Final Fantasy XIV’s Hippo Calf Minion Skyrockets in Price Ahead of Patch 7.1

In the chaotic world of Final Fantasy XIV, minions aren’t just adorable pets; they can also be pricey investments. Recently, the Hippo Calf minion has been making quite the splash—its price skyrocketing on the player-driven Market Board to staggering heights. Originally a cute bonus you could scoop up for a modest sum after running the Vanaspati dungeon, this little creature is now commanding prices upwards of 300,000 gil, depending on your server.

The sudden inflation is all thanks to real-world events, particularly a baby pygmy hippo named Moo Deng who has taken the internet by storm, leading to a global hippo-themed craze. The fantasy MMORPG’s Hippo Calf minion—adorable in its own right—has become a hot commodity as players clamor for a virtual pet to match their real-world obsession. “It’s all about the demand,” said one player on Twitter. “I bought mine for 20,000 gil two weeks ago, and now I’m seeing prices ten times that. Absolutely wild.”

Unbothered. Moisturized. Happy. In My Lane. Focused. Flourishing. 🦛 pic.twitter.com/ufJLNemkS3

— FINAL FANTASY XIV (@FF_XIV_EN) September 21, 2024

This isn’t the first time Final Fantasy XIV has seen market board hysteria. Minions have long been a status symbol in the game, especially the rare ones. And with Patch 7.1 on the horizon, speculation around new content has only added fuel to the fire. Titled “Crossroads,” Patch 7.1 is set to drop mid-November, bringing a ton of fresh content that will likely keep players busy—and potentially give the Hippo Calf market some breathing room.

Patch 7.1 marks the first major update since the Dawntrail expansion, and it promises to be an exciting addition to the already jam-packed FFXIV universe. One of the highlights is the brand-new Echoes of Vana’diel Alliance Raid, a nostalgic callback to Final Fantasy XI. Players will travel to Jeuno, where they’ll face off against familiar bosses and content inspired by the classic MMO. Fans of FFXI are eagerly awaiting the chance to dive back into this reimagined world, now realized with FFXIV’s modern mechanics and graphics.

In addition to the standard Alliance Raid, Patch 7.1 introduces a new, experimental content type called Chaotic Alliance Raids. These revamped boss fights take classic 24-man Alliance Raid battles and crank the difficulty up to savage-tier levels. First on the list is the Cloud of Darkness, pulled straight from a previous raid, but this time ready to offer players a real challenge. If you’ve been itching for high-end content, these Chaotic Alliance Raids are set to be your new addiction.

Players can also expect some story developments in the form of new Main Scenario Quests (MSQ). Continuing the narrative threads from Dawntrail, Patch 7.1 dives deeper into the ongoing political tensions and Zoraal Ja’s successor’s struggles. Will Gulool Ja, the interim king, rise to the challenge? Only time—and a few in-game cutscenes—will tell.

But that’s not all. The patch will also feature new side quests, including the first batch of Pelupelu Allied Society Quests. These quests will give players the chance to level up their combat jobs while uncovering more about the Pelupelu’s culture. There are also updates for crafters and gatherers in the form of new Custom Deliveries for Nitowikwe, along with Wachumeqi Crafting Quests.

For those looking for more Hildibrand hijinks, Inconceivably Further Hildibrand Adventures will add even more ridiculous moments to enjoy with the ever-eccentric inspector and his crew.

Patch 7.1 isn’t just about raids and story quests. One of the biggest quality-of-life updates is a revamp to the housing system. Players will finally be able to customize their homes with new interior layouts and even remove the dreaded columns that have haunted many an interior designer’s dreams. Square Enix has also teased that future updates may allow players to expand the size of their homes—if they’ve saved enough gil, of course.

PvP fans can look forward to extensive updates to all PvP jobs (except Pictomancer and Viper), ensuring that the competitive scene remains as balanced as ever. Additionally, the Duty Support system will be extended to side dungeons, starting with Halatali, allowing players to tackle content with NPC allies instead of other players—a great addition for solo adventurers.

With all these exciting changes, Final Fantasy XIV Patch 7.1 is shaping up to be an action-packed update, both for veteran players and newcomers alike. Whether you’re prepping for the next big raid, hoping for a minion drop, or just looking forward to some cozy housing updates, there’s something for everyone in Crossroads.

Be sure to check out the latest Live Letter from the Producer below for more details, and if you’re still chasing that elusive Hippo Calf, may RNGesus be with you.