ilvl230/235
Getting to ilvl230/235 will unlock multiple instances that allow you to hit the highest item level possible and be ready for Stormblood. It is highly recommended to ignore ways to hit i230/235 in earlier patches (such as through Midas Savage) and to simply get there through easier methods:
[1]. [Eikonic Gear] – Allagan Tomestones of Lore | Patch 3.2 | [ilvl 230]
Acquire [Lore] by doing your daily roulettes, and when that avenue is exhausted, grind [Aetherochemical Research Facility] (if you’re not at ilvl235, you’re not ready to grind GGL HM yet)
[2]. [Garo] – Wolf Marks | Patch 3.4 | [ilvl 235]
Acquire [Wolf Marks] by doing the daily PvP [Frontline] roulette, then either grinding more [Frontline] or [Feast]. The gear lacks accuracy which will need to be slightly boosted through Lore/Scripture gear with accuracy for non-casters. For casters, you can safely ignore accuracy in casual instances (except 3.2 dungeons).
[3]. [Padjali] – Aetherpool +30/+30 | Patch 3.4 | [ilvl 235]
By grinding Aetherpool level to +30/+30 in [Palace of the Dead], you can exchange it for an ilvl 235 weapon.
[4]. [4* crafted set] | Patch 3.4/3.5 | [ilvl 250] / [ilvl 255]
If you have a crafter friend, you can boost your weakest gear parts with a crafted part. The Sky Rat (ilvl 255) is much cheaper and easier to craft, so where possible ask for that first.
[5]. [Kinna] – Aetherpool +60/+60 and Padjali | Patch 3.5 | [ilvl 255]
By grinding Aetherpool level to +60/+60 in [Palace of the Dead], you can exchange it in addition to a Padjali weapon (for a total of +90/+90) for an ilvl 255 weapon.
[6]. [Shire Gear] – Allagan Tomestones of Scripture | Patch 3.4 | [ilvl 260]
Acquire [Scripture] by doing your daily roulettes, and when that avenue is exhausted, grind either of the 3.5 dungeons
The fastest way to self-sufficiently progress from a fresh ilvl150 Lv60 to ilvl235 in 2~3 days is to:
- Grind PotD on your lv60 job, both to get aetherpool level up and to get Lore.
- Grind Frontline/Feast, both to get Wolf Marks and to get Lore.
- Use any extra gil to purchase Sky Rat i255 gear; use any scripture acquired to purchase i260 gear.
ilvl260/270
Once you hit ilvl230/235 through the various methods listed above, you’re ready to get Stormblood-ready gear through the following methods, most of which require a minimum ilvl of 230/235 to enter:
[1]. [Prototype Alexandrian] – A9 ~ A12 | Patch 3.4 | [ilvl 250] | Required ilvl: 230
You’ll need friends willing to help for this. Once you reach ilvl200-ish, you can get your FC or other friends to help you clear [A1] all the way through [A12]. This is a quick way to hit ilvl240~250.
[2]. [Augmented Shire Gear] – various methods | Patch 3.4 | [ilvl 270] | Required ilvl: 230
You can upgrade your Shire gear into [Augmented Shire] gear through methods listed in the content unlock section below for Patch 3.4.
[3]. [Diabolic] – Dun Scaith | Patch 3.5 | [ilvl 260] | Required ilvl: 235
You can acquire [Diabolic] left-side gear from the instance [Dun Scaith].
[4]. [Proto Ultima] – Dun Scaith | Patch 3.5 | [ilvl 270] | Required ilvl: 235
Requires both [Dun Scaith] and the weekly side-quest [Unidentified Flying Object], right-side gear only.
There are many more ways than these to acquire gear, but they’ll involve dipping into EX trials (for i265 weapon) or Savage raids (for i270 pieces and i275 weapon), or require obscene amounts of time.
