With the Endwalker expansion, the maximum level in Final Fantasy XIV has increased to 90, providing players with even more opportunities to level up the 20 available jobs. One popular method for gaining experience is FATE grinding, a traditional method that has been around since the beginning of A Realm Reborn.
This guide will cover the various types of FATEs found in Final Fantasy XIV, as well as their benefits and recommended grinding zones for optimal results. Keep reading for our comprehensive FFXIV FATE Grinding Guide.
Final Fantasy XIV – FATE Leveling Guide From A Realm Reborn to Endwalker
Prior to starting, take a look at some overall details about FATEs listed below:
Once you are prepared for the grind, simply choose your desired level range below:
Additional ways to quickly increase your level:
Benefits of FATE Grinding
FATEs, also known as Full Active Time Events, are time-limited group activities that continuously appear in all accessible areas. These events involve various objectives, such as defeating enemy groups, taking down bosses, gathering resources, or protecting specific locations, and are designed to be tackled collectively by groups of players.
Although there are many ways to level up your jobs in Final Fantasy XIV, FATEs are not the most efficient source. While grinding FATEs can become monotonous, there are still several benefits to choosing them as a method for farming experience points.
- Participating in FATEs is a quick and effortless task, requiring only a little attention when done in a group. They are ideal for multitasking while enjoying your favorite movie on a separate screen.
- Participating in regular FATEs may occasionally trigger exceptionally rare FATEs. These special FATEs offer unique currencies upon completion, which can be used to acquire exclusive rewards such as mounts, cosmetics, and minions.
- In the Shadowbringers expansion, the developers introduced the Shared FATE system, which functions as a progression system for each zone. By participating in FATEs, players can raise their rank within a specific zone and earn Bicolor Gemstones, a unique currency that can be exchanged for rare rewards and materials.
FATEs by Type
At present, FFXIV features a total of five distinct FATE types. Below, we will rank them in order from the most efficient (easiest to finish) to the least efficient.
In order to complete one boss-type enemy, the goal of the FATE is to “Kill Boss.”These FATEs can be completed quickly, especially with a large number of participants, and should be given top priority over other FATEs.
The main goal of this FATE is to eliminate a series of regular enemies until the progress bar is filled. To quickly complete this task, players can continuously use area-of-effect attacks and healing spells.
Gathering – The goal is to obtain and hand over designated items to the designated NPC. Upon delivering enough items for a Gold rating (usually 8-12), players can depart the FATE and proceed to the next one. They will receive credit when the timer expires.
Protect – The goal is to safeguard a designated item or NPC for a set duration. These FATEs can only be accomplished when the time limit expires, and therefore cannot be expedited by other players.
Escort – The goal is to protect an NPC and bring them to a specific location. Similar to Defend FATEs, these can only be finished when the NPC reaches the final destination, making them longer to complete.
In usual FATE grinding parties, the focus is on completing Boss and Enemy FATEs first, followed by Collect FATEs. Defend and Escort FATEs are typically disregarded.
3. Tips for FATE Grinding
- Joining or creating a party is recommended as it increases your chances of obtaining a Gold medal in each FATE. You can search for FATE parties using the /shout chat or utilize the Party Finder tool within the game to find and team up with others.
- Having access to a flying mount is crucial for FATE grinding, as it allows you to fly around a zone instead of being limited to the ground. This ensures that you do not fall behind and miss out on participating in FATEs.
- Use your job’s strengths to your advantage to maximize participation.
- Tanks should spam their AoE skills to generate as much enmity from as many enemies as possible.
- Healers can quickly tag enemies with their instant-cast spells, and spam AoE heals on their party.
- DPS can help tag enemies and spam their AoE skills to maximize damage output.
Twist of Fate and Other Buffs
For FATEs in Stormblood and later zones, there is a chance for rare enemies to appear. Defeating these enemies will grant participating players the Twist of Fate buff.
During any FATE that takes place in these zones, players may receive a chat notification stating, “The battlefield has been drawn to the smell of death, and a Forlorn Maiden has appeared!”This signals the appearance of the Forlorn Maiden enemy. Defeating the Forlorn Maiden will grant all players the Twist of Fate buff, regardless of whether or not the FATE was successfully finished. Once the Forlorn Maiden is defeated, the chat will display the message, “The Forlorn Maiden vanishes into thin air…”
In extremely uncommon cases, an even tougher creature known as The Forlorn has the potential to appear.
The Twist of Fate buff grants players a 15% increase in EXP rewards upon successfully completing the FATE at which it appeared. This bonus can range from 50% (if triggered by the Forlorn Maiden) to 250% (if triggered by The Forlorn) for the subsequent FATE completed by players.
Moreover, FATEs in areas introduced in Stormblood and later expansions may occasionally receive experience bonuses. These FATEs will be marked with a unique honeycomb-shaped symbol and display a message stating “[EXP Bonus Applied]”when hovered over.
