Here’s some highlights from Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker’s 6.0 patch (Update)

It’s a big one

[Update: The full Endwalker 6.0 patch notes are live here.]

The Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker 6.0 patch is going to massive, as is the case with just about every XIV patch. Here’s some help parsing it, and some of the biggest changes.

For reference, you can find the full official preliminary patch notes here.

The new main story quest

Duh! This is probably the biggest thing to hit, as new cities have been added (Old Sharlayan, Radz-at-han), as well as new field areas (Labyrinthos, Thavnair, Garlemald, and Mare Lamentorum).

There are also other areas that are not included in the preliminary notes to avoid spoilers, but that’s the gist. As a reminder, the new level cap is 90.

Of course, more sidequests, dungeons, and trials are also in via the Endwalker 6.0 patch.

FATEs and hunts got an upgrade in the new zones

So FATEs (public quests out in the world) have new incentives. After completing them you can obtain “bicolor gemstones,” which can be exchanged at Gemstone trader NPCs for new rewards. Finishing more FATEs will garner new rewards, so there’s another extracurricular grind if you want to partake in it. There’s a “Shared FATE” menu now that you can use to track your progress with this system.

Hunts have a similar mechanic, with “Sacks of Nuts” that can be earned and turned in via:

• Old Sharlayan (X:11.9 Y:13.2) – J’lakshai
• Radz-at-Han (X:10.5 Y:7.4) – Wilmetta

To kick off this mechanic, visit Old Sharlayan (X:11.2 Y:12.0) and talk to the Diminutive Gleaner.

The new housing district is coming, but you can’t buy a plot yet

Empyreum can be explored, but it’s not open for business yet. You can access it via the Foundation, and plots will be for sale, via lottery, in patch 6.1, coming after the launch of the Endwalker 6.0 patch.

Here’s the official word: “In preparation for the lottery sale system scheduled to be implemented in Patch 6.1, it will no longer be possible to relocate an estate to plots of land that are not yet ready for purchase.”

Male Vieras are in

Enough said!

Reaper and Sage jobs have been added

A new DPS class (we needed more!) and a healer are a go. We’ll have more details on where their locations are soon, but the gist is that you need to be level 70 and head to Ul’dah – Steps of Nald (X:12.8 Y:8.6) and Limsa Lominsa Lower Decks (X:9.4 Y:12.9) respectively.

Jobs have been reworked

So there’s a lot of ground to cover here, but the above video really shows off some of the new concepts with existing jobs. We’ll get the full notes with the launch of the game.

Experience points previously earned from standard dungeon enemies will now be earned from dungeon bosses

That’s self-explanatory, and applies to pretty much all content. Plan accordingly!

The Eden’s Promise raid is easier via new echo enhancements

So if you haven’t cleared the Eden’s Promise (Shadowbringers) raid yet, now might be your time to shine. The “echo” system (where parties get stronger after they wipe) has been increased in Eden’s Promise, as a “catch up” mechanic of sorts. All stats just about will be enhanced by 20% now as a result of the echo.

Old currency Allegan tomestones are out

Tomestomes of allegory (exchange for poetics in 6.0), revelation exchange for poetics in 6.0, and phantasmagoria (completely gone) are done. Poetics can be earned via up to level 80 activities.

Retainers have been changed

Retainers (butlers, NPCs, or extended banks) have been altered with the Endwalker 6.0 patch.

The new level cap is 90, they can be assigned the new Sage or Reaper jobs, and their experience requirements have been changed in alignment with the new XP system. In other words, they reflect most of the same guidelines as players.

There’s a rad new Aethernet map

This thing is going to be pretty useful, but note that it doesn’t work in The Forbidden Land, the Bozjan Southern Front, Zadnor, or The Firmament.

A lot of quality-of-life odds and ends have been added

• HP bars show up even when someone is dead.
• The party list shows off spell targets in combat.
• “An option has been added to only use aetheryte tickets when the cost exceeds a specified gil allowance.”
• The Aether Compass is now in the collection menu.
• You can re-order the display for buffs and debuffs: “From the System menu, open the HUD Layout interface. After selecting any of the Status Info categories from the dropdown menu, open the UI Element Settings menu. Then, under Layout, select “Split Element into 4 Groups.”
• G-pose (group pose) is easier to do now and has more options.

That’s most of the big stuff! The notes have a lot more.