The FFXIV expansions in order run A Realm Reborn, Heavensward, Stormblood, Shadowbringers, Endwalker, and Dawntrail. Evercold sits last in that sequence, continuing the Godless Realms Saga that Dawntrail began. If you are starting fresh, play the expansions in release order, because each one's story leads directly into the next.
The full expansion list in release order
A Realm Reborn came out in August 2013 and is where the journey starts, set in Eorzea with the Scions of the Seventh Dawn fighting the Primals. Heavensward follows it, taking you to Ishgard for the Dragonsong War against the dragon Nidhogg. Stormblood sends you to Ala Mhigo and Doma to push back the Garlean Empire, and introduces Zenos as a major antagonist. Shadowbringers moves the story to the First, where you take on the role of Warrior of Darkness. Endwalker closes out the Hydaelyn and Zodiark storyline. Dawntrail picks up after that arc and opens the next major storyline, the Godless Realms Saga.
| Expansion | Level cap | Headline additions |
|---|---|---|
| Heavensward | 60 | Dark Knight, Astrologian, Machinist, Au Ra, flying mounts |
| Stormblood | 70 | Red Mage, Samurai, swimming, Eureka |
| Shadowbringers | 80 | Gunbreaker, Dancer, Trust system, Viera and Hrothgar |
| Endwalker | 90 | Sage, Reaper, Island Sanctuary, Crystalline Conflict |
The current full game is sold with a level cap of 100 and 22 playable jobs. The free trial caps at level 80 with 18 jobs and carries restrictions on in-game features. The Starter Edition is $19.99, the Complete Edition is $59.99, and the Complete Collector's Edition is $139.99. Buying the Starter Edition or the Complete Edition grants a 30-day free play period, and you need a subscription to keep playing after that.
What each expansion added
Heavensward raised the level cap to 60 and added the Au Ra race, flying mounts, Free Company Workshops, and the Favor and Scrips crafting systems, along with the Dark Knight, Astrologian and Machinist jobs. Stormblood raised the cap to 70, added the Red Mage and Samurai, introduced swimming and the Forbidden Land Eureka where Relic Weapon quests were handled, and ended PlayStation 3 support. Shadowbringers raised the cap to 80 and added the NPC Trust system, World Visit for travelling between servers in your region, the Gunbreaker and Dancer jobs, and the Viera and Hrothgar races. Endwalker raised the cap to 90, added the Sage and Reaper, the male Viera option, Island Sanctuary, and the Crystalline Conflict PvP mode. Dawntrail added the Pictomancer and Viper jobs and takes place in Tural, where you take part in a contest for the throne and side with Wuk Lamat.
Where Evercold fits
Evercold comes after Dawntrail in the sequence and continues the Godless Realms Saga. Its story takes you to the Fourth, a realm of endless cold, with much of the action set on giant floating airships that function as entire continents. At least one new job is coming with it, the Dual-Shield wielding Bastion, and a second job exists.
What you can plan around is the order: finish the earlier expansions first, since Evercold's story builds on the Godless Realms Saga that Dawntrail starts. For the story threads it picks up, see what the Evercold MSQ sets up, and for the raid content tied into the current era, the Echoes of Vana'diel Jeuno raid guide covers that fight. If you want the Alliance Raid cleared without running it yourself, an FFXIV Jeuno The First Walk boost handles that run for you.
Which expansion to play first
Play A Realm Reborn first, then work forward through Heavensward, Stormblood, Shadowbringers, Endwalker and Dawntrail. The expansions are sequential: Heavensward follows the events of A Realm Reborn, Stormblood follows Heavensward, and so on, with each one's patches setting up the next. Skipping ahead is not an option for the story, and the level caps climb as you go, from 60 in Heavensward to 90 in Endwalker.
If you are buying in, the Complete Edition includes A Realm Reborn, Heavensward, Stormblood, Shadowbringers, Endwalker and Dawntrail, while the Starter Edition does not include Endwalker or Dawntrail. The free trial covers A Realm Reborn through Shadowbringers content at a level 80 cap.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many FFXIV expansions are there?
Five released expansions sit after A Realm Reborn: Heavensward, Stormblood, Shadowbringers, Endwalker and Dawntrail, with Evercold next in line.
Is Evercold out yet?
No release date has been given for Evercold.
What level cap does the current game have?
The full game's level cap is 100 with 22 playable jobs.
What jobs does Evercold add?
The Bastion, a Dual-Shield wielder, is one confirmed job, with a second job.
Do I need to play the expansions in order?
Yes for the story — each expansion continues directly from the previous one, and Evercold continues the Godless Realms Saga that Dawntrail begins.
