Chocobo (Final Fantasy XIV)

Chocobos are a major creature prominent in the world of Eorzea, and appear as an important feature in several aspects of the gameplay of Final Fantasy XIV. As with most entries in the Final Fantasy series, chocobos are a popular form of transport, though they are also featured in Chocobo Racing, fought as enemies, and featured as companions and minions.

Story


In Eorzea, the home of chocobos is Ishgard. Chocobos were inflicted by a mysterious plague that greatly reduced their numbers and forced the city-state stables to stop renting the birds to adventurers. However, the plague has been slowly subsiding recently, allowing the chocobo rentals to function once more.

Mounts
Chocobos are a common form of mounts. To rent a chocobo, players only need to speak to the NPC stationed at each city-state's chocobo stables and pay a fee of 800 gil for a 10 minute ride. Rental chocobos follow a set path and cannot be controlled manually.

To unlock personal chocobos, players must first reach Private Third Class rank on a Grand Company and buy their own Chocobo License for 2,000 company seals, then presenting it at the stables to get their bird and name him. Then, personal chocobos may be called from outside towns and dungeons by clicking the chocobo icon located in the micro menu.

Unlike the chocobos in other games, there is no limit to how often a player can call their chocobo, with the exception of when an enemy is engaged. There is, however, the risk of being attacked by monsters and either lamed (slowed) or forcibly dismounted. Because of this, players will not be able to ride unharmed through dangerous areas as they would in other games. Personal chocobos and rental chocobos have different music.

Companions
Companions are also provided by Grand Companies. They can fill the role of tanks, healers or damage dealers depending on the preference of the player and how the compainions are raised. Companions are heavily customizable by players with various bardings found in the game, which are cosmetic.

Racing


A minigame added in patch 2.51 alongside Triple Triad, chocobos can be owned and raced in the Manderville Gold Saucer, a sidequest that many players can participate in. Additionally, racing chocobos can be bred to create faster breeds.