Botanist Guide

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Botanist is one of the three Gathering classes players can use. Players will travel around Eorzea through the dense foliage and forests looking for Mature Trees and Lush Vegetation Patches to collect resources to trade and sell. Botanist can be unlocked by heading to the Botanists' Guild in Gridania and speaking to Leonceault to undertake the quest Way of the Botanist. Players must have at least one Disciple of War or Disciple of Magic class at lv. 10 to be able to undertake this quest.

Attributes

Gathering classes make use of 2 specific stats as opposed to the standard mix of stats that Disciples of War or Magic make use of:

  • Gathering: Increases the odds of gathering an item from a node. This stat is very important for leveling up, as the higher level the item node, the higher Gathering stat required. Having a higher Gathering stat will allow players to efficiently gather more items, creating a higher Chain, resulting in players receiving more EXP.
  • Perception: Increases the odds of getting a High Quality, or HQ item by up to 15%. This stat only increases the odds of getting a HQ item and does not increase the odds of getting an item that can't show up as HQ.

Gathering classes also make use of a resource called GP or Gathering Points, which functions similarly to MP for other classes and allows the use of various skills and abilities that improve the odds of getting items at HQ, increasing the number of items obtained per gathering attempt, etc.

Gathering

Players will equip a Hatchet, the main tool of a Botanist, and use the ability Triangulate to show the various Gathering nodes available (the effects of this skill become a trait at level 2). Upon interacting with these nodes, a window will appear, showing the various items available at the node, the percentage of the chance to obtain that item, the level of the item, and, once a player reaches lv. 12 and unlocks Preparation, the percent chance of obtaining an HQ item. Each node can be harvested 6 times before the node is exhausted and nothing will be able to be harvested from it for a while. At this point, players can move on to the next node and repeat the cycle. As players level up, they will unlock more nodes that can be harvested, but won't be able to see the nodes before then. These higher nodes will have higher stat requirements, so completing class quests and obtaining skills and better gear is very important to be able to effectively harvest. Certain nodes will also have hidden secondary requirements that, if met, will reward the player by buffing their stats or rewarding extra materials. These extra requirements can be seen by players after unlocking the trait Tree Whisperer at lv. 11.

Scrips

Once players reach lv. 50 with a Gathering class, they will be able to undertake the quest Inscrutable Tastes from Morgayne in Foundation. Once the quest is completed, players will learn the ability Collect and be able to gather Collectables from certain nodes. These can be turned in to Collectable Appraisers in exchange for Scrips, which can be exchanged for high-end items, materials, gear, etc.

Gear

Gearing up as a gatherer is extremely important, as a majority of stats will be rewarded from gear. The main pieces players should focus on keeping as up to date as possible are the main and off hand pieces, as well as the chest piece. These pieces of gear will offer the largest boost to the Gathering stat. The remainder of gear on the left side should still be upgraded regularly, but if players need to make a choice, the previously mentioned pieces of gear are the most important. Accessories are a pure GP boost. They are important once players begin needing HQ items for quests and will be using more actions to guarantee HQ items but are good to keep up to date fairly regularly regardless. Players can obtain gear from various sources, like vendors and levequest rewards, but will also obtain high-end gear in exchange for Scrips.

Levelling

Gathering classes can level up very quickly compared to Disciples of War and Magic. Like battle classes, there are various ways to level up:

  • Levequests: These are the main source of EXP players will take advantage of. These are fairly quick to complete and offer a massive amount of EXP and other rewards. If players can get a high Evaluation rank, the rewards will be even larger.
  • Class Quests: These quests every 5 levels (and 2 to 3 levels after level 50) will reward a large chunk of EXP and rewards ranging from resources to gear. They also occasionally reward skills and traits that will help players gather more efficiently.
  • The Diadem: Once players have access to Ishgard and The Firmament and have a gathering class leveled to at least lv.10, players can enter this zone to gather rare items and obtain a massive amount of EXP per visit.

