FFXIV Best Addons & Mods [Visual, UI, HUD, Graphics]

Final Fantasy 14 is one of the most successful MMORPGs trending even after ten years of its release date. It is appreciated by fans worldwide due to its impressive exploration and combat. Since Final Fantasy 14 was released over ten years ago, it’s no wonder that the gameplay and graphics got outdated over time.

Fans have developed various mods that can improve the graphics, HUD, and user interface so they can compete with newer games. In this guide, we will discuss some of the best addons in FFXIV and mods that can improve your gameplay significantly while making it look spectacular. Be careful, as using some of the mods might get you banned.

Key Highlights

• FFXIV Addons can be installed from Nexus Mods and Github.
• There are a variety of add-ons, which include graphical upgrades and gameplay enhancements.
• Players can alleviate bad ping through XIVAlexander.
• Combat performance can be tracked through Advanced Combat Tracker.

How To Install FFXIV Addons?

You can find most of these addons on Nexus mods; a few excellent mods are available to download from Github as well.

1. Visit the Nexus mods or Github website.
2. Download the files of a particular mod.
3. Download the setup of the mod.
4. Extract the files and install the mods.
5. Sometimes, you would be required to copy certain files to specific folders to install some mods.

Character Visuals Addons

These add-ons would improve your characters’ looks, making them look more realistic and appealing aesthetically. You can utilize various options to customize your character, making them look pleasing according to your desire. Though, some of these addons might reduce performance due to higher system requirements to run these mods. While you’re at it, why not read our State of Decay 2 Best Mods guide?  

1. Hair defined: This addon improves the textures of your character’s hair, enhancing their overall look. It also upgrades eyelashes, eyebrows, and facial hair textures. Keep in mind that using this addon may result in performance issues like lag.
2. NPC defined: NPC defined enhances the textures of non-player characters (NPCs) throughout the game, making them more visually appealing. This addon is particularly useful for enhancing the graphics of NPCs encountered in various game scenarios.
3. Face defined: Face defined is another graphics-enhancing addon that significantly improves character facial features and textures. It provides a more immersive gameplay experience by enhancing eye textures and other facial aspects. Similar to other graphics mods, it may impact performance in crowded areas.
4. Touch of Real: Touch of Real offers separate mods for male and female characters, upgrading their graphics and textures. These mods make the game’s visuals more realistic and engaging, especially during cutscenes. Note that this addon may require a capable GPU, and lower-end systems may experience performance issues.
5. Eyeworks: Eyeworks focuses on enhancing character eye textures, providing over 150 manual customization options for eye appearance. The textures are optimized to have a minimal impact on GPU performance, and there’s a low risk of being banned while using this addon.
6. Owl’s Eyes of Eorzea: This addon offers a wide range of eye textures for different character classes, genders, and sub-races. These eye textures are meticulously designed to enhance character aesthetics, and they can be downloaded from Nexus Mods.

Each addon provides unique graphical improvements to Final Fantasy XIV, allowing you to customize and enhance your characters and NPCs to suit your preferences. Keep in mind that some of these addons may require a reasonably powerful system to run smoothly, and performance may vary based on your hardware.

Graphics Addons In FFXIV

Like visual character addons, these add-ons would improve the graphics of FF14, making them look spectacular. These graphic addons would breathe fresh air into the game and make it look brand-new by improving scaling and resolution. These add-ons would allow you to take higher-quality screenshots and videos. Many of these add-ons might cause your frames to lag, so make sure your device is suitable enough to run these add-ons smoothly. Installing these Graphics mods in FFXIV is recommended.

1. Alive Gshade Preset:
   • Enhances graphics, reducing green haze.
   • Adds detailed shading to characters and environment.
   • Requires a powerful GPU for advanced graphics.
2. Ludite 4 FFXIV – Gameplay Graphics Overhaul:
   • Expands color palette for better visuals.
   • Improves lighting, including RayTraced Global Illumination (RTGI).
3. Heavensward Sweet FX:
   • Enhances shading and overall graphics balance.
   • Recommended for those seeking aesthetically pleasing graphics.
4. HD Buffs Icons:
   • Enhances resolution and scaling of in-game icons for a refined look.
5. The Newness HD:
   • Modernizes game visuals without causing performance issues.
   • Improves lighting and shadows, popular for recording and screenshots.

UI Addons

These addons would improve the user interface for many players, The improved user interface would make gameplay much more convenient for the players. These addons can perform various functions, such as improving the map or improving the looks of the original game user interface. Below are some of the best UI addons and mods in FFXIV.

1. Moogle Maps:
   • Helps locate treasures and daily hunt locations.
   • Reduces the need to search for these locations online.
   • Enhances convenience, especially in later game expansions.
2. Material 4K UI:
   • Replaces the original UI with an improved version.
   • Offers better visual clarity, color contrast, and tidier bars.
   • Simplifies inventory management and displays nearby chest coordinates.
3. Tpie:
   • Binds spells and gears to a ring for quick and efficient usage.
   • Provides access to pre-designed presets created by other players.
   • Streamlines spell and gear changes during combat.
4. Chat Grey Box Remover:
   • Cleans up the chat box interface by removing the grey background.
   • Improves the appearance of the chat box.
   • Requires TexTools 2 for installation.
5. Blue UI:
   • Changes the UI’s color scheme to an appealing blue.
   • Provides a fresh and attractive look to the interface.
   • Offers an alternative to the default interface.
6. Darksteel UI:
   • Adds transparency to the in-game HUD elements.
   • Modernizes interface elements for a sleeker appearance.
   • Enhances the overall aesthetics of the game’s interface.

