What is the Currency in Final Fantasy?

The main currency used across the Final Fantasy games is called gil. But there are also many other currencies that come into play! In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll take a deep dive into gil as well as the other currencies used in the fantasy economies of Final Fantasy.

An Introduction to Gil

Gil (abbreviated as G) is the primary currency used for buying, selling, and trading within the worlds of Final Fantasy. Nearly every mainline Final Fantasy game uses gil as the main currency, with a few exceptions.

Gil usually comes in the form of coins. You obtain gil by defeating monsters, selling loot and items, completing quests, crafting items to sell, and more. Then you use gil to purchase weapons, armor, items, food, lodging, mounts, and anything else you need on your adventure.

The name "gil" actually comes from "gilbart", which was the ruling family of Dalmasca in Final Fantasy XII. So gil is directly tied to the lore of certain games.

Extremely High Denominations

One gil is an extremely small denomination – you usually need thousands if not millions of gil to make any major purchases. For example, in Final Fantasy XV:

• A can of soda costs 20 gil
• A night at a hotel costs 200-500 gil
• A new weapon costs 2,000+ gil

This trend continues in most Final Fantasy economies – you deal in thousands and millions of gil regularly. Items scale in cost as you progress.

Fluctuating Exchange Rates

The exchange rate between gil and real-world currencies fluctuates dramatically from game to game. In Final Fantasy XV, 1 gil was estimated to be worth approximately 0.00000000000008266 USD!

But in other games the exchange rate is far higher. There is no standardized rate, as each game world has its own distinct economy.

Currencies in Each Final Fantasy Game

Now let‘s take a look at the currencies used in each mainline Final Fantasy game:

Game	Currency	Details
Final Fantasy	Gil	First appearance of gil
Final Fantasy II	Gil	Name changed to GP (gold pieces) in Origins release
Final Fantasy III	Gil	–
Final Fantasy IV	Gil	Also called GP
Final Fantasy IV: The After Years	Gil	–
Final Fantasy V	Gil	–
Final Fantasy VI	Gil	–
Final Fantasy VII	Gil	–
Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children	Gil	Briefly seen
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII	Gil	–
Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII	Gil	–
Final Fantasy VIII	Gil	–
Final Fantasy IX	Gil	–
Final Fantasy X	Gil	–
Final Fantasy X-2	Gil	–
Final Fantasy XI	Gil	Main currency
Final Fantasy XII	Gil	Lore origins revealed
Final Fantasy XIII	Gil	–
Final Fantasy XIII-2	Gil, bucks	100 bucks = 1.993 USD
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII	Gil	–
Final Fantasy XIV	Gil	Main currency
Final Fantasy XV	Gil	Very high denominations
Final Fantasy XVI	Gil	Likely to appear

As you can see, gil is the dominant currency in almost every Final Fantasy game and continuity! The only major spin-off currency is bucks in Final Fantasy XIII-2.

Now let‘s take a deeper look at some of the other notable currencies…

Allagan Tomestones in Final Fantasy XIV

Allagan tomestones are a unique endgame currency in Final Fantasy XIV earned by completing high level dungeons, trials, and raids.

These stones are engraved with Allagan runes and can be traded in for powerful gear at certain vendors. Here are some key facts about tomestones:

• Introduced in 2013‘s A Realm Reborn expansion
• Used to purchase item level 90+ gear
• Obtained by completing level 50+ duties
• Weekly cap limits how many you can obtain
• Different types are phased in and out each expansion

Tomestones provide a structured way for players to progress their gear at endgame. There are always new tomestones each expansion to work towards.

Bayld in Final Fantasy XI

Bayld is the standard currency used in the Seekers of Adoulin expansion for Final Fantasy XI. Here‘s how players obtain and use Bayld:

• Obtained from quests, Reives, and killing monsters
• Used to purchase items from Adoulin vendors
• Also used to purchase items for Skirmishes
• Can use it to get special buffs

So Bayld acts as an expansion-specific currency in FFXI. It provides new rewards and items to earn by playing the Adoulin content.

Bucks in Final Fantasy XIII-2

While gil is still present in Final Fantasy XIII-2, another currency called "bucks" is also introduced:

• Obtained by selling certain items
• Used to purchase very rare items
• Exchange rate is 100 bucks = 1.993 USD

So bucks act as a special high-value currency for the most exclusive purchases. Players could use bucks to buy weapons, garb, and adornments not available for gil.

