Machinist Job Guide for FFXIV — Dawntrail 7.1
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.
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,
which is shared amongst all Physical Ranged jobs with 
Shield Samba and 
Troubadour,
as well as a unique mitigative action in 
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,
Air Anchor, 
Chain Saw, 
Excavator, and 
Full Metal Field. 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 to keep your Heat gauge
low while spending your 
Double Check and 
Checkmate charges.
Also, you must remember to spend your Battery gauge on 
Rook Autoturret
or 
Automaton Queen. Endgame optimization focuses on doing the above
while specifically targeting raid buff windows to maximize damage.
Machinist Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
Has the highest personal DPS among the Physical Ranged classes.- Flexible burst timings.
- Deterministic rotation with no randomness.
Weaknesses
Lack of mobility compared to Dancer and Bard.- Optimal play requires low ping.
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.
Machinist Gauges
The Heat and Battery Gauge display your current amount of Heat (top orange) and your current amount of Battery (bottom teal).
You generate Heat by executing the weaponskills from your main combo (
Heated Split Shot,
Heated Slug Shot, 
Heated Clean Shot, and
Scattergun). Heat is
then used to Overheat (requires 50 Heat) using the ability Hypercharge, which will allow
us access to the action 
Heat Blast or 
Blazing Shot (requires level 68).
Battery is generated from using combo'd Heated Clean Shot, Air Anchor, Excavator,
and Chain Saw. Battery is then used to summon Automaton Queen
to fight by our side. Automaton Queen will attack using 
Arm Punch,
if in melee range, and 
Roller Dash, if at range, which allows her to gap close to the enemy.
She will then execute 
Pile Bunker and 
Crowned Collider before
leaving the battlefield.
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.
Machinist Actions
| Action Name |
|
|
Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
 Split Shot
Lv. 1
|
|
|
Delivers an attack with a potency of 140. Additional Effect: Increases Heat Gauge by 5 |
 Slug Shot
Lv. 2
|
|
|
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
Lv. 4
|
|
|
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
Lv. 10
|
|
|
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
Lv. 15
|
|
|
Delivers an attack with a potency of 130. Maximum Charges: 3 |
 Spread Shot
Lv. 18
|
|
|
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
Lv. 26
|
|
|
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
Lv. 30
|
|
|
Grants 5 stacks of Overheated, each stack allowing the execution of Blazing Shot 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
Lv. 35
|
|
|
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
Lv. 40
|
|
|
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
Lv. 40
|
|
|
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
Lv. 40
|
|
|
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
Lv. 45
|
|
|
Ends the effect of Wildfire, dealing damage to the target. Can only be executed while under the effect of Wildfire. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Wildfire changes to Detonator when requirements for execution are met. |
 Wildfire
Lv. 45
|
|
|
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
Lv. 50
|
|
|
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
Lv. 52
|
|
|
Delivers an attack with a potency of 160 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
Lv. 54
|
|
|
Delivers an attack with a potency of 220. Additional Effect: Increases Heat Gauge by 5 |
 Tactician
Lv. 56
|
|
|
Reduces damage taken by self and nearby party members by 15%. Duration: 15s Effect cannot be stacked with bard's Troubadour or dancer's Shield Samba. |
 Drill
Lv. 58
|
|
|
Delivers an attack with a potency of 600. Maximum Charges: 2 Shares a recast timer with Bioblaster. |
 Heated Slug Shot
Lv. 60
|
|
|
Delivers an attack with a potency of 140. Combo Action: Heated Split Shot Combo Potency: 320 Combo Bonus: Increases Heat Gauge by 5 |
 Dismantle
Lv. 62
|
|
|
Lowers target's damage dealt by 10%. Duration: 10s |
 Heated Clean Shot
Lv. 64
|
|
|
Delivers an attack with a potency of 160. Combo Action: Heated Slug Shot Combo Potency: 420 Combo Bonus: Increases Heat Gauge by 5 Combo Bonus: Increases Battery Gauge by 10 |
 Barrel Stabilizer
Lv. 66
|
|
|
Grants Hypercharged. Duration: 30s Additional Effect: Grants Full Metal Machinist Duration: 30s Can only be executed while in combat. |
 Blazing Shot
Lv. 68
|
|
|
Delivers an attack with a potency of 240. Additional Effect: Reduces the recast time of both Double Check and Checkmate 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. |
 Flamethrower
Lv. 70
|
|
|
Delivers damage over time to all enemies in a cone before you. Potency: 100 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
Lv. 72
|
|
|
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 Maximum Charges: 2 Shares a recast timer with Drill. |
 Air Anchor
Lv. 76
|
|
|
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
Lv. 80
|
|
|
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
Lv. 80
|
|
|
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
Lv. 80
|
|
|
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
Lv. 80
|
|
|
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
Lv. 80
|
|
|
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
Lv. 82
|
|
|
Delivers an attack with a potency of 160 to all enemies in a cone before you. Additional Effect: Increases Heat Gauge by 10 |
 Crowned Collider
Lv. 86
|
|
|
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
Lv. 90
|
|
|
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 Additional Effect: Grants Excavator Ready Duration: 30s This weaponskill does not share a recast timer with any other actions. |
 Checkmate
Lv. 92
|
|
|
Delivers an attack to target and all enemies nearby it with a potency of 170 for the first enemy, and 50% less for all remaining enemies. Maximum Charges: 3 |
 Double Check
Lv. 92
|
|
|
Delivers an attack to target and all enemies nearby it with a potency of 170 for the first enemy, and 50% less for all remaining enemies. Maximum Charges: 3 |
 Excavator
Lv. 96
|
|
|
Delivers an attack to target and all enemies nearby it with a potency of 600 for the first enemy, and 65% less for all remaining enemies. Additional Effect: Increases Battery Gauge by 20 Can only be executed while under the effect of Excavator Ready. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Chain Saw changes to Excavator when requirements for execution are met. |
 Full Metal Field
Lv. 100
|
|
|
Delivers a critical direct hit to target and all enemies nearby it with a potency of 900 for the first enemy, and 50% less for all remaining enemies. Damage dealt is increased when under an effect that raises critical hit rate or direct hit rate. This action is not affected by Reassemble. Can only be executed while under the effect of Full Metal Machinist. |
Role Actions
| Action Name |
|
|
Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
 Leg Graze
Lv. 6
|
|
|
Afflicts target with Heavy +40%. Duration: 10s |
 Second Wind
Lv. 8
|
|
|
Instantly restores own HP. Cure Potency: 800 |
 Foot Graze
Lv. 10
|
|
|
Binds target. Duration: 10s Cancels auto-attack upon execution. Target unbound if damage taken. |
 Peloton
Lv. 20
|
|
|
Increases movement speed of self and nearby party members. Duration: 30s Effect ends when enmity is generated. Has no effect in battle. |
 Head Graze
Lv. 24
|
|
|
Interrupts the use of a target's action. |
 Arm's Length
Lv. 32
|
|
|
Nullifies most knockback and draw-in effects. Duration: 6s Additional Effect: When you are struck by a physical attack, the striker will be afflicted with Slow +20% Duration: 15s |
Machinist Traits
| Action Name | Acquired | Effect |
|---|---|---|
 Increased Action Damage |
Lv. 20 |
Increases base action damage and autoturret damage by 10%. |
 Increased Action Damage II |
Lv. 40 |
Increases base action damage and autoturret damage by 20%. |
 Split Shot Mastery |
Lv. 54 |
Upgrades Split Shot to Heated Split Shot. |
 Slug Shot Mastery |
Lv. 60 |
Upgrades Slug Shot to Heated Slug Shot. |
 Clean Shot Mastery |
Lv. 64 |
Upgrades Clean Shot to Heated Clean Shot. |
 Heat Blast Mastery |
Lv. 68 |
Upgrades Heat Blast to Blazing Shot. |
 Charged Action Mastery |
Lv. 74 |
Allows a third charge of Gauss Round and Ricochet. |
 Hot Shot Mastery |
Lv. 76 |
Upgrades Hot Shot to Air Anchor. |
 Enhanced Wildfire |
Lv. 78 |
Improves Wildfire's potency increase for landing weaponskills to 240. |
 Promotion |
Lv. 80 |
Upgrades Rook Autoturret and Rook Overdrive to Automaton Queen and Queen Overdrive respectively. |
 Spread Shot Mastery |
Lv. 82 |
Upgrades Spread Shot to Scattergun. |
 Enhanced Reassemble |
Lv. 84 |
Allows the accumulation of charges for consecutive uses of Reassemble. Maximum Charges: 2 |
 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 |
Lv. 86 |
After executing Pile Bunker, the Automaton Queen will also execute Crowned Collider. |
 Enhanced Tactician |
Lv. 88 |
Reduces Tactician recast time to 90 seconds. |
 Double-barrel Mastery |
Lv. 92 |
Upgrades Gauss Round to Double Check and Ricochet to Checkmate. |
 Enhanced Multiweapon |
Lv. 94 |
Allows the accumulation of charges for consecutive uses of Drill and Bioblaster. Maximum Charges: 2 |
 Marksman's Mastery II |
Lv. 94 |
Increases the potency of Auto Crossbow to 160, Heated Split Shot to 220, Heated Slug Shot to 140, Heated Clean Shot to 160, Blazing Shot to 240, and Scattergun to 160. |
 Enhanced Second Wind |
Lv. 94 |
Increases the healing potency of Second Wind to 800. |
 Enhanced Multiweapon II |
Lv. 96 |
Grants Excavator Ready upon executing Chain Saw. Duration: 30s Chain Saw changes to Excavator while under the effect of Excavator Ready. |
 Enhanced Tactician II |
Lv. 98 |
Improves Tactician's damage reduction effect to 15%. |
 Enhanced Barrel Stabilizer |
Lv. 100 |
Grants Full Metal Machinist upon executing Barrel Stabilizer. Duration: 30s |
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.
