The complete catch-up path, patch by patch

The first patch of the required post-ARR story. Yes, you have to do these: they carry the plot (and the pace picks up) all the way to Heavensward.

Part 1 of the Crystal Tower, the game's first 24-player alliance raid (a FFIII throwback). It's required for the Shadowbringers story now, and roulette queues keep it instant.

The first Extreme primal. Walk in solo at level 100 and chase the Aithon mount and the weapon glam.

The infamous Titan Extreme (rest in peace, Landslide). An easy solo now, and the Gullfaxi mount still drops.

The third launch-primal Extreme. Solo it for the Xanthos mount whenever you're passing through Mor Dhona anyway.

The Extreme rematch with the Ultima Weapon from the 2.0 finale. A quick solo these days, worth it for the weapon glam.

Where the comedy detective questline begins. Optional, gloriously silly, and the source of the Manderville dance emote.

The lizard-folk of Southern Thanalan, and one of the first daily-rep tribes. Combat dailies; the rep track pays out a mount, minions, and glam.

The chatty sylphs of the East Shroud. Combat dailies; ranking up unlocks a mount, minions, glam, and plenty of sylphic small talk.

The story continues: the Domans arrive and Leviathan rises. Required MSQ on the road to Heavensward.

The second Bahamut raid tier. Unsync-solo it now for the story, Allagan glam, and achievements.

The sea-serpent primal on a pitching deck. Soloable these days; people still go back for the Enbarr mount.

The moogle king and his guard. A silly solo run now, with orchestrion rolls and weapon glam to show for it.

The 2.2 chapter continues the Inspector's ARR casework and includes Battle on the Big Bridge against Gilgamesh. Run it for the next comedy beat and trial unlock.

The mining kobolds of Outer La Noscea. Daily combat quests; max rank pays out a mount, minions, and glam.

The fishy Sahagin of Western La Noscea. More combat dailies, another mount and minion track for the collection.

The Crystal Braves form and tensions build in Ul'dah. Required MSQ, and the plot thickens toward the finale.

Part 2 of the Crystal Tower, climbing deeper into the Allagan megastructure. Still pops in Alliance Raid Roulette, so it finds you eventually.

The sylphs' thunder god. The Markab mount makes it a worthwhile solo stop.

The first-ever Savage tier in the game, a harder Second Coil for the hardcore of 2014. Nothing here for gear anymore; unsync it solo for the glam and the clears list.

The 2.3 chapter keeps the Manderville mystery moving through its next ARR quests. Optional comedy, but required if you want the full Hildibrand chain in order.

The moogle mail-carrier questline starts here, with light city-state stories and collector payouts like the Mini Mole minion and Postmoogle hat.

The birdmen of the North Shroud, and the game's first crafter (Disciple of the Hand) daily-rep tribe. The dailies level your crafters on the cheap, with a mount and minions at the top of the rep track.

Lady Iceheart and Shiva enter the picture, and Ishgard comes into view. Required MSQ.

The first job added after launch: a mudra-weaving melee DPS. Its class, Rogue, starts at level 1 in Limsa Lominsa.

The ice goddess Shiva. Go back solo for the Boreas mount; the weapon glam holds up too.

The conclusion of the Bahamut raid saga, ending with Bahamut Prime. Unsync-solo it now for the story, glam, and achievements.

The 2.4 chapter pushes the case into The Dragon's Neck against Ultros and Typhon. Do it for the next Manderville comedy beat and trial unlock.

The 2.4 Delivery Moogle chapter adds the next batch of mail errands and character vignettes. Optional, but worth doing if you collect the whole Postmoogle chain.

Part 1 of the ARR finale: Midgardsormr at the Keeper of the Lake, and the storm gathering over Ul'dah.

The finale of the Crystal Tower series, a FFIII homage into the void. Roulette keeps it populated, so queue it instead of building a group.

The wandering Dark Divinity, Odin, in his Extreme fight. The fight's a formality at 100; the weapon glam is the prize.

The ARR finale wraps Hildibrand's first arc and includes Battle in the Big Keep against Gilgamesh and Enkidu. Finish it before moving on to later Hildibrand arcs.

The 2.5 Delivery Moogle chapter finishes the ARR mail-carrier chain. Wrap it for the full set of Postmoogle stories and completion credit.