10,000 Gil for a Weapon in FF7 Remake

An interesting gil transaction occurs in Final Fantasy VII Remake during the Wall Market segment:

• Sam offers info about Madam M for 10,000 gil
• This unlocks the EKG Cannon weapon for Barret
• One of the strongest weapons that early in the game

So for the hefty price of 10,000 gil, you gain access to a powerful weapon well ahead of schedule. This is an example of how gil can be used as a gameplay mechanic rather than just for purchases.

Real Money Trading Risks

While gil can be traded between players, using real money to purchase gil ("gil selling" or RMT) breaks the rules in Final Fantasy XIV and many other games. This practice can get accounts banned.

However, some black market sites still deal in this currency exchange. The risks include:

• Account termination if discovered
• Support for credit card fraud and botting
• Increased spam messages and illicit advertising
• Damage to the in-game economy

So while tempting, purchasing gil through unofficial means can have consequences. Most players acquire gil through playing normally and selling farmed goods.

Gil Generation and the In-Game Economies

Now that we‘ve surveyed the currencies, let‘s examine how gil generation impacts the in-game economies:

• Enemies always drop gil – this creates a steady influx of new money
• Crafting classes can generate gil from basic materials
• High level players acquire gil faster than low levels
• Prices always trend upwards for gear, items, housing, etc
• This inflation devalues existing gil over time
• Items cost exponentially more gil at higher levels

This cycle causes the perception of not having enough gil at higher levels. But in reality, the time investment needed to gain gil also increases.

The development teams purposely try to maintain balance and sunk costs for gil and items. This makes the feeling of progression satisfying and achieving big purchases rewarding after dedication.

But prices can get out of control if gil generation is too high (as seen in early Final Fantasy XIV). The developers will then intervene to rebalance the economy, such as removing sources creating too much gil.

Farming and Gathering Gil

While gil can be earned from nearly all activities, some methods generate much higher income:

• Farming materials to sell on the market
• Crafting goods in high demand
• Completing repeatable beast tribe quests
• Gardening rare seeds
• Selling crafted gear for raiders
• Leveling crafters and gatherers
• Routine treasure maps
• Playing the market board and flipping items

Gathering classes like Miner and Botanist provide reliable, renewable sources of sellable materials. Crafters turn those materials into goods, armor, weapons, furniture, etc.

Dedicated gil farmers will optimize methods to generate millions of gil per day. Patience and dedication pays off.

Major Gil Sinks

Where does all that gil go? Here are some of the major gil sinks that remove currency from circulation:

• Purchasing housing plots and furnishings
• Buying orchestrion rolls and mounts from vendors
• Repairing gear durability
• Paying for teleports
• Food and lodging when traveling
• Bribe NPCs for extra dialogue
• Bidding on market board items
• Dyeing gear different colors
• Paying retainers for ventures
• Glamour prisms and dresser plates

Gil rapidly disappears anytime you need to buy gear, items, event rewards, saucer prizes, emotes, bardings, and more. Cosmetic enhancements in particular can cost millions over time.

The development teams add more significant gil sinks with each expansion to help control inflation. This includes luxury purchases like new housing items.

But for many players, the endless cycle of gear upgrades consumes gil faster than they can earn it. The time investment to generate millions of gil is not trivial.

Currencies Impact the Gameplay Experience

As we‘ve seen, the currencies used in the Final Fantasy games have profound impacts on the overall gameplay experience:

• Sense of progression – Getting that first 100,000 gil feels like an accomplishment early on. Eventually you reach millions, even billions of gil later.

• Reward for time investment – The harder you work, the more gil you‘ll accumulate over time. This gil can be spent on cool rewards.

• Enables trading economy – Gil facilitates trading between players. Buyers and sellers both benefit.

• Risk vs reward decisions – You have to decide what purchases are "worth it" based on their gil cost. Makes you think.

• Gold sinks – Repairs, fees, and NPC bribes make gil feel more like real money.

• Inflation – Prices rise over time, so new players can‘t buy endgame gear. Keeps content relevant.

• Crafting importance – Crafting classes generate huge income by producing goods.

• Money-making creativity – Coming up with unique money-making methods appeals to certain players.

So acquiring and spending gil enhances many aspects of the Final Fantasy experience. The currency systems have been refined over decades by the developers.

While simple on the surface, the surprisingly complex in-game economies add layers of strategy and satisfaction. Just don‘t spend it all in one place!