The Main Scenario Quests (MSQ) form the backbone of the Final Fantasy XIV experience. Unlike many other MMORPGs where the story is optional, in this title, progressing through the MSQ is a mandatory requirement to unlock almost every major gameplay feature, including new zones, dungeons, trials, and even your ability to fly in specific regions.

As of the current 7.x patch cycle, the journey spans from level 1 to level 100, encompassing several distinct story arcs. This comprehensive list tracks the path from the humble beginnings in Eorzea to the most recent adventures in Tural.

A Realm Reborn (Levels 1 - 50)

The journey begins in one of the three starting city-states. Your choice of starting class determines your initial questline until level 15, where the stories converge.

Starting City-State Quests

Gridania (Lancer, Archer, Conjurer)

  1. Close to Home
  2. To the Bannock
  3. Passing Muster
  4. Chasing Shadows
  5. Eggs over Queasy
  6. Surveying the Damage
  7. A Soldier's Breakfast
  8. Spirit Hold Broken
  9. On to Bentbranch
  10. You Shall Not Trespass
  11. Don't Look Down
  12. In the Grim Darkness of the Forest
  13. Threat Level Elevated
  14. Migrant Marauders
  15. A Hearer Is Often Late
  16. Salvaging the Scene
  17. Leia's Legacy
  18. Dread Is in the Air
  19. To Guard a Guardian
  20. Festive Endeavors
  21. Renewing the Covenant
  22. The Gridanian Envoy

Limsa Lominsa (Arcanist, Marauder)

  1. Close to Home
  2. On to Summerford
  3. Dressed to Call
  4. Lurkers in the Grotto
  5. Washed Up
  6. Double Dealing
  7. Loam Maintenance
  8. Plowshares to Swords
  9. Just Deserts
  10. Sky-high
  11. Thanks a Million
  12. Relighting the Torch
  13. On to the Drydocks
  14. Without a Doubt
  15. Righting the Shipwright
  16. Do Angry Pirates Dream?
  17. Victory in Peril
  18. Men of the Blue Tattoos
  19. Feint and Strike
  20. High Society
  21. A Mizzenmast Repast
  22. The Lominsan Envoy

Ul'dah (Gladiator, Pugilist, Thaumaturge)

  1. Close to Home
  2. We Must Rebuild
  3. Nothing to See Here
  4. Underneath the Sultan Tree
  5. Step Nine
  6. Prudence at this Junction
  7. Out of House and Home
  8. Way Down in the Hole
  9. Takin' What They're Givin'
  10. Supply and Demands
  11. Give It to Me Raw
  12. The Perfect Swarm
  13. Last Letter to Lost Hope
  14. Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow
  15. Passing the Blade
  16. Following Footfalls
  17. Storms on the Horizon
  18. Oh Captain, My Captain
  19. Secrets and Lies
  20. Duty, Honor, Country
  21. A Matter of Tradition
  22. A Royal Reception
  23. The Ul'dahn Envoy

Converged Main Scenario (Levels 15 - 50)

After completing the envoy quest, all players follow the same path, starting with "Call of the Sea" and leading into the first three dungeons: Sastasha, The Tam-Tara Deepcroft, and Copperbell Mines.

  • Levels 15-20: Call of the Sea, It's Probably Pirates, Call of the Forest/Desert, Fire in the Gloom, Into a Copper Hell, The Scions of the Seventh Dawn, A Wild Rose by Any Other Name.
  • Levels 20-30: Lord of the Inferno (Ifrit), A Hero in the Making, The Company You Keep, Sylph-management, Into the Beast's Maw, Shadow of Darkness, Big Trouble in Little Ala Mhigo, Wrath of the Titan (Titan).
  • Levels 30-40: The Perfect Prey, In the Company of Heroes, Lord of Crags, All Good Things, The Final Flight of the Enterprise, Influencing Inquisitors.
  • Levels 40-50: In Pursuit of the Past, Lady of the Vortex (Garuda), Getting Even with Garlemald, Operation Archon, The Ultimate Weapon.

The Seventh Astral Era (Patch 2.1 - 2.55)

Upon reaching level 50, players must complete a long series of bridge quests that lead into the first expansion. These were significantly pruned in recent years to improve pacing.

