FFXIV Patch 7.45 Variant & Criterion Dungeons Overview

With Patch 7.45, Final Fantasy XIV continues its Variant and Criterion dungeon system, bringing new content for players looking for challenging small-group activities.

Originally introduced in earlier expansions, these dungeons mix exploration, puzzle mechanics, and unique boss encounters. In the Dawntrail patch cycle, they return with several improvements—especially when it comes to leveling and accessibility.

If you're preparing for new content or gearing up for harder fights, having enough resources can make a huge difference. Many players also rely on trusted marketplaces like SSEGold to buy FFXIV gil quickly so they can focus on enjoying new content instead of grinding endlessly.

Let’s break down everything added in Patch 7.45.

Variant Dungeons in Patch 7.45

Variant dungeons remain one of the most flexible pieces of content in the game.

Unlike traditional dungeon content, they feature:

• Multiple branching paths

• Replayable routes

• Unique story elements depending on your choices

• Flexible party compositions

You are not restricted to the traditional tank, healer, and DPS roles, which makes them accessible for casual players and small groups.

A Major Improvement: Leveling from 90 to 100

One of the most useful changes in Patch 7.45 is that Variant dungeons can now be used for leveling.

Players can enter the dungeon at level 90, and the game automatically syncs everyone to:

• Level 100

• Item Level 765

This effectively turns Variant dungeons into an alternative leveling method.

Compared to other leveling content like Pilgrim's Traverse, Variant dungeons cover a wider range of levels (90–100), making them a useful option if you're trying to bridge the gap between expansions.

A Good Method for Gil Farming

Another overlooked advantage of Variant dungeons is gil farming potential.

Many of the rewards obtained from Variant dungeons can be sold on the market board. Because older Variant dungeons are not run as frequently anymore, certain items can actually sell for a decent amount.

This makes the content attractive for players who want to:

• Level alt jobs

• Farm gil

• Collect cards and cosmetic rewards

Running Variant dungeons repeatedly can be surprisingly profitable, especially when demand for cosmetics increases.

Variant Advanced: A New Difficulty Mode

Patch 7.45 introduces a new challenge mode called Variant Advanced.

This version increases difficulty slightly but keeps the flexible party structure. Key features include:

• 2–4 player parties

• No strict role requirements

• Boss fights only (no dungeon trash mobs)

• Ability to fight bosses in different orders

Players start in the center of the dungeon and can choose between three bosses.

There is even a “Surprise Me” option, which randomly selects the next boss encounter.

A Perfect Stepping Stone for Harder Content

Variant Advanced hits a sweet spot in difficulty.

It is harder than standard dungeon content but much more forgiving than high-end raids. Players also have access to Variant Actions, such as:

• Damage mitigation skills

• Emergency resurrection abilities

• Extra damage tools

These systems help players learn mechanics without being punished too severely.

For many players, this makes Variant Advanced a great stepping stone toward more difficult content.

Criterion Dungeons Return in Patch 7.45

Criterion dungeons remain the hardest part of this system.

These four-player encounters feature:

• Complex mechanics

• Tight positioning requirements

• Heavy coordination

• Puzzle-like boss designs

Many players consider Criterion to be some of the most creative combat content in the game.

For example, boss fights in Criterion often include:

• Unique indicators

• Strict movement mechanics

• Heavy healing and mitigation pressure

In many ways, the encounter design rivals raid content while keeping the smaller party format.

The Biggest Issue: Rewards

While the encounters themselves are excellent, rewards continue to be the most controversial aspect of the system.

Completing Variant Advanced grants Corvosi Brass, which can be exchanged for:

• Glamour items

• Cosmetic accessories

• Emotes

• Earrings

However, these rewards are largely cosmetic, meaning they do not significantly improve player power.

Even the notable upgrade item—similar to those used to enhance tomestone weapons—does not offer new progression rewards for the current patch cycle.

For many players, this creates a major issue:

The content is challenging and well-designed, but the incentives to repeatedly run it are limited.

Why the Content Is Still Worth Playing

Despite reward concerns, Variant and Criterion dungeons still offer several advantages:

1. Unique dungeon exploration mechanics

2. Some of the most creative boss fights in the game

3. Flexible party sizes and roles

4. Leveling opportunities for alt jobs

5. Cosmetic collectibles and gil farming

For players who enjoy learning mechanics and experimenting with strategies, these dungeons remain highly enjoyable.

Final Thoughts on Patch 7.45

Patch 7.45 continues to show that Naoki Yoshida and the development team are experimenting with new forms of small-group content.

Variant and Criterion dungeons deliver excellent gameplay and creative encounters, but the reward structure still leaves room for improvement.

If future updates introduce stronger progression incentives, these dungeons could easily become some of the most popular content in the game.

Until then, they remain a fun challenge for groups who enjoy difficult mechanics, dungeon exploration, and collectible rewards.

And if you're planning to run the new Patch 7.45 content regularly, having enough gil for gear upgrades, materia, and consumables can help a lot. Many players choose SSEGold for fast and reliable FFXIV gil so they can spend less time farming and more time enjoying the newest dungeons.