How to unlock and use Aetherial Reduction in Final Fantasy XIV (FFXIV)

If you want to get Aethersand in Final Fantasy XIV, or even just some crystals or clusters to aid you with crafting, you’re going to need to know how Aetherial Reduction works. This is basically desynthing for Collectables, and it’s incredibly useful. 

How to unlock Aetherial Reduction in Final Fantasy XIV

Before you can unlock Aetherial Reduction, you’ll need to do a couple of things:

• Reach level 56 with any Disciple of the Land class
• Complete the level 50 MSQ quest ‘The Better Half’

Once you’ve done this, you can head to Mor Dhona and talk to Lydirlona (X:22.3, Y:6.8) to pick up the quest ‘No Longer a Collectable’. Completing this quest will unlock the ability to aetherically reduce certain Collectables. 

How does Aetheric Reduction work in Final Fantasy XIV?

When it comes to Botanists and Miners, the only Collectables which can be aetherically reduced come from Ephemeral Nodes. These Nodes work in the same way as any other timed Node, spawning at certain times according to the Eorzean clock. On average, you’ll be able to visit these Nodes once every 1.5 hours to get more Collectables which can be reduced. 

For Fishers, there are certain fish which can be aetherically reduced. In order for them to count, though, they must be caught while ‘Collector’s Glove’ is active. To do this, simply use the Collect action before fishing.

The likelihood of getting Aethersand from Aetherial Reduction increases along with the collectability of whatever you’ve gathered. If your Collectable has a rating of anything under 1,000, you stand a chance to get some Crystals or Clusters. However, if you’ve maxed out the Collectability of an item, you are guaranteed to get Aethersand when using Aetherial Reduction. 

To use Aetherial Reduction, you just need to select a qualifying Collectable in your inventory and then select “Aetherial Reduction”. You’ll perform the same animation you would when repairing or desynthing something, and then the reduction results will go into your inventory instead.

If you’re lucky enough to get some Aethersand from your Aetherial Reduction, this can then be used in Master Recipes.