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1. Mastering Aether Currents (Unlocking Flight)

To fly in expansions from Heavensward through Dawntrail, you must attune to all Aether Currents in a specific zone. Until you unlock flight, you are restricted to ground travel, making resource gathering and hunts significantly slower.

Current Locations Breakdown

• Heavensward (3.0): 9 Field / 4 Quests (Reduced in later patches).
• Stormblood (4.0): 9 Field / 4 Quests (Reduced in later patches).
• Shadowbringers (5.0) & Endwalker (6.0): 10 Field / 5 Quests.
• Dawntrail (7.0): 10 Field / 5 Quests.

Pro-Tip: Check your progress via Main Menu > Travel > Aether Currents. If you are missing Quest Currents, look for exclamation marks on your map with a blue background and a "plus" sign (+). The final current is always locked behind the main story quest that completes that zone.

2. The Aether Compass

The Aether Compass is your primary tool for finding field currents. As of recent patches, this is no longer a Key Item. You can find it under Duty > Collection.

When activated, the compass provides the distance and direction to the nearest un-attuned current. In the vertical landscapes of Dawntrail and Heavensward, pay close attention to the "Y" axis (elevation) difference.

3. Combat Mechanics: Aetherflow

Distinct from exploration currents, Aetherflow is a combat resource mechanic for the Scholar (SCH) and Summoner (SMN) jobs.

For Scholars (Healer)

Aetherflow is the lifeblood of Scholar healing. You generate 3 stacks every 60 seconds (in combat).

• Lustrate: High potency single-target heal. Instant cast.
• Indomitability: Strong AoE heal.
• Sacred Soil: Creates a dome that reduces damage taken and applies a regen (at higher levels).
• Excogitation: A delayed heal that triggers when the tank's HP drops below 50%.

For Summoners (DPS)

Summoners use Aetherflow (via the ability Energy Drain or Energy Siphon) to fuel their high-damage off-global cooldown (OGCD) abilities.

• Fester: Single target damage. Potency increases if the target has DoTs applied (though modern SMN relies less on DoT maintenance).
• Painflare: AoE damage.
• Mountain Buster: Used during Titan summons (depending on level sync).

4. Lore & Trivia: The "Ebb" of Aether

While not a specific gameplay button labeled "EBB," the concept of the ebb and flow of aether is central to the lore. In the Dravanian Hinterlands, players encounter quests regarding "aetherflow distributors." These are narrative devices used by the Goblins (Illuminati and the Idyllshire inhabitants) to regulate the massive aether concentration in the area, preventing the machinery of Alexander from causing catastrophic aetheric imbalances.

Common Final Fantasy Questions

Why is it called Gil?

"Gil" is the universal currency of Final Fantasy. The name is likely derived from "Guilder" (or Gulden), a historical real-world currency. It has been the standard since the original NES title.

Who is Cid?

A "Cid" appears in almost every main-line Final Fantasy game. In FFXIV, Cid Garlond is the leader of the Garlond Ironworks and the genius engineer responsible for the Enterprise airship and the Magitek Reaper mounts. He represents technology assisting the heroes.

Why was FF6 released as FF3?

In the 1990s, Squaresoft did not localize Final Fantasy II, III, or V for North America. When Final Fantasy VI was released, it was only the third game to reach the US, so it was retitled "Final Fantasy III" to maintain numerical continuity for Western buyers. This was corrected with later releases.