FFXIV Aloalo Island Variant Dungeon Routes and Records Guide

Explore the lush, tropical mystery of Aloalo Island, Final Fantasy XIV’s unique Variant Dungeon that shatters the usual linear dungeon formula with 12 distinct routes and multiple endings. Each choice you make-from paths taken to NPC interactions-unlocks new bosses, secrets, and exclusive rewards, including a rare mount only obtainable by conquering all routes. Whether playing on PC or PlayStation, this guide reveals every twist and turn you need to master to fully uncover Aloalo Island’s hidden treasures and challenges.

How to unlock Aloalo Island in FFXIV

To unlock Aloalo Island in FFXIV, you need to have completed the main scenario quest “A Satrap’s Duty” and have at least one level 90 combat class. Then, head to Old Sharlayan (coordinates X:12.0, Y:13.3) and speak with the NPC Osmon or Shallow Moor to start the quest “Stranger From Paradise.” Completing this quest grants access to the Aloalo Island Variant Dungeon, where you will explore the island alongside your companion Matsya and encounter multiple routes and endings. The dungeon features 12 different endings, each unlocking unique rewards, with a special mount awarded after completing all routes.

To unlock Aloalo Island, go talk to the usual NPC (the Shallow Moor) in Old Sharlayan to start the quest “Stranger from Paradise.” You will need to have completed the following to unlock this quest:

• Main scenario quest “A Satrap’s Duty“
• A level 90 combat class
• Talk to Osmon in Old Sharlayan

For Alolalo Island specifically, you’ll need an item level of at least 605. Like other Variant Dungeons, you can do it solo or in a party with up to four people.

As with the other Variant Dungeons, if you take the same routes that Matsya suggests taking, you’ll get access to an extra coffer for a chance at more rewards.

Below, we list out how to unlock all 12 of the paths in Aloalo Island. Note that there are some things you can do that change boss mechanics, but have no bearing on the final result, so we do not list those things.

Path 1: A Not-quite Deserted Island

Path 1: A Not-quite Deserted Island takes players down the left path after the first boss, where you choose to “press on” and ignore the NPC Zeal-blind Zozone. This route leads you through a section of Aloalo Island that is far from deserted, featuring encounters and challenges without engaging the blind zealot. It offers a straightforward progression compared to other routes that involve helping or interacting with NPCs or objects, making it a simpler but still engaging path to explore within the variant dungeon.

1. Take the left path.
2. When prompted by Matsya about fishing (he’ll have an exclamation point above his head), tell him “We should press on.”
3. Ignore Zeal-blind Zozone, letting his HP deplete. He’ll call you a bastard and run off when his health bar empties.

Path 2: The First Settlers of Aloalo Island

The First Settlers of Aloalo Island route takes players along the left path where, after choosing to press on, they encounter Zeal-blind Zozone. Unlike other paths where you might ignore him, here you assist by healing and protecting Zozone through a battle, earning his aid in the final fight against Ketuduke. This route ties into the island’s lore, as the earliest settlers arrived during the waning years of the Fourth Astral Era, with their presence still echoed in the island’s mysteries and the wooden statue of their leader known as “the Speaker”.

1. Take the left path.
2. When prompted by Matsya about fishing (he’ll have an exclamation point above his head), tell him “We should press on.”
3. Help Zeal-blind Zozone.

Path 3: God of Heaven and Sea

Path 3: God of Heaven and Sea takes players down the left path where they choose to “Fish to your heart’s content” and interact with the sand. This route involves engaging with the environment in a way that influences the dungeon’s progression and boss mechanics, offering a unique experience compared to other paths. It highlights the thematic connection to the sea and divine elements within Aloalo Island, fitting the dungeon’s tropical and mystical atmosphere.

1. Take the left path.
2. When prompted by Mastya about fishing (he’ll have an exclamation point above his head), tell him “Fish to your heart’s content.”
3. Interact with the patch of sand on the right and give the bait to Matsya.

Path 4: A Noxious Gift

For Path 4: A Noxious Gift in the Aloalo Island Variant Dungeon in FFXIV, take the left path and allow Matsya to fish when prompted. Later, interact with the mound of rocks on the left side to receive a Southern Worm as bait for Matsya. This choice leads to a unique route and ending within the dungeon, contributing to the completion of the Aloalo Conservation Records.

1. Take the left path.
2. When prompted by Mastya about fishing (he’ll have an exclamation point above his head), tell him “Fish to your heart’s content.”
3. Interact with the mound of rocks on the left and give the bait to Matsya.

Path 5: The Roots of Arcanima

Path 5: The Roots of Arcanima takes players along the middle path in the Aloalo Island variant dungeon. In this route, you must strategically kill the treant and the crawlers while ensuring they are not standing on the sigil, which affects the mechanics. After clearing these enemies, you proceed onward to face the boss encounter. This path offers a unique challenge compared to the left and right paths and is essential for completing all the dungeon’s variant routes and unlocking related rewards.

1. Take the middle path.
2. After the midboss, kill the crawlers and treant in any order as long as they’re not standing on the sigil on the floor.
3. Kill the next sets of monsters normally and proceed to the boss.

Path 6: Under the Boughs of the Great Tree

Path 6: Under the Boughs of the Great Tree takes players down the middle path of Aloalo Island’s variant dungeon. After defeating the midboss, you must kill the treant and crawlers while avoiding standing on the large stone sigil on the ground. Then, run through the red flower bushes twice to reach and scare off a group of armadillos before returning to the main path. This route requires careful positioning and interaction with the environment to successfully complete the Aloalo Conservation Record associated with it.

