While defeating Thordan and the Knights was indeed an important step in solving the main conflict surrounding Ishgard, it had always been a stepping stone. Nidhogg posed a much stronger and fearsome character—we hear about his suffering, the length of his rage, his cruel plan, and his peerless power through almost every chapter of Heavensward (and the dragoon job quest in 2.0).

This feels like the actual ending of Heavensward and, as beautifully climactic as it was, I somewhat resent all of this wasn't included on the base expansion.