FFXIV: Dawntrail PC Benchmark Release
Posted on April 15, 2024 by Aywren
Click here to download the Dawntrail PC Benchmark!
Yesterday was a big day in the FFXIV community because the official Dawntrail PC Benchmark dropped. Why is this such big news? Let’s get into it!
Check Your PC’s Ability to Run Dawntrail
Friday’s Live Letter showcased mostly information on the graphical update that we’ve known is coming. With this graphical update, the minimum requirements for running the game once Dawntrail releases are changing. You will need a stronger PC to get the most out of Dawntrail, and the Benchmark gives you a good idea of how your machine stacks up to the requirements.
In the past, for example, my aging machine has been able to rank Extremely High on previous expansion Benchmarks. This time around, however, I’ve only gotten a Very High rank when running the high settings. I can run on Maximum settings, but I think I’ll give my PC a break and just stick to high.
You’ll also get a sneak peek of new skills for many of the jobs in the game during the battle portions of the Benchmark, along with their artifact gear.
Make a Female Hrothgar
The female Hrothgar are launching with Dawntrail, and this is your chance to check them out in the character creation portion of the Benchmark!
Make as many Hrothgals as you like, and see them in action! There’s quite a bit of customization despite the fact that there’s a limitation of base hair to head (similar to the male Hroths).
Keep in mind that if you save a character’s appearance, you will be able to use that appearance in the real game once Dawntrail launches. Given that we’ll all be getting a free Fantasia this time (so I’ve heard), you can go ahead and craft your fem-cat to be ready to go on day one!
High-Rez Character Creator
The thing that’s stirring up the biggest to-do is that with the Benchmark, we’ll be able to see the changes coming with the graphic updates for our current characters. So far, some people love it, some people don’t.
You can find a TON of threads on the General section of the official forums, so I suggest hopping over there if you have feedback to give. While there’s no promise this is a done deal, or that they will have time to change things, the team has responded to feedback (such as Hrothgar ears clipping through hair) in the past.
If you want to see your character in a hairstyle that is not normally in the character creator, there’s a guide in the video below on how to import your character’s style to the Benchmark.
They’ve put a lot of work into this graphic update, and while they can’t please everyone, I’m sure they want to make as many people happy as they can.
This was another reason why we’re getting a free Fantasia. However, some of the structural changes to character faces (eyes, lips, fangs, etc.) aren’t things that a Fantasia can fix.
We’ll see how this shakes out. But it’s another good reason to jump into the Benchmark to see if any of your characters are going to need a make-over come Dawntrail.
For me, most of the changes are positive, or don’t bother me all that much. There are a couple alts I know I’m going to mess with using a Fantasia. There’s one alt that I really, really dislike the new skin texture on, and he might end up getting switched out for a Hrothgal. It depends on how I feel when the expansion drops.
Anyhow! Go get the Benchmark if you’re a PC player! Give your feedback if you have any and enjoy if you’re pleased with how things shook out!
