6.0 Predictions: Will it be Garlemald, Sharlayan, or Meracydia?

[ReynTime]

Seeing where these pillars are located I was legit thinking whether we get a whole new region or not, we might see the current regions expanded. So if we get Sharlayan for example, I think they'd complement that with new large areas closer to each known tower.

[FrightfulNight]

Seeing where these pillars are located I was legit thinking whether we get a whole new region or not, we might see the current regions expanded. So if we get Sharlayan for example, I think they'd complement that with new large areas closer to each known tower.

I would kind of prefer whole new regions, we already have around 30 zones in Eorzea and somewhat similar zones in Norvandt and the area surrounding the towers are similar to what is around it, I want to move on to Islabard already. So i really hope that the ones at home are wrapped up in 5.5 and we have to stop their manufacture at the source, which is in Islabard, which might also include the possibility that there are even more of them in Islabard, or that they are hard to destroy so we have to stop the broadcasting at the source, which is again in Islabard.

[Kesey]

I would kind of prefer whole new regions, we already have around 30 zones in Eorzea and somewhat similar zones in Norvandt and the area surrounding the towers are similar to what is around it, I want to move on to Islabard already. So i really hope that the ones at home are wrapped up in 5.5 and we have to stop their manufacture at the source, which is in Islabard, which might also include the possibility that there are even more of them in Islabard, or that they are hard to destroy so we have to stop the broadcasting at the source, which is again in Islabard.

I agree. The expansion areas need to be in a new place.

[ReynTime]

I would kind of prefer whole new regions, we already have around 30 zones in Eorzea and somewhat similar zones in Norvandt and the area surrounding the towers are similar to what is around it, I want to move on to Islabard already. So i really hope that the ones at home are wrapped up in 5.5 and we have to stop their manufacture at the source, which is in Islabard, which might also include the possibility that there are even more of them in Islabard, or that they are hard to destroy so we have to stop the broadcasting at the source, which is again in Islabard.

They never fully reintegrated Eorzea since the transition to 1.0. Besides, what difference does it make if some of the new areas are in an existing region? They will be new maps regardless. It would also mean giving Eorzea post 3.0 sized maps for once.

[FrightfulNight]

They never fully reintegrated Eorzea since the transition to 1.0. Besides, what difference does it make if some of the new areas are in an existing region? They will be new maps regardless. It would also mean giving Eorzea post 3.0 sized maps for once.

Which we got in both 3.0 and 4.0, with the introduction of the rest of the Abalathian spine and Gyr Abania basically taking us to most of the major regions in Aldernard, plus the zones in 5.0 were based on an alternate version of Aldernard, I think we have seen enough of it. I want to see the other parts of Hydalyn that have been talked about for years, plus they would just be similar zones to ARR in terms of look, and again we got that in ShB. It is time to move out into other parts of the world we have not ventured yet.

And besides, I would hope that most of us at least want to see the clouds part on the world map since it is such a big sequel or more specifically expansion hook, it has been four years since we got that map and if we have to wait another two years for it without at least an update then I will seriously be disappointed., you cant map the underground, a lot of these smaller islands on there feel more like side content locations, it is time for Islabard, this rounds out the season 1 storyline by completing a map of the three great continents, then in following expansions we can hopefully do a globe trotting expansion going to the locations we did not visit on the three continents mainly throughout Orthard and Islabard like Dalmascus proper and hopefully Hinbgashi, as well as exploring the distant continents like Meracydia and the New World for post season 1 archs. But right now that layer of clouds just screams this is where the endgame takes place, and it has since it was revealed in SB, and more so what does it look like, it looks like the Garlean capitol sits at the Eye of a maelstrom, or as Fandaniel said, at the heart of the chaos.

[MonochromeMadame]

I guess I also need to ask when we think this expac will be out. Im horrible at figuring out patch timelines anyway so since this one is messed up from delays I'm not sure when to expect it. If we didnt have delays we would be preordering by now.

[FrightfulNight]

I did just remember something, Yoshi P. Says that he usually likes to plan two expansions ahead for the story. Now I noticed a pattern, while we always knew the first expansion would be Ishgard, and the second would be Ala Mhigo, there were some other locations that begun to be hinted at two expansions prior.

For instance we were introduced to Yugirir and the ARR patch questlines or 2.X and two expansions later in SB or 4.0 we go to Doma.

We were introduced to the Warriors of Darkness and heard mentions of the First in HW or 3.x and two expansions later in ShB or 5.0 we went to the first and wrapped up thier storyline.

Now if we follow this pattern in SB, especially during the patch questlines we see intrigue and important events occur and unravel in Garlemald, more specifically the capitol, which is of course located in the Northern corner of Islabard, so if we follow this pattern, this is just further proof it is Islabard. in fact for two expansions now they have been having the situation heat up there, characters go there, and power shift there, so are we just to believe that this will occur for another full expansion before we have a chance to go there, no I believe we are going there as it has the most pressing issues in the story.

Also if we are comparing this to say a mainline game and the season 1 storyline to the full game, then it makes sense to end it in Islabard, it is controlled by one of the games main antagonist, and when the world map was revealed it was surrounded in foreboding mists, as if almost saying, yeah this area is important, we are waiting until the finale to take you here for a big confrontation.

[MonochromeMadame]

I'm worried about Garlemald even making it to a new expansion.
I just re-watched the trailer and remember the capital and major areas being destroyed. I don't know how that is going to play into everything.

[Rosenstrauch]

I'm worried about Garlemald even making it to a new expansion.
I just re-watched the trailer and remember the capital and major areas being destroyed. I don't know how that is going to play into everything.

I believe that moment in the trailer is meant to reference our encounter with Elidibus-Zenos in patch 4.55—the location is the Ghimlyt Dark, basically a cross between an active warzone and a magitek graveyard during our run through it. Of course, it could very well be foreshadowing for yet another encounter with Zenos in patch 5.5/5.55. But considering how much of the trailer stuff for Shadowbringers ended up being in-reference to things that already happened, I doubt it.

On a related note to another thread, if we do end up going into Garlemald for the 80-90 leveling experience, I can't help but wonder if we'll end up chewing through the remaining Legions over the course of several dungeons and trials.

EDIT: Oh, the 5.4 trailer. Yeah, that was just the offscreen civil war, yeah. Apparently that's over with, now. Honestly, it would've been more interesting to get to experience it, but eh.

[FrightfulNight]

I'm worried about Garlemald even making it to a new expansion.
I just re-watched the trailer and remember the capital and major areas being destroyed. I don't know how that is going to play into everything.

This was confirmed in the Patch 5.4 MQS to be about the civil war going on there, more specifically it was Lyse briefing the Scions on the current situation when they returned to their bodies on the Source from the First. It was not some ritual or because of the black towers, it was the war for the throne. this can be shown to some extent in a cutscene in 5.1.