HQ Gathering?

[RiversideGuy]

Speaking as a BTN… was just asked to get 3 HQ items (seen this before but current situation is unique, this is a job quest). Hit something like a dozen nodes where said item had 0% chance of proving a HQ. Yes, I know the perception skill boosts do nothing for such items. Someone told me “oh, not enough perception.” How do I accomplish this job quest? I have 460 perception and I think my gear is fairly reasonable. Do I HAVE to go spend Gil to get myself some more perception? Is this the only way?

Or do I have to endlessly grind nodes in that zone to hope to eventually hit one with a 1% or greater chance?

Yes I notice the job quests seem to always want HQ items, but the items had 6% or 8% and I could skill them up so eventually I cou;d get the items.

[DrWho2010]

if you don't have enough perception to meet the threshold, you either need better gear or you have to meld extra perception onto the gear. until you get the minimum amount required you always have 0 percent chance.

[RiversideGuy]

Is there something charted to give one levels/amounts at certain breakpoints… I tired some googling but couldn’t get to anything that I could really understand as most involved what I took to be “collectibles.” Or do I need to completely replace all gear ever 2-3 levels I gain?

[Baxcel]

You don't need a chart there is a skill for gatherers that shows you how much perception you need for a 1% HQ gather.. it's thr one that looks like a magnifying glass.. I forget the actual name tho

[DPZ2]

Or do I need to completely replace all gear ever 2-3 levels I gain?

Really a good idea to consider it, unless you have all-blue gear from the previous expansion (which tends to be better than the current expansion until you hit max level again).

Between level 1 and level 70, there are only 3 quests that require collecting 3 of something -- level 50 quest does not require HQ. Level 60 quest requires 408 perception. Level 63 quest requires 624 perception.

How can you find out? Check a resource on the net. This one lists the perception required for HQ for most every item you'll need to collect for a quest (example included: https://ffxiv.consolegameswiki.com/wiki/Wild_Popoto ).

Unfortunately, Teamcraft will give you info on where to go, and how much Gathering you need, but it doesn't provide info on the Perception necessary to start collecting HQ items.

[Frizze]

Ok, so what you need to do is go to one of the nodes that has the item you need. Then activate your "Preparation" ability. You got it at level 12. It will show you exactly how close you are to having enough perception to get 1% HQ rate. Then from there you can find a node with a bonus, use your HQ boosting skills, and whatever else. If you are far away, new gear is probly the only way. If youre close, you can look at a cheap materia meld. Or an FC buff. Or some gathering food. Or some better gathering food. Or even all 3(materia, buff, better food).

[RiversideGuy]

Ah, never did properly understand that “preparation” skill, now I do… but what I remember it listed a percentage, not an exact perception rating needed. As a matter of fact, it is exactly that lvl 63 class quest that stopped me in my tracks… it’s reward is a nice piece of gear to help with stats. I did come across something about 624 perception but that seemed wrapped up with several concepts I had no clue about (like types of nodes with unfamiliar names). I do have some materia I have gotten, but mostly for GP stats. It’s just that I am not remember needing to so frequently buy gear for combat… from 1 to 80, I bought a few pieces here and there and had 2 of my amazing FC mates make me full sets at 3 points.

I wonder if that huge break point at job lvl 63 is the largest one?

When you say Teamcraft are you referring to the Gathering log? Think it was the quest text leading me to the location for this item. Have been frustrated in being pointed to named location that do not appear on any map, they only pop up on screen momentarily when you cross a threshold. Yes I very much do find myself pretty dependent on web resources in addition to the occasional question here or in Zepla’s discord!

[RiversideGuy]

It's beginning to dawn on me... turns out my gear was 55-58. Still I think I should be able to work a 63 quests with that, but it seems not. Figured to gain a few more levels so that I can use better gear (as it's going to cost me something like a quarter million) than just bare 63... but when trying to do todays provisioning GC, turns out I also need that 624 perception to get HQ for the required item!

Are there any more breakpoints like this one... where you need to get 5 more levels in gear just to be able to get job quests done?

[DPZ2]

It's beginning to dawn on me... turns out my gear was 55-58. Still I think I should be able to work a 63 quests with that, but it seems not. Figured to gain a few more levels so that I can use better gear (as it's going to cost me something like a quarter million) than just bare 63... but when trying to do todays provisioning GC, turns out I also need that 624 perception to get HQ for the required item!

Are there any more breakpoints like this one... where you need to get 5 more levels in gear just to be able to get job quests done?

Most of the gathering gear, unlike the DoM/DOW gear, becomes less effective the further in game you get.

Here's what I look to when thinking about gear (Miner used as example) - https://ffxivguild.com/ff14-mining-m...ealm-reborn/6/ . I especially liked the "Help! My Miner gear sucks! Playing catch up." notes, as well as information on the gear to get at levels 61/62. At level 63 you unlock the right tier stuff that'll help bring your GP up to snuff. This is the point where I started working with collectibles -- those yellow scripts you get at 70 are worth their weight in gear you can purchase to take you through to level 80 ... most of the LandKing's set (available for use by all your gatherers) at 70 appeared to be better than normal gear up through level 78.

[Eclipse12187]

There is a huge jump in stats the game expects you to have when you hit new expansions, level 55 gathering gear is ilvl 100 whereas entry stormblood gathering gear is ilvl 180, which makes a considerable difference. Generally you want to try to upgrade your gear every 5 levels, with a greater focus on tools, chest, and legs. Unless it’s cheap don’t bother with the max level gear at 60 or 70, and get the entry level gear for stormblood (level 61, gaganaskin set) and shadowbringers (level 71, brightlinen set)
And make sure the gear is high quality.