FFXIV Triple Triad & Tournament Guide
Build your collection and compete in the ultimate card game of Eorzea.Triple Triad is a card game originally from Final Fantasy VIII, now a staple of the Manderville Gold Saucer. Players collect cards representing monsters, NPCs, and heroes to battle against NPCs and other players across the realm.
Unlocking the Game
To start your Triple Triad journey, you must first unlock the Gold Saucer via the quest "It Could Happen to You" in Ul'dah - Steps of Nald (X:9.6, Y:9.0). Once inside, head to the Card Square and speak with the Triple Triad Master (X:4.1, Y:7.4) to receive your starter deck.
Basic Rules & Mechanics
- The Grid: Matches take place on a 3x3 grid.
- Numbers: Each card has four numbers (1-9, or 'A' for 10) representing the power of its top, bottom, left, and right sides.
- Capturing: Place a card with a higher number adjacent to an opponent's card to capture it.
- Winning: The player who controls more cards on the board at the end of the match wins.
Triple Triad Tournaments
Registration: Speak with the Tournament Record Keeper (X:4.2, Y:7.0) in the Card Square to enter the current tournament [00:00:13].
- Tournament Schedule: Tournaments occur every other week. You have one week to participate and one week to claim prizes [00:01:39].
- Match Limit: You are limited to 15 games per tournament. Each win, draw, or loss contributes to your total score [00:00:34].
- Maximizing Points: Facing higher-ranked NPCs like King Elmer (X:4.6, Y:7.4) usually yields the most points for beginners [00:00:54].
- Prizes: High-ranking players can earn MGP and legendary cards like Lightning or Cecil Harvey [00:02:21].
Deck Building Tiers
Your ability to use powerful cards depends on how many unique cards you have collected:
- 0-29 Cards: One 2-star or higher card allowed.
- 30-59 Cards: One 3-star or higher card allowed; no limit on 2-star cards.
- 60+ Cards: One 4-star or higher card allowed; no limit on 3-star cards [00:01:55].
Essential Cards & Locations
Below is a list of highly sought-after cards and how to obtain them:
| Card Name | Stars | Acquisition Method |
|---|---|---|
| Lightning | 5â | Tournament Prize (Platinum Pack) |
| Squall Leonhart | 5â | Win 30 matches against NPCs |
| Bahamut | 5â | Purchase: Gold Saucer (400,000 MGP) |
| Cloud Strife | 5â | Purchase: Gold Saucer (1,000,000 MGP) |
| Hildibrand & Nashu | 4â | NPC: Hab (Southern Thanalan) |
| Kan-E-Senna | 4â | NPC: Lewena (Gold Saucer) |
| Gaia | 5â | Trial: Eden's Promise: Eternity |
| The Warrior of Light | 5â | Achievement: "A Card for All Seasons" |
Where to Get More Cards
- NPC Challenges: Look for the card icon above NPCs' heads across Eorzea. Many require completing local side quests first.
- Dungeons & Raids: Bosses in almost every dungeon, trial, and raid have a chance to drop their representative card.
- MGP Packs: The Card Trader in the Gold Saucer sells Bronze, Silver, Gold, Mythrite, and Dream Packs for MGP.
- Tribal Quests: Reaching high reputation ranks with Tribes (like Pixies or Dwarves) unlocks unique card challenges.