With a month left until the launch of Dawntrail, the expansion’s promotional site went live this week and compiles all the information we’ve learned about Final Fantasy XIV’s next major chapter. Along with all the familiar details, the promotional site offers a few glimpses into some of Dawntrail’s new core gameplay features like its upcoming 8-person raid series.
Called “The Arcadion,” here’s what the site reveals about its tournament-based story arc.
“Here at the Arcadion, you'll find a grand spectacle unlike any other. The realm's greatest fighters pit fist against fist and magick against magick, putting their lives on the line as crowds howl and clamor, each clash more visceral than the last. Step into the arena if you dare, and either rise to become champion, or fall forever in ignominy.”
From Bloodsport to Mortal Kombat, combat tournaments have always made for fun and action-packed stories. While this is just a small taste of the overarching narrative, there’s a simplicity to tournament storylines that could further set Dawntrail’s raid series apart from its predecessors. Endwalker’s "Pandaemonium" raid series and Shadowbringer’s "Eden" raids, while compelling, each served up complex storylines that weren’t always easy to follow. By contrast, a tournament story about entertaining crowds, survival, and becoming champion could be refreshingly straightforward.
The promotional site also provides a brief look into the New Field Operations headed to Dawntrail post-launch. Referred to as “Shades’ Triangle,” it’ll serve as the next large-scale instance consisting of its own unique regions and questline, similar to the Shadowbringer’s Bozjan Southern Front.
Here’s what the site has to tell us about “Shades’ Triangle.”
“Even the most dauntless of sailors would sooner abandon ship than steer into Shades' Triangle. Be not fooled by the lush and fertile island you spy on the horizon─men and vessels alike have been lost to its allure, never to be seen again. Yes, the wisest choice is to dismiss it as mere illusion. But of course, there are inevitably those who cannot resist the call of adventure.”
All in all, Dawntrail’s new promotional site is an excellent one-stop shop for expansion details. You can find information on Tural, the new continent players will be exploring in Dawntrail, and new monsters you’ll encounter on your adventures like the legendary Valigarmanda. There’s also quick breakdowns on the two new jobs, Viper and Pictomancer, as well as a brief look at the new limited job, Beastmaster–the details of which have been sparse since it's expected to be released further down the Dawntrail content roadmap.
There’s only 31 more days until Dawntrail’s July 2 launch. If you’re ready to take the dive, you can preorder the upcoming expansion now.
