Machinist Job Guide for FFXIV — Endwalker 6.55

Last updated on Jan 17, 2024 at 06:00 by Julia 20 comments

Machinist is a ranged Physical DPS job in Final Fantasy XIV that uses an extremely mobile, high-APM rotation featuring their gun as their main weapon, as well as mechanical turrets to support them. They can only be played after completing a quest after entering Heavensward and have no base class.

1.

What is Machinist's Playstyle?

Machinist is a fast-paced ranged DPS that specializes in targeting raid buffs with flexible burst timings and maintaining uninterrupted DPS through mechanics thanks to their freedom of movement. Machinist uses an array of weapons consisting of their main weapon that is a gun, the Multi-Tool which has multiple functions depending on combat situation, and a Robot called Automaton Queen to summon and fight by its side.

Machinist subscribes to the general DPS mentality of "always be casting" along with using all your biggest attacks as often as possible. Additionally, you want to keep your resources from going over the cap.

Machinist has no raid buff, so it falls under the category of greed DPS. It brings a raid-wide party mitigation in the form of an action called Tactician Icon Tactician, which is shared amongst all Physical Ranged jobs with Shield Samba Icon Shield Samba and Troubadour Icon Troubadour, as well as a unique mitigative action in Dismantle Icon Dismantle that requires a target for application, while also having the ability to be completely mobile. Their core gameplay is centered around its two main resources: Heat and Battery. Upon generating enough Heat, Machinist will be able to enter its Overheat phase which is a fast burst window where we expend our rechargeable resources. Battery is used to summon our robot, Automaton Queen (Rook below Level 80), which will attack the enemy on our behalf for a time determined by how much Battery we had when summoned. Machinist gameplay revolves around a static rotation while fitting in our flexible resources to dish out as much damage as we can. The job is easy to play and a great choice for beginners.

The backbone of the rotation is formed by Drill Icon Drill, Air Anchor Icon Air Anchor, and Chain Saw Icon Chain Saw. It is important to keep using them on cooldown to keep the rotation aligned. Between those hard-hitting weaponskills you want to fit in Hypercharge Icon Hypercharge to keep your Heat gauge low while spending your Gauss Round Icon Gauss Round and Ricochet Icon Ricochet charges. Also, you must remember to spend your Battery gauge on Rook Autoturret Icon Rook Autoturret or Automaton Queen Icon Automaton Queen. Endgame optimization focuses on doing the above while specifically targeting raid buff windows to maximize damage.

2.

Machinist Strengths and Weaknesses

V Strengths
  • +Has the highest personal DPS among the Physical Ranged classes.
  • +Flexible burst timings.
  • +Deterministic rotation with no randomness.
X Weaknesses
  • -Lack of mobility compared to Dancer and Bard.
  • -Optimal play requires low ping.
3.

How do you Unlock Machinist?

In order to unlock Machinist, you must be at least Level 50 on one Disciple of Magic or War job, have completed the entirety of "A Realm Reborn", and have access to the Heavensward Expansion. Once you have unlocked the city of Ishgard, you will head to Foundation (x:8, y:10) and pick up the quest "Savior of Skysteel" from the Machinist Mentor, Stephanivien. Upon completing this quest, you will be rewarded with the Machinist job stone and start out as a Level 30 Machinist.

4.

Machinist Gauges

The Heat and Battery Gauge display your current amount of Heat (top orange) and your current amount of Battery (bottom teal).

Machinist FFXIV Job Gauge

You generate Heat by executing the weaponskills from your main combo (Heated Split Shot Icon Heated Split Shot, Heated Slug Shot Icon Heated Slug Shot, Heated Clean Shot Icon Heated Clean Shot, and Scattergun Icon Scattergun) or from using the ability Barrel Stabilizer Icon Barrel Stabilizer. Heat is then used to Overheat (requires 50 Heat) using the ability Hypercharge Icon Hypercharge, which will allow us access to the action Heat Blast Icon Heat Blast.

Battery is generated from using combo'd Heated Clean Shot Icon Heated Clean Shot, Air Anchor Icon Air Anchor, and Chain Saw Icon Chain Saw. Battery is then used to summon Automaton Queen Icon Automaton Queen to fight by our side. Automaton Queen Icon Automaton Queen will attack using Arm Punch Icon Arm Punch, if in melee range, and Roller Dash Icon Roller Dash, if at range, which allows her to gap close to the enemy. She will then execute Pile Bunker Icon Pile Bunker and Crowned Collider Icon Crowned Collider before leaving the battlefield.

