Protean Crystal for initial quest not dropping

[ManuelBravo]

It was me and a FC mate and we where within 1 level of each other... the mobs we pulled where within our level

By mobs were they the same level as the lowest or highest member of the party? If anyone else attacks it it will ruin both XP and drops. It is recommended for higher drop rate to be 2-3 levels above for better rates take longer to kill, or same level both parties. example ( 2 team mates , tank lv4 healer lv3 should do lvl 4+ mobs and make sure elemental is set properly. If weak against fire make sure your fire element, if any other lower dmg and less chance. A friend and I tested this a few times and we duo up to level 5, we were getting 5-15 crystals per 30 chains that way. After 10th chain drops increase about 10% or so. The RNG could use improvement however on average if same level ( as long as highest member is matching with that level mob) on low levels they are lower rates, as you go to tougher mobs the drops increase. The most I've gotten from a 30 chain is 15 with a party of 4 fight mobs 4 levels above ours. During fates stopped and then came back. Hope this helps , could be just bad luck unless it's constantly. Hope these help if not GL.