3.0
Content Unlock
Dungeon:
[Neverreap] is unlocked through | Sea of Clouds (X:11 Y:14) | NPC: Sanu Vanu
[The Fractal Continuum] is unlocked through | The Pillars (X:14 Y:12) | NPC: Notrelchamps
Requirement: ilvl 145
Rewards: i160 left/right/weapon | dungeon drops | Recommended to clear but not recommended for gearing progression
Raid Content:
[A1 – A4], Gordias Normal is unlocked through | Idyllshire (X:7 Y:6) | NPC: Slowfix
Requirement: ilvl 170
Rewards: i190 left/right | Prototype Gordian | Recommended to clear but not relevant nor recommended for gearing progression
[S] [A1S – A4S], Gordias Savage is unlocked through | Mor Dhona (X:21 Y:8) | NPC: Wandering Minstrel
Requirement: ilvl 190 ~ 205 (bypassable with custom party), Completion of A1 – A4
Rewards: i210 ~ i215 left/right/weapon | Gordian | Unsuitable for casual players and not recommended for gearing progression
Primals:
[Warring Triad Sidequest] is unlocked through | The Pillars (X:11, Y:11) | NPC: Torsefers
[EX] [Bismarck EX, Ravana EX] is unlocked through | The Rising Stones (X:6, Y:5) | NPC: Unukalhai
Requirement: ilvl 165 (bis ex) / ilvl 175 (rav ex), Completion of the 3.0 part of [Warring Triad Sidequest]: Gods of Eld
Bismarck EX Rewards: i175 weapon | Expanse | Relevant but not recommended for gearing progression
Ravana EX Rewards: i190 weapon | Hive | Relevant but not recommended for gearing progression
Hunts:
[Clan Hunts] is unlocked through a series of quests starting from | Foundation (X:12, Y:11) | NPC: Aytienne and ending with the quest [Elite and Dangerous]. The third quest in the series is actually unlocked in | Idyllshire (X:6.4, Y:6.8) |.
Rewards: [Centurio Seals], which can be traded for i170 left/right/weapon | Doman | Obsolete and not recommend for gearing progression
upgradable to i180 with [Doman Whetstone] (Centurio Seals) | Obsolete and not recommend for gearing progression
or i200 left/right/weapon | Artifact | Obsolete and not recommend for gearing progression
upgradable to i210 with [Illuminati Gobdip] (1x Mhachi Farthing/4x Gordian Page 4) | Obsolete and not recommend for gearing progression
other miscellaneous rewards purchasable with Centurio Seals, including Ventures.
3.1
MSQ
Start from [An Uncertain Future] – at Fortemps Manor
You’ll know you finish when you acquire [Wind-up Haurchefant]
Content Unlock
Dungeon:
[St. Mocianne’s Arboretum] is unlocked through | Sea of Clouds (X:11 Y:14) | NPC: Sanu Vanu
[Pharos Sirius (Hard)] is unlocked through | The Pillars (X:14 Y:12) | NPC: Notrelchamps
Requirement: ilvl 170, Completion of [Pharos Sirius] (for Pharos Sirius HM)
Rewards: i185 left/right | dungeon drops | Recommended to clear but not recommended for gearing progression
Raid Content:
[The Void Ark], a 24-man raid, is unlocked through | The Pillars (X:14 Y:10) | NPC: Unquiet trader |
Requirement: ilvl 175
Rewards: i200 left | Void Ark | Relevant and decent way for gearing progression
and [Mhachi Farthing]
Primals:
[EX] [] is unlocked through | Mor Dhona (X:21, Y:8) | NPC: Alys
Requirement: ilvl 190
Rewards: i205 weapon | of the Heavens | Relevant but not recommended for gearing progression
Beast Tribe:
[Vanu Vanu] is unlocked through | The Sea of Clouds (X:11 Y:14) | NPC: Sonu Vanu
Anima:
[Anima Weapon] is unlocked through a very long series of sidequests, which will take weeks to complete (for most people), starting from | Idyllshire (X:5 Y:5) | NPC: Rowena
Rewards: i275 customizable weapon | Lux | Relevant but no longer recommended for new players for gear progression, Stormblood-ready
Refer to other threads or use Google to get more information about Anima.
3.2
MSQ
Start from [As It Once Was] – at The Pillars (11.5, 11.1)
You’ll know you finish when you acquire [Battle Stance Emote]
Content Unlock
Dungeon:
[The Antitower] is unlocked through | MSQ |
[The Lost City of Amdapor (Hard)] is unlocked through | Old Gridania (X:6, Y:10.6) | NPC: E-Sumi-Yan
Requirement: ilvl 180, Completion of [The Lost City of Amdapor] (for Amdapor City HM)
Rewards: i195 left/right | dungeon drops | Recommended to clear, relevant, but not recommended for gearing progression
Raid Content:
[A5 – A8], Midas Normal, is unlocked through | Dravanian Hinterlands (X:21.7 Y:18.8) | NPC: Roundrox
Requirement: ilvl 200
Rewards: i220 left/right | Prototype Midan | Recommend to clear and decent way for gearing progression, but not relevant
[S] [A5S – A8S], Midas Savage, is unlocked through | Mor Dhona (X:21 Y:8) | NPC: Wandering Minstrel
Requirement: ilvl 215 ~ 225 (bypassable with custom party), Completion of A5 – A8
Rewards: i240 ~ i245 left/right/weapon | Midan | Unsuitable for casual players and not recommended for gearing progression
Primals:
[Sephirot], Containment Bay S1T7 is unlocked through | The Rising Stones (X:6.1 Y:5.2) | NPC: Unukalhai
Requirement: ilvl 190, Completion of 3.1 MSQ
| Recommended to clear and relevant |
[EX] [Sephirot EX] is unlocked through | The Rising Stones (X:6.1 Y:5.2) | NPC: Unukalhai
Requirement: ilvl 205
Rewards: i220 weapon | of the Sephirot | Relevant but not recommended for gearing progression
Beast Tribe:
[Vath] is unlocked through | The Dravanian Forelands (X:24.0 Y:19.7) | NPC: Vath Storyteller
Stone Sky Sea:
[SSS] is a dummy fight that is intended as a rotation/opener check of whether you are ready to attempt specific content, unlocked from | Idyllshire (X:7.3 Y:6.0) | NPC: Austere Adventurer
Allagan Tomestones of Lore:
[Lore] can be acquired through multiple methods, too many to list here.
To trade Lore for gear, visit | Idyllshire (X:5.8 Y:5.3) | NPC: Hismena
Rewards: i230 left/right/weapon | Eikonic | **Relevant and decent way for gearing progression
3.3
MSQ
Start from [The Man Within] – at The Pillars (11.5, 11.2)
You’ll know you finish when you acquire [Wind-up Aymeric]
Content Unlock
Dungeon:
[Sohr Khai] is unlocked through | MSQ |
[Hullbreaker Isle (Hard)] is unlocked through | Limsa Lominsa – Upper Decks (X:11.0 Y:10.4) | NPC: Denston
Requirement: ilvl 200, Completion of [Hullbreaker Isle] (for Hullbreaker HM)
Rewards: i215 left/right | dungeon drops | Recommended to clear, relevant, but not recommended for gearing progression
Raid Content:
[The Weeping City of Mhach], a 24-man raid, is unlocked through | The Sea of Clouds (X:6.2 Y:5.8) | NPC: Stacia
Requirement: ilvl 205, Completion of [The Void Ark]
Rewards: i230 left | Mhachi | Relevant and good way for gearing progression
and [Mhachi Penny]
Primals:
[The Fate of Stars], a quest necessary for later primals, unlocked at | The Rising Stones (X:6.1 Y:5.2) | NPC: Unukalhai
Requirement: Completion of [Sephirot]
[], a trial necessary to continue the MSQ
Requirement: ilvl 205
[EX] [], unlocked at | Mor Dhona (X:21.7 Y:8.6) | NPC: Alys
Requirement: ilvl 220
Rewards: i235 weapon | Horde | Relevant but not recommended for gearing progression
Beast Tribe:
[Moogle] is unlocked through | The Churning Mists (X:27.2 Y:34.5) | NPC: Seething Stonemason
Aquapolis
There is no unlock needed for Aquapolis.
