If you’re looking to craft high-level weapons and gear in Final Fantasy XIV, you’re going to need some special ingredients called Gemsaps. These are crafted by Alchemists, and they all share a common ingredient — Lesser Apollyon Shells. 

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Gemsaps are used in all types of gear and weapon recipes, and while they can be purchased on the Marketboard, they’re relatively easy to craft as long as you can get your hands on the necessary ingredients. Thankfully, the vital Lesser Apollyon Shells can be obtained in a couple of different ways. 

How to farm Lesser Apollyon Shells in Final Fantasy XIV

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Lesser Apollyon can be found in a small section on the eastern side of Kozama’uka. While the area in which they spawn is relatively small, there are a large number of them who gather there, and you can farm a lot of Shells pretty quickly. 

The Shells aren’t a guaranteed drop, but they don’t seem to have the worst drop rate of monster drops in Dawntrail. You’ll occasionally take down a Lesser Apollyon without getting any Shells, but I’ve averaged between one and three per kill. 

On the plus side, because they’re in an area that is accessed early into Dawntrail, they’re only level 92 monsters. This means that if you’ve got a level 100 Job, you can take them down without too much effort on your part. Just group them together and use your AOEs to cull the group.

How to get Lesser Apollyon Shells with Bicolor Gemstones

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If you’ve completed at least one FATE in Kozama’uka, you will have access to the Gemstone Trader Kunuhali in Ok’hanu (X:17.4, Y:11.0). While you won’t be able to purchase all of his wares until you’ve completed your Shared FATEs in Kozama’uka, you’ll be able to purchase Lesser Apollyon Shells for 3 Bicolor Gemstones each. 

If you’ve completed all of your Dawntrail Shared FATEs, you’ll have unlocked the two city hub Gemstone Traders. They sell all of the Bicolor Gemstone crafting materials, as well as some unique items, and can be found in the following locations:

  • Beryl in Solution Nine (X:8.4, Y:14.0)
  • Kajeel Ja in Tuliyollal (X:12.8, Y:13.0)

How to use Lesser Apollyon Shells in Final Fantasy XIV

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The main use for Lesser Apollyon Shells is to make Gemsaps, which can then be used as ingredients in high-level weapons and gear, and other potions to help boost stats. These recipes are all crafted by Alchemists:

ItemCrafting levelRecipeGrade 1 Gemsap of Dexterity (3)932 Ambrosial Water
1 Lesser Apollyon Shell
2 Light GerberaGrade 1 Gemsap of Intelligence (3)932 Ambrosial Water
1 Lesser Apollyon Shell
2 Fernleaf LavenderGrade 1 Gemsap of Mind (3)932 Ambrosial Water
1 Lesser Apollyon Shell
2 Tiger LilyGrade 1 Gemsap of Strength (3)932 Ambrosial Water
1 Lesser Apollyon Shell
2 Sweet AlyssumGrade 1 Gemsap of Vitality (3)932 Ambrosial Water
1 Lesser Apollyon Shell
2 Lime BasilCompetent Craftsman’s Tisane (3)952 Ambrosial Water
2 Lesser Apollyon Shell
2 Wind Parsley
2 Peppermint

Lesser Apollyon Shells can be used in a level 93 Collectable recipe for Alchemist, Rarefied Gemsap of Dexterity. Depending on the collectability of the Gemsap you hand in, this item can get you between 119 and 142 Purple Crafters’ Scrips. 

The recipe for Rarefied Gemsap of Dexterity is as follows:

  • 3 Ambrosial Water
  • 4 Lesser Apollyon Shells
  • 3 Kozama’uka Chamomile
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