State Alchemist's Guide to Alchemy  

State Alchemist's Guide Shortcuts: Armorer - Blacksmith - Carpenter - Culinarian - Goldsmith - Leatherworker - Weaver

Alchemy Shortcuts: Alchemist (Class) - Alchemists' Guild - Alchemist's Tools - Alchemist's Equipment - Alchemist's Quests - Alchemist's Levequests

Last Updated: September 12th, 2011

Contents [hide]

DISCLAIMER Prologue Alchemy Beginning The Game As An Alchemist The Alchemist's Guild An Alchemist's Tools Alembics Mortars Alchemist Actions, Traits & Abilities Alchemist Actions Alchemist Abilities Attributes, Elements, & Gear Attribute's Effect on Alchemy Elemental Effects on Alchemy Equipment's Effect on Alchemy Alchemist Training Treatises Leveling Alchemy: Recipe Guide Earth Shards Earth Crystals Fire Shards Fire Crystals Ice Shards Ice Crystals Lightning Shards Lightning Crystals Water Shards Water Crystals Wind Shards Wind Crystals Level 40-50 Alchemy Quests Local Levequests Skilling Up With Levequests Guild Quests Credits Special Thanks Honorable Mention

DISCLAIMER

With prior/upcoming changes the accuracy of this guide has been compromised. Once class changes upcoming in patch 1.20 have been implemented this guide will become temporarily unavailable as it is revised completely from the ground up. Until that time use with the knowledge that the information from here on may or may not be correct.

Prologue

Welcome to State Alchemist's Guide to Alchemy. Here you will find the answers to many of your questions about Alchemy, being an Alchemist, and what to do as an Alchemist. Specifically, I strive to make your learning and leveling in the field of Alchemy a bit easier, so that you can move on to enjoy the benefits of being a Master Alchemist!

I'd like to begin by saying that this is just a guide. I have written this based on my experiences, and opinions. More importantly, you may find that some things work for you while others may not. If every aspect of the guide does not help you, I apologize, and implore to you to help improve the guide, in a constructive and polite manner, by posting relevant information, or new discoveries on the Discussion page. Most importantly, remember to have fun!

Alchemy

Masters of Science and Nature, the devilish and the divine, alchemists ensure their livelihood through the transmogrification of mundane materials into wondrous wares—from curative concoctions to potent potables. Upon conducting their symphonies of commixing and combining, distilling and decocting, the impossible waxes possible, and miracles are born.

The Eorzean school only recently came to be recognized in scientific circles as a valid branch of alchemical orthodoxy. It is based on fundamental principles originating in the Near East tradition, but draws heavily upon esoteric elements of both Lalafellin herbalism and Miqo'te occultism as well.

Beginning The Game As An Alchemist

If you decide to begin the game as an Alchemist, I recommend you begin in Ul'dah. This allows easy access to the Alchemist's Guild right away, without having to run all over the world to get there when you need to. To begin with you will have the following equipment, which will help you out in your starting endeavors into the world of Alchemy. (Hover over the name of the item for details.)

• Weathered Alembic
• Weathered Spectacles
• (Race-Specific Underwear Top)
• Weathered Gown (Brown)
• (Race-Specific Underwear Bottom)
• Weathered Slops (Grey)
• Weathered Tool Belt

The Alchemist's Guild

"The esoteric practices and closely guarded secrets of the alchemical trade were long scorned by the uninitiated as profane acts of heresy. It was not until recently when certain of its undeniably effective applications were incorporated into the medical and pharmaceutical sciences at Frondale's Phrontistery that the field came to be reexamined in a new light. Alchemy now comprises the vast majority of the curriculum at the Phrontistery, which has even become home to the Alchemists' Guild, opening its doors to any who wish to learn the craft."

