Final Fantasy 14 8.0 is the Evercold expansion, and Square Enix has confirmed a January 2027 release. As of the latest update, the company has not announced an exact date, a price or an Early Access schedule. Evercold raises the level cap from 100 to 110, adds a tank called Bastion and a second job that Square Enix will reveal at Fan Festival Tokyo on October 31 and November 1, and sends the Warrior of Light to a frozen reflection called the Fourth. It also overhauls combat with two playstyles for each job.
Summary: Final Fantasy 14 8.0 Evercold
- Release: January 2027, with no exact date, price or Early Access plan announced yet.
- Level cap: 110, up from 100. You need the expansion to level past 100.
- New jobs: Bastion (tank), plus a physical ranged DPS to be revealed October 31 to November 1.
- Big system changes: Reborn and Evolved modes, Seasons and Adventurer Activity, and an Armoury update.
- New content: the Fourth reflection, the city of Fargarth, an FFVII raid series and an Evangelion alliance raid.
Evercold Release Date: What Is Confirmed
Square Enix announced Evercold at Fan Festival 2026 in Anaheim in April and set it for January 2027. Since then, the company has not named a launch day.
Here is what you can count on, and what you cannot.
| Detail | Status |
|---|---|
| Release window | Confirmed: January 2027 |
| Exact release date | Not announced |
| Price | Not announced |
| Pre-orders and Early Access | Not announced |
| Platforms | PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X |
Past expansions have cost $40, so many outlets expect a similar price. However, that is an expectation, and Square Enix has not confirmed it.
The road to Evercold
Several dates fall between now and launch.
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| September 8, 2026 | Patch 7.56 closes the Dawntrail main scenario, adds the Beastmaster limited job and starts PvP Series 12 |
| October 28, 2026 | Final Fantasy VII-themed Manderville Gold Saucer update |
| October 31 to November 1, 2026 | Fan Festival 2026 in Tokyo, where the second new job will be revealed |
| January 2027 | Evercold releases |
PvP Series 12 runs until Patch 8.0 arrives.
New Jobs in Evercold
Evercold adds two new jobs, and both will use the new Evolved Mode only.
Bastion (tank)
Bastion is a main tank that fights with the Skyltborg, a pair of shape-changing greatshields. Its rotation moves between a melee phase and a ranged phase, and it can designate an ally who receives healing and defensive effects when Bastion’s actions trigger.
- Starting level: 90, like other jobs added after a level cap increase.
- Unlock requirement: a level 90 Disciple of War or Magic.
- Unlock location: Limsa Lominsa.
- Gear: fending gear.
Physical ranged DPS
The second job is a physical ranged DPS, and Square Enix will reveal it at Fan Festival Tokyo on October 31 and November 1. Until then, the name and kit stay unknown. Since each new job should start at level 90, that is the likely starting point, but Square Enix has not confirmed it for this job.
Level Cap Increase to 110
The level cap rises by ten, from 100 to 110. You need to own Evercold to level past 100, although you can reach level 100 on all your jobs before the expansion arrives.
Because new jobs start at level 90, you also have a clear way to prepare. Level a Disciple of War or Magic to 90 now, and you can unlock Bastion on day one.
Story and New Zones
Evercold begins the Godless Realms Saga. Faced with a new threat called the Solstice, the Warrior of Light travels to the Fourth, a reflection of Etheirys bound in ice.
Square Enix has revealed these locations so far:
- Naglfar: the Realmship of Water, one of the great realmships of the Fourth.
- Hringhorni: the Realmship of Fire, the second realmship revealed.
- Fargarth: the expansion’s new city.
The main scenario also gets a structure change. After a certain point, you choose the order in which you tackle some areas.
