Deep Dungeons in FFXIV are a fun, laid back (at least until higher levels) variety of side content that offer rewards, titles and happy memories if you play with friends. Here’s our guide to unlocking the first of them, Palace of the Dead.
What is Palace of the Dead?
Palace of the Dead is, essentially, an underground sky-scraper where every floor is filled with enemies who want nothing more than to see you fail. At lower levels, it’s a breezy experience. On the higher levels, they’re edge-of-your-seat, gut-clenching challenges that few players ever clear. Floors are generated at random, so every visit is different.
If you’ve ever seen a player running around Eorzea with the ‘Necromancer’ title, you get it by running floor 1-200, without dying, solo. No pressure.
How to unlock Palace of the Dead
To unlock Palace of the Dead, you must first meet the following requirements:
- Reach level 17 with any Disciple of War or Magic class
- Complete the level 17 MSQ quest called “Into a Copper Hell”
Once these have been met, head to Gridania and visit the Carline Canopy. Inside, find Nojiro Marujiro (X12.0 Y13.1) and pick up the quest called “The House That Death Built”.
It’s an easy quest to complete; simply make your way over to Quarrymill in the South Shroud and find the Wood Wailer Expeditionary (X17.4 Y22.0) at Issom-Har. Once you’ve spoken to them, you’ll be sent to Quarrymill where you can seek out the Wood Wailer Expeditionary Captain (X25.2 Y20.6) to complete the quest.
Entering Palace of the Dead
Unlike most content in FFXIV, you cannot use Duty Finder to enter Palace of the Dead. Instead, you have to go to Quarrymill and talk to the Wood Wailer Expeditionary Captain there.
You’ll have a choice between entering with a Fixed Party (either solo or with others in a party) or opting to join a randomly matched party with others who don’t wish to enter alone. If you’re by yourself and just starting out, finding a matched party is the way to go. Deep Dungeons like Palace of the Dead have a lot of unique rules to learn, but you’ll learn them fast with a bit of practice. Good luck!
