Dawntrail Hunts Guide

Dawntrail hunts continue the open-world Hunt system in Final Fantasy XIV with new A Rank, S Rank, and SS Rank elite marks spread across the expansion’s zones.

Compared to earlier expansions, Dawntrail hunts feature more mechanically complex enemies, layered spawn conditions, and an SS Rank chain system tied directly to S Rank kills. Hunt trains, trackers, linkshells, and community coordination remain an important part of the hunt ecosystem.

Requirements

To unlock Dawntrail hunts, complete the following quest:

  • Quest: A New Dawn, a New Hunt

Dawntrail Hunt Overview

Dawntrail hunts are divided into three main hunt ranks:

  • B Ranks: Weekly elite mark targets that respawn almost immediately after defeat.
  • A Ranks: Frequently farmed marks commonly defeated during organized hunt trains.
  • S & SS Ranks: Rare elite marks with special spawn conditions, long respawn windows, and advanced mechanics.

Dawntrail also introduces an SS Rank chain system where defeating S Ranks can trigger additional enemies that eventually lead to an SS Rank spawn.

Hunt Terms Explained

  • Dead: The hunt has already been defeated and cannot currently spawn.
  • Window Open: The hunt is eligible to spawn again.
  • Max / Missing: The hunt has reached the upper end of its respawn timer or is assumed available.
  • Sniped: A hunt was defeated without being reported to the wider community.
  • Tracker: A community-run tool used to monitor hunt deaths, spawn windows, and reported marks.
  • Mapping: The process of checking potential spawn points to narrow down where an S Rank may appear.

Dawntrail Hunts

Dawntrail B Rank Hunts

Weekly elite mark targets, quick respawns, and B Rank hunt locations.

Dawntrail A Rank Hunts

A Rank hunt marks, train targets, respawn windows, and zone locations.

Dawntrail S & SS Rank Hunts

Rare hunt marks, SS chains, spawn conditions, and long respawn timers.

Dawntrail Hunt Trains

Dawntrail A Ranks are commonly defeated during organized hunt trains. Hunt trains are large groups that move from zone to zone defeating active A Rank marks for rewards and hunt currency.

S and SS Ranks are typically coordinated separately because of their longer respawn windows and special spawn requirements.

SS Rank Chains Explained

Dawntrail SS Ranks are tied directly to S Rank kills. When certain S Ranks are defeated, there is a chance for additional enemies called Crystal Incarnations to appear throughout the zone.

If all spawned Crystal Incarnations are defeated before they disappear, the SS Rank Arch Aethereater will spawn.

Because of this chain system, Dawntrail hunt communities often monitor S Rank kills closely for potential SS Rank opportunities.

Hunt Trackers and Community Tools

Hunt trackers are third-party community tools used to monitor hunt deaths, timers, and reported marks across servers and data centers.

Commonly used hunt resources include:

  • Bear Tracker
  • ffxiv-the-hunt.net
  • Eorzea World
  • FFXIVHunt

The Tavern does not replace live hunt trackers. These guides explain how Dawntrail hunts work and how their spawn systems function. For real-time timers and reports, use the tracker preferred by your hunt community or data center.

Hunt Linkshells and Communication

Many players organize hunts through hunt linkshells, cross-world linkshells, Discord servers, and shout chat. These communities help players report hunts, coordinate trains, and share SS Rank chains.

When reporting a hunt, include the hunt rank, target name, and map location whenever possible.

Example message:

Looking for hunt LS.

Useful Hunt Macro Parameters

These macro parameters are commonly used when sharing hunt locations:

  • <flag> — Links your most recently placed map flag.
  • <pos> — Links your current position.
  • <t> — Links your current target’s name.
  • <thpp> — Links the target’s HP percentage.

Common hunt communication channels include:

  • /sh — Zone-wide shout chat.
  • /y — Nearby player communication.
  • /ls1 — Linkshell communication.
  • /cwls1 — Cross-world linkshell communication.

Example Hunt Macros

/sh S Rank | <t> <pos>
/ls1 S Rank | <t> <pos>
/cwls1 S Rank | <t> <pos>
/ls1 A Rank | <flag>
/cwls1 A Rank | <flag>
/y Pulling in 10 seconds

Basic Hunt Etiquette

  • Report rare marks when possible instead of pulling immediately.
  • Give players time to arrive for S and SS Ranks when the group is coordinating.
  • Use map flags or position links when reporting marks.
  • Respect the hunt train pace and community pull timing.
  • Understand that trackers are community-maintained and may not always be perfectly accurate.

You do not need to join a hunt community to participate in Dawntrail hunts, but trackers and hunt linkshells make it significantly easier to follow active trains and rare spawn chains.

Dawntrail Hunt Rewards

Dawntrail hunts reward hunt currency, clusters, tomestone progression materials, and other endgame rewards. Hunt trains remain one of the most popular forms of large-scale open-world content in Final Fantasy XIV.

S and SS Ranks also reward additional currency and rare hunt-related materials used throughout the Dawntrail endgame ecosystem.

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