Final Fantasy XIV 7.16 Patch Notes Announced

Patch 7.16 Overview

Released on January 21, Final Fantasy 14 Patch 7.16 concluded the Dawntrail Role Quest series and involved crucial updates to PvP balance.
Players can anticipate Patch 7.2 launch around late March or early April 2025.

On January 21, 2025, Final Fantasy 14 launched Patch 7.16, a significant update that wraps up the Dawntrail Role Quest saga while also implementing notable balance changes to player-versus-player (PvP) gameplay. This patch followed closely in the footsteps of Patch 7.15, which celebrated the next installment of the highly beloved Hildibrand storyline.

Completion of the Dawntrail Role Quest Series

The highlight of Patch 7.16 is the finale of the Dawntrail Role Quest series. In a climactic showdown, players, as the Warrior of Light, pursue the nefarious Viera, Apyaahi, who has stolen Turali artifacts with the help of a gang known as the Passage of the Unbound. Upon completing all preceding Dawntrail quests—spanning Melee DPS, Healer, and the main story quest “Dawntrail”—players unlock a new quest titled “Picking Up the Torch”in the area of Tuliyollal. Successful completion grants players the “Pose of the Unbound”emote and the Bright Bustle Orchestrion Roll as rewards.

Updates to the Cloud of Darkness Alliance Raid

Patch 7.16 also adjusts the Cloud of Darkness (Chaotic) alliance raid based on player feedback. Now, players can exchange five Clouddark Demimateria 1 for one Clouddark Demimateria 2 by interacting with a Viera NPC named Uah’shepya in Solution Nine. Moreover, the patch rectifies clerical errors regarding two of Cloud of Darkness’ attacks, Lateral-core Phaser and Core-lateral Phaser, which were incorrectly labeled in the previous patch. Additionally, various technical issues, like FPS drops on macOS when using certain controllers, have been resolved, with the update requiring roughly 303 MB of storage, varying by console.

PvP Changes and Enhancements

This update also makes notable adjustments to PvP Jobs in preparation for Crystalline Conflict Season 13. Building on the changes established in Patch 7.15, several classes, including the Viper, Machinist, and Black Mage, received enhancements to their offensive capabilities to remain competitive. Conversely, classes such as Ninja, Astrologian, and Scholar saw minor reductions in their defensive skills. Additionally, various PvP actions, including Recuperate and Purify, will now react more swiftly, improving gameplay dynamics.

Transitioning to Patch 7.2

The arrival of Patch 7.16 signifies the conclusion of the 7.1 update cycle, prompting curiosity about what Square Enix has in store for player engagement leading up to the anticipated Spring release of Patch 7.2.

Detailed Patch Notes for Final Fantasy 14 Patch 7.16

Playable Content Updates

New role quests available:
- Picking Up the Torch: Completion of the main scenario quest “Dawntrail”and previous role quests required.
Chapters added to New Game +, with final quests needed for unlocking.
New orchestrion roll: Bright Bustle Orchestrion Roll.
New emote: Pose of the Unbound.

Battle System Adjustments

Players may exchange five Clouddark Demimateria 1 for Clouddark Demimateria 2 at a ratio of 5:1 with Uah’shepya in Solution Nine (X:8.7 Y:13.5).

PvP Job Enhancements

Increased responsiveness for various PvP actions through shortened execution-to-effect activation times.
Incorporated player feedback concerning slow timings and ineffective area-of-effect attacks for consideration in Patch 7.2 adjustments.
Review of healing jobs’ recovery abilities has led to adjustments for balance.
Further enhancements made for underperforming jobs since Patch 7.15.

Class-Specific Changes

Dark Knight:

Reverted part of Eventide’s potency, improving KO capabilities.

Ninja:

Reduced Doton’s damage reduction effect.

Viper:

Enhanced actions post-limit break for improved performance.

Machinist:

Increased potency of Full Metal Field and reduced recast time for KOs.

Black Mage:

Boosted Burst potency and barrier protection for aggressive play.

Summoner:

Improved Mountain Buster potency for offensive rewards.

White Mage:

Reduced the cure potency of Temperance, while enhancing Glare IV’s power.

Scholar:

Tempered Summon Seraph’s defensive influence.

Astrologian:

Microcosmos’s healing ability reduced to balance party defense.

The time between action execution and effect activation has been shortened for the following PvP actions:

All Jobs: Recuperate, Purify
Paladin: Shield Smite, Intervene
Warrior: Various attacks including Primal Rend and Cyclones
Dark Knight: Impalement, Salted Earth
Gunbreaker: Fated Circle and more
Monk: Damage and mobility skills
Dragoon: Wyrmwind Thrust
Ninja: Key Ninjutsu attacks
Samurai: Mineuchi and other major attacks
Other roles adjusted accordingly.

Crystalline Conflict Season Changes

Prepare for the start of Season Thirteen as Season Twelve concludes:

The top 300 ranked players from each data center (100 in Oceania) will receive vouchers.
Players can claim rewards at the Wolves’ Den Pier based on their tier finish.
Ranking resets will occur for Season Thirteen, with players starting five ranks lower than before.
Season Thirteen will take place across various data centers:
- Japan: Elemental
- North America: Dynamis
- Europe: Light
- Oceania: Materia

System Improvements

New achievements added for player engagement.
A variety of new items have been introduced.
Updates to text commands will enhance player interaction.
For PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, new trophies and achievements have been integrated.

Issues Addressed in this Patch

The following problems have been resolved:

Errors in action labeling in Cloud of Darkness (Chaotic).
A misleading message for new party members in first-time completion duties.
Fixes for the dragoon PvP action Wyrmwind Thrust.
Graphical issues with certain character equipment.
Resolved FPS drops for specific controllers on macOS.
Minor text corrections and other miscellaneous fixes.

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