FFXIV Overhauls Chaotic Raid Loot Distribution

Responding to player feedback, Final Fantasy XIV Patch 7.16 will introduce a Clouddark Demimateria exchange system. This update, arriving January 21st, 2025, addresses concerns regarding the reward structure of the Cloud of Darkness (Chaotic) Alliance Raid.

Players will be able to exchange their surplus Clouddark Demimateria 1 for Clouddark Demimateria 2, facilitating the acquisition of high-demand items like the "A Half Times Two" hairstyle and the "Dais of Darkness" mount. While the exact exchange rate remains undisclosed, this change aims to improve accessibility to these rewards. Both the mount and hairstyle are also tradable on the Market Board, potentially impacting their market value post-patch.

The Cloud of Darkness (Chaotic) Alliance Raid, introduced in Patch 7.15, presents a challenging encounter for up to 24 players. The current reward system, distributing Clouddark Demimateria 1 and 2 based on raid completion and first-time clears, proved imbalanced.

Square Enix has indicated that further adjustments to the Demimateria system are possible based on ongoing player feedback, potentially affecting future raid content. Patch 7.16, while featuring the Dawntrail Role Quest finale, will not include major job balance updates; those are anticipated in Patch 7.2. The impact of player feedback on future raid content throughout 2025 remains to be seen.