Best Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail graphics settings for Steam Deck

Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail is coming to the Steam Deck. The game launches on July 2 and brings a massive graphics quality overhaul to the long-running MMO series. However, it is still optimized well and runs at high framerates even on some modest hardware like Valve's handheld console. With some visual settings compromises, you can expect good performance.

Like always, Final Fantasy 14 packs a bunch of graphics settings. Going through all of them can be a bit of a headache. You can use one of the quick presets, and the Standard (Laptop) setting works best. But, with some extra fine-tuning, you can ensure a balance between graphics quality and framerates.

We have prepared this cheatsheet with the combination of the ideal settings for the Steam Deck.

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Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail graphics settings for Steam Deck

The Steam Deck can play Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail at over 60 FPS with some compromises (Image via Square Enix)

Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail supports AMD FSR, which unlocks some extra performance on the Steam Deck. For the other settings, a mix of the lowest and some medium options works best. The game is optimized well enough to run at the native 1280 x 800 resolutions without major problems.

The detailed settings recommendation for Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail is as follows:

Graphics settings 1

• Preset: Custom

Resolution

• Graphics upscaling: AMD FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution)
• 3D resolution scaling: 100
• Enable dynamic resolution: Off
• Frame rate threshold: Activate when the frame rate drops below 60 FPS

General

• LOD on distant objects: Off
• Enable dynamic grass interaction: Off

Graphics settings 2

• Real time reflections: Standard
• Edge smoothing (anti-aliasing): FXAA (disabled when using DLSS)
• Transparent lighting quality: Standard
• Grass quality: Standard

Graphics settings 3

• Parallax occlusion: Standard
• Tessellation: Standard
• Glare: Standard

Shadows

• Self: Display
• Party members: Display
• Other NPCs: Display
• Enemies: Display

Shadow quality

• Use low detail models on character shadows (LOD): On
• Use low detail models on distant object shadows (LOD): On
• Shadow resolution: Standard
• Shadow cascading: Off
• Shadow softening: Weak
• Cast shadows: Minimum

Graphics settings 4

Texture detail

• Texture resolution: Low
• Texture filtering: Anisotropic
• Anisotropic filtering: x8

Movement physics

• Self: Full
• Other NPCs: Full

Effects

• Naturally darken the edges of the screen (Limb darkening): Off
• Blur the graphics around an object in motion (Radial blur): Off
• Screen space ambient occlusion: Light
• Glare: Low
• Water refraction: Off

Cinematic cutscenes

• Enable depth of field: Off

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Overall, the Steam Deck packs enough rendering prowess to play well-optimized video games like Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail comfortably. With the above settings applied, you can expect well over 60 FPS in the title without major performance issues. FSR support comes in handy and helps avoid any major framerate drops.

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Check out other Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail guides from Sportskeeda:

• 5 best budget laptops for Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail
• Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail patch schedule - Everything we know so far
• How to unlock the new Facewear feature in Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail