How to Obtain a Free Company House in Final Fantasy XIV: A Comprehensive Guide
So, you dream of leading your Free Company (FC) from the comfort of your very own virtual estate in Eorzea? Acquiring an FC house in Final Fantasy XIV is a significant milestone, providing your members with a central hub, crafting facilities, and a launchpad for grand adventures. But how exactly do you secure this coveted property? The short answer is through a combination of meeting specific requirements, winning a lottery, and having sufficient gil. However, the process is more involved than it seems, requiring patience, planning, and a little bit of luck. This guide will delve into each step, providing you with the knowledge necessary to navigate the intricacies of FC housing.
Understanding the Prerequisites
Before you can even dream of entering the housing lottery, your Free Company needs to meet certain criteria. These requirements are designed to ensure that only established and active FCs can participate, preventing inactive groups from squatting on valuable land.
FC Rank and Membership
The most basic requirement is that your FC must be at least rank 6. Ranking up your FC involves completing company actions, earned through various activities like crafting, gathering, and completing duties as a group. It’s a gradual process but not overly difficult.
Equally important is the number of members. Your FC must have at least four members actively registered within it. This ensures that the house will be used by a group of players and not just a single individual.
Ownership Time
Your FC must have been established for at least 30 days before it can enter the housing lottery. This prevents newly formed groups from immediately vying for plots, giving them time to solidify their membership and goals.
No Penalties
The Free Company must not have any penalties resulting from misconduct or violations of the game’s terms of service. Any prior infractions could disqualify you from participating in the lottery.
The Lottery System: A Test of Fortune
Once your FC meets all the prerequisites, you can begin the lottery process. Introduced to address issues with land grabbing bots, the lottery system provides a fair and transparent method for acquiring housing.
Understanding the Lottery Cycle
Each lottery cycle lasts nine days. The first five days are dedicated to the entry period, where eligible FCs can submit their bids for a specific plot of land. The remaining four days are the results period, where the winning bids are drawn and announced.
Bidding on a Plot
During the entry period, the FC leader (or a designated officer with the appropriate permissions) can visit a housing district and interact with the placard in front of an available plot. The leader must pay the full purchase price of the plot as their bid.
It’s crucial to choose your desired plot carefully. Consider factors like location, size, and proximity to aetheryte shards or market boards. Once you’ve placed a bid, you cannot withdraw or change it during the current lottery cycle.
Lottery Results and Claiming Your Prize
After the results period begins, the winning lottery number will be revealed. If your FC’s bid was successful, the FC leader has a limited time (typically a few days) to claim the plot. Failure to do so will forfeit the win, and the land will become available in the next lottery cycle.
If your FC loses the lottery, the full gil amount of your bid is refunded.
Preparing Your FC House
Congratulations! You’ve won the lottery and claimed your plot. Now comes the fun part: building and customizing your FC house.
Obtaining a Housing Permit
The first step is to purchase a housing permit from a housing merchant. This permit is necessary to actually construct a building on your plot.
Designing and Constructing Your House
With the permit in hand, you can now design your FC house. You have a choice of different housing exteriors, each with its own unique style and appearance. The exterior you choose will determine the overall look of your house.
Once you’ve selected an exterior, you’ll need to gather the necessary materials to construct it. These materials can be purchased from vendors, crafted, or obtained through various in-game activities.
Decorating and Customizing
After the house is built, you can start decorating the interior and exterior with furniture, decorations, and other items. There’s a vast array of options available, allowing you to create a truly unique and personalized space for your FC.
Remember that you can also use your FC house for practical purposes, such as crafting, gardening, and training chocobos. These features can provide valuable benefits for your FC members.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about obtaining an FC house in Final Fantasy XIV, providing further clarification and helpful tips.
1. Can multiple FCs bid on the same plot?
Yes, multiple FCs can bid on the same plot during a lottery cycle. The lottery system randomly selects one winning bid from all eligible entries.
2. What happens if no FC bids on a plot?
If no FC bids on a plot during a lottery cycle, the plot will remain available and be included in the next lottery cycle.
3. How much does a plot of land cost?
The price of a plot depends on its size and location. Small plots are the least expensive, while large plots are the most expensive. The price also varies based on the housing ward’s popularity. Expect to pay anywhere from a few million gil to tens of millions.
4. Can I relocate my FC house to a different plot?
Yes, you can relocate your FC house to a different plot. However, relocating involves selling your existing plot and entering the lottery for a new one. You’ll receive a partial refund for your existing house and furnishings.
5. What are the benefits of having an FC house?
FC houses provide numerous benefits, including a central meeting place for members, crafting facilities, gardening plots, chocobo training stables, access to company workshops, and the ability to summon airships and submersibles.
6. Can individual members decorate the FC house?
This depends on the permissions granted by the FC leader or officers. They can set specific permissions allowing members to place furniture, change decorations, and perform other customization tasks.
7. What is the difference between personal housing and FC housing?
Personal housing is for individual players, while FC housing is for the entire Free Company. Personal housing offers limited features compared to FC housing, such as smaller plots and fewer crafting facilities. FC housing also promotes a sense of community and collaboration.
8. How often are new housing wards added to the game?
New housing wards are typically added with major game updates. Square Enix usually announces these additions in advance, giving players time to prepare.
9. What happens if my FC disbands after acquiring a house?
If your FC disbands after acquiring a house, the plot and any structures on it will be relinquished. The land will then become available for other FCs in the next lottery cycle.
10. Can I visit other FC houses?
Yes, you can visit other FC houses if the owners have set the permissions to allow visitors. This can be a great way to get inspiration for decorating your own FC house.
11. How do I increase my FC rank?
You increase your FC rank by completing company actions. These actions involve various activities such as crafting, gathering, completing duties, and participating in events.
12. Are there any restrictions on what I can build or place in my FC house?
Yes, there are some restrictions on what you can build or place in your FC house. Some items may be prohibited due to their size, design, or potential for causing lag. There are also limits on the number of items you can place both inside and outside the house.
13. What are Aetherial Wheels and how do they benefit my FC?
Aetherial Wheels are crafting devices that produce Company Actions. Activating these actions gives your FC various buffs, such as increased experience gain or crafting speed. They are a valuable asset for any active FC.
14. Can I use my FC house to operate a private business?
While you can’t explicitly run a business in the traditional sense, you can use your FC house as a base for crafting and selling items, organizing events, or offering services to other players.
15. How do I find an available plot in the housing districts?
Available plots are indicated by a placard in front of the plot that can be interacted with. These placards will also show the price of the plot. Be aware that available plots can be highly competitive, so checking frequently is recommended.
Obtaining an FC house in Final Fantasy XIV is a challenging but rewarding endeavor. By understanding the requirements, mastering the lottery system, and preparing to invest time and resources, you can transform your Free Company’s vision into a tangible reality. Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor!