Gear Progression Guide¶
New to the Relaunch server and wondering what to wear? This page answers "what gear should I be targeting right now?" at each stage of your character's journey.
Weapons come from the Weapons Vendor. Armor comes from Reforge and infamy vendors.
This page focuses on the weapon progression sold by the Weapons Vendor at Escha ZiTah, and explains where armor fits in. For the full armor catalog, see Gear Vendors. For Reforge (AF/Relic/Empy sets), see Reforge System.
Gear sources at a glance¶
| Source | What it gives | How you access it |
|---|---|---|
| Weapons Vendor | Weapons in three tiers (Bronze / Silver / Gold) | Hunt Marks → convert to medals at the Seals NPC |
| Armor Vendor / Accessories Vendor | Body armor and accessories in three tiers | Same medal system as weapons |
| Reforge System | AF/Relic/Empy armor sets, base through +3 | AF Marks / Relic Marks / Empy Marks from Reforge NMs in Diorama Abdhaljs-Ghelsba |
| Infamy Vendor | Best-in-slot armor and weapons found nowhere else | Infamy earned from Abyssea NM hunts, Invasions, and the weekly Raid |
| Augmented gear | Any piece with extra stats from the Augment Moogle | Catalyst drops from assigned mobs + a flat gil fee per trade |
| Hunting League rewards | Currency and access to all of the above | Participate in Hunt spawns at Escha ZiTah |
Currency: how to turn Hunt Marks into medals¶
All vendor gear (weapons and armor) is purchased with three medal tiers. You exchange Hunt Marks at the Seals NPC at Escha ZiTah:
| Medal | Cost | Tier unlocked |
|---|---|---|
| Beastmens Medal (Bronze) | 5 Hunt Marks each | Bronze weapons and armor |
| Kindreds Medal (Silver) | 15 Hunt Marks each | Silver weapons and armor |
| Demons Medal (Gold) | 40 Hunt Marks each | Gold weapons and armor |
Hunt Marks come from participating in Hunting League spawns at Escha ZiTah. The Seals NPC supports bulk purchases — use Buy 10 or Buy max when stocking up.
The Weapons Vendor¶
Location: Escha ZiTah — next to the Hunting League NPCs
This NPC sells weapons in 16 categories across three tiers. All items are ilvl 119 and available immediately to any job that can equip them. Browse the menu by weapon type; the NPC filters to categories relevant to your current job.
Bronze Tier — entry-level weapons¶
Currency: 12 Beastmens Medals each (= 60 Hunt Marks per weapon)
For: new characters who just hit level 99, or anyone who needs a solid baseline weapon fast.
Bronze weapons are curated for vendor exclusivity — the NPC stocks only gear you can't earn elsewhere (93 weapons across 16 categories). Every job has at least one option.
Selected highlights¶
60 Hunt Marks per weapon
At Bronze tier, 60 Hunt Marks = 12 Beastmens Medals = one weapon. A typical Hunting League session yields enough to buy one or two weapons. Prioritize your main weapon first, then fill in an offhand or ranged slot.
Silver Tier — mid-range weapons¶
Currency: 25 Kindreds Medals each (= 375 Hunt Marks per weapon)
For: characters with Hunting League Rank I–III who want a significant step up from Bronze.
Silver weapons have higher base damage and often better weapon skills or secondary stats (31 weapons across 15 categories), with a wider selection than Bronze.
Selected highlights¶
| Category | Standout picks | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Swords | Halachuinic Sword, Xiutleato | WAR/RDM/THF/PLD/DRK/BST/BRD/RNG/… |
| Daggers | Aphotic Kukri, Atoyac | WAR/THF/DRK/RNG/NIN/COR/PUP/DNC/… |
| Clubs | Mondaha Cudgel, Tamaxchi | WAR/MNK/WHM/BLM/PLD/SMN/BLU/SCH/… |
| Staves | Baqil Staff, Soothsayer Staff, Yaskomos Pole | WHM/BLM/RDM/BRD/SMN/SCH/GEO |
| Great Swords | Bereaver, Kaquljaan | PLD/DRK/RUN/WAR |
| Axes | Brethren Axe, Hatxiik, Hunahpu | BST/WAR |
| Great Axes | Bloodbath Axe, Ixtab | WAR |
| Scythes | Dimmet Scythe, Xbalanque | DRK |
| Polearms | Kuakuakait, Ophidian Trident | DRG |
| Katana | Kiji, Taikogane | NIN |
| Great Katana | Azukinagamitsu, Uguisumaru | SAM |
| Archery | Ajjub Bow, Speleogen Bow | RNG/SAM |
| Marksmanship | Atetepeyorg, Surefire Arquebus | RNG/COR |
| Hand-to-Hand | Maochinoli, Rigor Baghnakhs | MNK/PUP |
| Grips | Alternator | PUP |
Silver is the sweet spot for mid-progression
Silver weapons represent a major power jump over Bronze and are within reach after a few weeks of regular Hunting League participation. Many players stay on Silver weapons for quite a while while building out their armor sets via Reforge.
