Duty (Final Fantasy XIV)

Duty is a term in Final Fantasy XIV referring to instanced content that adventurers can participate in. This often refers to group content which can be reached using the Duty Finder (or Raid Finder), though several Quests feature solo Duty events. These events exist outside of the main server, and end when players leave, when the time limit is reached, or when the duty is completed. All duties allow grouping from across the Data Center.
==Gameplay==
A duty must be unlocked first with a quest before it will appear in the Duty Finder. All duties have a recommended level and item level. Players whose level is below the recommended level will be denied entry, while players whose levels are higher will have their level synced to at most three levels higher than the recommended level. Level syncing reduces the stats and the power of their equipment, and preventing the use of actions learned above the recommended level. Some duties allow the use of undersized parties, which disables level sync and allows non-standard party entry, with the exceptions all Ultimate raids. This mode forfeits any item or EXP from monsters, but still allows loot from treasure chests or quests pertaining to the duty.
Players may not change their class or job during a duty (with certain exceptions). When HP is reduced to zero, players can either wait to be revived or return to the starting point. The former will apply Weakness for a limited time, while the latter risks the player being sealed away from bosses. In group duties, if one party member has not previously completed the duty, an additional reward will be offered on completion. In addition, some duties may randomly award Triple Triad cards to players. Certain locations in many duties are sealed off once the enemy within them is attacked. These locations are marked by a purple curtain of flame.
Note that chocobo companions and several UI features (such as the Free Company page or the Party Finder) are temporarily disabled while within an instanced duty. Most chat functions will still be functional (including linkshells and Free Company chat). In Crystalline Conflicts, all form of chats are disabled and players inside the instances can only use selected chat messages to communicate.
All duties can be entered alone or with two or more party members. The system will automatically fill empty roles with players who are also queueing for a duty.
==Types of duties==
===Quest Battles===
Quest Battles are initiated by quests and typically take place within the location they are begun. Unlike other forms of duties, they are not accessed using the Duty Finder, and must be undertaken solo. Usually one or more NPC allies will assist the player by acting as party members.
===Dungeons===
Dungeons are instanced locations. They feature a group of four or (rarely) eight adventurers, where they explore and work together to defeat enemies, find treasure and complete objectives. Dungeons may only be entered after progressing to a certain point in a quest. A four-player party must contain two DPS, one healer and one tank classes, whereas an eight-player party must contain four DPS, two healer and two tank classes.
Dungeons typically have three boss areas. Engaging any enemy within these areas will start a ten-second countdown, after which the area's exits will be blocked, preventing exit or entry until either all enemies are defeated or the party is wiped out. At the end of the dungeon, a boss must be defeated to reveal the exit and to successfully complete the duty.
===Trials===
Trials differ from other duties in that they feature only a single boss encounter, where other duties typically have multiple boss encounters and regular enemies in between. Trials often are often used for the climactic battles of the main scenario, such as final bosses.
There are three difficulty levels to trials. Normal modes require only 4 players, and only three of them are encountered early in the game. Once players arrive at the endgame, they will start encountering Hard mode trials, which require 8 players. The most difficult trials are Extreme modes, which are among the most difficult encounters in the game at the time of their release, many of them being seen as superbosses. No Extreme mode trials are required for the main scenario.
===Raids===
Raids are optional duties with powerful enemies and more rewarding treasures than other duties. These typically involve a series of rooms with boss enemies. In some cases, the raids only involve a single enemy similar to trials. Raids come in three varieties—the regular 8-man raids and their Savage versions that make up the bulk of endgame content, the 24-man alliance raids, and Ultimate raids, 8-man raids intended to be the hardest content in the game. Much like Extreme trials, Savage and Ultimate raids can be seen as superbosses.
===Guildhest===
Guildhests are training events set in existing areas which feature four or eight players, and teach useful mechanics to players. Completing guildhests yield lower rewards as they are only practice modes.
