Final Fantasy XIV Field Operations return after 5 years - and here's your survival guide
The Occult Crescent just launched in FF XIV. Field Operations are back and they’re better than ever.
Some people are crossing their fingers for a Fantasy XIV fan, there’s some good news: one of the most-loved activities is making a comeback in the game right now.
Everything you need to know about The Occult Crescent in FF XIV
Field Operations are finally back in Final Fantasy XIV after a five-year break! The Occult Crescent launched on May 27, 2025, with patch 7.25 as part of the Dawntrail expansion. It takes place on a mysterious island in the Shades’ Triangle near Tural and mixes things up with vibes from past content like Eureka and Save the Queen.
Source: Final Fantasy XIV; Developer: Square Enix
There are new Phantom Jobs that change how your class plays, plus you’ll level up your Knowledge, which affects your damage and defense. To jump in, you need to be at least level 100 in a combat job and have finished the main Dawntrail story. If you’re ready to start just speak with Jeffroy in Phantom Village (X:4.5, Y:6.6).
Here are some essential tips for you:
- No res spells? Stock up on Phoenix Downs. If you can’t revive people, make sure you’ve got plenty of these handy. You can grab them from vendors or the market board. Being able to bring someone back during a tough fight can make all the difference.
- New to this? Go with Red Mage or Tank. Red Mages are good because they hit hard and can heal themselves, which is very useful once you hit Knowledge level 6 since you can lose progress if you die and don’t get rescued. Tanks are great too, they soak up damage and keep enemies off the rest of the party, making everything run smoother.
- Teamwork makes the dream work. Field Operations are built around group play. If you stick with a big group and form smaller squads when needed, you’ll have a way better time and level up faster too.
- Big groups lead to easier wins. Rolling with a crowd means you're less likely to get jumped by a tough monster on your own. Plus, things like FATEs go down faster, and the more people involved, the quicker you unlock activities like the 48-player dungeon.
- Be smart about engaging with monsters. Pulling too many enemies or picking a fight with the tough ones can turn into a wipe real fast. Some enemies, like elemental sprites, aggro as soon as you’re near. Others only attack if they spot you. Also, if a lower-level player walks by, mobs get more aggressive, so keep that in mind.
