FFXIV’s Patch 7.5 Brings Significant Quality-of-Life Enhancements

The latest Live Letter for FFXIV 7.5 revealed the usual patch goodies, including new dungeons, more Hildebrand adventures, and a fresh scenario quest. However, some significant announcements emerged in the latter part of the stream, notably a first look at the upcoming Beastmaster limited class and much-anticipated improvements to inventory systems.

The Beastmaster will launch at level 1 alongside a set of job classes, but you’ll need to reach at least level 50 and complete the main scenario in A Realm Reborn to unlock it. True to the spirit of previous Final Fantasy titles, Beastmasters will weaken monsters in battle to capture them. Once captured, they can summon up to three of their critter companions to assist in combat and accompany them on their journey. The initial bestiary will feature 50 monsters, with a level cap set at 50. Producer Naoki Yoshida hinted at a single-player mode called Crucible of the Unbroken, where players can “nurture” their beast companions, though details remain sparse.

The Beastmaster is set to debut during the FFXIV 7.5 patch series, which kicks off on April 28 and runs through September. However, the specific patch introducing the new limited job hasn’t been confirmed. Yoshida also mentioned that the resources needed for the Beastmaster’s addition have delayed the next Blue Mage update, so players shouldn’t expect new Blue quests anytime soon.

In addition to the Beastmaster, the 7.5 updates will streamline FFXIV’s dye system. Instead of each color taking up a separate inventory slot, dyes will be consolidated into three main categories. When using a dye from these categories, players will be prompted to select their desired color. Any leftover dyes from the old system can be exchanged for new ones at any Calamity salvager.

Another welcome inventory enhancement is the ability to store Artifact and dungeon gear in your armoire. Initially, this will apply only to dungeon gear from Dawntrail dungeons, but future updates will allow players to store gear from earlier expansions as well. This change means retainers can finally be used for more than just holding clothing and dyes.

For those with in-game housing, new item cap limits will allow for more indoor and outdoor decorations. Players will also have the option to prioritize whether their items or nearby players are displayed, which should improve performance.

Additional features coming in the 7.5 patch series include:

More details on these updates will be shared during the upcoming FFXIV Fan Fest, scheduled for April 24 and 25 in Anaheim, California.