With the most recent patch for Final Fantasy XIV, we have seen some major changes with the PvP mode Crystalline Conflict. Though the patch dropped a few weeks ago, I have had to take some time to experience a few of the changes before working on this article. Here’s everything you need to know about Final Fantasy XIV Update 7.3 PvP, including key changes!
Series Pass Rewards!
As always with a new main patch, rank mode has reset and there’s also a new Series Pass. The Series Pass is essentially the name of the FFXIV Battle Pass. This pass will last until FXIV version 7.4, so you have plenty of time to work on it. The rewards for the Series Pass are as follows:
- Level 5: Ballroom Etiquette – Penning for Posterity
- Level 10: Hidden Gorge Frame Kit
- Level 15: Falcon Blue Gobtank
- Level 16: Falcon Red Gobtank
- Level 20: Borderlands Ruins (Secure) Frame Kit
- Level 25: Air Cell Attire Coffer
Other levels will give Trophy Crystals; these crystals can be used to purchase items from vendors at the Wolves’ Den Pier. You will get plenty of Trophy Crystals from the Series Pass, and also if you reach level 30+, you will continue to get them until 7.4, so you can obtain an unlimited amount of Trophy Crystals if you want to grind them. The developers have added some new items with the patch. Remember, if you do not know for sure what items are new, there is a small checkbox at the top when viewing vendor items. If you click this button, it’ll only show items recently added to the shop/vendor.
In addition, if you have missed a previous series, they have now added the rewards from series three onto the vendor in Wolves’ Den Pier. This, along with patch 7.2, means you can now purchase rewards from series 1-3. This was a nice change, as it removes the FOMO from the series pass, though you will have to wait some time before it gets added to the vendor, as we are currently in series 9.
You can earn Series Pass rewards from any PvP mode, from ranked crystalline conflict to casual. You can also do frontline and rival wings; howevever, unless there is a mogtome event going on, Rival Wings doesn’t really pop (I think since it started, I might have done it around a dozen times). Having said that, there are communities out there that host Rival Wings events, especially when the Mogtome event is live. There is also a daily roulette for frontlines; if you do this, you will receive bonus rewards for the series pass.
Are You Skilled?
With this patch, the ranking mode has also reset, the team has now added two new tiers above the previous highest tier. Before now the highest rank was Crystal, but now you have Ultima and Omega rankings to unlock. These rankings are really for the incredibly skilled and only really give a new border. If you do reach diamond or above, you will get one commendation crystal, or two if crystal or above. Commendation crystals are used to purchase glowy versions of the hellhound weapons. The base weapons can be purchased with wolf collars, while the collars are bought with Trophy Crystals.
I personally do not have a huge amount of experience in ranked, so I can’t really write any guide on it, but there are plenty of people online that are willing to help and also have written some incredible guides.
It’s A Beach Out There
Also new to the table with patch 7.3 is a Crystalline Conflict map. This beach-inspired map is called Bayside Battleground. Though there are no environmental dangers on the map, I find that with how open it can be, it really doesn’t need it. The map has several different ways to get into the middle for the crystal; you can either use the jump pads or run round the side. You can also use the speed lane to try and reach the middle too. The middle is semi-open also, which can mean you could just jump into your death, or you could jump in and murder the enemy team!
I have had a little bit of experience with the map, and so far I do find it a little frustrating as a healer, but I’ve still managed to have some fun matches. Still, I can’t wait to get some more experience, but one of the issues with Crystalline Conflict is that the maps rotate; though this can allow for people to experience different maps, it can be frustrating if you are unable to try the new map because it isn’t the current selection.
Overall, I enjoy the PvP rewards with this series; the outfit is very stylish, and the minions are simply adorable. The new map is still taking some time to get used to, but I have had some really interesting matches already with it. I hope we continue to receive more support for PvP, and would love to see this mode get pushed some more in the future.
If you are new to FFXIV or just new to PvP, there’s a great PvP event most Thursdays at 19:00 EST/23:00 GMT/00:00 BST, hosted by John is Dead on Twitch. They try to make it a casual experience, with some veteran PvP players who turn up to help give advice, and the whole event is just to have some fun.
They also have different community members help with hosting the event too, which can bring different energy every week on Twitch, plus gives people a chance to learn how to shoutcast if they ever want to get into that field in the future. If you want a chance to watch the event, click here.