The Bozjan Southern Front and Zadnor are among the most unique battlefields introduced in Final Fantasy XIV’s Shadowbringers expansion. Within these zones, players work together in large-scale engagements and skirmishes to earn powerful rewards. One key item that comes into focus during progression in Zadnor is the ‘Proof of Mettle.’ This item is essential for players who aim to advance through the Resistance Weapons questline. Understanding how to obtain and efficiently farm Proofs of Mettle in Zadnor can greatly ease your journey toward upgrading your relic weapon.
What Is Proof of Mettle in Zadnor?
A Vital Upgrade Material
Proof of Mettle is a unique item required to complete specific steps in the Resistance Weapon questline. It symbolizes your character’s increasing strength and combat experience in the battlefields of Bozja and Zadnor. Unlike many standard items in Final Fantasy XIV, Proof of Mettle cannot be traded or purchased. It must be earned through active participation in content exclusive to these zones.
Used in the Resistance Weapon Quests
As you progress through the questline to enhance your Resistance Weapons to their final form, you will eventually need to collect several Proofs of Mettle. These are handed over to NPCs that guide you through the relic weapon upgrades. Without them, you cannot proceed to the later stages of weapon enhancement. This makes the farming of Proofs of Mettle a top priority for players pursuing endgame relic weapons.
How to Obtain Proof of Mettle in Zadnor
Participating in Critical Engagements
The primary way to earn Proof of Mettle is by participating in Critical Engagements within Zadnor. These are large-scale boss fights that require coordination and fast reactions. While not all Critical Engagements award this item, many of them have a chance to grant one or more Proofs of Mettle upon completion, especially if you rank highly in contribution.
Completing Skirmishes
Skirmishes are smaller battles that occur frequently throughout Zadnor. They resemble FATEs from the base game but are tailored to the unique mechanics of the zone. While Proofs of Mettle are more commonly awarded in Critical Engagements, there’s a small chance they can also drop from high-level Skirmishes. This makes continuous participation in zone activities a good way to increase your chances of getting them.
Field Notes and Mettle
Although Proof of Mettle is not directly linked to Mettle (the XP-like progression system in Bozja and Zadnor), increasing your Mettle rank allows you to access harder content. This indirectly increases your chances of earning Proofs of Mettle by making you eligible for higher-level engagements and duels.
Optimizing Your Farming Strategy
Join Active Instances
Choose instances of Zadnor with a high player count. The more players participating in engagements, the faster battles are completed and the more opportunities you’ll have to earn Proofs of Mettle. Some servers use party finder or Discord to coordinate instance hopping to find the most active zones.
Focus on Critical Engagements
Since most Proofs of Mettle come from Critical Engagements, prioritize joining them whenever they appear. To do so efficiently:
- Keep your Zadnor map open and pay attention to notifications.
- Use the Resistance Recruitment NPC to queue for available engagements.
- Equip Lost Actions that boost your damage or survivability to improve your contribution rating.
Use a DPS Job
While all roles can contribute in Zadnor, using a damage-dealing class often improves your chances of placing higher in engagements. The higher your performance ranking, the better your rewards, including a greater chance of receiving Proofs of Mettle.
Important Quests Involving Proof of Mettle
A New Path of Resistance
This is one of the quests that introduces the need for Proof of Mettle. As you work to upgrade your Resistance Weapon, you’ll be asked to collect a number of these items, typically in batches. Players must hand them in along with other materials such as Timeworn Artifacts or Memories of the Dying.
Irresistible
In this quest, players are tasked with further improving their Resistance Weapon. The quest chain continues to request Proofs of Mettle in greater quantities, encouraging players to spend more time in Zadnor participating in battles and engagements. Make sure to check your inventory often, as it’s easy to forget how many you’ve already collected.
Useful Tips from the Community
Group Up with Linkshells or Free Companies
Many players find it easier to farm Proofs of Mettle when grouped with friends or community members. Some Free Companies organize Bozja/Zadnor farming nights, where groups run engagements together in a coordinated fashion. This improves efficiency and makes the grind feel less repetitive.
Utilize Lost Actions and Resistance Sets
The Bozjan and Zadnor content introduce a variety of Lost Actions that can significantly boost your performance. These can range from damage buffs to resurrection items and protective barriers. Equipping the right set of actions not only improves your survival but also helps maximize your contribution in engagements, leading to better rewards.
Keep an Eye on Patch Notes
Proof of Mettle farming can change slightly from patch to patch. Square Enix may adjust drop rates, add new sources, or rebalance requirements for relic weapon upgrades. Staying updated ensures you don’t miss out on more efficient farming methods or new engagement types.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Ignoring Contribution Mechanics
Simply participating in an engagement doesn’t guarantee maximum rewards. Focus on mechanics, deal damage, heal allies, and avoid dying early. All of these factors contribute to your overall performance score, which affects whether you receive items like Proofs of Mettle.
Overlooking Active Times
Zadnor activity peaks during specific times of day when more players are online. If you find yourself in a nearly empty instance, consider leaving and trying again later, or hopping to another instance using the Resistance Recruitment system.
Neglecting Quest Progression
Some players farm for Proofs of Mettle before unlocking the quests that require them. This can lead to wasted time or confusion. Always make sure you are on the correct step of the Resistance Weapon questline before committing to farming.
Proof of Mettle is an essential item for any player looking to complete their Resistance Weapon upgrades in Zadnor. Earning these items requires dedication, strategic engagement participation, and a solid understanding of the zone’s mechanics. By focusing on Critical Engagements, grouping with active players, and using the right job and actions, you can streamline your farming efforts. As the Final Fantasy XIV community continues to evolve, resources like in-game coordination, player forums, and patch notes remain invaluable for staying informed. Whether you’re a seasoned relic hunter or a first-time adventurer in Zadnor, mastering the acquisition of Proofs of Mettle brings you one step closer to wielding one of the game’s most iconic weapons.