One of the most generous features of Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker is that it directly builds off, and includes, past expansions, Stormblood and Shadowbringers. While other online games segment players through paid content, Final Fantasy XIV makes sure that the community can always easily play together. This effectively lets late comers have access to old dungeons and stories for free, and existing veterans an option to instantly switch between multiple consoles and PC.
Square Enix handles this upgrade directly within the game via patch downloads. Once Final Fantasy XIV patch 6.0 goes live on November 23, Stormblood and Shadowbringers discs and codes will be obsolete; the discs themselves will at least still have the files for offline installation.
For PC players, note that Steam and standard Windows PC copies of Final Fantasy XIV are considered completely separate products. In order to make use of the upgrade, one must have purchased both the base game and Endwalker from the same source. Neither Square Enix nor Valve can facilitate or guarantee to refund incorrect versions of the game.
Unlocking Storylines in Final Fantasy XIV
Gaining eligibility to the past expansions in FFXIV requires proper account registration on Square Enix’s subsite, Mog Station. It can be a bit confusing, as multiple different editions of Final Fantasy XIV have been released since its 2010 launch. Another layer is both the platform, and region of ownership, must match all programs. This system will also apply to any future expansions, including whenever Final Fantasy XIV finally comes to Xbox. To summarize what is needed for both registry and completion in-game:
Stormblood Access
- Register any base copy of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, Final Fantasy XIV: Starter Edition, or the original Final Fantasy XIV 1.0
- Register Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker for the same platform and country as the base game: standard Windows PC, Steam PC, Mac, or PlayStation
- Download patch 6.0
- Gain level 60 on any combat job
- Complete the entire main storyline up to the Heavensward 3.5 quest The Far Edge of Fate
Shadowbringers Access
- Register any base copy of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, Final Fantasy XIV: Starter Edition, or the original Final Fantasy XIV 1.0
- Register Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker for the same platform and country as the base game: standard Windows PC, Steam PC, Mac, or PlayStation
- Download patch 6.0
- Gain level 70 on any combat job
- Complete the entire main storyline up to the Stormblood 4.5 quest A Requiem of Heroes
For PlayStation owners, all console versions share a single universal license. This even includes the now-defunct PlayStation 3 version, which will still count towards ownership of Final Fantasy XIV on both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. However, for all platforms, one should double-check that Endwalker matches their region of Final Fantasy XIV. Those living in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia should be extra diligent as incompatible European and Japanese copies are often sold in the wrong regional market.
Legacy Expansions in Final Fantasy XIV
Final Fantasy XIV players that enter into Stormblood and Shadowbringers during 6.0 may find a rather altered experience. There will be constant pressure to rush right into Endwalker, but taking it slow will have its own benefits. However, one shouldn’t be surprised if fights and features are now overall different.
Missing Cosmetics
By gaining complementary expansions, many players may not have had the initial option to create Final Fantasy XIV’s newer races of Viera and Hrothgar. One would either need to make a brand new character or spend real-world money on Fantasia potions. Players do obtain at least one free Fantasia for clearing A Realm Reborn, but there is little incentive to hold onto it.
Players will also not have access to certain premium cosmetic items. This includes the mounts Syldra and Grani, Bartz and Fran minions, the Chicken Knife Red Mage Rapier, and Squall Leonhart’s Gunbreaker Revolver. To gain such items one would have to buy the full Collector’s Editions of Stormblood and Shadowbringers; they are not rewarded for having the Collector’s Edition of Endwalker alone.
Job Changes
Patch 6.0 will give a host of changes to every existing combat job, with some especially adjusted with new powers and traits. Both Summoner and Monk will be extremely different in Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker. Additionally, players that wait will have jobs available an entire expansion earlier than intended. This includes full access to Gunbreaker and Dancer during Stormblood, or the brand new Sage and Reaper jobs when starting Shadowbringers. Dungeons and solo content were not originally designed for these combat jobs. One should expect some balancing issues with older fights either being overwhelmingly hard or laughably easy.
Additionally, due to level syncing other Reaper and Sage players will be present within all older content. This means that both DPS and healer queue times may be painfully slow. To get into parties much faster, one should consider switching to one of the tank jobs of Paladin, Warrior, Dark Knight, or Gunbreaker. While their duty is a bit more stressful, tanks are always in high demand.
Catching Up and Extra Rewards
Those that arrive in FFXIV Stormblood or Shadowbringers late will be between two to five years behind the curve. One might be tempted to purchase skip potions from Square Enix, but the cost would defeat the benefit of getting the expansions at no extra charge. Additionally, players would be lost on what is happening in Endwalker itself and unfamiliar with their current job.
Final Fantasy XIV’s design team is fully accommodating to late arrivals. This includes a large amount of bonus experience points for any quest released during the 4.0 to 5.5 patch cycles. Content will be fully updated with extra reward items, including complimentary high item level armor previously available via older Final Fantasy XIV Allagan Tomestones. However, there will be some gaps in weapon options for jobs used during a previous expansion – Samurai katanas, Red Mage rapiers, Gunbreaker gunblades, Dancer chakrams, Sage nouliths, and Reaper scythes might be completely absent from certain dungeons and raids.
Regardless if one is returning to Final Fantasy XIV after a long break, or just hopping on the free trial, taking it slow has its advantages. Stormblood and Shadowbringers have a wealth of content, narrative hooks, and exciting battles. And the conclusions in Endwalker will still be waiting at the end of the long journey.
Final Fantasy 14 A Realm Reborn, Heavensward, Stormblood, and Shadowbringers are available now on PC, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. Endwalker goes into Early Access November 19 and fully releases November 23.
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