Dungeons are critical components that combine strategic gameplay with rich storytelling. These instanced areas present challenges such as enemy encounters and boss battles, delivering substantial rewards including experience points and equipment.
Our goal is to offer a complete overview of how dungeons function within FFXIV and their impact on the overall gaming experience, accommodating both newcomers and experienced players alike.
What are Dungeons in FFXIV?
In Final Fantasy XIV, dungeons are instanced areas designed for cooperative gameplay, typically involving a team of four players (one tank, one healer, and two DPS).
They play a crucial role in story progression and character development. Dungeons provide significant experience points, gear, and other rewards that enhance combat effectiveness. They feature a mix of enemies and culminate in boss fights, requiring tactical coordination and teamwork.
Dungeons vary in theme and difficulty, with advanced versions offering greater challenges for veteran players. This makes them central to both the narrative and gameplay experience of FFXIV.
Variant Dungeons
FFXIV Variant Dungeons are a newer type of content introduced in the Endwalker expansion. They offer a flexible and dynamic dungeon experience, designed to accommodate different play styles and party sizes, ranging from one to four players.
This type of dungeon diverges from the traditional structured path of most FF14 dungeons by introducing branching paths and multiple outcomes, which can lead to different experiences on each run.
Criterion Dungeons
Criterion Dungeons are designed for players seeking challenging, skill-based content. These dungeons can be tackled solo or in groups of up to four players and feature multiple difficulty levels, including a demanding Savage mode.
They emphasize precise mechanics and strategic planning and reward players based on performance and speed of completion. Criterion Dungeons are intended for mastery and replayability, appealing to players who enjoy refining their skills and optimizing their strategies in competitive, high-stakes environments.
Tackling down the dungeon bosses in Final Fantasy XIV requires a powerful build and moderate game knowledge. Fortunately, at KBoosting you can get FFXIV boosting services to assist you in completing your dungeons, builds, and many more end-game activities.
Difference between Criterion and Variant Dungeons
Here’s a comparison between Variant and Criterion Dungeons in FFXIV:
Variant Dungeons:
- They are rich in storytelling with multiple paths.
- Suitable for 1-4 players, adjusting dynamically.
- There are different outcomes based on your choices.
Criterion Dungeons:
- Features Normal and Savage modes for tough mechanics.
- Performance rewards based on speed and efficiency.
- Consistent challenges.
Criterion and Variant Dungeons difficulty
The difficulty levels of Criterion and Variant Dungeons in FFXIV differ notably based on their design and intended audience.
Criterion Dungeons are particularly challenging, especially in the Savage mode, which requires advanced skills and precise execution. These dungeons demand high levels of player skill, coordination, and understanding of game mechanics, making them ideal for experienced players seeking a test of their abilities.
While Variant Dungeons adapt their difficulty based on the number of players, they are generally considered less challenging than Criterion Dungeons. They accommodate a wider range of player skills and can be completed by varying group sizes, from solo players to a full party of four.
In summary, Criterion Dungeons are targeted towards those who enjoy rigorous, high-stakes gameplay, while Variant Dungeons provide a more approachable, story-driven experience where players can choose their path and explore different outcomes.
Loot table
Here’s a detailed look at what players can expect from these types of FF14 dungeons:
Criterion Dungeons Rewards:
- Gear and Accessories
- Achievements
- Cosmetic Items
- Tomestones
Variant Dungeons Rewards:
- Crafting Materials
- Glamour Gear
- Orchestrion Rolls
- Minions and Mounts
Deep Dungeons
Deep Dungeons are a specialized type of instanced content that features multiple, progressively harder floors. Within each Deep Dungeon run, players start from level 1, regardless of their external game level, and feature a leveling system that is limited to the dungeon itself. The layout, enemies, and loot are randomized, providing a fresh experience on each entry.
These dungeons can be tackled solo or in groups of up to four players, making them adaptable for different play styles. Key examples include “Palace of the Dead” and “Heaven-on-High,” each offering unique thematic challenges and rewards. Deep Dungeons are popular for their roguelike nature and replayability.
Is hard to complete a Deep Dungeon?
Completing a Deep Dungeon in Final Fantasy XIV can be challenging, with the difficulty largely depending on the floor level, player experience, and whether you’re playing solo or in a group.
The challenge increases as players advance to higher floors, which can be demanding even for experienced players. Solo runs add an extra layer of difficulty due to the lack of support from other roles, whereas group play might ease the challenge if the team is well-coordinated.
The randomized nature of the dungeon’s layout and enemy spawns also introduces unpredictability, making each run uniquely challenging. Proper use of items called Pomanders, which provide temporary buffs, is crucial for navigating the more difficult levels effectively.
Overall, while the early floors might be more manageable, reaching and conquering the highest floors of a Deep Dungeon requires skill, strategic planning, and sometimes a bit of luck.
How do you unlock Dungeons in FF14?
Dungeons can be accessed by progressing through Main Scenario Quests (MSQ) and Content Unlock Quests (indicated by blue quest markers). You will naturally encounter dungeons related to the MSQ as you follow the storyline.
To enter a dungeon, you must meet certain criteria, including a minimum character level and item level requirements. Additionally, dungeons have a maximum level cap.