PvP
[Frontline / Shatter] is unlocked through one of three locations, depending on your Grand Company allegiance,
| Limsa Lominsa Upper Decks (X:12.7 Y:12.8) | NPC: Trachraet
| New Gridania (X:9.9 Y:11.4) | NPC: Scarlet
| Ul’dah – Steps of Nald (X:8.6 Y:9.4) | NPC: Mimio Mio
Requirement: Completion of the quest [A Pup No Longer], which starts at your GC.
Rewards: i235 left/right/weapon | Garo | Relevant and extremely good way for gearing progression, purchasable at Disreputable Priest in The Wolves’ Den with Wolf Marks
Palace of the Dead
[PotD] is unlocked through | New Gridania (X:12.0 Y:13.1) | NPC: Nojiro Marujiro
Rewards: i235 weapon | Padjali | Relevant and extremely good way for gearing progression, purchasable at | South Shroud (X:25.0 Y:20.6) | NPC: E-Una-Kotor, requires +30 / +30 Aetherpool Arms and Armor
i255 weapon | Kinna | Relevant and extremely good way for gearing progression, purchasable at | South Shroud (X:25.0 Y:20.6) | NPC: E-Una-Kotor, requires +60 / +60 Aetherpool Arms and Armor, in addition to a Padjali weapon (for a total of +90 / +90)
3.4
MSQ
Start from [Promises Kept] – at The Pillars (11.5, 11.2)
You’ll know you finish when you acquire [Wind-up Moenbryda]
Content Unlock
Dungeon:
[Xelphatol] is unlocked through | MSQ |
[The Great Gubal Library (Hard)] is unlocked through | Idyllshire (X:5.5 Y:6.6) | NPC: Midnight Dew
Requirement: ilvl 210
Rewards: i225 left/right | dungeon drops | Recommended to clear, relevant but not recommended for gearing progression
Raid Content:
[A9 – A12], Creator Normal, is unlocked through | The Dravanian Hinterlands (X:21.7 Y:18.8) | NPC: Mide
Requirement: ilvl 230
Rewards: i250 left/right | Prototype Alexandrian | Recommended to clear, relevant, and decent for gearing progression
[S] [A9S – A12S], Creator Savage, is unlocked through | Mor Dhona (X:21.7 Y:8.7) | NPC: Wandering Minstrel
Requirement: ilvl 245 ~ 255 (bypassable with custom party), Completion of A9 – A12
Rewards: i270 ~ i275 left/right/weapon | Alexandrian | Unsuitable for casual players but gear is Stormblood-ready
Primals:
[Sophia], Containment Bay P1T6 is unlocked through | The Rising Stones (X:6.1 Y:5.2) | NPC: Unukalhai
Requirement: ilvl 220, Completion of [The Fate of Stars]
| Recommended to clear and relevant |
[EX] [Sophia EX] is unlocked through | The Rising Stones (X:6.1 Y:5.2) | NPC: Unukalhai
Requirement: ilvl 235
Rewards: i255 weapon | Sophic | Relevant but not recommended for gearing progression
Squadron:
[Squadrons] are unlocked in one of three places, depending on GC allegiance:
| Limsa Lominsa Upper Decks (X:13.1 Y:12.7) | NPC: Storm Personnel Officer
| New Gridania (X:9.8 Y:11.0) | NPC: Serpent Personnel Officer
| Ul’dah – Steps of Nald (X:8.3 Y:9.1) | NPC: Flame Personnel Officer
Wondrous Tails:
[WT] is unlocked through | Idyllshire (X:7.0 Y:5.9) | NPC: Unctuous Adventurer
Allagan Tomestones of Scripture:
[Scripture] can be acquired through multiple methods, too many to list here.
