Class
“In general, there is a fourfold classification of adventurers based on the disciplinary paths to which they devote themselves. Battle classes are either a Disciple of War, masters of arms who live for the call of combat, or a Disciple of Magic, erudite researchers of all things esoteric. Non-combat classes can be either a Disciple of the Land, gatherers of material resources and students of the natural order, or a Disciple of the Hand, crafters who invest their creative ingenuity in synthesis and industry. By making use of what is called the Armoury system, players may opt to specialize in one discipline, excelling in a single skill, or they may take a more general approach.
"Every soul must needs have a code, a purpose, to guide them. Else chaos would consume us all."
— The Determination of Being, Guillaurmand de Padellaint
Classes embody the character classes from other MMOs, and are the signature of every character in the world of Final Fantasy XIV. They offer starting skills and grow into jobs, which further diversifies the player experience.
Overview
Eorzea is home to myriad disciplines, or classes, suitable to every adventuring style. Each class is capable of performing unique actions acquired through experience. Furthermore, achieving a certain level of mastery in a certain class will unlock its respective job, which feature even greater specialization. Every class can grow into one job, except for arcanists which can specialize into scholar or summoner. A job is a strict upgrade, and there is no reason to remain playing a base class once the job is available.
The class chosen at character creation determines in which of the three city-states the player starts the game.
To be better prepared to brave the wilds, all adventurers begin their journey as either a Disciple of War — a master of arms who lives for the call of battle — or a Disciple of Magic — an erudite researcher of all things esoteric. Experienced adventurers can take up other martial classes to diversify their skills. If you seek more peaceful pursuits, you may consider becoming a Disciple of the Land — one who gathers and harvests Eorzea's natural resources — or a Disciple of the Hand — one who uses these resources to craft wares and turn a profit.
- Important: You can level all classes and jobs on one character.
Roles
Combat roles include all three facets that classes/jobs may perform.
Tanking
Tanks are specialized in enduring damage and generating enmity (aggro) so that enemies won't chase healers or DPS. They have self buffs to support in damage reduction and aggro generation. This role can be identified by the blue-colored class/job golden frame icon.
Healing
Healers are specialized in healing your allies with heal-over-time spells, target spells, and area spells. They can also cleanse conditions from allies and cast restorative buffs on them. This role can be identified by the green-colored class/job golden frame icon.
DPS
DPS (Damage Dealers) include physical and magical damage. Both are aimed at dealing damage in a plethora of ways: precise single-target attacks, area bursts, damage-over-time, summon spells, magical area spells, etc. Some DPS jobs also have healing and tanking properties, but these are very occasional and are not the main focus on endgame content. This role can be identified by the red-colored class/job golden frame icon.
DPS is divided into:
- Melee DPS — Classes/jobs that perform close ranged attacks and abilities.
- Physical Ranged DPS — Classes/jobs that perform physical ranged attacks.
- Magical Ranged DPS — Classes/jobs that perform magical ranged attacks.
Categories
Classes can be divided into two main categories, depending on gameplay: combat classes and crafting/gathering classes.
Combat
Combat classes and jobs have access to role actions, class/job actions, and class traits.
Players can start the game as any of these classes except Rogue (see note below).
When a class reaches level 30 it can transition into a job by completing a quest given by the class guild leader and equipping a Soul Crystal. It is strongly recommended to equip the crystal as soon as possible because otherwise players will not get access to new abilities and will have lower stats. Please note that equipping the crystal will reset non-shared hotbars.
Deliberately playing a class instead of a job in high-level content is a kickable offense under the Prohibited Activities in Final Fantasy XIV section "Obstruction of play."
