In Final Fantasy XIV, there are three Grand Companies to choose from: Maelstrom of Limsa Lominsa , Twin Adders of Gridania and the Order of the Twin Adder in Ul’dah.
If you’re planning on staying in one Grand Company for a long time and haven’t joined any others, this article is most definitely not for you. However, if you have been playing the game for a while and made Gold Saucer visits a priority over getting ahead in your chosen GC ranks, your choice may have been swayed by your experiences there. Most players are aware of the benefits that can be had by simply playing Triple Triad at the Gold Saucer . However, fewer are aware of additional gameplay options available to them while visiting Eorzea’s most famous attraction.
How to Pick the Right Grand Company for you
Choosing a grand company can be as simple as asking yourself which city you like the most. That’s certainly how it was for me; I prefer Gridania and its surrounding area to Limsa Lominsa and Ul’dah, so I joined the Twin Adder .
However, there are some other factors that may influence your choice.
1) Capital Cities vs Central Hubs
There’s no denying it; all three cities have their own unique charm. Limsa Lominsa is the Haves’ city , teeming with wealth and home to the nation’s aristocracy. Ul’dah is a merchant city , with the only permanently-accessible Aetheryte Crystal located in its centre. Gridania is a city of hunters and woodsmen , where most of Eorzea’s population goes to purchase their weapons and armour .
2) Which Grand Company has the character who knows your name? (and other NPC perks)
If you’re the type of person who likes to talk to everybody, you may have noticed that when you speak with certain NPCs , they’re familiar with your character.
If you’re not sure why this is happening, it’s because these characters are associated with the various Grand Companies in Eorzea. The main NPCs for each GC will always be found in their respective headquarters, however you’ll find that some of their company members will also be knowledgeable about your activities.
FFXIV how to Switch Grand Companies
If you’re a newcomer to Eorzea and haven’t chosen a city of allegiance, you won’t have to go far to investigate your options. When you first arrive in Ul’dah , for example, the NPC which introduces you to the world will direct you towards the Hall of Flames . In here, there’ll be an explanation of the three Grand Companies, along with their quests. When you’re finished here, there are NPCs directly outside the hall which will provide you with further details on how to sign up.
If you’ve already joined a GC but want to switch allegiances, your best option is to make your way over to the Hall of Flames . As long as more than a day has passed since you last joined or resigned from a GC , you’ll be able to simply pay a fee of 500 Gil and change your allegiance the same way as a newcomer. In this case, there’s no need to worry yourself with any quests or other formalities.
In addition, if you’ve been away from Eorzea for extended periods of time (2-3 real life days), your GC rank will be reset, enabling you to earn it all over again.
Join a Grand Company for Increased Gear, Item and Gil Opportunities
So, what makes it worth joining another GC ? Firstly, there’s no limit to how many times you can change your allegiance. If you want to be able to experience all three cities’ storylines without having to level an alt character, this is certainly the best method.
Another benefit of choosing a Grand Company is increased opportunities to earn yourself gear, items and gil. Traditionally, this has always involved quests. However, Square Enix have recently introduced a new way for players to earn themselves some great rewards simply by collecting Company Seals . The Gold Saucer , too, allows you to exchange your winnings for either equipment or cash.
Conclusion
As you can see, choosing a Grand Company is straightforward. If you don’t mind which city you live in, simply go for whichever one speaks to your aesthetics the most.
However, if you really want to get the most out of Eorzea and its inhabitants, I recommend joining either The Immortal Flames or The Maelstrom .
