What's the most efficient way to get Level X Gathering Materia?

[AvatarMary]

Scrips are definitely not the easiest. You want a 560 gathering set since this spiritbonds faster. Meld as much perception as you can to try and reach the 3600 requirement (You can use 590 scrip tools and perception food to make this cheaper). Pentameld the rest of your slots with the cheapest low grade materia you can find (this increases Spiritbond rate). Use a Superior Spiritbond Potion (you just need +5 to cap it, any more isn't necessary).

Aim for max gathering attempts on Legendary nodes, using Ageless Words/Solid Reason + Wise to the World.
You can follow this route for the current Legendary nodes.



Keep in mind all the gathering bots do this too, so while gathering materia shot up at the start of the patch, prices are crashing again and likely to continue doing so. It might be more worthwhile to buy some.

Is that real life or eorzea time?

[Jojoya]

Is that real life or eorzea time?

Those times listed are Eorzea time.

Also keep in mind that was information for spiritbond farming as of 5.3 using Pactmaker gear. If you've already upgraded to Indagator, your spiritbond rate is going to be extremely slow even if using a Spiritbond potion.

[Liam_Harper]

It's the cap for Legendary timed nodes and was tested quite a bit where the increase stops after anything over +5. The Balance will tell you the same. There are other sources of gathering where you can go higher, so I assume the potions are incase you're doing a lot of gathering on regular nodes early expansion. Either that or an oversight.

[Nicodemus_Mercy]

It's the cap for Legendary timed nodes and was tested quite a bit where the increase stops after anything over +5. The Balance will tell you the same. There are other sources of gathering where you can go higher, so I assume the potions are incase you're doing a lot of gathering on regular nodes early expansion. Either that or an oversight.

I appreciate that info! Thank you for sharing!

[Arohk]

Farming purple scrips?
Farming cowries?
Buying them off the MB?

These all seem burdensome or expensive. =(

You can transmute combat materia to new materia, it is a tidious process but because you get an overabundance of them it might be worth giving it a try.
You need to use 5 different materias to have the bes chance to get crafting or gathering materias.

[ThorneDynasty]

You can transmute combat materia to new materia, it is a tidious process but because you get an overabundance of them it might be worth giving it a try.
You need to use 5 different materias to have the bes chance to get crafting or gathering materias.

I somehow went all this time having completely forgotten about transmutation, and I wish someone had reminded me earlier - If you 'mute 5 distinct combat materias you get a crafting or gatherer one in exchange 75% of the time. It still might not be one of the ones you need exactly, but given how much combat materia, especially level IX, the game dumps on you with little end-game combat overmelding, it's very worthwhile to clean up your inventory that way once in a while.

[Shadygrove]

Today if you want gathering / crafting materia 9 / 10 I have two questions for you.

1, Did you do Island sanctuary?

2, Are you still doing it?

I have 1.2M blue cowries. 9s cost 750. 10s cost 1500. If I buy materia for gil its because I am too lazy to go to the island.

[Frizze]

Today if you want gathering / crafting materia 9 / 10 I have two questions for you.

1, Did you do Island sanctuary?

2, Are you still doing it?

I have 1.2M blue cowries. 9s cost 750. 10s cost 1500. If I buy materia for gil its because I am too lazy to go to the island.

This post is from before I.S. was a thing. Today, yes that is another viable source of blue and green materia 9/10's.

[Kirika-]

Also, for the spirit bond method, make sure you are using gear that has materia slot(s) and do fill them with materia, any materia, even L1 materia.
The reason is that gear that doesn't have materia slot(s) or isn't melded will spirit bond at a much lower rate than gear that is melded.
Then, as advised above, hit the high level nodes with +spirit bond medicine and you will start spirit bonding extremely fast, making new materia every several nodes.