FFXIV Leveling Guide 1-90 [Definitive Methods]

You do not have to do anything complicated for your first ever job or even farm any experience points. You simply have to progress through the main story quests, and you will fast-track leveling guide 1-90 in FFXIV. But most people want to know how to reach the maximum level with their second job in FFXIV, which is the real challenge.

Level 1-50

These are all the methods you should use until you reach level 50. We will switch up the methods at higher level ranges to accommodate the higher experience points requirements.

1. Palace of the Dead: Ideal for beginners from levels 1 to 90, offering quick experience points with no complex entry requirements. Start at level 1, synced to your gear level. Solo the initial floors, but a party is recommended for the later ones. Focus on floors 51-60 for efficient leveling.

   

2. Duty Finder: Accessible through the Duty Finder menu, it allows you to join various duties in the game, including dungeons and trials.

   

3. Duty Roulette: Leveling: Provides extra experience points by randomly selecting dungeons or trials you’ve unlocked. Completing them through Duty Roulette Leveling yields more than double the usual experience points. Daily rewards and bonus experience for completing new content are available.

   

4. Frontline: A Player vs. Player mode within the Duty Finder. Play in teams of up to 24 players, with a total of 72 players across 3 teams. Compete in various maps, each with unique objectives. Skill and teamwork are essential for optimizing experience points.

   

Please refer to the Dungeon section at the end of this guide for information on dungeons and additional ways to boost your experience points.

Level 50-60

There are only 2 methods at this level range that will effectively get you to level 60, Dungeons and hunts.

The Hunt

Hunts were introduced in patch 2.30 and are a completely open-world activity. You have to track down or sometimes even spawn gigantic monsters while you work in a large group. All 4 expansions have added different hunts since our goal is to use them to climb from level 50-60. We will use The Clan Hunt, introduced in “Heavensward”. It is an excellent way to farm experience points as it also offers daily objectives that you can do.

Unlocking Hunts

1. Complete the quest “Let the Clan Hunt Begin” at level 53 to unlock the Clan Hunt.
2. At level 56, complete the quest “Better Bill Hunting” to access level 2 Clan Marks.
3. Finally, reach level 59 and complete the quest “Top Marks” to unlock level 3 Clan Marks.

Level 60-70

At the level 60-70 range, you should be using Dungeons and Roulette Leveling that is close to your level. Besides those, the best way to farm experience points is by doing the deep dungeon, Heaven Or High. 

1. Dungeons: Continue to run dungeons that are close to your level range. This will provide steady experience points and gear upgrades.
2. Roulette Leveling: Participate in leveling roulette dungeons close to your level for bonus experience points.
3. Heaven On High: Similar to Palace of the Dead, Heaven On High is an excellent method for gaining experience points during this range. It offers a unique experience with randomized floors and everyone starting at level 61. Your experience points are fixed inside the dungeon, regardless of party size or monster level.

Heaven On High

• Be at level 61.
• Clear 50 floors in The Palace of the Dead.
• Complete the main scenario quest “Tide Goes In, Imperials Go Out.”
• Visit The Ruby Sea (X: 6.2, Y: 11.7) and speak to Hamakaze to start the questline “Knocking on Heaven’s Door,” which unlocks Heaven On High.

Level 70-80

Now, at this high-level range of 70-80, a lot of the methods previously mentioned stop being the optimal ways of earning experience points. But you can use this to your advantage. Since your level is very high now, you have fulfilled the requirement for a lot of the high-level methods that need you to be at this level for you to be able to access them. They will also earn you a much larger amount of experience points.

But a lot of these methods require at least level 71, so make sure to refer to our dungeon section. As previously mentioned, since there are dungeons at every level range, you can always utilize them to earn a great number of experience points.

The very first thing you should do now uses the level 69 Dungeon called “Castrum Abania” and quickly farm enough experience points to reach level 71. Once there, use the methods mentioned below to go all the way to level 80. 

The Bozjan Southern Front 

This end-game content introduced in the Shadowbringers expansion is a prime method for gaining experience points from level 70 to 80. Form parties with up to 72 players and participate in various FATEs and duties. Your character’s level syncs to 80, allowing the use of powerful abilities even at level 71.

• Unlocking The Bozjan Southern Front: Be at least level 71 and complete the “Alliance Raid” questline in the Stormblood expansion, particularly the “Return to Ivalice” series. Then follow the questline to unlock Gangos and gain access to Bozja.

