Final Fantasy 14: How To Prepare For Dawntrail (2024)

Final Fantasy 14's fifth expansion, Dawntrail, is almost upon us. Following the conclusion of the Hydaelyn and Zodiark storyline that has been in the works since A Realm Reborn, it's finally time for the Warrior of Light to set off on a new adventure, towards the New World of Tural.

If you're like us, you're counting down the days until Dawntrail comes out, and the only thing that can satisfy your craving is to play more Final Fantasy 14. Luckily, there's still tons to do to prepare before the expansion comes out. Below, we'll take a look at a few of the best ways to prepare for Dawntrail.

Catch Up In The Main Scenario

As always, the Main Scenario is the most important thing you can do in Final Fantasy 14. Dawntrail will follow immediately after the latest story updates in 6.55, so you'll definitely want to make sure you've completed every MSQ that is currently out.

Dawntrail marks the beginning of an entirely new story in Final Fantasy 14, so if you haven't really been paying attention to the story, now is a great time to start. This story arc will likely be developed through multiple expansions in the coming years, so it's a great time to get immersed in the story.

Clean Up Your Inventory

Keeping a clean inventory is always a great idea, but it's especially important before heading into a new expansion. As you play through the new story quests, complete dungeons, and maybe craft or gather on the side, your inventory will quickly fill up with new items that you might have a hard time letting go of.

The obvious solution is to make space for all of these new goodies beforehand! Take stock of your inventory, Chocobo saddlebag, armory, Glamour Dresser, and Retainer inventories, and ensure you're keeping only the essentials. If you can easily get more of it, then it's not worth holding on to.

Hoard Dyes

That said, you may want to occupy all of your new-found inventory slots exclusively with dyes. With Dawntrail, we'll be getting a second dye channel on all gear. This means all colors of dyes will be in very high demand, so you could attempt to exploit this by selling stockpiled dyes as soon as the expansion goes live.

Alternatively, hoarding as many dyes as you can carry will let you experiment with different color combinations, letting you create the perfect outfit for exploring the New World. The ability to dye armor with two different colors will open up many new possibilities, so having as many different colors on hand as you can will give you more creative flexibility.

Prepare Leveling Gear For Viper Or Pictomancer

If you plan on playing either of the two new Jobs in Dawntrial, Viper or Pictomancer, you'll definitely want to prepare some strong gear beforehand. Both of these Jobs will start at level 80, so you'll need to get to level 90 before you can start the new Dawntrail quests as either of these Jobs.

The best gear for level 80s is the Augmented Cryptlurkerset that can be purchased for Tomestones of Poetics in Eulmore. If you want a full set for either Viper or Pictomancer, you'll need to spend 4,055 Tomestones of Poetics. Luckily, you can prepare this entire set in advance.

Viper uses Scouting gear, the same as Ninja, while Pictomancer will use Casting gear, like Black Mage, Summoner, Red Mage, and Blue Mage.

The first Viper job quest begins in Ul'dah, while the first Pictomancer job quest can be accepted in Gridania.

Use Fantasia Before Logging Out

If you plan on Fantasia-ing to a female Hrothgar or any other race to play through Dawntrail, use your Fantasia before you log out before the servers go down for maintenance. This will ensure you won't have to sit through two queues back-to-back just to change your character's appearance.

If you use your Fantasia before logging out, you'll be able to log in on launch day and edit your character, then you'll only have to wait in the queue once to get into the game.

Keep in mind that with the release of Dawntrail, a quest will be added that will reward you with a free Vial of Fantasia. If you don't mind waiting a bit longer, you can complete this quest once the expansion launches and change your character later.

Brush Up On Convocation Of Fourteen Lore

The members of the Convocation of Fourteen have been majorly involved in the story since the beginning, and that may stay true through our upcoming journey to Tural. These Ascians have shaped the story of the game for years, whether as allies or antagonists.

In a recent interview, Yoshi-P was asked what players can do to prepare for Dawntrail, and he mentioned completing the Myths of the Realm raid series. He also asked if everyone remembers all the names of the Convocation of Fourteen.

While most of the Convocation of Fourteen have made appearances throughout the story, quite a few of them have only appeared in side content that you may not have completed yet, while some haven't made any appearances whatsoever. Here's a brief rundown on the entire Convocation of Fourteen's current whereabouts.

Spoilers for all of the game's story below!

• Loghrif: Reincarnated as Gaia, assisting Ryne in the First.
• Mitron: Dead, currently acting as the body of Eden in the First.
• Emet-Selch: Killed by the Warrior of Light as Hades.
• Pashtarot: Unknown.
• Fandaniel: Died re-summoning Zodiark on the moon and caused the Final Days to begin again.

• Altima: Awaiting reincarnation, "killed" by Gaius.
• Halmarut: Unknown.
• Nabriales: Killed by the Warrior of Light and Moenbryda.
• Igeyorhm: Trapped in White Auricite and killed by the Warrior of Light
• Deudalaphon: Awaiting reincarnation, also "killed" by Gaius.
• Emmerololth: Dead, consumed by Eureka.
• Lahabrea: Killed by King Thordan.
• Elidibus: Died powering the Crystal Tower to enable you to travel back in time to Elpis.
• Azem: Reincarnated as the Warrior of Light, preparing to travel to the New World!

So, only taking into account Ascians that are confirmed to not be dead, we have Loghrif (Gaia), Pashtarot, Altima, Halmarut, and Deudalaphon as possible Convocation members that could return in Dawntrail.

Take A Break

Lastly, it's important to always remember to take a break. If this list is looking more like work than fun, take a break instead! Giving yourself time off from the game will make you all the more excited to come back to Dawntrail.

Burning out just before the expansion arrives would make a terrible first impression on what's meant to be the Warrior of Lights' new journey, so you should definitely try to avoid that if possible. Of course, if you're still having a blast with the game and preparing everything you possibly can, by all means, continue doing just that! We'll be right there with you in the New World.