The hardest part is technically behind you! This guide will cover the Novus Zodiac Weapons, the fifth phase of the weapons introduced in Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. The journey has several phases, each offering a new version of the weapon, ending at the Zeta form. None of these weapons are best-in-slot anymore, so you’re purely doing this for your own satisfaction.
The main guide can be found here: FFXIV Relic Weapon Guide: How to Get All Zodiac Weapons (A Realm Reborn)
How to Unlock Your Novus Relic Weapon
Okay, so you’ve passed through the hardest phase, but there’s still more to go. Go back to Jalzahn at Hyrstmill in North Shroud (X: 29.5, Y: 19.6) and pick up the quest “Celestial Radiance.” This quest will require materia melding, but the process is enhanced this time around.
Jalzahn will send you to Mutamix Bubblypots at The Bonfire in Central Thanalan (X: 23.7, Y: 13.6), who will then send you nearby to Hubairtin (X: 23.5, Y: 13.7). This melder needs Superior Enchanted Ink for the process. Once again, you’re heading back to Mor Dhona to talk to Rowena and then Auriana (X:22.7, Y:6.6). Select the “Allagan Tomestones of Poetics (Special Arms)” menu option to buy the items, which cost 25 Allagan Tomestone of Poetics each. Head back to Hubairtin, who will create the Sphere Scroll, which is how you’ll upgrade your Relic Weapon this time. This is be in your normal inventory, not your Key Items inventory.
Hubairtin will give you the quest “Star Light, Star Bright.” You have to bind 75 different materia to the Sphere Scroll in order to craft the new weapon. Which materia you bind is ultimately up to you. In the past, the materia determined the stats of the resulting weapon, meaning it was beneficial to pick stats that mattered to your job. You can still stick with that, though it matters less now. Here’s the full list of materia and which stat they increase:
- Heaven’s Eye Materia – Direct Hit Rate
- Quickarm Materia – Skill Speed
- Savage Aim Materia – Critical Hit Rate
- Piety Materia – Piety
- Savage Might Materia – Determination
- Quicktongue Materia – Spell Speed
- Battledance Materia – Tenacity
There are stat caps for the melding process depending on your Job/class, generally 75 for each secondary stat. You’ll need to use the first four levels of each materia type. In the beginning, only level 1 materia can be used. As you continue to bind materia of the same type, the success rate will slowly lower: 100%, 96%, 90%, 82%, 72%, and finally 60%. Past 60%, you need to have the next level up of that same Materia in order to bind. When a binding is unsuccessful, the materia will be lost.
To bind the materia, you also need a secondary reagent called Alexandrite. This item will drop from any FATE completed with a Gold rating while you have your Animus Relic Weapon equipped. Alternatively, you can purchase the item from any Hunt Billmaster for 50 Allied Seals apiece. Those Hunt Billmasters can be found in the following locations:
- Hunt Billmaster (Immortal Flames) – Limsa Lominsa Upper Decks (X: 13.1, Y: 12.4)
- Hunt Billmaster (Maelstrom) – Limsa Lominsa Upper Decks (X: 13.1, Y: 12.4)
- Hunt Billmaster (Twin Adder) – New Gridania (X: 9.7, Y: 11.3)
Finally, the last option for acquiring Alexandrite is to complete Mysterious Maps. These work similar to Treasure Maps, requiring you to Decipher and Dig for the chests. The chests will offer up to five pieces of Alexandrite. The mysterious maps can be acquired from the daily quest “Morbid Motivation” from Brangwine in Mor Dhona (X: 21.9, Y: 6.7), which requires the player to access the Level 50/60/70/80 Duty Roulette. You can also simply buy them from your good friend Auriana in Mor Dhona (X: 22.7, Y: 6.6) for 75 Allagan Tomestone of Poetics.
Once you meld the 75 Materia, you can head back to Jalzahn in North Shroud (X: 29.5, Y: 19.6). Talk to Jalzahn with the infused weapon in your inventory and select, “Relic Weapon Animus Enhancement.” You’ll be rewarded with the Novus version of your Relic Weapon.
Guides for the rest of the phases can be found below:
- FFXIV Relic Weapon Guide: How to Get Your Relic Zodiac Weapon
- FFXIV Relic Weapon Guide: How to Get Your Zenith Zodiac Weapon
- FFXIV Relic Weapon Guide: How to Get Your Atma Zodiac Weapon
- FFXIV Relic Weapon Guide: How to Get Your Animus Zodiac Weapon
- FFXIV Relic Weapon Guide: How to Get Your Nexus Zodiac Weapon
- FFXIV Relic Weapon Guide: How to Get Your Zodiac Braves Weapon
- FFXIV Relic Weapon Guide: How to Get Your Zeta Zodiac Weapon
