Final Fantasy XIV's patch 7.25 introduced the Phantom relic weapon series, a formidable set of gear for each job obtainable through a series of challenging quests and grinds. While the ultimate form of these weapons is still being revealed in subsequent patches, players can begin the lengthy process of acquiring and upgrading them now.
The Phantom relic weapons are designed to be the most powerful in the Dawntrail expansion, with each stage increasing their item level and visual flair. The complete upgrade path involves multiple steps, each requiring specific materials and gameplay activities, though not all of them necessitate participation in the Occult Crescent field operation.
Step 1: Acquiring the Phantom Penumbrae Weapon
The initial stage of the Phantom relic weapon, the Phantom Penumbrae, is item level 745. To begin, players must have completed the Dawntrail main scenario quest and unlocked the Occult Crescent hub by progressing through the "One Last Hurrah" questline in Tulliyolal until "Unfamiliar Territory" is finished. From there, speak with Lydirceil in Phantom Village to start the "Arcane Artistry" quest.
This first weapon requires collecting three of each of the six demiatma types. These are primarily obtained by completing FATEs and critical encounters within the Occult Crescent, or by completing FATEs in the Dawntrail zones. Players can also earn them through other Dawntrail duties. Turning in these 18 demiatma to Gerolt, followed by purchasing three Arcanite for 500 Allagan Tomestones of Heliometry each from Ermina in Phantom Village, and then turning those into Dodokkuli, will yield the Phantom Penumbrae weapon. The drop rate for demiatma from critical encounters can be low, with roughly 20 encounters yielding about three items.
For subsequent Phantom Penumbrae weapons, players can bypass the demiatma grind by simply purchasing three more Arcanite and trading them to Dodokkuli. The demiatma are specific to certain zones and FATEs within the Occult Crescent, with Azurite found in the southeastern area, Verdigris in the southwestern, Malachite in the central western, Realgar in the northwestern, Caput Mortuum in the eastern ruins, and Orpiment in the northeast and central areas. Players have reported some demiatma appearing outside their native zones, but this is not guaranteed.
Step 2: Upgrading to the Phantom Umbrae Weapon
Patch 7.31 introduced the Phantom Umbrae upgrade, increasing the weapon's item level to 760 and adding a glowing effect. After completing the initial step, speak with Lydirceil again to begin "Keeping the Old Ways Alive." This quest requires turning in several crafted or purchased items: Rroneek glue from Goplu in Tuliyollal, Ut'ohmu siderite bought with bicolor gemstones, and three types of Synthetic dark matter (alpha, beta, and gamma), which are crafted using various materials and master recipes. These crafted items can also be acquired from the marketboard if players lack the necessary crafting or gathering proficiencies.
Following the material turn-in, players must start the "Aether, Aether, Everywhere" quest and fill four aetherwells by completing duty roulettes. Each well requires 10,000 aether, obtainable from high-level dungeons, trials, alliance raids, and normal raids. Daily bonuses significantly speed up this process, which can take approximately two weeks of consistent roulettes. Once filled, the Aetherwell Array is turned in to Gerolt. Finally, speaking with Lydirceil to start "Wrought by Hands Phantasmal" and turning in three Waxing Arcanite, purchased from Ermina for 1500 Allagan Tomestones of Heliometry, completes the upgrade.
Additional Phantom Umbrae weapons can be obtained by simply purchasing and turning in more Waxing Arcanite, provided the Phantom Penumbrae step has been completed for that weapon. Replicas of the Phantom Penumbrae weapons are also available for glamour from the Expedition Metallurgist.
Step 3: Obtaining the Phantom Obscurum Weapon
Patch 7.41 brought the Phantom Obscurum weapon, featuring an item level of 775. The process begins with the "Timeworn Techniques" quest from Lydirceil. This stage requires gathering four specific items: Umbral clay, purchased from Goplu in Tuliyollal, and three types of Aspected aether (agglomerate, aetheroconductor, and aetherocatalyst). Similar to the previous step, these crafted items can be bought or made with Master Recipes 12 and high gathering stats.
After turning these in, players start "In Pursuit of Perfection." This quest involves collecting a significant amount of crystal paste. A total of 1200 crystal paste is needed, accumulated in stages of 100, 200, 300, and 600. Crystal paste is earned by completing various duties, including roulettes, Occult Crescent Critical Engagements, the Pilgrim's Traverse Deep Dungeon, The Final Verse (Quantum), Heavyweight Tier raids, and Hell on Rails (Extreme), as well as Dawntrail zone FATEs. Different content yields varying amounts of paste, with Expert roulettes granting 15, Leveling Cap 15, and Leveling 20. Pilgrim's Traverse offers increasing amounts per 10 floors, reaching 26 paste for floors 81-100. Normal Heavyweight raids give 8 paste, Savage raids offer more, and Hell on Rails (Extreme) provides 9.
Once the paste is collected and turned in, the final step is "A Phantom Reborn." This requires purchasing three chunks of Waning Arcanite from Ermina for 500 Tomestones of Mathmetics each (1500 total) and turning them in to Gerolt to obtain the Phantom Obscurum weapon.
Step 4: Forging the Phantom Eclipticum Weapon
Introduced in patch 7.55, the Phantom Eclipticum weapon reaches an item level of 790. The quest "Under No Illusion" from Lydirceil initiates this stage. Players must collect four items for Gerolt: Monarch whetstone, purchased from Goplu, and three crafted items: Ancestral alloy ingot, Ascendant twine, and Majestic polish. These crafted materials can be bought on the marketboard or created by players with the necessary crafting proficiencies and materials.
Subsequently, players begin "Phantoms to Fillet," which involves collecting 100 of each of the three phantom dispeller types. These are obtained through FATEs and critical encounters in the Occult Crescent's North Horn area, or via duty roulettes. Accessing the North Horn requires completing the "Occult Reunion" quest from the Expedition Messenger in Tuliyollal, and players should ensure they are sufficiently leveled in the South Horn first. Dispellers are rewarded as follows: North Horn CEs and FATEs grant 10 each, while High-level dungeon roulettes give 13 Phantom dispeller alpha. Trials roulettes provide 5 Phantom dispeller beta, and Normal raid roulettes give 5 Phantom dispeller gamma. Each dispeller type has specific corresponding FATEs and CEs in the North Horn.
After turning in the dispellers, "A Phantom Unveiled" is started. This requires purchasing three chunks of Ecliptic Arcanite from Ermina for 500 Tomestones of Mathmetics each (1500 total) and delivering them to Gerolt to complete the Phantom Eclipticum weapon. Additional Phantom Eclipticum weapons can be made by acquiring and turning in more Ecliptic Arcanite, bypassing the need to repeat the item collection or dispeller grind.
Step 5: Crafting the Phantom Occultum Weapon
The latest addition, the Phantom Occultum weapon from patch 7.55, brings the item level to 795 and adds a glowing effect. Starting with "Final Phantasm" from Lydirceil, this step requires filling a knowledge crystal with martial memories. This is achieved by completing a specific list of Dawntrail duties and FATEs, each needing to be cleared once. Further details on this final step are still being confirmed.
As with previous Phantom relic weapons, subsequent upgrades to Phantom Occultum only require purchasing and turning in more Ecliptic Arcanite to Dodokkuli, provided the preceding steps have been completed for the desired weapon. Players seeking to further enhance their arsenal can also refer to guides for previous relic weapon series such as Resistance (Shadowbringers), Eureka (Stormblood), Anima (Heavensward), and Zodiac (A Realm Reborn).