The game's minigame hub: Triple Triad, Chocobo Racing, GATEs, and the Cactpot lottery, all paying MGP toward exclusive mounts, minions, and glam. Still going strong, and a great change of pace.

The famous ARR finale: the Steps of Faith, the Bloody Banquet, and the Warrior of Light on the run. The last quest, 'Before the Dawn,' leads straight into Heavensward.

The level 60 story: the Dragonsong War, Ishgard, and the truth behind a thousand years of conflict. Widely loved, and the road to Stormblood.

A greatsword tank with a heavy, brooding story that starts at level 30 in Ishgard. The pick if you want a new tank for the climb.

A card-drawing healer that starts at level 30 in Ishgard. Flexible, flashy, and a good excuse to learn healing from scratch.

A gun-and-turret ranged DPS that starts at level 30 in Ishgard. Ranged with no cast bars; take it if that sounds like relief.

Your free level-60 job set, handed over by the job quests. Nothing to grind here: it carries you fine, and Stormblood out-scales it within a few quests.

The first Heavensward Extreme, against the sky-whale Bismarck. Solo it now; the mount and weapon glam come easy at 100.

The second launch Extreme, against the Gnath's god Ravana. Another quick solo, another mount for the stable.

The first Alexander tier, a goblin-built primal megastructure. Normal still pops in raid roulette, so the story costs you nothing.

The first Heavensward Savage tier, infamous for A3S. Gear's ancient history; people clear it for the glam and the A3S war stories.

The first post-Heavensward chapter, with the Warriors of Darkness and the fallout in Ishgard.

Part 1 of the Shadow of Mhach alliance raid series, aboard a derelict skyship. The voidsent storyline is great, and roulette keeps the queue alive.

The Extreme rematch with King Thordan and the Heavens' Ward. An unsync solo now; mount and weapon glam.

The bird-folk of the Sea of Clouds. Combat dailies, with mounts, minions, and glam up the rep track.

The seminary mystery begins in Ishgard, mixing faith, politics, and a murder investigation. Optional, but strong writing if you liked the Heavensward tone.

The story deepens the Dragonsong War and the intrigue in Ishgard's new order.

The second Alexander tier. The story continues in Normal, and roulette hands it to you for free.

The second Heavensward Savage tier. Long out-geared; it's a glam-and-achievements run now.

The first of the Warring Triad, the Fiend Sephirot. Mount and weapon glam for a five-minute solo.

The Sephirot chapter opens the Warring Triad story with the first sealed Meracydian god and the mystery around Unukalhai.

The outcast Gnath of the Dravanian Forelands. Combat dailies again; mount, minions, and glam at the top of the track.

The Heavensward Hildibrand comedy questline starts in Ishgard with a new case, familiar chaos, and unique glam rewards.

The climax of the Dragonsong War, and a story beat people still bring up years later.

Part 2 of the Shadow of Mhach series, exploring the ruins of the old void-mages' city. Queue it through roulette.

The Extreme against the great wyrm Nidhogg. The Dark Lanner mount alone justifies the solo trip.

The Heavensward Hildibrand case continues in 3.3, keeping the comedy detective chain visible for returners who left after its start.

The moogles of the Churning Mists, and the game's first crafter-only daily-rep tribe. You rebuild Zenith as you rank up, with a mount and minions along the way.

The first deep dungeon: a roguelike you can solo or group (floors 1-50 arrived in 3.35, the full 200 in 3.45). A popular way to level alt jobs from 1 to 60, plus its own gear and rewards.

The aftermath of the Dragonsong War, with the Warriors of Darkness pushing the story toward Stormblood.

The final Alexander tier, resolving the Illuminati and time-travel storyline. Normal queues fine in roulette, and that's where the story lives.

The final Heavensward Savage tier, and a fan-favorite. Nothing left for gear; run it unsync for the glam.

The second of the Warring Triad, the Goddess Sophia and her balance mechanics. Solo it for the mount when the mood strikes.

The Sophia chapter advances the Warring Triad story with the Goddess, her balance trial, and more Unukalhai lore.

The Heavensward Hildibrand case continues in 3.4, so the mid-chain chapter is visible instead of folded into the 3.2 start.

The Scholasticate mystery continues in 3.4 with more Ishgardian faith, politics, and seminary drama.

Part 1 of the Heavensward finale: Baelsar's Wall, Ilberd's gambit, and the spark that lights the road to Stormblood.

