Being KO'd
If a character’s HP is reduced to 0, he/she will be “knocked out” and no longer able to move or act. A character can be revived by selecting “Return” from the main menu, which will warp the character to the last aetheryte camp or aetherial gate selected from the Interactions menu.
* If a character is KO’d while participating in a levequest, he/she will be teleported back to the corresponding aetheryte.
* For the duration of the Beta Test, characters KO'd will receive a weakness penalty that will not only lower total HP, but also reduce the speed with which their stamina gauge fills, as well as increase the length of casting times. This penalty will last three minutes before wearing off.
Aetheryte
Rifts along the surface of Hydaelyn can cause “leaks” from which the planet’s lifeblood, aether, can escape. By harnessing the power from concentrated deposits known as “aetheryte,” the residents of Eorzea have seen a marked improvement in everyday life. Below is a list of the three most common types of aetheryte, and their benefits.
Aetheryte Crystals
Located in towns and camps, these giant crystalline objects are most often used as the starting places of levequests, due to their accessibility.
Upon approaching an aetheryte crystal, an Aetheryte option will appear in the system menu. Selecting this will register the location to your teleport list (first visit only), thereby allowing you to teleport to that aetheryte whenever you choose. You will be able to teleport from the aetheryte crystal to any aetherial gates you have registered to your teleport list. When starting a levequest from an aetheryte crystal, all HP and MP will be restored, but you will need to wait at least 10 minutes until you can restore your HP and MP again.
In addition to the above, playing tips can be browsed at an aetheryte crystal.
Aetherial Gates
Aetherial gates are permanent discharges of aether located in various places around Eorzea. You will be able to teleport from the aetherial gate to any aetheryte crystals you have registered to your teleport list. When starting a levequest from an aetherial gate, all HP and MP will be restored, but you will need to wait at least 10 minutes until you can restore your HP and MP again.
Aetherial Nodes
Aetherial nodes are temporary phenomena which usually appear only after completing a levequest. They can be used to teleport instantly back to the aetheryte crystal at which a player began that quest. Only players who took part in the levequest can access the nodes, which will fade if not used promptly.
Returning and Teleporting
Players can expend anima—their character's spiritual energy—to instantaneously travel to aetheryte crystals and aetherial gates.
<Return>
At the cost of two anima points, players can return to their previously set home points at any time by selecting the Return option from the main menu. However, if a player is participating in a levequest, selecting this option at that time will result in teleportation back to the aetheryte crystal or aetherial gate used to activate the quest. The Return command can also be used at no cost while KO’d to revive your character.
<Teleport>
By selecting Teleport from the main menu, a player can teleport their entire party to any aetheryte crystal location they have already visited. When one party member uses the Teleport option, a confirmation button will be sent to all other members, allowing them to decide whether or not they also wish to be teleported.
The amount of anima required for teleportation will vary based on the distance to your destination.
*Please note, both the Return and Teleport options can only be used when in passive mode.
*Anima recovers gradually over time up to a maximum of 100 points.
Logging Out
To log out of FINAL FANTASY XIV and return to the Character Selection screen, select Logout from the main menu. The logout process can be cancelled at any time by inputting another command.
*Please note, players cannot log out while in active mode.
Viewing the World Map
1. Area: The name of the area currently being displayed within the above-mentioned region.
2. Camp: The name of the aetheryte camp presiding over the current area.
3. Aetheryte camp location.
4. Player's current position and directional bearing.
5. Aetherial gate location.
6. Map Menu Button: Select Change Map to view other acquired maps.
*You cannot view the map for an area where you have not registered an aetheryte crystal.
Journal
Players can keep track of the quests they have accepted or completed by viewing the Journal found in the main menu. Clicking on the header will bring up the following options: Levequests (Regional and Local) and Quests (Class Quests). Select the corresponding category to view all related journal entries. Clicking the Map button found with each active quest entry will bring up a map indicating your destination and the NPC you should seek out next.
Means of Communication
* Please observe general online manners and etiquette when communicating with others.
