Square Enix has released Final Fantasy XIV Patch 7.57, bringing matchmaking improvements, Beastmaster adjustments, Crucible changes, and several bug fixes. The update arrived after 24 hours of server maintenance and continues the MMORPG’s busy October schedule.
The biggest addition is Same-region Player Matching, a feature designed to reduce queue times and make finding other players easier. However, not every region can use it just yet.
Same-Region Player Matching Arrives in Final Fantasy XIV
One of the most important changes in Final Fantasy XIV Patch 7.57 is the introduction of Same-region Player Matching.
The system allows players to find groups through Duty Finder and Party Finder across Worlds within the same physical data center. This should improve matchmaking opportunities, especially during quieter periods.
Currently, the feature is available on four Japanese physical data centers:
- Elemental
- Gaia
- Mana
- Meteor
Players in North America and Europe will have to wait a little longer. Square Enix plans to introduce the feature in those regions over the coming weeks.
For players struggling with long queue times, this could become one of the most welcome improvements in recent updates.
Beastmaster Receives Important Fixes
Patch 7.56 introduced the Beastmaster limited job on September 8. Now, Square Enix is addressing several issues affecting its combat mechanics.
Previously, certain Beastmaster abilities could fail when players instructed their pets to remain in position.
With Patch 7.57, pets using the Stay command will automatically turn toward their targets before performing Tempered Release or Parting Blow.
This adjustment should make combat more reliable without requiring players to reposition their pets manually.
Several additional Beastmaster-related bugs have also received fixes.
Crucible of the Unbroken Gets Scoring Changes
The Crucible of the Unbroken has received several gameplay and quality-of-life improvements.
Players can now benefit from saved Crucible mode selections, while smaller teams receive automatic familiar registration. Square Enix has also adjusted warning messages to improve clarity.
However, the scoring changes might be the most interesting part of this update.
| Scoring category | Previous | New |
|---|---|---|
| Elite enemy defeat | 625 | 800 |
| Sleepless Survival bonus | 375 | 1,000 |
The increased rewards should make these objectives more valuable for players chasing higher scores.
Crucible Rankings Season 1 Begins Soon
Competitive players will also have something new to work toward.
The first Crucible Rankings season begins on October 25 or October 26, depending on the region. It will continue until late November.
Top-performing players can earn vouchers based on their ranking performance.
With the scoring adjustments arriving shortly before the competition, players have an opportunity to prepare new strategies.
All Saints’ Wake Returns October 15
Halloween celebrations are also returning to Final Fantasy XIV.
The annual All Saints’ Wake event begins October 15 and continues until November 2, 2026.
This year’s event includes several seasonal rewards, including:
- Grisly Bear Attire
- Halloween-themed housing items
- Seasonal activities and rewards
Free Trial players can also participate, making the event accessible to newcomers who haven’t purchased the full game.
For collectors, this is another opportunity to obtain seasonal cosmetics before the event disappears.
Keybound Brawler Arrives October 28
The Gold Saucer will receive another attraction later this month.
Keybound Brawler arrives on October 28, giving players another activity to enjoy outside traditional combat and dungeon content.
Meanwhile, fans looking toward the game’s future should keep an eye on the upcoming Tokyo FanFest.
Square Enix plans to share more information about Evercold during the keynote on October 30 at 10:00 PM ET.
Additional Bug Fixes and Known Issues
Beyond the headline additions, Final Fantasy XIV Patch 7.57 resolves several problems affecting different parts of the game.
These include fixes related to Beastmaster, the Crucible of the Unbroken, user interface elements, mounts, and achievements.
However, some issues remain unresolved.
One known problem displays an incorrect end date for Crucible Rankings Season 1.
Another issue affects Crystalline Conflict registration on Japanese data centers. Players encountering this problem can temporarily work around it by using World Visit to travel to a World on the Elemental data center.
Square Enix has acknowledged these issues.
Final Fantasy XIV Continues Its October Updates
Final Fantasy XIV Patch 7.57 may not introduce a massive amount of new content, but it brings several useful improvements.
Same-region Player Matching could make a noticeable difference for players who regularly struggle to find groups. Meanwhile, Beastmaster fixes and Crucible scoring adjustments should improve existing gameplay systems.
With All Saints’ Wake, Keybound Brawler, and the Tokyo FanFest approaching, October remains a busy month for the Final Fantasy XIV community.
For European and North American players, the next major thing to watch is the expansion of Same-region Player Matching.