The finale of the Shadow of Mhach series, storming Diabolos's fortress of shadows. Roulette still feeds it players.

The last of the Warring Triad, the Demon Zurvan. Solo it now and cap off the Triad; mount and weapon glam as usual.

The Zurvan chapter finishes the Warring Triad story with the Demon, the final containment bay trial, and the last Unukalhai beats.

The Heavensward Hildibrand finale closes the Ishgard case in 3.5 and leaves the comedy chain ready for later expansions.

The Scholasticate finale resolves the seminary murder mystery and its Ishgardian faith and politics thread in 3.5.

The final Heavensward chapter. Omega falls on Gyr Abania and Lyse takes up the fight, leading straight into Stormblood.

The level 70 story: liberating Ala Mhigo and Doma from the Garlean Empire. The road that leads to Shadowbringers.

A burst-focused melee DPS that starts at level 50 in Ul'dah. If you pick up one old job on the way through, it's usually this one.

A flexible caster with instant raises that starts at level 50 in Ul'dah. Beginner-friendly and always in demand.

Your free level-70 job set, handed over by the MSQ. Nothing to grind here: it carries you fine, and Shadowbringers out-scales it within a few quests.

The first Stormblood Extreme, against the Kojin's god Susano. Only high-burst jobs can solo it (a sword-catch DPS check stops most), so a Party Finder group is the safe bet for the weapon glam.

The second launch Extreme, against the Ananta's goddess Lakshmi. A gentle solo now; mount and weapon glam.

The first Omega raid tier, a boss-rush tribute to classic Final Fantasy fights. Normal sits in raid roulette, so the story comes free.

The first Stormblood Savage tier. Out-geared for years; the glam and the clear are the point now.

The first post-Stormblood chapter: rebuilding Ala Mhigo and dealing with the fallout of the war.

Part 1 of the Final Fantasy Tactics / Ivalice crossover alliance raid, written by Yasumi Matsuno. A treat if you love FFT, and roulette keeps it running.

The Extreme rematch with the Stormblood MSQ final boss. Solo it at your leisure; mount and weapon glam.

The turtle-like traders of the Ruby Sea. Combat dailies; the rep ladder ends in a mount, minions, and glam.

The Stormblood leg of Hildibrand's comedy questline begins. Optional slapstick and glam rewards, safe to save for later.

The first-ever Ultimate raid, a brutal reimagining of the Binding Coil of Bahamut. Pure prestige and weapon glam; nothing gates behind it.

A 24-v-24 MOBA-style mode with towers, mechs, and objectives. The current map is Hidden Gorge; queue it for a change of pace from Frontline.

The story continues in Doma, with Yotsuyu's return and a fragile peace with the Empire.

The second Omega tier, with more classic Final Fantasy boss tributes. Roulette covers Normal, story included.

The second Stormblood Savage tier. No gear value left, just glam and bragging rights.

The first of the Four Lords, the white tiger Byakko. Solo him for the mount; the fight barely resists at 100.

The auspice side-story starts with Byakko in The Jade Stoa. Optional Far Eastern lore and trial context.

The serpentine matriarchy of Gyr Abania. Another combat rep track: mount, minions, glam.

The first zone of Eureka: a separate elemental-level grind with FATE trains, its own gear, and the start of the Eurekan relic weapons. Optional, and best done in groups.

The Stormblood Hildibrand case continues in 4.25, so returners who left after 4.1 still see the next chapter.

The Doman story continues, with Yotsuyu's fate and Asahi's schemes coming to a head.

The Extreme rematch with Tsukuyomi from the 4.3 story. Soloable, and the weapon glam is worth the stop.

Part 2 of the Ivalice crossover, climbing to face Famfrit, Belias, and Yiazmat. It still cycles through Alliance Raid Roulette.

The catfish tricksters of the Azim Steppe. Stormblood's crafter and gatherer daily-rep tribe. The quests are genuinely funny, and the rep track still pays out a mount and minions.

The second Ultimate, a remix of the Ultima Weapon and primal fights. Pure prestige and weapon glam; nothing gates behind it.

Stormblood's 100-floor deep dungeon, in the Ruby Sea. Solo or in a group for leveling, relaxed runs, and its own gear and mount. Great for alt jobs.

