How To Unlock Reaper FF14: Complete Job Guide And Requirements
Unlocking the Reaper job in Final Fantasy XIV requires owning the Endwalker expansion, advancing any Disciple of War or Magic to level 70, and completing the introductory quest titled The Killer Instinct in Old Sharlayan. Once fulfilled, players instantly receive level 70 gear, a baseline scythe weapon, and access to the specialized Melee DPS toolkit centered around avatar void harvests.
Essential Prerequisites and Expansion Requirements
Before undertaking the procedural steps to unlock the Reaper job, players must verify that their account meets specific foundational software and character progression standards. Because Reaper is a Melee DPS job introduced in the Endwalker expansion, it bypasses early-game leveling constraints by starting directly at level 70, but it strictly demands that your account has registered the required software license and possesses a high-level base character to anchor the job change.
- Essential Software and Registrations: Active ownership of the Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker expansion (or a subsequent bundled expansion like Dawntrail that includes Endwalker access) registered to your Square Enix service account.
- Mandatory Character Progress Standards: At least one Disciple of War or Magic job leveled to 70 or higher. Crafting and gathering classes (Disciples of the Hand and Land) do not count toward this unlock prerequisite.
- Financial and Inventory Benchmarks: Approximately 500 to 1,000 Gil for basic teleportation fees to Old Sharlayan, alongside a single open slot in your main weapon inventory to receive your starting scythe.
- Estimated Time Investment: Roughly 10 to 15 minutes of travel and dialogue execution once prerequisites are met.
Step-by-Step Guide to Accessing the Reaper Questline
Step 1: Verify and Meet the Level 70 Prerequisite
Check your active character sheet by pressing the character menu hotkey to confirm that you have at least one combat class—such as Dragoon, Warrior, Samurai, or White Mage—at level 70 or above. If your highest combat job falls below this threshold, engage in high-experience activities such as Duty Rouglettes, daily hunts, or Bozjan Southern Front content until you achieve level 70.
Warning: Trial accounts cannot unlock Reaper or any expansion jobs past Stormblood limits, even if level 70 is reached via unrestricted progression paths, because expansion licenses are permanently locked out on free trial tiers.
Step 2: Travel to Old Sharlayan
Open your aetheryte teleport map and travel directly to Old Sharlayan. If you have not yet progressed the main scenario questline to reach the Endwalker expansion zones, you must advance your main scenario quests through the patch 5.55 finale titled Death Unto Dawn, which unlocks access to Old Sharlayan via the initial quest Hitting the Bollards.
Pro-Tip: If you have friends in a Free Company or a high-level player willing to assist, you can bypass walking distances by utilizing a two-person mount to ride into Old Sharlayan zones, provided you have already unlocked flight or regional entry permissions.
Step 3: Locate the Questgiver and Accept The Killer Instinct
Navigate to the Old Sharlayan housing and administrative sector, specifically targeting the lower plaza near the Crystarium delivery docks. Find the NPC named the Anxious Almsmesser located at coordinates (X: 13.1, Y: 15.3). Speak with this NPC to pick up the introductory job quest titled The Killer Instinct. Ensure your inventory has enough space to hold the initial coffer.
Step 4: Complete Dialogue Sequences and Secure Your Scythe
Follow the quest markers through a brief series of conversations involving the local authorities and a mysterious Garlean refugee. Upon concluding the dialogue exchanges, the quest will complete, automatically rewarding you with the Soul of the Reaper job stone, your baseline level 70 scythe weapon, and a complete set of level 70 Nomad's armor gear coffer suited for Melee DPS. Equip the job stone in your character menu, assign your new scythe, and prepare your hotbars for the level 70 ability set.
How to unlock Reaper in FFXIV: Endwalker | Rock Paper Shotgun
Reaper Job Specifications and Starting Parameters
| Parameter Category | Initial Value / Requirement | Progression Scaling |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Job Level | Level 70 | Scales to Level 100 (Dawntrail cap) |
| Primary Attribute | Strength | Scales with Maiming gear sets |
| Weapon Type | Two-handed Scythe | Upgradable via Tomestones and Raids |
| Role Classification | Melee DPS | High burst damage, party mitigation |
| Key Resource | Soul Gauge / Shroud Gauge | Managed via combo actions and avatar summons |
Common Site Failures and Field Fixes
Issue: The questgiver NPC is missing or unresponsive.
- Root Cause: Your active combat job is below level 70, or you are playing on a Free Trial account that lacks Endwalker registration.
- Actionable Fix: Switch to a combat class that has achieved level 70 or higher, and verify that your Mog Station account status reflects a fully registered Endwalker expansion license.
Issue: Unable to accept the quest due to full inventory.
- Root Cause: Your armory chest or main inventory lacks space for the starting weapon and armor coffer reward.
- Actionable Fix: Clear out redundant gear, discard unnecessary items, or sell items to a vendor to free up at least two slots in your main inventory and armory chest.
Issue: Cannot equip the Soul of the Reaper job stone.
- Root Cause: You do not currently have a valid two-handed scythe equipped, or you are trying to equip the stone while your main hand weapon slot is empty.
- Actionable Fix: Open your inventory, right-click the starting scythe provided during the quest, and select equip before attempting to slot the Soul of the Reaper into your job stone slot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What level do I need to be to unlock Reaper in FF14?
You need at least one Disciple of War or Magic combat class at level 70. Crafting and gathering classes do not count toward this requirement.
Do I need to buy Endwalker to play Reaper?
Yes, you must own and register the Endwalker expansion to your Square Enix account. Purchasing the subsequent Dawntrail expansion also grants automatic access to Endwalker and the Reaper job.
Where do I pick up the Reaper unlock quest?
The quest titled The Killer Instinct is located in Old Sharlayan. Speak to the Anxious Almsmesser at coordinates (X: 13.1, Y: 15.3) to begin the unlock sequence.
Does Reaper start at level 1 or level 70?
Reaper starts immediately at level 70. It comes bundled with a level-appropriate weapon and a matching armor coffer to let you jump straight into expansion content.
Can I unlock Reaper on a Free Trial account?
No, the Free Trial version of Final Fantasy XIV only includes expansions up to Stormblood, meaning jobs introduced in Endwalker like Reaper and Sage are locked.
Master the dark arts of the void and lead your party to victory by diving into the Final Fantasy XIV character planner to optimize your hotbars and gear sets today.
