What Are Relic Weapons in FFXIV?
Relic weapons represent some of the longest and most iconic progression systems in Final Fantasy XIV. Introduced in the earliest days of the game, relics provide players with a powerful long-term goal: gradually transforming a base weapon into a legendary artifact through a series of quests, trials, and large-scale content systems.
Each expansion introduces its own relic weapon series with unique progression mechanics. These systems may require dungeon clears, FATE grinding, large-scale battlefield participation, tomestone spending, or special instance content.
Alongside relic weapons, certain expansions also introduced relic armor sets tied to the same progression systems.
The purpose of the Eorzean Tavern Relic Archive is to catalog every relic weapon and relic armor progression system in the game, allowing adventurers to quickly understand:
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How each relic system works
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Where to begin the questline
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What content is required to progress
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How long the grind typically takes
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The fastest completion strategies
Quick Relic Navigation
Relic Weapons
Relic Armor
Relic Weapon Systems by Expansion
A Realm Reborn — Zodiac Weapons
The first relic system introduced to the modern game.
Zodiac weapons begin with the Relic Reborn questline and evolve through multiple upgrade stages requiring dungeon clears, FATE farming, crafted items, and tomestones.
The Zodiac weapon system is one of the most complex relic chains in the game and established the long-form progression structure used in later expansions.
Key characteristics:
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Long multi-stage upgrade path
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Heavy use of dungeon farming
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Significant FATE grinding
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Crafted item requirements
Final stage: Zodiac Zeta Weapon
Future Archive Link
A Realm Reborn Zodiac Weapon Guide
Heavensward — Anima Weapons
The Anima weapon system streamlined many of the frustrations of the Zodiac chain while still maintaining a lengthy progression path.
The system introduced repeatable resource farming through aetheric density and tomestone spending rather than heavy reliance on RNG drops.
Key characteristics:
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Dungeon and trial farming
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Tomestone materials
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Aetheric density grinding
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Large crystal collection stages
Final stage: Anima Lux Weapon
Future Archive Link
Heavensward Anima Weapon Guide
Stormblood — Eureka Weapons
Stormblood introduced one of the most unique relic systems in the game through the Eureka Expedition Zones.
Rather than traditional quest progression, relic advancement occurs through a special exploration system featuring its own leveling structure, monsters, bosses, and large-scale battlefield events.
Key characteristics:
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Separate progression leveling system
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Notorious Monster boss events
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Large cooperative content
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Unique elemental combat mechanics
Final stage: Eureka Physeos Weapon
Future Archive Link
Stormblood Eureka Weapon Guide
Shadowbringers — Resistance Weapons
Shadowbringers relics are tied to the Bozjan Southern Front and the greater Bozjan resistance storyline.
Players progress the relic through battlefield engagements, large raid encounters, and special instance content.
Key characteristics:
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Large-scale battlefield content
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Delubrum Reginae raid progression
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Memory farming systems
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Flexible grinding routes
Final stage: Blade’s Weapon
Future Archive Link
Shadowbringers Resistance Weapon Guide
Endwalker — Manderville Weapons
The Manderville relic series shifts relic progression toward a more accessible system focused primarily on tomestone collection rather than complex farming mechanics.
This makes Manderville weapons one of the most approachable relic systems for casual players.
Key characteristics:
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Tomestone currency upgrades
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Minimal RNG grinding
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Shorter progression chain
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Highly accessible content requirements
Final stage: Manderville Relic Weapon
Future Archive Link
Endwalker Manderville Weapon Guide
Dawntrail — Phantom Weapons
Dawntrail’s relic weapon series is the Phantom Weapons line. The phantom weapon quest line was added in Patch 7.25, and later enhancement quests were added in Patch 7.31 and Patch 7.41. Official patch notes tie this progression to the new content surrounding Occult Crescent.
This makes Phantom Weapons the proper Dawntrail relic weapon archive entry, not a placeholder.
Key characteristics:
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tied to Dawntrail’s field-operation-style progression
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connected to Occult Crescent content
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expanded in multiple post-launch patches
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designed as Dawntrail’s long-term relic weapon path
Future Archive Link:
Dawntrail Phantom Weapon Guide
Relic Armor Systems
While relic weapons exist in every expansion, several expansions also introduced relic armor sets tied to their progression systems.
These armor sets often require participation in large-scale content systems and serve as powerful cosmetic rewards.
Eureka Armor (Stormblood)
Eureka armor is obtained through progression within the Eureka Expedition zones.
Players must level their elemental rank, defeat notorious monsters, and collect special materials to upgrade their armor through multiple stages.
These armor sets feature glowing visual upgrades similar to relic weapons.
Key features:
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Earned through Eureka progression
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Requires Notorious Monster battles
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Unique elemental progression system
Future Archive Link
Eureka Armor Upgrade Guide
Resistance Armor (Shadowbringers)
Resistance armor is obtained through participation in the Bozjan Southern Front and Zadnor battlefields.
Players earn special battlefield currencies that can be exchanged for armor upgrades and enhancement materials.
Key features:
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Earned through Bozjan battlefield progression
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Requires participation in large-scale skirmishes
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Upgrade paths through raid content
Future Archive Link
Resistance Armor Guide
Arcanaut Armor (Dawntrail)
The Arcanaut armor system introduced in Dawntrail is tied to the new relic progression structure of the expansion.
Like previous relic armor systems, Arcanaut gear evolves through multiple upgrade stages tied to expansion-specific content systems.
Key features:
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Expansion-specific upgrade materials
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Multi-stage armor progression
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Integrated with the Dawntrail relic system
Future Archive Link
Arcanaut Armor Guide
Relic System Comparison Table
| Expansion | Weapon System | Armor System | Main Content Type | Grind Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Realm Reborn | Zodiac Weapons | — | Dungeons, FATEs, crafted items | Very Long |
| Heavensward | Anima Weapons | — | Dungeons, tomestones, trials | Long |
| Stormblood | Eureka Weapons | Eureka Armor | Eureka field operations | Very Long |
| Shadowbringers | Resistance Weapons | Resistance Armor | Bozja battlefield content | Long |
| Endwalker | Manderville Weapons | — | Tomestones | Short |
| Dawntrail | Phantom Weapons | Arcanaut Armor | Occult Crescent / expansion progression | Ongoing |
Different relic systems appeal to different types of players.
Dungeon-focused players often prefer the Anima weapon chain, while players who enjoy large-scale cooperative content may gravitate toward Eureka or Bozja relics.
For players seeking a faster completion path, the Manderville relic series offers one of the shortest progression routes.