How to unlock Variant Dungeons
To unlock Variant Dungeons, you will need to complete the Main Scenario Quest “Endwalker” and then the feature quest “An Odd Job” from Osmon in Old Sharlayan at coordinates X:11.9, Y:13.3. This will open up additional quests for each of the three Variant Dungeons. Each questline for the variant dungeons is independent, allowing the dungeons to be completed in any order you choose.
Variant Dungeons list
- The Sil’dihn Subterrane is unlocked by the Feature Quest “A Key to the Past”.
- Mount Rokkon is unlocked by the Feature Quest “Mononoke Aware”.
- Aloalo Island is unlocked by the Feature Quest “Stranger from Paradise”.
How to unlock Criterion Dungeons
To access Criterion Dungeons, you must first complete the relevant Variant Dungeon and its associated quest, then consult with Osmon in Old Sharlayan at coordinates X:11.9, Y:13.3, as a level 90 Disciple of War or Magic.
To unlock Savage Criterion Dungeons, finish the respective Criterion Dungeon, and then return to Osmon at the same coordinates.
Criterion Dungeons list
- Another Sil’dihn Subterrane
- Another Mount Rokkon
- Another Aloalo Island
How to unlock Deep Dungeons
To unlock FFXIV Deep Dungeons you’ll need to complete specific introductory quests. Here’s how you can unlock every Deep Dungeon in the game.
Deep Dungeons list
Palace of the Dead is unlocked if you have any Disciple of War or Magic class at level 17+ and complete the level 17 MSQ quest, “Into a Copper Hell”.
Heaven-on-High is unlocked if you finished PotD floor 50 and have any Disciple of War or Magic class at level 61+ and complete the level 63 MSQ quest, “The Tide Goes in, Imperials Go Out”.
Eureka Orthos is unlocked if you finished PotD floor 50 and have any Disciple of War or Magic class at level 81+ and complete the level 90 MSQ quest, “Endwalker”.
How FFXIV Deep Dungeons Work
Palace of the Dead, Heaven on High, and Eureka Orthos in FFXIV are unique dungeons with layouts that change each time you enter. Players start at the lowest level for each specific dungeon and must defeat enemies to gain the strength and experience needed to advance. This system creates a continually evolving challenge that tests players’ ability to adapt and improve.
Tips for Soloing Deep Dungeons
When you enter any of the 3 Deep Dungeons in FFXIV, your initial decision is choosing your job, which cannot be changed until you either clear floor 200 or die. Although it’s practical to complete the dungeon with any of the game’s 20 jobs, certain jobs can significantly simplify the experience, particularly for newcomers.
Currently, the Machinist is viewed as the top job because it can deliver high, consistent damage from a distance without casting delays. This allows it to kite enemies effectively, avoiding close combat while launching powerful attacks.
Level up your Aetherpool
Inside Deep Dungeons, player equipment and progressions have unique mechanics. Normal gear does not impact your character’s attributes in these dungeons. You are forced to use specific Aetherpool Arms and Armor.
To strengthen your Aetherpool equipment, you must find and open Silver Coffers, which can enhance each item up to a maximum of +99.
Each Deep Dungeon has its own Aetherpool Gear to enhance, and the values are not shared between them. Upon clearing a set of 10 floors, the value of your Aetherpool gear will be saved. Consumables such as food, health potions, and tinctures still work as normal.
Navigating the Floors
In the early stages of a Deep Dungeon, it’s tempting to thoroughly explore, fight every enemy, and open every chest. While this approach works well initially, as you progress, it becomes important to focus on speed. Enemies become tougher and take longer to defeat, making it challenging to clear the higher-level floors.
Deep Dungeons Rewards
Here’s a breakdown of the types of rewards you can expect:
- Aetherpool Gear: These items are critical for success within the dungeons and can be exchanged for powerful weapons to use in the main game.
- Achievements
- Mounts and Minions
- Glamour and Titles
Treasure Coffers
In Deep Dungeons, players encounter three types of Coffers, each offering different rewards:
- Bronze Coffers: Mainly contain consumables like Potions or Phoenix Downs, with a chance for Potshards or Fragments, which are exchangeable for mounts and special items. Only one player randomly receives the item in groups of two or more. On floors 1-30, these can also be Mimics.
- Silver Coffers: Typically boost Aetherpool Arm or Armour, though upgrades may fail on higher floors. They rarely contain Magicite in Heaven on High and Demiclone Generators in Eureka Orthos. On floors 31-60, these may become Mimics or explode, dealing significant damage.
- Gold Coffers: Provide Pomanders, limited to carrying three of each type. If full, the coffer won’t open. On floors 41+ in Palace of the Dead and 61+ in other dungeons, they can turn into Mimics.
Each type of Coffer introduces unique risks and rewards, influencing dungeon strategy and progression.
Final Thoughts
FFXIV Dungeons blend strategic gameplay with engaging storytelling, which is essential for character and narrative development. They provide a wide range of formats, from the story-rich Variant Dungeons to the challenging Criterion Dungeons and the roguelike Deep Dungeons. This diversity ensures that FFXIV dungeons remain central to the game’s appeal, continuously evolving to meet the needs and preferences of its community.