Pixie Tribe Quests

The Pixie Tribe Questline provides another effective way to farm experience points in this level range. Focus on daily quests within this Questline, as it offers three quests every 24 hours.

• Unlocking Pixie Tribe Quests: Complete the main scenario quest “The Wheel Turns” to unlock The Pixie Tribe Quests. Then, start the quest “Manic Pixie Dream Realm” from the Pink Pixie in The Crystarium.

Level 80-90

This is the final stretch to the max level. Just like the previous level range, you have to make sure to get from level 80 to 81 before you can start utilizing any of the methods mentioned below. You will use the level 79 Dungeon called “Mt. Gulg”. This will ensure that you get the most optimal number of experience points at level 80 and get to level 81 as fast as possible.

You may think of using the level 80 Dungeons, but they will earn you fewer experience points compared to the level 79 Dungeon. For more information, be sure to check the Dungeon section at the end of this guide.

Follow these steps:

1. Castrum Abania (Level 79 Dungeon): Start by using the level 79 dungeon, “Castrum Abania,” to reach level 81 as quickly as possible.
2. Zadnor: Zadnor is similar to the Bozjan Southern Front but offers more experience points. It accommodates up to 72 players, and there are no preset teams. Engage in FATEs and duties for substantial experience points. Ensure you unlock Zadnor for this method.

   

   • Unlocking Zadnor: Complete the main scenario quest “Futures Rewritten,” followed by “Fit for a Queen.” Speak to Marsak in Gangos (X: 6.4, Y: 5.7) to start the quest “A New Playing Field” and unlock Zadnor.
3. Tribal Quests (Beast Tribe Quests): Complete three quests daily for each Beast Tribe to earn experience points. Reputation points earned allow you to rank up with the tribe and access more daily quests.
   • Unlocking Tribal Quests: Reach level 41 and complete the main scenario quest “In Pursuit Of The Past” to unlock Beast Tribe Quests. To access the Arkasodara Tribe Quest, complete the main story quest “Under His Wing” for “What’s In A Parent” and “A Fisherman’s Friend” for “Steppe Child.”

     

4. Wondrous Tails Journal: This weekly event offers significant experience points. Receive a new journal every Tuesday from Khloe Aliapoh in Idyllshire (X: 5.7, Y: 6.1). Complete the tasks within the journal and return it to Khloe Aliapoh for experience points.

   

   • Unlocking the Journal: Complete the quest “Keeping Up with the Aliapohs” at level 60, available in Idyllshire (X: 7.0, Y: 5.9) by speaking to the Unctuous Adventurer.

Dungeons

Dungeons are among the best ways to gain experience points, but they can become repetitive. To address this, alternate between Dungeons and other methods, like those mentioned for Bozja.

Regardless of your level, you’ll always find dungeons suitable for your range. The strategy is straightforward: progress to the next dungeon as you level up, repeating the process.

You can enter dungeons at level 15, so reach that threshold using methods outlined in the level 1-50 section. Note that dungeons from levels 80-90 are challenging but offer substantial experience points.

For optimal leveling, focus on dungeons at levels 59, 69, and 79, avoiding those at levels 60, 70, 80, and 90. Skip the level 90 dungeon, as it holds no benefit once you’ve reached the maximum level.

Duty Support

You should remember only to do the Dungeons that have Duty Support enabled. If you do not know what duty support is, it essentially allows you to bring NPCs along with you to the dungeons instead of real players. It allows you to skip waiting in queues entirely and go right into the Dungeon, enabling you to farm experience points at a much faster pace. 

List Of The Dungeons And How To Unlock Them

Refer to this full list of all the Dungeons you need to do, their level requirements, and how to unlock them:

