Square Enix directly addressed the low engagement in Forked Tower, the raid tied to the Occult Crescent zone. Only 400 clears have occurred so far—a surprisingly small figure for content of this scale. In response, Patch 7.3 introduces a new system that lets players form 48-player pre-made alliances to enter the raid together. Although the UI won’t be perfect at launch, this feature should dramatically improve access and organization.
Yoshi-P clarified that players still need to submit ciphers, but a future update will add a list showing who contributed them. The team also responded to concerns about the lack of difficulty options. Instead of offering both Normal and Savage difficulties for Forked Tower, they chose to ship only a single version due to cost. That explanation didn’t go over well with many, but Yoshi-P promised that future Occult Crescent content will include both difficulty types. Additionally, they acknowledged that gil and material rewards from coffers haven’t felt meaningful and pledged to improve future reward structures.
Demi-Atma Drop Rate Criticism Continues (Final Fantasy 14)
One of the most talked-about topics remains the Demi-Atma grind. Players requested improved drop rates or a backup method to reduce the randomness. However, Yoshi-P declined those suggestions, instead confirming that the 20% drop rate for Critical Engagements and 5% for FATEs are working as designed. He compared them to A Realm Reborn Atmas, which began at a 2% rate and gradually increased.
Rather than adjust rates, many players feel the solution lies in a simple exchange or pity system. That would allow extra Demi-Atma to be traded for the ones they still need. Others proposed adding a silver-based option to make progress more consistent. The grind currently feels dull, and even if it’s short, it lacks excitement. Adding a fallback path would help maintain player interest and reduce unnecessary repetition.
Cosmic Exploration Sees Mounts, Fixes, and More
Cosmic Exploration will receive several improvements in 7.3 and 7.31. Players will now be able to use mounts across the zone. Additionally, the game will automatically open the mission report window, and any GP or Codial cooldowns used during missions will now reset upon completion. These adjustments aim to make gathering missions more fluid and rewarding.
Another change focuses on the evolving base layout. Many players found it confusing when NPC positions shifted after development stages. The developers plan to keep shop and NPC placements consistent moving forward. Holograms will also appear at the start to improve navigation. They acknowledged that post-progression incentives have felt weak, so they plan to introduce more activities to keep players engaged after finishing tool upgrades and reward tracks. Other updates include the addition of retainer bells and a new teleport ticket to reach Driving Way more easily.
What’s Coming in Patch 7.3: Full Content Rundown (Final Fantasy 14 Patch Notes)
Patch 7.3 delivers a full slate of new content. The main story quest wraps up the Dawntrail narrative and introduces more on Morris Fiend. Players will head into the Meso Terminal dungeon, a space that looks like a visual tribute to past expansions. While details about the new trial remain minimal, the visuals from Living Memory suggest a major confrontation.
The update includes part two of the Echoes of Vana’diel alliance raid, focused on San d’Oria, with breathtaking snowy backdrops and a dramatic aurora-filled sky. A new treasure dungeon named Vault Oneiron also arrives, bringing mini-games and new mechanics.
The Deep Dungeon: Pilgrim’s Traverse begins at level 91 and supports leveling through its side-scrolling layout. After clearing floor 99, a tougher version of the boss unlocks for parties of four at level 100. While there’s no new ultimate in this patch, plenty of gameplay additions help make up for it.
PvP also receives a refresh with a new Crystalline Conflict arena, casual duo queue options, and rank adjustments. On the visual side, Viera characters can now hide their ears, and new hairstyles and hats expand customization further. Meanwhile, players finally gain access to chat bubbles, with filters and color settings to tailor them to specific channels like party or shout.
Lastly, the new Cosmic Exploration planet, Glassa, introduces a bioluminescent fungal biome. This area continues the game’s trend of pushing bold visual styles, and it sets the stage for future expansion content.
