Final Fantasy 14 is Square Enix's popular MMORPG; though it initially had a rocky launch, the re-release of A Realm Reborn ensured it became a massive success and it has gone on to have three well-received expansions. Of course, like any MMORPG, the game offers players a host of content to enjoy, as well as a whole virtual world to explore.

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As well as the main scenario and dungeons, there are many optional elements to the game and one of these features is collectible minions, small vanity pets that follow the player around. Many players actively collect these cute little critters, but they're not all easy to obtain. Check out ten of the rarest minions currently within the game, though we've excluded event/purchasable minions that are no longer obtainable.

Updated September 6th, 2021 by Russ Boswell: There are a lot of new players entering the lands of Eorzea for the first time in 2021. Although Final Fantasy XIV has been going strong for years now, it's really starting to hit its stride and offers so much content for players to explore. Even better, there are many items and miniatures to collect, giving players even more customization over their characters and experiences. This includes a lot of FFXIV rare minions for gamers to snag. To shine a better light on some of the rarest minions in FFXIV, the following list has been updated. There are now even more FFXIV rare minion entries to help players show off their skills and achievements.

15 Much-coveted Mora

Final Fantasy 14 The Much Coveted Mora Miniature

There are a handful of minions available in Final Fantasy XIV that are incredibly challenging to obtain. The Much-coveted Mora is perhaps the greatest example of this, requiring players to spend a large chunk of time fishing. To snag this rare minion, gamers will need to obtain the On A Boat IV achievement, which only unlocks after a player has collected over 1,000,000 points via Ocean Fishing.

This is such a monumental task to most that only a small collective of players have managed to get their hands on this unique companion.

14 Sand Fox

Final Fantasy 14 the sand fox miniature on a staircase

Players that have the best and rarest miniatures available will be masters of the "grind." There are some tasks in FFXIV that require a lot of elbow grease, forcing players to grind for days, weeks, and even months, to collect the necessary materials to get rare and valuable items.

A good example of this is the Sand Fox miniature, a creature only obtained by those that have spent enough time in the Faux Hollow to collect 400 leaves. As of writing, a Sand Fox is selling for over 7,300,000 gil on the marketplace.

13 Anteater

Final Fantasy 14 An Anteater Minion screenshot from Reddit u Bloodclaw_Talon
Via: Reddit u/Bloodclaw_Talon

Another product of the introduction of the Faux Hollow, the Anteater will set players back just as much time and resources at the Sand Fox. This adorable little minion is one of the most "normal" creatures you'll find as a pet in the world of Final Fantasy XIV. Those that want to adventure through Eorzea with a precious little Anteater at their side will either need to fork over the 400 Faux Leaves to the Faux Commander in Idyllshire, or spend over 6,200,000 gold on the marketplace.

12 Golden Beaver

Final Fantasy 14 a Golden Beaver miniature

Some minions aren't obtained from massive grinds, achievements, or even skill. Sometimes, it's all about how lucky a person is. Case in point, the Golden Beaver. This shiny minion is only rewarded during The Shifting Oubliettes of Lyhe Ghiah treasure hunt. Those that are lucky enough to obtain one can sell it to the marketplace for some quick cash.

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As of writing, this particular minion is selling for over 6,800,000 gil.

11 Hellpup

Final Fantasy 14 a hellpup minion with a player

Those that hop into Eorzea every day to throw hands with other players will get access to their own unique miniatures and rewards. The Hellpup is a rather cool-looking minion that is only available to players who have managed to knockout 300 foes in The Feast and obtain the Momma Said Knock You Out III achievement. This PVP game mode is all about stealing medals from opponents and can be downright intimidating to players that don't enjoy or actively play PVP. This is definitely a grind that only certain players are comfortable taking on.

10 Sungold Talos

The Sungold Talos minion is a rare drop from The Dungeons Of Lyhe Ghiah, generally only appearing from chamber five onwards. The Dungeons Of Lyhe Ghiah was released in patch 5.05 and is a special treasure-hunting instanced area similar to the previous Aquapolis and the Lost Canals of Uznair areas.

Players can gain access to The Dungeons Of Lyhe Ghiah by locating and opening treasure coffers via Zonureskin Treasure Maps. You can get yourself one of these maps by using a Timeworn Zonureskin Map, which you can either source yourself from gathering or purchase from the market board.

