Unveiling the Newest Warriors: Sage and Reaper in Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker

The Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker expansion brought a wave of exciting additions to the game, including new storylines, areas, and, most importantly, two brand new job classes. These additions significantly refreshed the combat landscape and provided players with entirely new ways to experience the world of Eorzea. The two classes added in Endwalker are: Sage and Reaper.

Sage: The Barrier Healer of Tomorrow

The Sage is a barrier healer job that utilizes Nouliths, floating arrays of focus lenses, to manipulate aetheric energy. This class is a strategic powerhouse, offering a unique healing style that focuses on mitigating damage before it even occurs. Unlike traditional healers who primarily react to incoming damage, Sages proactively shield their allies, allowing for a more controlled and predictable combat flow.

Key Features of the Sage:

• Nouliths: These floating devices are the Sage’s primary weapon and focus for channeling aetheric energy. They’re not just visually striking; they’re integral to the Sage’s abilities.
• Barrier Healing: The Sage specializes in creating barriers that absorb incoming damage, preventing health loss and providing a buffer for allies.
• Offensive Capabilities: While primarily a healer, the Sage can also contribute to damage output. Many of their healing abilities also grant offensive bonuses.
• Addersting: A unique resource generated through healing that can be consumed to unleash powerful offensive attacks. This emphasizes the synergy between healing and dealing damage.
• Mobile Playstyle: The Sage is designed to be a highly mobile healer, able to weave in and out of combat while maintaining their party’s health.

The Sage’s playstyle rewards careful planning and precise timing. Mastering this class requires understanding encounter mechanics and anticipating damage patterns to effectively utilize their barrier abilities. The Sage is not only a fantastic addition to any party composition but also a uniquely designed class that sets itself apart from the other healers in FFXIV.

Reaper: The Void-Touched Melee DPS

The Reaper is a melee DPS job that draws power from the Void, a mysterious dimension brimming with dark energy. Reapers forge a pact with a Voidsent, a powerful being from the Void, granting them access to devastating abilities and a unique, visually striking combat style. This class embodies the concept of controlled chaos, balancing the immense power of the Void with the discipline required to wield it effectively.

Key Features of the Reaper:

• Voidsent Avatar: Reapers can summon a Voidsent avatar to fight alongside them, augmenting their abilities and unleashing devastating attacks.
• Enshroud: A powerful state that transforms the Reaper, granting access to enhanced abilities and unlocking their true potential.
• Death’s Design: A debuff applied to enemies that amplifies the Reaper’s damage output, encouraging strategic target prioritization.
• Soul Slice and Soul Scythe: Core abilities that build up the Reaper’s resources and unlock more potent attacks.
• High Mobility: The Reaper is a highly mobile melee DPS, capable of quickly traversing the battlefield and delivering swift, decisive blows.

The Reaper’s gameplay revolves around managing their resources and strategically utilizing their Voidsent avatar and Enshroud state. Mastering this class involves understanding the ebb and flow of combat, knowing when to unleash their full power, and coordinating their attacks with their party. This is an amazing addition to FFXIV that has a stunning aesthetic.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about the new classes added in Endwalker:

1. What level do I need to be to unlock Sage and Reaper? You must have at least one class at level 70 to unlock both Sage and Reaper.

2. Where do I go to unlock the Sage and Reaper jobs? The Sage unlock quest is located in Limsa Lominsa Lower Decks (X:9.4, Y:12.9), and the Reaper unlock quest is located in Ul’dah – Steps of Nald (X:12.8, Y:8.6).

3. Do Sage and Reaper share gear with any other classes? Sage shares gear with other healers (White Mage, Scholar, Astrologian), and Reaper shares gear with other melee DPS classes (Dragoon, Monk, Ninja, Samurai).

4. Which is harder to play: Sage or Reaper? Both classes have a unique learning curve. Sage requires proactive planning and an understanding of encounter mechanics, while Reaper demands precise timing and resource management. The difficulty depends on individual playstyles and preferences.

5. Are Sage and Reaper good for beginners? While both classes are viable for beginners, they may require some initial adjustment. Starting with a more straightforward class before transitioning to Sage or Reaper is recommended for new players.

6. Does Endwalker include any new races besides the Viera? While male Viera were added with Endwalker, no entirely new races were introduced.

7. What role quests are available in Endwalker? Endwalker features role quests for each of the five party roles: Tank, Healer, Magic Ranged DPS, Physical Ranged DPS, and Melee DPS.

8. Was there an increased level cap with Endwalker? Yes, the level cap was raised from 80 to 90 with the release of Endwalker.

9. What is the Trust system mentioned in the article? The Trust system allows players to tackle dungeons with a party of non-player characters (NPCs), such as members of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn. Estinien was added as a Trust option in Endwalker.

10. Which expansion added Gunbreaker and Dancer? The Shadowbringers expansion added the Gunbreaker (Tank) and Dancer (Ranged DPS) jobs.

11. What jobs were introduced with the Heavensward expansion? The Heavensward expansion introduced the Dark Knight (Tank), Machinist (Ranged DPS), and Astrologian (Healer) jobs.

12. Is Endwalker considered the best expansion to date in FFXIV? Many players and critics consider Shadowbringers as the best expansion for Final Fantasy XIV, but Endwalker is a very close second for some players.

13. What is the newest class in FFXIV as of now? The latest new class added to FFXIV is the Viper, which was revealed at a Fan Festival.

14. What is the overall story of Endwalker about? Endwalker‘s story involves confronting the looming threat of the Final Days, exploring the mysteries of the Ascians, and bringing a conclusion to the overarching narrative that began with A Realm Reborn.

15. Are there any educational benefits associated with playing video games? Absolutely! Video games, including MMORPGs like Final Fantasy XIV, can foster problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, teamwork, and even enhance learning through immersive storytelling. For more insights into the educational potential of gaming, check out Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.