TL;DR
- Patch 6.4 continues the main story with new dungeons, trials, and side quests
- Duty Support expands to include five Stormblood dungeons for solo play
- New raid tier Pandaemonium Anabaseios arrives with Savage difficulty following one week later
- Island Sanctuary receives new content alongside Ocean Fishing route additions
- Job adjustments and PVP Series Four launch with Crystalline Conflict Season Seven
Following the earlier Patch 6.3 “Gods Revel, Lands Tremble” release, Final Fantasy XIV players have been anticipating the next major content infusion. Square Enix has officially confirmed Patch 6.4 “The Dark Throne” will arrive in late May 2023, bringing substantial new adventures to explore. As an FFXIV enthusiast, prepare for comprehensive updates spanning narrative progression, challenging encounters, and quality-of-life enhancements that will reshape your gameplay experience throughout the coming months.

For players seeking to maximize their preparation efficiency, understanding the update’s structure helps prioritize pre-patch activities. Many veterans recommend completing current relic weapon stages and stocking crafting materials before the patch drops to avoid market fluctuations.
The centerpiece of this update continues the gripping main scenario questline, picking up precisely where the previous installment concluded. This narrative progression promises significant developments in the ongoing saga, with The Dark Throne expected to deliver crucial story beats that will set the stage for future expansions. The update also introduces substantial side content including fresh Hildibrand Adventures, ongoing Tataru’s Grand Endeavor missions, and additional opportunities to enhance your Manderville Relic Weapons through newly accessible upgrade paths.
Combat enthusiasts will discover The Aetherfront, a brand-new dungeon featuring innovative mechanics and environmental design. The update also brings multiple trial encounters, including The Voidcast Dais in both standard and Extreme difficulties, providing both story progression and challenging endgame content for different player skill levels.

- New Trials:
-
- The Voidcast Dais
- The Voidcast Dais Extreme
-
- New Unreal Trial:
-
- Containment Bay Z1T9 (Unreal)
-
- New Raids:
-
- Pandaemonium Anabaseios
- Pandaemonium Anabaseios (Savage)
- Savage raid released on week after Patch 6.4
-
Beyond the primary combat content, the Island Sanctuary receives meaningful expansions with new features, mechanics, and rewards. A fresh Ocean Fishing route offers additional opportunities for anglers, while new crafting recipes, mounts, minions, and emotes provide collectors with fresh acquisition targets. Veteran players suggest focusing on Island Sanctuary updates early, as these often contain time-gated content that benefits from consistent daily attention.
The Duty Support system undergoes significant expansion, now incorporating five additional dungeons from the Stormblood expansion. This enhancement dramatically improves the solo player experience, allowing comprehensive main scenario progression without reliance on matchmaking. The newly supported dungeons represent key narrative moments and provide alternative progression paths for players leveling alternate jobs.
-
- The Sirensong Sea
- Bardam’s Mettle
- Doma Castle
- Castrum Abania
- Ala Mhigo
Job adjustments represent another critical system update, with balancing changes affecting both PvE and PvP gameplay. These modifications aim to address community feedback while maintaining class identity and playstyle diversity. The PvP landscape transforms with the commencement of Series Four and Crystalline Conflict Season Seven, introducing new rewards, balance changes, and competitive opportunities. Many raiders recommend spending time on the Public Test Realm if available to familiarize yourself with job changes before the patch’s official release.
Common preparation mistakes include neglecting to clear inventory space for new items and underestimating the time investment required for relic weapon upgrades. Advanced players suggest pre-farming certain materials and completing weekly lockouts before the patch to maximize progression efficiency.
Square Enix has confirmed Patch 6.4 will launch in late May 2023, though the specific date remains unconfirmed. The development team typically provides exact release dates approximately two weeks before deployment, allowing players to schedule their gaming sessions accordingly. Following the main patch, additional content arrives in June with Patch 6.45, featuring extended Hildibrand adventures, the Splendorous Tools questline, the new Mount Rokkon dungeon, and substantial Blue Mage updates.
The staggered release strategy helps maintain engagement while allowing players to digest content at a manageable pace. The Savage difficulty raid tier follows one week after the main patch, providing a deliberate pacing that allows groups to prepare strategies and gear appropriately. This approach also prevents burnout by distributing content consumption over several weeks rather than overwhelming players with everything simultaneously.
With the extensive new content and system enhancements arriving in The Dark Throne update, which features are you most excited to explore first? Many experienced players recommend tackling the main scenario initially to unlock all new features, then focusing on your preferred content types whether that’s raiding, crafting, or exploration.
Action Checklist
- Complete current relic weapon stages and weekly lockouts before patch deployment
- Clear inventory and retainer space for new items and crafting materials
- Stockpile crafting materials expected for new recipes and gear upgrades
- Research job adjustment notes and practice rotation changes if test server available
- Plan your progression path prioritizing main scenario then preferred content types
No reproduction without permission:GameCDjnh » Final Fantasy XIV Patch 6.4: What’s New? Complete guide to FFXIV Patch 6.4 with new content, system changes, and preparation strategies