Class | Class Code | Disciple of | Role | Starting City | Weapons | Armor | Job | Job Code |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gladiator | GLA | War | Tank | Ul'dah | Swords+Shields | Fending | Paladin | PLD |
Marauder | MRD | War | Tank | Limsa Lominsa | Greataxes | Fending | Warrior | WAR |
Lancer | LNC | War | Melee DPS | Gridania | Polearms | Maiming | Dragoon | DRG |
Pugilist | PGL | War | Melee DPS | Ul'dah | Fist Weapons | Striking | Monk | MNK |
Rogue* | ROG | War | Melee DPS | Limsa Lominsa | Dual Daggers | Scouting | Ninja | NIN |
Archer | ARC | War | Physical Ranged DPS | Gridania | Bows | Aiming | Bard | BRD |
Thaumaturge | THM | Magic | Magical Ranged DPS | Ul'dah | Staves Scepters+Shields** |
Casting | Black Mage | BLM |
Arcanist*** | ACN | Magic | Magical Ranged DPS | Limsa Lominsa | Books | Casting Healing |
Summoner Scholar |
SMN SCH |
Conjurer | CNJ | Magic | Healer | Gridania | Canes Wands+Shields** |
Healing | White Mage | WHM |
* In order to unlock Rogue the player must have completed the level 10 class quest for at least one other Disciples of War or Magic class.
** Thaumaturge/Black Mage and Conjurer/White Mage can initially equip either two-handed weapons or a one-handed weapon plus shield. Starting after level 50 only two-handed weapons will be available.
*** Arcanist starts as a magical ranged DPS class and can become both Summoner (magical ranged DPS) and Scholar (healer) at level 30.
Additional Jobs
These additional jobs do not have a corresponding class. You cannot begin the game as any of these jobs. Please see the notes below for the unlock conditions.
Disciple of | Role | Starting City | Starting Level | Weapons | Armor | Job | Job Code |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
War | Tank | Ishgard | 30 | Greatswords | Fending | Dark Knight | DRK |
War | Tank | Gridania | 60 | Gunblade | Fending | Gunbreaker | GNB |
War | Melee DPS | Ul'dah | 50 | Katanas | Striking | Samurai | SAM |
War | Melee DPS | Ul'dah | 70 | War Scythes | Maiming | Reaper | RPR |
War | Physical Ranged DPS | Ishgard | 30 | Firearms | Aiming | Machinist | MCH |
War | Physical Ranged DPS | Limsa Lominsa | 60 | Throwing weapons | Aiming | Dancer | DNC |
Magic | Magical Ranged DPS | Ul'dah | 50 | Rapiers | Casting | Red Mage | RDM |
Magic | Healer | Ishgard | 30 | Star Globes | Healing | Astrologian | AST |
Magic | Healer | Limsa Lominsa | 70 | Nouliths | Healing | Sage | SGE |
- Dark Knight, Machinist, and Astrologian were added in Heavensward. They require completion of the Main Scenario Quest Before the Dawn (the end of patch 2.55) and a job at level 50. These jobs begin at level 30 when unlocked.
- Samurai and Red Mage were added in Stormblood. They require completion of the Main Scenario Quest The Ultimate Weapon (the end of patch 2.0) and a job at level 50. These jobs begin at level 50 when unlocked.
- Gunbreaker and Dancer were added in Shadowbringers. They require completion of the Main Scenario Quest The Ultimate Weapon (the end of patch 2.0) and a job at level 60. These jobs begin at level 60 when unlocked.
- Sage and Reaper were added in Endwalker. They require completion of the Main Scenario Quest The Ultimate Weapon (the end of patch 2.0) and a job at level 70. These jobs begin at level 70 when unlocked.
Crafting and Gathering
Crafting and gathering classes have access to regular actions, but traits are only available to gatherers.
