Final Fantasy XIV Patch 7.55 Guide: Phantom Weapons Final Upgrade, North Horn Unlock and Everything You Need to Prepare

Final Fantasy XIV is expected to receive the highly anticipated Patch 7.56 update on September 8, 2026.

This patch is likely to be the last patch with significant content updates before Patch 8.0. Specifically, it includes two main parts: the official release of the new Beastmaster job, and the second part of the main storyline.

Next, I will introduce these two parts in detail.

New Job Beastmaster

First, I will introduce the most anticipated content of FFXIV Patch 7.56 - implementation of the new job Beastmaster.

Job Role and Unlocking Method

Unlike other regular jobs in the game, Beastmaster is a Limited Job, similar to Blue Mage. This means players cannot use it for random matchmaking via Duty Finder, nor can they use it in some high-difficulty dungeons.

However, its experience gain in open-world combat is far more efficient than regular jobs, and it possesses its own unique gameplay and mechanics.

In terms of combat, Beastmaster's role is unexpected - it's a Melee DPS class, wielding a one-handed axe and shield. Before this was revealed, all players assumed it would be a ranged or magic-based class.

To unlock this class, players need to have a combat class that reaches level 50, complete the main quest The Ultimate Weapon, and progress to Patch 7.0 Dawntrail. Then, players simply need to complete a specific job advancement quest to unlock the class.

Core Gameplay

The core gameplay of Beastmaster can be summarized in four keywords: capture, collection, summoning, and synergy.

First, capture. Beastmasters can capture monsters, which can then be used by the player. However, success depends on factors such as skill level and the monster's HP. When FF14 Patch 7.56 is released, the game will feature 50 captureable monsters.

Secondly, there's collection. Captured monsters are recorded in Master's Bestiary - a built-in collection system where players can view not only captured monsters but also other uncaptured but captureable ones.

Thirdly, there's summoning. Players can use a specific whistle to summon monsters to assist in battle. Players can bind any three of their existing monsters to the whistle.

While players can only summon one monster at a time during battle, they can switch between the three at any time to adapt to different situations.

Fourthly, there's teamwork. This is the essence of Beastmaster's battle system. Both Beastmasters and monsters have independent energy bars. When both energy bars reach 100 or more, Instinctual Combos can be activated.

At this point, the player's system interface will display icons in four colors: red, blue, brown, and green. Players must use skills of the corresponding colors in a specific order.

If the player successfully uses the skills in the correct order, a combo will be triggered, dealing additional damage to enemies. If the player can complete two correct combos consecutively, a level 2 combo will be triggered, resulting in even higher damage.

Exclusive Gameplay

Beastmaster also has an exclusive challenge mode - Crucible of the Unbroken.

This is a single-player roguelike combat challenge with its own rewards and progress system. There are three difficulty levels, with the highest difficulty featuring a leaderboard. The first round of rankings will begin two weeks after the release of FFXIV Patch 7.56 and end with Patch 7.58.

Players can bring 10 monsters into Crucible of the Unbroken, but can only bring 3 per battle, and can only summon 1 monster at a time. Once inside the scene, players can progress by exploring different side paths and leveling up their monsters.

Exploring paths, progressing through the game, and challenging higher difficulties will all yield generous rewards, including a large amount of Final Fantasy XIV Gil, exclusive mounts, weapon skins, and monster skins.

New Story Predictions

In addition to the new job, FF14 Patch 7.56 will also introduce the second part of the main storyline. This story will connect the main storylines of Patch 7.0 Dawntrail and Patch 7.55, and lay the groundwork for the story of Patch 8.0.

In short, in the game's main storyline, the world protagonists inhabit is one of thousands of mirror worlds, and all the mirror worlds are heading towards destruction.

Halmarut, a key character in the story, hopes to ensure that at least one world can survive by devouring other mirror worlds.

The player, as Warrior of Light, cannot accept this approach and begins to search for a new way to break the deadlock.

At the end of Patch 7.0's main storyline, the protagonist obtains a key that may possess the ability to link different mirror worlds, bringing new life to them.

