Botanist Leveling Guide (1-90) 6.4 - Gillionaire Girls (2024)

This guide will show you how to quickly level your Botanist class in Final Fantasy XIV. We will assume you have no prior knowledge of the gathering system, although it is admittedly quite simple when leveling up is your main focus. This guide aims to be as simple as possible, what to gather at which levels and what to do to keep things progressing smoothly.

Useful Resources:

• List of Botanist Tools
• All Botanist Class Quests & Rewards
• All Botanist Levequest Locations
• Foods that boost Gathering stat

Aside from the Rest EXP Bonus and the +3% from consuming Food items; there are a number of stackable buffs, gear and methods that can be used to increase EXP yields and level up even faster:

Road to 80 (Preferred Worlds) (+100%)

Those who are on Preferred Worlds are the most privileged group with the Road to 80 buff, receiving a +100% bonus to ALL EXP gained until Level 80. This means the effort required to reach Level 80 is essentially halved.

Survival Manuals (+150%)

Survival Manuals grant +150% EXP and in most cases, hugely cut down the amount of time required to level your gatherers. They will expire after granting you a specified allowance of EXP. Bonus EXP is halved once your surpass the level cap for eachSurvival Manual. This buff does not affect hand-ins or Levequest EXP rewards.

• Company-issue Survival Manual (Up to Lv. 40)
• Company-issue Survival Manual II (Up to Lv. 50)
• Commercial Survival Manual (Up to Lv. 70)
• Revised Survival Manual (Up to Lv. 80)

Commercial Survival Manuals are rewarded for completing level 50 and 60 Class Quests for gatherer classes.Revised Manuals are rewarded for completing Crystarium Deliveries, and can also be bought with White Gatherers' Scrips.

Earth and Water II (Free Company Buff) (+10%)

For those who are part of a Free Company willing to activate the Earth and Water II buff, you'll receive a small boost of +10% EXP while gathering. This buff does not affect hand-ins or Levequest EXP rewards.

Bonus EXP Gear

• Friendship Circlet +20% EXP (up to level 25)
• Ala Mhigan Earrings +30% EXP (up to level 50)

Those fortunate enough to have access to bonus EXP gear can wear this gear until their level caps for a nice boost. This bonus does not affect hand-ins or Levequest EXP rewards.

As of patch 6.0, there are various methods of leveling up your gatherer classes which can lead to confusion for newer players. We'll just come out and say it now; they are all pretty much the same in terms of speed, although they do have specific advantages and disadvantages. Levequests and Diadem can be used exclusively to level your characters all the way up to 90 as long as the prerequisites are met.

This guide will mainly focus on using the Gathering Log for optimizing EXP rate, while suggesting appropriate times that Levequests or Diadem can be used to keep things moving at a nice pace. You may decide to focus on only one method, or employ a combination of all. Collectables will also be employed in the latter half of the guide as it becomes by far the easiest way to level up at later levels.

We'll outline each method, and how you can utilise their advantages to make your leveling experience as smooth as possible.

Pros

• No pre-requisite quests or level requirements, can equip your tools and get started right away
• Enjoy the scenery in the critically acclaimed MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV
• Most Class Quests require items from your Gathering Log so you can hit two birds with one stone

Cons

• Requires appropriate gear to fully take advantage of the benefits, can become expensive at later levels
• Will need to regularly upgrade gear between 1-50 to keep up with the increasing stat requirements of items in your Gathering Log
• You will need to have unlocked flying in all Heavensward, Stormblood, Shadowbringers and Endwalker maps

Pros

• Quests are not challenging, can be completed within minutes with large EXP rewards
• Levequests are repeatable but rarely have to be repeated more than twice to reach the next level
• Slightly lower gear requirements than Overworld gathering, useful as a quick way to gain a level or two to reach the next tier of gear

Cons

• Despite the EXP rewards, it can be time consuming to return to the Levemete NPC every time you accept and complete Levequests
• Requires a a short side quest with DoW / DoM Class to unlock Levequests on maps below level 50
• Requires Flying to reach quest locations easily

Pros

• Can gather at all regular locations from any level, excellent EXP yields at all levels up to 80.
• Very low gear requirements, gear only needs to be upgraded at level 10 and level 60
• All leveling takes place on a single map that does not require flying to be unlocked, everyone can fly in the Diadem

Cons

• Boring
• Sometimes more time spent flying than gathering in the large map, which slows things down greatly
• Takes place within a Duty Finder style instance

First, you'll need to unlock the Botanist class at the Botanist's Guild in New Gridania. You'll be given a Level 1 Weathered Hatchet with a level 1 quest to complete. Now we can get to gathering.

Note: Gathering new items awards bonus EXP so gather every new item you come across at least once for the extra experience points.

Gather Latexuntil level 5

Hand in 10 Latex for the level 1 Botanist Quest and equip the Hempen Dalmatica of Gathering (Body).

Gather Maple Sapuntil level 10

Hand in 10 Maple Sap for the level 5 Botanist Quest. Choose Leather Culottes (Legs) as the Quest Reward and equip it along with the Bronze Hatchet.