FATE Grinding Guide – Levels 1-50 (A Realm Reborn)
| Level Range | Zone Name |
|---|---|
| Levels 1-12 | Western Thanalan (Horizon)Central Shroud (Bentbranch Meadows)Middle La Noscea (Summerford Farms) |
| Levels 12-20 | Western La Noscea (Aleport) |
| Levels 21-30 | South Shroud (Quarrymill) |
| Levels 30-35 | Eastern La Noscea |
| Levels 35-40 | Coerthas Central Highlands |
| Levels 40-45 | More Dhona |
| Levels 45-50 | Northern Thanalan |
Leveling Guide for FATE Grinding in Heavensward (Levels 50-60)
| Level Range | Zone Name |
|---|---|
| Levels 50-53 | Coerthas Western HighlandsThe Sea of Clouds (Southern Area)The Dravanian Forelands |
| Levels 53-57 | The Churning Mists |
| Levels 57-59 | The Dravanian HinterlandsThe Sea of Clouds (Northern Area) |
| Levels 59-60 | Azys Lla |
Leveling Guide for FATE Grinding in Stormblood (Levels 60-70)
| Level Range | Zone Name |
|---|---|
| Levels 60-62 | The Fringes (Northern Area)The Peaks (Northern Area) |
| Levels 62-64 | The Ruby Sea |
| Levels 64-65 | Yanxia |
| Levels 65-67 | The Azim Steppe |
| Levels 67-70 | The Fringes (Southern Area)The Peaks (Southern Area) |
FATE Grinding for Levels 70-80 in Shadowbringers
| Level Range | Zone Name |
|---|---|
| Levels 70-72 | Kholusia (Southern Area)Amh Araeng (Eastern Area) |
| Levels 72-74 | Multi Meg |
| Levels 74-76 | The Rak’tika Greatwood |
| Levels 76-77 | Amh Araeng (Western Area) |
| Levels 77-79 | Kholusia (Northern Area) |
| Levels 79-80 | The Tempest |
Grinding Levels 80-90 in FATEs (Endwalker)
| Level Range | Zone Name |
|---|---|
| Levels 80-82 | Labyrinthos (Northern Area)Thavnair (Southwestern Area) |
| Levels 82-84 | GarlemaldMare Lamentorum |
| Levels 84-86 | Thavnair (Northeastern Area) |
| Levels 86-88 | Elpis |
| Levels 88-89 | Labyrinthos (Southern Ring) |
| Levels 89-90 | Ultima Thule |
Alternatives to Quickly Leveling Up in FFXIV
In addition to grinding FATEs, FFXIV offers a variety of options for leveling up your jobs. Below, we will outline some of the most effective methods.
Duty Roulette
The Duty Finder system in FFXIV is the most effective and dependable way to earn experience points on a daily basis. Although you can run any duty roulette activity multiple times, you will only receive a single burst of bonus exp per day for each duty. The most recommended duty roulettes to complete each day are as follows:
- Leveling – (requires level 16)
- Level 50/60/70/80 Dungeons – (requires level 50)
- Trials – (requires level 50)
- Main Scenario – (requires level 50)
- Alliance Raids – (requires level 50)
- Normal Raids – (requires level 60)
- Frontline (PVP) – (requires level 30)
Completing Duty Roulettes also grants valuable tomestones that can be exchanged for current iLvl equipment and weapons.
Dungeon Spamming
One efficient method for gaining experience points is to repeatedly complete the highest available dungeon for your current level, if you are able to form your own light party. However, if you are playing solo or unable to form a full group, you should anticipate longer queue times, particularly when playing as a DPS job.
Deep Dungeons
Deep Dungeons, including Palace of the Dead, Heaven on High, and Eureka Orthos, offer a highly effective means of gaining experience points, particularly when playing as a solo DPS job. Unlike traditional light party formations (tank, healer, two damage dealers), Deep Dungeons do not have specific role requirements, resulting in shorter queue times regardless of the role you choose.
- Palace of the Dead – (requires level 17)
- Heaven on High – (requires level 61)
- Eureka Orthos – (requires level 81)
Main Scenario and Side Quests
Completing the Main Scenario questline will earn you a significant amount of experience points. However, since it can only be done once, it may not be the most dependable way to level up.
Eorzea is filled with numerous side quests that offer experience points and gil, but they are not the most efficient or dependable way to level up. Similar to Main Scenario quests, most side quests can only be completed once.
Purchasing a Job Level Boost
Square Enix offers level boosts for most jobs in the game at the FFXIV Online Store for a cost of $25.00 USD. These boosts are frequently discounted. By purchasing the One Hero’s Journey boost, players will receive the following benefits:
- (1) Tales of Adventure Book – using will boost the respective job to the minimum level of the current expansion
- (50) Allagan Platinum Pieces – can be sold for 10,000 gil each, totalling 500,000 gil
- Cryptlurker’s Accessories Coffer – can be used to obtain five pieces of iLvl 530 accessories
“We trust that you have found our all-inclusive manual for FATE grinding to be enjoyable!”
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