Progression Guide

This is intended as a quick summary guide to the levels of content available on Caldera, and suggestions to help players progress through the content levels by suggesting what to tackle at each stage.

Notes

• In most cases, content is balanced around a 6 person party, with a tank, healer, support & damage dealing classes.
• Content is not built around face-rolling on a keyboard.
• There are physical/magical/ranged resistant mobs, status effect heavy mobs, instant KO mobs, some mobs enrage, etc.
• The best way to win is to try different strategies.

Non-Gated Content

This content has no requirements and can be started immediately. The order below is roughly equivalent to their appropriate tier level. However, most of it will require gear from the tiered sections below and have party support.

• Vesca trades
• Promyvion
• Low 5/ High 5/ Big 3 Battlefields
• Abyssea T1 zones
• Arbitrary NMs
• Beast Tribe Leaders
• Prime Avatars
  • Note: Fame is still required to get the required KIs. Fame trades are boosted and will only take a handful of trades.
• Wilds Keeper NMs
• Volte NMs
• JSE Weapon NMs

Gated Content

This content is locked behind kills of specific NMs or battlefields. You can see if you have the kills using !killcount 1 and !killcount 2.

• Kirin/Jailer of Love clear:

Unlocks ilvl 117 Sparks gear from the Sparks vendors in each city. Unlocks Sagheera high tier battlefield trade options. Unlocks the ability to get Voidstones (1 per 12 hours from last obtained) from Voidwatch NPCs and the ability to be in a group to spawn and fight T1 VWNMs.

• Shadowlord battlefield clear:

Unlocks Dynamis City (T1) access.

• All 5 AA battlefields cleared:

Unlocks Escha Zi-Tah access.

• All 3 Voidwatch Tier 1 clears:

Unlocks the ability to be in a group to spawn and fight T2 VWNMs. Unlocks the ability to augment the Alluvion Weapons dropped from T2 VWNMs.

• All 6 Voidwatch Tier 2 clears:

Unlocks the ability to be in a group to spawn and fight T3 VWNMs.

• All 6 Voidwatch Tier 2 clears AND Shadow Lord clear for Dynamis City access and cutscenes:

Unlocks Dynamis Dreamlands access. Unlocks Relic Reforged +2 trades with Monisette.

• Absolute Virtue clear:

Unlocks the ability to equip Su1 gears.

• All 3 Voidwatch Tier 3 clears:

Unlocks the ability to equip Su2 gears.

Tips for a fresh 99

Farm some gil by selling NM drops (ALL NM’s under level 99 should drop furniture of some kind) or from scrolls in Sea Serpent Grotto (WHM & BRD Sahagin behind the Gold Beastcoin door (no beastcoin required)) or Castle Oztroja (NIN, WHM & BLM at the top of the Castle, just before Tzee Xicu’s room). Buy the library gear to start out. This includes:

• Andreine's gear based on job level.
• The HQ level 99 Voidwatch Abjuration armor pieces from Geography.
• The accessories from Reja Ygridhi.
• The BST pets from Trystol.
• Various ammo from Vainrachault.
• Various grips from Makel-Pakel.
• Players may also take time to skill up crafting, and start content in Item Level 114 armor (or pay a crafter to make this equipment for them).

You can and need to mix and match.

• Ex.: Iaso Mitra HQ head piece (WHM/RDM/BRD/SCH) gives Cure Pot. +11%.
• The item lvl 105 head does nothing compared to that for WHM, and the level 85 Orison Cap +2 (WHM only) JSE piece gives +10%.

Arbitrary Notorious Monster Progression

Fairly Arbitrary NM's

FANM's should be soloable by a Player Character using 3 trusts and beginning gear from Andreine's shop.
The following gear sets are immediately available from level 105 FANM's across Vana'diel.

• Salvage (Level 99)
• Nyzul Isle (Level 99)
• Limbus (Level 99)
• Skirmish Weapons (Item Level 105)
• Coalition Armor (Item Level 106)

Arbitrary NM's

Offers a wide variety of equipment and trusts from the fights.