Combined with the trailer for Patch 8.0 Evercold - the opening of the new area, The Fourth World - we can predict that this key is the key to entering The Fourth World.

Therefore, the main storyline of Patch 7.56 will likely revolve around how the protagonists use this key to find the gate to The Fourth World and embark on a new adventure.

This practice of using smaller patches' storylines to connect the main storylines of two larger patches is a common practice in FFXIV.

In short, the biggest highlights of Final Fantasy XIV Patch 7.56 are the official release of the new Beastmaster job and the new main storyline.

Whether you're a player who enjoys exploring new gameplay or a viewer who's passionate about grand epic stories, this patch is not to be missed. Let's look forward to September 8th!

In Final Fantasy XIV, Relic Weapon is one of the ultimate goals for countless players, requiring them to invest significant time and effort.

With the arrival of Patch 7.55 Trail to the Heavens, Dawntrail version of Relic Weapon - Phantom Weapon - has finally reached its final form. This weapon is not only a symbol of Dawntrail but also represents the pinnacle of weapon power in the current game.

If you also want to own such a powerful weapon, then follow this guide to craft it.

Preliminary Preparations

Since FFXIV Patch 7.55 adds the final form of Relic Weapon, and prior to that, the weapon had three stages, you need to complete the first three stages before you can craft the final form.

first stage is called Phantom Penumbra. To complete this stage, players need to collect six different Demiatma, which can be obtained by completing FATEs and Critical Encounters.

second stage is called Phantom Umbrae. The crafting materials for this stage can be obtained directly with Gil, but players also need to charge Aetherwell Array.

third stage is called Phantom Obscurum. This stage requires players to collect 1,200 Crystal Pastes through various in-game activities.

Completing these three stages takes time, but after completion, you can begin crafting the final form of Relic Weapon.

Step 1: Preparing Materials

To craft the final form of Relic Weapon in FF 14 Patch 7.55, the first step is to prepare the crafting materials.

Players first need to find NPC Goplu (X:13.1, Y:12.8) in Tuliyollal and spend 500,000 Gil to obtain a Monarch Whetstone.

Next, players will need to prepare three key crafting materials: Ancestral Alloy Ingot, Spool of Ascendant Twine, and Bottle of Majestic Polish.

There are two ways to obtain these materials: crafting them yourself through crafting professions, or trading them directly with other players from Market Board using Gil.

Considering that it's the end of the patch, many players will be producing these materials, so their market price isn't high. Obtaining them directly from Market Board is the most cost-effective option, saving players a significant amount of time.

Step 2: Collecting Phantom Despellers

Next, players need to collect a large number of Phantom Despellers. These items come in three types: α, β, and γ, and players need to collect 100 of each.

In Patch 7.55, players can obtain these Phantom Despellers in two ways:

First, by completing Duty Roulette dungeon. This is a mode that FFXIV players are very familiar with.

By completing random missions in High-level Dungeons, players can reliably obtain 13 Phantom Despeller α; completing random missions in Trials yields 5 Phantom Despeller β; and completing random missions in Normal Raids grants 5 Phantom Despeller γ.

The advantage of this method is its stability, predictability, and ability to simultaneously generate a large amount of Tomstone. However, the disadvantage is the low yield per run, requiring a significant time investment to quickly reach the maximum amount.

Secondly, players can farm FATEs and Critical Engagements in North Horn. North Horn is a new Field Operation area introduced in FF 14 Patch 7.55. Here, players can obtain 3 Phantom Despellers by participating in FATEs, and 10 Phantom Despellers by participating in larger and more challenging Critical Engagements.

For players seeking efficiency, North Horn is undoubtedly the better choice. Because there are no restrictions on farming here, players can continuously farm Phantom Despellers.

Step 3: Collect Allagan Tomestones of Mathematics

After completing the two steps above, players need to submit 1500 Allagan Tomestones of Mathematics to NPC Ermina in Phantom Village.

Allagan Tomestones of Mathematics are the universal token used in FFXIV to exchange for top-tier equipment, primarily obtained by completing various high-level dungeons. This requirement is designed to encourage players to actively participate in high-level dungeons and mainstream gameplay in the current patch.

