FFXIV Cosmic Exploration Guide: Tips & Rewards

Embark on an exciting journey through the stars with Final Fantasy XIV's Cosmic Exploration, introduced in patch 7.21 as part of the Dawntrail expansion. This multiplayer-focused lifestyle content invites crafters and gatherers to develop planetary surfaces alongside the Loporrits, starting with the moon's Sinus Ardorum. Whether you're chasing the coveted Cosmic Tools or diving into cooperative mech ops, this guide covers everything you need to conquer the cosmos. Curious about how to unlock this content or maximise your rewards? Read on for expert tips and insights. Be sure to bookmark our site for more FFXIV guides!

To begin your cosmic adventure, complete the Endwalker Main Scenario quest and level a Disciple of the Hand or Land to at least level 10. Head to Old Sharlayan (X:12.6, Y:13.6) and speak with Namingway to start the feature quest A Cosmic Homecoming. This unlocks Sinus Ardorum, accessible via Drivingway in Mare Lamentorum (X:21.9, Y:13.2). Unlike Island Sanctuary, Cosmic Exploration emphasizes multiplayer activities, with zones split into instances based on server population and no duty time limits.

Stellar Missions are the heart of Cosmic Exploration, offering tasks to gather or craft materials for planetary development. Accessed via the Exotablet, missions are scored by bronze, silver, or gold ranks, with silver quadrupling and gold quintupling base rewards. Missions are divided into three categories:

Normal Missions: Available indefinitely, these are graded by difficulty. Higher levels are unlocked by completing lower level missions, which often require gold ranks.

Provisional Missions: These appear under certain conditions, such as weather, time, or earning a gold rank on a chained mission. Sequential missions unlock for five minutes after a gold-ranked mission with a Roman numeral, continuing if you maintain gold ranks.

Critical Missions: Available every four hours during Red Alert events, these 20-minute windows offer repeatable missions with high rewards. Work together to fill two class-specific gauges for bonus cosmocredits.

Missions are quest-synced, making them ideal for leveling from 10 to 100. At level 100, A-rank missions require high-quality endgame gear and sometimes expert crafting recipes.

Read objectives carefully. Gathering missions may require triggering Gatherer's Blessing (using Gift abilities) or extending chains with Solid Reason or Ageless Words.

Refresh mission selections by abandoning and reaccepting, but note this consumes Mech Ops buff stacks.

During Red Alerts, Fishing and Gathering missions are faster than Crafting for earning Cosmocredits.

Mech Ops are large-scale, FATE-like events spawning every 20 minutes, tasking players with destroying objects using special actions. Take part as a pilot or as ground support:

Pilots: Purchase a pilot application for 1,000 lunar credits from Alerot (X:22.4, Y:20.3). Five players are randomly selected to control mechs, earning 5,000 contribution points and Big Bang Tickets for Cosmic Fortunes. Pilots lose their license but gain a free three-star spin.

Ground Support: Join via the duty list or teleport through Alerot. Destroy small objects to earn 300-400 Contribution Points and a buff-boosting Cosmocredit reward for your next 20 missions.

Apply as a pilot for higher rewards; your chances of selection increase with each unsuccessful application.

Ground supporters should deposit resources at field scanners before the mission ends to maximise their contribution.

Hit multiple targets with AoE actions, and leave early when you reach the gold rank threshold to save time.

Cosmic Tools: The Ultimate Reward

Cosmic Tools, the level 100 relic tools, are a big draw. You earn research data by completing missions, which fills a progress bar that can be viewed in the Cosmic Research menu. Visit the Searching Way to upgrade tools as the bar fills, no equipping required. Completing one tool will speed up the progress of others, so concentrate on a single task first. These tools can be upgraded passively, making them accessible to casual players.

If your crafting or gathering gear is outdated, grab the latest scrip gear from Mesouaidonque (X:21.8, Y:21.8). It's sufficient for most high-tier missions, saving you from investing in expensive pentamelded sets.

Cosmic Exploration Projects and Rewards

Server-wide projects, similar to the Ishgardian Restoration FATEs, are triggered when milestones are reached. These 40-minute events involve interacting with objects and reward experience, gil and cosmocredits based on contribution. Missing an event means losing out permanently, as they won't be repeated.

Spend cosmocredits and lunar credits at vendors like Mesouaidonque and Orbitingway for rewards like the High Mobility Vacuum Suit mount, Cosmosuit glamour, Micro Rover minion, and exclusive dyes (e.g., Neon Green, Metallic Ruby Red). Cosmic Fortunes offers a chance to win rare items, with Mech Ops Big Bang Tickets increasing your chances.

Zone progress is world-specific and tracked via the Infrastructure Index. Completing missions advances development and unlocks Cosmoliner fast-travel stations, new mission types and map areas. Use Stellar Sprint for a 50% speed boost or Stellar Return to teleport to the base camp's rainbow crystal (X:21.4, Y:21.4).

You need a Disciple of the Hand or Land at level 10 and must have completed the Endwalker main scenario.

Aim for gold ranks by reading objectives carefully and using abilities like Gift or Solid Reason to meet specific conditions.

Yes! They're quick, reward a mission buff, and offer decent contribution points, especially if you hit multiple objects.

Absolutely. Progress is passive, and you can use better gear until the tool's stats catch up.

Red Alerts happen roughly every four hours, lasting 20 minutes, and are ideal for farming cosmocredits.

Cosmic Exploration blends cooperative gameplay, rewarding missions, and shiny relics into a stellar FFXIV experience. Whether you're crafting, gathering, or piloting mechs, there's something for every adventurer. Stay tuned to MMOJUGG for more guides and updates to fuel your journey through Eorzea and beyond!