Not-So Arbitrary NM's

Offers high tier equipment and Plutons for upgrading Oboro weapons.

Definitely Not-So Arbitrary NM's

Currently the most difficult ANM's available.
Offers high tier abjurations and accessories, but expect a fight for it!.

Tiered Progression

Tiered Content 0

Character level = 99. May have some ilvl from the Library.
Mob levels max around 105-110, dependent on mob.
1) Start looking to build up the first 99 job. This includes but isn't limited to:

• Library gear options.
  
• FANMs (Salvage, Nyzul Isle, Limbus/Ultima/Omega Armors), and misc. drops the player feels useful/is advised to go for.
  

Tiered Content 1

Character is barely ilvl, working towards early 110.
Mob levels max around 110-115, dependent on mob.
With a good mix of starting gear, start working on the following:
1) Finishing out FANMs/ANMs for anything that can be useful, likely accessories, 105 Skirmish Weapons, 106 Coalition Armor.
2) Sky and Sea tier 1 NMs for progression and 4th trust slot unlock.
Sky:

• Olla Grande
• Zipacna
• Brigandish Blade
• Faust
• Mother Globe
• Steam Cleaner
• Ullikummi
• Despot

Sea:

• Jailer of Temperance
• Ix'Aern MNK
• Jailer of Fortitude
• Ix'Aern DRK
• Jailer of Faith
• Ix'Aern DRG

3) Low 5 BCNMs.
4) Save all materials that are needed for Reforged JSE AF armors.

Tiered Content 2

Character is around ilvl 110, working towards 113/115ish gears and starting Reforged AF 109.
Mob levels going towards the 120 mark.
With a mix of FANMs/ANMs, Sky T1, Sea T1, and Low 5 BCNMs gear, start working on the following:
1) Finishing out the ANMs for Skirmish Armor (113) and Delve Weapons (113). Save the Skirmish armor for upgrades via Vesca.
2) Sky and Sea tier 2 NMs
Sky:

• Genbu
• Suzaku
• Seiryu
• Byakko

Sea:

• Jailer of Hope
• Jailer of Justice
• Jailer of Prudence

3) Early Abyssea (Low Tier NMs) starts opening up, though a bit more challenging due to mechanics.

• Abyssea - Konschtat
• Abyssea - La Theine
• Abyssea - Tahrongi

4) Save all materials that are needed for Reforged JSE AF armors and JSE Empy Armors.

Tiered Content 3

Character is around 113/115 and some Reforged 109 AF working towards basic 119 (Promy armor/upgraded Skirmish armor via Vesca, not augmented).
Mob levels going towards the 120-125 marks.
More of an understanding on how the game works, start working on the following:
1) Finishing out the ANMs for Wildskeeper Weapons and Armor (115) and augmenting them. Anything else that could possibly be useful BEFORE Homestead and NSANMs.
2) Kirin and JoL Clears with a full, similarly built group. (Sagheera flower trade unlock, Sparks 117 gear unlock).
3) 1st 3x Promy NMs for early/basic 119 weapons and armor and augments (no dyna currency) is optional.
4) Introduction to Promyvion - Vahzl and Vesca. Upgrading Skirmish armor, useful accessories (no dyna currency), and early Rem's are here.
5) Save all materials that are needed for Reforged JSE AF armors and JSE Empy Armors.