  • Patch 2.1: The Price of Principles, Hail to the King, Kupo.
  • Patch 2.2: Through the Maelstrom, Into the Heart of the Whorl (Leviathan).
  • Patch 2.3: Defenders of Eorzea, Lord of Levin (Ramuh).
  • Patch 2.4: Dreams of Ice, The Path of the Righteous (Shiva).
  • Patch 2.5 & 2.55: Before the Fall, The Enterprising Mercenary, Before the Dawn.

Heavensward (Levels 50 - 60)

This expansion takes the player to the mountain city of Ishgard and concludes the millennial Dragonsong War.

3.0 Main Story

  1. Coming to Ishgard
  2. The Better Half
  3. Vigil for the Lost
  4. Among the Clouds
  5. Black and White
  6. Mourn in Passing
  7. Lord of the Hive (Ravana)
  8. A Knight's Calling
  9. In Search of Iceheart
  10. The Wyrm's Welcome
  11. Bolt, Chain, and Island
  12. Imagination (The Aery)
  13. The Sins of the Father
  14. A Series of Unfortunate Events
  15. Heavensward (Quest)

Post-Heavensward (Patch 3.1 - 3.56)

  1. Patch 3.1: As Goes Light, So Goes Darkness.
  2. Patch 3.2: The Gears of Change.
  3. Patch 3.3: Revenge of the Horde (The Final Steps of Faith).
  4. Patch 3.4: Soul Surrender.
  5. Patch 3.5: The Far Edge of Fate.

Stormblood (Levels 60 - 70)

The focus shifts to the liberation of Ala Mhigo and the Far Eastern land of Doma.

4.0 Main Story

  1. Beyond the Great Wall
  2. Lyse through the Looking Glass
  3. The Fires of Red
  4. The Price of Freedom
  5. A Bargain Struck
  6. The Garlean Standard
  7. Tide Goes in, Imperials Go Out
  8. In the Footsteps of Bardam the Brave
  9. The Primary Agreement
  10. The Lady in Red
  11. Stormblood (Quest)

Post-Stormblood (Patch 4.1 - 4.56)

  1. Patch 4.1: The Legend Returns.
  2. Patch 4.2: Rise of a New Sun.
  3. Patch 4.3: Under the Moonlight.
  4. Patch 4.4: Prelude in Violet.
  5. Patch 4.5: A Requiem for Heroes.

Shadowbringers (Levels 70 - 80)

Widely regarded for its narrative depth, Shadowbringers takes players to the First reflection.

5.0 Main Story

  1. The Syrcus Trench
  2. A Calm Before the Storm
  3. In Search of Alphinaud
  4. In Search of Alisaie
  5. The City of Final Pleasures
  6. The Orchard of Fear
  7. The Honest Truth
  8. The Oracle of Light
  9. A Breath of Respite
  10. The Unshakable Free
  11. Shadowbringers (Quest)

Post-Shadowbringers (Patch 5.1 - 5.55)

  1. Patch 5.1: Vows of Virtue, Deeds of Cruelty.
  2. Patch 5.2: Echoes of a Fallen Star.
  3. Patch 5.3: Reflections in Crystal.
  4. Patch 5.4: Futures Rewritten.
  5. Patch 5.5: Death Unto Dawn.

Endwalker (Levels 80 - 90)

This expansion concludes the long-running Hydaelyn and Zodiark saga.

6.0 Main Story

  1. The Next Ship to Sail
  2. Old Sharlayan, New Beginnings
  3. Thavnairian Hospitality
  4. In the Shadow of Elpis
  5. A Bold Decision
  6. The Purpose of Life
  7. You're Not Alone
  8. Endwalker (Quest)

Post-Endwalker (Patch 6.1 - 6.55)

  1. Patch 6.1: Newfound Adventure.
  2. Patch 6.2: Buried Memory.
  3. Patch 6.3: Gods Revel, Lands Tremble.
  4. Patch 6.4: The Dark Throne.
  5. Patch 6.5: Growing Light.

Dawntrail (Levels 90 - 100)

Dawntrail marks the beginning of a brand-new saga for the Warrior of Light, venturing into the New World, Tural.

7.0 Main Story

  1. A New Horizon Calls: The journey starts in Old Sharlayan after the events of Patch 6.55. Players meet with Erenville to begin the expedition.
  2. Arrival in Tuliyollal: The entry quest into the vibrant hub city of Tural.
  3. The Rite of Succession: A major quest chain involving the various claimants to the throne.
  4. The Kozama'uka Expeditions: Level 91-92 quests focusing on the southern jungles.
  5. The Urqopacha Peaks: Level 91-92 quests focusing on the mountainous regions.
  6. The Hanu Hanu and the Pelupelu: Meeting the diverse tribes of Tural.
  7. The Golden City Legends: Quests from level 94-96 that delve into the myth of the lost city.
  8. Interdimensional Travels: Late-expansion quests (97-99) that introduce high-tech and ethereal elements.
  9. Dawntrail: The final level 100 quest concluding the initial 7.0 conflict.

