A unique feature of Final Fantasy XIV is quickly changing classes and jobs. This function lets a single character take on every role without a need for retraining, or making an alt. Best yet, those on the free trial have access to 25 classes and jobs before deciding to commit to the full game.
Final Fantasy XIV’s Armoury Menu allows for instant job changing by switching main hand weapons. Equip a sword and one becomes Gladiator, switch to a bow and instantly change to an Archer, a frying pan to a Culinarian, and so on. This also means that each class is restricted to a single weapon or tool type, with no mixing-and-matching.
Each class requires at least one main hand weapon or tool within the Armoury. Currently, the Armoury has 35 slots for 29 classes. However, this space must also account for future item drops including dungeon loot, purchased gear, and Relic weapon progression. Players should highly consider removing or selling weapons and tools for rarely played classes, which will lower the chance of issues or lost items.
Gaining New Classes in Final Fantasy XIV
At first, FFXIV characters are limited to just the class picked during character creation. However, after reaching level 10 and completing the corresponding guild quest, one can apply at any other class guild. There are some minor restrictions for class switching: one cannot change during combat, within most instanced content (it is possible to switch during PvP setup), or while actions are still mid-completion server side.
Guild Locations
It will be the easiest to visit guilds in one’s starting city, though it is possible to walk or take a boat to the other two. But, by completing the level 15 main story quest The [City] Envoy from that nation’s leader, players will gain airship passage to quickly transport anywhere for just 150 gil per ticket. The guilds per district are:
- Limsa Lominsa Lower Decks: Arcanist, Rogue, Fisherman
- Limsa Lominsa Upper Decks: Marauder, Culinarian, Blacksmith, Armorer
- Ul’dah Steps of Nald: Pugilist, Thaumaturge
- Ul’dah Steps of Thal: Gladiator, Miner, Goldsmith, Weaver
- Hustings Strip: Alchemist
- New Gridania: Archer, Carpenter
- Old Gridania: Lancer, Conjurer, Botanist, Leatherworker
Equipment Sets
While one can quickly switch classes manually, this practice does not adequately gear any other item slot. Players that change to a different role may find their character naked or lacking minimum average item level. A better option is to create a new item set, which will record all equipment for a class or job. First, select the Gear Set List icon (a page with a curled left corner) followed by Create a New Gear Set (a plus sign icon). Additionally, the Update Gear Set option (circular arrow) will overwrite an outdated set with one’s current gear.
Job Crystals in Final Fantasy XIV
Jobs unlock new actions, passive traits, and equipment that are inaccessible to the base class. Note, Final Fantasy XIV considers classes and advanced jobs as completely separate vocations. One may need to re-organize their hotbar layout, macros, and equipment when changing. Additionally, one should re-queue for Duty Finder or Party Finder as the new job if they received their Job Crystal while waiting.
Upgrading Classes to Jobs
By clearing a classes’ quest chain through level 30, the corresponding mentor will offer a new quest to advance to a powerful job. Arcanist will gain two such quests, but both can be completed without issue or further requirements.
- Paladin (Gladiator): Paladin’s Pledge - Lulustu, Ul’dah Steps of Thal (x:9.2, Y:11.7)
- Warrior (Marauder): Pride and Duty Will Take You from the Mountain - Wyronzoen, Limsa Lominsa Upper Decks (x:11.2, Y:6.1)
- Ninja (Rogue): Peasants by Day, Ninjas by Nights - Jacke, Limsa Lominsa Lower Decks (x:6.0, Y:6.1)
- Monk (Pugilist): Brother from Another Mother - Gagaruna, Ul’dah Steps of Nald (x:9.4, Y:10.2)
- Dragoon (Lancer): Eye of the Dragon - Ywain, Old Gridania (x:14.3, y:5.8)
- Bard (Archer): A Song of Bards and Bowmen - Luciane, New Gridania (x:15.4, y:11.9)
- Black Mage (Thaumaturge): Taking the Black - Yayake, Ul’dah Steps of Nald (x:7.3, Y:12.4)
- Summoner (Arcanist): Austerities of Flame - Thubyrgeim, Limsa Lominsa Lower Decks (x:4.7, Y:11.4)
- Scholar (Arcanist): Forgotten but Not Gone - Murie, Limsa Lominsa Lower Decks (x:4.5, Y:11.2)
- White Mage (Conjurer): Seer Folly - E-Sumi-Yan, Old Gridania (x:6.3, y:10.6)
Classless Jobs
Jobs introduced in expansions have no associated class. Instead, a weapon and Job Crystal will be rewarded for completing the initial quest. Players will need to own the specific expansion that introduced the job and completed the main storyline up through two expansions ago. For example, level 50 Stormblood jobs require beating A Realm Reborn, while level 60 Shadowbringers jobs require finishing Heavensward.
- Dark Knight: Our End (Heavensward, level 30) - Ishgardian Citizen, The Pillars (x:13.2, y:8.8)
- Gunbreaker: The Makings of a Gunbreaker (Shadowbringers, level 60) - Gods’ Quiver Bow, Old Gridania (x:11.5, y:11.9)
- Samurai: The Way of the Samurai (Stormblood, level 50) - Ul’dahn Citizen, Ul’dah Steps of Nald (x:7.3, Y:12.4)
- Machinist: Savior of Skysteel (Heavensward, level 30) - Stephanivien, Foundation (x:8.1, y:10.1)
- Dancer: Shell We Dance (Shadowbringers, level 60) - Eager Lominsan, Limsa Lominsa Lower Decks (x:9.8, Y:12.0)
- Red Mage: Taking the Red (Stormblood, level 50) - Distraught Lass, Ul’dah Steps of Thal (x:14.1, Y:11.7)
- Blue Mage: Out of the Blue (Heavensward, level 50) - Zealous Yellow Jacket, Limsa Lominsa Lower Decks (x:9.9, Y:11.0)
- Astrologian: Stairway to Heavens (Heavensward, level 30) - Jannequinard, The Pillars (x:15.2, y:10.0)
Specialist Crafter Souls
Disciples of the Hand players that make it into Final Fantasy XIV’s Heavensward will have the option of gaining up to three Crafter Souls, which function similar to Job Crystals. To acquire a Crafter Soul, first a generic Soul of the Crafter can be bought for 480 Yellow Scrips from any Scrip vendor. Now, speak to Alderan in The Pillars (x14.7, y:10.7) and he will augment up to three Souls. If one brings a fourth, Alderan will instead offer to destroy an old Soul (with no form of refund).
Crafter Souls allow the ability to craft from a list of unique items (typically related to Trial and other high-end content). Additionally, a Crafter Soul gives a bonus to Craftsmanship and Control stats. Most importantly, a Crafter Soul allows access the level 55 ability Careful Observation. When used, this ability will stop any current actions from ticking, but may allow crafted items to increase condition (which improves the chance of high-quality results).
While it may seem like both Job Crystals and Crafter Souls are taking up space in the Armoury Menu, there is just enough room to fit them all in. Additionally, once Endwalker releases the Armoury will automatically increase in size for the two new jobs, Reaper and Sage. With the further removal of the belt slot, the Armoury may have additional improvements not already announced.
Final Fantasy 14 A Realm Reborn, Heavensward, Stormblood, and Shadowbringers are available now on PC, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5.