Final Fantasy XIV has expanded its content with the release of patch 5.3 Reflections in Crystal. The patch not only brings new features to the Shadowbringers expansion but also updates the original A Realm Reborn and Heavensward with streamlined storylines and side quests. This allows new and returning players to get a great jump start on their path to protecting Eorzea.
Players who have finished the entire base game and first expansion will unlock new incentives to entice them to play Stormblood. For those characters, the Dragonsong war has concluded and Ishgard can begin to heal. Disciples of the Land and Disciples of the Hand classes who assist in rebuilding the country will be handsomely rewarded. This includes brand new parasols that can be displayed around town or to withstand harsh weather. However, the restoration of Ishgard will take some dedicated group effort within the Firmament and Diadem.
Gathering from the Diadem in Final Fantasy XIV
Players will need to be level 60 in a combat job and have finished all of the Heavensward main storyline through the quest Litany of Peace (part of patch 3.3 Revenge of the Horde). This will allow the acquisition of the side quest Towards the Firmament from the Recruitment Notice posted in the Foundation X: 9.7, Y: 11.5. This will lead players to the Firmament to begin restoring Ishgard to its former glory. This is done in two steps: gathering in the Diadem and then crafting in the Firmament.
Players can fly to the Diadem from the airship landing in Ishgard. As of patch 5.2, level 10 and above Miners, Botanists, and Fishers can enter the Diadem. These classes can safely explore the area without threat, as monsters are now passive. After successfully gathering for some time, a Disciple of the Land will build up their Aetheromatic Auger gauge. This will allow them to unleash a single blast that can kill enemies and reap additional materials. Better materials are based on the gather’s level with increased tiers available at 60, 70, and 80. Each mob type has a certain specific table for crafting item drops:
- Diadem Beast: Zinc, Asphaltum, Alumen, Cloud Drop Water, Spring Water
- Diadem Coblyn: Iron Sand, Mica, Silex, Basalt, Jade
- Diadem Golem: Ore, Cobalt Ore, Mythrite Ore, Darksteel Ore, Cloudstone
- Diadem Urolith: Rock Salt, Mythril Sand, Rocks, Lutinite, Aurum Regis Sand
- Islekeeper: Copper Sand, Pigment, Spring Water, Crystal-Clear Rock Salt, Artisanal Rock Salt
- Ageless Melia: Switches, Teak Logs, Teak Logs, Walnut Logs, Artisanal Logs
- Cloudtrap: Hemp, Mistletoe, Feathers, Resin, Hardened Sap
- Diadem Bulb: Maple Sap, Straw, Toads, Cotton Bolls, Artisanal Cotton Bolls
- Diadem Wood Golem: Maple Logs, Beehives, Vines, Wheat, Artisanal Wheat
- Proto-noctilucale: Flax, Tea Leaves, Barbgrass, Adders, Dawn Lizards
Skybuilder Scrips
After acquiring these items, players can speak to Flotpassant in the Firmament to have each one appraised. This will convert the item into “approved” status and a reward of Skybuilders Scrips. The approved items can either be sold to other players or kept for personal crafting. Once gaining 1,800 Skybuilder Scrips, players can acquire the Parasol Action from Enie. The action is within the extras tab of the action menu and can be placed on any hotbar interface. Enie only provides the most basic black parasol, leaving alternate means of acquiring new styles.
Crafting for Rewards in Final Fantasy XIV
The next step in rebuilding Ishgard involves crafting. Some recipes will use basic items, but others will require approved goods collected from the Diadem. It is much cheaper for one to use items already collected, but to save time they can also be purchased from other players. Each Disciple of the Hand class will need the following over the course of their restoration careers:
- Blacksmith: Zinc, Iron Sand, Mica, Silex, Basalt, Ore, Cobalt Ore, Mythrite Ore, Darksteel Ore, Cloudstone, Mythril Sand, Rocks, Aurum Regis Sand, Walnut Logs, Hardened Sap
- Armorer: Zinc, Asphaltum, Iron Sand, Mica, Silex, Basalt, Jade, Ore, Cobalt Ore, Mythrite Ore, Darksteel Ore, Cloudstone, Rocks, Lutinite, Artisanal Logs
- Weaver: Cloud Drop Water, Jade, Artisanal Rock Salt, Teak Logs, Hemp, Mistletoe, Feathers, Mistletoe, Maple Sap, Straw, Cotton Bolls, Artisanal Cotton Bolls, Vines, Flax
- Leatherworker: Alumen, Pigment, Switches, Walnut Logs, Artisanal Logs, Feathers, Maple Sap, Straw, Toads, Cotton Bolls, Artisanal Cotton Bolls, Maple Logs, Tea Leaves, Adders, Dawn Lizards
- Carpenter: Alumen, Rock Salt, Mythril Sand, Switches, Teak Logs, Oak Logs, Walnut Logs, Artisanal Logs, Hardened Sap, Cotton Bolls, Maple Logs, Wheat, Artisanal Wheat, Barbgrass
- Goldsmith: Zinc, Spring Water, Iron Sand, Mica, Silex, Basalt, Jade, Cobalt Ore, Mythril Sand, Rocks, Lutinite, Aurum Regis Sand, Copper Sand, Pigment, Mistletoe, Barbgrass
- Alchemist: Asphaltum, Alumen, Cloud Drop Water, Rock Salt, Copper Sand, Pigment, Crystal-Clear Rock Salt, Artisanal Rock Salt, Oak Logs, Beehives, Flax, Adders, Dawn Lizards
- Culinarian: Cloud Drop Water, Spring Water, Rock Salt, Crystal-Clear Rock Salt, Artisanal Rock Salt, Hemp, Mistletoe, Maple Sap, Toads, Beehives, Vines, Wheat, Artisanal Wheat, Tea Leaves
With the basic crafting materials in hand, players will need to meet with Potkin in the Firmament. He will task heroes of level 20 and above to forge certain items each week and at different stages of Ishgard’s restoration. Each of these item turn-ins will reward experience and other items, including a possible Moogle Stamp.
Kupo of Fortune
After gaining five Moogle Stamps, Potkin will reward a Kupo of Fortune ticket. Characters can hold up to 10 tickets at once. With a ticket in hand, players can deliver it to Lizbeth for a chance to play Kupo of Fortune. Lizbeth will have five possible prizes available, including parasols of different colors and patterns. Each card will have eight scratchers and only one can be selected. The left hand side will have a pool of prize rarity 2-4, and on the right a full pool of 1-5. While the rarity of new parasols like the Calming Checkered Parasol and Cheerful Checkered Parasol can rotate, Lizbeth tends to place them in the #2 rarity position. This means there will be much better odds by scratching the smaller pool.
Since the parasol is gained through random chance, it may take several weeks of grinding Diadem materials and crafting to finally own it. On the plus side, the initial parasol isn’t bound to a character until it is used. This allows players to gift and sell checkered parasols to each other. Though due to supply and demand, on any given world the Calming Checkered Parasol may be worth millions of gil. This can be great news for sellers or those with lots of extra disposable income.
Final Fantasy XIV A Realm Reborn, Heavensward, Stormblood, and Shadowbringers are available now on PC, Mac, and PlayStation 4.