For more information about the Alchemists' Guild, please refer to the Alchemists' Guild wiki page by clicking here:
Alchemists' Guild

An Alchemist's Tools

"The path to becoming an Alchemist begins with you taking up the tools of our trade. Our primary task is the creation of medicines and elixirs through concoction and transmogrification. There are numerous tools that we employ in our laboratories. A master alchemist is intimate with all of them, and aware of the most minute difference any two tools may have on the same synthesis." - Kylene

For a complete list of tools available to Carpenters, please refer to the following link:
Alchemist's Tools

Alembics

As you level Alchemy, new Alembics become available much quicker then Mortars. Because of this they are generally easier and cheaper to obtain. I recommend sticking with your Alembic while leveling for this reason.

Mortars

For certain synthesis recipes, you will (assuming you have an optimal Mortar for your Rank) use your secondary tool in place of your Alembic. It provides an inherent bonus to success when performing certain types of recipes. More testing will have to be done to provide more accurate information, however, so feel free to experiment.

In addition, if you happen to HQ, the result may change based on whether you use your primary or secondary tool.

Alchemist Actions, Traits & Abilities

As you increase your Level, new Abilities will become available to you. Some of these must be purchased from the Alchemists' Guild Mark Vendor NPC in exchange for Guild Marks. Certain Training Treatises can be purchased from the Guild in exchange for Guild Marks as well, however, I will not go more in depth on how to earn Guild Marks until later in this guide.

NOTE: Optimal Level means that the action, trait, or ability will perform at full effect once you are at or above the level stated. This is not necessarily the Level at which you can obtain it.

Alchemist Actions

Alchemist gets access to two abilities that allows it to interact with enemies: Stone Throw and Wrist Flick. However, it would seem these are more of a defensive measure at this point. So unless you are REALLY bored, or have a death wish, don't attack!

Optimal Level	Name	Obtained	Description
1	Stone Throw	Automatically	Throw a rock at an enemy. (Insignificant damage.)
2	Wrist Flick	Automatically	Causes your next attack to stun the target. (Used with Stone Throw.)
30	Forgekin Eluder	Purchased	Temporarily avoid enemy encounters. Effective only against Forgekin.

Alchemist Abilities

Optimal Level	Name	Obtained	Description
10	Preserve	Automatically	Temporarily maintains favorable synthesis conditions. Most effective for finished items.
15	Hasty Hand	Automatically	Instantly completes a synthesis when successful, but amplifies effects of failure. Most effective for parts. (Failure results in either losing 50% of starting durability, or total loss of durabilty. Must be used immediately upon beginning synthesis.)
20	Creative Urge	Purchased	Increases chances of success of next action. Most effective for enhanced items.
30	Innovation	Automatically	Reduces chances of success of next action while increasing quality. Most effective for enhanced items.
35	Mass Production	Purchased	Lessens aetherial sparking while advancing synthesis progress, but reduces chances of success. Most effective for mass production.
40	Extrapolation	Purchased	Temporarily increases influence of intelligence on quality.
45	Aspect Balance	Automatically	Prevents element destabilization for next action. Most effective for enhanced items.
50	Hand of the Gods	Purchased	Temporarily reduces chances of success while preventing loss of durability. Most effective for finished items. (Standard, Rapid, and Careful Synthesis will result in no Durability loss even upon failure. If an element is unstable and goes chaotic, however, a small amount of durability will still be lost.

Attributes, Elements, & Gear

Here is some helpful information regarding the effect attributes, elements, gear, and more while performing Alchemy.

Attribute's Effect on Alchemy

Intelligence (INT): Influences synthesis when using your Primary Tool. (Alembics) Affects quality. May affect other aspects of synthesis as well.
Piety (PIE): Influences synthesis when using your Secondary Tool. (Mortars) Affects quality. May affect other aspects of synthesis as well.

Elemental Effects on Alchemy

The most common, and often the strongest present elements in most alchemy synths are(from order of importance:) Water, Fire, and Lightning. Water is the basis of a huge percentage of synths that you will perform. Fire is the second most predominant element in Alchemy, followed by Lightning. The rest of the elements, Earth, Ice, and Wind are used mainly for converting Crystals to Shards, or other similar recipes.

The Amount of points you have in an element increases your affinity with that element. It is theorized that each recipe has an elemental balance. Distributing points into different elements will affect the balance of your synthesis, sometimes resulting in an unstable element. It is not yet known exactly how each recipe is affected exactly, but it is known that having a high affinity with an element effects the appearance of that element when obtaining shards/crystals/clusters from Botany, Fishing, Mining, or killing creatures.

