After close to a year and a half following the release of FFXIV: Shadowbringers, it’s almost time to get to work on this expansion’s version of the fabled Relic weapons. While rarely the strongest pieces of steel in the game, they typically offer a traditional MMORPG grind that us Warriors of Light (or Darkness) can’t get enough of.
Shadowbringers relics are set to debut in patch 5.35. Up until last week, we had no clue when the update would arrive, but with the Tokyo Game Show just having taken place, we now know October 13 will be the day thousands of us flock back to the game from wherever we might have scattered off to since the last update. Here’s how to get caught up before then.
Further reading
- Final Fantasy XIV free trial: Level cap, limitations, and included content
- How to get and upgrade the FFXIV Shadowbringers Skysteel tools
- The best Final Fantasy games, ranked from best to worst
How to unlock the Shadowbringers resistance weapons relic quest chain
Like any quest, there are prerequisites you’ll need to have completed for this one to show up. This one requires a bit of time travel.
To start the Save the Queen: Blades of Gunnhildr quest chain, you’ll need to have fully completed the 24-man raid series from back in Stormblood. That’s the Return to Ivalice raids Rabanastre, Ridorana Lighthouse, and Orbonne Monastery. Assuming you’re otherwise up to date, having those quests done and dusted will cause the quest Hail to the Queen to show up in Kugane Market. Accept that, and you’ll be on your way.
Shadowbringers resistance weapon relic steps
Step 1 — Thavnairian Scalepowder
So after months of teasing, what does the Shadowbringers relic chain have in store? Not a whole lot, actually. As far as relic weapon steps go, this is one of the tamest attempts yet. All you need to do is follow the quest’s natural progression from Kugane Market.
It’s a long opening chain, so be ready to set some time aside for its few fights and cutscenes. There’s nothing too difficult here, and once you’re through following the cutscenes, you’ll be given exactly the right amount of Thavnairian Scalepowder to craft your very first iLvl 485 Shadowbringers relic.
Step 2 — to be confirmed
As of Shadowbringers patch 5.3, there is no second step to the current relic weapon quest chain. The next step is set to arrive in patch 5.35 sometime on October 13. Like Stormblood‘s relic zone of Eureka, the Shadowbringers questline will take us to the Bozjan Southern Front alongside the renewed Gunnhildr’s Blades troupe to retake an old fortress that’s been redubbed Castrum Lacus Litore from the Garlean Empire. Expect a heck of a fight once we get there.
How to make more resistance weapon relics
If you really want to punish yourself, you can have as many different Shadowbringers relic weapons as you have Level 80 classes. At iLvl 485, they’re slightly stronger than the recent Ruby Weapon drops, and comparatively much easier to obtain.
To make another weapon, go back to Gerolt in Gangos. Hop onto another Level 80 battle class and speak to his nearby associate instead to pick up the repeatable quest. Bring lots of Thavnairian Scalepowder to this chap and you’ll have another relic weapon crafted.
How to get back to Gangos
Gangos is a little out of the way. It’ll no doubt get far bigger in subsequent patches, but for now, its tiny size makes it difficult to track down.
To get back to Gangos, all you need to do is travel to the Doman Enclave. If you attuned to the aetherytes in both areas, you’ll be able to teleport from here to Gangos. If not, you’ll have to hop on another boat from there.
Can’t teleport to the Doman Enclave? Then you need to teleport to Namai and travel roughly west to the dock. From there, you can take a boat to the Doman Enclave, and then another boat to Gangos. Remember to attune to the aetherytes this time.
Where to find Thavnairian Scalepowder
When it comes to making a second Resistance weapon relic, you’ll need to obtain your own Thavnairian Scalepowder. This part falls more in line with traditional relic steps, requiring you to obtain and spend a decent amount of Poetics. You get these from almost any serious activity these days, so you shouldn’t ever have to work especially hard to get enough for Thavnairian Scalepowder.
Once you have 1,000 Poetics, head to Auriana in Revenant’s Toll or Hismena over at Idyllshire to exchange your tomestones for the required amount of Thavnairian Scalepowder.