Gather Crow Featheruntil level 15.

Hand in 10 Crow Feather for the level 10 Botanist Quest. Choose the Straw Hat (Head) as the Quest Reward and equip it with the Bronze Scythe.

Note: Crow Feather can be purchased from Ferreol, the Guild Supplier in the Carpenter's Guild in New Gridania (X: 10.8 Y: 12.1)

You've now unlocked the level 15 Action Pioneer's Gift I(50 GP). This will increase the chance of triggering Gatherer's Boon by 10%. This is the most important Botanist Action for leveling up your Botanist class because Gatherer's Boon awards extra yield and double EXP as a bonus. Ensure that you stock up on Cordials (NQ / HQ) to replenish GP as you will be using Pioneer's Gift I as often as you possibly can.

Gather Marjoram until level 20.

Hand in 10 Marjoramfor the level 15 Botanist Quest. Choose the Hard Leather Espadrilles (Feet) as the Quest Reward and equip it along with the Recruit's Scythe you received.

From Level 20, you will need to purchase some new armour and tools to meet the stat requirements for gathering level 20 items. You may buy the appropriate Gear from Iron Thunder and Syneyhil in Limsa Lominsa Lower Decks.

Note: You can buy a whole fresh new set of level 18-20 Gear if you wish, the recommended Gear is only for the minimum and assumes that you selected the suggested rewards for the previous Quests.

Gather and hand in15 Grade 1 Carbonized Matter for the level 20 Botanist Quest. Choose Cotton Coif of Gathering (Head) as the Quest Reward and equip it.

Gather Pixie Plums / Noble Grapesuntil level 25. Remember to gather every other item at least once for bonus EXP.

Use Pioneer's Gift I and Cordials as often as you possibly can while gathering.

Gather Chamomileuntil level 28.

Hand in 15 Chamomilefor the level 25 Botanist Quest. Choose Velveteen Coatee of Gathering (Body) as the Quest Reward and equip it with your new Novice's Scythe.

Purchase this Gearset before proceeding to the next gathering point.

Gather Chocobo Feather /Alligator Pear until level 30.

Hand in 15 Alligator Pearfor the level 30 Botanist Quest. Select the Toadskin Culottes (HQ) as the Quest Reward and equip them with the Steel Hatchet.

Levequests are highly recommended at this stage, you will be able to jump a few levels and get to level 35 without much effort. Teleport to Costa Del Sol and set your Homepoint there if you wish to do the level 30 Levequests here. Use Blessed Harvest (400 GP) while doing Levequests to make the tasks easier. It will require approximately 4 Levequests in Costa Del Sol to go from level 30 to level 35.

Otherwise, gather Oak Branch / Oak Loguntil level 35.

Gather and hand in 20 Laurelfor the level 35 Botanist Quest.

Gather Iron Acorn / Mahogany Log until level 40.

Now is a good time to use HQ Carrot Nibbles / Mushroom Saute, the stat boost will help on items with a gathering rate around below 100%.

Equip Quest Rewards as you receive them.

Gather Ramhorn Zucchiniuntil level 43.

Hand in 20 Ramhorn Zucchinifor the level 40 Botanist Quest.

Remember to use HQ Carrot Nibbles / Mushroom Saute if you haven't begun doing so already, the stat boost with increase your gathering rate if it's below 100%.

Gather Mirror Apple /Mistletoe until level 45.

Hand in 20 Mistletoefor the level 45 Botanist Quest.

Eat HQ Carrot Nibbles / Mushroom Saute for the stat buffs.

Gather Rosewood Log / Rosewood Branch until level 50.

Purchase 3 Spruce Log from the Market Board and hand them in for the level 50 Botanist Quest. You can equip the rewards for now.

Congratulations on reaching level 50, the goal now is to use Levequests to quickly jump to level 53. At level 53 we can buy HQ gear, meld it with materia and use it until level 63.

• Use the new Pioneer's Gift II (100 GP) as often as you possibly can while gathering
• Stock up on Cordials and use them
• Use HQ Carrot Nibbles / Mushroom Saute for the great stat boosts and EXP bonus

Accept and completeLevel 50 Levequests in Ishgarduntil level 53.

Purchase 10 Cyclops Onionfrom the Market Board and hand them in for the level 53 Botanist Quest.

We will now be upgrading to the Level 53 Gearset, you must purchase the armour (HQ) from the Market Board and also acquire13 Gatherer's Guerdon IV Materia(G +6). For the tools, we recommend purchasing a Mythrite Hatchet (HQ)& Mythrite Scythe (HQ). You can meld oneG +6Materia to each.

Your total stats with HQ Carrot Nibbles / Mushroom Saute should now be enough to take you to level 60 without further upgrades.

If you do not wish to upgrade your gear, or you cannot due to a lack of funds. You can do your leveling in the Diadem up to level 60 without having to upgrade your armour.

Gather Magma Beet /Emerald Beansuntil level 57.