Gold Tier — endgame weapons¶
Currency: 50 Demons Medals each (= 2,000 Hunt Marks per weapon)
For: players with Hunting League Rank IV–V who are approaching or in endgame content.
Gold weapons are the top-end purchases from the vendor system (17 weapons across 15 categories), priced for players deep into the Hunting League ladder.
Selected highlights¶
| Category | Standout picks | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Swords | Dija Sword +1 | WAR/PLD/DRK/RUN |
| Daggers | Nanti Knife +1 | WAR/THF/PLD/DRK/BRD/RNG/SAM/NIN/… |
| Clubs | Sharur +1 | WHM/PLD |
| Staves | Astralwatcher, Atinian Staff +1 | SMN/BLM/SCH/GEO |
| Great Swords | Senbaak Nagan +1 | PLD/DRK/RUN |
| Axes | Budliqa +1 | WAR/DRK/BST/RUN |
| Great Axes | Razorfury +1 | WAR |
| Scythes | Lacryma Sickle +1 | DRK |
| Polearms | Terebrokath +1 | DRG |
| Katana | Pamun +1 | NIN |
| Great Katana | Sukezane +1 | SAM |
| Archery | Echidna's Bow +1 | RNG |
| Marksmanship | Donderbuss +1, Moros Crossbow +1 | RNG/COR |
| Hand-to-Hand | Bhakazi Sainti +1 | MNK/PUP |
| Grips | Magneto | PUP |
Gold weapons are a large Hunt Mark investment
50 Demons Medals = 2,000 Hunt Marks per weapon. Plan your spending carefully — fill in Silver weapons for secondary jobs first, and save Gold purchases for your main job's primary weapon. The armor in the Armor Vendor's Gold tier competes for the same Demons Medals.
Armor: a brief overview¶
Armor does not come from the Weapons Vendor — it comes from two other sources:
Gear Vendors (Escha ZiTah): The Armor Vendor and Accessories Vendor at the same cluster sell body armor and accessories using the same three medal tiers. See Gear Vendors for the full catalog.
Reforge System: AF, Relic, and Empyrean armor sets are upgraded from base through +3 using Reforge marks earned from spawner NMs in Diorama Abdhaljs-Ghelsba (+1 300 / +2 900 / +3 2,000 marks per piece, in that set's own currency). This is your primary armor progression path alongside the medal vendors. See Reforge System.
Infamy accessories: BiS neck / ear / ring / waist / back are sold by the Infamy Vendor for Infamy earned from endgame content. As of 2026-07-06 the vendor is accessories-only — weapons and armor moved to Voidwatch NM loot, and +4 Reforge sets are crafted at the +3 → +4 Forge in Dynamis-Divergence (paid in Rusted / Black ID Cards + Paragon Cards).
Endgame vendors & forges¶
Once you leave the Bronze / Silver / Gold ladder, the endgame gear economy fans out across a dozen specialist NPCs. Every row below only renders if its module ships on the live server — a retired vendor falls off the page automatically on the next docgen run.
