Retainer Ventures

Retainer Ventures allow the players to assign tasks to their retainers. The retainers can be sent on collection missions to bring back items. The retainer will complete their task after a certain amount of time. Retainers are assigned classes and are able to equip gear and level up. Retainer Ventures were introduced in Patch 2.2.

Unlock

To unlock Retainer Ventures, you must complete the quest The Scions of the Seventh Dawn and have hired at least 1 Retainer. Players then must complete one of the three different level 17 quests in whichever city they started in.

In Limsa Lominsa, players can complete the quest An Ill-conceived Venture by talking to Troubled Adventurer in Limsa Lominsa Lower Decks (X:9.0 Y:11.2).

In Gridania, players can complete the quest An Ill-conceived Venture by talking to Troubled Adventurer in New Gridania (X:11.8 Y:12.2).

In Ul'dah, players can complete the quest An Ill-conceived Venture by talking to Troubled Adventurer in Ul'dah - Steps of Nald (X:9.3 Y:8.7).

• After unlocking retainer ventures, the market board status in the retainer interface will also display venture status.

Preparing Your Retainer

Class

Before your retainers can undertake ventures, you must first assign them a class and equip them with a weapon. Retainers can be set to any of the Disciples of War, Disciples of Magic and Gathering classes, provided the player has unlocked them. Assigned class determines what items they can collect. In addition, they can only gather items that the player has successfully gathered with that class.

• A retainer's class can be changed at any time. However, you will reset level in doing so.
• A retainers max class level is limited to the players level in the same class.

Gear

Retainers can be equipped with gear that fits their class and level. The types of gear they are given affect the items they can procure during their ventures. Items will be procured in increased quantities by increasing either average item level for Disciples of War and Magic, or gathering rating for Disciples of the Land. Moreover, for retainers set as Disciples of the Land, increasing perception will result in a higher likelihood of obtaining high-quality items. Certain types of ventures require a certain item level/ gathering rating at higher levels.

• Retainer gear cannot be changed when a venture is in progress.

Gear equipped by a retainer will be bound upon completion of a retainer venture. However, bound items can still be exchanged and used by both players and their retainers.

• Gear durability will not be affected by retainer ventures.
• Spiritbond rating will not be affected by retainer ventures.

Assigning a Venture

Players can assign a venture to their retainers by selecting Assign Venture from the retainer interface. Every venture assignment costs the player a special currency also named Ventures. These can be earned from some Beast Tribe dailies, battle leves, or purchased from the Grand Company Quartermasters for  200 Company Seals each.

• You can still use the Message Board and Summoning Bell while your Retainer is out venturing. However, their equipment and class cannot be changed during a Venture.
• The status of ventures can be confirmed under Timers in the Duty menu. Selecting Ventures from the Timers interface will display a separate window containing the status of individual retainers.

Types of Retainer Ventures

Targeted

These ventures take between 40 minutes to 1 hour (Earth time), depending on retainer level versus the venture's minimum level. They always cost  1 and bring back a specific crafting material chosen from a list based on the retainer's class or job.

Hunting

Hunting allows Disciples of War and Magic classes to collect specific items dropped by enemies. All of the Disciples of War and Magic classes will procure the same items.

• Hunting generates Crafting Material and other items commonly dropped by monsters. Players can decide which item your retainer brings back. It can be used as a steady supply of EXP for your retainer or items for crafting.

Mining

Mining allows Miner class to collect specific items gathered by miners. Note that a retainer can only retrieve items that you have recorded in your gathering log, i.e. items that you have collected yourself at least once.

• Mining generates Crafting Material and other items commonly procured by miners. Players can decide which item your retainer brings back. It can be used as a steady supply of EXP for your retainer or items for crafting.

Botany

Botany allows Botanist class to collect specific items gathered by botanists. Note that a retainer can only retrieve items that have recorded in your gathering log, i.e. items that you have collected yourself at least once.

• Botany generates Crafting Material and other items commonly procured by botanists. Players can decide which item your retainer brings back. It can be used as a steady supply of EXP for your retainer or items for crafting.

Fishing

Fishing allows Fisher class to collect specific items gather by fishers. Note that a retainer can only retrieve items that have recorded in your fishing log, i.e. items that you have collected yourself at least once.

• Fishing generates Crafting Material and other items commonly procured by fishers. Players can decide which item your retainer brings back. It can be used as a steady supply of EXP for your retainer or items for crafting.

Exploration

These ventures cost  2 and always take a full 18 hours (Earth time). The item returned is random from a fixed list based on the venture level chosen. From an Experience standpoint, Exploration ventures are only more efficient than Quick Ventures if you must spend 5 or more hours away from the game. Good for sleep, work, or other extended breaks.

Field Exploration

Field Exploration allows Disciples of War and Magic classes to explore randomly, yielding random items including   Allagan Pieces. While Field Exploration takes longer than Hunting, it yields far more experience points for your Retainer. Higher-level retainers may procure items, minions, and Crafting Materials unique to exploration ventures.

Highland Exploration

Highland Exploration allows Miner class to explore randomly, yielding random items including   Allagan Pieces. While Highland Exploration takes longer than Mining, it yields far more experience points for your Retainer. Higher-level retainers may procure items, minions, and crafting materials unique to exploration ventures.

Woodland Exploration

Woodland Exploration allows Botanist class to explore randomly, yielding random items including   Allagan Pieces. While Woodland Exploration takes longer than Botany, it yields far more experience points for your retainer. Higher-level retainers may procure items, minions, and crafting materials unique to exploration ventures.

Waterside Exploration

Waterside Exploration allows Fisher class to explore randomly, yielding random items including   Allagan Pieces. While Waterside Exploration takes longer than Fishing, it yields far more experience points for your retainer. Higher-level retainers may procure items, minions, and crafting materials unique to exploration ventures.

Quick Exploration

When your Retainer is level 10, they can go on Quick Exploration. These always take 1 hour (Earth time) and cost  2. The retainer will come back with a single item. The experience your retainer gains no longer depends on the item they collect (as of patch 5.4). Note that players will get random items from fish to furniture to endgame gear. The item your retainer brings back can be anything, as the activity is independent of your retainer's class, level and equipment (thought the higher level your retainer's gear is, the better chance they have of acquiring High Quality items or receiving a bonus quantity of items). For example, a level 10 retainer can bring back endgame gear.

Quick Exploration Rewards

Aside from 1.0 items and dungeon and trial gear, players may obtain a   Venture Coffer containing either exclusive dyes or a   Retainer Fantasia.

Venture Completion

All ventures are completed within a fixed period of time (the normal gathering ventures can be shorter than usual if a high level retainer is sent to gather low level materials). When completed, your retainer's venture report will be updated in the retainer interface, allowing you to collect the spoils of their venture. The remaining time for ventures can also be viewed in the Timers tab.

Retainers will receive experience points upon completion of ventures, increasing their level to a maximum of 90. The number of available ventures will increase as your retainer advances in level, a new tier of each type being unlocked every 5 levels.