Artifact equipment

Artifact Equipment is the job-specific equipment in Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIV. It is obtained through a series of quests in either game. Typically the armor sets are inspired by early-franchise depictions of traditional jobs, although many sets are of original design.

The player community has adopted "AF" as the abbreviation for Artifacts.

Final Fantasy XI
In Final Fantasy XI, the Artifact Equipment for any given job comes in five pieces - head, body, hands, legs and feet - and one other piece that varies with the job. The first quest usually rewards a Level 41 weapon and is accessible at Level 40. The next two questsare available at Level 50 and each yield one more piece in the set. The remaining three pieces are involved in the "Borghertz's Hands" line of quests, requiring adventurers to seek out Treasure Coffers in various Rise of the Zilart dungeon areas.

There are also better versions of the Artifact Equipment found in Dynamis and Abyssea. Though the NPCs and UI refer to them as Relic and Empyreal sets respectively, players will often refer to them as "AF2" and "AF3" or "AFv2" and "AFv3". It is also possible to upgrade each set to +1 or higher through endgame farming.

Final Fantasy XIV
Much like Final Fantasy XI, the Artifact Equipment in Final Fantasy XIV is obtained through a combination of questing and treasure hunting. The Artifacts for any given job are obtained toward the end of the line of quests involved in unlocking that job and its abilities. A player cannot initiate the quest specific to seeking Artifacts until they have reached at least level 45.

The leg equipment for each job is invariably found in either Dzemael Darkhold, Cutter's Cry, or Aurum Vale. The body equipment is earned alongside the job's 15-minute ability at the end of the quest line after an intense battle that often takes a full party to complete. Unlike in Final Fantasy XI, artifact can not be obtained on one's own.