Changelog
- 12 Nov. 2024 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 7.1.
- 12 Nov. 2024 (Leveling page): Updated for Patch 7.1.
- 12 Nov. 2024 (job changes): Page updated for 7.1.
- 12 Nov. 2024 (this page): Updated for Patch 7.1.
- 13 Oct. 2024 (rotation page): Infographic update.
- 31 Jul. 2024 (job changes): Page updated for 7.01.
- 30 Jul. 2024 (gear page): Updated for Savage.
- 25 Jul. 2024 (gear page): Updated for Patch 7.01
- 09 Jul. 2024 (job changes): Page updated for 7.0.
- 07 Jul. 2024 (gear page): Updated for Patch 7.0.
- 07 Jul. 2024 (this page): Updated the video resource for Dawntrail.
- 05 Jul. 2024 (rotation page): Infographic update.
- 26 Jun. 2024 (advanced optimization page): Initial Dawntrail update
- 26 Jun. 2024 (rotation page): Initial Dawntrail update.
- 26 Jun. 2024 (this page): Initial Dawntrail update
- 06 Jun. 2024 (job changes): Page updated for Media Tour.
- 18 Jan. 2024 (advanced optimization page): Updated for patch 6.55.
- 17 Jan. 2024 (TOP page): Page added.
- 17 Jan. 2024 (keybindings page): Updated for Patch 6.55.
- 17 Jan. 2024 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 6.55.
- 17 Jan. 2024 (Leveling page): Updated for Patch 6.55.
- 17 Jan. 2024 (gear page): Updated for Patch 6.55.
- 17 Jan. 2024 (melding page): Updated for Patch 6.55.
- 17 Jan. 2024 (this page): Updated for Patch 6.55.
- 05 Oct. 2023 (advanced optimization page): Updated for Patch 6.5.
- 05 Oct. 2023 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 6.5.
- 05 Oct. 2023 (Leveling page): Updated for Patch 6.5.
- 05 Oct. 2023 (gear page): Updated for Patch 6.5.
- 05 Oct. 2023 (melding page): Updated for Patch 6.5.
- 05 Oct. 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 6.5.
- 22 Sep. 2023 (advanced optimization page): Guide added.
- 20 Jul. 2023 (gear page): Updated both Omega and Dragonson BiS with Manderville weapon.
- 23 May 2023 (rotation page): Verified for Patch 6.4.
- 23 May 2023 (Leveling page): Verified for Patch 6.4.
- 23 May 2023 (gear page): Updated for Patch 6.4.
- 23 May 2023 (melding page): Verified for Patch 6.4.
- 23 May 2023 (this page): Verified for Patch 6.4.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (TEA page): Page added.
- 10 Jan. 2023 (gear page): Updated for Patch 6.3.
- 09 Jan. 2023 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 6.3.
- 09 Jan. 2023 (Leveling page): Updated for Patch 6.3.
- 09 Jan. 2023 (melding page): Updated for Patch 6.3
- 09 Jan. 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 6.3.
- 24 Aug. 2022 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 6.2.
- 24 Aug. 2022 (gear page): Updated for Patch 6.2.
- 24 Aug. 2022 (this page): Updated for Patch 6.2.
- 14 Aug. 2022 (keybindings page): Page added.
- 20 Apr. 2022 (UCoB page): Updated for Patch 6.1
- 20 Apr. 2022 (UWU page): Updated for Patch 6.1
- 20 Apr. 2022 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 6.1.
- 20 Apr. 2022 (gear page): Updated for Patch 6.1.
- 20 Apr. 2022 (melding page): Updated for Patch 6.1
- 20 Apr. 2022 (this page): Updated for Patch 6.1.
- 19 Mar. 2022 (Leveling page): Guide added.
- 24 Jan. 2022 (UCoB page): Page added.
- 24 Jan. 2022 (UWU page): Page added.
- 24 Jan. 2022 (this page): Page added.
- 05 Jan. 2022 (rotation page): Page updated.
- 24 Dec. 2021 (gear page): Updated BiS for raid release.
- 19 Dec. 2021 (job changes): Page added.
- 10 Dec. 2021 (gear page): Guide added.
- 06 Dec. 2021 (rotation page): Guide added.
- 06 Dec. 2021 (melding page): Guide added.
Guides from Other Classes
Juliacare has been playing FFXIV since Heavensward focusing solely on casters, until Shadowbringers when they decided to add physical ranged into their line up. Since then they have been aiding in theorycrafting for physical ranged and Summoner, becoming a Machinist Mentor in The Balance Discord and uploading video job guides to their Youtube Channel.
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