Hand in 10 Emerald Beansfor the level 55 Botanist Quest.

Gather Birch Branch /Birch Loguntil level 60.

Hand in 10 Birch Logsfor the level 58 Botanist Quest.

Purchase 3 Chysahl Greensfrom the Market Board and hand them in for the level 60 Botanist Quest

Congratulations on reaching level 60. Our goal is to quickly reach level 63 to reach the next Gearset tier that will last us until level 71. You will lose momentum if you are not prepared to upgrade gear at level 63 because Ishgard Restoration also requires new gear for its level 60 tier.

Note: Those with sufficient funds will be able to purchase and equip the Ironworks Gathering Set with materia melds directly at level 60.

• Use Pioneer's Gift II often
• Use Cordials often
• Use HQ Carrot Nibbles / Mushroom Saute

Accept and Complete Level 60 Levequests in Kugane or gather Gaelicatnipuntil level 63.

We will now be upgrading to the Level 63 Gearset, you must purchase the armour (HQ) from the market board and also acquire13 Gatherer's Guerdon V Materia (G +10). For the tools, we recommend purchasing a High Steel Hatchet (HQ)& High Steel Scythe (HQ). You can meld one G +10Materia to each.

You should have now received a huge stat boost from the new gear and Gatherer's Guerdon V Materia (G +10), more than enough to power you to 70.

Complete the level 63 Botanist Quest; you will need to gather 20 Wild Popoto, which are only available while this quest is active.

Gather Holy Basil /Kudzu Vineuntil level 66.

Complete the level 65 Botanist Quest; you will need to gather20 Walker's Popoto, which are only available while this quest is active.

Gather Persimmonuntil level 68.

Complete the level 68 Botanist Quest; you will need to gather 20 Nanoriso, which are only available while this quest is active.

Gather Twincoon until level 70.

Accept and complete the level 70 Botanist Quest; you will need to gather 5 Rhalgr's Streak, which are only available at 04:00-6:00 / 16:00-18:00 Eorzea Time while this quest is active.

Gather Zelkova Log while waiting for the node's time window.

Congratulations on reaching level 70. Once again, our goal to upgrade our Gearset at Level 71. The level 70 tier is less difficult than some earlier levels due to Crystarium Deliveries, non-repeatable quests that grant large EXP rewards while also offering Revised Survival Manuals and Gatherers' Scrips. These quests are shared between Miner and Botanist, and can only be completed on one of these classes at each level (70, 73, 75, 78). This means that if you have completed any of these quests on Miner, you will not be able to complete that quest again on Botanist.

White Gatherers' Scrips awarded by Crystarium Deliveries should be used to purchase Revised Survival Manuals from the Scrip Exchange, requires Collectables Scrip Exchange to be unlocked.

Before continuing, we'll be upgrading to the Level 71 Gearset, you must purchase the armour (HQ) from the market board and also acquire 13 Gatherer's Guerdon VI Materia (G +15). For the tools, we recommend purchasing a DeepgoldHatchet (HQ)& Deepgold Scythe (HQ). You can meld one G +15Materia to each.

• Use Pioneer's Gift II
• Use Cordials
• Use HQ Carrot Nibbles / Mushroom Saute
• Use White Gatherers' Scrips from Crystarium Deliveries to buy Revised Survival Manuals

Crystarium Levequests are always available if you ever lose momentum or want to jump a few levels.

Gather Animal Trace until level 73.

Hand in 18 Animal Trace for the level 70 Crystarium Delivery Quest.

Gather Animal Droppings until level 75.

Hand in 18 Animal Droppings for the level 73 Crystarium Delivery Quest.

Gather Megafauna Leftovers until level 78.

Hand in 18 Megafauna Leftovers for the level 75 Crystarium Delivery Quest.

Gather Megafauna Trace until level 80.

Hand in 18 Megafauna Tracefor the level 78 Crystarium Delivery Quest before you reach level 80. Otherwise, save them for your Miner class.

Gather Animal Trace until level 72.

Gather Garden Beetuntil level 75.

Gather Gianthive Chipuntil level 78.

Gather Coffee Beansuntil level 80.

Congratulations on reaching Level 80 and Welcome to Endwalker. Now that we're old enough to drink, we'll be focusing entirely on Collectables for a beeline directly to Level 90. Check out our Gathering Collectables Guide for an overview on gathering Collectables as well as a Gathering Rotation for you to use.

Studium Deliveries will now be available in Old Sharlayan will provide great EXP, however these quests are shared between Botanist and Miner, and are not repeatable.

Studium Deliveries, Collectables and Old Sharlayan Levequests will give you more than enough options to Level to 90 very quickly without much of a grind.

Priority of Gatherer Scrip Exchange

• Regional Folklore Trader's Tokens

Congratulations on leveling your Botanist to 90, the next step would be to level up your Miner to 90 if you haven't already done so.

After that, you'll need to:

• Upgrade your gear to the current gatherer BiS with materia melds
• Farm Collectables and White Gatherers' Scrips to unlock Folklore Gathering