In Final Fantasy XIV, like many MMOs, customizing your heads up display (HUD) so you can best use it is essential. However, unlike many MMOs, FFXIV has an in-built HUD customization system that’s nearly limitless, allowing you to massively change the way your HUD looks and functions.
But what changes are recommended? After adding some extra hotbars, and maybe hiding a few elements you don’t feel you need, how can you improve your HUD to push your play to the next level? Below are 10 tips to improving your HUD that can elevate your playstyle.
10. Move the Enemy List where you can see it
By default, the Enemy List is right off in the far right of the HUD. This is fine, but if you’re tanking, or taking on higher level content, moving the enemies list closer to the middle of your screen, or closer to your hotbar can allow you to quickly see which enemies are aggroed to your party, and in a pinch, switch targets.
9. Move the party list where you can quickly select it, and see status ailments
Especially as a healer, it’s useful to be able to see your party’s health quickly. Even as DPS or Tank, knowing what debuffs and health and your party has can be essential. As a result, it’s usually good to make sure you see and quickly react to your Party List.
8. Move the enemy cast bar closer to your skills
The cast bar for both enemies and yourself is a pretty important one, and by default the enemy's isn’t in your main field of view. In the HUD layout menu, it’s best to move this to somewhere just above your primary hotbars or where you’re going to be able to see it. As play, you can learn when it's possible to start moving before your cast has “finished” so you can slide cast your spells. Being able to see the cast bar makes this much easier.
To accomplish this, you need to enable an option. Click on the Target Bar (at the top by default) and click the gear next to it in the HUD settings. Check "Display Target Info Independently" and then you can change the location of the target's progress bar to a more easily viewable spot. You can also move and change the HP and Status info.
7. Enable the ability to see your target’s target
In the Character Configuration menu, under the HUD tab in UI Settings, and in the Target sub-section, you can see the Target’s Enmity List, their Cast Progress, and their focused target. This is useful for all players as it allows you know who your target is about to attack.
6. Prevent hotbar cycling and hide unneeded hotbar slots
By default, your base hotbar has “cycling” available, in which clicking arrow buttons next to the primary hotbar will cycle through the first three hotbars. Disable this by heading to Character Configuration and deselecting “Enable hotbar cycling button.” While you’re there, you can “Hide unassigned hotbars,” freeing up some space on your HUD.
5. Micromanage your HUD elements using the number pad
Don’t like where your HUD elements are? If you select a HUD element in the HUD Layout screen, you can adjust it pixel by pixel using the number pad arrow keys of 4, 8, 6, and 2. That way you can get rid of that tiny frustrating difference in the spacing of your Hotbars without having to become a perfectly steady-handed mouse user.
4. Change the name colors to better identify your friends and allies
In FFXIV, every single name color in the HUD can be adjusted. By default, friends are a kind of slightly different blue to everyone else in the game. Change this to something that stands out like orange or green, and you’re good to go. Beyond this, you can change the color free company, party members, and other allies appear. This makes awareness in big cities or during fights much easier.
3. Turn on enemy health percentage
In Character Configuration, under UI Settings, and the Target sub-section, you can turn on enemy health percentage, which is turned off by default. This means you can actually see what percentage health is left, which is great for high-end fights and tight DPS checks.
2. Make job icons visible next to names
One thing that makes both combat and the game overall more easy to visually distinguish is enabling job icons next to people’s names. To do this, head to Character Configuration then select the Display Name Settings, and then General. Check the box labeled "Display class or job icons with nameplate" and now you can see icons with
1. Clear the center of your screen
By default, the center of the HUD in FFXIV is a slightly cluttered area with the enemy health, some status effects, the Alliances listed if you’re doing an Alliance Raid, and other elements. However, when you think about it, the center of the screen is exactly where you need the most visibility of what’s going on. You’re likely going to have your camera focused on what you’re fighting, or the party members you’re healing and tanking for.
As a result, covering the space with hotbars or progress bars can make it harder to dodge attacks and understand what’s happening in a fight. To prevent this, avoid creating too much clutter in the center of your screen, moving job gauges, information bars, and other elements to the bottom or side.
