- Final Fantasy XVI Curiosities Guide - July 23, 2023
- Final Fantasy XVI The Dame Guide - July 14, 2023
- Final Fantasy XVI Eikon Guide - July 13, 2023
What would an MMORPG be if it didn’t force dungeons down our throats and push us to team up with other online players? After all, if we’re online, we better enjoy all its internet-like features. In Final Fantasy XIV, that’s no different – at least for now. I don’t know how many or which MMORPGs you played, but in FFXIV, the dungeon system has a familiar structure.
You embody a party of – typically – four, each with their own specialty, tackling a dungeon infested with monsters and bosses in search of items, equipment, and, in most cases, progression of the story. In Final Fantasy XIV, this formula is well established and defaults from start to finish.
I remember my first instances in World of Warcraft. As interesting as it was to keep spamming in chat looking for party members, it was way too time-consuming, even for my younger self. Plus, two people would always have to walk all the way to the dungeon entrance to summon other members.
Final Fantasy XIV lets you join a dungeon if you walk to it, mainly for nostalgic feelings. Because you can simply open a menu, select a dungeon, and it will automatically search your peFers for you.
However, I know some players who may feel a bit anxious to join a party as a tank or healer, the two most important roles in a dungeon. They believe their gaming prowess will hamper other players’ experiences. But fret not, Square Enix got you.
They are progressively turning Final Fantasy XIV into a single-player experience. Instead of pairing yourself with other real players, you can run a dungeon with NPCs and make as many mistakes as possible without anyone being toxic. Although, the FFXIV community is so friendly that toxicity is hard to find.
And how to make dungeons? How to unlock them? How many there are? Rest assured, little sprout, for in this FFXIV dungeons guide, I will show you all the dungeons, their unlock requirement, and some tidbits from the depths of my gamer’s mind. So, access your duty finder; it’s time to find your next duty.
Key Info
- How to Access: Use the Duty Finder menu and select a dungeon from the list.
- Players Necessary: Usually four. 1 tank, 1 healer, and 2 DPS.
- Experience:Â If you do dungeons close to your level, you can earn from 50% to up to 2 levels per dungeon with bonus experience.
- Difficulty: Varies according to the dungeon and your party members’ expertise. With NPCs, most dungeons are a breeze.
- Mandatory or Optional: Both. Mandatory help progress with the Main Scenario Quest. Optionals are great for acquiring better equipment.
- Trivia: Every dungeon is canon to the game’s lore. They may encompass something currently happening or that happened a long time ago. But you won’t find a dungeon plot completely detached from the main story or the world-building.
What are Dungeons
I’ve introduced this article, assuming you know what a dungeon is. But what if you’re not an MMORPG aficionado? My bad, that’s on me.
A dungeon in FFXIV is an instanced area, which means that once you enter one, you won’t meet any other players until you leave it – apart from your party, of course. If you are at the average level required by the dungeon, you will find that every enemy hits hard like a mule kick. It’s because dungeons are designed to be played in a group rather than solo. There are four roles in a party: a tank, a healer, and two damage dealers, aka DPS.
The tank’s role is to attract the enemy’s attention, increasing their enmity and soaking damage. The healer should keep the party members alive, especially the tank. Meanwhile, the damage dealers should do precisely what their labels imply, deal damage. Sounds complicated, but it’s not.
At first, you may feel compelled to just attract a couple monsters per round. But as you get acquainted with the format, you will notice some tanks will enter the dungeon as if it were a marathon, dragging all the monsters with them. The healer will follow them around desperately trying to keep their protector alive while the damage dealers spam unleash area of effect attacks.
Dungeons also have bosses. An average of three or more bosses per dungeon. Some have simple strategies, and you just have to dodge their attack marked on the floor. Others require more thoughtful strategies that take time to figure out.
Communication is vital in these cases. Asking if anyone knows about the boss’s fight before engaging it can spare you some deaths. After each boss, a chest materializes with equipment as loot. As a bonus, dungeons are also a great experience source if you’re within their level range.