5.

Machinist Video Resources

If you would prefer to watch a video that provides an overview of Machinist, feel free to give the video below a watch. The video was provided by Julia Care, a member of the community on The Balance Discord server.

6.

Machinist Actions

Action Name
  • Cast
  • Recast
  • Range
  • Radius
Effect
Split Shot Icon Split Shot Lv. 1
  • Instant
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 140. Additional Effect: Increases Heat Gauge by 5
Slug Shot Icon Slug Shot Lv. 2
  • Instant
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 100. Combo Action: Split Shot or Heated Split Shot Combo Potency: 210 Combo Bonus: Increases Heat Gauge by 5
Hot Shot Icon Hot Shot Lv. 4
  • Instant
  • 40.0s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 240. Additional Effect: Increases Battery Gauge by 20 This weaponskill does not share a recast timer with any other actions.
Reassemble Icon Reassemble Lv. 10
  • Instant
  • 55.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 0y
Guarantees that next weaponskill is a critical direct hit. Duration: 5s Increases damage dealt when under an effect that raises critical hit rate or direct hit rate. This action does not affect damage over time effects. Maximum Charges: 2
Gauss Round Icon Gauss Round Lv. 15
  • Instant
  • 30.0s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 130. Maximum Charges: 3
Spread Shot Icon Spread Shot Lv. 18
  • Instant
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 12y
  • 12y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 140 to all enemies in a cone before you. Additional Effect: Increases Heat Gauge by 5
Clean Shot Icon Clean Shot Lv. 26
  • Instant
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 100. Combo Action: Slug Shot or Heated Slug Shot Combo Potency: 270 Combo Bonus: Increases Heat Gauge by 5 Combo Bonus: Increases Battery Gauge by 10
Hypercharge Icon Hypercharge Lv. 30
  • Instant
  • 10.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 0y
Grants 5 stacks of Overheated, each stack allowing the execution of Heat Blast or Auto Crossbow. Duration: 10s Overheated Effect: Increases the potency of single-target weaponskills by 20 Heat Gauge Cost: 50 Overheated effect only applicable to machinist job actions.
Heat Blast Icon Heat Blast Lv. 35
  • Instant
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 200. Additional Effect: Reduces the recast time of both Gauss Round and Ricochet by 15s Can only be executed when firearm is Overheated. This weaponskill does not share a recast timer with any other actions. Upon execution, the recast timer for this action will be applied to all other weaponskills and magic actions.
Rook Autoturret Icon Rook Autoturret Lv. 40
  • Instant
  • 6.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 0y
Deploys a single-target battle turret which attacks using Volley Fire, dealing damage with a potency of 35. Potency increases as Battery Gauge exceeds required cost at time of deployment, up to a maximum of 75. Battery Gauge Cost: 50 Duration: 9s Consumes Battery Gauge upon execution. Shuts down when time expires or upon execution of Rook Overdrive. Shares a recast timer with Rook Overdrive.
Rook Overdrive Icon Rook Overdrive Lv. 40
  • Instant
  • 15.0s
  • ↔ 25y
  • 0y
Orders the rook autoturret to use Rook Overload. Rook Overload Potency: 160 Potency increases as Battery Gauge exceeds required cost at time of deployment, up to a maximum of 320. The rook autoturret shuts down after execution. If this action is not used manually while the rook autoturret is active, it will be triggered automatically immediately before shutting down. Shares a recast timer with Rook Autoturret.
Rook Overload Icon Rook Overload Lv. 40
  • Instant
  • Instant
  • ↔ 40y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 160. Potency increases as Battery Gauge exceeds required cost at time of deployment, up to a maximum of 320. The rook autoturret shuts down after execution. If this action is not used manually while the rook autoturret is active, it will be triggered automatically immediately before shutting down. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.
Detonator Icon Detonator Lv. 45
  • Instant
  • 1.0s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Ends the effect of Wildfire, dealing damage to the target. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.
Wildfire Icon Wildfire Lv. 45
  • Instant
  • 120.0s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Covers target's body in a slow-burning pitch. Action is changed to Detonator for the duration of the effect. Deals damage when time expires or upon executing Detonator. Potency is increased by 240 for each of your own weaponskills you land prior to the end of the effect. Can be stacked up to 6 times. Duration: 10s
Ricochet Icon Ricochet Lv. 50
  • Instant
  • 30.0s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 5y
Deals damage to all nearby enemies with a potency of 130 for the first enemy, and 50% less for all remaining enemies. Maximum Charges: 3
Auto Crossbow Icon Auto Crossbow Lv. 52
  • Instant
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 12y
  • 12y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 140 to all enemies in a cone before you. Can only be executed when firearm is Overheated. This weaponskill does not share a recast timer with any other actions. Upon execution, the recast timer for this action will be applied to all other weaponskills and magic actions.