Chat Modes
[Say]
Any message input in the say chat mode can be seen by any and all players in the immediate vicinity. It is the default chat mode, and messages displayed in this manner will appear in white. This chat mode is activated by prefacing a message with either /say or simply /s. In addition, the active chat mode may be set to say mode by entering the command /chatmode say or /chatmode s without a message following.
[Party]
Any message input in the party chat mode can be seen by any and all party members. Messages displayed in this manner appear in blue. This chat mode is activated by prefacing a message with /party or simply /p. In addition, the active chat mode may be set to party mode by entering the command /chatmode party or /chatmode p without a following message.
[Linkshell]
Any message input in the linkshell chat mode can be seen by any and all players in the equipped linkshell. Messages displayed in this manner appear in green. This chat mode is activated by prefacing a message with either /linkshell or simply /l. In addition, the active chat mode can be set to linkshell mode by entering the command /chatmode linkshell or /chatmode l without a following message.
[Tell]
Any message input in the tell chat mode can be seen only by a single designated player. Messages displayed in this manner appear in pink. This chat mode is activated by prefacing a message with /tell or simply /t and the name of the PC. The active chat mode can be set to tell mode by entering the command /chatmode tell or /chatmode t followed by the name of the PC with whom you would like to chat. During the Beta Test phase, PC names must be entered in their entirety (first and last names).
[Shout]
Shout chat mode is much like say chat mode, with the sole difference being that messages can be seen by players in a much wider area. Messages displayed in this manner appear in light pink. This chat mode is activated by prefacing a message with either /shout or simply /sh. The active chat mode cannot be set to shout mode.
[Echo]
Any message input in the echo chat mode can be seen only by the player who input the message. Messages displayed in this manner appear in gray. This chat mode is activated by prefacing a message with either /echo or simply /e. The active chat mode cannot be set to echo mode.
Examples of Chat Commands
/say /say Good afternoon.
/s /s Good afternoon.
/party /party Good afternoon.
/tell [first name] [last name] /tell [first name] [last name] Good afternoon.
/t [first name] [last name] /t [first name] [last name] Good afternoon.
/shout /shout Good afternoon.
/sh /sh Good afternoon.
* All commands must begin with a / (forward slash) and contain only half-width characters.
Emotes and Signs
This feature allows players to use expressions, gestures, and signs to communicate with other players. The Emote & Signs menu is bound to the N key in the default keyboard setup, and can also be accessed by selecting the second icon from the right on the action bar.
Emotes and signs are broken down into: emotes, enemy signs, and ally signs.
Emotes
Emotes are a collection of expressions and gestures that can be used to convey the emotional state of your character. The emote list can be accessed by selecting the Emote tab from the Emotes & Signs window.
Enemy Signs
While in a party, players can express their various desires regarding monsters in the field. Players can suggest ways of attacking or slowing down specific enemies.
Enemy signs can only be used when you are participating in a levequest.
Selecting the Enemy Signs tab from the Emotes & Signs window will display the enemy signs list. Select the message you would like to convey to your party members while selecting a monster with your cursor and your enemy sign will be displayed over the monster's name.
Enemy signs can also be performed through text commands.
Ally Signs
While in a party, players can express various desires to other members of the party. Players can suggest use of a Battle Regimen and agree with other members' suggestions.
Selecting the Ally Signs tab from the Emotes & Signs window will display the ally signs list. Select the message you would like to convey to your party members and your ally sign will be displayed over your name.
Ally signs can also be performed with the sign0 to sign7 text commands.
Dictionary
Open the dictionary by pressing the Tab key while entering a message. In addition to completing the word or phrase you were entering, the completed text will be intelligently displayed to players in the language they are using.
There are two ways to use the dictionary:
1.Searching for text based on what you've entered
Suggestions will be displayed based on the entered text.
2.Searching by Category
You can display various categories to search by opening the dictionary and pressing the Tab key without having entered anything into the chat field.
