The purpose of this series is to give a basic overview of the gameplay systems, specifications, and general knowledge regarding the current state of FINAL FANTASY XI ("FFXI") for those players who are thinking of returning to Vana'diel after spending some time away from the game.
Here in Volume 4, we'll show you how to upgrade job-specific equipment such as artifact, relic, and Empyrean armor that feature special abilities unique to each job class.
Upgrading job-specific equipment
You can upgrade your job-specific equipment (artifact, relic, and Empyrean armor) to boost your character's job-based abilities once you have met the required conditions and obtained the necessary materials. After the upgrade is complete, your equipment will become item level (sometimes abbreviated as "ilevel") equipment and you can use it with the in-game content that introduced in Seekers of Adoulin or later. First, let's take a look at how to upgrade your equipment to item level 109 and item level 119 (+1). It is also possible to upgrade your job-specific equipment to item level 119 (+2) and item level 119 (+3), but doing so features additional requirements.
Upgrading job-specific equipment (item level 109 / item level 119)
Speak with Monisette in Port Jeuno (I-8) to upgrade your job-specific equipment to item level 109 and item level 119. You can check with Monisette to see which materials are required for the upgrade. Give her the equipment you wish to upgrade along with the necessary materials and then speak to her again on the following day (Vana'diel time) to receive the upgraded equipment. Note that the materials required will differ depending on the upgrade status of the equipment.
Conditions for upgrading artifact/relic armor
* Reach the "Garden of Antiquity" mission in Chains of Promathia.
* Ask Sagheera in Port Jeuno (I-8) about artifacts
Conditions for upgrading Empyrean armor
Defeat a Vagary boss monster and acquire a title that lets you upgrade the corresponding equipment to item level 119.
Using Rem's Tale chapters for upgrades
Rem's Tale chapters are one of the materials needed to upgrade job-specific equipment and require a set quantity for each piece of equipment that you wish to upgrade. Rem's Tale Ch.1 – Ch.5, which are necessary to upgrade equipment to item level 109, can be acquired primarily from high-tier seal battlefields that can be attempted using Macrocosmic Orbs, while the Rem's Tale Ch. 6 – Ch. 10 that are needed to upgrade equipment to item level 119 can be acquired primarily from high-tier mission battlefields and high-tier avatar battlefields.
High-tier seal battlefields
The high-tier seal battlefields that can be taken on using Macrocosmic Orbs include spoils such as Rem's Tale chapters (Ch.1 – Ch.5), item level 109 weapons, various materials, and more. In addition to the spoils earned from the battle, all party members will also receive Rem's Tale chapters, with the quantity obtained increasing with the battle's difficulty level.
Content game flow
1.Obtain a Macrocosmic Orb. You can obtain a Macrocosmic Orb by trading 20 Sacred Kindred's Crests to Shami in Port Jeuno (H-8). They are also available as Deeds of Heroism rewards.
2.Head to one of the areas specified below and trade the Macrocosmic Orb to the entrance of a battlefield such as a burning circle.
3.Select a difficulty level and then enter the battlefield.
- Rem's Tale Ch.1 (Head): Sacrificial Chamber - ★Amphibian Assault / ★Jungle Boogymen
- Rem's Tale Ch.2 (Body): Throne Room - ★Kindred Spirits
- Rem's Tale Ch.3 (Hands): Qu'Bia Arena - ★Demolition Squad / ★Brothers D'Aurphe
- Rem's Tale Ch.4 (Legs): Chamber of Oracles - ★Legion XI Comitatensis
- Rem's Tale Ch.5 (Feet): Horlais Peak - ★Dismemberment Brigade / Waughroon Shrine - ★Grimshell Shocktroopers / Balga's Dais - ★Divine Punishers
High-tier mission battlefields & high-tier avatar battlefields
The high-tier mission battlefields and high-tier avatar battlefields that can be taken on using Phantom Gems include spoils such as Rem's Tale Ch.6 – Ch.10, item level 119 equipment, various materials, and more. Like with high-tier seal battlefields, all party members will receive spoils from the battle, as well as a quantity of Rem's Tale chapters based on the battle's difficulty level.
Content game flow
1.Obtain a Phantom Gem from one of the NPCs listed below in exchange for Merit Points.
* You must have completed any missions that apply to the battlefields that can be taken on from level 95.
- Trisvain in Northern San d'Oria (J-7)
- Raving Opossum in Port Bastok (J-11)
- Mimble-Pimble in Port Windurst (L-5)
2.Examine the entrance to the battlefield you wish to take on.
3.Select a difficulty level and then enter the battlefield.
- Rem's Tale Ch.6 (Head): La'Loff Amphitheater - ★Ark Angels 1 / Cloister of Gales - ★Trial by Wind, etc.
- Rem's Tale Ch.7 (Body): La'Loff Amphitheater - ★Ark Angels 4 / Cloister of Storms - ★Trial by Lightning, etc.
- Rem's Tale Ch.8 (Hands): La'Loff Amphitheater - ★Ark Angels 3 / Cloister of Tremors - ★Trial by Earth, etc.
- Rem's Tale Ch.9 (Legs): La'Loff Amphitheater - ★Ark Angels 5 / Cloister of Tides - ★Trial by Water, etc.
