Final Fantasy XIV Live Letter 87 Update, Patch 7.3 Release Date and More

With excitement over Final Fantasy XIV’s upcoming 7.3 Dawntrail expansion recently increasing after this week’s reveal of new playable races, Live Letter 87 brought more than just the typical news, delivering information that laid groundwork for what promises to be one of the more exciting encounter setups in FFXIV history.

Patch 7.3 will be due out in early August 2025, bringing what the developers are calling an emotional and poignant climax to Dawntrail’s main narrative, in addition to major revisions addressing recent player complaints.

The Story Reaches Its Apex

Yoshida reconfirmed that Patch 7.3 will be the climactic turning point of the Dawntrail storyline. A new dungeon The Meso Terminal and a climactic trial against a nameless enemy catapults the story conflict to a boiling point.

Even more exciting is how fans can look forward to callbacks rich with lore, specifically to Final Fantasy IX and XI, giving additional depth to long-time franchise veterans.

Echoes of Vana’diel: San d’Oria Returns

Keeping the nostalgia trend going, 7.3 will bring the 3rd chapter of the Echoes of Vana’diel alliance raids. This 24-player raid has adventurers going up against legendary foes from Final Fantasy XI, including the recently teased appearance of Kam’lanaut.

Given the stellar production values these raids have come to be known for, this entry might just end up being the crown jewel of the patch.

Quality-of-Life Enhancements Answer Player Feedback

Yoshida started Live Letter 87 off with a rather uncharacteristic blunt apology, taking the blame on what has been perceived as a slide in quality assurance with hotfixes and maintenance windows becoming an all too common occurrence. While he promised better communications going on and spent some time responding to criticism on two of the game’s most recent systems, Occult Crescent and Cosmic Exploration.

Side Quests, and New Challenges

For non-combat content, crafters are really going to enjoy themselves. A new Allied Society questline with the Yok Huy will offer a fun, alternative path to leveling from 90 to 100! Other new content includes a new Deep Dungeon, the next chapter in the Hildibrand series, and the Phantom Relic Weapon questline all set to release after launch.