How to Start the FFXVI Rising Tide DLC

If you are planning on jumping into the Final Fantasy XVI Rising Tide DLC, you need to complete a specific set of quests to access it. This guide will explain how to start the FFXVI Rising Tide DLC and break down how far you need to be in the story to access the expansion.

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FFXVI Rising Tide DLC Prerequisites (Quests You Need to Complete)

To start the FFXVI Rising Tide DLC, you need to unlock the “Back to Their Origin” quest and have completed most of the game’s main story. Specifically, you will need a save file right before the final boss fight in Final Fantasy 16.

However, it’s actually a bit more complicated than that, as you will also need to complete a handful of side quests as well. Don’t worry we’ve got you covered. Below are the steps to start the FFXVI Rising Tide DLC:

• Progress the campaign until you reach the “Back to Their Origin” main scenario quest.
• Complete the “Cut from the Cloth” side quest.
  • Location: The Hideaway, Boarding Deck.
  • Quest Giver: Hortense.
  • Unlock Prerequisites: Start the “After the Storm” Main Scenario Quest.
• Complete the “Phoenix, Heal Thyself” side quest.
  • Location: The Hideaway, The Infirmary.
  • Quest Giver: Jote.
  • Unlock Prerequisites: Start the “Across the Narrow” Main Scenario quest. Visit Jote in the medical ward at the Hideaway.
• Complete the “Where There’s a Will” side quest.
  • Location: The Hideaway, Boarding Deck.
  • Quest Giver: Joshua.
  • Unlock Prerequisites: Start the “Back to their Origin” Main Scenario quest.
• Complete the “Priceless” side quest.
  • Location: The Hideaway, Clive’s Chamber.
  • Quest Giver: Joshua.
  • Unlock Prerequisites: Start the “Back to their Origin” Main Scenario quest. Then complete the “Cut from the Cloth,” “Phoenix Heal Thyself,” and “Where There’s a Will” side quests.
• Wait for the Rising Tide DLC to release on April 18, 2024. If your save file has the above prerequisites completed, then you will automatically get a new Rising Tide quest added to your map once the expansion is released.

How to Access FFXVI Rising Tide DLC (Expansion Pass)

Even if you have your save file prepped for the expansion, you still need to complete a few more steps to access the FFXVI Rising Tide DLC. If you already have the FFXVI Expansion Pass which included Echoes of the Fallen, then it might be a bit confusing.

Here are the steps to download FFXVI Rising Tide DLC:

• Boot up Final Fantasy 16 and click “PlayStation Store” on the main title screen.
• Once the expansion is live on April 18, 2024, you need to find “The Rising Tide DLC” on the PlayStation store.
• Purchase the DLC and then download it. You will then have to reboot FFXVI, where the new content will now be loaded in.
• If you already own the FFXVI Expansion Pass, you will still need to look for the Rising Tide DLC once it’s available to download on the PlayStation store. However, the download will be listed as free.

At the time of writing, Square Enix hasn’t confirmed whether the FFXVI Rising Tide DLC will be accessible to players who have already completed the story. New players will also have to progress through 90% of the main campaign before they can start it. This makes sense, given the way the expansion is being integrated into the story. Essentially, the Rising Tide is an extended last act of the game before the final boss fight.

Final Fantasy XIV is now available on PlayStation 5. The Rising Tide DLC will be released on April 18, 2024.