It’s easy to point anyone new to Final Fantasy XIV with the Sprout status above their head. There’s a distinct symbol, making it easy for everyone to know if they’re dealing with someone brand new, especially if they’re asking critical questions.
However, after playing for some time, you might wonder if there’s a good way to get rid of the Sprout status. There’s not a good way for you to do this by yourself. It’s something that happens the more you play Final Fantasy XIV. It all comes down to putting in the time and consistently playing with your friends (or by yourself).
Here’s what you need to know about how to remove the Sprout status in Final Fantasy XIV.
How to remove your Sprout status in Final Fantasy XIV
You need to meet several requirements for the Sprout status to disappear in FFXIV. It’s not something you can remove in your options or on your Square Enix profile. Here are the requirements to lose the Sprout status in FFXIV:
- Play the game with a character for over 168 hours.
- Finish all the Stormblood main scenario quests (MSQ).
The second requirement illustrates why some players still have the Sprout status even after over 600 hours of playtime. The A Realm Reborn and Heavensward expansions can easily offer over 300 hours of playtime to complete, especially for players who want to discover what the game has to offer aside from the main quests.
Buying a story skip for the Stormblood expansion will count for losing the Sprout status. But if you skipped the stories, you might still need some playtime to exceed the 168-hour mark to lose the Sprout status. Here’s how to check how many hours you’ve spent in FFXIV.
You can remove the Sprout status even if you haven’t subscribed to the game or bought an expansion. Stormblood is now part of the free trial since Oct. 4, 2023.
I find it’s better to focus on playing and continuing at your own pace. Final Fantasy XIV is a huge game you can pick up for several hours when the latest update launches, catch up, and then put down for weeks. It doesn’t demand you log in every few days. Instead, the devs have made a system that encourages you to play when you want to, rather than feeling forced to always be on. You’re better off focusing on the Main Story Quests, playing alongside friends, and enjoying your experience. Eventually, the Sprout status goes away.
