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I've been buzzing ever since Square Enix dropped the news – Guardian Arkveld is storming into Eorzea next month for Final Fantasy 14's second Monster Hunter Wilds crossover. That colossal white dragon from the trailer? Yeah, we're actually fighting it. As someone who grinded through the first Rathalos crossover back in Stormblood, this feels like a much-needed jolt of adrenaline while we wait for the next major patch. The Lodestone update gave us solid details: minions are coming, that sleek Seikret mount is real, and gear requirements are set for both normal and extreme versions. 🐉 But here's where my excitement gets tangled with frustration.

Let's talk loot first – the Hope armor set, Monster Hunter Wilds' starting gear, is confirmed. Honestly? I'm thrilled it's not a 'FFXIV-ified' redesign like the Rathalos gear was. This looks ripped straight from Wilds, which means authentic hunter vibes for my Warrior of Light. The weapons too! Ninja blades, Dark Knight greatswords, Dragoon lances... all bearing Arkveld's aesthetic. Though why they gave Black Mages a hammer? 🤔 Absolute chaos magic, but hey, if Pictomancers can bonk enemies with paintbrushes, why not? Lodestone only showed four weapons, but every job will likely get one. Grind incoming!

Key rewards we know about:

  • Hope Armor Set: Full Monster Hunter Wilds starter gear

  • Arkveld Weapons: Ninja, DRK, DRG, BLM confirmed (others expected)

  • Seikret Mount: That agile bird-dog from the trailer

  • New minions 🐾

Now the gut punch: No Guardian Arkveld armor. None. Zip. After fighting the beast itself, decking out in its scales felt like a no-brainer. Fans begged for it – forums exploded with mockups and hopes. But Lodestone only shows the Hope set alongside Arkveld weapons. Making two full armor sets plus weapons? Unlikely. Cue the collective groan across Eorzea. Some players are already writing off the event entirely. I get it; missing that iconic armor stings worse than Arkveld's frost breath.

But hold on. Square Enix teased unrevealed rewards. Extreme version exclusives, maybe? They’ve pulled surprises before. I’m clinging to that sliver of hope while prepping my static. Remember the Rathalos EX mount drop rates? Yeah. 😅 Still, skipping this over missing armor feels shortsighted. The spectacle alone – eight Warriors of Light coordinating like hunters against that behemoth? Pure serotonin. My Dragoon’s already itching to jump off its skull.

Looking ahead? This crossover could redefine future collabs. Wilds’ success is astronomical, and FFXIV thrives on these crossovers. Personally? I dream of a full expansion where we hunt in the New World – gathering quests with moogles, tracking monsters with Scions. 🗺️ But for now? I’ll farm that Hope gear, master the hammer’s absurd BLM rotation, and pray to Hydaelyn that Arkveld’s armor drops as an EX secret. See you in the frosty trenches, Warriors of Light.