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The world of Final Fantasy XIV is one of the largest in the series yet, with four expansions and years of content to explore. But while the Main Story Quest offers an exciting tale of thrills, tears, and courage, it can be nice to take a moment off from being the Warrior of Light.
Rest, relaxation, minigames, competition, or episodes of a surreal comedy, there's plenty for those off-times when a player needs a break from saving the world. Be it fighting sword to sword with other players or fighting more metaphorical battles against large fish or slightly crooked paintings; there's a lot more to do in Eorzea than first meets the eye.
10 Partake In Some Parkour Practice
Final Fantasy XIV has come a long, long way since the dark days of 1.0. Back then, there wasn't even a jump button. Nowadays, though, jumping not only serves to aid navigation, but is also a vital part of a wide variety of jumping puzzles scattered throughout the game world.
Kugane's tower might be the most famous, as it's a long trek that rewards not just an amazing view but also two vistas, but others can also be found. Both Ralgr's Reach and Radz-at-Han are hosts to parkour courses, and the Golden Saucer offers several more for the enterprising climber.
9 Aid The City States By Crafting
Crafting doesn't have to be done purely as a way to get better gear and stronger items. Not only are there plenty of cosmetics and tons of furniture, but several storylines unique to Disciples Of The Hand exist, from building up the Crystalline Mean to researching at the Studium.
The Firmament offers another option for the curious crafter, allowing the player to craft various collectibles to aid in the ever-ongoing rebuilding of Ishgard. The Skyrise Celebration provides another way to level crafters while gaining valuable items, though all of its "Fêtes" can be done even with a low-level class.
8 Learn About The Tribes Of Eorzea
Formerly known as "beast tribes," the tribal quests of Final Fantasy XIV have expanded from just the primal-following factions of A Realm Reborn to so much more. Whether hard-working ixal or dwarves or just a bunch of tea-drunk namazu, there's an ever-expanding roster of people to aid.
With something to do for any class, there are plenty of rewards. Not only can they be great for leveling, but they can also be an excellent source of both materia and a wide variety of cosmetics, including mounts, pets, and more. Of particular note are the pixies, which also unlock a cozy zone to relax.
7 Go Fishing Above Or Below The Sea
While fishing might conjure images of sitting by a lakeside or in a rowboat, there's far more on offer in Final Fantasy XIV. Ocean Fishing is a popular way to level the skill while socializing with a group and earning a boatload of gathering scrips along the way.
Spearfishing can also be a fun way to pass the time between duties. While before Endwalker, it was a rather monotonous experience, it has since been revamped into a fast-paced arcade-like system where the player must hit as many fish as possible before their stamina reaches zero, with a bonus for chain-catches.
6 Obtain A Home Of Your Own
While the housing system in Final Fantasy was once infamous—to the point of being jokingly called "Housing (Savage)" by many fans—things have significantly improved since Endwalker began. Now a lottery, luck is still part of it, but gone are the days of spamming the "buy" button for hours on end.
Even should it prove hard to get a full-on house, apartments and Free Company rooms are always available, providing everyone a taste of what the system can offer. Not only can one decorate to their heart's content, but it also unlocks features like the chocobo stables and indoor and outdoor gardening.
5 Join And Explore The Free Companies Of Eorzea
Whether a close-knit group of friends or a more expansive guild, there are plenty of benefits to joining one of Eorzea's many free companies. There's more than just camaraderie to be had, as a free company unlocks various benefits, ranging from buffs to airship expeditions.
Free companies outside one's own can still have plenty to offer, though, as plenty of people have set up a wide variety of venues to visit if the player takes the time to explore. Cafes and taverns are quite common, and shops, medieval markets, and even aquariums can be found throughout the cities.
4 Explore The World Of Sidequests
Generic side quests abound, sometimes with surprisingly great stories, but there are deeper endeavors a player can engage in if they know where to look. The case files of Inspector Hildibrand are perhaps the most well-known, offering both a hilarious adventure, several trials, and as of Patch 6.2.5, a relic weapon.
The Delivery Moogle is another option for a curious adventurer, and sees them becoming an "assistant deputy postmoogle" as they help right the mail system of Eorzea. A newer addition is "Tataru's Grand Adventure," an ongoing story that follows the adventures of everyone's favorite Scion after the events of Endwalker.
3 Engage In Fast-Paced PvP Matches
New players need not fear; PvP in Final Fantasy XIV sees all players fighting on an even field. Bucking the trend of many MMOs, all players of a class have identical stats, entirely separate abilities and spells from their PvE counterparts, and several all-class techniques.
Whether friendly duels, fast-paced Crystalline Conflict matches, or the mass combat of Frontlines or Rival Wings, there's a little something for everyone. The recently returned Garo crossover is worth checking out, as it rewards not just some flashy armor but also several unique mounts and titles.
2 Relax And Build An Island Economy
A likely hit for fans of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the Island Sanctuary offers some much-needed rest and relaxation for the Warrior of Light after their globe-trotting adventures. All of it was funded by the ingenious accountant Tataru Taru. Possibly with some degree of aid from certain former pirates.
One of the newest additions to the game, there's no dearth of stuff to do, whether for casual or more dedicated players. Rounding up animals, gathering resources, and tending to the farm are major features, but so is a remarkably complex business simulator, which sees the hero opening a souvenir shop.
1 Play And Win At The Manderville Golden Saucer
Making a triumphant return from Final Fantasy VII, the Golden Saucer takes the form of a minigame bonanza, funded by the Manderville family as a reward for Eorzea's hard-working adventurers. Within lies everything from breeding the perfect race-chocobo to tables for Triple Triad, Lord of Verminion, or even "Doman" Mahjong.
For those with enough skill, luck, or plain old persistence, a sea of prizes awaits, featuring glamor items, unique hairstyles, and more. Also notable are the "Out On A Limb" and "The Finer Miner" machines, both of which are references to the convoluted gathering systems from back in 1.0.