The bot problem is rising and real.

[null4646]

I am fairly new to ffxiv so what are SE's method of combating bots? Do they track and ban ect?

There are no effective methods. Most players can run bots for years without issue and reports are generally ignored. On the rare occasion that they get disciplined, it is usually lightweight and laughable. There is some "mass ban" thing they come out with every so often which appears to do absolutely nothing at all. It is really a blight on the game. My only hope is that it gets to a breaking point where they take action. But years have passed, so I don't see that happening. I can't even imagine the scale of fraud that must go into these accounts. You'd think they would take action from a legal perspective alone.

Real "named" players using more sophisticated bots are also rampant though less noticeable unless you're familiar with the patterns. They tend to do what they do without impunity as well and reporting has no effect.