Retainer Ventures

Retainer Ventures allow the players to assign task to their retainers. These tasks consist of collection of items. The retainer will complete his or her task after a certain amount of time. Retainers are assigned classes and are able to equip gear and level up. Retainer Ventures was introduced in patch 2.2.

Every venture assignment cost the player a new currency named ventures.

You can still use the Message Board while your Retainer is out venturing.

Unlock

To unlock Retainer Ventures, players must complete 1 of 3 level 17 quests in the 3 major cities.

In Limsa Lominsa, players can complete the quest An Ill-conceived Venture (Limsa Lominsa) by talking to Troubled Adventurer in Limsa Lominsa Lower Decks (X9,Y11).

In Gridania, players can complete the quest An Ill-conceived Venture (Gridania) by talking to Troubled Adventurer in New Gridania (X11,Y12).

In Ul'dah, players can complete the quest An Ill-conceived Venture (Ul'dah) by talking to Troubled Adventurer in Ul'dah - Steps of Nald (X9,Y8).

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 Discples of War, Disciples of Magic and Gathering classes. Assigned class determines what items they can collect.

Classes your character have not unlocked cannot be assigned to retainers.

A retainer's class can be changed at any time. However, you will reset level in doing so.

A retainers class level is limited to 4 levels below the players class level. This restriction is ignored once the player reaches level 50 in that particular class.

Gear

Retainers can be equipped with gear that fit 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.

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.

Types of Retainer Ventures

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 you retainer or items for crafting.

Mining

Mining allows Miner class to collect specific items gathered by miners.

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 you retainer or items for crafting.

Botany

Botany allows Botanist class to collect specific items gathered by botanists.

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 you retainer or items for crafting.

Fishing

Fishing allows Fisher class to collect specific items gather by fishers.

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 you retainer or items for crafting.

Field Exploration

Field Exploration allows Disciples of War and Magic classes to explore randomly, yielding random items include Allagan Bronze and Silver 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.

Field Exploration lasts a long time but yields the most EXP for your retainer. Give this task to your retainer before you go to sleep, work, or any other prolonged period of time away from your gaming devices.

Highland Exploration

Highland Exploration allows Miner class to explore randomly, yielding random items include Allagan Bronze and Silver 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.

Highland Exploration lasts a long time but yields the most EXP for your retainer. Give this task to your retainer before you go to sleep, work, or any other prolonged period of time away from your gaming devices.

Woodland Exploration

Woodland Exploration allows Botanist class to explore randomly, yielding random items include Allagan Bronze and Silver 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.

Woodland Exploration lasts a long time but yields the most EXP for your retainer. Give this task to your retainer before you go to sleep, work, or any other prolonged period of time away from your gaming devices.

Waterside Exploration

Waterside Exploration allows Fisher class to explore randomly, yielding random items include Allagan Bronze and Silver 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.

Waterside Exploration lasts a long time but yields the most EXP for your retainer. Give this task to your retainer before you go to sleep, work, or any other prolonged period of time away from your gaming devices.

Quick Exploration

When your Retainer is level 10, he or she can go on Quick Exploration. Retainer will come back with a single item. The experience your retainer gains depends on the item he or she collects. Note that players will get random items from fish to furniture to Endgame gear. While not making much sense, some items might be very rare or valuable.

Quick Exploration is a short, expensive (Venture-wise) and random task that your retainer can perform. The item your retainer brings back can be anything. The activity is independent of your retainer;s level and item level. For example, your level 10 retainer can bring back endgame gear. Most of the time they will not bring back any notable items. The experience your retainer gains correlates to the rarity of the item he or she brings back.

Quick Exploration Rewards

Aside from 1.0 items and dungeon and trial gear, players can obtain 8 untradable dyes: Pure White Dye, Jet Black Dye, Metallic Silver Dye, Metallic Gold Dye, Pastel Pink Dye, Pastel Green Dye, Pastel Blue Dye, Pastel Purple Dye. Additionally players can obtain the Retainer Fantasia.

Assigning a Venture

Players can assign a venture to their retainers by selecting Assign Venture from the retainer interface. Assigning a venture requires payment with a unique currency named ventures. Ventures can be acquired by purchasing them from Grand Company vendors with Company Seals, completing Levequests and completing Beast Tribe Quests.

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.

Venture Completion

All ventures are completed within a fixed period of time, which is affected by the retainer's level. When completed, your retainer's venture report will be updated in the retainer interface, allowing you to collect the spoils of their venture.

Retainers will receive experience points upon completion of ventures, increasing their level to a maximum of 50. The number of available ventures will increase as your retainer advances in level.