The Hildibrand comedy arc picks back up in 4.35. Optional, standalone laughs for players catching up patch by patch.

The Monster Hunter crossover fight against Rathalos, kept as permanent content. Clear the Extreme for the Rathalos mount and the palico glam.

The second Eureka zone, a frozen wilderness that continues the elemental grind and the relic. Optional; best done in groups.

Tensions rise again as the story sets up the final confrontation of the Stormblood arc.

The final Omega tier, resolving the Omega storyline. Normal is a roulette regular; do it for the story.

The final Stormblood Savage tier. Gear's long gone; it's a glam-and-title run now.

The third of the Four Lords, the vermilion bird Suzaku. Mount and weapon glam for an easy solo.

The Four Lords arc continues with Suzaku in Hells' Kier. Do the earlier auspice chapter first if you want the full story.

The third Eureka zone, all volcanic fire and the Logos actions system, continuing the grind and the relic. Optional; best done in groups.

The penultimate Stormblood Hildibrand chapter lands in 4.45. Optional comedy and rewards, best done after the earlier chapters.

Part 1 of the Stormblood finale: the war reaches its climax as the road to Shadowbringers opens.

The first limited job: learn spells from monsters, solo the Masked Carnivale, and play a totally different game. Can't queue normal group content, but a fun side project.

The finale of the Ivalice crossover, concluding Ramza's tale, with one of the best soundtracks in the game. Roulette still queues it.

The last of the Four Lords, the azure serpent Seiryu. The Hallowed Kamuy mount drops here, and it's an easy solo at 100.

The Four Lords story concludes with Seiryu in The Wreath of Snakes. Finish the Byakko and Suzaku chapters first.

The final Eureka zone, wrapping up the relic and the storyline. Home of the Baldesion Arsenal for anyone chasing the hardest content.

A punishing 56-player raid inside Eureka Hydatos, with permadeath-style stakes and Proto Ozma at the end. Niche and old, but a badge of honor and unique glam for the truly dedicated.

The final Stormblood chapter. The Warrior of Light answers a mysterious call, leading straight into Shadowbringers.

The finale of Stormblood's Hildibrand comedy arc. Do the earlier chapters first, then close out the case before Shadowbringers.

Widely regarded as one of the best story arcs in the game. The whole reason people tell you to keep going. Do it first.

A gunblade tank that starts at level 60 in Gridania. The fastest-feeling tank kit; try it if the old ones felt stiff.

A support-flavored ranged DPS that starts at level 60 in Limsa. Low-stress and popular.

Your free level-80 job set, handed over by the MSQ and role quests. Nothing to grind here: it carries you fine, and Endwalker out-scales it within a few quests.

The first Shadowbringers Extreme, against the fae king Titania. Solo it now for the mount and glam.

The second launch Extreme. Another light solo; the mount's the draw.

Clear the Shadowbringers story dungeons with a party of NPC Scions instead of the Duty Finder. Great if you'd rather not queue with strangers.

The first Eden raid tier (Gaia and Ryne restore the Empty). The story's all in Normal, which roulette keeps busy.

The first Shadowbringers Savage tier. It hasn't dropped relevant gear in years; people run it for glam and the clear.

The first post-Shadowbringers chapter, picking the story back up on the First.

Part 1 of the NieR: Automata crossover alliance raid (with YOKO TARO). Great atmosphere, great glam, and roulette still runs it.

The Extreme rematch with the Shadowbringers final boss. It can't be solo'd (a jail mechanic needs a second player), so grab a Party Finder group if you want the weapon glam.

The fae folk of Il Mheg. Combat dailies; rank up and the mount and minions follow.

The Shadowbringers Ultimate. Pure prestige and weapon glam; nothing gates behind it.

A big crafter and gatherer reconstruction project with its own Skybuilders' scrips, rankings, and rewards. Still a relaxing evergreen grind, and the home of the Skysteel relic tools.

The story continues on the First while the Scions look for a way home.

The second Eden tier. Normal comes around in roulette, story and tokens included.

The bird-like scribes of the Rak'tika Greatwood. A gatherer daily-rep tribe with the usual cosmetic rewards.

An optional but well-regarded side-story arc: Gaius and the Garlean Weapon project. This first chapter opens with the Ruby Weapon (Cinder Drift).

The Extreme of the first Werlyt Weapon. Solo it for the mount when you pass through.