Heated Split Shot Icon Heated Split Shot Lv. 54
  • Instant
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 200. Additional Effect: Increases Heat Gauge by 5
Tactician Icon Tactician Lv. 56
  • Instant
  • 120.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 30y
Reduces damage taken by self and nearby party members by 10%. Duration: 15s Effect cannot be stacked with bard's Troubadour or dancer's Shield Samba.
Drill Icon Drill Lv. 58
  • Instant
  • 20.0s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 600. Shares a recast timer with Bioblaster.
Heated Slug Shot Icon Heated Slug Shot Lv. 60
  • Instant
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 120. Combo Action: Heated Split Shot Combo Potency: 300 Combo Bonus: Increases Heat Gauge by 5
Dismantle Icon Dismantle Lv. 62
  • Instant
  • 120.0s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Lowers target's damage dealt by 10%. Duration: 10s
Heated Clean Shot Icon Heated Clean Shot Lv. 64
  • Instant
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 120. Combo Action: Heated Slug Shot Combo Potency: 380 Combo Bonus: Increases Heat Gauge by 5 Combo Bonus: Increases Battery Gauge by 10
Barrel Stabilizer Icon Barrel Stabilizer Lv. 66
  • Instant
  • 120.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 0y
Increases Heat Gauge by 50. Can only be executed while in combat.
Flamethrower Icon Flamethrower Lv. 70
  • Instant
  • 60.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 8y
Delivers damage over time to all enemies in a cone before you. Potency: 80 Duration: 10s Effect ends upon using another action or moving (including facing a different direction). Cancels auto-attack upon execution. Triggers the cooldown of weaponskills upon execution. Cannot be executed during the cooldown of weaponskills.
Bioblaster Icon Bioblaster Lv. 72
  • Instant
  • 20.0s
  • ↔ 12y
  • 12y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 50 to all enemies in a cone before you. Additional Effect: Damage over time Potency: 50 Duration: 15s Shares a recast timer with Drill.
Air Anchor Icon Air Anchor Lv. 76
  • Instant
  • 40.0s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 600. Additional Effect: Increases Battery Gauge by 20 This weaponskill does not share a recast timer with any other actions.
Arm Punch Icon Arm Punch Lv. 80
  • Instant
  • 1.5s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 120. Potency increases as Battery Gauge exceeds required cost at time of deployment, up to a maximum of 240. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.
Automaton Queen Icon Automaton Queen Lv. 80
  • Instant
  • 6.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 0y
Deploys an Automaton Queen to fight at your side. Potency of Automaton Queen actions increases as Battery Gauge exceeds required cost at time of deployment. Battery Gauge Cost: 50 Duration: 12s Consumes Battery Gauge upon execution. Shuts down when time expires or upon execution of Queen Overdrive. Shares a recast timer with Queen Overdrive.
Pile Bunker Icon Pile Bunker Lv. 80
  • Instant
  • Instant
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 340. Potency increases as Battery Gauge exceeds required cost at time of deployment, up to a maximum of 680. If this action is not used manually while the Automaton Queen is active, it will be triggered automatically immediately before shutting down. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.
Queen Overdrive Icon Queen Overdrive Lv. 80
  • Instant
  • 15.0s
  • ↔ 30y
  • 0y
Orders the Automaton Queen to use Pile Bunker. Pile Bunker Potency: 340 Potency increases as Battery Gauge exceeds required cost at time of deployment, up to a maximum of 680. The Automaton Queen shuts down after execution. If this action is not used manually while the Automaton Queen is active, it will be triggered automatically immediately before shutting down. Shares a recast timer with Automaton Queen.
Roller Dash Icon Roller Dash Lv. 80
  • Instant
  • 3.0s
  • ↔ 30y
  • 0y
Rushes target and delivers an attack with a potency of 240. Potency increases as Battery Gauge exceeds required cost at time of deployment, up to a maximum of 480. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.
Scattergun Icon Scattergun Lv. 82
  • Instant
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 12y
  • 12y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 150 to all enemies in a cone before you. Additional Effect: Increases Heat Gauge by 10
Crowned Collider Icon Crowned Collider Lv. 86
  • Instant
  • Instant
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 390. Potency increases as Battery Gauge exceeds required cost at time of deployment, up to a maximum of 780. The Automaton Queen shuts down after execution. If this action is not used manually while the Automaton Queen is active, it will be triggered automatically immediately before shutting down. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.
Chain Saw Icon Chain Saw Lv. 90
  • Instant
  • 60.0s
  • ↔ 25y
  • 25y
Delivers an attack to all enemies in a straight line before you with a potency of 600 for the first enemy, and 65% less for all remaining enemies. Additional Effect: Increases Battery Gauge by 20 This weaponskill does not share a recast timer with any other actions.
7.

