Frequently Asked FFXIV Questions

Jobs and Classes

ACN = Arcanist

ALC = Alchemist

ARC = Archer

ARM = Armorer

AST = Astrologian

BLM = Black Mage

BLU = Blue Mage

BRD = Bard

BSM = Blacksmith

BTN = Botanist

CNJ = Conjurer

CRP = Carpenter

CUL = Culinarian

DNC = Dancer

DRG = Dragoon

DRK = Dark Knight

FSH = Fisher

GLA = Gladiator

GNB = Gunbreaker

GSM = Goldsmith

LTW = Leatherworker

MCH = Machinist

MIN = Miner

MNK = Monk

MRD = Marauder

NIN = Ninja

PGL = Pugilist

PLD = Paladin

RDM = Red Mage

ROG = Rogue

RPR = Reaper

SAM = Samurai

SCH = Scholar

SGE = Sage

SMN = Summoner

THM = Thaumaturge

WAR = Warrior

WHM = White Mage

WVR = Weaver

Stats

DET = Determination

DEX = Dexterity

DH = Direct Hit

iXXX = Item level of a piece of gear or average item level of a character's equipment (e.g. i140)

INT = Intelligence

MND = Mind

PIE = Piety

SS = Skill/Spell Speed

STR = Strength

VIT = Vitality

Gameplay

CD = Cooldown: An ability which has its own recast timer not shared with other abilities, and unaffected by Skill/Spell speed

DF = Duty Finder

DPS = Damage per second, also used to refer to damage dealing classes (i.e. not tanks or healers)

EX = Extreme mode; A very tough version of a trial with new mechanics and different loot.

FC = Free Company (aka Player-run guilds)

GC = Grand Company (Gridania's Twin Adders, Ul'dah's Immortal Flames and Limsa Lominsa's Maelstrom)

GCD = Global cooldown: An ability which shares its recast timer with other abilities. Higher Skill/Spell speed reduces the recast time.

GM = Game Master (aka Square Enix mods)

HM = Hard-mode; An advanced version of a trial or dungeon, usually as a sequel to the normal mode with tougher mechanics and different loot.

LB = Limit break

MGP = Manderville Gold Saucer Points (Currency for use in the Gold Saucer)

MSQ = Main Scenario quest

OGCD: Synonym for Cooldown

PF = Party Finder

Dungeons and Raids

A[1-12] = Alexander Raids (Lvl 60)

CT = Crystal Tower: The collection of "Labyrinth of the Ancients", "Syrcus Tower" and "The World of Darkness"

E[1-12] = Eden Raids (Lvl 80)

LotA = Labyrinth of the Ancients (Lvl 50)

O[1-12] = Omega Raids (Lvl 70)

P[1-12] = Pandaemonium Raids (Lvl 90)

ST = Syrcus Tower (Lvl 50)

T[1-13] = The Binding Coil of Bahamut Raids (Lvl 50)

WoD = The World of Darkness (Lvl 50)

Some raids may also be referred to with an S or N (E.g. E12S, A3N) meaning “Savage” or “Normal” difficulty.

There are many bonuses which can increase exp gains, and stack together, as well as daily or weekly bonuses which can be used for a boost.

Stacking bonuses

• +100% under level 80 / +50% above level 80 from Armoury bonus, when leveling a second class below the level of your highest combat class.
• +50% from rested bonus, after logging out in a sanctuary (town or city) with a 🌙 symbol on the exp bar.
• +30% under level 30 from the Brand-new Ring for completing the Hall of the Novice
• +20% under level 80 if a novice and a mentor are partnered together
• +20% under level 25 from the Friendship Circlet for joining or recruiting through the “Recruit a Friend” campaign
• +5-15% bonus from Heat of Battle bonus, a Free Company guild action which applies for 24 hours.
• +3% for 30 minutes by eating food. One of the cheapest options for this is Mineral Water.

