If you’ve just reached Heavensward and want a clear, experienced take on hunts in Final Fantasy XIV, you’re in the right place. I’m a long-time hunter (and yes, a woman who’s logged too many hours tracking spawns), and I’ll tell you what works, why it works, and where people get it wrong.
What hunts are, and why you might care
Hunts are zone targets that give Centurio Seals, gear materials, mounts, and bragging rights. They force you out of dungeons and into the world—think of them like a structured scavenger hunt across Ishgard. Why do them? Because seals buy upgrade mats and exclusive items you won’t find elsewhere, and because they break the monotony of dungeons. Honestly, I’ve noticed players who ignore hunts miss steady progress and decent income.
Types of marks (short table)
| Type | Difficulty | Typical Reward | Reset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily | Easy | 10–20 Seals | 24 h |
| Weekly | Medium | 40–100 Seals | 7 days |
| A‑Rank | Hard | 40 Seals + tomes | Variable |
| S‑Rank | Very hard | 100 Seals + rare loot | Rare |
Spawn rules for S‑ranks are often community-driven secrets (so join a Discord). There are exceptions; some S‑ranks spawn easier on certain days depending on the server population.
Where to start
Go to Foundation and find the Centurio Clan Hunt Board in the Forgotten Knight (coords X:13.0, Y:11.8). Complete the intro quest “Let the Hunt Begin” to unlock marks. Easy step? Yes. Miss it and you’ll wonder why nothing shows up.
Quick starter checklist
- Finish Heavensward MSQ to access Foundation
- Pick up the intro quest
- Tap the Hunt Board and accept daily marks
- Join a hunt linkshell or Discord (highly recommended)
Hunt Prep:
- Job at req level
- Gear ready
- Food buff
- Teleport funds
- Space for loot
Gear, levels, and realistic expectations
Hunts unlock at level 50. Daily marks are doable at i130–150. Weekly marks push toward i200+. A‑ranks want well‑geared level 60s; S‑ranks expect top gear. Why? Because HP pools, mechanics, and damage checks scale, and you’ll die if you’re undergeared—simple as that. Tanks survive longer; DPS clear faster; healers can solo but it’s slow. Depends on your niche and playstyle.
(There are exceptions—some skilled players solo odd elites with tricks, but don’t bank on it.)
Rewards and seals — how to spend them
Centurio Seals buy upgrade materials, gear sets, minions, orchestrion rolls, and the Centurio Tiger mount (cost 3200 seals). Upgrade mats like Gobdip/Gobtwine run roughly 500–1000 seals each and are valuable for boosting non-raid gear. Why spend seals on upgrades? Because they let you close the performance gap without raid tokens.
| Category | Seal Cost |
|---|---|
| Upgrade mats | 500–1000 |
| Gear | 300–800 |
| Mount | 3200 |
Counterintuitive insight: for many players, doing consistent daily marks yields more usable seals per hour than chasing rare S‑ranks. Surprising? It was to me at first, but steady income compounds.
Solo vs group — pick your battles
Solo is flexible. You move at your pace and optimize routes. Grouping gets elite marks and faster clears, but you’ll deal with coordination and loot sharing. My approach: daily solo runs, group up for weekly/A/S ranks. Works most of the time. There are exceptions.
Practical advice
- Solo: focus daily; optimize zone routes
- Group: join linkshells for elite spawns
- Track timers (community tools help)
“Join a hunt linkshell. You’ll learn spawn patterns faster than by wandering alone.” — something I tell new hunters all the time
Why join a community? Because S‑rank spawns are a social and timing puzzle. Between us, people who refuse to join groups often grind seals slower and complain about missed spawns.
Advanced notes and a small controversy
Here’s the funny part: many players treat hunts like an afterthought, yet they’re a major route to gear and gil. I’ve seen elitists claim hunts are “old and irrelevant”; I disagree. They’re slower than raids, sure, but more accessible and less toxic—often a better way to upgrade if you hate raid culture. That’s debatable, and some will argue raids are the only real challenge.
Also, watch this—timing and server population matter a lot. On July 1, 2025, the community spawn tracker I follow updated its A‑rank list; that made hunting schedules more predictable. Use accurate trackers (Discord channels, community sites) rather than random guides.
Extra tips (short list)
- Bring food—small stat bumps matter
- Repair often; don’t get stranded
- Learn escape options (teleport, stun breaks)
- Sell valuable seal items when market prices are high
One small metaphor: hunting is like gardening. Daily care yields steady blooms; rare events are like seasonal flowers that need planning and luck. Oddly enough, patience beats panic more often than skill alone.
Final honest note: this won’t always be fast. It depends on your server, your gear, and how much you like clicking around maps. If you want help with routes or finding a linkshell, ask me—I’ll point you toward communities that actually help new hunters instead of gatekeeping. Okay, that sounded a bit bossy—sorry, couldn’t help it.
Happy hunting! 🎯
