BiS Free Trial Gear and Leveling Gear
Guide for BiS Free Trial Gear and Leveling Gear for the FFXIV Free Trial.
This is where you’ll find all the best gear for Level 80 characters, and how to reach that point.
So what’s the best possible gear in the FFXIV Free Trial? For a tldr:
- Crafting & Gathering BiS -
OK, so that’s a super quick summary, but how do you obtain said items? What do you use before getting to end game? Are there alternatives? If you’re wondering about any of that, continue on for a more detailed guide~
First of all, let’s go over some terms you might encounter and what they mean for you.
~ Gear Terms ~
Combat - Leveling Gear | Lv.1 - Lv.69
Gearing up in Final Fantasy XIV is very simple and straightforward. Early on, and even during the mid-game, you’ll be given plenty of gear while you progress. Always focus on increasing your Item Level before anything; higher levels means better stats. The most important stats for a piece of gear are the main Attributes, sub properties should come last. If you’re ever in doubt, just use the Recommended Gear button from the Character Menu!
⬥ General ways to get gear:
- Quests – Main Story Quests, Class/Job quests or side quests. All can reward gear.
- Hall of the Novice – You can get some nice Lv.15 gear from here. (And an EXP Boosting Ring)
- NPC Vendors – You’ll find them around the cities in the shopping areas. They offer gear for various levels.
- Crafted – Crafted items are great and all, but I don’t recommend it since they’ll be out leveled fast.
- Dungeons – My personal recommendation, they offer great stats and are super easy to get.
⬥ Level 50 Gear
When you reach Level 50, duties will begin to have Item Level requirements that you must meet before you can enter. It’s essential that don’t fall behind on your gear upgrades! The good news is that a lot more gear options become available at this level range!
Some of the best gear at level 50, and other expansion level caps, comes from a currency know as the Allagan Tomestone of Poetics. Most people just refer to these as “Poetics”. You can earn poetics from Dungeons, Roulettes, Fates, Hunts/Elite Marks, and more. The Poetics vendor, Auriana, can be found in Revenant’s Toll in Mor Dhona. Alternatively, if you’ve finished the MSQ quest, “The Ultimate Weapon”, you can access vendors near the aetherytes in Gridania, Limsa Lominsa, and Ul’dah. (and cities from later expansions) The later vendors are called Rowena’s Representatives.
- Quests – Your Level 50 Job Quest in particular will give you a set of IL90 gear for your class.
- Allied Seals – If you like doing Hunts, the Hunt Billmaster has some IL110 Gear for trade.
- PVP – If this ever comes back you can buy a full set of IL110 gear from here, which is easy to get.
- Grand Company – If you’ve ranked up in your GC you can buy a variety of gear for some Seals, like IL130 weapons at max rank.
- Augmented Ironworks (IL130) – This is the Lv.50 Poetics gear. It’s very accessible, so I’d recommend buying some whenever you can.
- Dreadwyrm Gear (IL130 + IL135) – This equipment comes from Final Coil of Bahamut raids. Only viable if someone else helps.
- Zodiac Zeta Weapons (IL135) – The Relics for A Realm Reborn. Not really feasible, only get them for glamour. [ Zodiac Relic Guide ]
⬥ Level 60 Gear
Your Poetics gear will last for about 5-6 levels before you need to upgrade, in which case I recommend using dungeon gear until reaching Level 60. (This also applies for the next set of poetics gear, until you reach 70.) However, gearing up at these level milestones doesn’t too change much. Equipment options will generally be the same for each expansion, with poetics, raid gear, and relics being the best for each expansion.
- Augmented Shire (IL270) – This is the Poetics gear for Heavensward. I’d recommend just using this for now, it’s the easiest option.
- Proto Ultima (IL270) – Accessories you can buy from Slimthix in Idyllshire. Not worth the effort, really.
- (Blue Mage Gear) IL270 – Comes from BLU job quests, and from trading Allied Seals to Maudlin Latool Ja in Ul’dah.
