All Alliance Raids in Final Fantasy XIV and how to unlock them

The story and rewards are worth completing these raids.

FFXIV characters seemingly preparing for battle.
Image via Square Enix

Alliance Raids are among the most interesting duties to clear in Final Fantasy XIV. They are raids where 24 players are divided into three teams. Contrary to other duties, each team only has one tank, two healers, and five DPS players.

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They are fun but not easy to clear, at least without dying. Each boss features a few wipe mechanics that players must keep track of. Each FFXIV expansion features several Alliance Raids that are tied to one story.

Although this content is popular, many players might miss it because they are side quests instead of a part of the Main Scenario. Since their stories are crucial to comprehending the game’s lore, however, the first array of raids has been made mandatory to progress through the MSQ.

In addition, Alliance Raids are great ways to gain XP and other daily rewards through the Roulette, such as Allagan Tomestones of all sorts to obtain strong weapons and gear.

Here’s how to unlock all Alliance Raids in FFXIV. It’s highly recommended to clear them all.

A Realm Reborn

Edit showing A Realm Reborn Alliance Raid icons in FFXIV.
Those are the first Alliance Raids of FFXIV. Screenshot by Dot Esports

You need to complete the MSQ “The Ultimate Weapon” and then head to Mor Dhona at X: 21.8, Y: 8.1 to unlock these first raids. Follow the questline and you’ll be guided to unlock all three raids from the base game.

Those Alliance Raids are particularly important to complete since they’ve become mandatory to progress through FFXIV‘s Main Scenario Quests since the release of Endwalker in December 2021. They’re also a great way to gain XP, so it’s recommended to unlock those as soon as you can in the game.

  • The Labyrinth of the Ancients
  • Syrcus Tower
  • The World of Darkness

Heavensward

Edit showing Heavensward Alliance Raid icons in FFXIV.
You get to those raids at level 60. Screenshot by Dot Esports

To unlock the Alliance raids from this expansion, you need to complete the MSQ called “Heavensward” and head to the Pillars. The Unquiet Trader NPC will give you the first quest at X: 14.1, Y: 10.6.

  • The Void Ark
  • The Weeping City of Mhach
  • Dun Scaith

Stormblood

Edit showing Stormblood Alliance Raid icons in FFXIV.
Those raids put you in the shoes of an archaeologist. Screenshot by Dot Esports

The third line of raids was the first one to offer something different. You’ll be exploring ruins and battling guardians in a remake of FFXII and Tactics. To unlock them, head to Kugane and speak to Keiten (at X: 10.0, Y: 21.1) after completing the MSQ “Stormblood.”

  • The Royal City of Rabanastre
  • The Ridorana Lighthouse
  • The Ordonne Monastery

Shadowbringers

Edit showing Shadowbringers Alliance Raid icons in FFXIV.
This is NieR fans’ territory. Screenshot by Dot Esports

This line of Alliance Raids is pretty unique because it brilliantly ties the universes of FFXIV and NieR: Automata together. After completing the MSQ “Shadowbringers,” head to Kholusia and speak to the Gossipy Dwarf at X: 12.9, Y: 8.7.

  • The Copied Factory
  • The Puppets’ Bunker
  • The Tower at Paradigm’s Breach

Endwalker

Edit showing Endwalker Alliance Raid icons in FFXIV.
The last Alliance Raid has yet to be released. Screenshot by Dot Esports

To unlock this Alliance Raid, completing Endwalker‘s MSQ won’t be enough. You’ll have to clear a few more quests released alongside Patch 6.1 instead.

Once you’ve reached the required point in the MSQ, you’ll see a blue quest appear in Old Sharlayan at X: 9, Y: 11.3. Since you’ll have to be in the city to progress through the scenario, you can’t miss it.

  • Aglaia
  • Euphrosyne
  • Thaleia
    • This was the last Alliance Raid from Endwalker. You can unlock it by completing both previous raids and take the quest indicated by a blue bubble in Mor Dhona.

The next three Alliance Raids will be progressively added after the launch of Dawntrail, the upcoming expansion, coming in Summer 2024.

Author
Image of Eva Martinello
Eva Martinello
Eva is a Staff Writer from Paris. Her part-time job is charging into walls with Reinhardt. She has been covering League of Legends esports and other titles for six years. She still believes in a Moscow Five comeback. She also fell into the MMO pit and covers FFXIV and Genshin.