Examine
Targeting another player character will cause Examine to appear in the Interactions menu. Select Examine, and that player character's equipment will be displayed.
Parties
By forming a party with others, players will be able to defeat monsters and complete guildleves of a difficulty unthinkable to the solo adventurer. A single party may contain up to 15 characters.
Forming a Party
To form a party, simply target and select the player that you wish to invite, and then select the Invite option that appears. If your invitation is accepted, the party will be formed automatically, with the person who sent the initial invitation becoming the party leader. The leader is the only member of the party who can invite additional members.
* Players who are already in a party cannot be invited.
Accepting a Party Invite
If another player invites you to a party, a Join party? button will appear on your screen. Select this to bring up a prompt displaying the options of Yes, No, and Cancel. Choose Yes to accept the invitation.
Party Commands
- Promote
The Promote command allows players to change the party leader. It may only be carried out by the current party leader.
- Oust
The Oust command allows players to remove members from a party. It may only be carried out by the current party leader.
- Leave
The Leave command allows players to disband from a party.
Once a Party is Formed
Following the formation of a party, the unit frames of all party members will be displayed together in the lower right portion of the screen. The party leader will be designated by the presence of a yellow diamond to the immediate left of the leader’s name.
Recruiting Party Members
It is possible to recruit adventurers whose skills and objectives are compatible with your own to join your party.
1. From the main menu, select Party and then Recruit.
2. Set your recruitment details and conditions including purpose, location, and class.
Seeking a Party
Individual players can also perform a search for a party that suits their needs and objectives.
1. From the main menu, select Party and then Search.
2. Review the recruitment details and conditions of parties currently recruiting members and select the one you wish to join.
Trade
The Trade command allows you to exchange items and gil with other players.
1. To initiate a trade, simply target and select a player, and then select the Trade option that appears.
* The recipient of a trade request will an Accept Trade? button. Selecting this will present the player with the options of Yes, No, and Cancel. Choose Yes to accept the request.
2. Accepting a trade request will automatically open the trade window.
3. Both players set the items and/or gil they wish to exchange in the trade slots provided.
4. Select Accept to complete the trade process.
* Selecting Cancel will abort the trade entirely.
Bazaars
Bazaars afford players the ability to sell and purchase items to and from one another. A player who has a bazaar set up will have the bazaar icon displayed next to that player’s name.
Operating Your Bazaar
A player’s bazaar can be set up to contain the items that player wishes to sell to others.
<Selling Items>
1. From the main menu, open the Item List and then select the Bazaar option. Highlight the item that you wish to sell, and then press Bazaar again.
2. In the window that follows, set the unit price at which you wish to sell your item(s).
* Note that 5% of the designated unit price will be taken as tax when the item sells in a market ward, and 10% when the item sells in another area. For example, an item being sold in a bazaar for 100 gil will require the purchasing player to pay 100 gil, but the player selling the item will receive only 95 gil from the transaction.
3. Having items in your bazaar purchased by other players will result in the gil being automatically added to your inventory.
Browsing Bazaars
By browsing the bazaars of others, players can purchase items.
<Purchasing Items>
1. Target and select a player with a bazaar and press the Browse button that appears. Then select the Selling option to view the items that player has up for sale.
2. Select the item you wish to purchase to complete the transaction.
FAQ
*Varizen's notes do not ask why the FAQ is in the middle of this. I'll move it when I'm done. I'm just taking this from the SE forums and putting it here so people can see it easy
UI
Q: I’ve started the game and watched the first event scene with the NPC. What do I do next?
A: Speak with the NPC again to further your progress in the first quest. This can be considered a training quest of sorts that arms adventurers with basic knowledge of the game.
Q: I’ve been offered a quest, but I don’t know what to do next.
A: Access your Journal from the main menu. Select Class Quests to view a log of all that has transpired, as well as what lies immediately ahead on your path to adventure.
Q: How do I chat?
A: Press the space bar to enter chat mode. From there, simply input the message you wish to communicate.
Q: Can I undo attribute points already allocated?