- Alexandrian (IL270 + 275) – Drops from the Alexander Savage raids. Have someone carry you unsynced, if you really want it.
- Anima Lux Weapons (IL275) – These are the Heavensward Relics. Strong, but mostly just for glamour. [ Anima Relic Guide ]
Combat - Level 70 Gear + Free Trial BiS
Congrats on making it to Level 70, the Free Trial level cap! Similar to Lv.50 and Lv.60, your main options will include poetics gear, raid gear, and relics. For the casual players that don’t care about min-maxing, poetics gear will be enough. Otherwise, if you want BiS you’ll need to mix and match sets. Best-in-Slot isn’t set in stone, it varies depending on what sub stats you want, such as Crit. It’s also very math intensive, use your best judgement.
- Augmented Scaevan (IL400) – The poetics gear for Stormblood. By far the easiest to get, and my top recommendation for sprouts. You can purchase this gear from either Enna in Rhalgr’s Reach, or from the Rowena’s Representative in Kugane, near the aetheryte.
- Mirage (IL400) – Some great gear specifically for Blue Mage. The armor set comes from the Lv.70 Job Quest, and the accessories can be bought with Allied Seals, from Maudlin Latool Ja in Ul’dah. The Friar Rush weapon can be purchased after clearing the “Violets are Violet” achievement.
- Omega (IL400 + 405) – Obtainable from the Alphascape Savage Raids. (O9S to O12S) The gear is similar to Augmented Scaevan, only with different sub stats. The Omega weapons, however, are on par with the SB relic. In fact, they can be even better if you’re unlucky in Eureka.
- Eureka Physeos Weapons (IL405) – Stormblood relics from Eureka. These have potential to be the best weapons for a Free Trial player. However, Eureka weapons have randomized sub stats so they can also be worse than others. You can reroll stats, but it’s a grind. [ Eureka Relic Guide ]
Eureka Gear and Equipment
The Forbidden Land, Eureka, is a Post-Stormblood instance with it’s own leveling and gear system. You’ll need a second gear set specifically for the Eureka instance, so we’ll cover that here. Gear in this zone use Elemental Bonuses and Haste as additional stats. Initially you’ll be using your normal gear in Eureka, but towards the end you can obtain some of this new equipment. Elemental Bonuses will surpass all other equipment used in Eureka.
- Optical Hat (IL300) – A hat from Eureka Pagos that gives +3 Haste. It can be ok if you get it early on, but any headgear that gives elemental bonuses is better. To get the Optical Hat, craft a Hakutaku Eye Cluster, and then clear “The Wobbler in Darkness” FATE with it in your inventory.
- Blitzring (IL300) – A ring from Eureka Pagos that gives +3 Haste, which can be considered best in slot for Eureka. This item can rarely drop from the notorious monster King Artho, in the “Morte Arthro” FATE.
- Cassie Earring (IL300) – An earring from Eureka Pagos that gives +3 Haste, another contender for BiS in Eureka. This item can rarely drop from the notorious monster Copycat Cassie, in the “Cassie and the Copycats” FATE.
- Kirin’s Osode / Vermillion Cloak (IL300) – Acts as both body and head gear. Gives +218 Elemental Bonus and +3 Haste, which is BiS for all classes. To obtain these you’ll need to clear the Baldesion Arsenal dungeon in Eureka, and then trade the drops to the Nostalgic Fellow in Kugane.
- Elemental Armor +2 (IL390) – Elemental can be purchased in Eureka Pyros, and then upgraded in Eureka Hydatos. This armor gives Elemental Bonuses, which makes it some of the best equipment for Eureka. The head and body pieces are outclassed by the Osode and Cloak, however.
- Physeos Weapons (IL405) – The final form of Stormblood’s relics, granting a +348 Elemental Bonus. While they can be difficult to acquire, the bonuses they provide is well worth it. Only the Physeos stage grants an Elemental Bonus, everything before that has no benefit.