Players can also take advantage of various EXP buffs from Free Companies and Food to further increase how much EXP is gained from each successful gathering attempt.

Class Quest Guide

This guide will cover what items/how many need to be brought to the guild master, as well as how best to level up in between quests. It is recommended to gather as many items as possible between quests to build up stockpiles for leveling Crafter quests, selling on the Market Board and mass-turning in repeatable levequests. It is also recommended that players have food to buff gathering stats and give a 3% EXP buff. For levels 1 to 50, all quests can be turned in to the guild master, Fufucha.

Level 1-10

The first two class quests can be farmed for at the same time, as both items are easy to collect, even at lower levels. Gathering these items will almost certainly carry players to lv.10 and beyond. Players should collect all the items available at each node to fill out their Gathering Log and begin stockpiles. Having 20-30 [Allagan Snails]] and Cinnamon, as well as large stockpiles of Maple Sap and Maple Log are a great way to begin making some money as well or gather items for various crafting classes. Players won't even need to look at leves as of yet, as simply grinding for the items for quests will be more than enough EXP.

These can be gathered from the Greentear in Central Shroud, along with Tinolqa Mistletoe and Ash Branch. Players can also head to Lower La Noscea to gather Kukuru Beans and La Noscean Oranges, and to Central Thanalan to gather Cloves and Cock Feathers. Players should also begin farming Elemental Shards, as those are universally valuable to all crafting classes and will always sell well.

Level 11-20

Players can continue farming materials to build stockpiles and filling out the Gathering Log, as well as begin grinding levequests. The best ones to do at this level are The Heart of the Hedge in the Central Shroud at Bentbranch Meadows, and If a Tree Falls from the Bannock. Getting a high evaluation will give a 25% bonus to EXP. Players won't be able to gather the next item until lv.15, so continue to level up until then.

Once players are the appropriate level, they will be able to gather Marjoram from The Matron's Lethe in Central Shroud. Players will need to use the skill Leaf Turn to improve the odds of getting a HQ item. Players should stockpile most of the items that can be added to the Gatherer's Log. Players should be sure to fill this out, as many new items become available at this point and it's a good way to make sure players aren't missing anything. From here, if players haven't upgraded their gear, this is the point where heading to the nearest vendor and getting all the gear upgraded is recommended, with the main and off hand and chest piece are the most important, and the rest of the gear coming in second. Players can invest in accessories at this point if they desire, as from here on out, HQ items will be the majority of what the class quests will require to turn in. While leveling up, players can continue to use the leves they've been using before, and The Quick and the Dead in the East Shroud at The Hawthorne Hut. Most of the leves aren't quite as good for EXP versus the leve cost. Continue building stockpiles of items for any crafting classes being leveled or items that are in demand on the Market Board until reaching lv.20.

Once again, players will not be able to gather this item until reaching the level to take the quest. Players can find these around Aleport in Western La Noscea. While in the area, players can also gather Lalafellin Lentils and Sun Lemon. Players can also go to East Shroud and farm Yew Logs, Galago Mint and Belladonna. From here, players can repeat the steps until level 25. The levequests at this point are still not very high EXP for the amount of work and leve cost.

Level 21-30

Players will be able to farm Chamomile from level 24 and can find it in Oakwood in Upper La Noscea. Constant use of Leaf Turn will be important in gathering HQ items quickly. Players should start stocking up on the different Logs available to them, as well as Matron's Mistletoe. Players will gain access to the leve Over the Underbrush in Quarrymill in the South Shroud. It's incredibly quick to complete and rewards with a massive chunk of EXP. Players can farm and turn in this leve until lv. 30.

The pears won't be gatherable until players reach lv.30. Once they reach the appropriate level, they will be obtainable in Silent Arbor in the South Shroud, as well as Chocobo Feathers wile in the area. After gathering the pears and turning them in, players should begin farming for Jade Peas, Wizard Eggplant and Midland Cabbage in the North Shroud.