9 Private Moai

The Private Moai minion is crafted by Blacksmiths, but it's rare to find as the recipe is a level 70 Master Blacksmith two-star recipe that requires some hard to get components. The materials needed are: x7 Fire Crystals, x7 Earth Crystals, x2 Chromite Ore, x1 Royal Fern, and x2 Colossus Slab.

The Colussus Slab item can be obtained from a Subaquatic voyage to Neolith Island via Deep-sea Site 3. The Royal Fern can be grown from Royal Fern Sori, while the Chromite Ore can be obtained from a level 70 legendary mining node. These items are also available for purchase from the market board, though they rarely appear there.

8 Malone

This little dino buddy is ready to be your adorable companion in the game, providing you can earn him. The Malone minion is rare due to the amount of grinding that players have to do to earn one. Malone is the reward for the "Gathering In The Air" achievement, which requires players to earn a total of 50,000 points toward their skyward score as a Disciple of the Land.

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This achievement is related to the Ishgardian Restoration content in the Firmament area of Ishgard, with players being able to earn points towards their skyward score by handing in gathering materials obtained from the Diadem.

7 Laladile

This snappy little chappy is absolutely adorable, but he isn't the easiest minion to obtain. The Laladile minion is a reward for the "Crafting In The Air" achievement. This particular achievement requires players to earn a total of 50,000 points toward their skyward score as a Disciple of the Hand.

Players can earn skyward score points by donating certain items, or having certain items inspected, in the Firmament area of Ishgard. The achievement relating to Laladile is specific to crafting classes and crafting items being handed in.

6 Penguin Prince

The adorable Penguin Prince minion is a testament to a player's prowess in The Lord of Verminion mini-game. This little cutie is obtained when the player earns themselves the achievement "The Road Of Verminion I".

This particular achievement requires players to complete four different Lord of Verminion tournaments with double-digit victories, which is no easy feat. Like with other achievements, the reward can be obtained from Jonathas at Apkallu Falls in Old Gridania once the player has successfully earned the accolade.

5 Pod 316

Square Enix joined forces with PlatinumGames to offer fans some cross-over content that brought the world of NieR: Automata into Final Fantasy 14. The YoRHa: Dark Apocalypse content features 24 man raids that players can take part in.

The NieR-themed minion, Pod 316, is a rare drop from the final boss, 9S-operated Walking Fortress, in level 80 raid The Copied Factory. You can begin the YoRHa questline by starting the quest "Word about Komra" in Kholusia, given by the Gossipy Dwarf NPC.

4 Wind-up Elvaan

Final Fantasy 14 added some blasts from the past when it added the Eureka area, as there are many elements that are throwbacks to the franchise's last MMORPG, Final Fantasy 11. One of the nostalgia-filled features included is the adorable Wind-Up Elvaan minion, one of many minions that reference the races of the last MMO.

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This minion can be earned by obtaining a gold rating in the FATE "You Do Know Jack" in East Flamerock in Eureka Pyros. Additionally, this minion can be sold on the market board, but if you're looking to buy it, then it certainly won't be cheap.

3 Silver Dasher

This adorable little bird minion is a rare find from Subaquatic Voyages in The Open Robe area. Players can take part in these voyages by building a submersible in their company workshop, which they then send out to receive rewards, much like retainer ventures.

Fortunately, for those who don't have a Free Company house or a submersible of their own, the Silver Dasher minion can also be sold on the market board, though it certainly won't be cheap to buy.

2 Copycat Bulb

Copycat Bulb is a sweet little Marlboro in a red dress with matching earrings. This minion can potentially be a reward from Pagos Lockboxes, which players can obtain from FATEs in Eureka Pagos. This minion can also be sold on the market board, though it sells for a fairly hefty sum and will set you back millions of Gil.

Eureka Pagos is an instanced area where up to 144 players can explore in parties of 1 - 8 participants. To gain access to this area, players must first complete the Eureka Anemos storyline.

1 Shalloweye

The strange little Shalloweye minion may not be the cutest looking critter out there, but it sure is one of the rarest. This little guy is awarded when players earn themselves the "A Load Of Verminion II" achievement.

This achievement requires players to win a total of 50 Lord of Verminion player battles matches in RP mode. Lord of Verminion is one of the many mini-games available to players and sees them battling it out with minions to defeat their opponents and destroy all of their adversary's Arcana Stones on the battlefield.

NEXT: Final Fantasy XIV: 10 Of The MMO's Best-Looking Dungeons, Ranked