A: With great power comes great responsibility. The Twelve have deemed you worthy of that responsibility.
Battle
Q: My weapon is drawn, why isn’t that plague rat DEAD!?
A: Just as Van Ghoh could have never painted a single sunflower without clicking the Paint button in his action menu, an adventurer cannot thrust, swing, or throw her weapon until the corresponding button is clicked. Naturally, you must also be within striking range of the enemy and facing the right direction.
Q: Do Disciples of the Land and Disciples of the Hand have any battle options other than throwing stones?
A: Not during the Beta tests. Though perhaps through prayer will the Twelve one day grant the Disciples of the Land and the Hand new ways to fell Eorzea's nasty beasties.
Items
Q: Why can’t I fight barehanded?
A: Because the Twelve do not wish it. Eorzean adventurers must have a weapon or tool equipped at all times.
Q: Where can I learn synthesis recipes? I tried copying the recipes introduced in certain levequests, but was told I do not have the crystal required for starting the synthesis.
A: Synthesis recipes are as elusive as the answers to questions such as the meaning of life and our purpose here on Hydaelyn. They must be sought for, and only the diligent shall be rewarded.
While normal synthesis requires the correct combination of crystal type and amount, levequest synthesis is often simplified, with the quest clients providing adventurers with crystals, thus their absence from the levequest recipes.
Q: How do I obtain crystals?
A: Crystalline manifestations of the planet’s aether are rare, but under special circumstances will form within the bodies of certain creatures. It is up to you to get those crystals out...
Other
Q: Where can I synthesize items?
A: If your current class is one of the Disciples of the Hand, you can perform synthesis anywhere your heart desires.
Q: Where can I mine/quarry?
A: When out in the field, keep an eye out for peculiar shining spots on rocky surfaces. Should a suitable location elude you still, the miner ability Lay of the Land will allow you to uncover the rough locations of mineral deposits and rocky outcrops.
Q: Where can I log/harvest?
A: When out in the field, keep an eye out for peculiar shining spots on tussocky areas. Should a suitable location elude you still, the botanist ability Arbor Call will allow you to uncover the rough locations of mature trees and lush vegetation.
Q: I’ve found a rocky outcrop, but I can’t quarry!
A: Ah, but do you have a knapping hammer equipped as a secondary arm?
Q: I cannot synthesize with my secondary tool!
A: Ah, but do you have an appropriate tool equipped as a secondary arm?
Q: I’ve fallen into a rift in the planet’s surface and cannot escape! Whatever should I do?
A: The Land is a treacherous place, littered hither and yon with crevices, chasms, and bottomless pits, all waiting to consume the unsuspecting passerby. If you find yourself stuck in one of these not-so-proverbial ruts, simply open up your main menu and select Return to warp back to your home point.
Guildleves
Guildleves are special passes that allow their bearers to participate in a plethora of different tasks known as levequests, and are issued by the Adventurers’ Guild in each city-state.
In general, there are two different types of guildleves: regional and local. Regional levequests most often involve tasks that take place outside the protective walls of the city-states, such as felling fearsome beasts or locating mineral veins. Local levequests, on the other hand, usually involve some sort of synthesis, and can sometimes be completed without even venturing out into the perilous wilds.
There are countless variations of guildleves and the quests that they represent-each with different objectives and rewards. Players can possess up to eight leves at any one time.
During the Beta Test, the list of guildleves made available by the Adventurers’ Guild will change once every two hours (Earth time). Until that list is updated, players may not accept the same levequest twice, nor may they return an incomplete levequest having accepted it.
Failed levequests may be reattempted immediately upon renewal of the guildleve list.
Regional Guildleves
Speak with an NPC at the guild counter of the Adventurers’ Guild to browse the various regional guildleves available.* After selecting a guildleve, travel to the aetheryte indicated in the levequest objectives to start the quest. Any players in your party at this time will also be able to participate in the levequest. Party members who possess the same guildleve will not only be able to participate, but also receive any rewards indicated in the levequest objectives.
