FFXIV Patch 5.2 Is Huge: Ruby Weapon, New Story Quests, And More Coming February 18

Final Fantasy XIV director and producer Naoki Yoshida and global community producer Toshio Murouchi streamed another Live Letter (in Japanese) to officially detail the game's 5.2 update. It's subtitled Echoes of a Fallen Star and features new quests that continue the main story, additional side quests, new boss battles (including Final Fantasy VII's famed superboss Ruby Weapon), another story dungeon, and more tweaks to the core game.

As with other 2.x, 3.x, and 4.x patches, 5.2 keeps the story moving with additional main scenario quests that will eventually lead into the next expansion (light spoilers ahead). Based on the trailer (see below), former Garlean officer Gaius van Baelsar looks to be get more screen time. And trusty Scion allies Y'shtola and Crystal Exarch go deeper into the implications of the history and lore introduced in Shadowbringers. You'll also see the Crystarium (main home zone in Shadowbringers) consumed in clouds and a scene where Alphinaud and others witness a Calamity-like catastrophe.

Along with the new story quests is another instanced dungeon called Anamnesis Anyder, which will work with the Trust system, letting you take AI characters to fight alongside you. The dungeon takes place in Amaurot, the final zone in the Shadowbringers expansion and seems to explore more of the Ascian people's history.

There will be new 8-player raid content with the second chapter in the Eden's Verse raid series that'll be playable in both normal and savage difficulties. These also act as side stories and introduces a new character named Gaia, who you can see in action in the trailer--she was also designed by famed Square Enix dev Tetsuya Nomura. Judging from what was shown, you can expect battles agains old Primals like Garuda, Ramuh, and Ifrit. New gear will be made available as well.

FFVII and FFXIV fans alike can get hyped about a new trial called Cinder Drift which stars the infamous superboss Ruby Weapon. Yoshida-san gave a preview of the fight during the stream which showed off a few its moveset. The fight will also tie into Gauis's backstory as Ruby Weapon looks to be another trick up the Garlean empire's sleeve. The trial will be playable on normal and extreme difficulties.

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A lot more is packed into the 5.2 update like Qitari beast tribe quests, tweaks to the fishing activity, a new weapon quest series, and extra Golden Saucer changes. And Umbrellas are now a thing as a new cosmetic for your character. Adjustments to jobs and classes are also said to be part of the 5.2 update, but Square Enix is not detailing those changes beforehand. Subsequent 5.21 and 5.25 patches will include an Ishgardian Restoration update for crafters and gatherers and a Resistance Weapon questline tied to the Hrothgar race called Blades of Gunnhildr.

For more on Square Enix's MMORPG, be sure to read our FFXIV Shadowbringers review to see what the game is all about or watch our FFXIV Extra Life 2019 segment where we held a glamour costume contest and ran a few 24-player raids. Additional information on Patch 5.2 is available on the official Square Enix website.