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Fester is an Arcanist Arcanist and Summoner Summoner ability from Final Fantasy XIV. It consumes the user's Aetherflow to instantly deal heavy damage to a target.

Mechanics[]

PvE version
Base mechanics
  • Deals unaspected magic damage with a potency of 300 to a single target
Traits
Formulae Base damage formula:

Where Trait can be 1 initially, 1.1 with Maim and Mend, or 1.3 with Maim and Mend II.
PvP version
Base mechanics
  • Deals unaspected magic damage with a potency of 1000 to a single target
  • Potency is doubled if target is suffering from a Bio effect inflicted by the caster

Use[]

Fester is the main source of early burst damage against a single target for Arcanists and Summoners. It is an instant cast ability that is off the global cooldown (oGCD). This allows players to weave it between global cooldowns (GCD) after using instant cast spells such as Aethercharge Aethercharge, and is best saved for these situations in order to maximize DPS. With its short recast, it is even possible to cast two Festers in a single GCD.

Fester is learned at the same level as Energy Drain Energy Drain, which grants two of the Aetherflow Gauge needed to use the ability. Energy Siphon Energy Siphon also provides Aetherflow, but Energy Drain generally pairs better with Fester as both are single-target. Fester is the only way to use the Gauge until Summoners learn Painflare Painflare at level 40. Once Painflare is acquired it becomes the preferred option when battling 3 or more targets. Otherwise Fester continues to provide the best use of Aetherflow.

PvP[]

Festers functions much the same in PvP, but its potency is now doubled if the target is suffering from a Bio III Bio III status inflicted by the Summoner. It also can't be used as frequently due to an increased recast of 15 seconds, and it must now complete with Bane Bane, Dreadwyrm Trance Dreadwyrm Trance, and Firebird Trance Firebird Trance for Aetherflow Gauge in addition to Painflare Painflare. Aetherflow does come more freely, however, as Energy Drain Energy Drain has a much shorter recast despite only now granting one Aetherflow per cast.

Patch history[]

Version Changes
A Realm Reborn
  • Added at 100 potency per Bio Bio, Bio II Bio II, and Miasma Miasma effect on the target
    • Bio and Bio II were not mutually exclusive statuses at the time
  • Dealt no damage to targets without one of the statuses applied
  • Had a 10 second recast
  • Could only be used under the effect of the Aetherflow Aetherflow status granted by the Aetherflow Aetherflow ability; Using Fester consumed the status
  • Was exclusive to Summoners, and learned at level 35
Heavensward
Stormblood
  • Potency increased to 150 per status as Bio and Bio II became mutually exclusive
  • Recast reduced to 5 seconds
  • Aetherflow Gauge added, serving the same purpose as the Aetherflow status, though the status remains as a separate visual indicator
  • No longer available in PvP; new PvP exclusive version added; see below for its patch history
Shadowbringers
  • Granted a base 100 potency, doubling against targets with a single Bio or Miasma effect and tripling against targets with both
  • No longer grants Aethertrail Attunement
  • Level learned reduced to 18 and made available to Arcanists
Endwalker
  • Potency increased to 300; no longer affect by Bio or Miasma effects which were removed
  • Level learned reduced to 10
PvP version
Version Changes
Stormblood
  • Added at 750 potency per Bio III Bio III and Miasma III Miasma III effect on the target with a 5 second recast
  • Granted Aethertrail Attunement
Shadowbringers
  • Granted a base 500 potency, doubling against targets with a single Bio or Miasma effect and tripling against targets with both
  • Recast increased to 15 seconds
  • No longer grants Aethertrail Attunement
Patch 5.1
  • Potency increased to 800, doubled when target is afflicted by Bio III
  • No longer gains a bonus from Miasma III, which was removed
Patch 5.3
  • Potency increased to 1000
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