Other bonuses

• Hunting Log (one-time bonus): Large exp bonuses for killing certain enemies. New ranks unlock every 10 class levels, up to Rank 5 at level 40
• Duty roulettes (daily bonus): An exp bonus for being placed in a random duty. May also offer additional exp if queuing with a class matching the “Adventurer in need” bonus (either tank, healer or DPS)
• Challenge log (weekly bonus): Bonuses for reaching milestones within the week
• Beast tribe quests: Available after level 45, these offer daily exp bonuses
• Wondrous Tails (weekly bonus): Available after level 60, can offer a large exp reward for handing the book back after placing 9 seals

Gear comes from many sources in FFXIV, but there are a few things to look for when searching for the best gear.

Each piece of gear will have an “item level”, which gives a rough comparison of which piece of gear will be better for you. Content at higher levels may also require that all of your gear has a minimum average item level, which can be seen from your character screen.

The character screen also has a button at the top right for “Recommended gear”, which will equip the most suitable items from your Armoury Chest, but will not include items in your inventory. This is the quickest way to pick the best gear.

At the most basic level, having gear in all slots (including rings, earrings, bracelets and necklaces) is better than having no gear. The exception to this is the Off-hand slot which only applies for jobs with one-handed weapons (Gladiators/Paladins, Crafters, Gatherers, and some casters at lower levels).

The background colour of gear can also give you a rough idea of its stat bonuses. From common to rarest:

• Grey: Normal (E.g. gear from vendors)
• Green: Dungeon gear
• Pink: Aetherial gear (dungeon gear with up to 4 random additional stats)
• Blue: Unique gear (drops from trials, bought with tomes, or other currencies)
• Purple: Relic gear (progress through relic questlines)

At levels 50, 60, 70 and 80, artifact gear can be bought for Tomestones of Poetics from vendors in Mor Dhona, Idyllshire, Rhalgr’s Reach and Eulmore (respectively). These are often some of the best pieces for that level and easily obtainable. A full set of armour can be bought for 3455 poetics total.

At max level, normal mode raids can drop items which are traded in for gear pieces (4 per body/legs, 2 per head/hands/feet, 1 per accessory). Savage mode raids drop a coffer for each item, which will grant the item suitable for the battle class which opens it. Alliance raids also drop high level items.

After reaching level 10 in your starting class, you will be able to unlock other classes from the base game. (Note: traveling between Limsa Lominsa and the mainland will require progressing the Main Scenario Quests up to level 15).

You can then change class by swapping your equipped main weapon.

Classes from expansions require higher levels to unlock, see the details below:

Ul’dah

Gladiator - Steps of Thal (X:9 Y:12)

Pugilist - Steps of Nald (X:10 Y:10)

Thaumaturge - Steps of Nald (X:7 Y:13)

Samurai - Steps of Nald (X:9 Y:9) - Requires Stormblood expansion + Level 50

Red Mage - Steps of Thal (X:14 Y:12) - Requires Stormblood expansion + Level 50

Reaper - Steps of Nald (X:13 Y:9) - Requires Endwalker expansion + Level 70

Limsa Lominsa

Marauder - Upper Decks (X:11 Y:6)

Rogue - Lower Decks (X:8 Y:16)

Arcanist - Lower Decks (X:4 Y:11)

Blue Mage - Lower Decks (X:10 Y:11) - Requires Level 50

Dancer - Lower Decks (X:10 Y:12) - Requires Shadowbringers expansion + Level 60

Sage - Lower Decks (X:9 Y:13) - Requires Endwalker expansion + Level 70

Gridania

Lancer - Old Gridania (X:14 Y:6)

Archer - New Gridania (X:15 Y:12)

Conjurer - Old Gridania (X:7 Y:11)

Gunbreaker - New Gridania (X:12 Y:12) - Requires Shadowbringers expansion + Level 60

Ishgard

(All Ishgard jobs require Heavensward expansion, completion of “Before the Dawn” Main Scenario Quest, and level 50 in a battle class)

Dark Knight - The Pillars (X:13 Y:9)

Astrologian - The Pillars (X:15 Y:10)

Machinist - Foundation (X:8 Y:10)

Upon reaching level 30 in a class from the base game, a job quest will unlock in the class guild to unlock the job - an advanced version of the class. It is highly recommended to do these as soon as they become available. Jobs from the expansions do not require this, as they begin straight from the job with no required class.

