Progressing through the Main Scenario Quests (MSQ) is the fundamental experience of Final Fantasy XIV. Unlike many other MMOs where story is optional, in this world, the MSQ is the key that unlocks almost every piece of content, including dungeons, trials, raids, mounts, and even the ability to fly in specific zones. As of April 2026, the journey has expanded significantly, spanning from the humble beginnings in Eorzea to the sprawling landscapes of Tural in the Dawntrail expansion.

Understanding the order and volume of these quests helps in managing expectations for the hundreds of hours of narrative content ahead. This breakdown follows the chronological order of the game's expansions and patch cycles.

A Realm Reborn (Level 1 - 50)

The journey begins with the 2.0 series, known as A Realm Reborn (ARR). This segment establishes the world of Hydaelyn and your role as the Warrior of Light. The quests here vary slightly based on your starting city-state—Gridania, Limsa Lominsa, or Ul'dah—before converging into a single narrative path around level 15.

The Starting City Sequences (Level 1-15)

Depending on your starting class, you will follow one of these chains:

  • Gridania Path: Starts with "Close to Home," moving through "Spirit Hold Broken" and concluding with "The Gridanian Envoy."
  • Limsa Lominsa Path: Starts with "Close to Home," moving through "Victory in Peril" and concluding with "The Lominsan Envoy."
  • Ul'dah Path: Starts with "Close to Home," moving through "Duty, Honor, Country" and concluding with "The Ul'dahn Envoy."

The United Path (Level 15-50)

Once the envoys meet, the story becomes linear for all players. Key milestones include:

  • It's Probably Pirates: Your first dungeon unlock.
  • Lord of the Inferno: The first major Primal encounter (Ifrit).
  • The Company You Keep: Joining a Grand Company and unlocking your first chocobo mount.
  • The Ultimate Weapon: The conclusion of the 2.0 base game story.

The Seventh Astral Era Patches (2.1 - 2.55)

After the credits roll for the first time, you enter the "post-ARR" slog, which was significantly streamlined in recent years but remains a bridge to the first expansion. This includes approximately 80 quests divided into patches:

  • Patch 2.1 (A Realm Awoken): Starts with "The Price of Principles."
  • Patch 2.2 (Through the Maelstrom): Introduces the Doman refugees.
  • Patch 2.3 (Defenders of Eorzea): Focuses on the Ramuh primal conflict.
  • Patch 2.4 (Dreams of Ice): Introduces Shiva and the Ishgardian conflict.
  • Patch 2.5 & 2.55 (Before the Fall): A massive finale leading directly into the gates of Ishgard.

Mandatory Gate: To progress past ARR, players must complete the Crystal Tower alliance raid series. These quests are now mandatory due to their vital importance to the later Shadowbringers storyline.

Heavensward (Level 50 - 60)

Heavensward (3.0) takes players to the Holy See of Ishgard and focuses on the Dragonsong War. It is widely regarded for its tighter narrative focus.

The 3.0 Expansion Quests

The journey through Ishgard, Dravania, and Abalathia's Spine consists of 94 quests. Major highlights include:

  • Coming to Ishgard: Entry into the city.
  • The Sins of the Father: Mid-expansion climax.
  • Heavensward: The final quest of the 3.0 base expansion.

The Dragonsong Aftermath (3.1 - 3.56)

These patches conclude the war and set the stage for the liberation of occupied territories.

  • Patch 3.1 (As Goes Light, So Goes Darkness)
  • Patch 3.2 (The Gears of Change)
  • Patch 3.3 (Revenge of the Horde): The definitive end of the Dragonsong War.
  • Patch 3.4 (Soul Surrender): Introduces the Warriors of Darkness.
  • Patch 3.5 (The Far Edge of Fate): Leads into the Stormblood expansion.

Stormblood (Level 60 - 70)

Stormblood (4.0) shifts the focus to the liberation of Ala Mhigo and Doma from Garlean rule. The quest structure often splits between the Eastern front (Othard) and the Western front (Gyr Abania).

The 4.0 Expansion Quests

This arc features 122 quests, making it one of the longer base expansion sequences. Key moments include:

  • Beyond the Great Wall: Entering Ala Mhigo.
  • The Lord of the Revel: The Susano trial.
  • Stormblood: The final assault on the Royal Menagerie.

The Road to Shadowbringers (4.1 - 4.56)

  • Patch 4.1 (The Legend Returns)
  • Patch 4.2 (Rise of a New Sun)
  • Patch 4.3 (Under the Moonlight): Features the emotional conclusion of the Doman arc.
  • Patch 4.4 (Prelude in Violet)
  • Patch 4.5 (A Requiem for Heroes): A dramatic shift that sets up the journey to the First.

Shadowbringers (Level 70 - 80)

Shadowbringers (5.0) takes the Warrior of Light to a different world, the First, to combat the flood of Light.

The 5.0 Expansion Quests

Consisting of 106 quests, this expansion introduced Role Quests. You must complete at least one Role Quest line (Tank, Healer, Physical DPS, or Magical DPS) to finish the 5.0 MSQ. Key quests include:

  • The Syrcus Trench: Entering the First.
  • A Tanlged Web: Early progression in Kholusia.
  • Shadowbringers: The finale in Amaurot.

