The Final Showdown: Arcadion Savage Tier Drops

Final Fantasy XIV’s Patch 7.4, Into the Mist, marks the conclusion of the major end-game combat cycle for the Dawntrail expansion. While the Normal mode of The Arcadion: Heavyweight raid series released on December 16, 2025, the highly anticipated Savage difficulty—the game’s ultimate test of player skill—is scheduled for release on January 6, 2026. This three-week delay from the main patch launch is a significant departure from standard release cadence, intended to address long-standing community concerns.

The Arcadion series has been known for its unique wrestling-themed mechanics and demanding damage checks. The final Savage tier is expected to be the most mechanically complex and DPS-heavy challenge of the expansion, offering the highest Item Level gear and the prestigious final Savage mount.

Developer Gambit: Dodging the Holiday Rush

The most notable fact surrounding this release is the three-week delay of the Savage tier past the main patch. This decision was a direct response to player outcry from previous years when the Savage raid launch coincided with the Christmas and New Year holidays.

  • Community Relief: The Race to World First community and dedicated statics expressed overwhelming relief. On platforms like Reddit, players celebrated the ability to spend the holidays with family without sacrificing their competitive standing. The consensus is that Square Enix listened directly to the competitive raiding community, providing ample time to prepare their crafted gear and consumables during the holiday break without the pressure of the raid timer.
  • Crafter’s Market Volatility: However, the delayed release created a unique market situation. The Normal raid release on December 16 drove initial demand for raid food and glamour items. The Savage release on January 6 is projected to cause a sharp secondary spike in demand for Grade 4 combat potions and final crafted battle gear, rewarding crafters and gatherers who accurately timed their preparation for the New Year window.

Preparing for the Long Haul

The three-week gap between the Normal and Savage releases serves as a mandatory preparation period.

Players are utilizing this time to complete the Normal difficulty, gather the new Allagan Tomestones of Mnemonics (the new weekly-capped currency), and maximize their item level. Crafted gear—the new Arcadian set—will be essential, particularly for the first week of Savage progression. For the most dedicated groups, the January 6 launch date ensures a fresh, high-stakes raid environment where success hinges purely on mechanical execution and maximizing damage uptime.

As is typical with FFXIV’s final Savage tiers, the difficulty is expected to ramp up significantly on the last floor, leading to intense competition for the final coveted clear. The release schedule change is seen as a positive evolution, recognizing the social constraints of the player base while maintaining the competitive integrity of the end-game experience.