At Level 70, you’ll be using Tier VI Materia (IL290). These can be easily purchased with Poetics or Cracked Clusters.
For most classes and roles, I’d recommend melding Critical Hit when possible, and either Determination or Direct Hit Rate when capped. Feel free to throw some Skill Speed or Spell Speed into a few slots if you need or want it. Tenacity and Piety aren’t really needed for tanks or healers, both give very minimal boosts. Crit can also help with heals.
There are a few classes that might want to consider different builds such as Black Mage who might want to go all in on Spell Speed. Blue Mage may also prioritize Spell Speed, but that depends on how you play the class.
Also, materia stats will be ignored when any gear’s item level syncs down.
The best possible combat food, regardless of class is HQ Shakshouka (IL370) – Boosting Critical Hit (48) Vitality (52) and Direct Hit (29). Other good options include HQ Imam Bayildi (IL370) for Spell Speed, or any of the other IL370 foods – they have different stat distributions for each.
All of these foods require Lv.70 Culinarian along with Mastery VI books. They also have very high stat requirements (1650 Craft + 1600 Control), so top of the line crafting gear is a must. However, if you’re not interested in crafting, you can find some vendors in Kugane and the Azim Steppe. The vendor food is around IL270, a fair bit worse than crafted foods.
⬥ Gear Examples:
* These BiS combat sets are only meant to be guidelines, to show an example of what BiS can look like. Instead of listing sets for every class, it’s more important to learn why these pieces were chosen in first place. Be sure to read the prior information regarding Lv.70 gear and materia. The Etro links will showcase the stats for each item. Play around with Etro gearsets, it’s a good way to learn. (I typically try for a higher “100p Action” value on Etro.)
Additionally, the stat totals here are specifically while Unsynced. True BiS may change at different IL sync.
Crafting + Gathering - Leveling Gear | Lv.1 - Lv.79
Starting with crafting and gathering is just as easy as combat classes, you’re basically given all of your gear and you don’t need much to get by, at least early on. The equipment for crafters and gatherers are obtained in very similar ways, that’s why they’re grouped together here.
⬥ General ways to get gear:
- Class Quests – This is one of the main ways you’ll be getting free gear, don’t neglect your class quests!
- NPC Vendors – You’ll find them around the cities in the shopping areas. They offer gear for various levels, and materials!
- Craft Gear – If you’re crafting stuff already, you might as well wear it, right? High Quality gear will be better than anything else that’s available.
- Ehcatl Wristgloves (IL6) – These are Level 1 gloves that are required for the Ixali’s Society Quests. The stat boosts are very small, but be sure to keep a pair regardless. They can be purchased from the Ixali Vendor in North Shroud, after unlocking the Allied Society.
⬥ Level 50 Gear
If you’re still in A Realm Reborn at this point, you only have a few equipment options. I recommend buying some gear from your Grand Company, if possible, since it’s some of the best gear at Level 50. Other than that, you could maybe craft yourself some equipment to use.
After starting the Heavensward story, you can start earning Purple Scrips, which are the crafting and gathering equivalent to Poetics. You’ll need to complete the Lv.50 blue quest “Inscrutable Tastes” to unlock scrips, which is located in Foundation, from Morgayne. You can earn Purple Scrips in a variety of ways, the primary method being “collectables”. Turning in crafting collectables gives you Crafter Scrips, and gathering collectables give you Gathering Scrips. Otherwise, doing custom deliveries is a great alternative for Crafting Scrips. Ocean Fishing is a great option for Gathering Scrips.
- NPC Vendors – Norlaise, in Foundation’s merchant district, sells some all-class gear ranging from Lv50 (IL50) to Lv55 (IL100).
- Militia / Class Scrip Gear (IL55) – For some Purple Scrips, you can buy class specific gear from the Rowena’s Representatives. (Poetics vendor)
- Mastercraft Tools (IL55) – Rewards for completing your Level 50 class quest. Each tool has their own unique name.
- Ehcatl Smithing Gloves (IL70) – Level 50 gloves from the Ixali Vendor, requires max rank in the society. Does not replace the Ehcatl Wristgloves.