Unlocking Dungeons
You will unlock dungeons automatically by progressing through the Main Scenario Quests. While there are some optional ones, most are mandatory. When I started playing Final Fantasy XIV, the system was a little frustrating. Because as a DPS, it took quite some time to find a party.
Sometimes I had to wait around 30 minutes just to enter a dungeon and then progress with the story. Mind you that while the system searches automatically for a party, you can do other things, like leveling your gathering classes. But still, imagine having to wait in a virtual line to keep enjoying a game. Tanks and healers had a fast pass for the lines since the queue for these roles is practically nonexistent.
That’s one of the reasons why Square Enix is making the Final Fantasy XIV experience more and more single-player. No matter how short the waiting line can be, waiting for an indefinite amount of time makes gameplay unpredictable. Not everyone has plenty of free time to play, so using NPCs instead of players is a welcoming addition to cut the wait.
Joining a Dungeon
In older MMORPGs – and in some current ones – to join a dungeon, you need to walk to its entrance with a premade party, usually made after endless chatbox shouting, and then manually enter it. In Final Fantasy XIV, this was never an issue.
To join a dungeon in FFXIV, you simply need to click the Duty Finder menu. If you play on a controller, select Duty Finder under the Duty category. Then, select the dungeon you wish to queue for and press join. You will enter a waiting line.
Once it’s your turn, a popup and a sound alert will indicate that your duty is ready, and you will have 45 seconds to join. If you do not join, you will suffer a penalty. Suffering three penalties on the day will put you in a low priority queue, and the waiting time will be much longer.
After you complete the first two dungeons, Sastasha and The Tam-Tara Deepcroft, you will unlock the Duty Roulette. You will be placed in a random available dungeon, trial, raid, or PVP according to the roulette category you choose.
Suppose you select the Leveling category in Duty Roulette, for instance. In that case, you will randomly enter any dungeon or 4-player trial that has a level equal to or lower than your current level. When you complete the dungeon, you will get an experience bonus because of the leveling roulette in addition to the dungeon’s native experience.
Keep in mind most dungeons require a minimum level to join after you unlock it. After level 50, you will gain one more requirement: item level. That means your average equipped items levels must be above the dungeon requirement.
Also, if you join a dungeon via the duty finder, you will be synced to it, meaning if you are level 50 and enter a level 24 dungeon, you will be synced as if you were at level 27.
Your item level will also decrease to adjust to the difficulty. In that way, you can fully experience the dungeon without steamrolling through it mindlessly. That’s something you can do, by the way, if your level is way above the dungeon’s.
Main dungeons and optional dungeons
Naturally, you will unlock most of the dungeons as you progress through the main plot of Final Fantasy XIV. Hear me out when I say it pays to do the sidequests to unlock new dungeons.
Not only can the rewards vary between equipment, minions, emotes, and other aesthetic additions, but the lore of them all is impeccable.
Below you will find a list of all the active dungeons listed according to their expansion and the quests necessary to unlock the optional ones.
A Realm Reborn Dungeons
The base game has the most dungeons, both mandatory and optional. Starting at level 15 and going up to level 50, this range allowed for more dungeons to be included than the following expansions.
Nowadays, with the current updates, you can cross most A Realm Reborn dungeons using a group of NPCs. They are so potent that you can leave them beating up minions while preparing dinner or watching anime.
Sastasha
- Level: 15
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
The Tam-Tara Deepcroft
- Level: 16
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
Copperbell Mines
- Level: 17
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
Halatali
- Level: 20
- Unlocks: Hallo Halatali Sidequest at Western Thanalan (X:12, Y:14)
The Thousand Maws of Toto-Rak
- Level: 24
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
Haukke Manor
- Level: 28
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
Brayflox’s Longstop
- Level: 32
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
The Sunken Temple of Qarn
- Level: 35
- Unlocks: Braving New Depths sidequest at Western Thanalan (X:12, Y:14)
Cutter’s Cry
- Level: 38
- Unlocks: Dishonor Before Death sidequest at Ul’dah – Steps of Thal (X:14, Y:10)
Stone Vigil
- Level: 41
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
Dzemael Darkhold
- Level: 44
- Unlocks: Fort of Fear sidequest at Coerthas Central Highlands (X:24.7, Y:28.8)
The Aurum Vale
- Level: 47
- Unlocks: Going for Gold sidequest at Western Thanalan (X:12.0, Y:14.3)
Castrum Meridianum
- Level: 50
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
The Praetorium
- Level: 50
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
Dungeons below are available after completing the Main Scenario Quest, “The Ultima Weapon.”
