After unlocking Retainers in Astrologian in Final Fantasy XIV, they may wonder why there are no options in the Retainer menu to likewise make them an Astrologian.

Classless jobs such as the Astrologian or jobs upgraded from a class like White Mage can only be applied to a Retainer after the player has purchased a copy of Modern Vocation. This unique item enables Retainers to equip job-specific equipment in Final Fantasy XIV, granting them far superior stats than before. Changing a Retainer's job also allows players to provide a Retainer with unique gear for ornamental or cosmetic purposes.

How to Change a Retainer's Job in Final Fantasy XIV

You May Need To Increase Your Retainer To Specific Levels For Certain Jobs

Unlike Retainer classes that can be changed for free, there are two requirements to change a Retainer's job in Final Fantasy XIV. First, players must reach Level 50 or Level 60 of the particular job they wish their Retainer to become. More specifically, to change a Retainer to an upgraded base class or Heavensward or Stormblood job, the player must reach Level 50 in that specific job. However, the level requirement is Level 60 for jobs released in Shadowbringers.

This prerequisite likewise applies to the Retainer, as they, too, must be Level 50 or 60, depending on the job they're being assigned. The Retainer must reach the level requirement with their DoW or DoM class without having upgraded their base class. For Endwalker classes like Sage or Reaper, the Retainer that is changing jobs needs to reach Level 70. Now, to change the Retainer's job to any of two new jobs in Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail, Pictomancer and Viper, that Retainer needs to be at Level 80, at least.

You also have to have unlocked that job before the Retainer, as they can only learn jobs that you have learned.

The second requirement to change a Retainer's job in Final Fantasy 14 is the Modern Vocation, which players can buy from a Retainer Vocate for 40 Ventures. The option to acquire a vocation isn't apparent from the start, as the player must select a few dialogue options for the purchasing window to appear. To buy Modern Vocation:

1. Speak with any Retainer Vocate in any major city.
2. Choose the dialogue option, "Inquire about retainer jobs." The following window will provide the choice to "Purchase a copy of Modern Vocation."
3. Keep in mind that any class-related gear must be unequipped from the Retainer in order to change their job.

The easiest way to earn Ventures is by purchasing them with Seals from the player character's Grand Company. Seals can be quickly obtained by exchanging gear acquired from PvP or Dungeons with the GC Officer. After enough Ventures have been procured, players can take their earnings, buy Modern Vocation, and change their Retainer's job in Final Fantasy XIV.

Why You Should Change A Retainer's Job In FFXIV

Changing Jobs Can Unlock New Possibilities For Your Retainer

The reason to change a Retainer's job in the game is usually quite simple. In fact, the job a retainer has only really influences one aspect of their entire being, and it is hardly related to gameplay. By giving a Retainer a job, you allow them to equip job-specific gear, from weapons to armor. As such, if your Retainer is currently a Black Mage and you want to customize them so that they look like harrowing Reaper, for instance, you will likely need to change their class so that they can equip Reaper gear that's in line with the job's design.

This also means that specific gear from other jobs will become impossible to use on them. A Reaper Retainer, for instance, will be unable to use a Sage's clothes. The ability to change a Retainer's job is merely to allow players to customize their NPCs to look however they prefer. This is because what dictates their gains from assignments, for instance, tends to be their base class and not their job, per si. Luckily, changing classes is quite easy, even if it relies on an item.

Final Fantasy XIV is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.