The second Shadowbringers Savage tier. Long out of the gear loop; glam and achievements only.

A timed group fishing voyage out of Limsa on a fixed schedule. The fastest way to level Fisher, plus achievements that unlock unique minions, mounts, and titles. Low-pressure, so go as hard or as chill as you like.

The Extreme tied to the Save the Queen story (vs Varis). No Normal version, and it can't be solo'd (a crystal mechanic needs a second body), so do it in a Party Finder group for the story and the weapon glam.

The acclaimed conclusion of the Shadowbringers story arc. A high point of the whole game.

Part 2 of the NieR crossover alliance raid. Queue it in Alliance Raid Roulette.

The Extreme capstone of the base Shadowbringers story. It can't be solo'd (it forces a Tank Limit Break), so use a Party Finder group if you want the weapon glam.

The dwarves of Kholusia. A crafter daily-rep tribe with the usual mount, minion, and glam rewards.

The Werlyt arc continues with the Sapphire Weapon, a solo duty. Optional, character-driven story.

A Bozja/Eureka-style large-scale field operation (up to 72 players), and the home of the Resistance relic weapons. The Shadowbringers casual endgame.

The Scions return to the Source, setting the stage for the road to Endwalker.

The final Eden tier, closing out Gaia and Ryne's story. Normal still shows up in roulette.

The final Shadowbringers Savage tier. Gear's dead; the clears and glam remain.

The Extreme of the Emerald Weapon (Werlyt arc). An easy unsync solo; mount and glam.

The Werlyt arc's penultimate chapter, built around the Emerald Weapon.

A large-scale (up to 24-player) raid beneath the Bozjan citadel, and a step in the Resistance relic. Big-group fun with unique rewards.

The final Shadowbringers arc begins, leading straight toward Endwalker.

The finale of the NieR crossover alliance raid, wrapping the series. Roulette keeps the queue warm.

The Extreme finale of the Werlyt Weapon arc. The Diamond Gwiber mount makes the solo worth it.

The conclusion of the Werlyt arc, around the Diamond Weapon. It assumes you've done the earlier chapters.

The bridge chapter. It closes the Shadowbringers era and hands you straight into Endwalker.

The second Bozja field operation and the finale of the Save the Queen storyline, capped by the 48-player Dalriada assault.

The payoff of everything from A Realm Reborn onward. If you only do one thing in Endwalker, it's this.

The new shield-healer. It starts at level 70, so pick it up if you want to heal.

New scythe melee DPS. Starts at level 70.

A free level-90 set from the story, but obsolete the moment you cross into Dawntrail.

One of the two launch Extremes. A quick solo at 100; weapon glam and the mount.

The other 6.0 Extreme. Solo it back-to-back with Zodiark and farm both mounts.

Start of the acclaimed Pandæmonium raid story. Normal queues itself through roulette; the story rides along.

The 6.0 Savage tier, long dead for gear. The first two floors are soloable, but the last two have body-checks that need a group, so most people clear it in Party Finder for the glam or the clears.

The launch capped tome tier. Long superseded now, and crossing into Dawntrail out-gears it in the first few quests.

The first post-Endwalker MSQ chapter. Opens the Void arc and the search for Azdaja.

Endwalker's finale Extreme, no normal version. Solo it at your own pace; the mount's the chase.

The first of the Twelve alliance raids. Easy gear, good lore, and a roulette queue that still fills instantly.

The 5v5 arena that replaced The Feast, and still the main PvP mode today. Quick matches with their own seasonal rewards.

Widely considered one of the best fights in the game. Pure prestige, and nothing gates behind it.

The Endwalker leg of the long-running Hildibrand comedy questline. Optional slapstick with no MSQ stakes.

Endwalker's combat daily-rep tribe in Thavnair. The rep track ends in a mount, minions, and glam.

A light optional side-story about Tataru's boutique venture. Doubles as an epilogue to older side content like the Sorrow of Werlyt and the Four Lords.

The Void arc deepens, further into the Thirteenth and Golbez's designs.

The 6.2 Savage tier. Nothing left here but glam and clears.

A relaxing solo island builder: gathering, crafting, animals, and a steady gil trickle. Still gets the occasional update.

An Endwalker capped-tome tier. Pointless to chase now, since Dawntrail resets the ladder.