These dungeons are all level 50. If your character level is above 50, you will notice the experience value is relatively low compared to dungeons from the next expansion.
When these dungeons were released, each contained powerful equipment with higher item levels based on its item level entrance requirement. Thus, most level 50 dungeons are optional. Even so, it is still worth unlocking them and getting to know them in-depth.
The Wanderer’s Palace
- Level: 50
- Unlocks: Trauma Queen sidequest at Western Thanalan (X:11.4, Y:13.9)
Amdapor Keep
- Level: 50
- Unlocks: Ghosts of Amdapor sidequest at Western Thanalan (X:12, Y:14)
Pharos Sirius
- Level: 50
- Unlocks: Sirius Business sidequest at Western La Noscea (X:26.5, Y:26.7)
Copperbell Mines (Hard)
- Level: 50
- Unlocks: Out of Sight, Out of Mine sidequest at Mor Dhona (X:22.0, Y:8.7)
Haukke Manor (Hard)
- Level: 50
- Unlocks: Maniac Manor sidequest at Mor Dhona (X:22.1, Y:8.6)
The Lost City of Amdapor
- Level: 50
- Unlocks: One Night in Amdapor sidequest at Old Gridania (X:6.0, Y:10.7)
Halatali (Hard)
- Level: 50
- Unlocks: This Time’s for Fun sidequest at Mor Dhona (X:22, Y:8)
Brayflox’s Longstop (Hard)
- Level: 50
- Unlocks: Curds and Slay sidequest at Mor Dhona (X:22.1, Y:8.7)
Hullbreaker Isle
- Level: 50
- Unlocks: King of the Hull sidequest at Mor Dhona (X:22.1, Y:8.7)
The Tam-Tara Deepcroft (Hard)
- Level: 50
- Unlocks: Corpse Groom sidequest at Ul’dah – Steps of Nald (X:12.2, Y:8.1)
The Stone Vigil (Hard)
- Level: 50
- Unlocks: Blood for Stone sidequest at Mor Dhona (X:21.9, Y:8.4)
Snowcloak
- Level: 50
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
Sastasha (Hard)
- Level: 50
- Unlocks: It’s Definitely Pirates sidequest at Mor Dhona (X:22.1, Y:8.7)
The Sunken Temple of Qarn (Hard)
- Level: 50
- Unlocks: The Wrath of Qarn sidequest at Mor Dhona (X:22, Y:8.7)
The Keeper of the Lake
- Level: 50
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
The Wanderer’s Palace (Hard)
- Level: 50
- Unlocks: Not Easy Being Green sidequest at Mor Dhona (X:22.1, Y:8.7)
Amdapor Keep (Hard)
- Level: 50
- Unlocks: For Keep’s Sake sidequest at Mor Dhona (X:22.1, Y:8.6)
Heavensward Dungeons
From Heavensward onwards, there are fewer dungeons while you are leveling and many more when you hit the expansion max level. It will follow the same pattern as A Realm Reborn dungeons, giving you better pieces of equipment as their item level requirement entrance increases.
As of now, in Heavensward, you can’t join dungeons with an NPC party and must rely on players. Something I’m positively sure will change in the future as more updates are realized.
The Dusk Vigil
- Level: 51
- Unlocks: For All the Nights to Come sidequest at Coerthas Western Highlands (X:16.9, Y:22.8) after completing the Main Scenario Quest Sounding Out the Amphitheatre.
Sohm Al
- Level: 53
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
The Aery
- Level: 55
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
The Vault
- Level: 57
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
The Great Gubal Library
- Level: 59
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
The Aetherochemical Research Facility
- Level: 60
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
Dungeons below are available after completing the Main Scenario Quest “Heavensward.”