Tiered Content 4

Character - basic 119/Reforged 109 AF working towards more optimized sets.
Mob levels hitting the 130ish mark.
Ilvl 119 allows for full level of trusts, and if following the guide, for 4 trusts on 1 player controlled character. AshitaCast/GearSwap really become handy here due to gear options. Continue with:
1) If Skirmish armor was upgraded via Vesca, then can be augmented by farming in Delk. Tower.
2) Aby T1 High Tier NMs and Zone Bosses are more manageable than they could be in Tier 2-3, though they could've been done there, allowing for all Empy 109 sets to be made. Zone boss for all 3 zones unlocks 2nd trust slot if following the guide.
3) ANMs that drop Homestead Weapons can be farmed at this point for their bonus zones as well as Bayld boxes. Can be done with trusts or small groups.
4) Since Kirin/JoL have been cleared, Sagheera battlefield trades have opened up for a variety of fights, namely SL for Dynamis access or other early HTBF.
5) More HP Bayld/Merit farming for Vesca trades.
6) Save all materials that are needed for Reforged AF and Empy.
7) Incursion JSE Capes (no augments) can be farmed and made fairly well at this point.
8) AV can be cleared at this point with a well balanced party for mechanics for Su1 unlock, while earlier would've been a bit of a carry.

Tiered Content 5

Character - more optimized 119/Reforged 109 AF/Empy now working towards what their goals could be (Reforged AF/RE/EM armor, specific pieces, etc.)
Mob levels ranging from 125-135.
X) Mostly a farming tier. Players bettering themselves to prepare for the next tier.
1) With Shadowlord defeated, Dynamis Cities (Sandy, Windy, Bastok, and Jeuno) are open for currency and material farming. Start working towards Reforged Relic 109 and 119 pieces here.
2) In Dynamis cities, farming various weapons/armor for upgrades and augments as well as accessories that benefit them.
3) With higher tiered equipment, optimization, and setups, allows for all of the HTBF as well as the 6 primary Avatar fights.

Tiered Content 6

Character - More thought out development, hopefully has asked questions about Damage Taken (DT/PDT/MDT), AshitaCast/GearSwap, etc..
Mob levels are consistently 125-135 again, though now with more challenging fights and mechanics. Players will be running into rage timers.
1) High 5 battlefields giving access to NQ Unity gear as well as crafting mats and Kupon I-S2. With 3x I-S2s, augment the Incursion JSE Capes for more usefulness.
2) Original beast tribe HNMs (Orc/Quadav/Yagudo) can be done with a well geared party or trusts.
3) ToAU beast tribe HNMs (Lamiae/Mamool Ja/Troll) can be done with a well geared party. They are more difficult than the previous and have forced adds, so trusts aren't as useful without some kind of support.
4) Alluvion Skirmish armor drops from the beast tribe HNMs. Can be augmented, though players are advised against focusing too much time on these.
5) AAs are around this point. They are challenging but doable with their own mechanics requiring a well-rounded party and focus. Earliest a player should be able to get to the moon materials. 2 Rem's of each chapter 6-10 are guaranteed from each specific fight, allowing the fastest way to upgrade Reforged AF to 119.
6) T1 VWNMs. These drop various equipment, plus 2 of each Rem's chapter 6-10, though random, as well as Abdhaljs Nuggets for future Ambuscade Upgrades. (All 3 unlock VWNM T2).

Tiered Content 7

Character - Should be mostly built with swaps/options for various mechanics. IE: DT sets, higher accuracy sets, WS sets, etc.
Mob levels are consistently 125-135 again. Players should be mindful of various mechanics. Research and asking questions helps a LOT.
1) Escha Zi'Tah has opened up. T1 NMs drop augmentable armor and pop items for T2 NMs. T2 NMs drop a variety of things, including augmentable weapons, various equipment, upgrade materials, Abdhaljs materials for Ambuscade Capes, etc. (All 6 clears unlock Escha Ru'Aun access).
2) Wildskeeper Naakual HNMs. Various mechanics in fights, including instant death, full buff wipes, etc.
3) NSANMs. Big introduction to higher stat NMs and rage timers. Introduction to Pluton/Beitetsu/Boulder currencies, Tokko Weapons, various trusts, etc. Shadows, Scorpions, etc.
4) ISNMs T1 (Call to Arms, Tough Nut to Crack, Making a Mockery).
5) T2 VWNMs. Alluvion Skirmish weapons and various gears. While the Alluvion Skirmish can be augmented, advised against spending too much time doing so. (All 6 unlock Dyna Dream and VWNM T3).
6) T2 Abyssea Low Tier NMs. Intro to Abyssea T2. Like Abyssea T1, some mobs are harder than others, but should be in optimized Reforged 119 gear and well balanced. Save everything.
7) Oboro Weapon HNMS.
8) Lower Besieged (Mamool Ja Savages > Lamiae Swarm > Troll Mercenaries, easiest to hardest) are doable for some Ambuscade armor.
9) Limbus - Proto-Ultima and Proto-Omega.