When I know I am going to be doing a lot of synths using one recipe, I will typically allocate more points into the elements that are used in the recipe. However, I have no data to back up any claims on whether this actually helps success, or any other aspect of actual synthesis, so I will let you decide what to do in this area.

Equipment's Effect on Alchemy

The equipment you use and wear also greatly effect your Alchemy synths. Certain recipes will be influenced more by Craftsmanship, others by Magical Craftsmanship. Control will reduce the amount of Risk you accrue from each synthesis action, and theorized to influence the stability of elements. However until there is more knowledge on how these mechanics work, just try to stay equipped with crafting gear that is optimal for Alchemist, at whatever your current Level is. I will try to update this section as we learn more about synthesis mechanics.

Alchemist Training Treatises

Various Training Treatises are available for purchase from the Alchemists' Guild Mark Vendor NPC located in the Alchemists' Guild within Frondale's Phontistery, in Ul'dah. Certain recipes will "require" different types of Training. Not having this Training doesn't mean you cannot attempt the recipe, however it will affect your success. If you find you will be making certain types of items that involve a particular type of Training, it may be worth it to you to save up the Guild Marks necessary to purchase it. For a list of Training available and their cost, please refer to the Alchemists' Guild page.

Leveling Alchemy: Recipe Guide

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, Alchemy was complicated and required a mix of various gathering and combat class to level quickly from Level 1 to Level 50. However, this is not Star Wars, and even if it was SE already blew up the Death Star by adding in a plethora of new recipes that now allow Alchemy to be easily leveled by Fishing.

This guide now revolves around making heavy use of Fishing to obtain materials. I understand some of you may not want to fish to level Alchemy. If that applies to you, then you are already making life difficult for yourself, so I am not sure why you are refering to a guide that is supposed to make your life easier. I will provide you with a list of recipes that involve making Shards and Crystals from Fish, Sand, and Moraines, with a few other Fishing related recipes at the end that may or may not help you as well in certain situations (including the last stretch from Level 40 to Level 50).

Please keep in mind that this guide is based off of my experiences and opinions, and I am recommending a path that will provide the cheapest and easiest way for you to reach Level 50. In fact, following this guide, should in fact, either make preparing for leveling your other crafts easier, or at least make you some decent Gil. Anyways, enough talk, let's see what we got to work with here. I have broken each section by element, and whether or not the recipe makes shards or crystals. At the end of that list there are a few more recipes that should help you get to Level 50.

To find the best locations to find each type of fish, the sweetspot to hit (depth), and recommended bait/lures, please refer to the Disciples of the Land website.

As far as Moraines are concerned, you can obtain them in various ways, one of the easiest, being to farm them by killing Elementals. I will try to compile a list of locations in which you can farm Elementals as soon as I can.

NOTE: "Recipe Level" is the approximate Level of the actual recipe. As a general rule of thumb, you can attempt a recipe as long as you are no more than 10 Levels below it. If you happen to find an exact minimum Level in which you can attempt some of these recipes, please let me know.

Earth Shards

Recipe Level[1]	Item	Catalyst	Recipe
1	Earth Shard x12→	Lightning Shard x4	Maiden Carp x1
10	Earth Shard x12→	Lightning Shard x4	Black Scorpion x1
16	Earth Shard x16→	Earth Crystal x1	Fine Sand x1
16	Earth Shard x24→	Earth Crystal x1	Earth Moraine x1
16	Earth Shard x32→	Earth Crystal x1	Radiant Earth Moraine x1

