Early access for Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood arrives in a few short hours; those who have preordered the game will have a four day headstart on the game before the official launch on June 20th, so we thought we’d share some tips for jumping back into the game’s second expansion, highlighting some of the new features therein.

To start things off, here’s where to unlock Stormblood’s content, features, and Level 60 job quests outside of the main scenario. Red Mage and Samurai will start at Level 50 in this expansion, and both quests to obtain the Job crystals can be found in Ul’dah.

Unlockable job quests and content:

• Content and Features:
  Lv. 60 Main Scenario; Alphinaud @ The Rising Stones (X:6.0 Y:5.9)
  Lv. 61 Shirogane; Tsurubami @ Kugane (X:12.0 Y:9.9)
  Lv. 61 Spearfishing; Sumitsubo @ The Ruby Sea (X:28.9 Y:15.9)
  Lv. 61 The Hunt – Stormblood; Estrild @ Kugane (X:10.3 Y:10.2)
  Lv. 70 The Circles of Answering; Starry-eyed Ala Mhigan @ Rhalgr’s Reach (X:12.3 Y:13.1)
• Disciples of War and Magic:
  Lv. 60 Astrologian; Jannequinard @ The Pillars (X:15.2 Y:10.0)
  Lv. 60 Bard; Jehantel @ South Shroud (X:21.8 Y:21.3)
  Lv. 60 Black Mage; Lalai @ Ul’dah – Steps of Thal (X:12.9 Y:13.5)
  Lv. 60 Dark Knight; Sidurgu @ Foundation (X:13.3 Y:12.0)
  Lv. 60 Dragoon; Alberic @ Coerthas Central Highlands (X:25.8, Y:28.3)
  Lv. 60 Machinist; Stephanivien @ Foundation (X:8.1 Y:10.1)
  Lv. 60 Monk; Erik @ Ul’dah – Steps of Thal (X:10.6 Y:13.1)
  Lv. 60 Ninja; Oboro @ Eastern La Noscea (X:20.8 Y:26.6)
  Lv. 60 Paladin; Jenlyns @ Ul’dah – Steps of Thal (X:10.8 Y:11.1)
  Lv. 50 Red Mage; Distraught Lass @ Ul’dah – Steps of Thal (X:14.1 Y:11.7)
  Lv. 50 Samurai; Ul’dahn Citizen @ Ul’dah – Steps of Nald (X:9.2 Y:9.1)
  Lv. 60 Scholar; Alka Zolka @ Limsa Lominsa Upper Decks (X:11.1 Y:6.2)
  Lv. 60 Summoner; Y’mhitra @ Old Gridania (X:10.9 Y:6.3)
  Lv. 60 Warrior; Curious Gorge @ Eastern La Noscea (X:30.6 Y:22.9)
  Lv. 60 White Mage; Raya-O-Senna @ South Shroud (X:18.6 Y:27.1)
  — Astrologian, Dark Knight, Machinist require Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward
  — Red Mage, Samurai require Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood
• Disciples of the Land and Hand:
  Lv. 60 Alchemist; Severian @ Ul’dah – Steps of Thal (X:9.2 Y:13.6)
  Lv. 60 Armorer; H’naanza @ Limsa Lominsa Upper Decks (X:10.5 Y:15.4)
  Lv. 60 Blacksmith; Brithael @ Limsa Lominsa Upper Decks (X:10.6 Y:14.9)
  Lv. 60 Botanist; Fufucha @ Old Gridania (X:6.5 Y:7.8)
  Lv. 60 Carpenter; Beatin @ New Gridania (X:10.3 Y:12.3)
  Lv. 60 Culinarian; Lyngsath @ Limsa Lominsa Upper Decks (X:10.1 Y:8.2)
  Lv. 60 Fisher; Sisipu @ Limsa Lominsa Lower Decks (X:7.9 Y:14.5)
  Lv. 60 Goldsmith; Serendipity @ Ul’dah – Steps of Thal (X:10.7 Y:13.4)
  Lv. 60 Leatherworker; Geva @ Old Gridania (X:12.6 Y:7.9)
  Lv. 60 Miner; Adalberta @ Ul’dah – Steps of Thal (X:10.8 Y:14.3)
  Lv. 60 Weaver; Redolent Rose @ Ul’dah – Steps of Thal (X:14.3 Y:13.2)

Review your Actions and get meet the Job Gauge

There’s been a ton of changes to Final Fantasy XIV’s battle system in Stormblood, and that includes the revision of all your battle actions. Many utility-based actions have been reclassified as role-wide, while others have been completely revamped or removed. Square Enix has a new Job Guide that gives us the rundown on all the new actions for PvE and PvP. Once you log in, you may notice that some actions set to your hotbars are crossed out in red — meaning they’ve been removed from the game.

Job Gauges have been added to the game so that a job’s mechanics are more visually expressed. Each job gauge is unique, so it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with how they work. You can also find more details at the game’s Job Guide.

FATEs… with a Twist

FATEs in Stormblood zones have a couple new features this time: an experience bonus an experience point buff called “Twist of Fate.” Take note of the FATE icons in the field or in the Recommendations menu — if they have an Experience icon included, that means there’s bonus experience for completion.

During any given FATE, there is a chance that a special enemy will appear. If this enemy is defeated, any player who participated in the FATE will be given the Twist of Fate buff, bestowing even more experience points for completing additional FATEs.

Pack your swimsuit

Stormblood will introduce new areas where you’ll be able to swim and dive, as well as certain areas in older zones like Costa Del Sol. Any flying mount is able to swim, but you’ll unlock diving by going through the Stormblood main scenario.

Gotta go fast

Mount speed can be upgraded in two stages based on the zone that you’re in. The first stage will apply to Stormblood zones, residential districts, and Idyllshire, and the second, even faster stage will apply to A Realm Reborn and Heavensward zones. You’ll unlock faster speeds by completing certain main scenario quests. You can confirm what stage your mounts are at by opening the Travel menu.

Check out Shirogane and load up on furnishings

While the new housing zone Shirogane won’t open until a few weeks after launch, you’ll can scope out the neighborhood by accepting a Level 61 quest in Kugane.

The number of slots to place furnishings has been doubled for each type of estate. A level 70 Gyr Abanian striking dummy has been added to the game as well, a great tool to start planning for the raid life.

• Cottages: 100 → 200
• Houses: 150 → 300
• Mansions: 200 → 400
• Private Chambers: 50 → 100
• Apartments: 50 → 100

What are your tips for Stormblood’s launch? Leave us your thoughts in a comment below!