Leveling Botanist in Final Fantasy XIV can be both a relaxing and rewarding experience. As a gathering class, Botanist focuses on harvesting plants, logs, seeds, and other useful items throughout Eorzea. Whether you’re collecting rare crafting materials or just looking to make some gil, knowing how to efficiently level Botanist from 1 to 90 will save you hours of grinding. With the right tools, gear, and strategy, you can make fast progress while also enjoying the peaceful rhythm of gathering.
Getting Started with Botanist
If you’re just starting out, you can unlock the Botanist job in Gridania once you reach level 10 with any combat class. Visit the Botanists’ Guild and accept the introductory quest. You’ll receive your first gathering tool and access to the job’s unique abilities and gear sets.
Basic Requirements
- Reach level 10 with any combat class
- Travel to Gridania
- Accept the quest Way of the Botanist
Understanding the Gathering Interface
Once you’ve equipped your Botanist gear, your action bar will change to show gathering abilities. When approaching gathering nodes like mature trees or lush vegetation patches, use the Triangulate skill to reveal them on your minimap. You’ll then be able to select the node and begin gathering. Pay attention to item levels, node ranks, and required gathering stats to ensure success.
Best Ways to Level Botanist Fast
There are several methods to level Botanist efficiently in FFXIV. The fastest way often depends on how much time you’re willing to invest and whether you have access to bonuses like rested experience or food buffs. Combining multiple methods is usually the most effective route.
Levequests
Levequests are repeatable gathering missions that offer high experience in exchange for collected items. These quests are available in major cities and regional outposts. Each Levequest costs allowances, which regenerate daily. They are ideal for skipping levels quickly, especially in lower and mid-level ranges.
Tips for Levequest Efficiency:
- Always choose the highest-level Levequest available to you
- Use HQ (high quality) items for bonus EXP
- Complete Leves in sets of three for time efficiency
Collectables
At level 50 and above, collectables become a primary method for gaining experience and scrips. These items are gathered with special conditions and turned in for rewards. You must unlock the Collectable system in Foundation by progressing through Heavensward content.
Use the Collector’s Glove skill before gathering to make an item collectible. Prioritize nodes that provide high EXP turn-ins and rotate between them as they become available on timers.
Grand Company Turn-ins
Each day, Grand Companies offer gathering turn-ins that provide generous experience. These change daily and are often easy to complete with minimal effort. Check your Grand Company board and focus on items that you can gather quickly or already have stocked.
Grinding Normal Nodes
If you’re low on Leve allowances or just want a more relaxed method, grinding normal gathering nodes can still be effective. Equip gear with high gathering and perception stats to maximize yield and gather speed. Consider targeting items that also sell well on the marketboard for extra gil.
Leveling by Brackets
Levels 120
Stick to gathering nodes around Central Shroud and East Shroud. Complete Botanist class quests and unlock as many Levequests as possible in Gridania. Use food for an experience buff and equip gathering gear bought from vendors or crafted by Disciples of the Hand.
Levels 2140
Move to areas like South Shroud and Upper La Noscea. Continue doing Levequests in Quarrymill or Costa del Sol. Upgrade your gear every few levels to maintain efficient gathering. Try to use HQ items for Leve turn-ins whenever possible.
Levels 4150
Coerthas Central Highlands is your main location for these levels. Begin looking at collectibles from level 50. Class quests become more important at this stage, as they often give large EXP bonuses and introduce important gathering skills.
Levels 5160
Travel to areas unlocked in the Heavensward expansion like Dravanian Forelands and Churning Mists. Use collectables and Levequests in Ishgard. Focus on upgrading your gathering tools to reach the required thresholds for higher-level items.
Levels 6170
In Stormblood zones such as The Fringes and The Peaks, you’ll find new node types and better rewards. Collectables become more lucrative, and you can begin using Aetherial Reduction for gathering materials used in crafting and scrip exchange.
Levels 7180
With access to Shadowbringers content, areas like Lakeland and Kholusia offer new nodes and collectibles. Use the Skysteel Tools questline to obtain powerful gathering tools. Also, Diadem (via the Firmament in Ishgard) is an excellent source of experience and materials.
Levels 8190
Endwalker zones such as Labyrinthos and Elpis are where you’ll spend most of your time. Use timed nodes and turn in collectables to gain fast EXP and white scrips. Also, consider gathering for Aetherial Reduction to obtain rare crafting materials for gil and endgame recipes.
Helpful Gear and Buffs
Having the right gear is crucial for efficient leveling. Make sure your gathering and perception stats meet the recommended levels for the nodes you’re targeting. Always keep your gear upgraded through vendors, marketboard, or crafting classes.
Recommended Buffs:
- Food: Provides a 3% EXP bonus plus gathering stat boosts
- Company-issue buffs: Activate gathering experience buffs at your Free Company
- Rested EXP: Log out in sanctuaries to accumulate bonus EXP
Botanist Class Quests
Class quests are available every five levels and should not be skipped. They often reward you with powerful gear and give experience equivalent to several Levequests. These quests also help teach you more about gathering mechanics and how to use your abilities efficiently.
Using the Diadem for EXP
For players with access to the Firmament in Ishgard, the Diadem is one of the best places to level gathering classes from 10 to 80. It features high-yield nodes, quick gathering actions, and generous experience. You can enter with any gathering class and swap gear on the fly. It’s especially good for mass-leveling if you enjoy semi-AFK playstyles.
Leveling Botanist in FFXIV doesn’t have to be slow or repetitive. With a combination of Levequests, collectables, Grand Company turn-ins, and regular gathering, you can reach level 90 efficiently while also collecting valuable resources. Make sure to upgrade your gear regularly, take advantage of buffs, and follow the most rewarding gathering routes. As you improve your gathering skills, you’ll gain access to better tools, more profitable nodes, and rewarding endgame content that makes Botanist one of the most useful non-combat classes in the game.