The Main Scenario Quests (MSQ) serve as the backbone of the Final Fantasy XIV experience. Unlike many other MMORPGs where the story is secondary to the grind, in this world, the story is the gatekeeper. Almost every major feature—including mounts, airship travel, new zones, dungeons, raids, and even your Grand Company affiliation—is locked behind the completion of these specific quests marked with the distinct meteor icon.

As of April 2026, the journey has expanded significantly with the Dawntrail expansion and its subsequent 7.x patches. This list provides a comprehensive breakdown of the quest chains across every expansion, helping you gauge how far you’ve come and how much adventure lies ahead.

A Realm Reborn (Level 1 - 50)

The journey begins in one of the three city-states depending on your starting class. These storylines are unique until Level 15, where they converge into a single narrative arc.

The Starting Cities (Levels 1 - 15)

  • Gridania: Starts with "Close to Home" and focuses on the forest's harmony and the threat of the Ixal.
  • Limsa Lominsa: Begins with "Close to Home" involving pirate politics and the Sahagin threat.
  • Ul'dah: Starts with "Close to Home" covering the Sultanate's internal struggles and the Amalj'aa.

The Converged Path (Levels 15 - 50)

Once you reach the quest "It's Probably Pirates," all players follow the same path. This segment includes major milestones such as:

  • The Scions of the Seventh Dawn: Introduction to the organization at the heart of the MSQ.
  • Lord of the Inferno: Your first Primal battle (Ifrit).
  • The Company You Keep: Joining a Grand Company and unlocking your first personal Chocobo.
  • The Ultimate Weapon: The climax of the 2.0 base game, involving the Praetorium.

Seventh Astral Era (Post-ARR Patches 2.1 - 2.55)

This is a series of roughly 80 quests that bridge the gap between the base game and the first expansion. Significant patches include:

  • A Realm Awoken (2.1)
  • Through the Maelstrom (2.2)
  • Defenders of Eorzea (2.3)
  • Dreams of Ice (2.4)
  • Before the Fall (2.5 & 2.55): Leading to the dramatic finale that sets up the move to Ishgard.

Heavensward (Level 50 - 60)

The first expansion takes players to the mountain city of Ishgard and deep into the Dragonsong War. It is often praised for its shift toward a more serious, focused narrative.

The Dragonsong War (3.0)

Consisting of approximately 94 quests, this arc covers your ascent into the Coerthas Western Highlands and eventually the Dravanian regions. Key milestones include:

  • Coming to Ishgard: Unlocking the new hub city.
  • The Lookout: Early exploration of the new vertical maps.
  • Heavensward: The final quest of the 3.0 launch content.

Dragonsong War Epilogue (Patches 3.1 - 3.56)

This segment concludes the war and begins to look toward the liberation of Ala Mhigo. Notable patches:

  • As Goes Light, So Goes Darkness (3.1)
  • The Gears of Change (3.2)
  • Revenge of the Horde (3.3): The emotional peak of the Ishgardian storyline.
  • The Far Edge of Fate (3.4 - 3.56): Introducing the Warriors of Darkness and preparing for the next war.

Stormblood (Level 60 - 70)

This expansion focuses on liberation, splitting the action between the Ala Mhigan front and the Far Eastern region of Doma.

Liberty or Death (4.0)

With around 122 quests, Stormblood is a massive journey across two continents. Key phases include:

  • Beyond the Great Wall: Entering the Gyr Abania region.
  • To the Far East: Traveling across the sea to Kugane.
  • The Azim Steppe: A fan-favorite sequence involving the Xaela tribes.
  • Stormblood: The liberation of Ala Mhigo.

The Legend Returns (Patches 4.1 - 4.56)

These patches deal with the aftermath of liberation and the rising threat of the Garlean Empire’s internal strife. Highlights include:

  • Rise of a New Sun (4.2)
  • Under the Moonlight (4.3): Focused on the fate of Yotsuyu.
  • A Requiem for Heroes (4.4 - 4.56): Introducing the "Calling" that leads into the next expansion.

Shadowbringers (Level 70 - 80)

Widely considered one of the greatest stories in RPG history, Shadowbringers takes the player to a different world: The First.