Earth Crystals

Recipe Level[2]	Item	Catalyst	Recipe
11	Earth Crystal x1→	Lightning Shard x5	Helmet Crab x1
15	Earth Crystal x2→	Lightning Shard x10	Sandfish x1
22	Earth Crystal x2→	Lightning Shard x10	River Crab x1
30	Earth Crystal x3→	Lightning Crystal x1	Blindfish x1
35	Earth Crystal x32→	Ice Cluster x1	Umbral Moraine x1
40	Earth Crystal x6→	Lightning Crystal x2	Northern Pike x1
40	Earth Crystal x6→	Lightning Crystal x2	Southern Pike x1
41	Earth Crystal x24→	Earth Cluster x1	Radiant Earth Moraine x1
41	Earth Crystal x32→	Fire Cluster x1	Astral Moraine x1
45	Earth Crystal x16→	Earth Cluster x1	Earth Moraine x1

Fire Shards

Recipe Level[3]	Item	Catalyst	Recipe
1	Fire Shard x12→	Lightning Shard x4	Ocean Cloud x1
1	Fire Shard x12→	Lightning Shard x4	Pipira x1
1	Fire Shard x16→	Lightning Shard x4	Scallop Shell x1
1	Fire Shard x24→	Lightning Shard x4	Vongola Clam x1
16	Fire Shard x16→	Fire Crystal x1	Fine Sand x1
16	Fire Shard x24→	Fire Crystal x1	Fire Moraine x1
16	Fire Shard x32→	Fire Crystal x1	Radiant Fire Moraine x1

Fire Crystals

Recipe Level[4]	Item	Catalyst	Recipe
1	Fire Crystal x1→	Lightning Shard x5	Ala Mhigan Fighting Fish x1
11	Fire Crystal x1→	Lightning Shard x5	Coral Butterfly x1
11	Fire Crystal x1→	Lightning Shard x5	Vongola Clam x1
16	Fire Crystal x1→	Lightning Shard x5	Razor Clam x1
25	Fire Crystal x2→	Lightning Shard x10	Miter Shell x1
25	Fire Crystal x1→	Lightning Crystal x1	Lava Toad x1
30	Fire Crystal x3→	Lightning Crystal x1	Ash Tuna x1
30	Fire Crystal x3→	Lightning Crystal x1	Monke Onke x1
30	Fire Crystal x3→	Lightning Crystal x1	Silver Shark x1
35	Fire Crystal x32→	Earth Cluster x1	Umbral Moraine x1
40	Fire Crystal x6→	Lightning Crystal x2	Haraldr Haddock x1
40	Fire Crystal x6→	Lightning Crystal x2	Velodyna Carp x1
41	Fire Crystal x24→	Fire Cluster x1	Radiant Fire Moraine x1
41	Fire Crystal x32→	Lightning Cluster x1	Astral Moraine x1
45	Fire Crystal x16→	Fire Cluster x1	Fire Moraine x1

Ice Shards

Recipe Level[5]	Item	Catalyst	Recipe
1	Ice Shard x12→	Lightning Shard x4	Rainbow Trout x1
6	Ice Shard x12→	Lightning Shard x4	Merlthor Goby x1
16	Ice Shard x16→	Ice Crystal x1	Fine Sand x1
16	Ice Shard x24→	Ice Crystal x1	Ice Moraine x1
16	Ice Shard x32→	Ice Crystal x1	Radiant Ice Moraine x1

Ice Crystals

Recipe Level[6]	Item	Catalyst	Recipe
11	Ice Crystal x1→	Lightning Shard x5	Yugr'am Salmon x1
20	Ice Crystal x1→	Lightning Shard x5	Sea Pickle x1
21	Ice Crystal x2→	Lightning Shard x10	Bianaq Bream x1
30	Ice Crystal x3→	Lightning Crystal x1	Lamp Marimo x1
30	Ice Crystal x3→	Lightning Crystal x1	Nautilus x1
35	Ice Crystal x32→	Water Cluster x1	Umbral Moraine x1
40	Ice Crystal x6→	Lightning Crystal x2	Saber Sardine x1
41	Ice Crystal x24→	Ice Cluster x1	Radiant Ice Moraine x1
41	Ice Crystal x32→	Earth Cluster x1	Astral Moraine x1
45	Ice Crystal x16→	Ice Cluster x1	Ice Moraine x1

