FFXIV Patch 7.45 Notes: The Merchant's Tale and PvP Changes

What Patch 7.45 Added to Final Fantasy XIV

Patch 7.45 arrived in Final Fantasy XIV on March 3, 2026, as a Dawntrail content patch. Its headline addition is The Merchant's Tale, the expansion's Variant and Criterion dungeon, joined by two new Hildibrand quests and a wide PvP balance pass. Patch 7.45 has since been followed by Patch 7.5, so it is no longer the live patch, but everything it added remains in the game.

There is no new Blue Mage content in this patch, which some players expected. The focus is squarely on the new dungeon and the job adjustments.

Key Takeaways

The Merchant's Tale is the Dawntrail Variant and Criterion dungeon, with a storybook theme and 13 branching routes.
The Variant unlock quest "A Spellbinding Read" is given by Shallow Moor in Old Sharlayan and needs Disciple of War or Magic level 90 plus the Endwalker main scenario complete.
Hildibrand returns in two new "Inconceivably Further Hildibrand Adventures" quests, starting with "A Need for Speed" in Solution Nine.
Patch 7.45 ran a broad PvP balance pass touching Monk, Ninja, Reaper, and several other jobs.
Crystalline Conflict Season 18 ended and Season 19 began, dropping every player five tiers below their previous rank.
New field instances were added for Yak T'el to reduce congestion during peak hours.

The Merchant's Tale is the largest of those additions, so the recap starts there.

The Merchant's Tale Variant Dungeon

The Merchant's Tale is a storybook-themed dungeon that runs in three modes. The Variant version supports one to four players and branches across 13 routes, twelve standard paths plus one hidden route. The Merchant's Tale (Advanced) is a level 100, streamlined three-boss run for players who want a faster clear. Another Merchant's Tale is the Criterion mode, a fixed four-player challenge with its own Savage difficulty on top.

Each mode pays out in its own Corvosi-themed currency, which you trade for the dungeon's glamour and housing rewards. If you would rather clear the harder modes with a premade group, you can run The Merchant's Tale with a team instead of relying on Party Finder. The hidden thirteenth route only opens after you clear specific branches, so most groups run the twelve standard routes first and hunt the secret one afterward. Icy Veins' Merchant's Tale route guide maps every branch if you want the full walkthrough.

How to Unlock The Merchant's Tale

Despite being Dawntrail content, The Merchant's Tale unlocks at level 90 from Old Sharlayan, the same as every Variant and Criterion dungeon before it.

To start, pick up the quest "A Spellbinding Read" from the NPC Shallow Moor in Old Sharlayan, at coordinates X:12.0, Y:13.3. You need a Disciple of War or Magic at level 90 and a completed Endwalker main scenario. If the quest does not appear, speak to Osmon nearby at X:11.9, Y:13.3 first to make it available. The Advanced and Criterion modes are level 100 content and are unlocked separately once you have cleared the standard Variant version.

Hildibrand Returns With Two New Quests

The comedy questline continues in Patch 7.45 with two new entries in the "Inconceivably Further Hildibrand Adventures" arc. The first, "A Need for Speed," begins in Solution Nine and requires a Disciple of War or Magic at level 100. The arc is shorter this time than a typical full chapter, but it keeps the Hildibrand storyline moving for players following it.

The latest chapters of The Merchant's Tale storyline were also added to New Game Plus, so returning players can replay them.

PvP Balance Pass and Crystalline Conflict Season 19

Patch 7.45 ran a wide PvP balance pass. Monk received potency increases along with recast-time reductions on Thunderclap and Rising Phoenix. Ninja and Reaper were adjusted as well, and seven more jobs from Dragoon to White Mage got smaller numbers passes. Frontline saw its own tuning, including reduced Paladin mitigation and improved Samurai damage. None of it reshapes the Crystalline Conflict pick order, but it is worth re-checking your job before you ladder.

On the ranked side, Crystalline Conflict Season 18 ended and Season 19 began with the patch. As usual at a season rollover, every player starts five tiers below their previous rank and climbs back up. Season rankings run globally rather than splitting by region.

✏️ If you are climbing Crystalline Conflict at a season start, the first week is the easiest time to gain rank, since the whole ladder resets at the same time and matches are less stratified than they will be later in the season.

Cosmetics, New Game Plus, and Bug Fixes

Patch 7.45 also brought the usual cosmetic haul. The Triple Triad cards and the Corvosi-themed furnishings are tied to The Merchant's Tale, and the patch added a new mount, minions, a hairstyle, and an emote alongside fresh Orchestrion rolls. The Orchestrion update also cleaned up the naming convention on existing rolls so the list is easier to read.

Several bugs were fixed as well, including a dye issue on the Comfy Valentione Skirt, a Lord of Verminion minion ability, the sort order of Variant and Criterion entries in Party Finder, and a graphical glitch when using the idle camera inside The Merchant's Tale. New field instances were added for Yak T'el to ease congestion during busy hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Final Fantasy XIV Patch 7.45 release?

Patch 7.45 released on March 3, 2026, as a Dawntrail content patch. It has since been followed by Patch 7.5, so 7.45 is no longer the current live patch.

What level do I need for The Merchant's Tale?

The standard Variant version unlocks at level 90 with a Disciple of War or Magic. The Advanced and Criterion modes are level 100 content.

Where do I unlock The Merchant's Tale?

Pick up "A Spellbinding Read" from Shallow Moor in Old Sharlayan at X:12.0, Y:13.3. You also need the Endwalker main scenario completed. Speak to Osmon nearby if the quest does not show up.

How many routes does The Merchant's Tale have?

It has 13 routes in total: twelve standard branching paths and one hidden route. The choices you make inside the dungeon determine which route you complete.

Does Patch 7.45 add Blue Mage content?

No. Patch 7.45 does not include any new Blue Mage content. Its main additions are The Merchant's Tale and the Hildibrand quests.

What changed in PvP with Patch 7.45?

Patch 7.45 ran a broad PvP balance pass. Monk gained potency and recast reductions on Thunderclap and Rising Phoenix, and Ninja, Reaper, and several other jobs were adjusted, alongside Frontline tuning.

Did Crystalline Conflict get a new season?

Yes. Season 18 ended and Season 19 began with Patch 7.45. Every player dropped five tiers below their previous rank at the rollover.

Maintained by WowCarry's Final Fantasy XIV team. Last reviewed 2026-05-20 against Patch 7.45.