FFXIV Yo-kai Watch Event Return: Dates & Rewards
The Yo-kai Watch collaboration event in Final Fantasy XIV returns periodically, letting players earn minions, mounts, weapons, and new furnishings by collecting Yo-kai Medals through FATEs. This guide covers the event’s confirmed return structure, rewards, and the new furniture items added in recent iterations, plus how to prepare and common pitfalls.
Event Background and History
The Yo-kai Watch crossover first appeared in FFXIV in 2016 as a limited-time event tied to the Level 50 FATE system. It was designed to encourage players to revisit old zones by rewarding participation in FATEs with special medals that could be exchanged for weapons, minions, and a mount. The event returned in 2018 and again in 2021, each time with additional rewards and quality-of-life improvements.
The 2021 return introduced the "Yo-kai Watch: Gather One, Gather All!" questline and added new furnishings for the first time, including the Yo-kai Watch-themed table and chair. These furnishings are crafted from materials obtained during the event, such as Yo-kai Medals and special FATE drops. The event is not on a fixed schedule; it is announced via the Lodestone when it returns, typically around the anniversary of the original release or during major patches.
How the Event Works
To participate, you must be at least Level 50 and have completed the main scenario quest "The Ultimate Weapon." The event quest giver, a researcher named Keira, appears in Limsa Lominsa Upper Decks (X: 11.5, Y: 11.1) during the event period. Accepting the quest "Yo-kai Watch: Gather One, Gather All!" grants you a Yo-kai Watch, which you equip to begin collecting medals.
Once equipped, you can earn Yo-kai Medals by participating in FATEs in the following level 50 zones:
- Central Shroud
- East Shroud
- South Shroud
- North Shroud
- Middle La Noscea
- Lower La Noscea
- Eastern La Noscea
- Western La Noscea
- Upper La Noscea
- Central Thanalan
- Western Thanalan
- Eastern Thanalan
- Southern Thanalan
- Northern Thanalan
- Coerthas Central Highlands
- Mor Dhona
Each FATE completion grants a random number of medals (usually 1-3, sometimes more with a bonus). You can exchange these medals for weapons, minions, and the mount. The event also features a "Legendary" version of the Yo-kai Watch that increases medal drop rates after you obtain all 13 minions.
Rewards: Weapons, Minions, Mounts
The main rewards are a set of 13 weapons (one per job that existed at the time of the original event), each themed after a different Yo-kai. These are purely glamour items, as they are level 50 weapons with no stats relevant to current content. You also earn 13 minions, each corresponding to a Yo-kai, and a special mount called the "Yo-kai Bus" after collecting all minions.
The weapons are exchanged for medals at the event vendor, while minions are obtained by completing specific FATEs in each zone while carrying a particular Yo-kai companion. The mount is a reward for obtaining all minions, and it is a flying mount that can be used in all areas where flying is allowed.
In the 2021 return, additional rewards were added: a new set of weapons for the jobs introduced after the original event (such as Gunbreaker and Dancer), and the furnishings mentioned earlier. The new weapons are also glamour-only but are useful for collectors.
New Furnishings and How to Get Them
The furnishings introduced in the 2021 return are the "Yo-kai Watch Table" and "Yo-kai Watch Chair." These are outdoor furnishings that can be placed in housing plots. To obtain them, you need to collect special items that drop from FATEs during the event: the "Yo-kai Medal: Gold" and "Yo-kai Medal: Silver." These are rare drops, not guaranteed, and can be exchanged at the event vendor for the furniture.
Specifically, the table costs 10 Gold Medals and 5 Silver Medals, while the chair costs 5 Gold Medals and 3 Silver Medals. The drop rates are not officially published, but player reports suggest roughly a 5-10% chance per FATE for a Gold Medal and a slightly higher chance for Silver. You can also purchase these medals from other players on the Market Board, but they are untradeable during the event, so you must farm them yourself.
Unlike the weapons, these furnishings are not exclusive to the event; they may be added to the game’s general crafting recipes later, but as of now, they remain event-only. If you miss the event, you cannot obtain them until the next return.
Preparation and Strategy
To maximize your medal farming efficiency, consider the following:
- Use a high-level job (Level 80 or 90) to quickly clear FATEs; sync your level down if needed, but the rewards are the same.
- Form a party with friends or use the Party Finder to speed up FATE completion, especially in zones with multiple FATEs.
- Equip the Yo-kai Watch at all times; you cannot earn medals without it.
- Complete the 13 minion collection first to get the Legendary Yo-kai Watch, which increases medal drops.
- Focus on zones with frequent FATE spawns, such as Central Thanalan or Mor Dhona, to minimize downtime.
If you are a new player, note that the event FATEs are the same as normal FATEs; you do not need to do anything special other than participate. The medals are awarded based on your contribution, so even a few hits will earn you some, but gold rating gives more.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
A common mistake is assuming the event weapons are useful for combat. They are not; they are level 50 glamour items. Do not waste time upgrading them. Another misconception is that you need to complete the entire collection to get the furnishings. You do not; you only need the medals, which drop from any FATE in the listed zones, regardless of your Yo-kai companion.
Players also often forget that the event is time-limited and that the medals are not retained after the event ends. Any unspent medals are removed from your inventory when the event concludes. Plan your spending accordingly.
Finally, some players think that the event returns every year on a fixed date. It does not; it has returned irregularly, so watch the official announcements. The event has been tied to the game’s anniversary in some years, but not always.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the next Yo-kai Watch event return?
There is no confirmed date for the next return. Square Enix announces the event on the Lodestone typically a few weeks before it starts. The event has historically returned in years with major patches or anniversaries, but it is not a guaranteed annual event.
Can I get the Yo-kai Watch furnishings after the event ends?
No, the furnishings are event-exclusive. They cannot be crafted or purchased after the event ends, and the medals needed to buy them are removed from your inventory. The only way to get them is to participate during the event period.
Do I need to be a certain level to participate?
Yes, you must be at least Level 50 and have completed the main scenario quest "The Ultimate Weapon" to start the event. However, you can be any level above that to farm FATEs; higher levels make it faster.
Are the Yo-kai Watch weapons useful for endgame content?
No, they are level 50 weapons with no stats for current endgame. They are purely for glamour and collection purposes. If you are looking for combat gear, focus on current tomestone or raid gear instead.
How many medals do I need for everything?
To get all 13 weapons, you need a total of 390 medals (30 per weapon). To get all 13 minions, you need to complete specific FATEs, which also grant medals. The mount requires all minions. The furnishings require additional Gold and Silver Medals. In total, you may need around 500-600 medals, depending on drop rates for the special medals.
Can I trade medals or furnishings with other players?
Medals are untradeable. The furnishings you buy with them are also untradeable once obtained, so you cannot sell them on the Market Board. However, you can place them in your house or apartment, and other players can visit to see them.
Related
Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.