Level 31-40

Players can upgrade their gear if they haven't been keeping up with what's available but wait until lv.31 to upgrade the main and off-hand gear. For fast leveling, players can undertake the leve The Palm in Your Hand at Nahctahr in Eastern La Noscea. The reward for this is over 45,000 EXP and is fairly easy to complete. Once players reach lv.34, they can begin gathering HQ Laurel from Broken Water in Southern Thanalan. Players should also stockpile on Oak Logs and Mandrake.

  • Level 35: 20x Laurel

If players began farming these a level ago, it shouldn't take too long to complete this quest. Once they reach lv.35, players will be able to gather Dragon Peppers, which should be stockpiled. At lv.35, players should upgrade their left side gear to keep up with the Gathering requirements. Players will gain access to the leves A Stash of Herbs and Catch My Drift, both of which give good EXP. Players can continue farming items for stockpiles and grinding leves until lv.39 to unlock the nodes with Ramhorn Zucchini and begin farming those in HQ for the next class quest.

  • Level 40: 20x Ramhorn Zucchini

Players should have plenty of these by the time they reach lv.40 to take the quest. Following turning the quest in, players can begin building a stockpile of Mahogany Logs as well as other items available from the nodes now available between lv.35 and now. Players can also upgrade accessories to get more GP to keep up with HQ item requirements. For grinding leves, players have access to Sign of the Crimes at Saint Coinach's Find in Mor Dhona. This leve has evaluation and gives a huge amount of EXP.

Level 41-50

Players should begin farming Mistletoe once they reach lv.44, as 20 are required for the next turn in. Like other HQ items, use Leaf Turn to help speed up the process of gathering these. Players can also gather Mirror Apples, Dart Frogs and Rolanberries at this point to stockpile items. Continue farming materials and levequests until reaching lv.45.

  • Level 45: 20x Mistletoe

Players can farm this item from Camp Dragonhead in Coerthas Central Highlands. Using Leaf Turn and Blessed Harvest will help speed this process along. After turning in the quest, players can continue farming the previous materials and running prior leves, as well as See How They Shine from Saint Coinach's Find, as it offers an evaluation reward and high EXP. Players don't need to worry about upgrading EXP for a little while, unless they have pieces that are extremely far behind. Continue grinding levels and farming items until lv. 50. Players can't farm the lv.50 item until they accept the quest.

For this item, players will need to wait until 9am Eorzea time to be able to farm the Unspoiled Node that holds this item. Players can use Truth of Forests to identify where the nodes are. The nodes will spawn in Coerthas Central Highlands and be present for 2 in-game hours. After turning in the final items, players will have one more quest to undertake from Fufucha which will direct the player to the new quest giver in Foundation in Ishgard. After this point, players will turn quests in to Mujih Mewrilah. Players should also undertake the quest Inscrutable Tastes to unlock Collectables and Scrips. Players will need to level up to lv.51 before unlocking new nodes. Players should also be sure to unlock lv.50 leves from Ishgard.

Level 51-60

Players will need to reach lv.51 before being able to see the new nodes that players can farm. It is recommended that players unlock Flying in each zone before trying to gather items, as many resources are up higher and can't be reached easily otherwise. Once players have unlocked Collector's Glove and Methodical Appraisal, players can approach any node and use Collector's Glove to check for Collectables. Once a player finds one, they can use Methodical Appraisal to increase the Collectability while also increasing the Wear of the item. Once players are satisfied with the level of Collectability, they can select “Collect” to gather the item. These items cannot be stacked, sold or traded and can only be given to a Collectable Appraiser in exchange for Scrips. This is something players will incorporate into their rotation of gathering and farming levels, as it becomes increasingly more important as players grow in levels. Players will need to get their GP up to at least 600 in order to effectively farm Collectables. Once players reach lv.51, they can begin farming from the new nodes in Riversmeet in Coerthas Western Highlands. Players should focus on Cedar Logs and Rainbow Cotton Boll, as well as Old World Figs from the Dravanian Forelands at 2:00am Eorzea Time as Collectables. For leves, players can undertake Warm in Their Beds and Does This Look Infected? until level 53, where they can do their next class quest. Players should also do a full upgrade to their equipment at this point, as well as affix Gatherer's Guerdon Materia to all the left side gear and Gatherer's Guile Materia to the accessories. Players can affix whatever Materia they need to the main and off hand gear to fill stat needs they may have.