Major System Changes
Evercold is the largest structural change to the game in years, and many of the changes reach every player.
| System | What changes |
|---|---|
| Reborn and Evolved modes | Each job can switch between Reborn, based on today’s combat, and Evolved, built to highlight the job’s identity |
| Seasons | A new reward and item level framework, with each season lasting two major patches |
| Adventurer Activity | A weekly system that replaces the weekly-capped Allagan Tomestones, so progress no longer depends on daily logins |
| Armoury System | Your highest item level reflects across all jobs, though materia melds do not carry over |
| Auto Content Balancing | Evercold content adjusts to your level, including party matching across levels |
| Customization | A new color picker, finer face controls, eye shadow and removable gear parts |
| Action animations | Customizable animations for general and job actions |
| Chocobo companions | A chocobo raising overhaul, and chocobos can assist you in dungeons |
New jobs from 8.0 onward use Evolved Mode only. Limited jobs such as Blue Mage and Beastmaster do not use either mode.
Raids and Duties
Evercold brings several new pieces of endgame content, and some of it arrives in later patches.
- Beyond the Lifestream: an eight-player raid series built around Final Fantasy VII.
- EVANGELION: Ghosts of Desire: a 24-player alliance raid series, made as a crossover with Neon Genesis Evangelion.
- A new Ultimate raid: details are not yet known.
- A new difficulty: an eight-player setting that sits between Normal and Savage.
- World Raids: new content in the overworld zones.
- Dungeons and trials: new ones return, along with FATEs, hunts and treasure hunts.
Square Enix has said some of this content will release in patches after launch, instead of in 8.0 itself.
What Every Player Gets
Some Evercold changes reach everyone, whether or not they buy the expansion. These include the broader game design changes, the new battle system, PvP updates and Duty Support updates.
In addition, the free trial expands at launch. It will cover all of A Realm Reborn and Shadowbringers, up to level 80, with no playtime limit.
The Nintendo Switch 2 version of the game also launched on August 4, 2026, and Evercold will arrive on that console alongside every other platform.
How to Prepare for Evercold
You cannot do everything yet, but these steps help.
- Finish Dawntrail. Patch 7.56 closed the main scenario, so you can complete it before January.
- Level your jobs to 100. You can reach the current cap now, and Evercold lets you go past it.
- Level a Disciple of War or Magic to 90. That unlocks Bastion at launch.
- Watch Fan Festival Tokyo. The second job reveal is planned for October 31 and November 1.
- Wait on purchases. Square Enix has not announced a price, Collector’s Edition or pre-order window.
Common Mistakes and Clarifications
- Assuming a release day. Fan sites show countdowns, but those use an estimated date, so ignore them until Square Enix announces one.
- Thinking you need Evercold for new combat changes. The new battle system reaches all players, but the level cap, new jobs and zones need the expansion.
- Expecting every raid at launch. Some content arrives in later patches.
- Mixing up the modes. Reborn is today’s combat, and Evolved is the new identity-focused system.
What Could Change Next
Square Enix will likely share more during Fan Festival Tokyo, but it has not said what it will announce. Everything above is accurate as of October 9, 2026, so check the official Final Fantasy XIV Lodestone for updates.
Conclusion
Final Fantasy 14 8.0 arrives in January 2027 as Evercold, with a level cap of 110, the Bastion tank, the frozen Fourth reflection and a major combat overhaul. The exact date, price and second job are still unannounced, so wait for Fan Festival Tokyo before you plan a purchase. In the meantime, finish Dawntrail and level your jobs.
FAQs
When is Final Fantasy 14 8.0 Evercold coming out?
Square Enix has confirmed January 2027, but it has not announced an exact date.
What is the level cap in Evercold?
The level cap rises from 100 to 110, and you need Evercold to level past 100.
What are the new jobs in Evercold?
Bastion, a tank, and a physical ranged DPS that Square Enix will reveal on October 31 and November 1.
Where does Evercold take place?
The Warrior of Light travels to the Fourth, a reflection bound in ice, with new areas including Naglfar, Hringhorni and the city of Fargarth.
Will Evercold change how jobs play?
Yes. Each job can switch between Reborn and Evolved modes, and new jobs use Evolved Mode only.
How much does Evercold cost?
Square Enix has not announced a price. Past expansions cost $40, but that is not confirmed for Evercold.
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