However, how can players efficiently acquire this large quantity of Allagan Tomestones of Mathematics? The classic solution is to participate in Hunt Train.

This is a player-organized event where large teams of players repeatedly hunt A-rank and S-rank elite monsters across various maps. Through this method, all participating players can acquire a large number of Allagan Tomestones of Mathematics in a short time, and of course, also receive other rewards.

Step 4: Final Phantasm

After completing the first three steps, a chapter called "Final Phantasm" will appear in the main quest list. Players need to complete the quests in this chapter to successfully craft the final stage of Relic Weapon.

This step is fundamentally different from the previous steps. It's more like a checklist or commemorative album, requiring players to complete almost all types of content from throughout Dawntrail. This isn't just a step for attribute upgrades; it's more of an emotional summary.

It guides players through the entire Dawntrail journey - from the main quests to FATEs in various maps, and then to various raid dungeons.

This design is reminiscent of previous Relic Weapon crafting quests, giving this final weapon a commemorative significance that transcends mere stats.

Of course, if players haven't completed the entire main storyline, this step will consume a significant amount of their time. However, experiencing the main storyline is also part of the game, so this step won't be boring.

The above is how to craft the final stage of Relic Weapon in Final Fantasy XIV Patch 7.55 Trail to the Heavens.

Relic Weapon is renowned not only for its stunning appearance and powerful abilities, but also for its tedious and complex crafting process, requiring a significant amount of time to create.

However, the satisfaction players gain upon successfully completing the crafting process is immense.

In FFXIV's long-term progression system, Relic Weapon has always held a special place. It's not just equipment that enhances stats, but also a long-term progression path that records player investment and growth. Therefore, every adjustment to Relic Weapon system sparks considerable discussion.

From Endwalker to Dawntrail, Relic Weapon has gradually shifted towards a lighter design, relying heavily on points for progression. Before the announcement of Evercold, the producer hinted that the next expansion's Relic Weapon system would take a different approach, but the official changes have not yet been announced.

While the answer to the new system remains to be seen, Cosmic Exploration in the current expansion may have already revealed some design concepts worth learning from for the future Relic Weapon.

Inspiration from Cosmic Exploration

A closer look at Cosmic Exploration reveals that it actually integrates the strengths of several past large-scale progression systems.

Similar to Eureka and Bozja, it features dedicated areas, recurring quests, and long-term progression goals. However, it doesn't completely replicate the high-intensity grinding of the past, instead striking a better balance between efficiency and investment.

In FF14's Cosmic Exploration, players continuously complete quests to earn Research Points and gradually upgrade their Crafting and Gathering Tools.

As tool levels increase, players not only gain stronger equipment effects but also unlock new progression stages. The biggest advantage of this process is that players consistently feel their investment is yielding results.

Compared to simply accumulating Final Fantasy XIV Gil to exchange for equipment, Cosmic Exploration offers a more defined progression experience. Players aren't endlessly repeating tasks for a last reward but gradually improving their equipment as they complete objectives.

I believe this is precisely the design philosophy that the future Relic Weapon should adopt. Relic Weapons don't necessarily need to revert to the lengthy and stressful crafting methods of the past, but it should at least make players feel like they are cultivating a special weapon, not completing a routine exchange.

Relic Weapons Need a Sense of Progression

Currently, in FFXIV, Relic Weapons are typically crafted after reaching the level cap, creating difference of opinion between crafting and character progression. Players often need to level up and upgrade their equipment before investing time in crafting Relic Weapons.

However, by referencing the progression system of Cosmic Exploration, future Relic Weapons could be integrated into the character progression process.

For example, Relic Weapons could gradually strengthen as the character's class level increases, allowing players to advance their weapon's progression while leveling up their new class. This would give sub-class development an additional objective, rather than simply grinding for experience.

Of course, this design needs to avoid forcibly binding characters to a specific class. Past Relic Weapon quests required players to use a specific class to complete content, which could feel restrictive.

A more reasonable approach would allow players to gain basic progress regardless of their class, while equipping and using the corresponding Relic Weapon would provide greater efficiency.

