Final Fantasy XI has seen a resurgence in recent months. A Voracious Resurgence, one could say. This influx of new and returning players likely will have lots of questions about how FFXI has changed over the years. Trusts are a big part of the game now from 1-99, and you might be wondering what the best trusts are in FFXI for new & returning players. Here are our recommendations.
Just a quick disclaimer, while in most cases here these are indeed the best trusts in FFXI, we are including trusts that are also fairly easily obtainable for the average new and returning FFXI player.
There will be a few notes throughout the article to note trusts that should absolutely be included among the best trusts in FFXI, but aren’t exactly easy to get for new and returning players.
Now in no particular order, here are the best trusts in FFXI.
1. Apururu (UC)
Best Trusts FFXI
Apururu is not only arguably the best healer trust to get in FFXI, but it’s also among the easiest to obtain on this list.
All you need to do to get this Windurstian Tarutaru is sign up for her Unity Concord, and earn at least 5000 accolades from completing RoE objectives in a period.
As long as you consistently play and complete objectives (make sure to turn on RoEs such as 500+ damage, and enemies defeated), you should hang onto Apururu as a trust easily. Here’s a helpful wiki guide on how to join a Unity if you’re not sure.
Apururu is a smart healer. She is a WHM/RDM and will not only use Convert but also has a skill, Nott, that will allow her to restore additional MP. As a result, she will have the best mileage in terms of MP of any White Mage trust in the game. She will Curaga, Haste, and cure status effects as well.
Editor’s Note: Monberaux: We have to mention Monberaux. Monberaux is considered by most to be the best healer trust in FFXI as he has the unique Chemist job and isn’t bound by MP or crippled by Silence. However, he is also arguably the most time-consuming trust in the game to get. You can read how to get him right here.
2. Valaineral
Best Trusts FFXI
Valaineral is a great starter tank trust to trot out when you first start out or recently return in FFXI. Valaineral is your standard sword and board PLD/WAR. He’ll Flash, Provoke, use Sentinel, and help Cure. That’s everything you could essentially want from an AI Paladin.
His damage isn’t as great as the next trust, but he’ll pitch in and help out with weapon skills as well.
Valanieral is easily obtained either through an Alter Ego Extravaganza, which happens several times a year; or all year round via the Records of Eminence: Call Forth an Alter Ego, line of RoE quests.
3. Amchuchu
Best Trusts FFXI
Amchuchu is a Runefencer trust that can be quite useful at higher levels when Runefencer starts to shine.
He’ll behave a bit more aggressively, using abilities from his Warrior sub job, and can also give Inspiration, a potent Fast Cast buff, to the entire party. If you want more of an aggressive end-game tank trust, Amchuchu is a solid choice.
Amchuchu is generally available whenever there’s an Alter Ego Extravaganza going on.
Editor’s Note: August & Ark EV: Both of these tank trusts are a bit tougher to get your hands on, but are generally considered the two best tank trusts in the game.
Ark EV requires progression in the Trust Permit quest, while August is the final reward for that same quest, or can be obtained in the high-level battle content, Sinister Reign.
4. Joachim & Ulmia
Best Trusts FFXI
Joachim is an all-around useful Bard trust and he, generally, will do his job of giving you Marches. He’ll also help out with spot heals and status effect removals.
Ulmia is quite similar. While she’s a bit more reliable in her Bardly duties, she doesn’t have a sub job and is limited to just being spoony. You can pair them together for extra songs.
Joachim is very easily attained via the Records of Eminence: Call Forth an Alter Ego, line of RoE quests, while Ulmia requires completion of the Chains of Promathia expansion story. Easy, but time-consuming for sure.
5. Koru-Moru
Best Trusts FFXI
Koru-Moru is a very effective Red Mage trust that focuses on the buffing, debuffing, and healing aspects of his job. If you were around in the 75-era of FFXI’s RDM, he basically acts just like you would expect from an RDM during that time.
He’ll Refresh, Haste, throw down some debuffs like Dia and Distract, and also help cure.