To trade Scripture for gear, visit | Idyllshire (X:5.8 Y:5.3) | NPC: Hismena
Rewards: i260 left/right/weapon | Shire | Relevant and decent way for gearing progression, Stormblood-ready
Augmented Shire set:
[Augmented Shire] can be acquired by upgrading Shire gear by acquiring either:
[Illuminati Darkest Gobcoat] drops from [A10S] or by trading 4x [Alex Page 2] / 4x [Legendary Clan Mark Log] / [Mhachi Shilling] + [Mhachi Penny] + [Mhachi Farthing]
[Illuminati Tautest Gobtwine] drops from [A11S] or by trading 4x [Alex Page 3] / 6x [Legendary Clan Mark Log] / [Mhachi Shilling] + [Mhachi Penny] + [Mhachi Farthing]
[Illuminati Deepest Gobdip] drops from [A11S] or by trading 4x [Alex Page 3] / 6x [Legendary Clan Mark Log] / [Mhachi Shilling] + [Mhachi Penny] + [Mhachi Farthing]
all of which are traded by | Idyllshire (X:5.8 Y:5.2) | NPC: Sabina
To augment the gear, visit | Idyllshire (X:6 Y:7) | NPC: Seika
Reward: i270 left/right/weapon | Augmented Shire | Relevant and extremely good way for gearing progression, Stormblood-ready
3.5
MSQ
start from [????] – at The Rising Stones (6.6, 6.1)
You’ll know you finish when you meet the lady in red from the Stormblood trailer.
At this point you’ve caught up with all MSQ for Stormblood.
Content Unlock
Dungeon:
[] is unlocked through | MSQ |
[Sohm Al (Hard)] is unlocked through | Idyllshire (X:4.6 Y:8.4) | NPC: Gossamer Moogle
Requirement: ilvl 230
Rewards: i245 left/right | dungeon drops | Recommended to clear, relevant, and recommended for gearing progression
Raid Content:
[Dun Scaith], a 24-man raid, is unlocked through | The Sea of Clouds (X:6.2 Y:5.8) | NPC: Stacia
Requirement: ilvl 235, Completion of [The Weeping City of Mhach]
Rewards: i260 left | Diabloic | Relevant and extremely good way for gearing progression, Stormblood-ready
and [Mhachi Shilling]
[Proto Ultima] is unlocked through | Idyllshire (X:7.7 Y:4.2) | NPC: Slipslix
Rewards: i270 right | Proto Ultima | Relevant and extremely good way for gearing progression, Stormblood-ready
Primals:
[Zurvan], Containment Bay Z1T9 is unlocked through | The Rising Stones (X:6.1 Y:5.2) | NPC: Unukalhai
Requirement: ilvl 235, Completion of [Sophia]
| Recommended to clear and relevant |
[EX] [Zurvan EX] is unlocked through | The Rising Stones (X:6.1 Y:5.2) | NPC: Unukalhai
Requirement: ilvl 250
Rewards: i265 weapon | Zurvanite | Relevant and gear is Stormblood-ready
The Diadem:
[Trials of the Fury] can be accessed through | The Pillars (X:14.5 Y:10.9) | NPC: Aurvael
Requirement: ilvl 220
Rewards: i280 weapon | Coven | Do not bother trying to get this (it’s RNG)
i265 left/right | Sunburst | Do not bother trying to get this (it’s RNG)
Beast Tribe:
[When Good Dragons Go Bad] starts from | Idyllshire (X:6.9 Y:7.2) | NPC: Drydox
Crafted Gear:
[i250 crafted set] – ask a crafter friend or purchase from the marketboard, do not get the left side (except belt) items, the i255 set is cheaper and easier to craft.
[i255 crafted left side] – ask a crafter friend or purchase from the marketboard; does not include belts
