In Last Fantasy XIV, achievement looking typically results in awfully lengthy grinds. Generally, new chores imply I’m committing to the identical monotonous routine for months, and typically which means I’m queuing up for duties long-abandoned, just like the MMO’s MOBA-like PvP mode, Rival Wings.

In the case of achievement looking, I’m considered one of these folks. Outdoors of merely enjoying video games I paid for, considered one of my favourite RPG chores is the fun of constructing dinky little to-do lists. I prefer it when the record will get smaller. I just like the satisfying ping with each new accomplishment. I like when Quantity-Goes-Up. In FFXIV, being a kind of sorts is difficult, particularly when queuing up for encounters within the Hidden Gorge. 

Ahead and Again

FFXIV’s much less fashionable large-scale PvP mode debuted years in the past in Stormblood. And to the fun of 2017 me, it tickled the components of my mind tremendous into League of Legends. She’s lifeless now, however I nonetheless adore the vie for management of map aims and an exhilarating base rush. Sadly, most people weren’t digging it as a lot, and the Rival Wings queue occasions grew longer. On a typical day, I’m pretty sure the Obligation Finder simply shows “Who the hell is aware of?” because the estimated wait time.

Anyway, there’s a protracted historical past of threads on the FFXIV official discussion board and subreddit eulogizing the 48-man PvP mode. A handful of devoted group members on the market coordinating occasions for gamers to get collectively actually helps, however outdoors of that, attempting to get in on a traditional Tuesday isn’t a fruitful endeavor. I need these achievements, so in fact I’m scrambling to seek out that data, however what about Rival Wings for folk with regular schedules?

That’s the place the Moogle Tomestone occasion is available in. In case you’re unfamiliar, the Moogle Treasure Trove is considered one of FFXIV’s limited-time festivities, normally celebrating a patch, however this one is just a little totally different. As an alternative of serving wholly as a hoorah for Patch 6.5’s debut, we’re celebrating the tenth anniversary of Model 2.0, A Realm Reborn, and its defiant relaunch. To incentivize queuing for older duties, FFXIV provides Irregular Tomestone bonuses to pick situations. The forex earns you quest-limited rewards, together with different uncommon in-game goodies.

I’m nonetheless ailing there aren’t any MGP rewards, however this iteration of the occasion shapes as much as make Rival Wings one of many quickest methods to grind tokens. We’ve seen it as an choice up to now, nevertheless it’s not normally this lively. Usually, there’s a lot quicker routes to farm Irregular Tomestones—routes that don’t contain this many individuals. However this time, y’all are caught serving to me add extra Hidden Gorge battles to my 1,000-match aim.

No Mercy

That’s so much to say I’m on the FFXIV Rival Wings practice once more, figuratively and actually. I’m sort of glad there aren’t any quicker Blue Mage-cheese alternate options. Rival Wings is chaotic, and I imply that in the most effective methods. Matches are quick sufficient that losses don’t frustrate me lengthy, however I like operating the clock on an in depth 15-minute recreation.

It lacks the polish of a MOBA as a result of, effectively, it’s not a MOBA. The 48-man matches really feel a bit like herding cats. It’s not like Rival Wings explains itself very effectively, so normally half the occasion has no thought what’s occurring. Generally, you’ll get one courageous soul who’s ready just a few macros. They play some attention-grabbing sound, adopted by callouts like “Defend north,” “Assist kill the merc,” or “Are y’all deliberately feeding?”

In two days, I’d already added 50 matches to my achievement progress. That’s so much in comparison with the zero I used to be including earlier than, and I’m clearly not alone within the grind. Over on Reddit, gamers like Garuketo shared knowledge documenting the Hidden Gorge participant queues on one FFXIV knowledge heart, and survey says it’s poppin’ on Primal.

It’s simply refreshing to see an outdated mode I’ve acquired a gentle spot for receiving one other wave of recognition. Waits for a match are over virtually as quickly as I register, and swarming participant lots are largely in good spirits. The mode is way extra dynamic than grinding a traditional raid for hours and busier than the monotony of some Frontlines maps. In Rival Wings, there’s at all times one thing I can do this feels prefer it makes a tangible distinction in the way in which the match performs out, even when some performs are just a little damaged.

Gobbies Rise Up

Maybe it’s simply my enchantment with the mode, however I believe the group is feeling it this time, too. Making an attempt to coordinate via the entire cat-herding factor hardly ever works out on all fronts, however I’m having a blast attempting. When matches start, a few of us all rush to the center goal, attempting to safe items from the mode’s passing practice. Others run to the fields to gather ceruleum tanks to energy our mechs, and some courageous people shortly swimsuit up in a Cruise Chaser or Oppressor.

Generally, matches go poorly from the beginning, however I like the determined performs that remind me of my League of Legends days. Even when all appears misplaced, I’ve had rounds the place a determined Brute Justice runs down the center and one way or the other goes unnoticed by the enemy. If we handle to maintain them protected, it leads to a clutch win. Greater than the rest, I’m satisfied map consciousness is the largest consider how PvP goes.

I don’t assume occasions are the one resolution to revitalizing largely lifeless content material like Rival Wings, however they actually assist. I’d disagree the Hidden Gorge wants large overhauls for steadiness and precision; that’s already lacking numerous its attraction. Nonetheless, Rival Wings—and numerous different FFXIV fundamentals, frankly—would profit from further tutorials.

Anyway, I’m certain it’ll be a ghost city once more in every week weeks, however for now, I’m having fun with the resurgence. And for those who see me in-game, being the one participant getting hit by the mode’s very apparent practice, no, you didn’t.