Arriving on August 11, the third major update to follow Final Fantasy XIV’s Shadowbringers expansion will include the continuation of the main scenario, Sorrows of Werlyt scenario, and the ongoing YoRHa Dark Apocalypse scenario collaboration with NieR Automata.

Titled “Reflections in Crystal”, the patch comes two months after it’s original planned release, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Producer/director Naoki Yoshida has penned letters to the community explaining that the delay was necessary in order to safely ensure development and operations teams could work from their homes and ensure the office was safe should work need to conducted there.

Today, Square Enix launched the new Patch 5.3 website with the first of several updates that provide details on upcoming content and featues.

More information will come in the next Letter from the Producer Live broadcast scheduled for August 22nd.

Be advised the following contains spoilers for the Shadowbringers main scenario.

MAIN SCENARIO: REFLECTIONS IN CRYSTAL

“Having confirmed their suspicions that the resurrected Ardbert is none other than Elidibus, the Scions endeavor to shed light upon the Ascian’s dark plot. But time is against them, for the hour of their departure─or demise─fast approaches.“

The next chapter in the Shadowbringers main scenario begins after completing the Echoes of a Fallen Star update in Patch 5.2.

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New Dungeon: The Heroes’ Gauntlet

“It is said that the hero’s path is fraught with danger, and these words will never ring truer as the whole of Norvrandt becomes a battlefield across which the Warriors of Darkness must fight their way.“

This Level 80 dungeon will be accessible through playing the Reflections in Crystal main scenario update in Patch 5.3. It will also be compatible with the Trust system which allows you to use NPC allies in the place of other players.

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Mystery Trial

“A fearsome new foe possessed of immeasurable might shall arise to test the Warriors of Darkness as they have never been tested before.“

This mystery trial will also include an Extreme level difficulty. It will be the final trial of the Shadowbringers story.

Chronicles of a New Era: The Sorrow of Werlyt

“The uneasy alliance forged with Gaius Baelsar has paved the way to victory over the Ruby Weapon. Armed with knowledge of the location of the outpost whence it came, the time has come to confront the Empire and bring a swift end to the diabolical Weapon project.“

The continuation of The Sorrow of Werlyt scenario wont include a new formal trial in this chapter. Instead it will be story-focused with an instanced encounter.

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Final Fantasy XIV is now available on PC, PlayStation 4, and Mac.