Flying across Stormblood’s zones changes how you play. I write this as a woman who’s played Final Fantasy XIV since 2013 and I’ve guided dozens of newer players through the aether-current grind. You’ll save time if you follow a clear, practical path instead of wandering blind.
Prerequisites — what must be done first
You need the Heavensward main story finished (including the questline that ends with “The Far Edge of Fate”) and your character must be at least level 60. I’ve noticed players who skip Heavensward basics waste hours later trying to unlock zones. Also, having flight unlocked in a Heavensward zone helps because the mechanics are the same.
There are exceptions (depends on your account status), but generally you can’t access Stormblood zones until that MSQ requirement is satisfied. Be sure you’ve got inventory space and the Compass unlocked before you start hunting currents — that saves backtracking.
Complete the zone’s main story quests
Each Stormblood area gives several main story quest (MSQ) aether currents automatically as you progress. Finish the area MSQ before you start hunting exploration currents. Why? Because MSQ currents reduce the number you need to find by hand, and story quests often put you where hidden currents spawn. Sounds obvious, but people rush and then complain it’s tedious.
Question: why not skip ahead? Because the game gates the story in order. You’ll get stuck if you try to jump zones out of sequence — really. To be fair, some side quests can be done earlier, but they rarely grant the currents you need.
How aether current collection works
Each Stormblood zone has 15 aether currents total: five via MSQ and ten found by exploring the map. The exploration ones glow like floating orbs and can hide on cliffs, under waterfalls, inside caves, or above the water. The compass points to the nearest undiscovered current and becomes accurate when you get close.
Oddly enough, the compass can mislead you if you’re on the wrong elevation. We found that using high ground to scan makes the hunt far quicker (think of it like scanning a chessboard from a balcony). This doesn’t always work in dense areas such as Yanxia, where trees and rivers hide lines of sight.
// Quick flight-control cheatsheet
Take off: Jump while mounted
Ascend: Hold Space
Descend: Hold Ctrl
Forward: W
Back: S
Strafe: A/D
Camera: Move mousePractical search method
Start by finishing all MSQ in the zone. Then open your map, use the compass, and mark currents that look hard to reach. Use high points to spot distant glowing orbs. If you get stuck, try approaching from the sea or another angle — sometimes the path is a simple loop that won’t show from the valley below.
- Finish MSQ first.
- Use the compass and map markers.
- Return to marked spots with a plan (rope, mount, or a friend).
There are exceptions: a few currents sit in places that require jumping puzzles or creative pathing. Honestly, some feel annoyingly obscure and that’s controversial — I think a few are intentionally obtuse to pad playtime. You might disagree!
Zone table — quick facts
| Zone | MSQ currents | Exploration currents | Typical challenge |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Fringes | 5 | 10 | Steep mountains, multiple levels |
| The Peaks | 5 | 10 | Vertical cliffs, caves |
| The Lochs | 5 | 10 | Water areas, some underwater spots |
| The Ruby Sea | 5 | 10 | Islands, swimming needed |
| The Azim Steppe | 5 | 10 | Wide plains, scattered rises |
| Yanxia | 5 | 10 | Forests and rivers |
The Fringes: expect high ledges and alcoves near Castrum Oriens. The Ruby Sea demands swimming for some currents — bring movement food if you want to be quick. (Yes, food helps.)
“If you mark hard-to-reach currents and come back from a different angle, you’ll often save time.” — practical advice from my runs
First flight and what to practice
After collecting all 15 currents, the system tells you flight is unlocked and you can summon a flying mount. Press jump while mounted. Practice basic maneuvers in an open area before trying narrow canyons. Flying feels different from ground travel: hover, ascend, descend — get comfortable.
Does flying ruin exploration? Some people say it does. I think it changes exploration — you’ll spot things you missed on foot and miss small ground details. Both perspectives are valid.
Tips, gotchas, and one weird trick
Use high vantage points. Use the compass. Check the Aether Currents menu often. Watch this: sometimes a quest completion awards a current only after you zone out and back in; if it doesn’t register, logout and login again. It’s dumb but it works.
Surprisingly, several currents line up with side-objectives or hunting logs, so doing those can speed the process. There are exceptions, of course — depends on your niche of play and what you’ve already unlocked.
Final note, between us: patience pays. Collecting currents is a slow build but it rewards you with faster travel and views you wouldn’t otherwise see. If you want, I’ll point out the trickiest spot in The Peaks next time — I can even show coordinates.
— Written by a veteran player and guide (female). ✨
