Square Enix has been dropping tons of info about Final Fantasy XIV’s next big update: patch 4.3, “Under the Moonlight,” which is scheduled to arrive in late May.
Here’s the intro for the update’s main scenario quest chapter (via Square Enix):
“South of Rabanastre, in a remote corner of the Valnard Sea gapes a fathomless maw that, for centuries, has been slowly devouring Hydaelyn herself─Ridorana. Many claim this magnificent cataract to be the very gate to the Hell of Water, as none who have braved the trip over the edge have returned to tell their tale. On the fringe totters a wind-blasted isle home to a crumbling spire once used by the Dalmascans as a lighthouse to warn sailors of the nearby peril. It is into this lighthouse that the transformed Ba’Gamnan has fled. It is into this hell that you must follow.”
Apparently, the main scenario quest in patch 4.3 wraps up the events around the Far Eastern land of Doma, heavily featuring Yotsuyu. Hildebrand is also starring in a new chapter. There will be a new side quest for The Four Lords series as well.
New features coming in 4.3 include the ability to join linkshells cross-server, limited to worlds on the same data center, and the ability to return equipment used with the glamour dresser, a lifesaver for those who’ve accidentally dropped fancy gear in there. (Currently, there is no way to retrieve gear in the glamour dresser.) There’s also a brand new guestbook feature for housing featuring both indoor and outdoor guestbooks, so those who’ve worked hard on their estates can bask in the praise of others. Positive vibes only, right?
In a “Letter from the Producer Live” broadcast earlier this month, producer and director Naoki Yoshida and global community producer Toshio Murouchi revealed a slew of details about “Under the Moonlight.” For example, a new beast tribe, the Namazu, is on the way. Gatherers and crafters should rejoice, as the new beast tribe is focused around them. There will be a new mount as well, though its appearance has yet to be shared.
One new instanced dungeon, The Swallow’s Compass, is on the way. The Swallow’s Compass is located in the royal mausoleum of Ganen in the great wall of Yanxia, between two of the Dariyu Moon Gates. Normal and Extreme new trials will also be added, though they are still a secret for now. Of note: the gear in this dungeon is inspired by gear design contests, meaning the sets from the dungeon come from a fan.
A new Deep Dungeon titled “Heaven-on-High” is also on the way, based in the Ruby Sea. Entering will require a level 60 character and a party of up to four players. Heaven-on-High will have 100 floors, with floors 31 and up designed for hardcore parties looking for a challenge. Heaven-on-High features unique challenges, an independent leveling system and a new way to level your character from 61 to 70 with EXP rewards.
The Forbidden Land, Eureka gets more love in update 4.3 as well with a new area known as the “Pagos Expedition.” New content linking Anemos to Pagos drops in patch 4.3, with Pagos coming in update 4.35.
Finally, a new 24-man Alliance raid titled “The Ridorana Lighthouse” is on the way, continuing the Return to Ivalice saga based on Final Fantasy XII. There will also be a new ultimate challenge called “The Minstrel’s Ballad: The Weapon’s Refrain (Ultimate)”.
The dev team has a slew of smaller tweaks and adjustments planned as well, including:
- The addition of Alexander to Daily Roulette: Raids
- Job adjustments for Dark Knight, Astrologian and Samurai
- Cross-server linkshells up to 64 members
- Updates to PvP such as daily rotations for Frontlines
- New animations and sounds for the Performance action
- A new Custom Deliveries client
- Further updates to the glamor system
- New glamors, including bunny outfits for male characters
Some of the biggest news coming to Final Fantasy XIV is the new companion app, appropriately titled Final Fantasy XIV Companion. Square Enix’s April Fools Day video for a fake gathering app titled Final Fantasy XIV GO wasn’t so far off the mark, it seems:
Final Fantasy XIV Companion will be available for free on both iTunes and Google Play. Players will be able to log in using their Square Enix account and choose a main character for the app who will be automatically selected upon logging in again. Those who use the app will be granted an additional Aetheryte favored destination. There will also be a premium plan for about $5 monthly, but most of the app’s services will be free.
These services include: a chat and scheduler that allows players to communicate with others in-game as well as send invites, plan events and configure notifications, inventory management (including armory chest), and use of the market board. Premium users will be able to manage inventory for saddlebags and retainers and will also have their saddlebags’ capacity doubled. Premium users will also be granted an additional retainer for free.
The app will also have login bonuses: namely, a “Kupo Nut” every day, and two for premium users. Give a kupo nut to a moogle and they will purchase an item on the market board. An in-app currency called Moogle Coins will be implemented that allows players to place items for sale, revise market listings and purchase items from the market board.
While no release window is in sight for the companion app yet, Yoshida stated there is still debugging to be done, especially for the Android version.
For more information and to view screenshots and descriptions of all of the above, make sure to check out update 4.3’s site here.
What do you think of the massive content drop coming to Final Fantasy XIV in update 4.3 “Under the Moonlight”? What are you most looking forward to playing? What do you wish the team would focus on next? Feel free to let us know in the comments section below.
