What are Linkshells in FFXIV?

When you’re playing Final Fantasy XIV, it can be useful to communicate with players in a group that’s not tied to an existing structure in the game, like the Novice Network, public chats, or your Free Company chat. As a result, the game has a function called Linkshells, a permanent chat channel that allows groups of players to communicate together.

These groups can be formed for a variety of uses, from joining in-game groups for roleplaying, hunts, area specific grinds, to external interests, like finding players who share your interests or come from a similar geographical area. Here’s all you need to know about Linkshells.

What are Linkshells in FFXIV?

As mentioned, Linkshells are a permanent chat channel that a collection of players can communicate in. Working like an extra channel, similar to your Free Company chat or the Novice Network, Linkshells have in-built systems to moderate and control the chat.

For one, Linkshells have Masters, Leaders, and Members. Masters are the founders, and can invite new members or promote and demote other players, and even disband or modify the Linkshell. Leaders are a step down, and can invite and kick players from the Linkshell. Members are just regular chatters.

How to set up Linkshells

To set up a Linkshell, you can head to one of three NPC’s around Eorzea. There’s one in each starting city. These are listed below:

• L'zuhjha - Limsa Lominsa Upper Decks (X: 11.4, Y: 14.3)
• Ninisha - Ul'dah - Steps of Nald (X: 10.6, Y: 9.8)
• Theanne - Old Gridania (X: 10.2, Y: 8.3)

Speak to these NPCs to learn more about Linkshells, or create your own. The NPC will guide you through the process, where you’ll be able to name and edit your Linkshell. You’ll even be able to choose a crest for you Linkshell, along with colors.

To chat in your Linkshell, either manually select it, or type “/l” to talk. Linkshell messages are green by default. 

What can Linkshells be used for?

Linkshells have a variety of uses. One of the primary uses is an in-game chat with players doing specific content. For instance, players taking part in The Hunt will often use a Linkshell to appraise players of the current target. Longer cooldown FATE bosses, content like Bozja and Eureka, will sometimes use Linkshells to communicate. 

Beyond this, unofficial content like roleplaying can be facilitated in Linkshells. Additionally, there are sometimes Linkshells you can join for different interests outside of FFXIV, including Anime, other games, and hobbies.

One other use is for players who might not be able (for whatever reason) be able to form a Free Company together. A group of three players who can’t sign a Free Company petition, or a group of more friends who are members of different Free Companies might want a space to chat together, and Linkshells are a great place for it.

What are Cross-world Linkshells?

Cross-world Linkshells are similar to Linkshells in function, but rather than being limited to individual Worlds, they can operate across a Data Center as a whole. The were added in patch 4.3 and can accommodate up to 64 players on the same Data Center. 

Unlike conventional Linkshells, Crossworld Linkshells can be created from the Social tab in the Main Menu. Select the Cross-world Linkshell option, and you can create your own. Upon creating a CWLS, you'll be appointed the Master, with the exact same abilities and permissions as a conventional Linkshell. Apart from their inter-world functionality and some restrictions listed below, Cross-world Linkshells are identical to conventional Linkshells.

Linkshell restrictions

Linkshells have a few restrictions:

• A single character can only join a maximum of eight Linkshells.
• A Linkshell can only have up to 128 members.
• A Linkshell’s name can only be 31 alphanumeric characters.
• Free Trial Players can join a Linkshell, but not create one.
• Linkshells can only communicate with players in the same World as you.

To get around the final restriction, there are also Cross-world Linkshells. These have a different set of restrictions, listed below:

• A single character can only join a maximum of eight Cross-world Linkshells.
• A Cross-world Linkshell can only have up to 64 players.
• Any Cross-world Linkshell that has less than 2 members for 24 hours will be automatically disbanded.
• Free Trial players may become a member of a Cross-world Linkshell, but cannot create one.
• It’s not possible to create a  Cross-world Linkshell with a name already in use on the same data center.