Lightning Shards

Recipe Level[7]	Item	Catalyst	Recipe
1	Lightning Shard x6→	Lightning Shard x4	Crayfish x1
1	Lightning Shard x12→	Lightning Shard x4	Brass Loach x1
16	Lightning Shard x12→	Lightning Shard x4	Malm Kelp x1
16	Lightning Shard x16→	Lightning Crystal x1	Fine Sand x1
16	Lightning Shard x24→	Lightning Crystal x1	Lightning Moraine x1
16	Lightning Shard x32→	Lightning Crystal x1	Radiant Lightning Moraine x1

Lightning Crystals

Recipe Level[8]	Item	Catalyst	Recipe
15	Lightning Crystal x2→	Lightning Shard x10	Tarantula x1
16	Lightning Crystal x1→	Lightning Shard x5	Sunrise Tellin x1
22	Lightning Crystal x2→	Lightning Shard x10	Box Turtle x1
26	Lightning Crystal x3→	Lightning Crystal x1	Nether Newt x1
30	Lightning Crystal x3→	Lightning Crystal x1	Bone Crayfish x1
35	Lightning Crystal x3→	Lightning Crystal x1	Indigo Herring x1
35	Lightning Crystal x32→	Fire Cluster x1	Umbral Moraine x1
41	Lightning Crystal x6→	Lightning Crystal x2	Black Sole x1
41	Lightning Crystal x24→	Lightning Cluster x1	Radiant Lightning Moraine x1
41	Lightning Crystal x32→	Wind Cluster x1	Astral Moraine x1
45	Lightning Crystal x16→	Lightning Cluster x1	Lightning Moraine x1

Water Shards

Recipe Level[9]	Item	Catalyst	Recipe
1	Water Shard x12→	Lightning Shard x4	Finger Shrimp x1
1	Water Shard x12→	Lightning Shard x4	Tree Toad x1
16	Water Shard x16→	Water Crystal x1	Fine Sand x1
16	Water Shard x24→	Water Crystal x1	Water Moraine x1
16	Water Shard x32→	Water Crystal x1	Radiant Water Moraine x1

Water Crystals

Recipe Level[10]	Item	Catalyst	Recipe
16	Water Crystal x1→	Lightning Shard x5	Sea Cucumber x1
20	Water Crystal x2→	Lightning Shard x10	Dark Bass x1
30	Water Crystal x3→	Lightning Crystal x1	Hammerhead Shark x1
35	Water Crystal x32→	Wind Cluster x1	Umbral Moraine x1
40	Water Crystal x6→	Lightning Crystal x2	Wahoo x1
41	Water Crystal x24→	Water Cluster x1	Radiant Water Moraine x1
41	Water Crystal x32→	Ice Cluster x1	Astral Moraine x1
45	Water Crystal x16→	Water Cluster x1	Water Moraine x1

Wind Shards

Recipe Level[11]	Item	Catalyst	Recipe
1	Wind Shard x12→	Lightning Shard x4	Tiger Cod x1
1	Wind Shard x12→	Lightning Shard x4	Striped Goby x1
16	Wind Shard x16→	Wind Crystal x1	Fine Sand x1
16	Wind Shard x24→	Wind Crystal x1	Wind Moraine x1
16	Wind Shard x32→	Wind Crystal x1	Radiant Wind Moraine x1

Wind Crystals

Recipe Level[12]	Item	Catalyst	Recipe
10	Wind Crystal x1→	Lightning Shard x5	Dart Frog x1
10	Wind Crystal x1→	Lightning Shard x5	White Scorpion x1
16	Wind Crystal x1→	Lightning Shard x10	Allagan Snail x1
21	Wind Crystal x2→	Lightning Shard x10	Black Ghost x1
21	Wind Crystal x2→	Lightning Shard x10	Rothlyt Oyster x1
30	Wind Crystal x3→	Lightning Crystal x1	Black Eel x1
35	Wind Crystal x3→	Lightning Crystal x1	Blowfish x1
35	Wind Crystal x32→	Lightning Cluster x1	Umbral Moraine x1
40	Wind Crystal x6→	Lightning Crystal x2	Crimson Crayfish x1
41	Wind Crystal x24→	Wind Cluster x1	Radiant Wind Moraine x1
41	Wind Crystal x32→	Water Cluster x1	Astral Moraine x1
45	Wind Crystal x16→	Wind Cluster x1	Wind Moraine x1

Level 40-50

The push to Level 50 starting at about Level 40 Alchemy can be annoying. I have listed a few recipes below that might make your life a little easier.

