Another TGS, another Final Fantasy XIV Live Letter completed as producer/director Naoki Yoshida took the main stage to discuss all the happenings in the upcoming Patch 3.1. Alongside a look at the update’s new content, we got to see some of the new gear sets, the Void Ark, and a deeper look into the Gold Saucer’s new mini-game Lord of Verminion.

As we now know, Patch 3.1 has a title and it’s As Goes Light, So Goes Darkness. We’ll be seeing a deeper look into the Warrior of Darkness teased near the end of Heavensward as well as the continuation of the Dragonsong War within the main scenario. Because of vacations following the expansion, the patch has been pushed to release within the first few days of November, rather than October.

Moving on to the content itself, Yoshida detailed more of the Void Ark – Final Fantasy XIV’s latest 24-man raid. With a similar setup and difficulty as the Crystal Tower series, Void Ark will play host to creatures from other Final Fantasy titles for boss fights.

Another addition to Patch 3.1 is the expansion of Free Company airship exploration. Players will be able to explore islands home to many monsters and team up with others to kill as many as possible. Those without a FC can participate using the airships in Ishgard via party or solo. FC airships do get some exclusive bonuses, however, so if you’re not in one you may want to consider it.

These adventures will take place in the Sea of Clouds and you’ll be needing to unlock flying in the first area once you get there. In the zone, players can find really strong enemies – the weakest being equal to that of an A Rank hunt mob. Items from these explorations will drop in three chest types = gold, silver and bronze. Gear equal to i210, glamour gear and more will be available within. Unwanted stuff can be traded in for points and the chest rewards themselves will be random – including stats and appearance of gear.

Coming soon to the Gold Saucer, Lord of Verminion features a Real Time Strategy battle between two players. Minions are summoned into battle from your own collection in 10-minute matches. You win by destroying your opponent’s Arcana Stones. Minions have stats of their own and can differ from minion to minion – categorized into poppets, monsters, critters and gadgets. Lord of Verminion featers five different modes as well, including tutorial, challenge, training, battle, and tournament. Matching will be done based on performance.

We’ll be able to see Lord of Verminion in action at the next FATE event in Hiroshima, Japan.

Other goodies planned for 3.1 include new housing additions (a moogle design, for example), and the requested Haurchefant painting. A new relic weapon quest line is also confirmed for the patch.