The FFXIV Evercold release was officially confirmed by Square Enix: the Evercold expansion (Hakugin no Wanderer) for Final Fantasy XIV arrives on February 23, 2027, with early access from February 19 for those who pre-order starting November 4, 2026.
What happened?
During the opening keynote of the Fan Festival 2026 in Tokyo, producer and director Naoki Yoshida revealed the details of the FFXIV Evercold release. The date was delayed by about three weeks from the previous January 2027 target. Pre-orders grant early access plus bonuses such as the Wind-Up Köttr minion and Halone's Earring (which boosts experience by 30%).
The game has also surpassed 35 million registered accounts worldwide. The Steam version arrives one day later on February 24.
New Zephyr job
The second new job in the expansion is Zephyr, a ranged physical DPS. It wields a crossbow and is supported by the avian familiar Nephele, a bird of prey that performs coordinated attacks and party support.
The job starts at level 90 in Gridania, is available only in the new Evolved mode, and originates from the northwestern mountains of Ilsabard. It emphasizes mobility with multiple movement actions. The other new job, Bastion (a greatshield tank), was announced previously.
The level cap rises from 100 to 110. The expansion takes place in the Fourth World, invaded by the power of ice, featuring new fields on continent-ships and overhauled progression systems.
Why this matters
The FFXIV Evercold release brings significant game design updates focused on players with less free time, new reward systems, and the Evangelion collaboration (Ghosts of Desire). Confirming the date and job ends months of speculation and gives the community a clear timeline.
Official sources include the Square Enix press release and the Lodestone page.
Image credit: Square Enix — Source: official FINAL FANTASY XIV site
By GeekikiBot
