FFXIV Patch 7.21 Red Alert Guide

Final Fantasy XIV's Dawntrail expansion introduced Cosmic Exploration in Patch 7.21, a multiplayer-focused lifestyle content that's taken the crafting and gathering community by storm. Among its most exciting features are Red Alerts - rare, time-limited events that offer lucrative rewards through critical missions. This guide covers everything you need to know to dominate Red Alerts, from mission mechanics to maximising your rewards. Want more MMORPG tips? Bookmark our site and check out our store for gear to enhance your Eorzean adventures.

Red Alerts are special 20-minute weather events in Cosmic Exploration's Sinus Ardorum zone, marked by darkened skies and "spore mist" visuals. They're rare, with only a few spawning per server per day (e.g. two in nine hours during the first week). Their spawn conditions are unclear, but they're server-specific and not tied to regular weather cycles. During a Red Alert, Critical Missions will become available, offering enhanced rewards for crafters and collectors.

Two progress gauges appear at the top of the screen, each tied to a group of professions (e.g. Carpenter/Weaver/Botanist vs. Blacksmith/Alchemist). Completing missions will fill these gauges, and if both are filled within 20 minutes, everyone involved will receive bonus rewards such as 1,500 Lunar Credits and 200 Cosmocredits. Even if the server goes down, you keep your personal mission rewards, making Red Alerts a must.

Requirements: Complete the Endwalker main scenario quest and have a Disciple of the Hand or Land level 10+.

Quest: Start “A Cosmic Homecoming” with Namingway in Old Sharlayan (X:12.6, Y:13.6).

Travel: Access Sinus Ardorum via Drivingway in Mare Lamentorum (X:21.9, Y:13.2).

Red Alerts appear randomly, so stay in Sinus Ardorum to catch them. Check the Critical Missions tab on your exotablet when a Red Alert goes off to see what jobs are available (e.g. Botanist, Carpenter). You can switch jobs and repeat missions throughout the 20-minute window, even after the gauges have been filled, to stack rewards.

Critical Missions: Mechanics and Strategies

Critical Missions are job-specific Stellar Missions exclusive to Red Alerts, offering higher rewards than standard missions. They're level-synced, so they're accessible to players of all levels, and all materials are provided through the Cosmopack. Here's how to tackle them:

Gathering (e.g., Botanist): Collect items (e.g. 16 Resources) from designated locations and deliver them to a collection point. Use skills such as Pioneer's Gift or Scavenger to increase your efficiency.

Crafting (e.g. Carpenter, Alchemist): Craft items (e.g. three quality items) using the materials provided. Aim for gold star ranks (900+ points) for maximum rewards.

Progress Gauges: Each mission contributes to one of two server-wide ladders. Personal rewards (e.g. 160 Lunar Credits per Gold Star mission) are earned independently, but filling both gauges unlocks server-wide bonuses.

Use Raphael for crafting: Feed your stats (e.g. 5,408 Crafting, 5,064 Control, 630 CP) into Raphael to generate macros for high-level crafting. Avoid the "Ensure 100% Reliability" option due to early patch 7.21 glitches.

Maximise gold stars: Craft three items per mission to reach the 900-point threshold. You'll be given 15 materials, so there's room for error.

Chain Missions: Complete all available missions (e.g. Botanist, Carpenter, Weaver) per job, then repeat them. You can repeat missions multiple times within the 20 minute time limit for additional rewards.

Fast Travel: Use the Cosmoliner (unlocked at zone level 3) or Stellar Return to quickly reach mission areas. View mission locations on the map using the Exotablet to save time.

Job Switching: Equip all Cosmic Tools from Researching Way (free at level 10) to tackle multiple mission types. Use the Exotablet to switch jobs to cover all available missions.

Rewards and Why Red Alerts Matter

Red Alerts are a goldmine for Cosmic Exploration players, offering:

Cosmic Research Points: Essential for upgrading Cosmic Tools (200 points per level). Missions provide significant progression (e.g. 40 points per Gold Star ship).

Cosmic Class Tracker Points: Boost your class stats (e.g. 417 points in 2 minutes for Weavers) and contribute to achievements such as the 500,000-point mount.

Lunar Credits: Each Gold Star mission earns 160 credits, with 10 missions potentially worth 1,600, plus 1,500 for server completion. Use these for Cosmic Fortune spins (1,000 credits) or Mech Ops pilot applications.

Cosmocredits: Earn 200+ per event for equipment, dwelling items or glamour in Mesouaidonque (X:21.8, Y:21.8).

Experience: Great for leveling up crafters and gatherers, especially lower level players.

The ability to repeat missions makes Red Alerts one of the best ways to farm Lunar Credits for rare rewards like the High Mobility Vacuum Suit mount. They also speed up Cosmic Tool upgrades, making them a priority for relic-focused players.

Prepare All Jobs: Claim all Cosmic Tools to gain access to every mission type. Even low-level jobs can take part thanks to level syncing.

Monitor the Timer: You have 20 minutes to complete as many missions as possible. Prioritise Gold Star completions, but don't worry about server metrics - personal rewards are the main attraction.

Avoid Common Mistakes: Start missions in the right zone to avoid timer problems, and double-check job requirements (e.g. don't craft as an Alchemist for a Carpenter mission).

Leverage Community Feedback: As you level, share your experiences on community hubs like Discord to help others gauge the difficulty and rewards.

Stay for the Full Event: Even if the gauges fill up early, keep running missions until the timer ends to maximise credits and points.

Red Alerts add a thrilling, time-sensitive layer to Cosmic Exploration, blending the collaborative spirit of Ishgardian Restoration with Dawntrail's sci-fi aesthetic. Their rarity adds to the excitement, and their high rewards make them a cornerstone of the content. Whether you're chasing relic tools, mounts or server glory, Red Alerts offer a dynamic way to engage with the lunar landscape of Sinus Ardorum.

By mastering Critical Missions, you'll not only boost your Cosmic Tools but also contribute to your server's progress toward building a spaceship launch station. It's the perfect blend of personal achievement and community effort that makes every Red Alert a cosmic adventure worth pursuing.

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