FFXIV MSQ List: Complete Quest Order From a Realm Reborn to Dawntrail

Main Scenario Quests (MSQ) represent the spinal cord of the Final Fantasy XIV experience. Unlike many other MMORPGs where the story is optional, FFXIV treats its narrative as a mandatory journey that unlocks almost every major gameplay feature, including dungeons, trials, mounts, and travel options. Whether tracking progress through the early days of A Realm Reborn or navigating the latest continent in Dawntrail, having a clear list of the quest structure is essential for managing playtime and expectations.

All main story quests are identified by the distinct meteor icon, which differs from the standard exclamation marks used for side content. Completion of this massive chain is required to reach the endgame of the current expansion. As of 2026, the journey spans six major expansions and hundreds of individual quests.

The Foundation: A Realm Reborn (Levels 1–50)

The journey begins in one of the three starting city-states: Gridania, Limsa Lominsa, or Ul'dah. The initial 15 levels of the MSQ are unique to the chosen starting class, eventually converging into a single unified narrative at the quest "It’s Probably Pirates."

Seventh Umbral Era (2.0)

This segment covers the base game from level 1 to level 50. It focuses on the conflict with the Garlean Empire and the awakening of the Primals.

• Initial City Chains (Levels 1–15): Includes quests like "Close to Home" and leading up to the Envoy quests for each city.
• The Scions of the Seventh Dawn (Levels 15–20): Introduces the core cast and the first three dungeons (Sastasha, Tam-Tara Deepcroft, Copperbell Mines).
• Primal Conflicts (Levels 20–50): Features the major battles against Ifrit, Titan, and Garuda.
• The Finale: Concludes with "The Ultimate Weapon," which involves the Castrum Meridianum and The Praetorium duties.

Seventh Astral Era (Patches 2.1–2.55)

Following the 2.0 finale, a series of post-game quests bridge the gap between the base game and the first expansion. This section was significantly streamlined in previous updates but remains a substantial part of the lore.

• Patch 2.1 – A Realm Awoken: Starts with "The Price of Principles."
• Patch 2.2 – Through the Maelstrom: Introduces the Leviathan conflict.
• Patch 2.3 – Defenders of Eorzea: Focuses on the Ramuh trial and the Crystal Brave narrative.
• Patch 2.4 – Dreams of Ice: Introduces Shiva and the initial hints of the dragons' conflict.
• Patch 2.5/2.55 – Before the Fall: A dramatic conclusion leading directly into the first expansion.

Mandatory Gate: To progress past the 2.x patch series, players must complete the Crystal Tower Alliance Raid series. This is no longer optional as it is vital to later expansion plots.

Reaching the Skies: Heavensward (Levels 50–60)

Heavensward takes the story to the mountain city-state of Ishgard. The quest structure here is more refined, focusing on the thousand-year Dragonsong War.

Main Expansion (3.0)

• Total Quests: Approximately 94.
• Key Milestones: Unlocking flying for the first time in Ishgardian zones. Notable quests include "Coming to Ishgard" and the finale "Heavensward."

Dragonsong Post-Game (Patches 3.1–3.56)

• 3.1 – As Goes Light, So Goes Darkness
• 3.2 – The Gears of Change
• 3.3 – Revenge of the Horde: Concludes the main Dragonsong War arc.
• 3.4 – Soul Surrender: Sets the stage for the liberation of occupied territories.
• 3.5 – The Far Edge of Fate: The final transition into the next expansion.

The Liberation: Stormblood (Levels 60–70)

Stormblood shifts focus to the liberation of Ala Mhigo and the Far Eastern nation of Doma. The story often splits into two parallel tracks before converging.

Main Expansion (4.0)

• Total Quests: Approximately 122.
• Key Milestones: Diving underwater and traversing the Azim Steppe. The final quest is "Stormblood."

Post-Stormblood Patches (4.1–4.56)

• 4.1 – The Legend Returns
• 4.2 – Rise of a New Sun
• 4.3 – Under the Moonlight
• 4.4 – Prelude in Violet
• 4.5 – A Requiem for Heroes: An intense setup for the shift in the game's direction toward the First.

