Choosing a first crafting class in FFXIV is easier when you focus on the recipes and equipment you actually need. Keep the main tool current, complete class quests as they appear, and check the crafting log before attempting a new recipe.
Pairing the crafter with a gathering class reduces Market Board purchases. Deliveries and levequests can also keep progress moving at a steady pace.
Choose a crafting class and its gatherer
What each crafting guild makes
Each Disciple of the Hand crafts a family of items. The carpenter works with wood. The blacksmith and armorer mainly use metal. The goldsmith makes jewelry and certain tools.
The leatherworker processes hides. The weaver works with cloth. The alchemist prepares potions. The culinarian prepares meals.
For combat gear, start with the armorer, blacksmith, weaver or leatherworker. For consumables, choose the alchemist or culinarian. The carpenter and goldsmith also offer recipes for housing and tools.
Pair the crafting class with a gatherer: the miner supplies metal and stone, the botanist gathers wood and plants, and the fisher provides aquatic ingredients.
At level 10 with your starting class, you can join the other guilds. Equip the required tool to change classes; the change depends on that tool, not on a simple menu.
Because recipes often use components made by other classes, level the classes that produce your most frequently needed intermediate materials.
Complete class quests from level 1
Each class has its own quest series. Complete these quests as soon as they appear: they grant experience and unlock actions and tools.
- Open the journal and find the class quest.
- Equip the correct tool.
- Check the recipe in the crafting log.
- Craft the required intermediate components.
- Create the final item and turn in the quest.
- Equip the reward if it improves your stats.
The carpenter's introductory quest notably gives you a saw and elemental shards. The other classes follow a similar pattern.
Inner Quiet becomes available at level 11. This action improves effects tied to quality. Byregot’s Blessing arrives at level 50 and consumes these stacks.
At first, separate progress actions from quality actions. A complex macro can wait.
Upgrade tools and gear as recipes demand
Start with the main tool. Then replace the off-hand tool and the pieces that provide the best attributes. Clothing, gloves and accessories become important at higher thresholds.
The Recommended Gear function is found in the Character menu. It selects pieces suited to your armory, so use it after a quest or delivery.
Avoid buying a complete HQ set every five levels. Replace the pieces that cause failures first. Rewards, vendors and deliveries are often enough for the first thresholds.
The Market Board becomes useful when a tool or outfit unlocks several recipe levels. Also keep some dark matter for repairs.
Level up with recipes, quests and deliveries
Start with recipes close to your level. The first craft completes the entry in the crafting log, after which you can use quick synthesis if the item is suitable for it.
Recipes that are too high-level consume more materials and require more control. A slightly lower-level recipe often provides more consistent experience.
Add class quests, levequests, Grand Company deliveries and collectibles. Collectibles use a collectability value, which quality actions increase. Rewards include experience and scrips.
Waking the Spirit unlocks materia melding at level 19. Melding Materia Muchly opens advanced melding at level 25. These steps become useful when recipes require more craftsmanship, control or CP.
Gone to Pieces unlocks desynthesis at level 30. Use it on items that are genuinely useless, while keeping materials needed by your other classes.
Use Ishgardian Restoration after unlocking it
Ishgardian Restoration is not suitable right at the start. You must have reached the quest Litany of Peace and have a level 60 combat class or job. You can then accept Towards the Firmament in Foundation.
Once access is unlocked, gather the components, craft the requested supplies, turn them in to Potkin, and spend your scrips according to your needs.
This method speeds up catching up with a crafting class, but it does not replace suitable gear. Check your stats before starting a series and test a single synthesis with the materials available.
The official crafting and gathering guide, the official article on Ishgardian Restoration and the Eorzea database help you check recipes and changes. The jeu.vidéo practical gaming articles provide more information on the game's systems, while the site's latest news covers content updates and the esports features cover another side of video games.
Avoid these common progression mistakes
- Leveling all eight classes at once without an associated gatherer.
- Ignoring an available class quest.
- Using a tool or outfit that is too low-level for the targeted recipe.
- Buying a complete HQ set at every small milestone.
- Starting a long series without checking durability and materials.
- Starting Ishgardian Restoration before unlocking its access requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you unlock the other crafting classes?
Reach level 10 with your starting class. Join another guild and equip its required tool.
Which class should craft combat gear?
Armorer, blacksmith, weaver and leatherworker cover the main gear families.
Which gathering class matches a crafter?
Choose miner for metal and stone, botanist for wood and plants, or fisher for aquatic ingredients.
What should you check after a failed synthesis?
Check both tools, clothing, accessories and durability. Try a recipe closer to your current level.
When should you use Recommended Gear?
Use it after a quest, delivery or level milestone. Save a separate gear set for each class.
For recipe and content updates, consult official crafting guide and official database. The game's systems are also covered by official crafting guide and official database.
To keep following the subject, also read our article on FINAL FANTASY XIV Online: the right habits for beginners and our article on FFXIV crafting for beginners: the best starting point for choosing your.
Verified sources
These links can be used to verify the key information used in this article.
- na.finalfantasyxiv.com: Official crafting and gathering guide, consulted on 2026-08-04: confirms the eight Disciples of the Hand, the three Disciples of the Land and the general functions of crafting.
- na.finalfantasyxiv.com: Official carpenter guide, consulted on 2026-08-04: confirms the unlocking of other guilds at level 10, equipping the tool, synthesis actions, quality, quests and unlock levels.
- na.finalfantasyxiv.com: Official Ishgardian Restoration page, consulted on 2026-08-04: confirms the access requirements, the role of the Diadem, recipes, deliveries, experience and scrips.
- na.finalfantasyxiv.com: Official Patch 3.0 notes: confirms the use of crafted or gathered collectibles to obtain experience, scrips and gil.