Rank	Item	Catalyst	Recipe
45	Disabling Potion x3→	Fire Shard x6 Water Shard x3	Disabling Powder x1 Quicksilver x1
46	Heart Drops x3→	Fire Shard x6 Water Shard x3	Reanimating Salts x1 Rock Salt x1
47	Disabling Powder x3→	Lightning Shard x2 Wind Shard x1	Dart Frog x3
48	Reanimating Salts x3→	Fire Shard x2 Wind Shard x1	Dart Frog x4
49	Light Beige Boar Leather Dye x12→	Wind Shard x6 Lightning Shard x2	Light Beige Scale Bugs x1 Linseed Oil x1
49	Loam-brown Boar Leather Dye x12→	Wind Shard x6 Lightning Shard x2	Loam-brown Scale Bugs x1 Linseed Oil x1
49	Rust-Red Boar Leather Dye x12→	Wind Shard x6 Lightning Shard x2	Rust-Red Scale Bugs x1 Linseed Oil x1
49	Storm-blue Boar Leather Dye x12→	Wind Shard x6 Lightning Shard x2	Storm-blue Scale Bugs x1 Linseed Oil x1

Alchemy Quests

There are many different quests available to an Alchemist, across the realm of Eorzea. You can find Local Levequests available in Ul'dah, Limsa Lominsa, and Gridania, and occasionally a Guild Quest which, so far, always begins in Ul'dah.

Local Levequests

Local Levequests are available at any Adventurers' Guild. They vary in Level, so as you level up more will become available to you. If you complete Alchemy Local Levequests in Ul'dah you have a chance to earn Guild Marks, which can be used to obtain various Training Treatises and more by visiting the Alchemists' Guild Mark Vendor NPC, located in the Alchemists' Guild inside Frondale's Phontistery, in Ul'dah.

Skilling Up With Levequests

Local Levequests offer an alternate route to obtaining SP. Depending on the Levequest's Rank (1,5,10,15,20,25,etc...) you can obtain a great amount of skill points if the recipe they ask you to perform is of sufficient difficulty; providing you can succeed at the syntheses.

A few things to keep in mind when using Local Levequests to try and help skill up:

• Always try the hardest available Levequest, even if you know you probably cannot complete the quest. Remember, the materials are provided free-of-charge, and while they do require you to have the necessary shards/crystals, it does not deplete your supply of shards/crystals when performing Levequest sanctioned syntheses.
• Always remember to use all of the provided materials. If the quest supplies you with six attempts, and you finish the required materials on the first four tries, go ahead and do the last two syntheses. It will provide more chances for skill ups, and increase your Appraisal, which gives you a better reward.
• If you are only looking for skill ups, it is better to ignore any Local Levequest that is more than 10 Ranks below you. The SP is lousy, and if you don't need the reward, you will probably want to do something else, that isn't a waste of time.

Guild Quests

As you level up your Alchemist, various Guild Quests will become available to you. I have provided links and some basic information below.

Name	Required Level	Reward
Sleep, Cousin of Death	20	20000 Gil / 2000 Guild Marks
The Boy and the Dragon Gay	30	30000 Gil / 3000 Guild Marks
Dream On, Dream Away	36	36000 Gil / 3600 Guild Marks

Credits

This is a list of the major and minor contributors to my guide. Without them this would still be a blank page. And of course to my viewers, who continue to show their support and keep me motivated to strive to make this the best guide to Alchemy online.

Special Thanks

• FFXIV.ZAM.COM
• PIKKO - For inspiring me to get this guide off the forum and onto the Wikibase.
• www.disciplesoftheland.com

Honorable Mention

• XARIN TREMAINE (PALAMECIA SERVER)
• EDYNOTB
• EMOTIONBLUES
• NATHANAEL

Final Fantasy XIV Wikibase™ Guides

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