If you’ve just started playing the FFXIV Gladiator, then the Hunting Log is one of the best sources of leveling XP. Some of these may also be quest target “items”, or appear in FATES as well as the landscape. Either way, Difficulty 1 is a nice easy introduction to clearing the Log. Let’s get to it!
How the Hunting Log Works
See the Hunting Log as your personal “Hit List” or “Wanted Targets” in FFXIV. The difficulty of the enemies listed increases as you scroll down the page, but are worth more EXP when you clear them. You’ll also note there are ten “stages”, but in some cases, there are more than one creatures (and later, non-creatures) under each level. You do not have to clear them in the order they are listed!
Unlocking Difficulty Ranks
Up to Level 50, you have 5 difficulty ranks to clear. While the Log itself says “difficulty 1”, once you unlock another you’re told a new “difficulty rank” is available. You will unlock, say, Gladiator Hunting Log Rank 2, once you:
- Have cleared all of Difficulty 1 and
- Have reached the equivalent actual level for your class for the top of your current rank (e.g. Level 10-11)
Hunting Log EXP
Just a quick note that, each “stage” gives you bonus EXP when you clear it. This is on top of whatever EXP you receive for defeating the target, chain bonuses and others.
Gladiator Hunting Log Rank 1 Targets
Reward:
75Little Ladybug
Number Required: 3
You’ll find these (frankly not) Little Ladybugs as soon as you exit Ul’dah into Western Thanalan. Conveniently, a few other targets are nearby too. Although I’ve set a coordinate below, in reality these are mixed in with others around The Eighty Sins of Sasamo, either side of the steps.
For those in Limsa
If your story began in Limsa Lominsa, or you’ve just picked up Arcanist, Marauder or Rogue, then your starter quests let you know where to find Little Ladybugs. This should be in Middle La Noscea, though I need to check this as I am only just starting the Hunting Logs for those classes.
Region/Area
Western Thanalan: the Eighty Sins of SasamoNearest Aetheryte
Ul’dah Aetheryte Plaza
Reward:
180Star Marmot
Number Required: 3
These long-eared fluffy critters scurry around outside the gate to Western Thanalan. Near here are also Little Ladybugs.
Star Marmots are also part of the quest My First Gladius.
Region/Area
Western Thanalan: the Eighty Sins of SasamoNearest Aetheryte
Ul'dah: Steps of Nald
Reward:
360Cactuar
Number Required: 3
These excitable, walking cactii hop around just further down the slope away from Ul’dah. Once you’ve cleared Little Ladybugs (and Star Marmots for Gladiators), head a little further West and you’ll find plenty of Cactuar. Cactuars? Cactuarii? You get the idea!
Region/Area
Western Thanalan: the Eighty Sins of SasamoNearest Aetheryte
Ul'dah Aetheryte Plaza
Reward:
410Snapping Shrew
Number Required: 3
These Snapping Shrews are as close to a real Shrew as the “Shroud Hares” are to what we know a “hare” to be. i.e. Not a lot. These are more akin to moles, giant ones and they cause problems for the growers at the Royal Plantations, if you pick up the quest there (The Slaying of the Shrews).
Snapping Shrews can be found around (X22.7, Y27.0) in Central Thanalan.
Region/Area
Central Thanalan: Spineless BasinNearest Aetheryte
Ul'dah: Steps of Nald (Exit via the Gate of Nald)
Reward:
530Hammer Beak
Number Required: 3
Hammer Beaks are quite common and can be found in both Central and Western Thanalan. Unsurprisingly, they can be found in/around Hammerlea, home to both the hammering birds and the hammering…hammers.
The map for Western Thanalan is to the right or underneath. If you want to pick them off in Central Thanalan, then head to X18.4, Y20.1. This is near the Coffin and Coffer and right near Qiqirn Shellsweepers.
Region/Area
Western Thanalan: HammerleaNearest Aetheryte
Ul'dah: Steps of Nald (Exit via the Gate of Nald) FFXIV Hammer Beak Location - Gladiator Hunting Log Rank 1 Hammer Beak Location
Reward:
980Antling Worker
Number Required: 3
If you work on the assumption that the area marked as The Clutch in Central Thanalan is an ant-haven, then you’re sorted. Antling Workers can be found as you head East from Black Brush Station around X22.3, Y17.9.
That said, the area marked on this map, around X20.0, Y22.7 may be the first time you encounter them as they’re not far from Ul’dah.
Region/Area
Central Thanalan: Royal Allagan StarwayNearest Aetheryte
Black Brush Station (Central Thanalan)
Reward:
1,100Earth Sprite
Number Required: 3
If you’re a new FFXIV player, this is the first Sprite you’ll come across if you start in Ul’dah. These are like manifestations of the Elements (such as water, wind, ice etc). You may also get crafting shards or crystals from defeating them.
Not far from the Hammer Beaks is a lovely spot containing 3 × Earth Sprites.
Region/Area
Western Thanalan: HammerleaNearest Aetheryte
Ul'dah: Steps of Nald (Exit via the Gate of Nald)
Reward:
1,300Spriggan Graverobber
Number Required: 3
These cheeky, long-eared fuzz-balls, love their rocks and shinies. Conveniently, there are loads of Spriggan Graverobbers at the Sil’dih Excavation Site. If you’re a new player who started in Ul’dah, you do not need to purposefully head here, though, as the MSQ brings you to this exact location.
Region/Area
Central Thanalan: Sil'dih Excavation SiteNearest Aetheryte
Black Brush Station (Central Thanalan)
Reward:
1,600Qiqirn Shellsweeper
Number Required: 3
These distant cousins to the rats are, shockingly, found at a place called The Rat’s Nest in Central Thanalan. This is West of Black Brush Station around (X16.5, Y19.4) and you’ll find plenty of Qiqirn Shellsweepers there for your log.
If you haven’t cleared the Hammer Beak entry in your Gladiator Hunting Log Rank 1, then you can do this just South of The Rat’s Nest.
Example Related FATE
Region/Area
Central Thanalan: The Rat's NestNearest Aetheryte
Black Brush Station (Central Thanalan)
Reward:
1,700Antling Soldier
Number Required: 3
A larger version of the Antling Worker, the Antling Soldiers can be found a little further East into The Clutch. You can clear all three around X23.6, Y18.5.
Region/Area
Central Thanalan: The ClutchNearest Aetheryte
Black Brush Station: Central Thanalan
Dusty Mongrel
Number Required: 3
Dusty Mongrel are a kind of wolf and you will see them in various forms throughout FFXIV. These ones can be found South of Horizon in Western Thanalan. Though it is arguable that any wolves found in a region that’s mostly different kinds of desert should be “dusty”. Maybe I’m overthinking things.
Related FATE
Note: the FATE versions are Level 7. The landscape Mongrels are Level 10.
Region/Area
Western Thanalan: Royal Allagan SunwayNearest Aetheryte
Horizon (Western Thanalan)
TL;DR Kickstart Your Gladiator Hunting Log with Rank 1
So much XP (if you’re doing this at the level of the mobs) is up for grabs here. Most, if not all, of Rank 1 targets are easily available during, or on the way to quests. So there’s no reason not to clear your Gladiator Hunting Log Rank 1 as you quest through Thanalan. I hope you found this FFXIV post useful, it’s been too long since I wrote my FFXIV Free Trial Review (that likely needs updating too!).