*The NPCs issuing regional guildleves in each city-state are as follows:
Piralnaut (Limsa Lominsa), Gontrant (Gridania), Totonawa (Ul’dah)
The objectives for completing a levequest will be readily visible in a window throughout the quest’s duration. Main map and minimap markers will also appear, and can be used to help navigate. Targets will also always have a special icon next to their names, making them easy to recognize.
Finally, levequest targets can only be seen by members participating in the quest, so players will never have to worry about their quarry being snatched up by the occasional passerby.
At the successful completion of a regional levequest, an aetherial node will appear. Players can (but are not required to) use this temporary portal to return to the aetheryte where they triggered the quest. It is at this time that they will receive any rewards specified on the guildleve. If a levequest is failed, a node will not appear.
Players who are KO’d during a levequest can continue participating in the quest upon returning to their home point.
* Moving to a different area or logging out during a levequest will result in quest failure for that participant. All other party members can continue with the quest.
* Levequest participants include all party members (who are not already participating in another levequest) at the time the guildleve is activated. Changing party makeup after activating a guildleve will not affect a player’s participation status.
* Only those participating in a levequest can attack the targets indicated in the quest objectives.
* Players may participate in their party leader’s levequest by seeking the quest-triggering aetheryte.
* Successful completion of a regional levequest will earn you an amount of faction credits based on your performance, as well as contribute to factional influence over a region. Players can possess a maximum of 200 faction credits which can be exchanged for access to an additional type of levequest known as faction leves.
* You will gradually earn “favor” with your Guardian (10 every twelve Eorzea hours up to a maximum of 200). When this has reached a certain amount, you can petition the god or goddess to bless you with a temporary boost to the development rate of various skills.
Local Guildleves
Speak with an NPC at the guild counter of the Adventurers’ Guild to browse the various local guildleves available.* Unlike regional levequests, local ones do not need to be activated at an aetheryte crystal and do not have any time limits. A local levequest is started by pressing the Synthesize button located near the action menu. From the new window, select Requested Items to bring up a list of available quests. While normal synthesis involves procuring the proper items and crystals to craft an item, the clients of local levequests will usually provide those they hire with the necessary materials; however, this involves finding the client and speaking with him or her.
*The NPCs issuing local guildleves in each city-state are as follows:
T’mokkri (Limsa Lominsa), Tierney (Gridania), Eustace (Ul’dah)
* The materials provided for local levequests are not added to a player’s regular inventory, and are only available for use in completing the requested items indicated on the guildleve.
* After speaking with the client and receiving the materials, the items will appear automatically in the synthesis window after selecting a levequest from the Requested Items menu (see above). Proceed with synthesis (as described in the Synthesis section below) to craft the items.
* Completed items will not be placed in a player’s inventory. Levequest progress can be followed by viewing the guildleve.
* Items made with materials provided by a levequest client cannot be used, sold, or traded.
* Speak with the client after using up all the materials to receive payment. Payment will vary based on overall performance.
* During the Beta Test, levequests for carpenters, blacksmiths, weavers, tanners, armorers, goldsmiths, alchemists, and culinarians will be available.
Guild Marks
Guild marks can be acquired by completing certain levequests, and then traded with specific NPCs for various rewards. There are guild marks specific to each guild.
Synthesis
The Synthesis Process
1. Having equipped the proper tool,choose the Synthesize option from the system menu.
2. Select from among the available slots and set the desired ingredients from your inventory to be used in the synthesis.
3. Choose the Begin command corresponding to the tool you wish to use-either main hand or off hand-to commence crafting.
4. Observe the status of your crafting and select commands as it progresses until it reaches completion.
5. Obtain the item you crafted, together with an award of experience points, and possibily an award of skill points.
Synthesis Properties
Each synthesis attempt is governed by three distinct factors. These are listed below with a brief description of each.
- Progress
Progress, which begins at 0% and ends at 100%, denotes how close the current synthesis is to completion.
- Durability
Durability will diminish each time a command is executed during the crafting process. Should the durability reach zero, the synthesis will fail and the ingredients will be lost.
