Final Fantasy XIV will release Patch 7.56 on September 8, 2026. The most significant addition to this patch is a brand new class - Beastmaster.
The biggest difference between this class and the dozens of other classes in the game is that its core gameplay isn't learning new skills, but rather catching beasts in the wild and commanding them to fight for you, much like playing Pokémon.
Next, I will introduce this upcoming new class in detail:
Positioning and Unlocking Method
Beastmaster is a Melee DPS class, wielding a one-handed axe in one hand and a shield in the other. Of course, its primary attack method is training monsters to attack enemies.
To unlock Beastmaster in FFXIV Patch 7.56, you need to meet three conditions:
First, you must have any combat class - including physical and magical combat classes - leveled to 50 or higher;
Second, you must complete the final quest of A Realm Reborn, The Ultimate Weapon;
Third, you must have unlocked Patch 7.0, Dawntrail.
Once these conditions are met, you simply need to accept and complete a job unlock quest to obtain Beastmaster Soul Crystals, which will then unlock this interesting new job.
Then, as before, the system will give you a decent set of equipment. However, if you want better equipment, you'll need to acquire it using Final Fantasy XIV Gil from Market Board or exchange it with an NPC using Allagan Tomestones of Poetics.
Core Combat Mechanics and Skills
Combat Mechanics
As its name suggests, Beastmaster combat differs from other Melee DPS classes in FFXIV. This job doesn't focus on hacking and slashing enemies directly, but rather on capturing and training beasts to attack enemies for you.
There are eight types of beasts that can be trained by Beastmaster: Beastkin, Wavekin, Vilekin, Scalekin, Cloudkin, Soulkin, Seedkin, and Ashkin.
Based on available information, players can select up to three beasts simultaneously and assign them to three Battlehorns. During battle, players can use Battlehorns at any time to switch beasts, but there is a 90-second cooldown after each Battlehorn activation.
Skills
Each beast has four core skills, which you must use strategically based on the enemy and your allies' situations:
First, Borrow: You can borrow power from the currently deployed beast to gain an additional skill. The borrowed skill depends on the beast's type; different types yield completely different effects.
Second, Tempered Release: This allows the beast to unleash a powerful and unique skill, different for each beast.
Note that Borrow and Tempered Release share the same cooldown; players can only choose one of these two skills to use.
Third, Parting Blow. This is a high-powered finishing move unique to every Beast - after dealing massive damage, Beast immediately retreats, and its corresponding Battlehorns go on cooldown, preventing the player from summoning it again for a certain period.
Fourth, Trick. This is a skill used by Beasts to synergize with Instinctual Combos.
Instinctual Combos are another core gameplay system for Beastmasters, displayed on Job Gauge in FFXIV game interface.
Players will see four colored icons arranged clockwise on their Job Gauge - yellow, green, blue, and red. Players must release skills in the correct clockwise color order to trigger Instinctual Combos, dealing massive damage to enemies.
Exclusive Gameplay: Crucible of the Unbroken
Crucible of the Unbroken is another major update related to Beastmasters in FF14 Patch 7.56. It's a single-player challenge mode specifically designed for this class, somewhat similar to the roguelike gameplay in Slay the Spire.
Rules
Specifically, players can bring a maximum of 10 beasts into Crucible of the Unbroken. Once inside, players will be presented with a branching path board, each path containing different events such as battles, treasure chests, shops, and rest stops.
In this mode, player's and beasts' health will not regenerate automatically; health can only be restored by opening treasure chests and acquiring potions, or by entering specific rest stops. If a beast's health reaches zero, it will be eliminated from game and cannot be used by player.
It's important to note that different enemies have their own elemental attributes and weaknesses. The game interface will display the elemental weaknesses of the next wave of enemies in advance, allowing players to use the filtering system to quickly select the most suitable beast for dealing with the next wave.
Players must fight their way through until defeating final boss. Upon completion, player and all participating beasts will gain experience.
Rewards
In Crucible of the Unbroken, Beast has a separate leveling system from the main levels of Final Fantasy XIV, with a maximum level of 25 - a max-level Beast unlocks a special appearance.
Therefore, while Beast's level doesn't affect participation in other dungeons, leveling up Beast and unlocking new appearances is still quite fun.
After completing Crucible of the Unbroken once, players can unlock three higher difficulty levels, with stronger enemies but better rewards. Completing the highest difficulty level will reward players with an exclusive mount.
This concludes the detailed introduction to the new Beastmaster class and related gameplay in Crucible of the Unbroken, added in Final Fantasy XIV Patch 7.56.
As a brand-new Melee DPS, Beastmaster differs significantly from other classes in its role in terms of gameplay and characteristics. Crucible of the Unbroken also provides new enjoyment for players eagerly awaiting Patch 8.0.
I believe most players are eagerly anticipating Patch 7.56; we just need to wait patiently for it to arrive next month.