Class | Disciple of | Role | Guild Location | Goods | Class Code |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Carpenter | Hand | Crafting | Gridania | Wooden Weapons | CRP |
Blacksmith | Hand | Crafting | Limsa Lominsa | Metal Weapons | BSM |
Armorer | Hand | Crafting | Limsa Lominsa | Metal Armor | ARM |
Goldsmith | Hand | Crafting | Ul'dah | Accessories | GSM |
Leatherworker | Hand | Crafting | Gridania | Leather Armor | LTW |
Weaver | Hand | Crafting | Ul'dah | Cloth Armor | WVR |
Alchemist | Hand | Crafting | Ul'dah | Potions | ALC |
Culinarian | Hand | Crafting | Limsa Lominsa | Food | CUL |
Miner | Land | Gathering | Ul'dah | Mineral | MIN |
Botanist | Land | Gathering | Gridania | Lumber, Ingredient | BTN |
Fisher | Land | Gathering | Limsa Lominsa | Fish | FSH |
- Crafting and Gathering classes are unlocked when your combat class reaches level 10. There are no jobs for these classes. The Specialist System provides the Soul Crystal equivalent.
- Dyes can be crafted by any crafting class at level 30 or higher. Each class also has a selection of Housing Item recipes starting around level 20.
Disciples of War
Disciples of War are physical melee and ranged classes that use weaponskills and abilities as their primary offensive actions.
Gladiator
Gladiator is a class that specializes in swords and shields. With swords in their main hands and shields in their offhands, gladiators draw the attention of enemies and protect their allies from harm. The Gladiator's Guild is in the desert city of Ul'dah. If you choose gladiator as your first class, you will start off in the city of Ul'dah. At level 30, gladiator can acquire the job Paladin.
Gladiator is a Tank Class.
Pugilist
Pugilist is class that specializes in hand-to-hand combat. It is a physical, melee class that forgoes heavy armor in favor of mobility. Pugilist's Guild is in the desert city of Ul'dah. If you choose pugilist as your first class, you will start off in the city of Ul'dah. At level 30, Pugilist can acquire the job Monk.
Pugilist is a Melee DPS Class.
Marauder
Marauder is a class that specializes in greataxes. The Marauder's Guild is in the marine city of Limsa Lominsa. If you choose marauder as your first class, you will start off in the city of Limsa Lominsa. The Marauder can acquire the job Warrior at level 30.
Marauder is a Tank Class.
Lancer
Lancer is a class that specializes in the use of polearms. It is a physical, melee class capable of using long spears, halberds and tridents. Lancer's Guild is in the forested city of Gridania. If you choose lancer as your first class, you will start off in the city of Gridania. At level 30, Lancer can acquire the job Dragoon.
Lancer is a Melee DPS Class.
Archer
Archer is a class that specializes in bows. It is a ranged, physical class that prefers to strike their targets at a distance. The Archer's Guild is in the forested city of Gridania. If you choose archer as your first class, you will start off in the city of Gridania. At level 30 Archer can acquire the job Bard.
Archer is a Physical Ranged DPS Class.
Rogue
Rogue is a class that dual wield 2 dagger/blade weapons. It is a melee, physical DPS class that uses stealth attacks. The Rogue's Guild is located in Limsa Lominsa. It cannot be your starting class. Players need another class to be level 10+ to unlock Rogue. Rogue evolves into the shadowy Ninja at level 30.
Rogue is a Melee DPS Class.
Disciples of Magic
Disciples of Magic are classes that cast magical offensive or healing spells and abilities as their primary actions. They use MP as their primary resource.
Conjurer
Conjurer is a class that specializes in earth, wind and healing magic. The Conjurer's Guild is in the forested city of Gridania. If you choose conjurer as your first class, you will start off in the city of Gridania. At level 30, Conjurer can acquire the job White Mage.
Conjurer is a Healing Class.
Thaumaturge
Thaumaturge is a class that specializes in destructive magic of Fire, Blizzard and Thunder. The Thaumaturge's Guild is in the desert city of Ul'dah. If you choose thaumaturge as your first class, you will start off in the city of Ul'dah. At level 30, the thaumaturge can acquire the job Black Mage.
Thaumaturge is a Magical Ranged DPS Class.
