Poetics, the tomestone currency FFXIV players have spent for years, will disappear in Evercold, according to Game Director Naoki Yoshida. He said so during question sessions at Fan Festival Tokyo, where he also hinted at big changes for Black Mage. Evercold launches in early access on Friday, February 19, 2027, with the full launch on Tuesday, February 23, 2027.
Yoshida answered audience questions on two days, joined by Community Producer Toshio Murouchi. PCGamesN reported the sessions on November 1, working from translations of the Japanese answers made by volunteers in the official FFXIV Discord, so treat the exact wording as secondhand.
When does Evercold launch and what does it cost?
Square Enix lists early access from February 19, 2027, and the full launch on February 23, 2027. That is later than the original January target, and Yoshida apologized on stage, according to PCGamesN. Pre-orders begin Wednesday, November 4, per the official Evercold page.
The expansion is listed for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Windows, Mac and Steam. The page names a Standard Edition, a Digital Collector’s Edition and a Collector’s Bundle. None of the sources we read gives a Canadian or US price, so check the official store when pre-orders open.
What did Yoshida say about Black Mage and Zephyr?
For Black Mage, he said Triplecast will disappear in Evolved Mode and become something else, not three instant casts. Leylines will no longer require you to stand on them for 30 seconds. Instead you can use certain abilities on them, so you can place one, cast, move for a mechanic and come back. He declined to say more.
On the new Zephyr job, asked whether the bird companion can be recolored, he answered that dyes given to a certain NPC will dye it. Zephyr is a physical ranged DPS with a crossbow and an avian familiar called a Nephele. It starts at level 90 and uses Evolved Mode only, per PCGamesN’s keynote summary.
What happens to Poetics and gear?
Yoshida said “Poetics will disappear,” adding that something else will let players trade for gear for alternate jobs or for past rewards. He said a system for getting past rewards, such as older seasons, is still in the works. Details are due in an upcoming live letter on itemization and progression.
For savage raiding, he said the move to personal loot will not stop players who already cleared that week from helping others. Players who have not cleared that week will get loot.
What changes for fishing and housing?
Fishers get a long awaited simplification. Asked about a special inventory for bait, Yoshida said there are no plans because 8.0 changes the system. Bait will become a list you choose from. You unlock entries by leveling, through quest rewards, or by buying from an NPC once, and bait you have obtained can be used as many times as you like.
A post-Evercold housing update will let players float items without workarounds. Yoshida said almost everything can float, with perhaps a few lighting exceptions. Island Sanctuary updates are wanted too, but only after work on 8.0 calms down.
What is still unknown?
There is no date for the housing update, the replacement for Poetics, the system for past rewards or the guidance feature that points players to quests, which Yoshida called “a bit tentative.” The Evercold benchmark is planned for early December, with a livestream beforehand. Black Mage’s new design is only teased.
Who does this suit?
Black Mage mains. Expect Triplecast and Leylines to play differently. Yoshida gave no numbers, so wait for the job livestream before you plan a rotation.
Players with many jobs. The promise of a way to trade for alternate job gear and past rewards matters most to you. Poetics ending is a real change, but nothing has been shown yet.
Crafters and fishers. The bait list removes the need to carry items. That is a direct quality of life gain on release.
Newcomers and lapsed players. Pre-orders open on November 4, so there is time to compare editions. Wait for a price in your region before you commit.
Read the official Evercold page for the editions and platforms, and watch for the character creation and progression livestreams that Square Enix has said are coming.