===Player versus Player===
Player versus Player (commonly read as PvP) duties are battles between other players, sometimes of different Grand Companies. Generally these are competitive events where the goal is to defeat as many enemies possible, complete an objective, or prevent opposing players from accomplishing the same goal.
Name 	Requirement 	Level	Item level	Time Limit	Tomestones
 	3-9 teams of 1-8 party members	30 	N/A 	30 minutes	50 50 20
 	3-9 teams of 1-8 party members	30 	N/A 	20 minutes	50 50 20
 	3-9 teams of 1-8 party members	30 	N/A 	20 minutes	50 50 20
 	3-9 teams of 1-8 party members	30 	N/A 	20 minutes	50 50 20
 	Solo 	30 	N/A 	8 minutes 	20 20 10
 	Solo 	30 	N/A 	8 minutes 	20 20 10
(Unavailable)	12 teams of 1-4 party members 	30 	N/A 	20 minutes	-
 	12 teams of 1-4 party members 	30 	N/A 	20 minutes	50 50 20
===Deep Dungeon===
A deep dungeon differs from normal dungeon instances in that it features randomized floor layouts and separate leveling progression. Players must work their way through the floors until they reach a boss floor to access the exit. Unlike other duties, defeated players cannot return to the start of the level. If the party is wiped out, the duty is considered failed.
Name	Requirement 	Level	Item level	Time Limit	Tomestones
 	1-4 party members	1-60 	N/A 	60 minutes	N/A
 	1-4 party members	61-70	N/A 	60 minutes	N/A
 	1-4 party members	81-90	N/A 	60 minutes	N/A
===Variant & Criterion Dungeons===
Variant Dungeons are special instances consisting of multiple paths and final bosses which see a party of 1 to 4 players escort an NPC through to an end objective. 
Criterion Dungeons are altered versions of their Variant counterparts. Unlike Variants, these instances are tuned for a light party of max level players and have only one set path. For an extra layer of challenge, Criterion dungeons also have (Savage) verions. These instances follow the same layout and structure of Criterion dungeons, but with further buffs to enemy health and damage as well as further restrictions. These include the complete restriction of all forms of ressurection, having to clear the dungeon in a single pull, and all of the enemies in the dungeon having a shared enrage timer that activates from pulling the first enemy.
===Exploratory Missions===
An exploratory mission is a special type of duty that takes place in a shared instance with other parties, designed for disciples of war, magic, and the land. The duty takes place in an open environment with varying objectives. Missions often times contain mechanics and interactions unique to them. After the original mission, , underwent several redesigns, they were split into two categories—the combat focused adventuring forays and the disciple of the land focused gathering forays.
Exploratory missions heavily feature FATEs, and under certain circumstances may have special area become temporarily available called open dungeons. These "duties within a duty" are larger in scale than even alliance raids, and see multiple parties share the dungeon.
===Treasure Hunts===
Occasionally, portals to instanced areas have a chance of appearing after completing a treasure hunt. Players will only have 10 minutes to form a party and enter the portal. A party of up to 8 party members may enter the dungeon.
===Other===
Name	Requirement	Level	Item level	Time Limit 	Tomestones
 	1-8 players	N/A 	N/A 	60-240 minutes	N/A
 	1-2 players	N/A 	N/A 	60 minutes 	N/A
 	1-2 players	N/A 	N/A 	60 minutes 	N/A
 	1-2 players	N/A 	N/A 	60 minutes 	N/A
 	1-2 players	N/A 	N/A 	10 minutes 	N/A
 	1-2 players	N/A 	N/A 	10 minutes 	N/A
 	1-2 players	N/A 	N/A 	10 minutes 	N/A
 	1-2 players	N/A 	N/A 	10 minutes 	N/A
 	Solo 	N/A 	N/A 	120 minutes 	N/A
 	Solo 	N/A 	N/A 	120 minutes 	N/A
 	4 players 	N/A 	N/A 	120 minutes 	N/A
 	4 players 	N/A 	N/A 	120 minutes 	N/A
de:Instanz (FFXIV)
Category:Duties in Final Fantasy XIV
Category:Gameplay in Final Fantasy XIV