The First Reflection: Shadowbringers (Levels 70–80)

Widely regarded for its narrative depth, Shadowbringers takes players to the world of Norvrandt. This expansion introduced the Role Quest system, which replaces traditional Job Quests for the MSQ progression.

Main Expansion (5.0)

• Total Quests: Approximately 106.
• Requirement: To finish the 5.0 story, players must complete at least one Role Quest line (Tank, Healer, Physical DPS, or Magical DPS).
• Finale: "Shadowbringers."

Post-Shadowbringers Patches (5.1–5.55)

• 5.1 – Vows of Virtue, Deeds of Cruelty
• 5.2 – Echoes of a Fallen Star
• 5.3 – Reflections in Crystal: A significant conclusion to the Elidibus arc.
• 5.4 – Futures Rewritten
• 5.5 – Death Unto Dawn: Preparing for the final climax of the current universe's saga.

The Climax: Endwalker (Levels 80–90)

Endwalker serves as the finale to the Hydaelyn and Zodiark arc that began in A Realm Reborn. It is one of the longest individual expansion MSQ chains.

Main Expansion (6.0)

• Total Quests: Approximately 108.
• Structure: Heavily narrative-focused with significant cutscenes. Key locations include Old Sharlayan, Thavnair, and the moon.
• Finale: "Endwalker."

Post-Endwalker Patches (6.1–6.55)

• 6.1 – Newfound Adventure: The start of a fresh story arc for the Warrior of Light.
• 6.2 – Buried Memory
• 6.3 – Gods Revel, Lands Tremble
• 6.4 – The Dark Throne
• 6.5 – Growing Light: Leads directly into the journey to the West.

The New Horizon: Dawntrail (Levels 90–100)

Dawntrail introduces a new world in the continent of Tural. This expansion marks a "summer vacation" tone that gradually shifts into higher stakes as players explore Tuliyollal and the surrounding regions.

Main Expansion (7.0)

• Total Quests: 100.
• Progression: Starts at level 90. Players choose between helping different claimants in the succession ritual in Tural.
• Zone Flow: Kozama'uka and Urqopacha are the initial branching paths before the story converges.

Post-Dawntrail Patches (7.1–7.3)

As of the current 2026 update, the story has progressed through the following milestones:

• 7.1 – Crossroads: Focuses on the aftermath of the rite of succession and the new threats emerging from the golden city.
• 7.2 – Seekers of Eternity: Expands on the lore of the ancient civilizations of Tural.
• 7.3 – Promise of Tomorrow: The most recent addition, setting the stage for the mid-expansion climax.

Critical MSQ Features and Tracking Tips

Navigating an MSQ list of this magnitude can be daunting. Players can utilize several in-game tools to ensure they are on the right track.

The Main Scenario Guide

By default, the UI includes a small bar in the top-left corner that always displays the name of the next available MSQ. Clicking this will open the map and show the exact location of the quest giver. If a player is between expansions, this guide will instead show the next "Chronicles of a New Era" quest if it is a prerequisite.

Duty Support and Trust System

For players who prefer a solo experience or wish to avoid queue times, the Duty Support system allows the completion of almost every MSQ dungeon with a party of NPCs. This is available from A Realm Reborn through Dawntrail. This feature ensures that the MSQ list can be progressed regardless of player population in specific older zones.

Mandatory Side Content

While the MSQ is a linear chain, Square Enix occasionally retroactively adds requirements.

1. Crystal Tower (Alliance Raid): Required for the transition from ARR to Heavensward.
2. Role Quests: In Shadowbringers and Endwalker, at least one chain must be completed to unlock the final expansion quest.
3. Ivalice Raids (Optional but Recommended): While not strictly mandatory for MSQ completion, these are highly recommended for understanding certain characters in later expansions.

Skip Options

For those primarily interested in endgame content, the "Tales of Adventure" items in the online store allow players to skip the MSQ of specific expansions. Using a skip item will mark all quests in that expansion as completed and grant the necessary gear to start the next segment. However, for first-time players, the narrative is the primary draw of FFXIV, and skipping may lead to confusion regarding character motivations and world-building mechanics.

Summary of Quest Counts per Expansion

The FFXIV MSQ list is a living document that grows with every major patch (roughly every four months). By following the meteor icon and keeping track of patch milestones, players can navigate the narrative of Eorzea and beyond at their own pace.