After months of speculation and deduction based on scattered clues from the old trailer, Final Fantasy XIV's dedicated fans were right. The second new job introduced in the "Aetherial Sea" expansion is indeed a ranged physical DPS. This original job is called "Zephyr," wielding a fast-firing crossbow in combat and accompanied by a deadly pet bird.
Zephyr was officially announced at the Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival in Japan, described as a fresh take on the "pet job." However, your companion is no ordinary bird. Zephyr's avian familiar is called "Nephele," a winged predator that can attack in coordination with you and provide support to the entire party from the air. Thus, proper positioning will be crucial for this job. The new trailer showcases Zephyr in action.
Like the upcoming Bastion job, Zephyr can only be played through the new Evolved Combat System. This system aims to moderately simplify certain aspects of gameplay. When Patch 8.0 launches, Zephyr's first job quest is expected to appear in Gridania, starting at level 90.
The event also showcased new areas in the expansion, including the serene Cethlennir, the floating island-like Skidbladnir, and a scene montage themed around "more regions of the Fourth Continent."
Final Fantasy XIV: Aetherial Sea is scheduled for release on February 23, 2027, with early access for pre-order players starting February 19.
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