Arcanist
Arcanist is a class with powerful damage over time spells and the ability to summon carbuncle as their companion. The Arcanist's Guild is in the marine city of Limsa Lominsa. If you choose arcanist as your first class, you will start off in the city of Limsa Lominsa. At level 30, Arcanist can acquire the jobs Summoner (DPS) and Scholar (Healer).
Arcanist is a Magical Ranged DPS Class.
Disciples of the Hand
Crafting classes synthesize useful items such as weapons, armor, tools, accessories, food and potions from basic materials.
Carpenter
Carpenter works with wood to create bows, staves, tools and other items. The lumber they depend on are gathered by botanists. Carpenters are able to craft bows for archers, staves for conjurers, polearms for lancers and Macuahuitls for gladiators. They can also make wooden shields and masks for casters, In additions for weapons and armor for disciples of war, carpenters can also create fishing poles for fishers, grinding wheels for goldsmiths, spinning wheels for weavers and clogs for crafters.
Blacksmith
Blacksmith works with metals to create weapons such as swords and axes and tools. The ores they use are gathered by miners. Blacksmiths can create hand-to-hand weapons for pugilists, swords and daggers for gladiators, two-handed axes for marauders. In addition to weapons for disciples of war, they can also make various tools for crafting and gathering classes. Blacksmiths can forge hatchets and scythes for botanists, pickaxes and sledgehammers for miners, knives for culinarians and leatherworkers, hammers for goldsmith, blacksmiths and armorers, saws and hammers for carpenters, pliers for armorers, mortars for alchemists, awls for leatherworkers and files for blacksmith.
Armorer
Armorer works with metals to create plate and chain mail armor. Chain and plate armor are stronger than leather and cloth ones. Armors can create metal armor such as plate armor for marauder and gladiator, scale armor for tanks and lancer and helmets for gathering classes. They can also make frying pans for culinarians and alembics for alchemists along with heavy shields for gladiator and bucklers for casters.
Goldsmith
Goldsmith uses metals and gems to create accessories such as rings, earrings and necklaces. Goldsmith is reliant on miners for ores and gemstones. Goldsmiths can craft staves and scepters for thaumaturges and hora for pugilists. They can also make needles for weavers, accessories such as rings, earrings and bracelets for all classes and head gear such as circlets and spectacles for casters and crafters.
Leatherworker
Leatherworker uses hides, furs and pelts from slain animals to create leather armor of all kinds. Leather armor is stronger than cloth but weaker than chain and plate. Leatherworkers can create leather armor for pugilists, lancers and archers along with armor for gathering classes. They can also make hand-to-hand weapons for pugilists, shields for casters, rings and necklaces for gatherers and rings for other classes.
Weaver
Weaver utilizes fabric and fiber to create cloth armor. Cloth armor is weaker than plate and leather. Weavers can make armor for crafting classes, gathering classes and casters. They also make light armor with strength and dexterity.
Alchemist
Alchemist transforms materials into potions and elixirs. Alchemists can create consumables such as potions, ethers, elixirs, stat buffs, status cures and status inducers. They can also make wands for conjurers and books for arcanists.
Culinarian
Culinarian utilizes animal products and vegetables to create food items and some fishing tackles. Players can consume food items to receive temporary buffs. Meat and other animal products are found by slaying animals, fish are obtained by Fishers and vegetables are gathered by Botanists.
Disciples of the Land
Gathering classes harvest natural resources of Eorzea such as lumber, mineral and fish.
Miner
Miners extract minerals from ground in Eorzea. The raw ores and gemstones they acquire are utilized by the Blacksmith, Armorer and Goldsmith crafting classes.
Botanist
Botanists gather resources from the various plant lives of Eorzea. They gather raw materials for the various crafting classes, including Carpenter, Weaver, Culinarian and Alchemist.
Fisher
Fishers harvest fish and other sea creatures from the waters of Eorzea. The raw materials they gather are used by the Culinarian crafting class. When you fish, Fishing Tackles are expended. Different fishing tackles are used to catch different fish in various environments.