HUD Addons In FFXIV

These addons would improve the head-up display of the players; some of these HUD addons are handy and can make your gameplay more convenient and exciting.

1. Fr4nsson’s FFXIV Config:
   • Provides a clean and well-organized HUD layout.
   • Assigns spells to hotbars based on your character’s job.
   • Offers pre-set keybinds for spells, saving time.
   • Enhances HUD organization without violating the game’s Terms of Service.
   • This would also let you look for the City of Ancients effectively, which most players have trouble finding.
2. VM Square Mini Map:
   • Replaces the in-game map with a square mini-map.
   • Provides a well-designed and more visible alternative.
   • Helps players locate points of interest and navigate effectively.
3. Compass:
   • Helps track quests, NPCs, and important points of interest.
   • Assists players in navigation, especially beginners.
   • Improves gameplay experience by preventing players from feeling lost.
4. Simple Focus Target Cursor:
   • Replaces the focus target arrow with a dot for easier selection.
   • Prevents confusion between focus target and actual target.
   • Enhances gameplay by reducing targeting errors.
5. LOCK and ARROWS Icons Removed:
   • Removes lock and arrow icons from the HUD.
   • Provides a cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing HUD.
   • Enhances visibility and appearance by eliminating hindrances.

Other Addons In FFXIV

These addons can perform various functions to improve your gameplay, whether in combat or exploration.

Advanced Combat Tracker

• Tracks combat data, including damage dealt, healing, and damage taken.
• Helps players analyze their performance and optimize character abilities.
• Use with caution to avoid violating game rules or causing issues with other players.

You can utilize a training dummy to track your combat results. The combat tracker will also help you in leveling up your characters effectively.

XIV Alexander

• Reduces lag caused by high ping, improving gameplay.
• Particularly helpful for players with connectivity issues or playing far from the server location.
• Enhances the ability to execute attacks and abilities without delays.

XIV Combo

• Simplifies combo rotations by allowing single-button execution.
• Ideal for beginners struggling with complex combo mechanics.
• Streamlines gameplay and leveling by making combos more accessible.

You will be able to use solo classes effectively if you have this mod installed.

Flicker Optimization and V-Sync Stutter Fix

• Addresses flickering issues and reduces stutter in the game.
• Suitable for lower-end PCs to improve performance.
• Enhances overall gameplay by providing smoother graphics.

XIVAuras

• Keeps track of buffs received during combat.
• Helps players manage buffs and their duration more effectively.
• Allows for better strategizing during battles and optimizing character abilities.

You can also match up some DPS classes for better combat.

Cyberpunk Jacket

• Adds trendy Cyberpunk-inspired jackets to your FFXIV characters.
• Offers various color options for customization.
• Ideal for players who enjoy Cyberpunk aesthetics.

If you are a fan of Cyberpunk clothes, Check out our guide on Legendary clothes you can find in Cyberpunk 2077.

Links To All The Mods

Character Visuals:

1. Hair Defined – Nexus Mods
2. NPC Defined – Nexus Mods
3. Face Defined – Nexus Mods
4. Touch of Real – Nexus Mods
5. Eyeworks – XIV Mod Archive
6. Owl’s Eyes of Eorzea – Nexus Mods

Graphics Addons:

1. Alive Gshade Preset – Nexus Mods
2. Eden ULTIMA For FFXIV – Gameplay Graphics Overhaul – Nexus Mods
3. The Newness HD – Nexus Mods

UI Addons:

1. Moogle Maps – GitHub
2. Material 4K UI – Nexus Mods
3. TPie – GitHub
4. Chat Grey Box Remover – Nexus Mods
5. Blue UI – Nexus Mods
6. Darksteel UI – Nexus Mods

HUD Addons:

1. Fr4nsson’s FFXIV Config – Nexus Mods
2. VM Square Mini Map – Nexus Mods
3. Compass – GitHub
4. Simple Focus Target Cursor – Nexus Mods
5. LOCK and ARROWS Icons Removed – Nexus Mods

Other Addons in FFXIV:

1. Advanced Combat Tracker – Advanced Combat Tracker
2. XIV Alexander – GitHub
3. XIV Combo – GitHub
4. Flicker Optimization and V-Sync Stutter Fix – Nexus Mods
5. XIVAuras – GitHub
6. Cyberpunk Jacket – XIV Mod Archive

Please note that it’s essential to read and follow the installation instructions and any terms of use provided by the mod creators to ensure a smooth and safe experience with these addons.

we previously covered mods and similar guides for a lot of AAA and indie video games that may pique your interest. For starters, if you’ve had the chance to play Risk of Rain 2, then you’d love some of the best Risk of Rain 2 mods we’ve included in our guide. If you dig DMC and Far Cry series, then consider reading Best Far Cry 5 Mods and Devil May Cry 5 Mods.

That’s all about our best FFXIV addons and mods guide, utilize these addons, and you will not be disappointed because these mods would give your game a much fresher look while also improving gameplay.

Next: Best RimWorld Mods

Article Update On 2nd July 2023

Changes: Added links to all the mods at the end of the article.