Players will be able to harvest these from the Dravanian Forelands. Players can also farm 10x Emerald Beans in The Churning Mists. Players are also able to pick up the leve quests Ladies and Gentians and Coat the Harm (L). These leves give great EXP, however they cost a fair amount of levequests, so keep that in mind and be careful not to run out of Leve Allowances while leveling up here. For farming, players can focus on Stalk of Ramie and Emerald Beans as mentioned before. Players will gather Collectables and fill out their Gatherer's Log until lv.55. Once players reach lv.55, they should upgrade their gear to the HQ versions of the Dhalmelskin gear and HQ Ramie Trousers of Gathering and affix a piece of Gatherer's Guerdon Materia III and Gatherer's Guile Materia III to each piece. Players can use the HQ Titanium Hatchet and Titanium Scythe. This gear upgrade will push players stats to where they need to be from now to lv.60, allowing for efficient and effective farming.

From here, players can collect Dravanian Mistletoe from the Churning Mists at 12:00 Eorzea time and Chives in the Coerthas Western Highlands]] at 10:00 Eorzea time. If they've already been gathered, players can turn in the Emerald Beans. If not, they can be gathered from the Churning Mists. Players can then begin farming for the next class quest, collecting as many items as possible and uncovering Unspoiled Nodes as possible to create a farming rotation to maximize gathering Collectables. For leves, players can now undertake the leves Chewed Up and Snuffed Out, Your Mother Is Medicine and Your Father Is the Wild, as well as The Anointing of the Dead for good evaluation bonuses. Players will be able to farm Birch Logs in Voor Sian Siran in The Sea of Clouds for the next class quest and unlock the Collectable nodes for Cloud Bananas in the Dravanian Hinterlands at 12:00 Eorzea time, and Heavens Lemon in the Sea of Clouds at 6:00 Eorzea time. These Collectables are worth a large amount of EXP, so farming them is a great idea, as well as earning Scrips. Rotate through farming and leves until level 58.

Once players reach lv.58, they can farm Abalathian Mistletoe in the Sea of Clouds at 10:00 Eorzea time, and Morel in the Dravanian Hinterlands at 12:00 Eorzea time. Players will repeat the previous steps until reaching lv.60. To help supplement EXP at this point, players can fill out their Gatherer's Log up to this point.

This item can only be obtained from Dragonspit in Coerthas Western Highlands at Twinpools from an Unspoiled Node at 8:00 Eorzea time. This item can be difficult to gather, however players can eat food with a Perception bonus to make this easier. Once players finish this quest, they can undertake another quest to unlock the next tier of content from Fufucha. This will direct players to Edgyth in Idyllshire for the next class quests. Going into the next tier, Gathering and GP requirements jump significantly. Players need to reach at minimum 450 Gathering and at least 400 GP. While this can be difficult with the current gear players have, once players reach lv.61, they can upgrade their accessories to reach that requirement easier. Players can also buy food in Kugane from the Kurogai to get a boost to their stats. Players can gather Beech Branch from the East End of The Fringes at 6:00 Eorzea time and the new node Gyr Abanian Wheat in the same area. If players can farm these reliably, players can begin farming in the new region. This first part of leveling Botanist is slow, but once players break through these first few levels, it gets easier to level up.

