Final Fantasy XIV is Square Enix's critically acclaimed MMORPG that famously recovered from a disastrous 1.0 launch to become one of the most popular MMOs in the world. With five expansion packs (Heavensward through Dawntrail), it offers hundreds of hours of story content widely praised as some of the best Final Fantasy narratives ever written. The job system lets a single character play all 20+ combat jobs plus crafting and gathering classes. Content ranges from casual story dungeons to savage raids and ultimate fights requiring precise coordination among 8-player groups.
Resource management and crafting determine how quickly your power scales. This guide covers what to prioritize, where to farm, and how to avoid wasting resources on the wrong upgrades.
Crafting Priority List
The order you should invest resources:
| Priority | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Primary equipment | Biggest damage increase per resource spent |
| 2 | Core build gear | Enables your build's key synergies |
| 3 | Defensive upgrades | Survivability for boss fights |
| 4 | Secondary equipment | Situational options for specific content |
| 5 | Consumables | Temporary boosts for hard content |
Resource Farming by Area
Ul'dah
Key resources: Starting job quests, Gold Saucer access, market board Farming efficiency: Low value per run, but safe and consistent
Focus on gathering materials for Savage raid weapons upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Limsa Lominsa
Key resources: Market board hub, Rogue unlock (level 10), social hub Farming efficiency: Good early-game farming spot
Focus on gathering materials for Savage raid weapons upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Ishgard
Key resources: Dark Knight, Astrologian, Machinist unlocks, Firmament crafting, Ishgardian Restoration Farming efficiency: Best mid-game farming, worth revisiting
Focus on gathering materials for Savage raid weapons upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Kugane
Key resources: Samurai/Red Mage unlocks, Eureka access, Kugane Tower challenge Farming efficiency: High-value materials for late-game upgrades
This is where you farm materials for Manderville Relic weapons max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Radz-at-Han
Key resources: Endwalker climax, Island Sanctuary, Sage/Reaper unlocks at level 70 Farming efficiency: Best resources in the game, requires strong build
This is where you farm materials for Manderville Relic weapons max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Upgrade Path
Early Game (Ul'dah — Limsa Lominsa)
- Upgrade your starting equipment to functional level
- Craft basic defensive gear
- Save specialty materials — you'll need them later
- Focus on Savage raid weapons once accessible
Mid Game (Ishgard)
- Push Savage raid weapons to mid-level upgrades
- Start collecting materials for Manderville Relic weapons
- Craft situational consumables for boss fights
- Upgrade build-specific gear pieces
Late Game (Kugane — Radz-at-Han)
- Max out Manderville Relic weapons — this is your top priority
- Complete your build's core gear set
- Craft endgame consumables
- Optional: upgrade secondary equipment for variety
Crafting Mistakes to Avoid
- Spreading upgrades across multiple equipment — Focus one weapon to max before diversifying.
- Hoarding materials — Use them. The game provides enough if you farm efficiently.
- Upgrading the wrong gear — Check our builds guide before investing.
- Ignoring Ishgard farming — This area has the best resource-to-time ratio in mid-game.
- Crafting consumables too early — Save specialty materials for late-game recipes.
Resource Efficiency Tips
- Always Be Casting (ABC) — even in movement-heavy mechanics, use instant-cast abilities to avoid GCD downtime
- Farm Ishgard during mid-game for the best return on time
- Check the walkthrough to know when each resource becomes available
- Match your farming route to your build — some classes farm faster in certain areas
More Final Fantasy XIV Online Guides
- Final Fantasy XIV Online Final Fantasy XIV Online Overview
- Final Fantasy XIV Online Best Builds
- Final Fantasy XIV Online Tier List
- Final Fantasy XIV Online Walkthrough
- Final Fantasy XIV Online Beginner's Guide
- Final Fantasy XIV Online Tips & Tricks
- Final Fantasy XIV Online Weapons Guide
- Final Fantasy XIV Online Combat Guide
- Final Fantasy XIV Online Boss Guide
- Final Fantasy XIV Online Maps & Locations
- Final Fantasy XIV Online Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Final Fantasy XIV Online, check out these related guides:
- Elden Ring Crafting Guide — rpg game with similar mechanics
- Baldur's Gate 3 Crafting Guide — rpg game with similar mechanics
- Cyberpunk 2077 Crafting Guide — rpg game with similar mechanics