Part 2 of the Pandæmonium raid story. Roulette hands you Normal for free, tokens included.

The 6.2 Extreme. Solo it in passing; mount and glam.

The boutique venture continues, this time to Ishgard. Optional, low-stakes character content.

The first Variant/Criterion dungeon. Flexible story runs plus a hard 4-player mode with glam rewards.

The Hildibrand comedy line continues. Self-contained laughs between the story beats.

A gatherer daily-rep tribe out in Ultima Thule. Cosmetics and the robots' deadpan humor.

Zero's arc and the Thirteenth's archfiends. The story tightens toward its close.

Part 2 of the Twelve raids. Alliance Raid Roulette covers it.

The 6.3 Extreme. Five minutes solo, one more mount for the log.

A Far East partnership for the boutique. Optional side-story with a glamour reward.

The 6.3 Ultimate. Top-end prestige and weapon glam.

A solo or party roguelike dungeon. Leveling, a relaxing grind, and unique glam and minions.

The gentleman inspector's antics roll on. Optional comedy between the story beats.

The moon bunnies' crafter daily-rep tribe. Adorable rewards: a mount, minions, and glam.

The penultimate post-Endwalker chapter, setting up the Void arc's finale.

The final Endwalker Savage tier (i650/660). Dawntrail out-scaled it fast, so it's glam territory now.

Endwalker's final tome gear (i660). Don't grind this to 'catch up.' Dawntrail hands you better within a few quests.

The finale of the Pandæmonium story. Queue Normal in roulette if you just want to see it through.

The 6.4 Extreme. Soloable, with the usual mount-and-glam payout.

Expansion to Terncliff, with a welcome Gaius beat. Optional character content.

The second Variant/Criterion. More glam and a bite-sized challenge mode.

The penultimate chapter of Endwalker's Hildibrand line. Still pure optional comedy.

The post-Endwalker story picks back up. Zero's arc and the lead-in to Dawntrail.

The finale of the Twelve raids, wrapping the series. Roulette or a quick Party Finder both work.

The Void arc's finale Extreme. The Zeromus mount drops here; solo it whenever.

The third Variant/Criterion dungeon. Glam plus a Criterion (Savage) mode for the hardcore.

The bridge chapter. It finishes the post-Endwalker story and hands you straight into Dawntrail's departure.

The finale of Endwalker's Hildibrand comedy arc. Catch up on the earlier chapters before this one.

The finale of Tataru's venture, with a barding reward. Earlier chapters first, naturally.

The expansion's main story, and the whole reason to press forward. Everything else unlocks behind it.

One of two new jobs, a dual-blade melee. It starts at level 80 in Ul'dah, no hoops beyond owning Dawntrail.

The other new job, a caster. It starts at level 80 in Old Gridania.

A free full set at level 100 from the MSQ. It's your baseline the moment you finish the story.

The launch Extreme (Valigarmanda). Round up a Party Finder group for the mount and weapon glam.

The second launch Extreme. Current enough to want a real group; the weapon glam is the pull.

The launch uncapped tome gear. A quick early bump at level 100 before the capped Heliometry tier.

The Arcadion's opening act, if you enjoy the raid storyline.

The 7.0 capped-tome tier. Every even patch supersedes it, so only chase the current one.

The first Arcadion Savage tier (Dark Horse Champion glam). Out-geared now, but if you want the full Dawntrail savage series, clear it once for the fights and the weapon glam.

Picks the story back up after Dawntrail's finale. The first post-expansion beat.

A Final Fantasy XI crossover. Big nostalgia if you played XI.

The 7.1 dungeon. Expert-roulette fodder and a small ilvl step.

Dawntrail's first allied society. Daily quests with a mount and minions waiting at the top ranks.

The 7.1 Extreme (Queen Sphene). Party Finder territory; the mount is a popular chase.

A prestige Ultimate. Pure challenge and weapon glam, and nothing gates behind it.

A 24-player Chaotic raid with i730 loot that sat between Extreme and Savage. Only worth chasing while that ilvl still matters.

Dawntrail's chapter of the Hildibrand comedy questline. Optional slapstick with no bearing on the MSQ. Nashu picks the trail back up.

The 'Endless' arc, the story that carries you toward the Dawntrail conclusion.

The 7.2 dungeon. Spam it for i725 and expert tomes when you're catching up mid-cycle.

