Final Fantasy XIV: Evercold is scheduled to launch in January 2027 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Windows, Mac, and Steam. Square Enix has not announced an exact release date, price, preorder bonuses, or early-access period yet.
Evercold is the sixth expansion for Final Fantasy XIV. It sends the Warrior of Light to the icebound Fourth reflection, raises the level cap to 110, introduces two jobs, and adds a new battle-system choice between Reborn and Evolved modes. This Complete FAQ separates confirmed expansion details from current base-game requirements and details that remain unannounced.
Information checked against official Square Enix sources on October 20, 2026. Features are still in development and may change before release.
Final Fantasy XIV: Evercold Quick Facts
| Question | Confirmed answer |
|---|---|
| Release window | January 2027 |
| Exact release date | Not announced |
| Platforms | PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Windows, Mac, and Steam |
| Expansion number | Sixth |
| New level cap | 110 |
| New jobs | Bastion tank and an unnamed Physical Ranged DPS |
| Price | Not announced |
| Preorders and early access | Not announced |
| Developer and publisher | Square Enix |
When does Final Fantasy XIV: Evercold release?
Square Enix’s official release-date FAQ lists Evercold for January 2027. The company has not provided a day or launch time, so any more specific date currently circulating is unconfirmed.
There is also no announced preload schedule, early-access period, or expansion-specific beta. Square Enix previously launched the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Final Fantasy XIV on August 4, 2026, but that base-game launch should not be confused with Evercold’s January 2027 expansion window.
Which platforms will get Evercold?
The official Evercold site confirms the expansion for:
- PlayStation 5
- PlayStation 4
- Xbox Series X|S
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Windows
- Mac
- Steam
No Nintendo Switch version has been announced. The Nintendo release is specifically for Nintendo Switch 2.
Can current players use the same character on another platform?
Evercold does not introduce a separate cross-save system. Final Fantasy XIV progression is tied to the player’s Square Enix service account, and the existing game supports play across its platform versions. A player still needs the appropriate game license for each platform they use.
For Nintendo Switch 2, Square Enix says existing players can use their current characters by registering the Switch 2 license to the same Final Fantasy XIV service account. Nintendo Switch Online is not required. These are current platform rules for Final Fantasy XIV, not new Evercold-only features.
On Xbox Series X|S, Square Enix’s current product information requires an eligible Xbox Game Pass tier for the paid full game, with the Free Trial treated separately. Platform-service requirements could change before Evercold launches, so players should recheck the official product page at release.
How much will Evercold cost?
Square Enix says Evercold pricing will be announced later. There is no confirmed US price for the Standard Edition or Collector’s Edition, and preorders have not opened.
The official expansion pricing FAQ already references an Evercold Collector’s Edition, but it does not reveal the contents or price. It also warns that the Collector’s Edition will not include A Realm Reborn.
What do new players need to buy?
Evercold will include the prior expansions Heavensward, Stormblood, Shadowbringers, Endwalker, and Dawntrail. It will not include A Realm Reborn or the Starter Edition, which must be purchased and registered separately before Evercold can be registered. Square Enix currently lists the Starter Edition at $19.99, but Evercold’s own price remains unknown.
Final Fantasy XIV is a subscription MMO. Buying Evercold does not remove the normal subscription requirement after any applicable free registration period. The Free Trial remains a separate way to begin playing with its usual restrictions.
What is the Evercold story about?
After the Final Days were stopped, a new threat called the Solstice draws the Warrior of Light to the Fourth reflection, a world lost to ice. Square Enix describes Evercold as the next chapter of Final Fantasy XIV rather than formally labeling it the start of a new saga.
The expansion introduces enormous realmships associated with Water and Fire: Naglfar and Hringhorni. Players will also visit the new city of Fargarth and other areas across the Fourth. After reaching a specific point in the main scenario, certain areas can be tackled in the player’s chosen order.
What are the new jobs in Evercold?
Evercold adds two jobs. Only one has been fully named so far:
- Bastion: A main-tank job that uses a weapon called the Skyltborg. Bastion is designed exclusively for Evolved Mode.
- Physical Ranged DPS: Square Enix has confirmed the role but has not announced its name, weapon, or complete job details.
The level cap rises from 100 to 110. Square Enix has not published the starting levels, unlock quests, job requirements, or full action lists for either new job.
How do Reborn Mode and Evolved Mode work?