This design retains freedom while allowing Relic Weapon to truly become a companion throughout the character's progression.

Point Redemption Isn't the Final Answer

In recent years, FF14 has increasingly relied on the point system, its biggest advantages being stability and freedom. Players can acquire resources like Final Fantasy XIV Gil through various content, without being confined to a single gameplay style.

However, for Relic Weapon, relying solely on point redemption always presents a problem: a lack of independent experience.

Relic Weapon is special because it represents the completion of a long journey for the player. If it ultimately boils down to daily quests, accumulating resources, and then redeeming upgrade materials, the entire process easily loses its sense of ritual.

Future expansions don't need to completely abandon the point system. A more ideal solution is to make points the basic path, while adding gameplay content specifically designed to support Relic Weapon's growth.

Players who prefer a relaxed progression can complete the game at their own pace, while players who want to focus on developing their Relic Weapon will have clear and challenging goals.

If Evercold were to reintroduce similar special areas, the design focus shouldn't solely be on repeatedly grinding FATEs or defeating special enemies. Truly excellent Relic Weapon areas should possess their own quest logic and exploration value, making players feel like they're embarking on an independent adventure.

Addressing the Crafting Pressure of Multiple Classes

As the number of classes in FF14 continues to increase, the crafting pressure of Relic Weapons becomes increasingly apparent. Future expansions will feature many combat classes; if each Relic Weapon requires the same amount of time, most players will ultimately only craft a few.

Research Bonus mechanism in Cosmic Exploration provides an excellent solution to this problem. As players complete more tools, the crafting speed for subsequent tools will significantly increase. This design effectively rewards long-term investment and encourages players to continue trying new goals.

A similar mechanism could be adopted for combat Relic Weapons. After completing the first Relic Weapon, subsequent weapons should receive an efficiency boost, making collecting weapons for multiple classes a positive cycle rather than constantly repeating the same tasks.

The core of Relic Weapon system should be to encourage players to explore more classes, not to discourage them due to high costs.

Enhancing the Collectible Value of Weapons

In FF14, the appearance of equipment has always been more important than its pure stats. Many players craft Relic Weapons not because of their combat advantages, but because of their unique design and collectible value.

Therefore, future Relic Weapons may not need complex combat mechanics. More promising than minor stat boosts are exclusive visual effects.

As new expansions add more animation-related content, if Relic Weapons possess independent skill effects, special attack animations, or richer visual effects, it will undoubtedly become a significant motivation for players to craft multiple weapons.

For FFXIV players, a truly collectible weapon is the greatest reward in itself.

A Relic Weapon shouldn't just be a piece of equipment in an expansion, nor should it become a challenge only a few players can persevere in. It should be a personal growth experience for the player, and this is perhaps the correct direction Evercold Relic Weapon system should strive for.

FF14 Patch 7.5 will officially launch on Tuesday, April 28th. This update continues the main storyline of Dawntrail and follows the standard patch structure to advance the story.

Patch 7.5 not only brings new raids and weapon upgrade paths but also introduces several system optimizations and gameplay expansions.

Whether participating in Alliance Raids, progressing through Phantom Weapons, or exploring upcoming new areas, planning will help players integrate into this update more efficiently.

The following will detail the core updates of Final Fantasy 14 Patch 7.5 from several aspects, including story quests, combat content, weapon systems, exploration gameplay, and optimizations.

Story Quests

FFXIV Patch 7.5 continues the main storyline of Dawntrail, following the previous patch structure. If players have not completed all main quests up to the current version, they will immediately encounter an obstacle preventing further progress on the update day.

Therefore, ensuring that your main story progress is completely up-to-date is a prerequisite for experiencing 7.5 version's story.

Version 7.5 introduces brand-new Capstone rewards for all existing Allied Society quests, building upon players' existing progress. It is strongly recommended to complete all current Allied Society quests before the update.

In addition, for players who enjoy lighthearted and humorous side quests, completing the existing Hildibrand quest chain is equally important, as it allows for a seamless transition to the new sequel in the series after an update, without interrupting the experience.

