How to unlock every Alliance Raid in Final Fantasy XIV

Final Fantasy XIV is known for its raiding community, who take part in Normal, Savage and Ultimate raids for intense challenges and endgame rewards. However, there is another type of Raid, more suited to players who prefer a lower-pressure environment but with all of the flashy fights — Alliance Raids.

Alliance Raids are heavily story-based duties designed for 24 players in three, full parties of eight. Not only do Alliance Raids often have sought-after rewards, like gear perfect for late-game or glamour, but they have arguably the most epic narrative outside of the MSQ in any expansion. 

With that in mind, it makes sense that you’d want access to all of them, so let’s review how to unlock every FFXIV Alliance Raid series.

A Realm Reborn – The Crystal Tower quests

This storyline is our first introduction to the Crystal Tower which plays a pivotal role later on in Shadowbringers, as well as fan favorite Miqote, G’raha Tia. This is the only Alliance Raid series which is a requirement for progressing the MSQ. 

In order to complete the Crystal Tower story arc, unlock all three Alliance Raids, and progress with the MSQ, you’ll need to complete the following level 50 quests:

Heavensward – The Shadow of Mhach quests

During the Shadow of Mhach storyline, you’ll work alongside the Sky Pirates and Cait Sith to save an ancient civilization from a pact they made with a mysterious evil power. These raids are particularly daunting, even today, but also really satisfying to complete.

In order to complete the Shadow of Mhach story and unlock all of the associated Alliance Raids, you’ll need to complete the following level 60 quests:

Stormblood – Return to Ivalice quests

The Return to Ivalice storyline takes its name from the Ivalice in Final Fantasy VII, though the themes and characters are unrelated. This story does, however, see the return of something iconic from Final Fantasy IX — The Prima Vista airship.

Shadowbringers – YoRHa: Dark Apocalypse quests

The YoRHa: Dark Apocalypse series of Alliance Raids not only carries a distinctly NieR aesthetic, but it was also designed by the creators of NieR: Automata themselves, Yoko Taro and Yosuke Saito. Despite this, there’s a distinctly FFXIV feel to the Raids, and they’re incredibly fun to take part in while still being challenging. 

This is the longest questline of all the Alliance Raids, so buckle in. To complete the YoRHa: Dark Apocalypse storyline and unlock all of the Alliance Raids, you’ll need to complete the following level 80 quests:

Endwalker – Myths of the Realm quests

Myths of the Realm sees you fighting The Twelve, a collection of Eorzean Gods, who have been referenced since even before A Realm Reborn. Now, finally, we get to see them in their full glory and battle them, alongside Deryk and his Opo-opo buddy. 

Here are all of the level 90 quests you’ll need to complete to finish this storyline and unlock all of the Myths of the Realm Alliance Raids:

Dawntrail – Echoes of Vana’diel

Dawntrail added the latest of the Alliance Raid series, with raids heavily inspired by the lore and enemies of FFXIV‘s MMO predecessor Final Fantasy XI.

Here’s all of the level 100 quests you’ll need to complete in order to unlock the Echoes of Vana’diel raids, and this will of course be updated on an ongoing basis as more duties are added:

How to unlock Dawntrail’s Chaotic Alliance Raids

Dawntrail added a new type of Alliance Raid, essentially taking the Alliance Raid format of 24 players and turning it into Savage level content. The first of these is The Cloud of Darkness: Chaotic, which will automatically unlock after completing the level 100 MSQ quest “Dawntrail”.