Advice on Graphic Settings, Please!

Hello, forum people!

Some of you may have read other posts of mine where I've mentioned being epileptic, specifically, photo-sensitive epileptic. This means that flashing light sequences and some graphics can be a tad on the bad side for me. I will say, for the most part, my FFXIV ride has been relatively smooth in terms of unwanted side-effects, however, there's been a few instances lately where it's been slightly dicey. For example, Hell's Lid, with the lava flow isn't pleasant, and yesterday I discovered Byakko (NM), and didn't enjoy the swirly in the air graphics, nor the lightning (how I survived through the whole thing is likely down to dumb luck and on point healers). I've also had something akin to a temporary blindness from unfortunate positioning, such as again Ser Charibert in the Vault (yes, yes, sickness must be purged, but can I at least see what we're doing whilst the purging is occuring and thereafter? TYVM).

Now to the point (at last!): Do any of you have a recommended graphic setting to reduce the intensity, but not visibility, of graphics such as those lightning attacks (didn't get the name of the attack, sorry)? I've popped my gamma down some more as I suspect that will help somewhat, but was wondering if there's anything further I can do.

I want to clarify: I don't want the graphics to disappear, because they do need to be seen. I want to dial them down so I can work with them. :)

I know its simplistic... But have you tried changing the contrast and brightness on your monitor?

Making everything more 'cloudy' with these settings might help you with the intensity as you cant 'turn off' these kinds off effects.

Maybe you could also try the color filtering settings?

Type 2 (Deuteranopia) seems to make everything more 'cloudy'? It's for colorblind people but maybe it also might work for you?

Additionally there's programs like Reshade & SweetFX which can drastically change visuals ... I use these in some single player games to make them look better but maybe you could try this in FF XIV too, to blur or darken out very high intensive lightning... Though I'm not 100% sure these are allowed in this game.

Thanks for replying! I already have my monitor adjusted nicely for most things, but will have a check to see if reducing brightness/contrast some more helps. I'll also see if that colour filter setting helps too! Never know, it might just do the trick. I'll stay away from third party programmes for now, though. :)

Thanks again! <3

I think reduce Glare effect or turn it off can help too. Glare basically makes things more bright. Maybe can help. If the magic effects affect you, you can hide them too. Will make the game more meh, but can save a lot of flashes. Sadly, you cannot turn off the enemies effects, only player effects.