Role Actions

Action Name
  • Cast
  • Recast
  • Range
  • Radius
Effect
Leg Graze Icon Leg Graze Lv. 6
  • Instant
  • 30.0s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Afflicts target with Heavy +40%. Duration: 10s
Second Wind Icon Second Wind Lv. 8
  • Instant
  • 120.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 0y
Instantly restores own HP. Cure Potency: 500
Foot Graze Icon Foot Graze Lv. 10
  • Instant
  • 30.0s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Binds target. Duration: 10s Cancels auto-attack upon execution. Target unbound if damage taken.
Peloton Icon Peloton Lv. 20
  • Instant
  • 5.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 30y
Increases movement speed of self and nearby party members. Duration: 30s Effect ends when enmity is generated. Has no effect in battle.
Head Graze Icon Head Graze Lv. 24
  • Instant
  • 30.0s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Interrupts the use of a target's action.
Arm's Length Icon Arm's Length Lv. 32
  • Instant
  • 120.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 0y
Creates a barrier nullifying most knockback and draw-in effects. Duration: 6s Additional Effect: Slow +20% when barrier is struck Duration: 15s
8.

Machinist Traits

Action Name Acquired Effect
Increased Action Damage Icon Increased Action Damage Lv. 20

Increases base action damage and autoturret damage by 10%.

Increased Action Damage II Icon Increased Action Damage II Lv. 40

Increases base action damage and autoturret damage by 20%.

Split Shot Mastery Icon Split Shot Mastery Lv. 54

Upgrades Split Shot to Heated Split Shot.

Slug Shot Mastery Icon Slug Shot Mastery Lv. 60

Upgrades Slug Shot to Heated Slug Shot.

Clean Shot Mastery Icon Clean Shot Mastery Lv. 64

Upgrades Clean Shot to Heated Clean Shot.

Charged Action Mastery Icon Charged Action Mastery Lv. 74

Allows a third charge of Gauss Round and Ricochet.

Hot Shot Mastery Icon Hot Shot Mastery Lv. 76

Upgrades Hot Shot to Air Anchor.

Enhanced Wildfire Icon Enhanced Wildfire Lv. 78

Improves Wildfire's potency increase for landing weaponskills to 240.

Promotion Icon Promotion Lv. 80

Upgrades Rook Autoturret and Rook Overdrive to Automaton Queen and Queen Overdrive respectively.

Spread Shot Mastery Icon Spread Shot Mastery Lv. 82

Upgrades Spread Shot to Scattergun.

Enhanced Reassemble Icon Enhanced Reassemble Lv. 84

Allows the accumulation of charges for consecutive uses of Reassemble.

Maximum Charges: 2

Marksman's Mastery Icon Marksman's Mastery Lv. 84

Increases the potency of Heated Split Shot to 200, Heated Slug Shot to 120, and Heated Clean Shot to 120.

Queen's Gambit Icon Queen's Gambit Lv. 86

After executing Pile Bunker, the Automaton Queen will also execute Crowned Collider.

Enhanced Tactician Icon Enhanced Tactician Lv. 88

Reduces Tactician recast time to 90 seconds.

9.

Machinist Lore

The war with Dravania rages on, brutal and unrelenting. With no end in sight, the Holy See grows desperate. As her dragoons lay down their lives in defense of their home, Ishgard turns to technology to protect her sons and daughters. Great cannons and ballistas now line the city walls, plucking dragons from the sky.

Following the example of Cid Garlond, who has demonstrated the potency of magitek, the Skysteel Manufactory works tirelessly on the development of advanced armaments. As new and devastating weapons are brought to the fray, a new class of champion arises to wield them―the machinist.

10.

Changelog

Show more
Show less