The latest version update for Final Fantasy XI Online is now live. There are some major changes and additions in this update, including the following:

• The final chapter in the Treasures of Aht Urhgan missions has been added.
• The Chocobo Circuit has opened! Click here to read more.
• Players now have the opportunity to attain the new mercenary rank of First Lieutenant and gain access to new items purchasable with Imperial Standing credits.
• The difficulty of the following limit break quests has been adjusted:
  • In Defiant Challenge
    • Drop rates for the quest items ancient papyrus and exoray mold have been improved.
  • Atop the Highest Mountains
    • The relative strength of the quest monsters (Boreal Hound, Boreal Coeurl, and Boreal Tiger) has been reduced so that a party of six level 51 characters will be able to defeat them. The quest monsters mentioned above will use the ability “Doom” if the battle continues for more than thirty minutes.
• The following adjustments have been made to Einherjar:
  • The HP of all monsters in the Hazhalm Testing Grounds has been reduced.
  • An issue with the monster “Hildesvini” not correctly summoning chigoes has been addressed.
• The following adjustments have been made to two-handed weapons:
  • Two-handed weapons will now receive larger benefits from a character’s attributes, and will also inflict more damage when facing higher-level opponents or enemies with high defense.
  • A new type of equipment known as “grips” can now be equipped in the sub-weapon slot while using a two-handed weapon.
    • Grips cannot be used without a two-handed weapon equipped in the main weapon slot.
    • TP will be reset when changing or removing grips, in the same manner as for main weapon equipment changes.
• New equipment has been introduced.
• New synthesis recipes have been added.

These are just some of the many things that went into this version update. To read the notes in full, head over to the FFXI Version Update notes article.