Like all other expansions in the MMO, Final Fantasy XIV’s Shadowbringers introduces its fair share of trials and dungeons. Players will run through all trials and most of an expansion’s dungeons during the course of the expansion’s main story scenario, but there are always a few dungeons per expansion that are optional to complete.
These optional dungeons and similar unlocks are helpfully indicated by a blue quest mark. However, figuring out which quests actually lead to useful unlocks as opposed to sightseeing or yet another levequest can be a pain.
As such, here’s our guide to finding and unlocking Shadowbringers’ optional dungeons. Do note that you’ll need to finish the expansion’s main scenario before picking these up, and players are highly recommended to unlock these to expand the fairly small pool of level 80 dungeons they can access through the daily Level 80 Dungeons roulette.
The Twinning
The Crystal Tower never ceases to amaze. Not only is it an entire raid, it also returns as a level 80 dungeon after finishing Shadowbringers. Players can pick up “By The Time You Hear This” from Bethana, a Crystarium guard standing near the Dossal Gate aetheryte, to unlock The Twinning.
Bethana explains that the Crystal Tower has been emitting a strange signal, but aggressive constructs and other defensive measures is preventing the Crystarium’s researchers from investigating further.
Naturally, that’s where you come in. The Twinning has you, along with an elite team of three other adventurers, escorting the Crystarium’s researchers down to the deepest depths of the tower. The dungeon drops Amaurotine gear and explains how Garlond Ironworks managed to awaken the Crystal Exarch, setting in motions the events surrounding Shadowbringers. Players will be pitted against important enemies they’ve encountered in previous expansions—as well as a rather imposing enemy they have never and will never get a chance to actually fight.
Also, the music slaps. If you’re too emotionally compromised to grind Amaurot for gear, The Twinning is the dungeon for you.
Akadaemia Anyder
Speaking of Amaurot, it seems as though your time in that great, grand, and tragic city isn’t over just yet. The Overwrought Ondo can be found in Eulmore, near the Southeast Derelicts. Speak with him to accept “Akadaemia Anyder”, which will allow you to unlock… well, Akadaemia Anyder.
Amaurot has apparently survived its creator’s demise, and moreover, has managed to release a rampaging beast on the Ondo Cups—hence the Overwrought Ondo making for dry land in search of someone, anyone, to help.
The quest will take you to the Bureau of the Administrator, where the front desk clerk will direct you to one of the city’s foremost centers of research, the Akadaemia Anyder. Speak to the clerk stationed at the Akadaemia, and you’ll be able to access the dungeon either at the entry point that then spawns or through the Duty Finder.
Much like The Twinning, this dungeon will drop Amaurontine gear. Players will be pitted against various creatures that were once housed in the Akadaemia and have the opportunity to learn more about several important researchers in Amaurontine history, as well as further information about the calamity that would later befall the Ancient Ones and Amaurot.