- Artisan / Forager (IL70) – Trade HQ items to Talan in Mor Dhona, or purchase with GC Seals from a Grand Company. (Second Lieutenant)
- Lucis Tools (IL90) – Upgraded from Mastercraft, from Talan in Mor Dhona. With achievements, these can be purchased from a Calamity Salavager.
⬥ Level 60 Gear
From Lv.60 and beyond, your main source of gear will be either from Purple Scrips, or from equipment that you crafted yourself. Scrip gear will typically be the easiest gear to acquire, while high quality crafted gear will be superior if materia is melded. At this point, just get whatever and focus on leveling.
- Soul of the Crafter (IL136) – Also known as a crafting Specialist. These are equipped in the Soul Crystal slot, like Job Stones. These boost your skills by Craftsmanship +20, Control +20 and CP +15. Up to three crafting classes can have one, although you can change which ones at a cost of crafting scrips. These can be unlocked from the Level 55 quest “Beloved of the Builder” from Lydirlona in Mor Dhona.
- Ironworks (IL190) – The best crafted gear at Level 60, which can be worn by all DoH and DoL classes. Some accessories are material locked.
- Handmaster / Landmaster (IL200) – Accessories bought with Purple Scrips. I’d recommend getting these instead of crafted gear.
- Augmented -Keep Gear (IL200) – Class specific gear that you can purchase with Purple Scrips from Rowena’s Representative in Foundation.
- Blessed -Keep Tools (IL200) – Lv.60 achievement tools with stats identical to scrip tools. Unlocked by crafting or gathering enough unique items.
⬥ Level 70 Gear
Gearing up at Level 70 is incredibly straightforward. I’d recommend just getting scrip gear, as it’s very good and should last until you reach Level 80. Unlike the previous scrip sets from HW, this equipment can be used by all classes, so you won’t need multiple sets for each class.
- Spearfishing Gig (IL180) – Fishers secondary tool, from a Lv.61 StB quest, “A New Fishing Ex-spear-ience”, from Sumitsubo in the Ruby Sea.
- Onishi / Yamashi (IL325 – IL345) – Stormblood’s best crafted gear. Accessories and tools go by different names. Not really worth the effort.
- Handking / Landking (IL330 – IL350) – Purple Scrip gear from Rhalgr’s Reach or Kugane. Highly recommended, it’s really great at this level.
- Blessed King Tools (IL350) – Lv.70 achievement tools with stats identical to scrip tools. Unlocked by crafting or gathering enough unique items.
Crafting + Gathering - Lv.80 Gear + Free Trial BiS
Starting in Shadowbringers, the stats required for endgame content will be a bit higher than you might have seen in previous expansions. For this reason, I’d recommend getting a full set of pentamelded gear for your DoH and DoL classes. Scrip gear will only be good enough for casual crafting and gathering. If you’re interested in Expert Recipes (such as for crafting relics) or big fishing, crafted gear is a must. Stat requirements and recommendations will be mentioned in the materia section below.
- Aesthete (IL490) – Level 80 crafted gear, some of the best possible equipment for DoH and DoL, as long as you meld some materia. If you’re serious about crafting and gathering, you’ll want to make these sets. Despite being a lower item level, it can be far better than scrip gear.
- Handsaint / Landsaint (IL500) – These can be purchased with Purple Scrips in either the Crystarium or Eulmore. Scrip sets are usually good enough for casual players, but they won’t be enough for expert recipes or big fishing. However, you’ll probably need a set to craft Aesthete anyway.
- Resplendent Tools (IL500) – These fancy tools have the same stats and appearance as saint tools, but have a golden glow and effect. They require crafting many expert recipes and trading them in to Limbeth, in Eulmore. Or for gathering classes, it’s a reward for completing unique Gathering Logs. The crafting tools can be rather difficult to obtain, but it can make for nice glams. The gathering tools are really easy to get.
