FFXIV Cosmic Exploration Hotfixes: April 2025

The Final Fantasy XIV Cosmic Exploration feature, introduced in Patch 7.21, has taken players to the moon and beyond, but it's not without its hiccups. On the 28th of April 2025, Square Enix released hotfixes to address some niggling bugs, particularly in the area of mech operations, to ensure a smoother stellar adventure. If you love the crafting and gathering grind, or chasing those shiny Cosmic Tools, you'll want to know what's been fixed. For more FF14 guides, gear, and community insights, bookmark our site and head over to our store to stock up on your gaming gear!

Launched on April 22, 2025, Cosmic Exploration is a multiplayer-focused “lifestyle content” for Disciples of the Hand and Land, reminiscent of Ishgard Restoration but with a lunar twist. Players work together across the server to build a lunar base in Sinus Ardorum, completing stellar missions via the Exotablet to gather materials, craft items and progress through stages. Rewards include Cosmocredits for equipment and shelter, Lunar Credits for cosmetic draws, and upgraded Cosmic Tools. Mech Ops, where players pilot mechs on large-scale missions, add an exciting layer of gameplay, but they've been a hotspot for bugs.

Square Enix has addressed several issues plaguing Cosmic Exploration, with a focus on mech operations and server stability. Here's the rundown:

Mech Ops Boarding Bug: A temporary fix was implemented for an error preventing players from boarding mechs if they selected “Board” while performing another action (e.g., crafting or gathering during a stellar mission). This UI conflict caused frustration as players like the video creator's girlfriend couldn't board after leaving a mission. The workaround increases the next mission's selection odds to maximum for affected players, while a permanent fix is in development. Players who were affected prior to the hotfix will receive 1,000 Lunar Credits after eligibility checks, though patience is required during the investigation.

Server Stability: A critical bug causing server crashes during the "Destroy Corrupted Crystals" mech op directive has been fixed, addressing incidents that brought down servers such as Ragnarok.

Visual and Functional Bugs: Leftover Destroy Corrupted Crystals Mech Ops items no longer linger, improving visual clarity.

Mech Ops Issuance: A bug that caused Mech Ops directives to pause under certain conditions has been fixed, ensuring consistent mission triggers. On some servers, such as Ragnarok, directives would stop altogether due to low player activity.

Timing issues: Shortened timers between mech op issuance and operation start have been corrected to give players fair preparation time.

Crafting Overlap: Standard, quick, and trial synthesis during a crafter's star mission was unintentionally allowed, but is now blocked, in line with the intended mechanic.

These fixes aim to stabilize Cosmic Exploration, especially for mech ops, which rely on RNG-based selection and are a highlight for players with limited playtime.

If you've experienced the boarding bug, Square Enix is offering 1,000 Lunar Credits as compensation for pre-hotfix incidents, subject to confirmation of eligibility. To assist the process, submit a support ticket in-game detailing your experience. This will flag your account for investigation, potentially speeding up your reward. Lunar Credits can be used via the Exotablet for cosmetic raffles, making this a nice gesture for affected players.

The temporary fix for the boarding issue ensures that if you encounter the bug now, your next Mech Ops application will have maxed out selection odds, reducing frustration. However, until a permanent fix is in place, players should avoid multitasking during boarding prompts.

Cosmic Exploration is a server-wide endeavour, and Mech Ops is a rare, exciting component. Bugs like server crashes or boarding errors can spoil the experience, especially for players on active servers where mech slots are competitive. The hotfixes show Square Enix's commitment to refining this content, which has drawn comparisons to Ishgard Restoration, but with modern touches like the Cosmoliner fast-travel system.

The community has been very vocal about the launch of Cosmic Exploration, with some servers running through the content at breakneck speed and others experiencing technical hiccups. These fixes address key issues and ensure that players can focus on crafting, gathering, and mech piloting without unexpected crashes or UI glitches.

To get the most out of Cosmic Exploration after the hotfix, try these tips:

Avoid multitasking during Mech Ops: Wait until you've completed or abandoned stellar missions before selecting "Board" to avoid the boarding bug until the permanent fix arrives.

Submitting support tickets: If you experienced the boarding bug before 28 April, submit a ticket to receive your 1,000 Lunar Credits.

Focus on Stellar Missions: Prioritise Provisional and Critical missions for higher rewards, and aim for Gold Star ranks to unlock sequential missions for bonus progression.

Use the Cosmoliner: With all servers at level 3, use the fast travel system to get between mission areas efficiently.

Track Progress: Check your Exotablet regularly to monitor mission availability and currency (Cosmocredits and Lunar Credits) for rewards such as new colours or mounts.

Cosmic Exploration is set to expand with new planets in future patch 7.x updates, promising more crafting and gathering adventures. It's not perfect, as the video creator notes, but it's a fun addition for players who enjoy collaborative content. Square Enix's quick response with these hotfixes bodes well for future patches, such as 7.25, which will bring Mamool Ja quests and Hildibrand adventures.

For the latest FF14 updates and community tips, keep an eye on the streams or forums. The video creators are planning more content for patch 7.21, so following them on platforms like YouTube will keep you in the loop.

Cosmic Exploration is shaping up to be a stellar addition to Final Fantasy XIV, and these hotfixes are making it smoother for everyone. Stay tuned to MMOJUGG for more FF14 guides, gear and updates as we venture further into the cosmos.