Starter / Beginner's AP, EXP, Weapons, Gear and Gil Guide

See also: Guides

Early AP Farming Method

In west of Hammerhead, there are 2 areas that are good areas farm below and above where it says three valleys. Right below the "V" in valley is a camp site. This will be the area you will be resting at. To the little valley behind the camp site is filled with Sabretusks that can be easily killed with warp strikes. If you enter stasis mode just warp to a vantage point then go back in for the kills. Northwest of this camp site is another area that has sabretusks to kill. All these enemies are level 2 so they're very easy to kill. As you get the necessary AP to unlock the damage boosts to warp strikes get them asap to help to darm faster

Early 50% EXP food (Chapter 3)

Recommended Level :15

When you get to Duscae make your way to the Chocobo Farm located west of where it says Malacchi Hills. Speak to the owner about renting a chocobo but he says you have to kill Behemoth first. Stock up on fire spells to make the job easy. After you complete the mission you can do quests for the owner. One of these missions gives you access to a recipe that gives you 400+ HP and 50% more EXP.

Thunderbolt Sword

In the southwestern most part of the map in the Malmalam Thicket is an extremely powerful Lightning Greatsword called Thunderbolt. If you are under geared it may be difficult but you can suicide run to where the camp site is. The area up ahead with enemies is the location of the sword. Use magic to make the job easier.

Accessory that increases EXP gain and Weapon that makes Enemy Appendage Breaks Easy

Moogle Accessory - 20% More EXP

Hardedge - Greatsword that increases enemy appendage breaks by 80%

South of Causcherry Plains follow the winding road until right you see where the green road turns blue. There is a path east of the road through the brush you can take. There's also a hut that sells good fishing gear here. Keep heading east until you reach the cave entrance. Make sure to save. Kill the enemies in the entrance room (or bypass them by hugging the right wall) which is made easier by using the Thunderbolt sword. Left path leads to hardedge after you fall into an area with eyeball enemies. Kill them then collect the sword. Go to your map and warp to the entrance. Go back in and take the right path which you have to squeeze through. Suicide run through until you reach a fork in the dungeon. The moogle accessory is on the ground with no enemies around then just warp back out.

Easy Gil/Quadcast Magic Pieces

Be sure to have the Thunderbolt and Hardedge equipped on Noctis. East of Causcherry plains are three craters. In one of the craters there is a couple of enemies called Bulettes. Warp strike them with the Hardedge then attack them normally until you receive a Shield Spike. Then finish them off with Thunderbolt. Repeat this method for all of the enemies. Each piece sells for 1200 gil or can be used as a Spell Catalyst.

Save All The Treasures You Find

Save all the debased treasures you find. The most common being Debased Coin. If you combine all three magic types and use multiple coins as a catalyst you create a very powerful leveling spell called Expericast. Use them on powerful enemies like the Iron Giants at night time. You gain a ton of EXP if you have the moogle item and the boost from the chocobo quest. I suggest waiting until you have access to the 3x EXP hotel so you can gain a massive amount of EXP.

AP Farming a Bit Further into the Game

For AP farming a bit further in the game you can wait until you get the Beast Whistle. Go the Sabretusk area i mentioned earlier and blow the whistle. A couple of low level enemies pop up. Warp strike kill them all and if you need MP just refill with a teleport. If you time the whistle right you can call in the next group of baddies just as the last enemy falls. You get an insane amount of AP quicker than any other way.

Good Recipes for Grinding and Questing

2 good recipes you can pick up while in Lestallum can help immensely with grinding and quests. Go to the lookout area facing the Meteor. There will be a woman eating at a table. Get close and Ignis learns the recipe called Mother & Child Rice Bowl which increases HP by 1,000, EXP by 30% and Increases enemy item drop rate by 50%. One of the food vendors near the road sells a dish called Seasoned Midgardsormr Which increases damage dealt based on the level difference between the party and enemies, Increases Attack by 350 and Increases max HP by 1,000.