- Rem's Tale Ch.10 (Feet): La'Loff Amphitheater - ★Ark Angels 2 / Cloister of Frost: ★Trial by Ice, etc.
Trading for Sparks of Eminence
Rem's Tale chapters can also be acquired by trading Sparks of Eminence with the Records of Eminence Guide NPC.
Obtaining titles to upgrade Empyrean armor
You must acquire a title from defeating a Vagary boss monster in order to upgrade Empyrean armor to item level 119. There are two ways to take on Vagary boss monsters, but both ways will give you the necessary title.
Vagary
The standard Vagary battle content sees you clearing dungeons, defeating monsters, and taking on special boss monsters. There are three different entrances to Vagary, with each one containing different monsters and dungeon layouts.
Requirements
* Be level 95 or higher.
* Be in a party of between 3 to 18 members.
* The party leader must have reached the mission "Blood for Blood" in the Seekers of Adoulin storyline¹.
* The party leader must be in possession of the "prototype sigil pearl" key item¹.
1: These requirements do not apply to the other party members. However, it is important to note that Vagary content is closely linked to the Seekers of Adoulin storyline, so playing Vagary before finishing the missions therein may lead to spoilers.
Obtaining a prototype sigil pearl
The "prototype sigil pearl" key item needed to take on Vagary battlefields can be acquired by trading Befouled Water to the Odyssean Passage in Leafallia.
* Befouled Water is an item that is dropped by Shadow enemies (Fomors) located in Outer Ra'Kaznar and Ra'Kaznar Inner Court. It can also be obtained from the auction house and the bazaar.
Content game flow
1.The party leader must obtain the "prototype sigil pearl" key item.
2.After meeting the necessary conditions, the party member must examine one of the following entrances in order to join the battlefield.
- Deathborne Gate in Outer Ra'Kaznar (M-7)
- Brash Gate in Outer Ra'Kaznar (N-7)
- Duskbrood Gate in Outer Ra'Kaznar (N-6)
Vagary (Alternative Battlefields)
In addition to the standard Vagary battlefields, there are special alternative battlefields (Vagary: Putraxia, Vagary: Rancibus, Vagary: Palloritus, Vagary: Perfidien, Vagary: Plouton) that let you take on specific boss monsters and obtain their corresponding titles. However, these battlefields do not earn you experience points, capacity points, or spoils. They also do not count toward the "Content (Vagary)" Records of Eminence objective.
Requirements
Your party may consist of 1 to 6 players and each party member must fulfill the following requirements:
* All party members must have the "prototype sigil pearl" key item.
* All party members must have reached the specified mission in the Seekers of Adoulin storyline. Note that the requirements will differ depending on the battlefield.
"Vagary: Putraxia", "Vagary: Rancibus", "Vagary: Palloritus": Complete the mission "The Watergarden Coliseum"
"Vagary: Perfidien": Complete the mission "Reckoning"
"Vagary: Plouton": Complete the mission "Abomination"
Content game flow
1.All party members that meet the necessary conditions must obtain the "prototype sigil pearl" key item.
2.The party leader examines the Ominous Postern in Ra'Kaznar Turris in order to join the battlefield.
Crafting job-specific weapons with Oboro
You can ask Oboro in Port Jeuno (E-6) to craft item level 119 job-specific weapons, including shields, instruments, and handbells. These job-specific weapons can also be upgraded once you have met the necessary requirements.
How to craft Oboro's job-specific weapons
Speak to Oboro after meeting one of the requirements listed below and he will be able to create a job-specific weapon for you. You can check with Oboro to see which materials¹ are required to craft the weapon.
1: Of the required materials, you cannot use a combination of Pluton, Beitetsu, and riftborn boulders. The materials are based on the first type of material that you give him and require 150 pieces of that type.
Defeat one or more of the following Delve boss monsters: Muyingwa, Dakuwaqa, Tojil, Cailimh, Wopket, and Utkux.
Beat one or more of the high-tier seal battlefields that can be attempted with a Macrocosmic Orb on "Difficult" or higher.
Beat one or more of the high-tier mission battlefields and high-tier avatar battlefields that can be attempted with a Phantom Gem on "Normal" or higher.
Complete any Intense Ambuscade.
Complete a regular Ambuscade on "Normal" or higher.
Upgrading Oboro's job-specific weapons
After progressing through the Rhapsodies of Vana'diel missions and obtaining the "Scintillating Rhapsody" key item, you can speak with Oboro to upgrade the job-specific weapons that he creates.
How to upgrade Oboro's job-specific weapons
1.Obtain the "Scintillating Rhapsody" key item and speak to Oboro while in possession of the weapon you wish to upgrade.
2.Select the "About the weapons" dialogue option.
3.Trade the weapon and one of the following items to begin the augmentation process: Pluton, Riftborn Boulder, or Beitetsu*.
* The initial type of stone that you use to start the augmentation process means that the weapon can only be upgraded with that type of stone.
4.Once you have traded the weapon and necessary materials to Oboro, the weapon will be given upgrade points. When the points reach a certain level, the weapon's augmentation rank will increase and the weapon will be upgraded.
* Once the augmentation process is started, the effects of the augmentation cannot be removed.