Weekly i730 normal-raid pieces. Part 2 of the Arcadion story.

The 7.2 Arcadion Savage tier (i760/765). Out-geared by Heavyweight now, but part of the full Dawntrail savage series, worth one clear if you're a raider.

The 7.2 capped-tome tier. Skip it once a newer capped tome is out.

A market-board catch-up set. Buy it to skip the dungeon grind for this stretch. Fast if you have the gil, but a full set isn't cheap.

The 7.2 Extreme (Recollection). Join a Party Finder farm for the mount and glam.

The good-enough tool path. Scrip or buy your way current, and skip the relic unless you want the glow.

The DT crafter and gatherer lifestyle pillar. Relaxed server-wide missions, and the way into the Cosmic Tools relic.

Reliable gil and materials from the zone if you farm it.

A gatherer-focused daily rep. Gil, materials, and collectibles.

The Inconceivably Further Hildibrand line continues. Standalone comedy you can clear whenever.

The conclusion of the Dawntrail story arc. If your goal is 'finish the story,' this is the finish line.

Part 2 of the XI-crossover alliance raid. Weekly gear, and roulette keeps it in circulation.

The 7.3 dungeon. Current expert-roulette and a small ilvl step.

The 7.3 Extreme (Necron). Groups still fill fast; mount and weapon glam on the line.

A solo or party roguelike-style dungeon. Leveling, glam, and a relaxed grind at your own pace.

The gentleman inspector's Dawntrail case rolls on. Optional laughs between patches.

A crafter daily-rep society. Scrips and gil while you rank, with a mount and minions at the end.

The post-conclusion arc. A darker, Krile-focused story that sets up what's next.

The current normal-raid tier: matchmade i770 gear and the Arcadion finale story. The last-floor weapon token is still weekly.

The current capped-tome tier. This is the tome gear to chase right now.

The uncapped tome, no weekly limit. Mathematics buys Historia gear at i750 (augment to i760), a big jump over your artifact set. Catching up mid-cycle? Farm this first, then move to the capped tome for the current tier.

The gil shortcut to current. A full crafted set skips the patch-by-patch dungeon grind and carries you to the live tier. Fast, not cheap: sets run hundreds of thousands to millions of gil.

The 7.4 dungeon. Current expert-roulette fodder.

Occult Crescent got three more Phantom Jobs. More toys if you're living in the field op.

Huge for glam: most job/class restrictions on appearances were removed. Your wardrobe just opened up.

The 7.4 Extreme. Fresh enough that clears want a coordinated group; weapon glam and mount.

The current Savage tier (i790/795). This is where on-content raiders are right now.

Variant (story, flexible) + Criterion (hard 4-player) dungeon. Great glam and a bite-sized challenge.

The 7.45 Hildibrand chapter keeps the case moving. Optional comedy you can clear whenever.

Part 1 of the two-part patch-story conclusion. The current MSQ cliff-edge.

The finale of the XI-crossover alliance raid. Weekly gear, and it wraps the series.

One of the current Expert roulette dungeons. Live-patch gear and capped tomes.

The current Extreme. Mount and weapon glam, and on-content for once.

The current Cosmic Exploration planet, and the live crafter and gatherer endgame.

The newest Ultimate. Clear Heavyweight Savage first. This is the top of the mountain.

North Horn contains both versions of The Forked Tower: Magic. Normal takes random groups; Extreme needs a premade alliance formed outside the zone.

Base through +3 all stay i780. The upgrades add stats, not item level, so judge them by the stats instead of the number on the card.

Unlike The Forked Tower: Blood, this one is normal difficulty and built for random groups. It flexes from one to 48 players. Stand on the aetherial node to register; if the random draw misses you, your next try gets priority.

The optional challenge mode. Form at least 12 players across at least three parties outside the Occult Crescent, then enter an extreme-mode North Horn instance. It supports up to 48 players and requires Knowledge Level 40.

Hero's Day Off pays out Ballroom Etiquette and the Tradewinds set. Two quests, then you're done.

All six are folklore-locked. Grab the tomes, but nobody has solved their windows or bait chains yet, so they aren't chartable.

Two more quests in Dawntrail's Hildibrand case. Finish Meteorites and Meteor-wrongs, then find Hardiboiled in Solution Nine. It's optional comedy with no MSQ stakes.