FFXIV 6.2 Changes Steps of Faith and Thornmarch, Expands MSQ Trusts

FFXIV 6.2 Changes Steps of Faith and Thornmarch, Expands MSQ Trusts

We had a slew of new information for Final Fantasy XIV Patch 6.2 in the latest Live Letter. Island Sanctuary, Criterion Dungeons, Hildibrand Relic Weapons, Omicron Tribal Quests — that’s some good stuff. And as promised, FFXIV 6.2 continues the expansion of the Duty Support system (aka Trusts) through older content. Not only will you be able to bring AI-controlled characters as party members into Heavensward MSQ dungeons, there will be overhauls to some older trials like Steps of Faith and Thornmarch.

A preview screenshot shared during the Live Letter showed Alphinaud, Estinien, and Ysayle together as party members. (Finally, some justice for Ysayle.) Whereas the Duty Support updates in Patch 6.1 for A Realm Reborn‘s dungeons featured generic NPCs, the Heavensward MSQ dungeons appear to have key characters along for the ride. The following dungeons will get the Duty Support treatment with FFXIV 6.2.

FFXIV 6.2 Duty Support Dungeons

Snowcloak (Lv. 50)
Keeper of the Lake (Lv. 50)
The Dusk Vigil (Lv. 51)
Sohm Al (Lv. 53)
The Aery (Lv. 55)
The Vault (Lv. 57)

The Duty Support and Trust systems are intended to make the main story content of FFXIV largely playable as a single-player experience. This was director and producer Naoki Yoshida’s intention from the start. Additional updates for Duty Support content is planned throughout the Patch 6.x cycle, eventually covering Stormblood, bringing things full circle. In my experience, having important characters as AI party members fighting alongside me in these story critical moments improved the narrative experience.

If they let us have Haurchefant as a party member in The Vault, that shit’s gonna hurt. Thanks Yoshi-P.

Steps of Faith and Thornmarch Overhauled

Furthermore, a few trials are getting overhauled. The Steps of Faith — the eight-player trial required by MSQ just before Heavensward — will become a solo instanced duty. This also means it’ll be knocked out of the Duty Roulette queue. No more chopping down dragon feet with seven other players.

Thornmarch will get adjustments as well. Yoshida said that it’s very difficult considering it’s the first MSQ-required eight-player trial. Honestly, I don’t always remember the target sequence, and at this point, I’m too afraid to ask. There weren’t any details as to how Thornmarch will change, but Good King Moggle Mog will still be there to tickle your nose and tickle your feet.

The FFXIV isn’t new to revamping older content. It’s one of the key plans throughout the Patch 6.x cycle. Patch 6.1 gave us completely new versions of The Thousand Maws of Toto-Rak, Copperbell Mines, and more. The infamously lengthy Castrum Meridianum and The Praetorium were drastically changed, too. We expect this trend to continue as Duty Support comes to the rest of Heavensward and Stormblood.

For more on the critically acclaimed MMORPG, be sure to check out our full Live Letter summary and breakdown that covers everything we know about FFXIV Patch 6.2. And hit us up at The Linkshell for all your FFXIV coverage.

Author: Deann Hawkins