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There is more to the retainers of Final Fantasy 14 than just selling items. Players can also send out these NPCs on ventures to gain experience and items. In fact, retrainers have classes that vary from gathering, crafting, and battle just like the protagonist. Depending on luck, their gear level, class level, and type of class, retrainers can bring back very valuable items that players can either keep for themselves or sell for gil.
Most of the items that make bank are the rare minions; however, there are some other items retrainers bring back that are also worth keeping or selling. Whether through rarity, usefulness, or how much they sell for, these are the best items a retainer can bring back from their ventures.
10 Wind-Up Hobgoblin
This wind-up minion was released in Shadowbringers, and is one of the rarest. It can only be obtained through a retainer that is level 80, and only through chance at the highest level of Highland Exploration.
These minions are so rare that they sometimes are not even found on the Market Board. When they are, they sell for a lot of gil. According to its description in Lord of Verminion, this wind-up Hobgoblin was actually crafted by the retainer themselves.
9 Blue Crab
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Blue crabs are the best fish to catch when it comes to selling for gil. They are used to make Chili Crab and Crab Cakes. They're only catchable at level 80 and are unlocked through the Norvrandt Folklore Book. Luckily, a level 80 Fisher retainer can catch them instead, for players who have not yet reached that fishing level.
One blue crab can sell for about 8,000 gil on a good day on the Market Board. Getting a bunch of them is a great way to gain a bunch of gil.
8 Fat Cat
Every Final Fantasy 14 player is aware of the fat cat minion, mount, and furniture. It is well-loved, but the minion is not easy to obtain. Players must either dish out a ton of gil on the Market Board or get lucky with a high-level Fisher Field Exploration venture.
Being one of the most sought-out minions in the MMO, the Fat Cat can either become a new best friend or turn a major profit to the player. It can sell for a lot of gil, or players can keep it as a companion.
7 Retainer Fantasia
Fantasia does not just exist for player characters, but for the retainer NPCs as well. These potions give the ability to change the race and entire look of a retainer (outside of gear). Getting these require luck though, as they are obtained through Quick Ventures. The likelihood of getting a fantasia can increase with the gear level of the retainer going on the venture.
Luckily, no specific class is required, as with the Fat Cat minion. Any retainer can pick up this item, though it might require a few Ventures to get it.
6 Bacon Bits
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Another rare and highly desired minion is the little porxie, Bacon Bits. It is only obtainable by sending a Botanist retainer of a high-level 80 Woodland Exploration venture. The rest is left up to luck.
Like the Wind-Up Hobgoblin, its Lord of Verminion description reveals that this porxie was actually made by the retainer themselves. Even those that don't want the cute pig of their own can sell them for a lot of gil. As for the mount version, that is through beast tribe quests.
5 Any Materia
Materia is always in high demand, and can be brought in randomly by retainers during explorations. However, what sells for the most can change daily, and is utterly dependent on the whims of the Market Board. Still, they always sell fast or can be usable by the player themselves, making them one of the more valuable treasures a retainer can bring
Some of the best materia to sell include any that boost crafting and gathering stats. Just always remember that price fluctuates, and be on the lookout for what's selling best on a given day.
4 Mystic Weapon
This little guy is actually a minion, not a weapon. However, it is a rare one, and thus sells for a lot. The design for this minion may be based on a creature of the same name from Final Fantasy XI Online.
There are two types of ventures they can be received from: Field Exploration and Highland Exploration. Both require the retainer to be level 80.
3 Any Dye
Dye is not known to sell for a lot, but it is an item that many players hoard for themselves. At least, that is the case for players that love to dress up their characters. Dye comes in many colors, and some sell for more than others. Players tend to go for the pure white, black, blues, and purples the most.
Due to how common they are, dye is cheap. However, they are always great to have on hand and play with. They can be obtained randomly through explorations.
2 Mameshiba
Mameshiba are well-loved both in Final Fantasy 14 — and in real life as Shiba Inu. Dogs are known as man's best friend, so many players want this minion by their side. It can be obtained through level 70 and 75 Highland Exploration ventures.
Mameshiba are less rare today than previously, as they can now also be obtained through The Bozjan Southern Front and Zadnor. However, all these methods require luck of the draw.
1 Certain Housing Items
Retainers can bring in housing items during explorations. Most are cheap, but some are worth selling. The cheap items, of course, are more common to get. For example, Eorzean Maps are often found. More rare items can include Vortex and Moogle furnishings.
Whatever furnishing is obtained, be sure to check the Market Board to see how well it can sell. Plus, if the items aren't worth selling, free furniture can be great for the player's own housing.