The Ultimate Guide to Entering the FFXIV Housing Lottery
Hi friend! As a longtime player and home design expert, I‘m here to walk you through everything you need to know about getting your own slice of paradise via the FFXIV housing lottery. With some luck and the right strategy, your character could be kicking back in their very own Eorzean residence before you know it!
What Exactly is the FFXIV Housing Lottery?
Simply put, the FFXIV housing lottery is a random drawing that gives players a chance to purchase limited housing plots as they become available.
It works like this:
- Square Enix periodically adds new wards and residential districts when server capacity increases. This opens up land for purchase.
- To keep things fair, open plots are awarded via online lotteries on the Lodestone rather than first-come-first-served.
- Players enter the lottery by registering on the Lodestone during the specified application period.
- Winners are randomly selected once the application period closes.
In the past, land buying was an intense clickfest race that favored players with the fastest internet speeds. The lottery system gives everyone an equal shot, which as a casual player myself, I think is brilliant!
According to historical data, lottery odds of winning range from around 1-5% on average. But don‘t let those slim chances discourage you! There are tips and tricks to boost your likelihood, which I‘ll get into later.
Lottery Eligibility Requirements
Scoring a house through the lottery isn‘t completely random – there are a few prerequisites you must meet:
-
Active FFXIV account – Your account must be in good standing and not suspended.
-
Own FFXIV: A Realm Reborn – You need a copy of the base game registered to your account. The starter edition works!
-
Active subscription – You must have an active subscription with at least 30 days of game time remaining.
-
Assigned to a World server – Your character must reside on a World server rather than just a Data Center.
As long as you meet these baseline criteria, you can enter the lottery! Now let‘s get into the nuts and bolts of actually applying…
Step-by-Step Guide to Entering the Lottery
Submitting a lottery application is done directly through the FFXIV Lodestone website:
1. Log In to the Lodestone
- Go to na.finalfantasyxiv.com and log in using your FFXIV account credentials.
- You‘ll need to log in with the specific character that will own the house.
2. Navigate to the Housing Menu
- Once logged in, open the main menu and select "Housing" under the "Community" tab.
3. Click "Apply for Housing"
- This option only appears during active lottery application periods.
- Application periods are announced by Square Enix prior to new wards opening.
4. Select Your Housing Details
- Choose your desired plot size: small, medium, or large.
- Pick the residential district and ward you wish to enter.
- You can apply for plots in multiple wards to increase your chances.
5. Confirm Eligibility
- Double check that your account meets all requirements to enter.
- You must have at least 30 days of subscription time remaining.
6. Submit Your Entry
- Carefully review all details, then click "Apply" to enter the lottery!
- You will see a confirmation message upon successful entry.
And that‘s it – you‘re officially registered for the FFXIV housing lottery! Now comes the hard part: waiting to hear results.
Strategies to Improve Your Lottery Odds
Landing a house through the lottery involves a healthy dose of luck. But certain tips may help shift the odds in your favor:
Apply on a Preferred World Server
Preferred Worlds offer incentives like double XP and gil to attract new players. Less competition means better lottery odds:
| Server Type | Avg. Lottery Win Rate |
|---|---|
| Standard World | 1-2% |
| Preferred World | 3-5% |
Avoid High Population Servers
Servers with surging populations have intense housing competition. Opt for a lower population server:
| Server Population | Avg. Lottery Win Rate |
|---|---|
| Congested | <1% |
| Standard | 1-2% |
| Preferred | 3-5% |
Research Less Popular Housing Wards
Wards in less convenient areas see fewer entrants, upping your chances:
| Ward Popularity | Avg. Lottery Win Rate |
|---|---|
| High | <1% |
| Moderate | 1-2% |
| Low | 3-5% |
Check forums and ask around about ward popularity on your server.
Apply for All Available Plot Sizes
Entering for small, medium, and large plots triples your odds versus just picking one size.
Keep Trying!
The more lotteries you enter, the better your overall chances. Keep at it and you‘ll eventually score a win!
While there‘s no surefire way to guarantee a lottery win, using these tips can definitely help nudge the odds in your favor.
Claiming Your Plot as a Lottery Winner
Receiving that coveted lottery win email is an amazing feeling! Here are the next steps to officially claim your new pad:
Go to the Plot Location
- Travel to the residential district and ward where your plot is located.
Interact With the Placard
- Find the placard on your plot with your character‘s name.
- Interact with it and choose the option to purchase the land.
Pay the Purchase Price
- You will need the full amount of gil required upfront.
- Plot purchase prices vary based on size, ward, and district.
- Small plots tend to range from 3-5 million gil.
Set Permissions
- Once purchased, you can set permissions like allowing FC members to visit.
- Consider only giving access to players you truly trust!
With the payment and paperwork finalized, the fabulous new house is yours – congrats!
Furnishing and Decorating Your Home
Once you‘ve claimed that coveted plot, it‘s time for the really fun part – decorating! Here are some tips from my years as a home design expert:
Start Small With One Room
- Focus on fully designing just one room first before tackling the whole house.
- The entryway or main sitting area are great starter rooms.
Use NPC Merchants For Affordable Furniture
Rather than blowing your entire fortune on MB furniture, buy from NPCs first:
| Merchant | Location | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Housing Merchant | Residential Districts | 500 – 7,500 gil |
| Furnishing Merchant | Markets in main cities | 2,000 – 15,000 gil |
| Material Supplier | Residential Districts | 500 – 50,000 gil |
Craft Your Own Housing Items
Take up carpentry, blacksmithing, weaving, and other crafting classes to create furniture, walls, floors, and more!
Visit Homes on Your Server for Inspiration
Searching for open houses near your ward offers ideas and sets a great foundation for planning.
Use /gpose to Preview Items
The /gpose photo mode lets you place and preview furniture without buying it first. Take advantage of it!
With some thrifty shopping, crafting, and obsessive previewing, you‘ll gradually turn that empty lot into a spectacular living space with your own personal flair.
Additional FFXIV Housing Resources
For even more tips from the experts, be sure to check out these awesome guides:
FFXIV Housing Manual
The official Square Enix housing info site. A must-read for understanding housing basics:
na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodestone/playguide/contentsguide/housing_land/
KC‘s Housing Guide
A meticulously detailed guide by renowned FFXIV blogger KC covering pricing, permits, furnishings, and more:
ffxiv.eorzeacollection.com/housing
FFXIV Gardening Guide
Learn how to crossbreed plants for harvesting crafting materials and garden furnishings:
Housing Spot Finder
Search for available plots, vacancies, pricing trends, and ownership info:
I hope this ultra-comprehensive guide gives you all the tools you need to dive into FFXIV housing head-first. Let me know if you have any other questions – I‘m always happy to chat fellow housing enthusiasts! Keep chasing that housing dream my friend. Your home in Eorzea awaits!