Patch 7.41 in Final Fantasy XIV quietly delivered what relic hunters were waiting for. The next evolution of Phantom Weapons. The Obscurum stage. If you have been around long enough to remember Zodiac grinds, Eureka pain, or Bozja burnout, this step will feel familiar in a very intentional way. It blends crafting investment with a steady long term grind that you can knock out at your own pace.
Before we dive in, a quick reality check. This relic step is not hard, but it is time gated by effort and gil. If you are short on currency and want to avoid stalling your progress, some players choose PVPBank to buy cheap FFXIV Gil so they can focus on the actual gameplay instead of living on the market board. Use that option responsibly. Now let us break everything down properly.
This guide is written from a veteran perspective. No fluff, no panic, no misinformation. Just exactly what you need to finish the Obscurum Phantom Relic Weapon step efficiently and without losing your sanity.
What Are Obscurum Phantom Relic Weapons
Obscurum Phantom Weapons are the Patch 7.41 upgrade to the Phantom Weapon relic line. They replace the previous Umbrae version and raise the item level to 775, making them competitive stepping stone weapons while also serving as long term glamour investments.
This relic step is broken into three main quests.
Timeworn Techniques
In Pursuit of Perfection
A Phantom Reborn
Each quest is straightforward individually, but understanding the flow will save you a lot of wasted time.
Prerequisites Before You Start
Before you can even touch the Obscurum Phantom Relic Weapon questline, you must meet two requirements.
You must have completed a Phantom Weapon Umbrae for the job you want to upgrade.
You must be level 100 on that job as a Disciple of War or Disciple of Magic.
If you are missing either of these, stop here and finish those first. This step does not allow shortcuts.
Where to Start the Obscurum Phantom Relic Quest
All Obscurum Phantom Relic quests begin in Phantom Village.
Starting NPC is Lydirceil
Location is Phantom Village at coordinates X 6.6 Y 7.1
If you have done previous Phantom Weapon steps, this will feel very familiar. Talk to Lydirceil to begin the first quest.
Timeworn Techniques Quest Breakdown
This first quest is the crafting and purchasing phase. This is where most players either flex their crafting setup or open the market board.
You will need the following items.
One Sack of Umbral Clay
One Aspected Aether Agglomerate
One Aspected Aetheroconductor
One Aspected Aetherocatalyst
Umbral Clay
This one is simple.
Purchased from Goplu in Tuliyollal
Cost is 500000 gil
No shortcuts here. This is a flat gil sink.
Aspected Aether Items
These are level 100 crafted items requiring Master Recipe Tomes XII.
Aspected Aether Agglomerate
Aspected Aetheroconductor
Aspected Aetherocatalyst
You can craft them yourself or buy them from the market board. All three are fully tradable.
Important veteran warning. These crafts do not have high quality versions, but they still require nearly full quality to succeed. If you are undergeared as a crafter, you will fail the craft outright.
Minimum crafting stats are roughly 5620 Craftsmanship and 5080 Control. Anything less and you are gambling.
If crafting is not your thing, buying them is perfectly valid. Prices drop quickly after patch launch, so patience saves gil.
Once all items are delivered to Gerolt, the quest completes.
In Pursuit of Perfection Quest Explained
This is the grind portion, but it is far more forgiving than older relic steps.
You are tasked with collecting Crystal Paste using a key item called the Phantom Glass.
Crystal Paste Requirements
You need a total of 1200 Crystal Paste.
The turn ins are broken into four stages.
First turn in 100
Second turn in 200
Third turn in 300
Final turn in 600
Here is the good news. You can farm all 1200 at once. There is no overcap penalty.
You do not need the relic equipped.
You do not need to be on the relic job.
You do not even need to be level 100 while farming.
This is one of the most flexible relic grinds FFXIV has ever had.
Best Ways to Farm Crystal Paste in FFXIV 7.41
There are many ways to earn Crystal Paste, but efficiency matters if you value your time.
Duty Roulettes
Leveling Roulette gives 20 paste per run.
Expert Roulette gives 15 paste per run.
Level Cap Dungeons give 15 paste per run.
These are not limited to daily bonuses. You can spam them endlessly.
Veteran tip. Leveling roulette with a high DPS premade group is one of the fastest consistent methods.
Pilgrims Traverse Deep Dungeon
This is arguably the best raw farming method.
Floors 71 to 100 give 26 paste per clear.
Runs are fast with an experienced party.
If you enjoy deep dungeons, this is the most efficient option.
Raids and Trials
AAC Heavyweight normal raids give 8 paste.
Savage versions give more, with M4 Savage giving 18.
Hell on Rails Extreme gives 9.
These are fine if you are already running them, but not optimal for pure farming.
FATEs and Occult Crescent
FATEs give only 3 paste.
Occult Crescent engagements give 5.
These are the least efficient methods and should only be used casually.
A Phantom Reborn Final Quest
Once you finish delivering all Crystal Paste, you unlock the final quest.
This step is refreshingly simple.
Purchase three Waning Arcanite from Ermina in Phantom Village.
Each costs 500 Allagan Tomestones of Mathematics.
Total cost is 1500 tomestones.
After purchasing, trade the arcanite along with your corresponding Phantom Weapon Umbrae to Dodokkuli.
You will receive your Obscurum Phantom Relic Weapon.
After your first weapon, additional Obscurum weapons can be purchased without repeating the full quest chain.
Achievements and Glamour Value
Each Obscurum Phantom Weapon has its own achievement tied to it. These are standard achievement rewards with no extra items attached, but completionists will want them all.
From a glamour perspective, Obscurum weapons lean heavily into the light and shadow theme introduced earlier in the relic line. They look excellent and will age well visually.
Veteran Tips to Save Time and Gil
Do not rush the market board on day one unless you enjoy overpaying.
Farm Crystal Paste passively while doing other content.
Do not burn yourself out trying to finish in a week.
Relics are marathons, not sprints.
Patch 7.41 intentionally made this relic step flexible. Use that flexibility.
Is the Obscurum Phantom Relic Worth It
Short answer. Yes.
From a power standpoint, it is solid.
From a glamour standpoint, it is excellent.
From a design standpoint, it respects your time more than past relics.
This is one of the better modern relic steps Square Enix has designed.
Final Thoughts From a Veteran Warrior of Light
The Obscurum Phantom Relic Weapon step in FFXIV 7.41 is exactly what a relic grind should be. Clear goals, flexible paths, and no forced misery.
If you approach it calmly and play content you already enjoy, it will complete itself over time. That is good relic design.
If you have chased relics for years, this one feels like a quiet apology from the dev team. And honestly, it is a welcome one.
Good luck out there, Warrior of Light.
