FFXIV Dancer Weapons: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker introduces the dancer job, a nimble and graceful combatant wielding elegant chakrams as their primary weapons. These weapons are not only aesthetically pleasing but also offer distinct characteristics that cater to the dancer's playstyle. This comprehensive guide delves into the various dancer weapons available, their acquisition methods, and their impact on gameplay.

Acquiring Dancer Weapons

Base Weapons:

• Aetherial Chakrams: Obtainable at level 60 through the "The World Stands Asunder" questline.
• Augmented Aetherial Chakrams: Upgraded version obtained by completing the "Return to Azys Lla" questline and exchanging Aetherial Chakrams with Rowena.

Job-Specific Weapons:

• Eikonic Chakrams: Crafted by blacksmiths at level 70.
• Eureka Chakrams: Obtained through the Eureka Hydatos zone.
• Resistance Chakrams: Acquired through the Resistance Weapon questline.
• Edenmorn Chakrams: Dropped in Eden's Gate (Savage) raids.
• Manderville Chakrams: Obtained through the Manderville Gold Saucer.
• Void Ark Chakrams: Found in the Void Ark 24-man raid.
• Alexander Chakrams: Dropped in Alexander raids.

Weapon Characteristics

Physical Damage:

All dancer weapons deal physical damage, making them effective against enemies with lower physical resistance.

Speed:

Dancer weapons have a fast attack speed, allowing for rapid successive attacks. This speed is especially beneficial in burst damage situations.

Critical Hit Rate:

Chakrams have a higher critical hit rate compared to other types of weapons, increasing the chance of dealing significant damage.

Elemental Affinity:

Certain chakrams possess elemental affinities, such as fire, ice, or lightning. These affinities can enhance the dancer's abilities when used against enemies with elemental vulnerabilities.

Aesthetic Customization:

Chakrams offer a wide range of aesthetic customization options, including dyes, glows, and visual effects. This customization allows players to express their personal preferences and match their weapons to their character's appearance.

Optimal Weapon Choice

The optimal dancer weapon choice depends on the player's playstyle and the content being encountered.

• Leveling: Aetherial Chakrams and their augmented versions provide sufficient damage for leveling.
• End-Game Content: Eikonic Chakrams or Eureka Chakrams offer high damage potential for end-game raids and dungeons.
• Glamour: Manderville Chakrams and Resistance Chakrams are popular choices for their unique appearances.
• Specific Elemental Damage: Chakrams with elemental affinities, such as Edenmorn Chakrams or Void Ark Chakrams, are advantageous against enemies with corresponding elemental weaknesses.

Pain Points

• Limited Weapon Variety: Dancers have fewer weapon options compared to other jobs, which can limit customization options.
• High Cost of Crafting: Eikonic Chakrams can be expensive to craft, especially for players without advanced crafting skills.
• Inaccessibility of Some Weapons: Eureka Chakrams and Edenmorn Chakrams require significant time investment to obtain, which can be challenging for casual players.

Motivations

• Increased Damage Potential: Upgrading weapons to higher ilvl increases the dancer's overall damage output, allowing them to contribute more to group content.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Unique and customizable chakrams enhance the player's visual experience and reflect their own style.
• Completionism: Obtaining various chakrams from different sources provides a sense of accomplishment and completion for collectors.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Neglecting Weapon Upgrades: Failing to upgrade weapons regularly can significantly impact the dancer's damage output and limit their effectiveness in end-game content.
• Choosing Chakrams Based on Aesthetics Alone: While the appearance of chakrams is important, prioritizing damage potential and elemental affinities is crucial for optimal performance.
• Reliance on One Weapon: Having a variety of chakrams allows dancers to adapt to different content and elemental weaknesses effectively.

Step-by-Step Approach to Acquiring Dancer Weapons

1. Base Weapons: Obtain the Aetherial Chakrams at level 60 and upgrade them to Aug