The updated Duty Support system allows Final Fantasy XIV players to bring NPCs into more dungeons. At first intended for high-level play, as of patch 6.1 newer players can now bring AI generics into low-level dungeons. These NPCs are not the most cunning, and several dungeon mechanics have been reworked to accommodate.
Duty NPCs are mostly a last resort if players cannot find a party to play with. NPCs purposely lower or increase their damage so that dungeons can be completed at an average of 30 minutes. This can be painfully slow for some otherwise trivial fights. Another faster option is to make use of Adventurer Squadrons.
The Duty Support system was initially added in Shadowbringers, and has been readjusted for A Realm Reborn. As of version 6.1 this only functions in 2.0 content between Satasha (level 15) and The Praetorium (level 50), not further patches. Players that want to experience the full breadth of Duty Support will need to enter Shadowbringers at level 71.
The Duty Support menu in FFXIV will automatically open when arriving at a dungeon entrance while solo. It can also be accessed at any time from the Duty submenu. It is limited in the base game to Scenario mode - only adding generic helpers to dungeons. Their roles will be purely based on what current job players are when setting up a dungeon, filling in gaps as either tank, healer, or DPS.
Shadowbringers expands NPCs helpers to Trust Avatars. These teammates have levels and experience, and unlockable glamours from training them fully. While going through the expansion players will still only have access to their static Scenario version. But clearing the full 5.0 storyline will allow players to bring back Avatars to older dungeons.
Alphinaud - Academician
- Alphinaud’s special class acts similar to Scholar, making him a prime shield style healer. His summon of Moonstone Carbuncle deals more damage, but heals less than a player Scholar. His AI is cautious, which tends to either exit out of an area of effect too soon, or panic too late. He will also favor healing Alisaie even over the tank.
Alisaie - Red Mage
- Alisaie is a narrow damage-focused DPS. She will quickly use up the Limit Break gauge even if it isn’t optimum. She will raise other Avatars that fall in battle, but does not extend this to players. Still, this strategy can help recover from a near-party wipe.
Crystal Exarch - All-Rounder
- The Crystal Exarch’s fighting style depends on his current role. He will tank like a Paladin, heal as a White Mage, or DPS similar to a Black Mage. His Avatar version is not available until story dungeons in patch 5.3, but he does start at level 80. This gives him a great lead when used in Endwalker.
Lyna - Guard Captain
- Lyna has no Avatar version and can only be selected in Scenario mode for Holminster Switch. Her unique job as Guard Captain is similar to Dancer, but lacks the Closed Position ability to increase the power of the second DPS member. However, she does help heal if the party suffers too much damage.
Thancred - Gunbreaker
- For much of the storyline, Thancred will be the only NPC tank option. He cannot use Gunbreaker Cartridge abilities unless either Y’shtola or Minfillia are on the team. Still, he has high survivability and will use all tanking tools available to him. As he was previously a Ninja in Heavenward and Stormblood, he will sometimes use Shukuchi to move around.
Urianger - Astrologian
- Urianger is another healer option. He highly prioritizes raising the team’s damage output and helping fights come to an end quickly. He both uses a powerful area of effect attack and will sometimes outright kill minions. This does not extend to bosses, though.
Y’shtola - Sorceress
- Y’shtola’s Sorceress is mostly a Black Mage that also has access to low-tier white magic like Stone and Aero. She will even cast a few cures if things get desperate. Despite the huge damage potential, she will sometimes suffer extra damage due to not moving out of the way during casting.
Minfillia - Oracle of Light
- The Oracle of Light job is a Rogue that uses white magic attacks instead of advancing towards Ninja. She can use Trick Attack in a battle to increase the whole party’s damage output. Minfillia prefers to not use Limit Breaks, only resorting to them if the player has not for some time. Unfortunately, she cannot be used in Endwalker even if leveled to 80.
Final Fnatasy's Endwalker adds in and replaces some of the Avatar selection. These are not retroactive, and players who dive back into Shadowbringer's content will have their allies temporally reverted. Another result is that many Avatars cannot be freely used in Endwalker until they are leveled to 81 via older dungeons.
Estinien - Dragoon
- Estinien semi acts as Minfillia’s DPS replacement. As such, he will start at level 81 so players do not need to level him up. Unlike other Avatars, he uses an area of effect attack more often making it easier to dispatch dungeon minions. Additionally, he has the highest defense of all the DPS allowing him to suffer extra damage without dying.
Alphinaud - Sage
- Alphinaud will completely change jobs to Sage at the start of Endwalker. This gives him even more protection options, though he loses his Carbuncle pet. Because Sage activates some healing automatically, he will often be healing more than needed. This can be a large waste for Warrior or Gunbreaker players.
Urianger - Lithomancer
- Some Endwalker content allows for eight man full parties. When players are any healer job Urianger will switch to Lithomancer. This acts like the old version of Summoner before the 6.0 update. This can be extremely handy, as the job can move and cast while still dealing a respectable amount of damage.
Hythlodaeus - Soulseer
- Soulseer is a modified version of Bard. It has access to direct healing including True Benediction that will restore all HP to one person. Hythlodaeus may also raise his NPC allies, but like others cannot help the player if they die.
Emet-Selch - The Third Seat
- The Third Seat has two combat sets depending on when Emet-Selch is added to the party along with the current job of the player. The tank option is similar to Dark Knight, while DPS is like Black Mage. Additionally, he may use some weaker black magic while tanking for added damage.
Venat - All-Rounder
- Venat has three possible roles depending on when she is put in the party. Her most common is a White Mage healer unless players are already a healer themselves. Otherwise, she can join as Dancer or Paladin. For the latter, she must be added in before Emet-Selch.
Duty Support is an ongoing system and will receive improvements and changes with each patch. Square Enix has already teased plans to make the function part of Heavensward and Stormblood. However, with no planned release date those features may not roll out for a few years.
Final Fantasy XIV is available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC
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