Level 61-70

Players will continue to grind previous nodes and leves until reaching lv.62. When players reach lv.61 and begin farming the Gyr Abanian Wheat, they should begin stockpiling it as it is incredibly valuable to other players leveling Culinarian. Other than this, the only thing players can begin farming are new levequests, Barking Up the Right Tree and Rhalgr Wood Too in The Fringes. Both have a great evaluation bonus and will help players level up quickly. After reaching lv.62, several nodes will open up, and players will be able to upgrade their main hand gear to a HQ High Steel Hatchet. This will give a boost to Gathering that will help players harvest the new nodes. Players should start also gathering Ruby Cotton Boll from Rasen Kaikyo in The Ruby Sea, as it is useful to many other classes. Players can also check the Market Board to see what other items are valuable to begin stockpiling materials. Continue farming materials and leves until lv.63 and undertake the next class quest.

This item can only be gathered once players accept the quest from Edgyth in Idyllshire. Players can harvest these items from The Fringes. Once this quest is completed, players will receive a High Steel Scythe, a large portion of EXP, and the ability Leaf Turn III which will greatly help gathering from older nodes and Collectables. At this point, players can also upgrade their accessories to the Gyuki set with a piece of Gatherer's Guile Materia IV affixed to each piece. This will allow players to use more skills that allow for more efficient material and Collectable gathering and eliminate all GP related issues.

From here, players can continue stocking up on the various materials available to them, like Beech Logs and Ruby Cotton Boll, both of which are valuable and give a good amount of EXP. Players can also take the leve Pining from Kugane for another great source of EXP. Players will need to be able to venture underwater to complete it, however. If players haven't been upgrading their gear up to this point, now would be the crucial time to. Players should update their main and off hand gear to the High Steel Hatchet and High Steel Scythe. Players should have already obtained the scythe from the class quest. For the left side gear, upgrading to the HQ Gaganaskin gear set with HQ Bloodhempen Trousers of Gathering and the Gyuki accessory set. Setting each piece of gear with Gatherer's Guile/Guerdon IV Materia will push players stats to where they need to be for the rest of the tier. Once players have their gear upgraded fully, players can continue grinding levels. Gathering new Collectables, Bamboo Shoot around Namai in Yanxia at 10:00 Eorzea time, and Beech Branch from The East End in the Fringes at 6:00 Eorzea time. New nodes containing Kudzu Vine in Dimwold in The Fringes and Pine Log from The Heron's Flight in Yanxia are both fantastic for leveling and are great for selling, as Weaver and Carpenter use these materials. Once players reach lv.65, they can undertake the next class quest.

Like the previous quest item, this can only be gathered after undertaking the quest. Once they have the quest, players can head to Onokoro in the Ruby Sea. Once completed, players can take whichever piece of gear they desire as either an upgrade or to sell, as most of the equipment will only be a slight improvement on the gear currently equipped if following the above upgrade.

From here, players can continue with their rotation of gathering Collectables, harvesting nodes to fill in the Gatherer's Log and running leves. Players have access to a new Collectables node, the Lotus Root around the House of the Fierce in Yanxia at 8:00 Eorzea time. Players can also gather the Unspoiled Nodes at Dawn Throne at the Azim Steppe at 2:00 to gather Othardian Plum and Porta Praetoria at The Lochs at 4:00 to gather Jhammel Ginger. These are very valuable food items that sell for quite a good sum, depending on the server. Players will continue harvesting and turning in levequests until lv.68 for the next class quest.

This item can only be gathered after accepting the quest. Players can find this item in Rasen Kaikyo in The Ruby Sea. For completing the quest, players receive the ability Bountiful Harvest II and a Doman Steel Scythe as well as a piece of Materia of the players choosing. The scythe is a direct upgrade to the previous scythe players have and will be useful through to lv.70.

The next unlocked leves are all useful for leveling through the final push to 70. Garden Variety is the best for EXP. Players can move around Doma in Yanxia uncovering the Unspoiled nodes and farming them for another massive boost to EXP and Collectables. This is a great way to stock up on Yellow Scrips as well. Once players reach lv.70, they can undertake the final class quest.