Post-Dawntrail (Patch 7.1 - 7.x)

As of April 2026, the story continues to expand through the 7.x patch series, setting the stage for future threats and exploring the aftermath of the Succession.

  1. Patch 7.1 (Crossroads): Continues the narrative immediately following the coronation. Focuses on rebuilding and new diplomatic ties.
  2. Patch 7.2 (Seekers of Eternity): Introduces the first major overarching threat for the new arc. Often involves a new trial and dungeon.
  3. Patch 7.3 (The Promise of Tomorrow): Usually the midpoint of the patch cycle, providing significant lore revelations.
  4. Patch 7.4 (Into the Mist): The most recent update, leading players into unexplored territories or deeper into the mysteries of the Golden City.

Understanding the MSQ Structure

When looking at the FFXIV MSQ list, it is helpful to understand the distinction between expansion releases and patch content.

Base Expansion Quests (X.0)

These are the quests released on day one of an expansion. For example, the 6.0 quests for Endwalker cover the entire level 80 to 90 journey. They are typically denser, featuring the majority of the expansion's cutscenes and voice acting. Completion of these quests is what officially marks you as having finished that "chapter" of the game.

Post-Expansion Patch Quests (X.1 to X.55)

After the base expansion, Square Enix releases patches every few months. These quests continue the story at the level cap of that expansion (e.g., all post-Shadowbringers quests are level 80). These are essential because they provide the narrative bridge to the next expansion. You cannot skip these and move directly to the next expansion's level 1 quest without using a paid story skip.

Mandatory Side Content

Occasionally, the MSQ will require you to complete certain side activities. The most notable example is the Crystal Tower raid series. While technically "Chronicles of a New Era" quests, they were made mandatory because their plot is vital to the Shadowbringers and Endwalker storylines.

Similarly, in Shadowbringers, you must complete at least one "Role Quest" chain (Tank, Healer, Physical DPS, or Magic DPS) to finish the 5.0 MSQ.

Tips for Progressing the MSQ

Progressing through this massive list can be daunting. Here are some observations to help manage the journey:

  • The Meteor Icon: Always look for the quest icon with the fiery meteor border. This indicates a Main Scenario Quest. Other icons (like the blue ones with a plus sign) unlock features but aren't required for story progression.
  • Focus on One Class: While you can play every job on one character, the MSQ provides enough experience to level one primary job very efficiently. Trying to level multiple jobs via MSQ alone may lead to level gating where you aren't high enough level to start the next quest.
  • Check the MSQ Tracker: By default, the game has a UI element in the top left corner that displays the name of your next MSQ. Clicking it will open your map and show you exactly where to go.
  • Don't Skip Cutscenes (The First Time): FFXIV is a story-driven game. While skipping is an option for those only interested in endgame raiding, much of the community's enjoyment comes from the narrative payoffs that have been building since 2013.
  • Level Gating: If you find yourself below the required level for the next MSQ, the best way to catch up is through "Daily Leveling Roulettes" found in the Duty Finder.

Estimated Completion Time

For a new player starting from A Realm Reborn in 2026, the journey to the end of the current Dawntrail content is estimated to take approximately 300 to 400 hours, depending on reading speed and participation in side content.

  • A Realm Reborn: 50-60 hours
  • Heavensward: 40-50 hours
  • Stormblood: 40-50 hours
  • Shadowbringers: 50-60 hours
  • Endwalker: 60-70 hours
  • Dawntrail: 50-60 hours
  • Patch Content: roughly 10-15 hours per expansion's bridge cycle.

Using a "Tales of Adventure" skip from the online store is a possibility for those who wish to jump straight into Dawntrail with friends, but it is generally suggested to play through the story at least once to appreciate the world-building.

Tracking the FFXIV MSQ list is more than just checking off a to-do list; it's the process of watching your character grow from a nameless adventurer into the savior of worlds. Whether you are currently dealing with the Garlean Empire in ARR or exploring the wilds of Tural in Dawntrail, the path forward is always clearly marked by that iconic meteor symbol.