Make Gil in FFXI Crafting and BCNM

Fun Ways to Get Gil in Final Fantasy XI -- Avoid Buying Gil

Jul 10, 2007

There are more reliable ways to make gil in Final Fantasy XI, but few are more fun! Use these methods to make gil and avoid gil sellers in FFXI.

The MMORPG Final Fantasy XI (FFXI) has many challenges. One of the most difficult thing about this game is making enough gil (currency) to purchase the items and gear you need for your character. There are many methods to make gil in this game, some of which are more reliable than others.

While farming and fishing may be the safest ways to make gil in Final Fantasy XI, they are not the only ways. There are a few other methods, including BCNM fights and crafting, that can be profitable. BCNM fights are basically like lotteries, you have the chance to come out with a lot of gil, but you have an even greater chance to come out with nothing. Crafting also relies quite a bit on luck, although it’s not exactly like a lottery, it’s not as consistent income as farming or fishing.

Burning Circle Notorious Monster (BCNM) Fights

BCNM fights can be unlocked using Beastmen or Kindred Seals. The fights require differing numbers of seals and can range from 20 to 99 seals per fight. There are exceptions, but most of these fights require a team of 3 - 18 people to finish. Many of these fights can yield gear that is very valuable, such as a Peacock Charm. Generally, each player will bring their own orb and the players will either divide the spoils equally after they are sold or each person will keep whatever drops from his or her orb trade (known as “your orb, your drop”).

Although you can get very lucky using the “your orb, your drop” method, most players prefer an even split as this is more fair to everyone. Make sure that you conduct these runs with players that you trust because it is possible for other players to try to steal good drops.

Orbs can be obtained by trading the appropriate number of seals to an NPC named Shami in Port Jeuno. Beastmen and Kindred Seals can be collected by fighting mobs in the game and are very easy to acquire in experience points parties. Save them up because he will use them very soon.

Crafting

Crafting is a popular pastime in Final Fantasy XI. Although there are some people in Final Fantasy XI that are able to make a good deal of gil off of crafting, many others find it to be a great place to waste gil. There are many different types of crafting a Final Fantasy XI including: alchemy, bonecrafting, clothcrafting, cooking, fishing, goldsmithing, leathercrafting, smithing, and woodworking. With the exception of fishing, crafts require a significant investment to get started.

Cooking and alchemy are the least expensive crafts. However, even cooking and alchemy require an investment, especially to level quickly. Most crafts don’t give you the ability to make a lot of gil before you hit the higher levels. At least 90 plus, in fact, even with level 100 and certain craft that can be difficult to make a significant amount of gil. Unfortunately, one of the great frustrations of Final Fantasy XI is the fact that success with certain things (such as crafting) comes down to simple dumb luck at times.

One way to improve your income with crafting is to farm the materials you need to skill-up your craft, as well as the materials you need for crafting for-profit. Any crafter will tell you that keeping skill-up sessions separate from your profit-making sessions is essential to skill-up effectively and make the most profit for your time. This is due to the fact that just because synth is good for skilling-up, it may not be a good synth to try to make a profit with.