Final Fantasy 14’s latest patch adds NPC support for solo players
Players can now play through the first A Realm Reborn story without the need for other humans
The latest update for Final Fantasy XIV lets players take on the launch portion of the game entirely solo, with support for later chapters to come.
Patch 6.1 adds a new system called Duty Support, which lets players take on main scenario ‘duties’ with a party of NPCs.
Previously, these sections required players to team up with other human players in order to play through them, essentially making it impossible to play through the game alone.
The new update, however, applies to all the content that was available when the game originally launched (A Realm Reborn), making it playable solo.
A feature similar to this was introduced for Shadowbringers and Endwalker, the game’s third and fourth expansion packs, for experienced Final Fantasy XIV players who had already reached those stages in the game’s story.
For solo players looking to try the game out for the first time, however, this new update marks the first chance they’ll get to play through the game’s original launch content without any need to recruit other human players.
According to Square Enix, while version 6.1 only covers the multiplayer-only missions in the original A Realm Reborn scenario (version 2.0), further updates will add the feature to the rest of the version 2.X updates as well as the first two expansion packs, Heavensward and Stormblood.
The eventual aim is to make it possible to play through the entire game and all its expansion packs as a single-player adventure, should players wish.
This would also theoretically lessen strain on the game’s servers, which have been an issue for Square Enix of late. The game was temporary pulled from sale in December 2021, and remained unavailable to buy for more than a month, due to lengthy server issues caused by the release of the Endwalker expansion pack.
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Update 6.1 also includes new scenario quests, with new story content following on from the conclusion of the Endwalker story.
The full list of additions, according to Square Enix, are as follows:
Final Fantasy 14 Patch 6.1 update notes
- Main Scenario Quests – Patch 6.1 will mark the start of a fresh chapter for the Warrior of Light, beginning a new storyline following the acclaimed Endwalker conclusion.
- New Role Quest – An additional story will become available after completing all Endwalker role quests.
- Duty Support System for A Realm Reborn – Players can now complete main scenario dungeons and trials from A Realm Reborn (2.0) with NPC party members.
- New Dungeon – Players will be able to access an additional dungeon in the Patch 6.1 main scenario quest.
- New Trial: The Minstrel’s Ballad: The Endsinger’s Aria – Players can experience a new Extreme Trial, The Minstrel’s Ballad: Endsinger’s Aria.
- Unreal Trial: Ultima’s Bane (Unreal) – Relive the battle against the mech of myth in this Unreal difficulty battle challenge.
- New Alliance Raid: Myths of the Realm – The first part in a new 24-player alliance raid, Myths of the Realm: Aglaia, will challenge players as they uncover more about the divinities known as the Twelve.
- New PvP Content: Crystalline Conflict – Crystalline Conflict is small-scale PvP available to all players level 30 and above. Patch 6.1 also includes PvP action updates and implements a new PvP rewards system.
- Empyreum Residential Area – Plots in Empyreum, the new Ishgardian residential district, are available for purchase.
- Adventurer Plates (beta version) – Create and customize character profiles and plate designs using Adventurer Plates. Character profiles can now include information like a player’s favorite job and title, player portraits, playstyle preference, active play times and more.
- Portraits (beta version) – Capture the appearance of your Warrior of Light by customizing poses, movements, camera angles, backgrounds, framing, lighting, and more. You may save a variety of different portraits and select one to be applied to your adventurer plate.
- The Unending Codex – An assortment of information on characters and terms up through Patch 6.0 will be added to player’s Collections as they progress through the Patch 6.1 main scenario, with new entries being added as the story unfolds.
- New Game+ Update – Players can now revisit previously completed quests, cutscenes and battles from Endwalker and a portion of Patch 6.1 while keeping their current character and levels.
- New Gear and Mounts: GARO Collaboration – PvP gear inspired by the hit Japanese TV show GARO returns with Patch 6.1. Players can earn special mounts and gear modeled after the show designed by legendary character designer Keita Amemiya. New jobs introduced in Shadowbringers™ and Endwalker can also equip this collaboration gear.
- Miscellaneous Updates – Additional content and updates have been added with the launch of Patch 6.1, including job adjustments, new Hrothgar hairstyles, more glamour plates, the ability to try on items from the FINAL FANTASY XIV Online Store and more.
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