The First (5.0)

106 quests that subvert the typical "Warrior of Light" trope. Key milestones:

  • The Syrcus Trench: The transition to the Crystarium.
  • Becoming the Warrior of Darkness: Reclaiming the night in zones like Kholusia and Amh Araeng.
  • Shadowbringers: The final showdown in the underwater city of Amaurot.

Post-Shadowbringers (Patches 5.1 - 5.55)

This arc concludes the story of the First and returns focus to the Source for the final showdown of the long-running arc. Patches include:

  • Vows of Virtue, Deeds of Cruelty (5.1)
  • Reflections in Crystal (5.3): A major finale for the Shadowbringers arc.
  • Death Unto Dawn (5.4 - 5.55): Setting the stage for the literal end of the world.

Endwalker (Level 80 - 90)

Endwalker serves as the grand finale to the Hydaelyn-Zodiark saga that began in A Realm Reborn.

The Final Days (6.0)

108 quests that take you from the moon to the edge of the universe. Major locations include:

  • Old Sharlayan: The new academic hub.
  • Radz-at-Han: The vibrant city of Thavnair.
  • Ultima Thule: The final zone of the saga.
  • Endwalker: The conclusion of a decade-long story.

Newfound Adventure (Patches 6.1 - 6.55)

Instead of an epilogue, these patches started a fresh adventure involving the Void and the Thirteenth shard. Patches include:

  • Buried Memory (6.2)
  • Gods Revel, Lands Tremble (6.3)
  • Growing Light (6.4 - 6.55): Final preparations for the journey across the western sea.

Dawntrail (Level 90 - 100)

Released as a "summer vacation" that evolves into a high-stakes adventure, Dawntrail marks the beginning of a brand-new multi-year story arc.

Tural and the Rite of Succession (7.0)

This expansion introduces the continent of Tural (the New World). The MSQ here is roughly 100 quests long and focuses on:

  • The Golden City: The central mystery of the expansion.
  • Tuliyollal: The major hub city representing the diverse cultures of Tural.
  • Solution Nine: The high-tech anomaly that changes the tone of the story mid-way.
  • Dawntrail: Completion of the succession arc and the discovery of the deeper threats.

Current Patches (7.1 - 7.2+)

By April 2026, we have moved into the meat of the post-Dawntrail content.

  • Patch 7.1 (Crossroads): Dealing with the fallout of the 7.0 climax and exploring the newly opened zones further.
  • Patch 7.2 (Seekers of Eternity): The current active patch content. These quests typically add 8-10 new MSQs and a new dungeon/trial required for progression.

Estimated Completion Time and Tips

For a new player starting today in 2026, the sheer volume of the MSQ can be daunting. Here are some observations regarding the time investment:

  1. Playtime: A casual playthrough of the entire MSQ through Dawntrail 7.2 can take anywhere from 300 to 450 hours. This varies significantly based on how much of the dialogue is read and how many cutscenes are watched.
  2. The "Pruned" ARR: Modern players benefit from the 5.3 patch update which removed roughly 13% of the filler quests in the base game and added flying to ARR zones. This makes the early game much faster than it was at launch.
  3. Expansion Skips: Story skips are available for purchase. While they allow immediate access to Dawntrail, they are generally suggested only for players making secondary characters (alts). The narrative payoff in FF14 is cumulative; jumping to the end may result in a lack of emotional connection to the cast.
  4. The Meteor Icon: Always prioritize quests with the meteor frame. If you find yourself unable to pick up the next MSQ, check if you have completed the mandatory Crystal Tower raid series (required to finish ARR) or if you meet the minimum Item Level (iLevel) for the next dungeon.
  5. New Game+: If you did skip or simply want to relive a specific moment, the New Game+ feature allows you to replay MSQ segments without losing your character's progress or rewards.

Why the MSQ Order Matters

Final Fantasy XIV is structured like a multi-season television series. Skipping a "season" often results in confusion regarding character motivations and the world's lore. The 7.0 expansion, Dawntrail, is specifically designed as a new entry point, but it still draws heavily on the growth your character experienced during the previous five expansions.

Tracking your progress through this list helps ensure you are hitting the necessary gear and level requirements before reaching the next major story beat. Whether you are wandering the forests of the Black Shroud or exploring the cybernetic streets of Solution Nine, the MSQ is your guide through the ever-evolving world of Hydaelyn and beyond.