Final Fantasy XIV: Frontline Preview (Patch 2.3 – Frontline PvP)

Yesterday’s ‘s patch preview offers a closer look at Frontline, where adventurers will do battle to claim disputed territory in the name of their respective Grand Companies.

Reduced to a desolate wasteland by the Calamity, the Carteneau Flats are devoid of all value save for the Allagan ruins scattered across its desolate landscape. With each nation coveting the untold secrets they possess, tensions mounted, threatening to undermine the very foundation of the Eorzean Alliance. To prevent needless bloodshed, while permitting the pursuit of individual interests, the three nations have agreed to a civilized conflict within the borders of Carteneau. To that end, the Grand Companies now call upon regiments of adventurers to help lay claim to this contested domain.

Frontline Overview

Frontline is a new PvP challenge which engages three teams of adventurers, each team representing one of the three Grand Companies. Teams consist of up to 24 players in an alliance, allowing for a grand total of 72 players in a single battle.

Success on the frontline will depend heavily not only on individual skill, but on your ability to work as a team.

Carteneau Flats: Borderland Ruins

Players will be tasked with defending outposts established by their respective Grand Companies, as well as locating and laying claim to key Allagan ruins, holding them safe from opposing teams.

Rules of Engagement

Each team will be awarded points upon completing various objectives including occupying locations of interest, defeating players from opposing teams, and defeating enemies that spawn on the field.

Players will receive points for the following activities:

Occupying Locations of Interest

Locations of interest such as outposts and Allagan ruins can be identified by flags, indicating the Grand Company that currently controls them. By remaining in close proximity to these flags, players can occupy these locations to earn points for their team.

Teams will receive a fixed number of points upon claiming locations of interest, and will also accrue points over time for every location that remains occupied by their Grand Company.

Occupying locations of interest will prove key to victory, as this yields points in great quantities.

Incapacitating Opposing Players

Incapacitating opposing players will also yield points.

Defeating Monsters

Monsters will appear on the field periodically, yielding points to teams that defeat them.

Retaliation

Incapacitated players will be returned to their Grand Company’s landing, where they will be allowed to rejoin combat after a short delay. Returning to your landing after being incapacitated will not incur a weakness penalty, but the delay before you can rejoin the battle will lengthen each time you fall.

Mounts

Players are free to use mounts on the Frontline. However, players taking damage while mounted will be inflicted with the Heavy status effect.

Reward

When the match ends, each team will receive PvP experience and Wolf Marks commensurate with their performance. All players will also receive Allagan tomestones of mythology and Allagan tomestones of soldiery for participating.

PvPEXP

By accumulating PvP EXP, you will rise in PvP rank, as well as earn action points. These points can be used to enhance PvP-exclusive actions and traits.

Wolf Marks

Participating in and winning PvP battles on the frontline will earn you Wolf Marks, which can be exchanged for gear and other useful battle items by speaking with one of the Maelstrom soldiers stationed at the Wolves’ Den.