Shadowbringers Dungeon Rankings

Expansion Overview

Shadowbringers represents a pivotal refinement in dungeon design philosophy. In this era, encounter pacing becomes cleaner and more cinematic, yet mechanical layering remains uncompromising. While telegraph clarity sees a significant upgrade compared to the Stormblood cycle, execution expectations remain high.

The Shift: Recovery windows are now structured rather than chaotic. Most encounters reward proactive awareness over raw reactionary speed. This is the era where “The Dance” becomes the standard, if you know the steps, the clear is smooth; if you stumble, the floor is your only destination.

Guild Risk Model

To ensure cross-expansion consistency, all 13 deployments are evaluated using our weighted criteria under standard Duty Finder conditions:

  • Tank Risk: Evaluates mitigation windows and trash density lethality.

  • Healer Strain: Measures throughput requirements and status effect management.

  • DPS Responsibility: Tracks mechanical precision and target priority.

  • Wipe Punishment: Analyzes the cost of failure and recovery reliability.

All dungeons are evaluated under consistent level-synced Duty Finder conditions using the Guild Risk Model.

For full expansion comparisons, see the complete FFXIV Dungeon Rankings.

Total Shadowbringers Dungeons Evaluated

13 Dungeons (Patch 5.0 – 5.5)

Shadowbringers Dungeon Listings by Patch

Patch 5.0 (Launch)

Patch 5.1

Patch 5.2

Patch 5.3

Patch 5.4

Patch 5.5

Shadowbringers Difficulty Profile

Shadowbringers emphasizes Structured Mechanical Execution.

Comparison vs. Stormblood:

  • Telegraph Clarity: Significantly Improved. Ground markers are more distinct.

  • Arena Design: Cleaner. Less environmental clutter, more geometric precision.

  • Burst Volatility: Slightly Reduced. Boss spikes are more predictable but just as lethal.

  • DPS Role: Movement discipline becomes the primary metric of success.

While less “wild” than the 4.x era, Shadowbringers punishes repeated execution failures decisively. Healer strain in the First typically stems from compounded avoidable damage rather than raw, unpredictable burst.

Expansion Comparison

Ready to review the dungeons archives of all design era’s?

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Shadowbringers Dungeon Difficulty Ranking (Highest to Lowest)

(To be populated as evaluations are completed.)

Rank Dungeon Overall
1 The Heroes’ Gauntlet 4.8
2 Paglth’an 4.8
3 Amaurot 4.7
4 Anamnesis Anyder 4.7
5 Matoya’s Relict 4.7
6 The Twinning 4.6
7 Akadaemia Anyder 4.6
8 The Grand Cosmos 4.6
9 Dohn Mheg 4.6
10 The Qitana Ravel 4.6
11 Mt. Gulg 4.6
12 Holminster Switch 4.5
13 Malikah’s Well 4.4

Shadowbringers Dungeon Progression Order

(Chronological order by patch; overall scores added as evaluations are finalized.)

Order Dungeon Overall
1 Holminster Switch 4.5
2 Dohn Mheg 4.6
3 The Qitana Ravel 4.6
4 Malikah’s Well 4.4
5 Mt. Gulg 4.6
6 Amaurot 4.7
7 The Twinning 4.6
8 Akadaemia Anyder 4.6
9 The Grand Cosmos 4.6
10 Anamnesis Anyder 4.7
11 The Heroes’ Gauntlet 4.8
12 Matoya’s Relict 4.7
13 Paglth’an 4.8

Tier Summary

Shadowbringers refines dungeon pacing while maintaining high execution standards.

Mechanics are clearer. Expectations are consistent. Punishment remains firm.

Groups that respect mechanics clear efficiently.
Groups that stack avoidable damage destabilize quickly.

Expansion Comparison

Looking for cross-expansion comparison?

→ View Complete FFXIV Dungeon Rankings

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