FFXIV Beastmaster: A Deep Dive into the New Limited Job

Retainers across Eorzea are breathing a collective sigh of relief! The recent FFXIV 7.5 Live Letter unveiled a wealth of information about the upcoming patch, including new dungeons, more adventures with Hildebrand, and a compelling new scenario quest. However, the biggest announcements revolved around the highly anticipated Beastmaster limited job and significant overhauls to the game’s often-frustrating inventory systems.

Unleashing the Beastmaster: A First Look

The FFXIV Beastmaster will debut at level 1 alongside other job classes, offering a unique gameplay experience. However, aspiring Beastmasters will need to meet certain requirements: a minimum level of 50 and completion of the main scenario questline in A Realm Reborn. This ensures players have a solid foundation before embarking on their monster-taming journey.

Drawing inspiration from other Final Fantasy titles, the Beastmaster focuses on weakening monsters in combat to facilitate capture. Successful captures allow players to summon up to three critter companions to aid them in battle and accompany them on their adventures. This adds a new layer of strategic depth to combat and exploration.

A Growing Bestiary and the Crucible of the Unbroken

At launch, the Beastmaster’s bestiary will feature 50 unique monsters to discover and capture. The initial level cap for the job will be 50, allowing players to fully explore the mechanics and build their team of companions. Producer Naoki Yoshida also teased a single-player mode called the Crucible of the Unbroken, where players can “nurture” their beast companions. While details remain scarce, this suggests a dedicated space for bonding with and strengthening your captured creatures.

Release Timeline and Blue Mage Updates

The Beastmaster is slated for release sometime within the FFXIV 7.5 patch series, which begins on April 28th and extends through September. Square Enix has not yet specified which patch will introduce the new limited job. Unfortunately, the development time dedicated to the Beastmaster has necessitated a delay in the next Blue Mage update. Players eager for more Blue Mage content will have to wait a bit longer. (Information sourced from Nova Crystalis)

Inventory Improvements: A Game Changer

Beyond the Beastmaster, Patch 7.5 brings much-needed improvements to FFXIV’s inventory system. The dye system is undergoing consolidation, grouping colors into three main categories. This will significantly reduce inventory clutter, as players will select a specific color within each category rather than storing individual dye items. Existing dyes can be exchanged for the new system at any Calamity Salvager.

Finally, players will be able to store Artifact and dungeon gear in their armoire! Initially, this will be limited to Dawntrail dungeons, but Square Enix plans to gradually expand this functionality to include gear from previous expansions. This is a huge win for players who have been struggling to manage their ever-growing collection of items.

Housing Updates and More

For those who call an in-game house their home, Patch 7.5 will increase the limits on indoor and outdoor item placement. Players will also have the option to prioritize display settings, choosing whether to prioritize their own items or those of nearby players, potentially improving performance in crowded areas.

Other additions include:

• Further details will be shared at FFXIV Fan Fest in Anaheim, California on April 24th and 25th.

The FFXIV Beastmaster and the accompanying updates in Patch 7.5 promise to be a significant addition to the game. Stay tuned for more information as we approach the release date!