Evercold introduces a choice between two approaches to combat. Reborn Mode is based on Final Fantasy XIV’s current battle system. Evolved Mode is designed to emphasize each job’s individual identity.
Limited jobs will not use these modes, and the new Evercold jobs will be playable only in Evolved Mode. Square Enix has not yet provided the complete mechanical differences, balance rules, or a full list of job changes.
The expansion also includes an Armoury update intended to make playing multiple jobs easier. A new seasonal framework will change how players earn rewards and increase item level, but detailed schedules and reward structures have not been published.
What new raids, dungeons, and activities are confirmed?
Square Enix has announced a broad endgame and multiplayer lineup:
- New dungeons and trials
- EVANGELION – Ghosts of Desire, a new alliance raid series
- Beyond the Lifestream, a new raid series
- A new eight-player raid difficulty between Normal and Savage
- A new Ultimate raid
- New FATEs, hunts, and treasure hunts
- PvP and Duty Support updates
- New gear and crafting recipes
Chocobo companions are also getting a wider overhaul, including changes to raising and the ability to summon a chocobo to help in dungeons.
Not every listed feature is guaranteed to be playable on launch day. Square Enix says some content may arrive through later patch updates. The site also notes that broad game-design changes, the new battle system, PvP updates, and Duty Support updates can be available to players who do not purchase Evercold.
Evercold was also included in our look at Square Enix’s Tokyo Game Show 2026 lineup, which covered the publisher’s wider slate around the expansion.
What customization and quality-of-life changes are coming?
The character creator is expanding with a color picker, finer control over features such as eyes and lips, eye shadow, and removable components on some gear. Players will also be able to customize animations for general actions and job actions.
Selected Evercold field areas and content will use automatic level balancing. Square Enix says this system will support party matching across different level ranges, adjust duty balance, scale field enemies, and modify drop rates and item levels for certain rewards.
These announcements do not amount to a confirmed new graphics overhaul. Square Enix has not detailed Evercold-specific rendering modes, console performance targets, or a separate visual upgrade beyond the customization and animation features listed above.
What are the Evercold system requirements and storage sizes?
Square Enix has not published final Evercold-specific system requirements or download sizes. The current Final Fantasy XIV system requirements list minimum storage for the full game at 90GB on PS5, 100GB on PS4, 150GB on Xbox Series X|S, 120GB on Nintendo Switch 2, and 140GB on Windows and Mac.
Those figures describe the current full game, not the final Evercold installation. Players should expect Square Enix to revise requirements as the expansion approaches, and should not treat those numbers as confirmed Evercold download sizes.
The current Windows minimum calls for Windows 11, an Intel Core i5-8400, 8GB of RAM, and a GeForce GTX 970 or Radeon RX 480-class GPU at 1280×720. The recommended specification lists an Intel Core i7-9700, 16GB of RAM, an RTX 2060 or Radeon RX 5600 XT-class GPU, and an SSD for 1920×1080 play. Mac currently requires at least an Apple M1 with 8GB of memory, with an M2 Pro and 16GB recommended.
Final Fantasy XIV: Evercold FAQ
Is there an exact Evercold release date?
No. Square Enix has announced January 2027, but not a specific day or launch time.
Is Evercold coming to Nintendo Switch 2?
Yes. Nintendo Switch 2 is one of the officially confirmed platforms. The original Nintendo Switch is not listed.
Will Evercold be on PS4?
Yes. Square Enix lists both PS5 and PS4.
Does Evercold include Dawntrail and older expansions?
Yes. Evercold includes Dawntrail, Endwalker, Shadowbringers, Stormblood, and Heavensward. New players still need A Realm Reborn through the Starter Edition or another eligible base-game package.
Is the Evercold price confirmed?
No. Square Enix has not announced the Standard or Collector’s Edition prices.
Are Evercold preorders or early access available?
No preorder campaign or early-access period has been announced as of October 20, 2026.
What are the two new jobs?
Bastion is the confirmed main-tank job. A second Physical Ranged DPS job is confirmed, but its name and weapon have not been revealed.
Will all announced content be available on launch day?
Not necessarily. Square Enix says some listed content may be released in later patches.
Is there an Evercold beta?
No Evercold-specific beta or public test has been announced.
Will Evercold support cross-platform play?
Final Fantasy XIV already uses cross-platform online play across its supported versions. Evercold has not been presented as changing that system, and each platform still requires the appropriate license and account setup.
Which Evercold feature are you most interested in: the new jobs, Evolved Mode, the Fourth reflection, or the new raids?
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