Final Fantasy XI’s March update starts a bigger Trust overhaul

Final Fantasy XI’s March update is live, and the biggest change is the start of a broader Trust magic rework. Square Enix has added the first piece of that plan with a new Alter Ego point system, which is meant to strengthen Trusts and make solo play more viable across more of the game.

For now, players can earn Alter Ego points by clearing monthly objectives in Records of Eminence. Those points can be spent on stat upgrades for alter egos, including things like XP and STR. Square Enix says the system is built so you can eventually max out every stat, but there’s a catch: once points are assigned, they can’t be reallocated.

According to the patch notes, this is only the first half of the overhaul. The second part, an Alter Ego equipment system, is still in the works and will be added later. That system is planned to push upgrades beyond basic stats, with a setup Square Enix compares to puppetmaster attachments. The team also says it’s still figuring out how existing content and crafting will tie into it, though the equipment should still be obtainable by solo players.

Outside the Trust changes, the March update also refreshes monthly objectives, includes a new Ambuscade rotation featuring Velkk and Treants, and adds a handful of smaller adjustments based on player feedback. The Treasure Hunter Bounty Campaign is also set to return tomorrow.

The update lands not long after Square Enix temporarily closed a third FFXI server to new character creation and transfers, a sign that the MMO is still seeing enough activity to force some population controls more than two decades after launch.