Final Fantasy XIV’s 6.1 Patch Releases April 12. Here is the summary of the new PvP content from the recent Live Letter.

Crystalline Conflict

This is the name of XIV’s new, highly anticipated PvP mode. A 5v5 mode in which players push a central crystal towards the other team's base for victory. From what we can gauge from the 6.1 trailer, every map will have a unique mechanic to keep things fresh. Rounds are pretty fast and very intense, not only because players have unlimited sprint. But also thanks to the general shakeup of PvP abilities. Every class will apparently have a unique Limit Break, like the Zantetsuken for Samurai.

Job roles will also not be considered when matchmaking, so it's entirely possible to run a team without healers or tanks. We don't know yet, however, how this will play out with balance.

According to director and producer Naoki Yoshida, PvP actions have seen a major overhaul to make them more casual. For that, there has also been some pruning and additions to each job's kit, but we have to wait for the actual Patchnotes for further details. But… for the cost of MP, every job can now heal itself and healers seem to play more of a supporter role now. We couldn't see just yet how healers and tanks play into all of that. But the team seems confident about the new balance and the changes. These PvP changes will also apply to other modes like Frontline. In turn, the Feast will be removed and Rival Wing's will be disabled until patch 6.2 for balance reasons.

FEAST is Gone and the Return of GARO

Foremost… the collaboration with popular Japanese live-action superhero drama GARO is back! All the way back in Heavensward till Stormblood, players could obtain PvP gear styled the Makai Knights and Priests. There were also unique mounts and titles to be obtained, which will not return as their own rewards. Maybe this time around the special gear won't be locked by gender but we'll have to wait for further notice on that.

However, the current Ranking system for small-scale PVP is going to be completely removed. Before, players would compete on a Data Center-wide list. Only the top 100 players would receive exclusive rewards like mounts and glamour's at the end of a season. In the past, there have been issues with win trading and gatekeeping for this particular content. Which made it really hard to give everyone a fair shot at the rewards. Now, players will compete in different tiers, ranking up by stacking wins.

Each tier has several sub tiers, which players can advance by winning three matches within a sub-tier. If you lose, you'll get that win removed from your current set and you can even get knocked down a sub-tier, if you lose too often. You can't however be ranked down from an overall tier.

Once you get past the Diamond tier, you'll compete for points in the Crystal tier. Here you either win or lose points called Crystal Credit, which determines your overall ranking. Playing ranked PvP will reward achievements, titles, stuff for the new adventurer plate and more! The upcoming first season will last till the release of 6.18, and will then be carried onwards well into patch 6.2.

Series Malmstones

With this update, XIV will also introduce Series Malmstones which is a lot like a battle-pass in other games. By simply participating in any PvP content, players earn experience to level up their series. Every level up will earn them the new Trophy Crystal currency, which can be exchanged for various items. Note that those exist separate from the current Wolfmark currency. Leveling up further within the series will also grand unique rewards. Like exclusive outfits, titles and more for the new adventurer plate feature.

Trophy Crystals will most likely be used to purchase previous rewards and other fancy things. The plan is currently to have a Series Malmstone last for an entire major patch onwards. Meanwhile, other rewards like experience, tomestones and the likes can be earned by just participating.

PvP Moving Forward

These changes will no doubt make Final Fantasy XIV's PvP more popular again. We still lack details, like if ten players could match up against each other in the new mode, how Cross Data Center travel will affect the feature. And what the actual scope of the PvP changes is. But never has PvP in Final Fantasy XIV looked this exciting, and we have no doubt that the modes will be popular. We for one are excited about this new chapter and hope for many additions in the future. Maybe we're not long off to see XIV grow its currently small competitive PvP scene. Be it with events by the developers or community-driven tournaments.

For more on the new Live Letter, stay tuned here on ESTNN