FFXIV Stats and What They Mean

Introduction: The How, When, and Where of FFXIV Stats

While much in FFXIV depends on one’s class level, stat points are awarded through advancement of physical level. Once a new physical level is attained, a message will show up in the chat box, noting how many attribute points have been awarded. The point awards increase with physical level (for example, at level five only four attribute points are awarded; at level fourteen, eight are awarded) and the same number of points are awarded for both regular and elemental attributes.

When AP have been awarded, simply go to the main menu and choose “point allotment.” This will bring up a dialog box that shows the amount of free AP and allows the points to be distributed one at a time to any stat.

The AP cost for increasing an attribute by one point is related to how high the attribute currently is:

1-39: 1 point per increase

40-80: 2 points per increase

81-127: 3 points per increase

128+: 4 points per increase

There is also a button in the point allotment menu labeled “reassignment.” Reassignment only allows a small portion of the stats to be reassigned, and this ability has a cooldown. This is only really useful for undoing mistakes. As of right now, there is no way to completely reassign all attribute points, so think before spending!

“Regular” Stats

For lack of a better name, I’ll call the FFXIV stats that make up the regular fantasy game just that - regular. These stats are strength, dexterity, vitality, piety, mind, and intelligence. Three of the FFXIV stats primarily affect magic, the other three primarily affect physical combat.

These FFXIV stats are not purely combat-based, however. Stats also affect gathering and crafting. For example FFXIV piety helps fisherman (that pious lot) gather, and helps out alchemists and culinarians - when they’re using their secondary tool. Below is a basic list of what each stat does and how it effects the non-combat disciples.

Strength - Increases physical weapon damage, increases shield block (damage prevented)

Synthesizing: Blacksmith (primary tool), Armorer (secondary tool)

Gathering: Botanist

Vitality - Physical defense, increase HP (For Disciples of War, 1 vitality = 14-15 HP. For Disciples of Magic 1 vitality = 8-10 HP)

Synthesizing: Carpenter (primary tool), Armorer (secondary tool), Leatherworker (primary tool)

Gathering: Miner

Dexterity - Physical weapon accuracy, chance to evade, critical hit rate, parry rate (some weapons)

Synthesizing: Goldsmith (primary tool), Weaver (primary tool), Carpenter (secondary tool)

Gathering: Fishing

Mind - Magic spell defense, healing spell potency (+1 HP per 2 mind), increases MP (For Disciples of War 1 mind = 2-3 MP. For Disciples of magic, 1 mind = 9-10 MP)

Synthesizing: Culinarian (primary tool), Blacksmith (secondary tool), Weaver (secondary tool)

Gathering: Miner

Intelligence - Offensive magic spell potency

Synthesizing: Alchemist (primary tool), Goldsmith (secondary tool), Leatherworker (secondary tool)

Gathering: Botanist

Piety - Magic spell accuracy (reduces chance attacks will be resisted), increases magic defense

Synthesizing: Alchemist (secondary tool), Culinarian (secondary tool)

Gathering: Fishing

Please note that while a given stat will obviously help some Disciples more than others, there may not be as much benefit to completely ignoring the other stats. For example, Vitality helps everyone out, by providing more HP. Dexterity may be somewhat useful for Disciples of Magic, since a few of their attacks are based off of physical weapon accuracy.

Elemental Stats

Elemental FFXIV stats are not that well understood. It’s known for certain that having a high score in one elemental stat will reduce damage taken from opposing elements. It’s also fairly well proven that having a high fire score will increase the chances of picking up fire crystals while gathering.

However, it’s also been theorized that the elemental attribute increases spells and abilities (such as offensive spells) that relate to that element. Also, that it may improve the success rate of synthesis using those crystals. Neither of these have been conclusively proven yet.

Opposing Elements

Fire opposes ice

Wind opposes fire

Earth opposes lightning

Ice opposes wind

Lightning opposes water

Water opposes earth