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Cinnabar can be mined from Lv15 Rocky Outcrops found in an area called “Horizon’s Edge” in Western Thanalan (X:24.3, Y:18.7). Horizon’s Edge is the area right outside of the settlement with the Horizon aetheryte, so simply teleport there and take the eastern exit.
The area is relatively safe, but there are some aggressive level 10 Desert Peistes nearby so make sure you have your “Sneak” ability active. Also keep in mind that the level 10 FATE “Dog Eat Dog” can also spawn nearby.
Alternative ways to obtain cinnabar include desynthesis, retainer ventures, and buying from NPC merchants. But mining cinnabar yourself would be the most efficient way to stock up since it’s fairly quick & costs practically nothing.
That said, below is a table with all of your options for getting your hands on Cinnabar:
Source
Type
Location
Description
Lv15 Rocky Outcrop
Mining Node
Horizon’s Edge, Western Thanalan
Obtained by mining
Engerrand
NPC Vendor
Limsa Lominsa Lower Decks (X:8.7, Y:11.8)
Bought for 3 gil
Esmenet
NPC Vendor
Ul’dah – Steps of Thal (X:9.0, Y:13.6)
Bought for 3 gil
Fridurih
NPC Vendor
Ul’dah – Steps of Thal (X:13.8, Y:9.6)
Bought for 3 gil
O’rhoyod
NPC Vendor
Old Gridania (X:14.4, Y:9.0)
Bought for 3 gil
Pasdevillet
NPC Vendor
The Pillars (X:24.3, Y:18.7)
Bought for 3 gil
Mining Exploration Venture
Level 15 Retainer Venture
Summoning Bell
Guaranteed drop, 1 hour to complete
Blindfish
Desynthesis
Fishing
Desynthesized by Culinarians
Coral Butterfly
Desynthesis
Fishing
Desynthesized by Culinarians
Grip Killfish
Desynthesis
Fishing
Desynthesized by Culinarians
Lv15 Rocky Outcrop
Cinnabar via Retainer Ventures
A retainer can farm a particular item for the player through ventures.
The option to have your NPC companion farm cinnabar becomes available when they hit level 15 as a miner.
Mining exploration ventures take an hour to complete, but this can be reduced to 40 minutes by leveling your retainer past level 15. Retainers can bring back 15 to 50 cinnabars depending on their perception stat. A perception of at least 78 will ensure 50 pieces of cinnabar is brought back by your retainer.
Using Desynthesis
Syntgoht NPC
Here are the items you can desynthesize for a chance at obtaining cinnabar:
Blindfish
Coral Butterfly
Grip Killifish
Just remember that items produced from desynthesis are random, so you won’t always get the item you’re looking for.
Buying Cinnabar From NPC Vendors
Pasevillet
There are multiple NPCs in the game that sell cinnabar for 3 gil each.
NPC vendors that are found in player housing such as the Namazu Material Supplier also carry cinnabar for the same price.
Uses for Cinnabar
Quicksilver
Cinnabar is used by alchemists to craft quicksilver at level 1.
Quicksilver is then used to craft several different kinds of potions.
One of the potions an alchemist can create with quicksilver is the Growth Formula Delta Concentrate. A copy of Master Alchemist I can be obtained from Talan in exchange for this potion in Mor Dhona.
Cinnabar can also be used to complete the Level 15 Miner Supply Mission. Or if you’re a level 15 miner, your Grand Company Personnel Officer may request 10 cinnabar in exchange for a big chunk of experience points – along with some Grand Company seals.