Neverreap
- Level: 60
- Unlocks: Reap What You Sow sidequest at The Sea of Clouds (X:11.8, Y:14.8)
The Fractal Continuum
- Level: 60
- Unlocks: Do It for Gilly sidequest at The Pillars (X:14.6, Y:12.2)
Saint Mocianne’s Arboretum
- Level: 60
- Unlocks: An Overgrown Ambition sidequest at The Dravanian Hinterlands (X:12.3, Y:19.6)
Pharos Sirius (Hard)
- Level: 60
- Unlocks: Things Are Getting Sirius sidequest at Limsa Lominsa Upper Decks (X:12.7, Y:12.8)
The Antitower
- Level: 60
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
The Lost City of Amdapor (Hard)
- Level: 60
- Unlocks: One More Night in Amdapor sidequest at Old Gridania (X:6.0, Y:10.6)
Sohr Khai
- Level: 60
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
Hullbreaker Isle (Hard)
- Level: 60
- Unlocks: Storming the Hull sidequest at Limsa Lominsa Upper Decks (X:11.0, Y:10.4)
Xelphatol
- Level: 60
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
The Great Gubal Library (Hard)
- Level: 60
- Unlocks: Let Me Gubal That for You sidequest at Idyllshire (X:5.5, Y:6.6)
Baelsar’s Wall
- Level: 60
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
Sohm Al (Hard)
- Level: 60
- Unlocks: The Fires of Sohm Al sidequest at Idyllshire (X:4.6, Y:8.4)
Stormblood Dungeons
Same drill as before. While leveling, most dungeons are mandatory. At Stormblood max level of 70, most are optional and exist to give you better equipment and unlock fierce trial fights. Stormblood dungeons also require a party to cross.
The Sirensong Sea
- Level: 61
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
Shisui of the Violet Tides
- Level: 63
- Unlocks: The Palace of Lost Souls sidequest at The Ruby Sea (X:20.2, Y:20.1) after completing the Main Scenario Quest Forever and Ever Apart.
Bardam’s Mettle
- Level: 65
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
Doma Castle
- Level: 67
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
Castrum Abania
- Level: 69
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
Ala Mhigo
- Level: 70
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
Dungeons below are available after completing the Main Scenario Quest “Stormblood.”
Kugane Castle
- Level: 70
- Unlocks: King of the Castle sidequest at Kugane (X:13.9, Y:13.3)
The Temple of the Fist
- Level: 70
- Unlocks: To Kill a Coeurl sidequest at Rhalgr’s Reach (X:12.9, Y:12.8)
The Drowned City of Skalla
- Level: 70
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
Hells’ Lid
- Level: 70
- Unlocks: An Auspicious Encounter sidequest at The Ruby Sea (X:5.7, Y:15.7) after completing Main Scenario Quest Hope on the Waves.
The Fractal Continuum (Hard)
- Level: 70
- Unlocks: An Unwanted Truth sidequest at Rhalgr’s Reach (X:13.2, Y:12.2)
The Swallow’s Compass
- Level: 70
- Unlocks: Tortoise in Time sidequest at The Ruby Sea (X:27.9, Y:16.4) after completing An Auspicious Encounter sidequest.
The Burn
- Level: 70
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
Saint Mocianne’s Arboretum (Hard)
- Level: 70
- Unlocks: Secret of the Ooze sidequest at Rhalgr’s Reach (X:11.7, Y:11.9)
The Ghimlyt Dark
- Level: 70
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
Shadowbringers Dungeons
Shadowbringers’ most significant difference from the old expansions is that its main story dungeons were the first to accept NPCs as parties. Known as the Trust System, the player could board the instances using the Scions of the Seventh Dawn members.
As someone who opted for this mechanic rather than seeking actual party members, it was the first time I tasted Final Fantasy XIV as a single-player game. However, only Main Scenario Quest dungeons allow the Trust System. The two Shadowbringer’s optional dungeons demand a human-controlled party.