Post-Shadowbringers Patches (5.1 - 5.55)

  • Patch 5.1 (Vows of Virtue, Deeds of Cruelty)
  • Patch 5.2 (Echoes of a Fallen Star)
  • Patch 5.3 (Reflections in Crystal): This patch acts as the true finale to the Shadowbringers story and includes the final trial.
  • Patch 5.4 & 5.5 (Death Unto Dawn): The transition into the Endwalker saga.

Endwalker (Level 80 - 90)

Endwalker (6.0) serves as the conclusion to the Hydaelyn and Zodiark arc that began at the start of the game.

The 6.0 Expansion Quests

With 108 quests, Endwalker is a dense narrative experience. Like Shadowbringers, it requires the completion of Role Quests for the level 90 finale. Significant milestones include:

  • Old Sharlayan: One of the two starting hubs.
  • The Garlean Empire: Journeying to the heart of the enemy territory.
  • Endwalker: The final quest at the edge of the universe.

The New Adventure (6.1 - 6.55)

Instead of concluding the previous story, the 6.x patches begin a brand-new arc involving the Void.

  • Patch 6.1 (Newfound Adventure): Back to basics adventuring.
  • Patch 6.2 (Buried Memory)
  • Patch 6.3 (Gods Revel, Lands Tremble)
  • Patch 6.4 (The Dark Throne)
  • Patch 6.5 (Growing Light): Prepares the player for the journey to Tural.

Dawntrail (Level 90 - 100)

Dawntrail (7.0), released in mid-2024, began a new saga for the Warrior of Light, focusing on the succession rite in the continent of Tural. As of today, April 16, 2026, the story has progressed deep into the 7.x patch cycle.

The 7.0 Expansion Quests

This arc includes 100 quests centered on the Rite of Succession and the discovery of the Golden City. Key segments include:

  • The Rite of Succession: Helping Wuk Lamat navigate the trials.
  • The Skygate: Accessing the later high-tech zones.
  • Dawntrail: The level 100 finale quest.

Post-Dawntrail Patches (7.1 - 7.x)

We are currently in the midst of the post-Dawntrail content. These patches have introduced new threats and further explored the lore of the "Unending Journey."

  • Patch 7.1 (Crossroads): The immediate aftermath of the succession rite.
  • Patch 7.2 (Seekers of Eternity): Further exploration of the multidimensional rifts mentioned in the base expansion.
  • Patch 7.3 (The Promise of Tomorrow): Recent developments involving the restoration of Tural's ancient technologies.
  • Patch 7.4 (Into the Mist): The latest chapter, setting the stage for the next major milestone in the 7.x series.

How to Track Your MSQ Progress

Identifying your current place in the FFXIV MSQ list is straightforward thanks to the in-game UI.

The Meteor Icon

All MSQ tasks are marked with a distinct icon—a fiery meteor (reminiscent of the Dalamud moon). If a quest icon looks like a standard speech bubble or a blue plus sign, it is not part of the main story. However, blue plus sign quests often unlock important features like new jobs or raid tiers.

The Main Scenario Guide

By default, the UI includes a widget (usually in the top left corner) that displays the name of your current MSQ. Clicking this will open your map and show you exactly where to go. If you have finished all available MSQ for your current expansion, this widget will either disappear or display information about the next available quest once you reach the required level.

The Journal

Your Journal (found under the Duty menu) keeps a record of every quest you have completed. By selecting the "Complete" tab and filtering for "Main Scenario Quests," you can cross-reference your history with the lists provided above to see how close you are to the next expansion.

Time Requirements and Content Skips

Estimating the time needed to finish the entire MSQ list is difficult because it depends heavily on whether you read every dialogue line and watch every cutscene. On average:

  • A Realm Reborn: 40-60 hours.
  • Each Expansion (3.0 through 7.0): 30-50 hours each.
  • Patch Content: 10-15 hours per expansion's patch cycle.

For a player starting fresh today in April 2026, reaching the current endgame of Dawntrail typically takes between 250 and 350 hours of gameplay.

Tales of Adventure (Skips)

The Final Fantasy XIV Online Store offers "Tales of Adventure" books. These allow you to skip the MSQ of previous expansions. For example, a "Tales of Adventure: Endwalker" would mark all quests up to the start of Dawntrail as complete. While this is an option for those primarily interested in high-end raiding with friends, it is generally suggested that players play through the story at least once, as the narrative is the backbone of the game's identity.

Mandatory Side Content Within the MSQ

While the MSQ is a linear path, certain side activities are "hard gates." You cannot progress the main story unless these are completed:

  1. Crystal Tower (ARR): As mentioned, this is mandatory before starting Heavensward.
  2. Role Quests (Shadowbringers/Endwalker/Dawntrail): You must complete at least one full chain of Role Quests to finish the final story quest of these expansions.
  3. Level Caps: Each expansion increases the level cap by 10. If you fall behind in experience, you may hit a point where the next MSQ requires a higher level. Utilizing the "Duty Roulette" system is the most efficient way to overcome these level gaps.

Summary of the Journey

The FF14 MSQ list is more than just a checklist; it is a decade-long saga. From the political intrigue of the Ul'dahn streets to the cosmic battles of the 7.x series, the story remains the primary reason for the game's enduring popularity. Whether you are currently stuck in the 2.x patches or just beginning your journey into Tural, the path forward is clearly defined by the meteor icon, guiding you through one of the most celebrated narratives in the RPG genre.