| Vendor / Forge | What it sells | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Prime Armory (Purgonorgo Isle) | Prime support equipment and Prime Trial turn-ins | See the Armory menu; final Prime weapons use the Weapon Forger |
| Relic Forge (Purgonorgo Isle) | Repeat final Relics after completing the first full route | 750 matching Dynamis currency + 500 Plutons |
| Weapon Forge (Purgonorgo Isle) | First-time Relic, Empyrean, Mythic, Aeonic, and Prime routes | Family-specific currencies, materials, Reforge Marks, and gil |
| Reisenjima Forge (Reisenjima) | Odyssean / Valorous / Chironic / Merlinic / Herculean armor + NQ→+1 for Adhemar / Argosy / Carmine / Rao / Ryuo / Souveran | Abjurations from Reisenjima NMs + gil |
| +3 → +4 Forge (Dynamis-Divergence) | The +4 upgrade tier — turn a reforged +3 AF/Relic piece into +4 | Reforged +3 piece + Paragon Card (main-job) + Rusted / Black ID Cards (99 / 99, 6 body) |
| Temprix (Reisenjima) | Begin a selected Aeonic pilgrimage | 50,000 Escha Beads |
| Domain Quartermaster (Escha zones) | Domain / Zurim items — Hunt-Marks alternative to farming Zurim direct | Hunt Marks |
| Phantom Gem Vendor (Purgonorgo Isle) | Phantom Gems — HTBF entry tokens (Tier I / II / III) | Gil |
| Crafting Exchange (Purgonorgo Isle) | Turn HQ synth results into Hunt Marks — a Bronze-tier faucet for crafters | HQ craft results |
| Reforge Mark Exchange (Reisenjima Henge) | Convert one family of Reforge Marks to another (2:1 AF→Relic, 2:1 Relic→Empy, 3:1 Empy→AF) | Reforge Marks (any of AF / Relic / Empyrean) |
| Ambuscade Weapon Forge (Ambuscade Tome, Mhaura) | The Tokko → Ajja → Eletta → Kaja → Final upgrade chain — Naegling, Karambit, Nandaka, Tauret, Dolichenus, … | Hallmarks + Gallantry + Abdhaljs materials (Nugget / Gem / Anima / Matter) + Pulse Cell + gil |
Currency & material vocabulary¶
Endgame trades pull from a wide vocabulary of currencies and forge materials. The list below is a lookup key -- see each system's own page for exact amounts and drop sources.
| Currency / Material | Sourced from | Spent on |
|---|---|---|
| Hunt Marks | Hunting League, boards, HTBF, Colosseum, achievements | Seals, ranks, most vendors |
| Beastmens / Kindreds / Demons Medals | Trade Hunt Marks at the Seals NPC | Weapons / Armor / Accessories vendors |
| AF / Relic / Empyrean Reforge Marks | Abyssea NMs (AF), Sky Gods / Land Kings (Relic), Voidwatch (Empy) | Reforge System (+1/+2/+3) + Dynamis-Divergence entry toll (250) + Weapon Forge 119III |
| Infamy | Invasions, Apex Trials, The Gauntlet, Abyssea NMs, Star-Devourer | Infamy Vendor (accessories) |
| Escha Beads | Every Geas Fete NM (Zi'Tah, Ru'Aun, Reisenjima all pay in) | Warding Circles + starting an Aeonic pilgrimage (50,000) |
| Escha Silt | Domain Invasion + Eschan portal cost | Eschan portal travel + Weapon Forge 119II/III material |
| Hallmarks | Ambuscade clears (200,000/month cap) | Ambuscade weapon chain + Ambuscade armor vouchers |
| Gallantry | Ambuscade objective bonuses | Cosmetic + capacity boons |
| Accolades | Unity Concord Wanted NM kills | Unity shop |
| Mastery Sigils | Daily NM rotation (primary), any NM (small trickle) | Spell & Skill Mastery |
| Paragon Points | Apex Trials, The Gauntlet | Paragon Board + Daily Might |
| Apex Points | Apex Trials climb | Bank as Paragon Points |
| Attestations | Geas Fete Tier 3–4 | Aeonic weapon forge |
| Riftborn Boulders | Geas Fete NMs (rare) | Aeonic weapon forge |
| Abdhaljs Nugget / Gem / Anima / Matter | Ambuscade objective rewards | Ambuscade weapon upgrade chain |
| Pulse Cell | Ambuscade objective rewards | Ambuscade weapon upgrade chain |
| Paragon Card | Dynamis-Divergence Mega-Boss (main-job on kill) | +3 → +4 Forge |
| Rusted / Black ID Card | Dynamis-Divergence trash / bosses | +3 → +4 Forge materials |
| 100 Byne Bill / Ordelle's Bronzepiece / Tukuku Whiteshell | Dynamis-classic zones | Relic Forge (Stage 5) |
| Cruor | Abyssea NM kills | Abyssea buffs + retail Cruor buys |
Progression stages¶
Use this as a roadmap of what to chase next. The old calendar estimates are gone — these stages move as fast as you farm.
Fresh character¶
- Reach level 99 via EXP camps or Subjob EXP Share.
- Start collecting Hunt Marks by participating in Hunting League spawns at Escha ZiTah.
- Convert early marks to Beastmens Medals and grab a Bronze weapon (60 Hunt Marks all-in) for your main job.
- Pick up bronze-tier armor pieces from the Armor Vendor in the slots you're missing.
Hunting League Rank I¶
- You have enough Hunting League experience to be earning marks consistently.
- Prioritize filling out your Bronze weapon (if not done) and a secondary slot.
- Start saving Beastmens Medals for accessories from the medal-paid Accessories Vendor. A back piece plus one or two neck/ring picks are efficient early purchases.
- Begin hunting Reforge NMs (Abyssea, Sky Gods, Land Kings) to accumulate AF / Relic / Empy Reforge Marks for your first base Reforge armor pieces.
Rank II–III¶
- Transition your main weapon to Silver tier. 375 Hunt Marks per weapon is achievable with consistent play.
- Focus Reforge marks on upgrading your armor set from base to +1 or +2 in your most impactful slots (typically body and head).
- Start saving Kindreds Medals for Silver armor pieces in slots where Reforge hasn't caught up yet.
- The Augment Sage's first mastery rank (Augment Initiate) unlocks automatically at Hunting League Rank 2 — nothing is consumed. It lifts your augment roll floor and raises crit chance to 10%, and applies to every augment from here on.
Rank IV–V¶
- Gold tier weapons become the next major weapon goal. At 2,000 Hunt Marks each, budget accordingly — main job main-hand first.
- Reforge sets should be approaching +2/+3 in key slots by now.
- Earn Infamy from endgame content and spend it at the Infamy Vendor — its pieces fill slots where Reforge lags, or upgrade over +3 in select slots.
- Register Augment Sage NM affinities for your main augment categories; the deeper mastery ranks unlock later through Prestige and Rebirth milestones.
Endgame — the real ladder¶
Once your Gold-tier weapons and Reforge +3 armor are in place, the gear ladder fans out. Every rung below is real content the server ships today (see the Endgame vendors & forges table above for the vendor names + currencies).
- Cap Augment Moogle with rank-5 Augment Archon mastery and all 11 NM affinities registered — the deeper mastery ranks unlock through Prestige and Rebirth milestones.
- Register on the Hunter's Guild at every guild you hunt in — each rank passively amplifies that guild's mark payout, and the Trinity / Apex Hunter capstones stack on top.
- Master a job (2,100 JP) + register all 11 NM affinities unlocks High-Tier Battlefields. Each clear pays Hunt Marks + tiered loot from the fight's retail table.
- 1 HNM King kill + 1 HTBF clear at each of T1/T2/T3 unlocks Ambuscade. Ambuscade's weapon-upgrade chain (Tokko → Ajja → Eletta → Kaja → Final) delivers Naegling, Karambit, Nandaka, Tauret, Dolichenus, and the rest of that shortlist.
- Reforge Marks earned from Sky Gods / Land Kings / Abyssea NMs also buy your ticket into Dynamis-Divergence (250 marks per entry). Clearing a city drops the Rusted / Black ID Cards + Paragon Card you need at the +3 → +4 Forge to push AF or Relic armor from +3 to +4.
- Geas Fete feeds the Aeonic route. After your first final Relic, Empyrean, and Mythic, begin its pilgrimage; Tier 3 and Tier 4 NMs provide the matching Attestations and Escha Silt for the Attuned, Empowered, and final Aeonic forge.
- Prime Weapons are the final weapon path. Complete the five Prime Trials and a Prime pilgrimage, then forge a matching Kaja weapon at the Weapon Forger with medals, Reforge Marks, and 750M gil. The Weapon Journey shows the full order.
- Weekly floor: the Star-Devourer raid at Escha - Ru'Aun pays big Hunt Marks + Infamy on a weekly lockout — the reliable single biggest weekly currency injection.
Quick reference: weapon cost in Hunt Marks¶
| Tier | Medal cost | Hunt Marks cost |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze | 12 Beastmens Medals | 60 Hunt Marks |
| Silver | 25 Kindreds Medals | 375 Hunt Marks |
| Gold | 50 Demons Medals | 2,000 Hunt Marks |
One weapon at a time
Do not try to gear every job simultaneously. Pick your main job, get its weapon to Gold, and build the armor set around it. Then move on to a second job. Hunt Marks are a finite resource per session — focus pays off faster than spreading thin.
Last updated: 2026-09-05 11:15 PDT