Holminster Switch
- Level: 71
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
Dohn Mheg
- Level: 73
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
The Qitana Ravel
- Level: 75
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
Malikah’s Well
- Level: 77
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
Gulg
- Level: 79
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
Amaurot
- Level: 80
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
Dungeons below are available after completing the Main Scenario Quest “Shadowbringer.”
The Twinning
- Level: 80
- Unlocks: By the Time You Hear This sidequest at The Crystarium (X:8.5, Y:10.9)
Akadaemia Anyder
- Level: 80
- Unlocks: Akadaemia Anyder sidequest at Eulmore (X:12.9, Y:12.4)
The Grand Cosmos
- Level: 80
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
Anamnesis Anyder
- Level: 80
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
The Heroes’ Gauntlet
- Level: 80
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
Matoya’s Relict
- Level: 80
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
Paglth’an
- Level: 80
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
Endwalker Dungeons
Endwalker followed the same direction as Shadowbringers, allowing all essential dungeons to be executed with the help of NPCs on the Trust System. So far, we have two optional dungeons grace you with high-level loot at the endgame, but don’t expect help from your Scions comrades.
The Tower of Zot
- Level: 81
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
The Tower of Babil
- Level: 83
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
Vanaspati
- Level: 85
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
Ktisis Hyperboreia
- Level: 87
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
The Aitiascope
- Level: 89
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
The Dead Ends
- Level: 90
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
Dungeons below are available after completing the Main Scenario Quest “Endwalker.”
Smileton
- Level: 90
- Unlocks: Cutting the Cheese sidequest at Old Sharlayan (X:11.8, Y:11.4)
The Stigma Dreamscape
- Level: 90
- Unlocks: Where No Loporrit Has Gone Before sidequest at Old Sharlayan (X:11, Y:13.8)
Alzadaal’s Legacy
- Level: 90
- Unlocks: Main Scenario Quest
FAQ
Question: How many dungeons are there in Final Fantasy XIV?
Answer: As of now, there are 86 dungeons in Final Fantasy XIV. Each expansion adds a lot more, and we also get a few between patches. These are only dungeons we’re talking about. The game also has a roster of raids, trials, deep dungeons, and other ominous places to explore.
Question: Do I need a party to go on dungeons?
Answer: Yes and no. If you are using the duty finder, the game will automatically pair you with companions also on the lookout for a party. If you choose a dungeon lower than your current level, you will synch to its level. However, you can tweak around the duty finder settings to join one with the Undersized Party. This option lets you enter the dungeon with your current party – or solo – and won’t synch your level or item levels. So if you join a level 50 dungeon with your level 90 character, you will bulldoze all enemies and bosses. While you won’t earn any exp or items this way, you can still complete dungeon-related quests and Wondrous Tails tiles.
Question: Are dungeons worth in Final Fantasy XIV?
Answer: A lot! If it’s your first time playing and you’re craving some new equipment, you can easily find them in a dungeon close to your level. If you’re leveling an alternate job, you can abuse the duty roulette system or join the highest level dungeon available to earn a bunch of experience. Most dungeons are required to progress further on the game’s main story, so there’s not much choice there. But I recommend unlocking and doing all optional dungeons. Some can reward you with cosmetic items not found elsewhere.
Question: When can you do dungeons in Final Fantasy XIV?
Answer: When your Main Scenario Quest is level 15, eventually, you will get a mission to visit other City-States. After doing so, shortly after, you will unlock the first dungeon, Sastasha. From then on, they will naturally come after you progress further in the story. Most dungeons will come in between trials – spectaculars boss fights.
Conclusion
Final Fantasy XIV’s dungeons are times when you need to demonstrate mastery with your job, synergy between roles, and communication between players. This is gradually decreasing since we can use NPCs as substitutes for players.
NPCs so strong that even if you make several errors in a mechanic or in your rotation, they will still carry you without much effort through the dungeon. However, it’s still one of the most fun and dynamic parts of an online game. Even if you are playing on a PlayStation like me and take twelve minutes to type any sentence using the controller.
Continue reading: