Final Fantasy 14’s newest content patch, Newfound Adventure, is introducing a new PvP game mode called Crystalline Conflict. As a part of the ongoing revival of PvP in Final Fantasy 14, the critically-acclaimed MMORPG is rebuilding PvP actions from the ground up, with new skills, common actions, and job-specific Limit Breaks.
Beyond their unique abilities, jobs in Final Fantasy 14 now have access to Common Actions in PvP, which are shared by all classes. Among them, Guard is a paradigm-shifting ability that reduces damage taken by 90% and grants immunity to control effects at the cost of a reduced movement speed. Some reworked job actions play with bypassing or canceling the Guard ability.
The new job-specific Limit Breaks are one of the more exciting developments in Final Fantasy 14’s PvP overhaul. These new Limit Breaks vary drastically from the neutral ones used in PvE, and have drastic effects that can shift the tide of battle. Some classes have the most powerful abilities from their PvE rotation folded into their Limit Break, such as the Reaper’s Enshroud or the Summoner’s Bahamut and Phoenix summons, but most receive entirely new abilities. Some of these Limit Breaks borrow from iconic techniques, like the Samurai’s Zantetsuken ability of Final Fantasy fame.
This is far from the first change PvP has undergone in Final Fantasy 14. Since its introduction shortly after A Realm Reborn launched, it has seen several major overhauls, including new game modes, systems, and abilities. However, the PvP changes in Newfound Adventure are some of the biggest and most-promising yet. It seems after years of floundering, Final Fantasy 14 may be figuring out what to do with its PvP systems.
PvP fans in Final Fantasy 14 can’t wait to give the new systems a try. The new Crystalline Conflict mode seems to be quick and dynamic, and the new abilities seem balanced and fun. Many fans were especially intrigued to see Final Fantasy 14 remove RNG from PvP to provide a more consistent, skill-based challenge. Diehard fans of PvP hope these new changes introduce more players–especially those who came from games with solid PvP systems like World of Warcraft–to the game mode they love.
However, there are still plenty of fans who will likely never give PvP a chance, even with these new changes. Not everyone who plays Final Fantasy 14 wants to engage in multiplayer systems, especially competitively. Luckily, Newfound Adventure is also expanding solo play with the Duty Support System, which will eventually allow players to complete Main Scenario without grouping with others.
Final Fantasy 14: Endwalker is available now for PC, PS4, and PS5.
Source: Final Fantasy 14