Final Fantasy XIV Ninja Guide: Mastering the Shadows

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The Ninja job in Final Fantasy XIV offers a unique blend of stealth, speed, and devastating ninjutsu techniques. This guide will help you navigate the complexities of this melee DPS powerhouse and elevate your gameplay to new heights.

Getting Started

To unlock the Ninja job, you must first reach level 30 as a Rogue and complete the quest “Peasants by Day, Ninjas by Night” in Limsa Lominsa. Once unlocked, you’ll gain access to a variety of ninjutsu abilities that define the Ninja’s playstyle.

Core Abilities and Rotations

Ninjas rely on a combination of physical attacks and ninjutsu to deal damage. Your basic rotation will involve:

  1. Maintaining your Huton buff for increased attack speed
  2. Applying and refreshing your DoT (Damage over Time) with Shadow Fang
  3. Using your basic combo: Spinning Edge > Gust Slash > Aeolian Edge

Ninjutsu is where the job truly shines. By combining mudras (Ten, Chi, Jin), you can execute powerful abilities:

  • Fuma Shuriken (single mudra): Single-target damage
  • Raiton (Ten > Chi): Powerful lightning attack
  • Suiton (Ten > Chi > Jin): Allows use of Trick Attack
  • Huton (Jin > Chi > Ten): Increases attack speed

Advanced Techniques

  1. Trick Attack Window: Use Suiton to set up Trick Attack, which increases damage dealt to the target by 5% for 15 seconds. Coordinate with your team to maximize burst damage during this window.
  2. Ninki Management: Build and spend your Ninki gauge wisely. Bhavacakra is your go-to Ninki spender for single-target damage, while Hellfrog Medium is better for AOE situations.
  3. Ten Chi Jin Usage: This powerful ability allows you to use three ninjutsu in quick succession. A common sequence is Fuma Shuriken > Raiton > Suiton.
  4. Shadewalker and Smokescreen: Use these abilities to help manage aggro in your party. Shadewalker transfers some of your enmity to another player, while Smokescreen reduces a target’s enmity generation.

Optimization Tips

  1. Always keep Huton active. Use Armor Crush in your combo to extend its duration when needed.
  2. Practice your mudra combinations to avoid “bunny” errors, which occur when you input mudras incorrectly.
  3. Use True North when positionals are difficult to hit, ensuring you don’t lose damage output.
  4. Coordinate your Trick Attack with your party’s burst phases for maximum damage potential.
  5. In AOE situations, prioritize Death Blossom and its combo for sustained damage, using Katon (fire ninjutsu) for additional AOE burst.

Gear and Stat Priority

Focus on these stats in order of importance:

  1. Dexterity (main stat)
  2. Critical Hit
  3. Direct Hit Rate
  4. Determination
  5. Skill Speed (maintain enough for comfortable rotation, but don’t overcap)

Remember, the Ninja job rewards practice and precision. Take time to master your mudra combinations and optimize your rotation. With dedication, you’ll become a shadowy force to be reckoned with in any FFXIV party.

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