- Quality
Higher degrees of quality allow for a greater chance of creating high-quality items, while at the same time increasing difficulty. Such crafting results will yield higher rewards from synthesis-oriented local levequests.
Viewing the graphic results of a command can help to determine whether the command produced positive or negative results. Through such careful observation, players can increase not only their overall chances of success, but the likelihood of high-quality yields as well.
Basic Commands
The four commands listed below make up the basic commands of synthesis.
- Standard Synthesis
Executing this command will lower durability to a certain extent, but at the same time increase the overall likelihood of success while reducing any negative impact on synthesis ingredients.
- Rapid Synthesis
This command is capable of yielding dramatic results. With luck, it will advance progress with little impact on durability. However, it does place significant strain on synthesis materials. It is perhaps best employed to attempt to turn a failing synthesis into a surprising success.
- Careful Synthesis
This command increases a player’s emphasis on quality with the specific intent of creating a high-quality item. Due to the fact that it greatly reduces durability, it is essential that it be used in conjunction with certain synthesis-related abilities, as described below.
- Wait
Waiting means that a player simply stands by and waits for the synthesis to perhaps stabilize or take a turn for the better. Observing to excess, however, will result in a decline in durability.
Using Abilities During Synthesis
In addition to the basic commands outlined above, there are also a number of abilities which can only be used during synthesis. These are learned by characters as their crafting skill increases.
There are, however, some important differences. First, synthesis abilities cannot be used twice in succession, meaning that the most frequently they may be executed is every other command. Second, there are no ability costs for using synthesis abilities, such as MP or TP consumption, and no recast timers. The probability of such abilities becoming available for use during synthesis instead depends upon factors such as class rank and player attributes.
Differences Among Tools
Tools employed by the Disciples of the Hand are split into two categories: primary tools (main hand) and secondary tools (off hand). When beginning a synthesis, players must choose the tool with which they wish to craft. Though the synthesis may be conducted with either, the results may differ based on the nature of the recipe or pattern being followed.
Facilities
A player can temporarily increase the likelihood of successful synthesis by speaking with a vendor and paying a fee to make use of the guild's facilities.
Mining and Quarrying
Members of the Miners' Guild will find that they are able to engage in either of two activities-mining, made possible through use of a miner's primary tools, and quarrying, made possible by secondary tools. Please be aware that even with miner as the active class, a player will not be able to quarry without the proper secondary tool equipped.
* For the Beta Test, even characters who cannot mine may still undertake guildleves which require them to do so. Please exercise caution when making your selections.
How to Mine
1. Use the Lay of the Land ability to search for nearby mineral deposits.
2. Follow the Lay of the Land results to approach a mineral deposit, and select the Mine option when it appears in the system menu.
3. The mining process will now begin, and is split into two phases:
a. Searching for minable veins.
b. Extracting items from discovered veins.
4. Excessive mining will result in a player becoming temporarily unable to mine the same point.
5. Once a mineral deposit is exhausted, another must be found before mining can continue.
How to Quarry
In many ways, quarrying is much like mining, although somewhat simpler.
1. Approach a rocky outcrop to bring up the Quarry option in the system menu. Select it to begin the quarrying process.
2. The rocky outcrop will collapse should an item be extracted from it. Be sure to search again, as there is very likely to be another rocky outcrop nearby. If a player is unable to procure an item, the outcrop will remain and may be quarried again.
3. Excessive quarrying will result in a player becoming temporarily unable to quarry in the immediate vicinity.
4. Once a outcrop is exhausted, another must be found before quarrying can continue.
Guildleves
- There are several types of regional guildleves available to miners. Select Fieldcraft Leves when speaking with Piralnaut to bring up a list of guildleves specially tailored for Disciples of the Land.
- While participating in a mining levequest, the Lay of the Land command will only produce results for locations related to the quest. However, players who happen to find regular mineral deposits and rocky outcrops can access them if they please (though the results will not count toward the levequest).