Spirit bonding is the process of conditioning a piece of gear so it may be converted to materia. The spirit bond of an item increases each time experience is gained while that item is equipped. When the bond of most gear reaches 100%, it can be converted to materia (after completing the quest Forging the Spirit, level 19). The type of materia gained depends on the type of gear converted. For example, crafting gear will convert to crafting materia, and gathering gear converts to gathering materia.
Spirit bonding for materia is the far cheaper alternative to buying it. Here's a guide to help you bond the right gear and reach 100% spirit bond as fast as possible.
Spirit bonding for materia is the far cheaper alternative to buying it. Here's a guide to help you bond the right gear and reach 100% spirit bond as fast as possible.
Speed Up the Process
HQ Gear High quality gear will gain spirit bond 20% faster than normal quality. | Materia Melding a piece of gear will increase the spirit bond rate by 20%, regardless of the type and tier of the materia used. |
NOTE: Each of this boosts will stack. An HQ item melded with materia will have a 40% increase to bonding rate (20% HQ + 20% melded). Using the potion and accessories will increase spirit bond gain by a total of +8.
Mob Levels & Parties
The spirit bond gained from killing a mob is determined by the monster's level compared to the iLevel of the gear you're bonding. If the mob's level is too far above or below your item's level, the rate will be drastically reduced. The Goldie Locks zone for gear is 0 - 12 levels below the mobs. Ex: Level 50 mobs in level 40 gear.
Just like experience points, spirit bond is gained for any mob slain by any member of your party, as long as you are within range. The best method is to gather as many mobs as possible into a single spot and use AOE attacks to take them all out. Based on experience, the best jobs for this task are Paladin/Warrior/Bard (Foe's Requiem), Black Mage and as many White Mages as you can get (Holy).
Players are almost always recruiting for Spirit Bonding parties via Party Finder, so always check there first if you want to bond your gear. Here are some prime spots for forming spirit bond parties.
Urth's Fount, South Shroud (33,23)
Best place for spirit bonding!
Cape Westwind, Western Thanalan (10,5)
Abandoned Amajina Mythril Mine, Northern Thanalan (26,22)
Just like experience points, spirit bond is gained for any mob slain by any member of your party, as long as you are within range. The best method is to gather as many mobs as possible into a single spot and use AOE attacks to take them all out. Based on experience, the best jobs for this task are Paladin/Warrior/Bard (Foe's Requiem), Black Mage and as many White Mages as you can get (Holy).
Players are almost always recruiting for Spirit Bonding parties via Party Finder, so always check there first if you want to bond your gear. Here are some prime spots for forming spirit bond parties.
Urth's Fount, South Shroud (33,23)
Best place for spirit bonding!
Cape Westwind, Western Thanalan (10,5)
Abandoned Amajina Mythril Mine, Northern Thanalan (26,22)
What Gear to Convert?Remember that the type of materia received from a piece of gear depends on the level and type of gear converted. Crafting gear yields crafting materia, gathering gear yields gathering materia, and combat gear yields combat and elemental materia. Below is a list of crafting and gathering gear I equip when spirit bonding to get the materia I need. On the right are the probabilities for obtaining particular tiers by item level. NOTE: Do not bond i55 crafting or gathering gear. These pieces have a significantly increased bonding time, DO NOT increase the chances of obtaining higher tier materia, and may convert to elemental materia. | Tier I II III IV | iLevel 1-14 15-29 15-29 30-44 30-44 45+ 45-59 60+ | Chance 100% 90% 10% 90% 10% 90% 10% 80% |