Collectables
Collectables is a feature for crafting and gathering classes introduced in Heavensward (3.0).
Unlock
Players can unlock Collectables by completing the level 50 quest Inscrutable Tastes. Players can start the quest by talking to Morgayne in Foundation (x10,y10). The quest requires the prior completion of the Main Scenario Quest The Better Half.
Collectables can be turned in at any Collectable Appraiser, which are available at:
- Limsa Lominsa (Aetheryte: Hawkers' Alley)
- New Gridania (Aetheryte: Leatherworkers' Guild)
- Ul'dah (Aetheryte: Sapphire Avenue Exchange)
- Idyllshire (x5.7, y7.0)
- Rhalgrs' Reach (x9.8, y12.5)
- Eulmore
Crafting
Note: this section is a work in progress due to changes introduced in patch 5.3.
Collectables can be found in a dedicated tab in the Crafting Log under Special Recipes (the bag with a star icon under Recipe Level). There is drop-down menu for crafting Collectables near the bottom, broken down into three categories: levels 50-60, levels 61-70, and levels 71-80. The final collectable score of an item is governed by the Control attribute and Quality related actions, similarly to how high quality items are crafted. Rewards from turning in collectables include experience points, Yellow Crafters' Scrips, and White Crafters' Scrips.
Gathering
Collectables can be gathered at various nodes starting at level 50, and turned in at the Collectable Appraiser at various cities for Yellow Gatherers' Scrips (for level 56-66 collectables) or White Gatherers' Scrips (for level 78 and 80 collectables) and experience. Folklore and Unspoiled items earn much more; it is recommended to focus on unspoiled items as their nodes have a minimum of six gathering attempts, allowing you to gather more items after reaching the desired collectability. They are usually the optimal way to earn experience points for little effort.
The specific items that can be gathered as collectable items depends on which items Rowena is looking for. By checking the in-game timers menu (Ctrl+U), it is possible to see exactly which items Rowena is accepting at any given time, and the minimum Collectability the item needs to have in order for her to accept it.
To gather a collectable, interact with the node, reach the item, and turn on Collector's Glove, and click on the desired item. Then, use Appraisal actions, as well as actions modifying them, to increase the Collectability of the item. Each Appraisal action takes up a gathering attempt and increases wear by 10 (though modifying actions do not take up any attempt, and may restore the attempt or wear). When wear exceeds 30, the item's gathering rate will be forcibly lowered to 30%; this means that you should normally expect to use three Appraisal actions.
Note that the Appraisal actions have somewhat misleading descriptions. The maximum Collectability you can gain in one Methodical Appraisal is 115, and similarly the other actions are multiples of 115. Increasing your perception will help you reach the maximum of 115, but it cannot exceed 115. The perception required depends on the level of the item. Generally, if you cannot reach the maximum, it will be harder to acquire scrips from the Collectable.
To earn any scrips, you would need 450 Collectability for Red items and 470 Collectability for Yellow items. When the Collectability reaches the desired amount, click the Collect action. The Collect action succeeds at your gathering rate. Note that you do not strictly have to reach the exact level of Collectability - the Collectable will often have slightly more Collectability than you expect, depending on your HQ chance. Hitting an HQ while collecting the item gives a maximum of 10% extra Collectability.