FFXIV Introduces Bastion: A Groundbreaking New Tank Class in Final Fantasy

During Fan Fest Berlin, Naoki Yoshida, a producer for the game, unveiled Bastion, the new tank class for Final Fantasy 14 Evercold, and it’s a significant addition to the franchise. Bastion is classified as a main tank, a new term introduced with FF14’s revamped combat system that emphasizes a balance between defense and offense, moving away from the traditional support role. This marks the first entirely new class in FF14 that isn’t linked to any previous Final Fantasy jobs.

The Bastion brandishes two unique shields known as Skyltborg, which Yoshida showcased on stage while donning the full Bastion outfit (though he quickly removed it due to its weight). These formidable shields embody a long-standing martial tradition from The Fourth, the setting of Evercold, originating from a northern archipelago and passed down through generations to those committed to safeguarding the realm. But these aren’t just ordinary shields; they are aether-powered, shape-shifting turrets that serve both defensive and offensive purposes.

While the term “main tank” suggests a focus on defense, the Bastion is versatile. Yoshida presented a brief trailer featuring the Bastion battling one of Evercold’s formidable new foes. Although the trailer didn’t reveal specific skill names, it showcased the Bastion executing various ability chains: one that conjures a magical shield around the player, another that unleashes aether-charged shots after a brief charge, a skill that causes the ground to tremble beneath an enemy, and a close-range melee combo. The Bastion also possesses a set of “curative boons,” although these weren’t highlighted in the trailer.

Creating new job roles in the Final Fantasy series is a rare occurrence, making the Bastion a noteworthy addition. Even spin-offs like Brave Exvius (soon to be Final Fantasy Resonance) typically recycle older roles, such as the Green Mage from FF12 and the Spellblade from FF5. This trend has been consistent in FF14, where all job classes prior to Evercold were linked to established roles from earlier games—like the Red Mage and Bard, as well as more obscure references like the Reaper, which nods to Sice from Final Fantasy Type-0 and the scythe-wielding Dark Knight from Final Fantasy 11. The Bastion, however, stands apart as a completely original class crafted specifically for Evercold’s Evolved Combat system.

Evercold will also introduce a second job, a ranged DPS, but details on this class are being kept under wraps until the Tokyo Fan Fest in October.

Final Fantasy 14 Evercold is set to launch in January for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X.