Making Gil in Final Fantasy XIV (FFXIV) can feel like a daunting task, especially with the game's ever-changing economy. Whether you're a new adventurer or a seasoned player looking to pad your wallet, the key to success lies in adaptability, patience and a dash of market savvy. Crafting and gathering are often touted as the go-to methods for earning Gil, but it's not all about grinding - it's about working smarter, not harder. Below, I've rounded up 13 tried-and-tested tips to help you rake in the Gil, no matter which patch or expansion you're playing. Let's dive in!
The FFXIV market is a wild beast—prices can soar one day and crash the next. If you're clinging to last week's 500 gil per ore when someone is undercutting you at 350 gil, you're not selling anything. Adjust your prices to stay competitive. Sure, it stings to drop from 500 to 375, but Gil in your pocket is better than a full inventory gathering dust.
Set a reasonable price for your items and check back once a day to tweak as needed. Constantly babysitting your retainers and undercutting them by a single gil is a recipe for burnout. Most items will sell eventually if you price them fairly - just give it time.
Not every item is a winner. If something has been sitting on the market for ages, don't be afraid to sell it for a few Gil or hide it for a future patch. I've had items listed for months that suddenly sold when a new recipe dropped - so patience can pay off, but don't stockpile useless junk.
Picture this: you've gathered 20 stacks of flowers, only to watch demand vanish overnight. Diversify your investments. If you're collecting tons of something like Levin Silk, have a backup plan - maybe turn it into crafting material if the market flops. Overcommitting is a risk you don't need to take.
5. Learn the Game's Rhythm
Knowledge is power. Each expansion has predictable cycles, such as Aether Sands spiking early in a patch and then fading later. For example, stocking up on Sunglit Aether Sands for patch 7.3 is a bust, but selling them in 7.2 when new recipes come out? That's gold. Study patch patterns to stay ahead of the game.
6. Find Your Niche
The FFXIV market is vast, and trying to master everything is overwhelming. Pick a job - like a miner - and focus on it. Learn which ores (Razar Ore, anyone?) are hot, why they're in demand, and how long they'll stay relevant. Specialisation builds confidence and profits.
7. Time Your Sales Right
Weekends might seem prime for selling with more players online, but they're often flooded with listings, tanking prices. Weekdays can offer less competition and hungrier buyers. Watch the trends on your server - every market has its own pulse.
8. Skip the Market Flipping
Flipping items—buying low, selling high—sounds tempting, but it's a minefield. One player can ruin your plan by flooding the market, and I've seen millions of Gil disappear in pursuit of that dream. Stick to safer, more stable methods unless you're prepared to roll the dice.
9. Be First on Patch Day
New patches bring new gear, gatherables, and crafting crazes—and the early bird gets the Gil. Craft or gather new items and list them quickly. I've sold gear to eager raiders for 10 million Gil in the first hour of a patch. Prices drop quickly, though, so don't dawdle.
10. Every Gil Counts
Selling an item for 100 Gil when you hoped for 200 isn't a loss—it's still profit. Don't get hung up on maximising every sale. Small wins add up, and a steady trickle is always better than an empty wallet.
11. Be Self-Sufficient
Why buy ore for 500 Gil when you can gather it yourself in 15 minutes? If your goal is Gil, cut out the middleman. Crafting or selling from your own materials means that every sale is pure profit. Patience pays off.
12. Ride the Pre-Patch Hype
New patches spark excitement weeks in advance, and that's your cue to sell. Stockpile relevant items - such as crafting mats for upcoming recipes - and list them before the patch hits. Spread your sales across the hype and the post-patch rush to maximise returns.
13. Keep It Fun
Gil isn't the point of FFXIV—it's a means to an end. Whether it's a shiny mount or a wild hairstyle you're after, set a goal and enjoy the journey. Grinding endlessly for more will suck the joy out of the game, so pace yourself and savour the wins.
Thanks for Reading
These 13 tips are your toolkit for thriving in FFXIV's economy, no matter the patch. Adapt, experiment, and find what works for you - because making gil is as much an art as it is a strategy. Keep an eye on MMOJUGG for more guides on how to level up your game!
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