FFXIV Update 5.3 Patch Notes: Job Adjustments, ARR Tweaks, New Quests, And More

The much-anticipated, major wave of content for the Square Enix MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV is here. Just ahead of its launch, we got all the details in the 5.3 patch notes. FFXIV 5.3 caps off the epic storyline that came in the latest expansion, Shadowbringers, with what looks to be a wild, emotional conclusion; we talked about it a bit in our previous FFXIV 5.3 story, which you should check out. Here, we'll go into more of the intricate, newly detailed tweaks like classes/jobs and questlines, all of which comes alongside a revamped free trial that includes expanded access to the MMO.

Astrologian is getting the most work of all the jobs, such as reducing the MP consumption of the actions Helios, Benefic II, Aspected Helios, Aspected Benefic, and Combust II. While Lightspeed's effect of reducing MP cost has been removed, Draw and Sleeve Draw will have a new additional effect of restoring 8% of maximum MP. The action Sleeve Draw has also been reworked entirely, as well as other changes to the Horoscope and Natural Sect actions.

Marauders/Warriors also get some notable buffs, like increasing Storm's Eye duration and giving Inner Release, Berserk, and Mythril Tempest the effect of extending the Storm's Eye timer. Additional changes to cooldown timers and potency numbers for Gunbreaker, Pugilist/Monk, Summoner, Scholar, Machinist, and Bard are included.

Through additions in New Game+, you can replay job/class quests from the original nine classes as well as all the three parts to each crafter and gatherer job.

As for the revamping of A Realm Reborn, several quests have either been cut or truncated, as was previously known, but we have more detail on how that'll work. If you're in the middle of quest that's being adjusted, you'll have a notification asking you to abandon said quest and will be prompted to take on the next one or the adjusted version of the quest you're on. The overall story is not affected by the cut content as it's intended to eliminate repetitive non-critical objectives.

FFXIV's photo mode is getting a major buff, too. With 5.3, you'll have options for stickers, some of which are very cute. You can decorate your group poses and screenshots with stickers of minions, text bubbles, and other imagery. There will also be a lip movement option and some new filters in photo mode--a few new emotes are on the way as well.

And of course, FFXIV 5.3 is also a major content drop. The next phase in the Sorrow of Werlyt questline will be available which tells its own story of an important supporting character while providing some incredible boss fights. In 5.1, we were able to fight Ruby Weapon (and the Extreme version in 5.2) and it's likely we'll be fighting Sapphire Weapon in the 5.3 quests (and maybe with our own Gundam-style mech). The Nier Automata crossover raid is getting its second chapter with The Puppet's Bunker and it looks to be key for the interconnecting of the FFXIV and Nier universes while also offering great 24-player boss fights.

The progression of the main story questline includes a new dungeon called The Heroes' Gauntlet and looks to have major implications for how the narrative plays out. There will also be a new story-based Trial (multi-faceted boss fight), but the nature of it is being withheld for spoiler reasons, making things all the more exciting.

Along with the 5.3 update is a huge change to the FFXIV free trial. As we covered before, the free trial will included all of the base game, A Realm Reborn, and the entire first expansion pack, Heavensward, and all the post-release content just before the Stormblood expansion. The free trial can take you up to level 60 and all the accompanying content (with some minor restrictions) whereas it cut you off at level 35.

Plenty of more details on can be found on the official FFXIV patch 5.3 site. The update launches tomorrow, August 11 at 3 AM PT--FFXIV is also currently undergoing a 24-hour maintenance period for the patch. In the meantime, be sure to read my FFXIV 5.3 interview with director/producer Naoki Yoshida where we talk about beloved characters, the future of the game's story, and in-game character ass.