Like all items in this tier, this can only be gathered once players have accepted the quest. The item only appears in an Unspoiled Node in The Lochs near Porta Praetoria between 4:00 and 6:00. It appears in the same node as Jhammel Ginger. Once completed, players will receive lv.5 Materia and the trait Enhanced GP Regeneration.

Level 71-80

Players will have to level up to level 71 to unlock the next level of nodes in Norvrandt. Players can also undertake leves from The Crystarium. Home Is Where the Heart Isn't and Sought-after Spices are both fantastic leves to undertake with their evaluation bonuses. Players should only be undertaking leves with evaluation, as the other leves are difficult to complete and are pass-fail. They are best left alone. Players can also unlock Crystarium Deliveries. These are a shared quests that can only be completed once per class grouping. Completing these quests as a Botanist will complete them and other Gathering classes will not be able to undertake them. Once these are unlocked, players can undertake a new delivery every 2 to 3 levels.

Players should also upgrade their gear at this point. Players should aim for HQ Deepgold Hatchet and Deepgold Scythe, HQ Brightlinen Turban, Coat and Bottoms of Gathering, and HQ Smilodonskin Gloves and Shoes of Gathering, as well as HQ Smilodonskin accessories. Affix lv.5 Gatherer's Guerdon Materia to all the left side gear, and Gatherer's Guile to the accessories. This will bring players GP to 700, allowing for the use of more abilities that will make gathering Collectables much easier. The new Collectables available are White Oak Branch in Wright in Kholusia and Broad Beans in Lydha Lran in Il Mheg at 10:00 and 2:00 respectively. With the new gear and Materia, players should have no trouble collecting these. Players will also be able to go around gathering from the newly available nodes. Players will repeat these activities until level 74. Players can undertake the delivery for the Facet of Gathering at level 73. Players should unlock every node they can and fill out the Gathering Log. This will give a wide range of harvesting options and also allow for making a good amount of Gil. Once players reach lv.74, they can upgrade their gear to the HQ Atrociraptor gear with lv.5 Materia affixed. The head, chest and hand pieces are the only real essential pieces, everything else however can be upgraded later. The Bluespirit Tools are also a fantastic upgrade that give huge upgrades to Gathering and Perception.

Players will continue on the same rotation of Collectables and harvesting nodes until lv.76, where another Collectable will unlock, the Russet Popoto at Twine in Amh Araeng at 8:00. A new Crystarium Delivery and quest will become available, both of which are worth a massive chunk of EXP. At this point, leves become less useful than simply unlocking nodes and harvesting from them. Players should aim to unlock every node available to them along with any Collectables available to them. This will be the general method players will use to continue leveling through to lv.80. Players can undertake leves at lv.78 if they need to fill in gaps in their level grinding routine.

Players will be able to undertake the leves Big Business and Good Business, both of which offer great EXP through their evaluation bonuses. The Sweetest Syrup should be avoided, as it takes a large amount of work and doesn't offer nearly as much EXP as the others. Once players reach lv.78, they will have another Crystarium Delivery they can undertake. From there, players can also upgrade their gear if desired, however the gear from the previous upgrade is still more than enough. Players will also be able to upgrade to end game gear once they reach lv.80 and can turn in White Scrips. Once players reach lv.80, they can undertake the final quests for the Crystarium Deliveries questline. At this point, players have completed leveling Botanist. They can continue gathering Collectables and other items to sell on the Market Board or for leveling other Crafting classes.

Gathering Endgame

Players will be able to take part in the Ishgardian Restoration, turning in various items and resources and complete quests and Fetes to help with the rebuilding of The Firmament in Ishgard. Players will be able to garner a high score to receive various items and materials, as well as obtain the current Best in Slot Botanist gear, including the Botanist's Relic tools.