TL;DR
- Patch 3.5 releases in two parts: January and March 2017 with major content additions
- Two new dungeons including Baelsar’s Wall and Sohm Al Hard Mode with reversed progression
- Dun Scaith alliance raid introduces unstable airship platform mechanics
- Warring Triad concludes with Containment Bay Z1T9 Extreme trial
- New crafting/gathering system focuses on glamour progression
During the November 25th Letter from the Producer Live broadcast, Final Fantasy XIV director Naoki Yoshida unveiled comprehensive details about the upcoming 3.5 update, The Far Edge of Fate. This substantial content drop will arrive in two distinct phases: the initial release scheduled for January 2017, followed by the concluding segment in March 2017. Our analysis provides strategic insights and preparation guidance for each major addition.
Many adventurers have already encountered Baelsar’s Wall, the imposing Garlean fortification situated in the East Shroud region. This massive defensive structure creates a physical barrier between the Garlean Empire and Eorzea, originally constructed to shield imperial territories from primal summonings and beast tribe incursions. Warriors of Light will now assault this strategic location, potentially uncovering critical intelligence about Garlean military operations. Expect challenging enemy formations and environmental hazards that require coordinated party tactics.
The hard mode iteration of Sohm Al presents a completely reimagined dungeon experience compared to its Heavensward counterpart. While the original version required ascending the mountain’s peaks, this challenging variant reverses your trajectory into a descent through previously inaccessible areas. Veteran players should anticipate altered enemy placements, new mechanics, and potentially different boss behavior patterns that demand adaptation from established strategies.
New alliance raid dungeon
Dun Scaith represents the climactic third installment in the Mhach raid series, continuing the narrative established in previous alliance encounters. This 24-player content introduces groundbreaking environmental mechanics beginning with the inaugural boss engagement occurring aboard a maneuvering airship. The unstable platform creates constant movement challenges that will test positional awareness and reaction timing. Additional innovative mechanics throughout subsequent areas promise to challenge even seasoned raid veterans with complex pattern recognition and execution demands.
Strategic preparation should include mastering movement-while-casting techniques and developing spatial awareness for rapidly changing battlefield conditions. Common mistakes include underestimating the platform’s movement speed and failing to anticipate AoE patterns on shifting terrain. Allocate approximately 90-120 minutes for initial progression sessions to account for learning curve adjustments.
Containment Bay Z1T9 (Extreme)
This extreme-difficulty encounter concludes the Warring Triad storyline, following the previously released Sephirot and Sophia trials. Players can anticipate narrative resolutions to lingering mysteries surrounding the triad’s origins and motivations. The battle mechanics will likely incorporate elements from previous triad encounters while introducing new, more complex patterns that demand precise execution and rapid adaptation to evolving phase transitions.
Optimization strategies include studying phase transition triggers and mastering damage mitigation coordination. Advanced players should focus on optimizing DPS during brief vulnerability windows while maintaining situational awareness for environmental hazards. Expect significant mechanical complexity that may require multiple practice sessions to achieve mastery.
New Content in 3.5 and 3.55
A revolutionary content type arrives specifically for Disciples of the Hand and Land classes, introducing a sophisticated collectable fulfillment system. Players accept specialized gathering and crafting assignments from designated NPCs, beginning with Zhloe Aliapoh, to increase character satisfaction metrics through targeted production tasks.
As the patch cycle advances, additional client NPCs will become available, expanding the scope and variety of available commissions. The content evolution will increasingly emphasize glamour customization elements, ultimately establishing character appearance enhancement as the central thematic focus. This provides dedicated crafters and gatherers with meaningful progression paths beyond traditional market board activities.
Practical tips include prioritizing high-yield collectables and optimizing rotation efficiency for maximum satisfaction gains. Common pitfalls involve neglecting to update gear for higher-tier assignments and misunderstanding client preference patterns. Allocate 30-45 minutes daily for optimal progression pacing.
Action Checklist
- Complete main scenario requirements for Baelsar’s Wall access
- Practice Sohm Al mechanics in preparation for hard mode variations
- Form 24-player alliance groups for Dun Scaith progression
- Study Warring Triad mechanics from previous extremes
- Prepare crafting/gathering gear for new collectable system
No reproduction without permission:OnLineGames Guides » FFXIV Patch 3.5 – The Far Edge of Fate, Part 1 and Part 2 Separately Coming in January and March 2017 Final Fantasy XIV 3.5 Patch Breakdown: New Dungeons, Raids, and Crafting Content Explained