If you are just picking up a new class or job, one of the first things you should be sure to do is to read your tooltips on each of your abilities. It is best to do this while in town so that you are not synced, as some abilities may gain additional effects at higher levels. Learn about what your job gauge is and how other abilities affect it to make the most of it. The official job guides explain how these apply at max level so you can see how they will evolve.

You will also be more effective at your job if you are using gear appropriate for your level. This can be less important at low level but beyond level 50 this is a must.

Make sure you do your class/job quests when they become available. Some may give you additional abilities, and others may reward you with gear.

As you approach endgame content, having suitable food, potions and materia melds will help boost your output (healing or damage). Sites such as SaltedXiv, AhkMorning, The Balance and Icy Veins all have job guides which give more specifics about what stats to prioritise, the best openers and rotations to use, and more details.

For common markers found in combat, see this guide from Phookas.

For other markers such as map markers, quest icons, and menu icons, see Gamerescape’s Dictionary of Icons.

 Main Scenario Quests are indicated by a jagged “Meteor” symbol, and will progress the plot, however some other quests may unlock additional benefits besides rewards, gil and experience points. 

For a visual guide to these icons, refer to this icon dictionary.

Quest markers with a blue background and a “+” symbol unlock additional features, such as access to new dungeons, unlocking a new job, aetherial currents, or other game features. These are quests which should be prioritised to pick up and complete.

Some recommended quests include:

• My Little Chocobo (see “When do I unlock mounts and flying?”): Unlocks the ability to use mounts
• My Feisty Little Chocobo: Allows you to summon your chocobo to fight in combat
• Forging the Spirit: A questline about extracting and melding materia to gear
• Beauty is only Scalp Deep: Unlocks the Aesthetician to change some cosmetic character appearance details, without having to use a Fantasia
• Color Your World: Allows you to dye equipment
• If I Had a Glamour: Allows you to apply the appearance of one item to the stats of another
• It Could Happen to You: Unlocks the Gold Saucer casino

Other quest recommendations may also appear underneath the “Current Main Scenario Quest” on your HUD, advising you when a new class/job quest is available or when another important quest becomes available.

A more detailed guide to "Where to unlock X" is also available

The ability to use mounts is unlocked by completing the quest “My Little Chocobo” from any of the 3 Grand Companies. Access to this quest is available after completing the level 20 Main Scenario Quest: “The Company you keep”

The quest location depends on which Grand Company you joined:

• Immortal Flames
• Maelstrom
• Twin Adders

All of these quests will require you to purchase a Chocobo Issuance from your Grand Company Quartermaster for 200 company seals. These are most easily acquired by doing FATEs.

Unlocking the ability to fly in the original areas only requires completion of the level 50 Main Scenario Quest: “The Ultimate Weapon”. From Heavensward and onwards, players must find aether currents on the map, and complete quests to unlock aether currents. You can track your progress towards flying in these zones with the /aethercurrent command. Yellow currents are obtained from quests, green currents are obtained from finding them on the map. You can use the Aether Compass in your /collection to track the nearest aether current.

After reaching level 10 in your starting class, you will be able to unlock crafting and gathering classes. (Note: traveling between Limsa Lominsa and the mainland will require progressing the Main Scenario Quests up to level 15).

You can then change class by swapping your equipped main weapon.