You’ll want to get Koru-Moru right away. Fortunately, he’s not too hard to get for a returning player. Simply complete the Intermediate RoE quest for reaching ilvl 117 “Always Stand on 117” or wait to pick him up during an Alter Ego Extravaganza.
6. Ayame
Best Trusts FFXI
Now let’s get into some DD trusts. Ayame is an excellent partner to have while leveling up, or really anytime you need to set up a skillchain.
Ayame is a Samurai, and once she sees what weapon skill you’re using, she will attempt to open with something that you can close.
This makes her great to pair with trusts that will magic burst for a powerful combo that can rip through enemies while leveling up.
Ayame is obtained via the Trust: Bastok series of quests.
7. Selh’teus
Best Trusts FFXI
Selh’teus is an amazing all-around trust, and is one of the best trusts you can get in FFXI. He is a mix of a damage-dealer and support. He will pitch and assist with damaging an enemy, although he’s not the greatest at it.
What he is known for, however, is his ability Rejuvenation which will restore HP, MP, and TP to the whole party. Selh’teus is quite generous with this ability considering how powerful it is, and many people using trusts will bring Selh’teus along just for this reason.
You’ll get Selh’teus simply by progressing through the Rhapsodies of Vana’diel storyline, which is something every new and returning player should make a point of completing ASAP.
8. Zeid II
Best Trusts FFXI
Like Ayame, Zeid II is another powerful melee trust. While Ayame will attempt to set up a SC for you to close, Zeid II is very reliable about closing SCs for you with Ground Strike if he can. He attacks quickly with Last Resort and is good about keeping up with TP.
In addition to being a powerful SC partner, Zeid II will also pitch in with Stuns. He’s among the most reliable trusts for stunning enemies that you can get, and has a very helpful trait.
Zeid II is also obtained by progressing through Rhapsodies of Vana’diel.
9. Shantotto II
Best Trusts FFXI
Shantotto II, our cover star for this article, is without a doubt the best DD trust in FFXI and will make leveling 1-99 an absolute breeze if you have her in your party.
Shantotto II simply delivers extremely powerful magic attacks at a breakneck pace and will just melt anything that’s level 99 or below. She can open and close SCs too, and will double magic burst any skillchain.
These magic bursts are extremely powerful and can nearly take out 100% of an enemy’s health in some cases.
Shantotto II is occasionally offered during Login Campaigns. If you see her offered, buy her ASAP. If you’re not subbed, resub and buy her even if you don’t plan on playing; it’s worth it unless you want to go out of your way to level more slowly.
10. Moogle, Sakura, & Kupofried
Best Trusts FFXI
These three trusts are unique compared to all the others in this list that we’ve gone over in that they do not attack or do anything at all. They just stand there.
Instead, what they do is a provide an aura that will give you and your party a useful bonus. Moogle and Sakura each raise your magic and combat skills respectively. Obviously, this is extremely useful while leveling up your skills.
Kupofried, on the other hand, will give your party an XP/CP boost. If you don’t really have a need for an extra trust and you’re leveling up, you might as well slap Kupofried in there. This is common in Capacity Point parties with an open spot.
Moogle, Kupofried, and Sakura are usually offered during Adventurer Appreciation Campaigns that occur once a year or during Alter Ego Extravaganzas.
Keep a close eye on the monthly updates on the official Final Fantasy XI site and make sure you pick them up when they are offered.
11. Slyvie (UC)
Best Trusts FFXI
Finally, we get to Slyvie (UC). She is a Geomancer trust that will give you powerful Indi spell buffs, and also help haste and heal.
She’s incredibly helpful, and oftentimes, people that are high ilvls will use Slyvie to give themselves another attack bonus with her Indi-Fury spell.
However, keep in mind that picking Slyvie means that you won’t have access to Apururu or other healer UC trusts like Yoran-Oran.
I’d recommend switching to Slyvie’s UC once you’ve secured yourself another useful healer trust like Ygnas or Monberaux later down the line.
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