1. Sastasha: Required level: 15 | Unlock by completing the quest “It’s Probably Pirates.”
2. The Tam-Tara Deepcroft: Required level: 16 | Unlock by completing the quest “Fire in the Gloom.”
3. Copperbell Mines: Required level: 17 | Unlock by completing the quest “Into a Copper Hell.”
4. Halatali: Required level: 20 | Unlock by completing the quest “Hallo Halatali.”
5. The Thousand Maws of Toto-Rak: Required level: 24 | Unlock by completing the quest “Into the Beast’s Maw.”
6. Haukke Manor: Required level: 28 | Unlock by completing the quest “Skeletons In Her Closet.”
7. Brayflox’s Longstop: Required level: 32 | Unlock by completing the quest “The Things We Do for Cheese.”
8. The Sunken Temple of Qarn: Required level: 35 | Unlock by completing the quest “Braving New Depths.”
9. Cutter’s Cry: Required level: 38 | Unlock by completing the quest “Dishonor Before Death.”
10. The Stone Vigil: Required level: 41 | Unlock by completing the quest “In Pursuit of the Past.”
11. Dzemael Darkhold: Required level: 44 | Unlock by completing the quest “Fort of Fear.”
12. The Aurum Vale: Required level: 47 | Unlock by completing the quest “Going for Gold.”
13. Castrum Meridianum: Required level: 50 | Unlock by completing the quest “Rock the Castrum.”
14. The Praetorium: Required level: 50 | Unlock by completing the quest “The Ultimate Weapon.”
15. The Dusk Vigil: Required level: 51 | Unlock by completing the quest “For All the Nights to Come.”
16. Sohm Al: Required level: 53 | Unlock by completing the quest “Mourn in Passing.”
17. The Aery: Required level: 55 | Unlock by completing the quest “Into the Aery.”
18. The Vault: Required level: 57 | Unlock by completing the quest “A Knight’s Calling.”
19. The Great Gubal Library: Required level: 59 | Unlock by completing the quest “Forbidden Knowledge.”
20. The Sirensong Sea: Required level: 61 | Unlock by completing the quest “Not without Incident.”
21. Shisui of the Violet Tides: Required level: 63 | Unlock by completing the quest “The Palace of Lost Souls.”
22. Bardam’s Mettle: Required level: 65 | Unlock by completing the quest “In the Footsteps of Bardam the Brave.”
23. Doma Castle: Required level: 67 | Unlock by completing the quest “The Die Is Cast.”
24. Castrum Abania: Required level: 69 | Unlock by completing the quest “The Price of Freedom.”
25. Holminster Switch: Required level: 71 | Unlock by completing the quest “The Lightwardens.”
26. Dohn Mheg: Required level: 73 | Unlock by completing the quest “The Key to the Castle.”
27. The Qitana Ravel: Required level: 75 | Unlock by completing the quest “The Burden of Knowledge.”
28. Malikah’s Well: Required level: 77 | Unlock by completing the quest “A Fresh Start.”
29. Mt. Gulg: Required level: 79 | Unlock by completing the quest “Extinguishing the Last Light.”
30. The Tower of Zot: Required level: 81 | Unlock by completing the quest “In the Dark of the Tower.”
31. The Tower of Babil: Required level: 83 | Unlock by completing the quest “Gateway of the Gods.”
32. Vanaspati: Required level: 85 | Unlock by completing the quest “Skies Aflame.”
33. Ktisis Hyperboreia: Required level: 87 | Unlock by completing the quest “Caging the Messenger.”
34. The Aitiascope: Required level: 89 | Unlock by completing the quest “Her Children, One and All.”

Remember to use Duty Support to bring NPCs instead of real players, allowing for faster dungeon runs without queue times. Mix dungeons with other leveling methods for efficiency.

General Buffs To EXP

There are several ways to buff the experience points you earn in FFXIV. You are also able to stack these methods on top of each other. These extra buffs are most effective at a relatively low-level range. So make sure to use these items to maximize the experience points earned as much as possible during the start of your journey. Here’s a list of these buffs:

• The Heat Of Battle 2. If you join a free company with this, you can buff your experience points earned through battle by 10%. It lasts up to 24 hours, so make sure to put it to good use. 
• Food. You have to make sure to eat food throughout the entire time you’re playing the game. Eating food gives you an extra 3% boost in experience points. It may seem like a trivial amount, but it does add up a lot over time.
• Items. There are a lot of items available in FFXIV that allow you to buff your experience points. One of these items is the Brand New Ring from the novice halls, which increases EXP earned by 30% as long as you are under level 30. 

Wrap-up

Developed and published by Square Enix, Final Fantasy XIV is one of the best MMORPGs ever made. It released 4 huge DLC expansions, which introduced level cap increases along with numerous other things. They are Heavensward, Stormblood, Shadowbringers, and finally, Endwalker, which was released in December 2021 and is the latest expansion out right now.

These are all the methods you will ever need to get your job to the maximum level in FFXIV. As such, we will now be wrapping up this FFXIV leveling guide 1-90. You might want to reach the maximum level with an entirely new job as well, so make sure to refer back to this guide again! 

Next:

• FFXIV Hydatos Weapons 
• FFXIV: Best Ways To Get Company Seals
• FFXIV BEST Retainer Class
• FFXIV Best DPS Classes