FATE grinding in Endwalker remains a relevant activity for players seeking specific rewards, primarily Bicolor Gemstones and progress within the Shared FATE system. This guide outlines the core mechanics, optimization strategies, and key rewards associated with this content.
Core Mechanics: Bicolor Gemstones & Shared FATEs
Understanding these two interconnected systems is crucial for effective FATE grinding in Endwalker zones.
Bicolor Gemstones:
- Acquisition: Earned by successfully completing FATEs in any Endwalker (and Shadowbringers) zone. Endwalker FATEs typically award 12 gemstones for standard completions and 14 for boss or critical engagement FATEs.
- Currency Cap: Players can hold a maximum of 1,000 Bicolor Gemstones at any given time. It is advisable to spend them regularly at Gemstone Traders to avoid overcapping.
- Utility: This currency is used to purchase items from Gemstone Trader NPCs located in each of the six Endwalker zones (Labyrinthos, Thavnair, Garlemald, Mare Lamentorum, Elpis, Ultima Thule). The availability of items improves as your Shared FATE rank increases within that specific zone.
Shared FATE System:
- Progression: Each Endwalker zone features an independent Shared FATE rank, which advances as you complete FATEs within that zone's boundaries.
- Rank 1: The initial rank upon entering the zone.
- Rank 2: Achieved after successfully completing 6 unique FATEs in the zone. This typically unlocks an expanded selection of items at the local Gemstone Trader.
- Rank 3: The maximum rank, achieved after successfully completing a total of 60 FATEs (cumulative) in the zone. This unlocks the full inventory of the local Gemstone Trader, including the zone's riding map.
- Zone-Specific Unlocks: Reaching higher ranks grants access to essential items such as riding maps (for increased mounted speed), exclusive crafting materials, minions, orchestrion rolls, and housing items.
- Bicolor Gemstone Vouchers: A significant long-term goal. After achieving Rank 3 Shared FATE status in all six Endwalker zones, specialized vendors (e.g., Sajareen in Radz-at-Han, Faezbroes in Old Sharlayan) will allow you to exchange 100 Bicolor Gemstones for one Bicolor Gemstone Voucher. These vouchers are then used to purchase high-value rewards, most notably exclusive mounts.
Optimizing Your FATE Grinding Strategy
To maximize efficiency and rewards from Endwalker FATE grinding, consider the following approaches:
- Party Play: Participating in FATEs with a party significantly accelerates completion times due to increased damage output and distributed enmity. Credit is shared among participants, making this the most efficient method.
- Chocobo Companion: Always have your Chocobo companion summoned and set to an appropriate stance (Healer, Attacker, or Defender) to provide support.
- Travel Efficiency: Utilize Aethernet shards within cities and major Aetherytes for quick travel. Ensure you have unlocked flying in each zone as soon as possible. Some zones may have FATEs clustered in ways that allow for efficient routing.
- Zone Choice: While all Endwalker zones offer FATEs, players may develop preferences. Ultima Thule is often popular due to a high density of FATEs and its endgame Bicolor Gemstone farming utility.
- Blue Mage (Limited Endwalker Impact): While a Blue Mage can be effective for clearing groups of enemies quickly, its power is somewhat normalized in Endwalker FATEs due to level syncing to 80. It does not offer the same overwhelming advantage as it might in lower-level content but remains a strong choice for personal contribution.
- Food and Buffs: Utilize stat-boosting food for a slight increase in combat effectiveness. If leveling alternate jobs, ensure experience-boosting buffs (like the Heat of Battle FC buff or Squadron Battle Manuals) are active.
Notable Rewards from Endwalker FATE Grinding
The primary incentive for Endwalker FATE grinding lies in the unique items obtainable through Bicolor Gemstones and Shared FATE progression:
- Mounts:
- Wivre: Acquired by trading Bicolor Gemstone Vouchers.
- Level Checker: This mount requires obtaining six unique "Weatherproof" materials (e.g., Thavnairian Rain, Elpis Dew, Mare Lamentorum Rock) from Rank 3 Gemstone Traders in each of the six Endwalker zones. These six items are then exchanged for Chi Bolts, which are subsequently traded for the mount.
- Victor (Daivadipa's Reins): The crafting material "Daivadipa's Beads" is a rare reward from the special, high-difficulty FATE chain "Devout Pilgrims vs. Daivadipa" in Thavnair. These beads are used to craft the Victor mount.
- Minions: A wide variety of unique minions are available from Gemstone Traders, often unlocked at different Shared FATE ranks.
- Exclusive Crafting Materials: Many vital materials for high-level Endwalker crafting recipes are purchasable exclusively with Bicolor Gemstones, frequently locked behind Rank 3 Shared FATE completion in specific zones.
- Riding Maps: Crucial for enhanced mobility, these maps increase mounted speed within their respective Endwalker zones and are purchased from Gemstone Traders upon reaching Rank 3.
- Orchestrion Rolls & Furnishings: A selection of musical tracks for your orchestrion and unique housing items can also be acquired.
- Triple Triad Cards: Several Triple Triad cards are tied to Gemstone Traders or FATE achievements.