Combat Content

FFXIV Patch 7.5 will introduce Alliance Raids Echoes of Vana'diel: Windurst, The Third Walk. This is the third part of the series, and players must complete the first two parts to unlock it.

The rewards from the first two raids will be combined with coins from the new raid after the update to upgrade Tomestone gear. While this upgrade path has weekly acquisition limits, players don't need to hoard large amounts of old coins before the update, as there will be ample time to complete them after the patch goes live.

This update provides more ways to enhance equipment. Previously idle Sack of Nuts will be available again on Tuesday. Players can use Surgelight Twine to upgrade Bygone gear at regular NPCs in Tuliyollal or Solution Nine.

The most efficient way to obtain these materials remains participating in A Rank Hunt Trains, which not only yields the aforementioned upgrade materials but also accumulates Tomestones and other valuable items.

Upgraded Tomestone gear combined with Savage gear, along with the final stage of Phantom Weapons, will form the pinnacle of gear strength in Dawntrail version, laying a solid foundation for subsequent content.

Weapon System

Phantom Relic weapons are a key focus in FFXIV Patch 7.5. The current Obscurum stage requires 1200 Crystal Pastes, which are physical items stored in the player's inventory. Completing daily random quests, repeatedly challenging leveling random quests, and participating in FATEs are efficient ways to obtain Crystal Pastes, while also helping classes that haven't reached level 100 continue leveling.

Players are strongly advised to begin preparing for Phantom Weapons as early as possible, especially those still at Demi-Ozma stage or earlier.

The first round of quests in each new stage is always a single farming phase, followed by the process of submitting Tomstones materials for each class. The final form of Phantom Weapons is likely to become the most powerful weapon players will equip in the next expansion, making the time invested in preparation worthwhile.

Exploration Gameplay

This patch may introduce a new exploration area called Occult Crescent. While it's not entirely certain whether it will launch on April 28th alongside the rest of the content, this area is expected to take a significant amount of time to complete, especially involving maxing out Phantom jobs.

Players looking to save time can consider using Final Fantasy XIV Gil to acquire potions, food, or finished gear.

It is highly speculated that maxing our Phantom jobs will affect North Horn region, resulting in a significant overall power boost. Meanwhile, South Horn region will continue to provide stable progress support for Phantom Weapons, regardless of the player's current weapon stage.

FXIV Patch 7.5 will also introduce new content for Cosmic Exploration, including new star routes and field operations. Players planning to participate in this mode should prepare in advance, ensuring their gear and progress are ready.

Optimizations

PvP players need to complete their current PvP series progress before the patch goes live, as the old series will end with patch 7.5, and a new series will begin immediately.

The new Crystalline Conflict arena and its corresponding rewards will be a focus of future PvP events. Completing the current series in advance ensures obtaining all desired rewards and allows for immediate entry into the new season after the update.

FXIV Patch 7.5 also makes several optimizations to system convenience. Firstly, the storage and Glamour systems have been improved; the new storage and Glamour features allow gear to be combined into sets, significantly saving space.

Secondly, Sightseeing Log system has been optimized, making tracker and completion conditions easier, allowing players who haven't yet completed their logs to do so efficiently.

FFXIV Patch 7.5 is a large-scale update packed with content, covering the main story, Alliance Raid, Phantom Weapons upgrades, new exploration areas, Beast Mastery class, and numerous system optimizations.

Completing the main story, Allied Society, and Hildibrand quests ahead of time, clearing your inventory, and preparing upgrade materials will ensure the smoothest experience after the update.

Whether you're aiming for challenging combat, casual exploration, or economic gains, this patch provides ample opportunities. Enjoy the weekend before the update and prepare for the new chapter of Dawntrail.

Buy Final Fantasy XIV Gil from EZG.com to be fully geared on April 28th, the day the patch goes live, and seamlessly experience Alliance Raid, the final stage of Phantom Weapons, and all the new systems.

The market price of items typically increases by 20%-30% three days before a patch, making it more cost-effective to stock up with Final Fantasy XIV Gil in advance. Visit EZG.com for safe, ban-free service that supports all servers.