Final Fantasy 14 patch 6.25 introduces Variant and Criterion Dungeons
Final Fantasy 14 patch 6.25 introduces Variant and Criterion Dungeons, offering new content for solo players looking for more challenging experiences. These dungeons branch into multiple paths with different puzzles and enemy encounters. There are hidden paths to discover, and you can’t rely on your party members for help.
Variant Dungeons are the story mode, but Criterion Dungeons are the more challenging option for those who want to push their limits. Both can be undertaken solo, with the former being more flexible about job restrictions and the latter requiring a party of four with a standard composition.
Both Variant and Criterion Dungeons are level 90, and you can tackle them alone or with a party of up to four players. The NPC who accompanies you in these dungeons won’t assist you in combat, but they do help to solve puzzles.
Final Fantasy 14 variant dungeon rewards
There are no job restrictions in Variant Dungeons, so you can experiment with different compositions to see which allows you to tackle the various challenges. Each dungeon has three branching paths, meaning you’ll have plenty of opportunity to explore the various puzzles before deciding which path to take.
Final Fantasy 14 patch 6.25 also introduces hidden paths to these dungeons. There are treasure chests to discover along the way, so be sure to check every corner for additional rewards.
There are currently two Variant Dungeons available:
Final Fantasy 14 criterion dungeon rewards
Five Variant Actions are available for use in these dungeons so far, but each Job has restrictions on which actions they can use. These actions include healing, generating enmity, resurrecting, dealing damage over time, and reducing damage taken. Clearing objectives in these dungeons earns you Potsherds, which you can use to purchase various rewards.
Criterion Dungeons are much harder and must be undertaken by a party of four. There are no job restrictions, but the map layout doesn’t branch so you can’t rely on different paths to make things easier. You’re also restricted to using Variant Raise II only once each, so you can’t rely on these abilities to resurrect your fallen party members.
These dungeons have much harder versions of the bosses you’d encounter in the normal ones, with added attacks and different mechanics. Some dungeons also have enrage timers, requiring you to defeat the boss within a set amount of time or face more difficult mechanics.
You can also undertake Criterion Savage Dungeons, which are similar to normal Criterion Dungeons except for the following differences:
These dungeons also feature respawning enemies, so if you die, your party won’t receive the usual buffs upon respawning. Your party also has no revive abilities, so if you fall in battle, everyone dies.
The bosses in Savage Dungeons also have increased health and deal more damage. What’s more, a hidden timer starts in these dungeons, and if you aren’t able to complete the dungeon in time, the enemies receive a buff that makes it nearly impossible to complete.
That’s all we have on Final Fantasy 14’s Variant and Criterion Dungeons for now. If you’re looking for similar challenges, you might want to try some of the best MMORPGs on our list, or perhaps take a look at the current FFXIV Shadowbringers release time.