- Skybuilder Tools (IL510) – Also known as Skysteel Tools, these are the Level 80 relic tools for Shadowbringers. These will be BiS for main hand tools, even better than pentamelded Aesthete. Similar to combat relics, you’ll need to progress through various quests to upgrade your tool. You can start your relics at the Skysteel Manufactory in Foundation. These tools have a unique blue dragon scale visual effect and glow.
The Soul of the Crafter and Spearfishing Gig are still relevant at Level 80, so don’t forget to use those too!
Crafting & Gathering - Materia
At Level 80, you’ll be using Tier VIII and Tier VII Materia (IL430). The Tier VIII materia can only be overmelded once, any materia past that needs to be Tier VII or lower. Other than from spiritbonding, materia of these tiers can be purchased with Crafting/Gathering Scrips, Skybuilders’ Scrips, Fête Tokens, and the Dwarf/Qitari currencies.
Crafters: You’ll need at least 2620 Craftsmanship and 2540 Control, so make sure you can reach these goals when melding materia. If you’re interested in using Quick Synthesis on 4★ crafts, you’ll need at least 2900 Craftsmanship. Other than that, meld as much CP as possible, this is the most useful stat as it allows you to use more skills. Control is the second most important stat for making high quality items, so you can focus on that after reaching the requirements above. [ DoH BiS ]
Gatherers: (Specifically, Botanist and Miner.) You’ll need at least 2740 Gathering and 2642 Perception for the node bonuses in the Diadem. Otherwise, gathering doesn’t have any solid stat requirements, just be sure you have enough points to gather efficiently. GP is the most useful materia stat for DoL classes, letting you use more helpful skills during a node. [ DoL BiS ]
Fishers: You’ll need at least 2250 Gathering and 1750 Perception to catch all of the big fish in Shadowbringers. It’s recommend to have at least 2300 Gathering for double hooking in the Diadem. Fishers have a different off hand tool compared to other gathering classes, so that’s why it’s mentioned separately here. Outside of stat requirements, materia priority for fishing is GP > Gathering > Perception. [ FSH BiS ]
Crafting & Gathering - Meals & Medicine
If you’re still leveling up, any food will suffice. You can either buy some from a vendor, craft it, or skip the food entirely.
When you reach the free trial endgame, these are your food options for Level 80 Crafters and Gatherers. It’s highly recommended that you craft these as high quality for the best performance. Crafting medicine can stack with these food buffs, if you need the extra stats.
DoH / Crafter Food and Medicine: (Stats for High Quality)
Chili Crab (IL490) – CP+26% (72) / CNTL+6% (70)
Mejillones al Ajillo (IL460) – CP+26% (70) / CRFT+6% (105)
Popotoes au Gratin (IL412) – CNTL+9% (147) / CRFT+5% (66)
Blood Tomato Salad (IL406) – CRFT+9% (153) / CP+10% (27)
Cunning Craftsman’s Syrup – CP+6% (16)
Commanding Craftsman’s Syrup – CNTL+3% (42)
Competent Craftsman’s Syrup – CRFT+3% (41)
DoL / Gatherer Food and Cordials: (Stats for High Quality)
Crab Cakes (IL490) – GP+29% (55) / PERC+3% (47)
Arros Negre (IL460) – PERC+7% (93) / GATH+3% (42)
Peppered Popotoes (IL412) – GP+29% (50) / GATH+3% (38)
Mushroom Saute (IL406) – GATH+7% (76) / PERC+3% (38)
Hi-Cordial – Restores 400 GP. (3m Cooldown)
Cordial – Restores 350 GP. (3m 36s Cooldown)
Watered Cordial – Restores 200 GP. (2m 6s Cooldown)
If you need some quick food, a vendor in the Crystarium sells meals ranging from IL406 to IL418. However, vendor food will only be normal quality, so expect lower stats. If you want the best food options, you’ll need to craft them.
☆ Lv.80 DoH / Crafting BiS ☆
☆ Lv.80 DoL / Gathering BiS ☆