Ul’dah

Goldsmith- Steps of Thal (X:10 Y:13)

Weaver - Steps of Thal (X:13 Y:14)

Alchemist - Steps of Thal (X:9 Y:14 upstairs)

Miner - Steps of Thal (X:11 Y:14)

Limsa Lominsa

Blacksmith - Upper Decks (X:10 Y:15)

Armorer - Upper Decks (X:10 Y:15)

Culinarian - Upper Decks (X:10 Y:8)

Fisher - Lower Decks (X:8 Y:14)

Gridania

Carpenter - New Gridania (X:11 Y:12)

Leatherworker - Old Gridania (X:12 Y:8)

Botanist - Old Gridania (X:7 Y:8)

Crafting involves balancing a few different statistics - Progress, Quality, Durability and CP.

• If the progress reaches 100%, the craft finishes successfully
• If Durability hits 0 and the progress is not at 100%, the craft fails. Hitting 0 durability on an action which completes the progress will finish the craft successfully.
• Most crafter abilities will consume CP, limiting how long you can craft for. Some abilities restore Durability at a high CP cost.
• The higher the Quality stat, the higher the chance of creating a “High Quality” version of the item, which may have better stats or be worth more when traded in.

Gathering involves venturing out to locations and clicking on gathering nodes. Some nodes may have a bonus requirement if certain conditions are met (E.g. +10% gathering chance if Perception stat > 500), and some higher-level nodes only appear at certain times of day. Nodes will disappear once depleted, requiring you to cycle between a small cluster of nodes when gathering items.

Retainers act as a bank and additional storage, as well as being able to retrieve items for players through “ventures”.

To unlock retainers, you must complete the Level 17 Main Scenario Quest: The Scions of the Seventh Dawn. After this quest, you can speak to a Retainer Vocate in the market area of any of the major cities to hire a retainer. You can initially hire up to two retainers, but can pay a higher monthly subscription to hire more, up to ten retainers (7 from subscription, one from the premium version of the companion app).

Retainers have an inventory of 175 slots each, can hold up to 999,999,999 gil each, and can sell up to 20 items each on the Market on your behalf. You can also assign them a class if you have a level 1 weapon of that class.

Retainer classes fall into 4 categories, which change the items they can bring back from venture:

• Hunting (any battle class)
• Mining
• Botany
• Fishing

A retainer’s level will determine what items it can bring back, with higher levels granting a wider range of items. The level of a retainer will be capped to your level, so for Hunting it is recommended to select a class which you have already leveled. The retainer’s class can be changed, however all exp progress will be lost doing this, even changing from one battle class to another.

The auto-translate dictionary is a set of words and phrases which can be automatically translated into the language the reader has set as their primary game language - either Japanese, English, French or German.

Auto-translated phrases are recognisable by green and red coloured brackets on either side. Pressing Tab (PC) or R1 (PS4) will bring up the Auto-translate dictionary, allowing you to select phrases from categories like “Greetings” or “Tactics”.

Typing the first word or partial word of a phrase (E.g. “Nice”) will find any phrases matching that word (E.g. {Nice to meet you.})

 If you encounter players that harass you or hurl abuse, appear to be cheating, or breaking the rules of the game in another way, you can report them to the Game Masters (GMs) to look into.

To do this, use the /supportdesk command to bring up the Support Desk window, and file an appropriate report

This can include things like being kicked from a dungeon because of your play style, having someone spam you with emotes, or sending you hateful messages.

If you are unsure whether or not to contact a GM, it is always better to err on the side of reporting, and allow them to decide if it is warranted or not.

For more information, see the Square Enix Support FAQ page 

Free companies can be very varied, and some may appeal in ways that don't appeal to others. Small guilds can be more tight-knit, while larger guilds can have a lot more going on. Some guilds also have certain focuses (E.g. roleplay, PVP, etc.), or finding a guild with a guildhall may be important to you.

You can use the Community Finder to find some guilds which have been recently advertising, and see what they tag themselves with (E.g. Roleplay Enthusiasts, Player Events, PvP Focused). Make sure to select the right Data Center and World at the top of the page, as you can only join one on your home server.

Don't be afraid to try a few different guilds out too, the first one you find may not be the best fit.