Tiered Content 8

Tier 8 Character - This will be a copy/paste going forward. Should be heavily optimized. Various gear swaps/options for various mechanics, like mentioned above. Pieces gained will sometimes replace older pieces. Various builds take place here.
Mob levels - Mobs range 125-140 range. Players should be mindful of various mechanics. Research and asking questions helps a LOT.
1) Rogue 4. Despite named Rouge 4, these are battlefield limited to a total of 3 players/trusts. Only 3. So 1 player 2 trusts, 2 players 1 trusts, or 3 players. Rewards are Abdhaljs upgrade items and higher end materials and equipment.
2) Big 3. Alliance style fights with Unity +1 drops and Kupon I-S3, which are used to upgrade Unity accessories to +1.
3) Higher Besieged (Monster Leaders and Generals) are doable for the other pieces from the Besieged sets. These fights are 45 minutes instead of 30, and feature stronger monsters.
4) T3 VWNMs. Far more mechanical fights. Instant death is a yes. Unlocks Su2 access.
5) ISNMs T2 (Compliments to the Chef, Shadows of the Mind, Happy Caster).
6) More NSANMs. Focused on Sacrarium and other high end NMs.
7) Limbus - Apollyon (6 player/trust teams) and Temenos (3 player/trust teams). Apollyon drop some ABCs and RAF+2 materials. Temenos drops heavily increased amounts of ABCs, but no RAF+2 materials.
8) Dynamis Dreamworld for Reforged Relic +2 upgrades.

Tiered Content 9

Character - This will be a copy/paste going forward. Should be heavily optimized. Various gear swaps/options for various mechanics, like mentioned above. Pieces gained will sometimes replace older pieces. Various builds take place here.
Mob levels - Mobs range 125-140 range. Players should be mindful of various mechanics. Research and asking questions helps a LOT.
1) Volte NMs. Bres, Rugaroo, Vee, and Tikbalang.
2) Sinister Reign Battlefields. Unlocks various trusts and equipment that can be augmented.
3) T2 Abyssea High Tier NMs.
4) Escha Zi'Tah. T3 NMs. Highest tier of Escha Zi'Tah. Unlocks Su3 access.
X) More to come.

Tiered Content 10

Character - This will be a copy/paste going forward. Should be heavily optimized. Various gear swaps/options for various mechanics, like mentioned above. Pieces gained will sometimes replace older pieces. Various builds take place here.
Mob levels - Mobs range 130-150 range. Players should be mindful of various mechanics. Research and asking questions helps a LOT.
1) T2 Abyssea Zone Boss NMs. Save the moldy neck pieces for JSE neck crafting.
2) DNANMs. NMs ranging from ~140-150 and offering higher rewards, including gear, materials, and abjurations.
3) T4 VWNMs.
4) Escha Ru'Aun. Opened up, still in progress.
X) More to come.

Superior Item Unlocks

Superior Item Level 1

• Being present for 1 Absolute Virtue (AV) clear is required to gain the ability to equip Su1 equipment. AV has a chance to spawn upon the death of JoL. It is completely possible to beat him following retail strategies, though you are always welcome to come back when you have better gear.

Superior Item Level 2

• Clearing the 3 Tier 3 VWNMs (Akvan/Kaggen/Pil) will unlock the ability to equip Su2 equipment.

Superior Item Level 3

• Clearing the 3 Tier 3 Escha-Zi'Tah NM's will unlock the ability to equip Su3 equipment.