Another Sil'dihn Subterrane" Normal and Savage modes will comprise Criterion Dungeons: "Another" is high difficulty by default, and the Savage mode will provide additional challenges. In contrast to Variant Dungeons, players cannot raise normally here, but each player is granted a limited number of revival actions (similar to our old friend Delubrum Reginae).

In the Savage mode, you must queue with a premade party of four, players cannot raise at all, and enemies will become stronger if not defeated within a certain time limit. My friends and I always wanted something similar to WoW's mythic dungeons in FFXIV, and it seems like we are finally getting a unique dungeon challenge here!

Island Sanctuary

Last but not least regarding the larger upcoming content, Island Sanctuary will finally be available in Patch 6.2!

In addition to this, Island Sanctuary will allow players to do the following:

• grow crops and cultivate seeds you find on your island,
• collect and care for various creatures,
• build a customizable base of operations, and
• allow your favorite minions to walk around!

Each player's progression in Island Sanctuary is separate from others, and an island-specific currency allows players to export crafts for special items. Although progression is unique for each player, you will be allowed to visit your friends' islands, similar to Animal Crossing!

Miscellaneous Updates

Adventurer Plates and Portraits will be transitioning out of beta form as new poses and features are added. Beta portraits will be lost after the official release, so be sure to screenshot your favorites!

Allagan Tomestones of Causality will be added as an endgame currency.

My favorite update outside of Island Sanctuary is that players will now have the ability to request repairs from other players in and outside of duty.

The glamour dresser capacity will be expanded from 400 to 800.

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And that's all for the key updates from the recent Live Letter! For more details, be sure to check out the broadcast in its entirety here.

What Patch 6.2 content are you looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below!