1. Take the middle path.
2. After the midboss, kill the crawlers and treant in any order as long as they’re not standing on the sigil on the floor.
3. On the next set of monsters, run through the red flower bushes (as shown below) and follow the path to scare off the armadillo-like rodents.
4. On the next set of monsters (again), do the same thing as above – run through the red flowers to find the armadillo-like rodents and scare them off.

Path 7: A Dear Friend

Path 7: A Dear Friend takes you through the center path of Aloalo Island, where you ascend into the treetops and face a series of challenging pulls including poisonous worms and giant toads. To unlock this route, you must kill the Treant first, then pull the Crawlers onto the sigil and defeat them inside it. This path leads you through encounters with bats, Ahool, Vanara, and Susena, and involves interrupting J’jhimei’s cast to prevent her from summoning Wood Golems, which changes the fight dynamics. The route emphasizes strategic crowd control and careful management of AoEs to progress successfully.

1. Take the middle path.
2. After the midboss, pull the crawlers and treant to be on top of the sigil on the floor (shown below). While staying on the sigil, kill the treant first, and then kill the crawlers.
3. Head up the new path and kill the set of monsters.
4. On the next and final set of monsters, fight the monsters, but do not hit Jolly-tailed J’jhimei.

Path 8: Fish for the Mind

Path 8: Fish for the Mind takes players along the right path of the Aloalo Island Variant Dungeon, where they encounter a mix of challenging enemies including three Bats and an Ahool with an unavoidable Soundwave AoE, followed by a pull with three Vanara and a Susena that uses a circular Rock Throw AoE. To unlock this route, players must interrupt the cast of J’jhimei, who is hiding next to a Wood Golem, preventing her from summoning three additional Wood Golems that would otherwise complicate the fight. This path offers a unique combat experience focused on strategic interrupts and managing powerful enemy abilities as you progress through the grassland areas of the island.

1. Take the middle path.
2. After the midboss, pull the crawlers and treant to be on top of the sigil on the floor. While staying on the sigil, kill the treant first, and then kill the crawlers.
3. Head up the new path and kill the set of monsters.
4. On the next and final set of monsters, attack Jolly-tailed J’jhimei.

Path 9: A Familiar History

Path 9: A Familiar History takes players down the right path of Aloalo Island’s Variant Dungeon, where they encounter a series of challenging pulls including six raptors and various crocodiles with powerful area attacks. This route is distinguished by an encounter with a faerie named Statice, who offers to reveal the island’s treasure. Accepting her help leads players through a unique sequence of fights and exploration, making this path notable for its blend of combat and story elements tied to the island’s lore. Completing this route contributes to unlocking the full range of rewards and endings available in Aloalo Island.

1. Take the right path.
2. When you approach Statice the pixie, select “Well go on, don’t keep them to yourself.”

Path 10: The Remnants of Faith

Path 10: The Remnants of Faith in the Aloalo Island Variant Dungeon requires taking the right path and bypassing the first boss encounter. Players must continue until they reach a dead end where a fairy named Statice appears offering help. Agreeing to her assistance creates a teleportation portal that transports the party to a new area of the dungeon. From there, players proceed along the remaining path to complete this route. Notably, the fallen statues encountered earlier do not affect this path’s outcome, but the boss fight involves totems whose mechanics are influenced by the statues’ orientation. Completing this route rewards the player with the Aloalo Conservation Record titled “The Remnants of Faith”.

1. Take the right path.
2. When you approach Statice the pixie, select “I’m not interested in your ’secrets.’”
3. When prompted again, select “I don’t know if I can.”
4. When prompted for the third time, select “You just have a.wicked air about you.”
5. Don’t interact with any of the treasures you see after taking the new path.
6. Pull the lever to take the path down.

Path 11: A Lalafell or fish?

Path 11: A Lalafell or Fish? takes place on the right path of Aloalo Island’s variant dungeon, where players encounter a series of treasure coffers. To access this route, you must open one of these coffers, which triggers a fight against six Mimics. This path offers a unique challenge compared to simply skipping the treasure to proceed to route 10. The area features enemies like Raptors and a Gobbue with multiple AoEs, requiring careful handling. Choosing this route adds variety to the dungeon experience and contributes to unlocking all variant endings and rewards in Aloalo Island.

1. Take the right path.
2. When you approach Statice the pixie, select “I’m not interested in your ’secrets.’”
3. When prompted again, select “I don’t know if I can.”
4. When prompted for the third time, select “You just have a.wicked air about you.”
5. Interact with the treasure to reveal the mimics and kill them.
6. Pull the lever to take the path down.

Path 12: Wellspring of Golden Memories

Path 12: Wellspring of Golden Memories in the Aloalo Island Variant Dungeon offers a unique route that challenges players to explore hidden secrets and make specific choices that unlock this special ending. This path is part of the twelve distinct routes that provide varied boss encounters and story outcomes, rewarding players with unique cosmetic items and contributing to the completion of all Aloalo Conservation Records. Completing all twelve routes, including this one, is essential to earn the exclusive Spectral Statice mount and other valuable rewards, making Path 12 a vital part of fully experiencing the dungeon’s content.

1. Take the right path.
2. When you approach Statice the pixie, select “I’m not interested in your ’secrets.’”
3. When prompted again, select “I don’t know if I can.”
4. When prompted for the third time, select “You just have a.wicked air about you.”
5. Don’t interact with any of the treasures you see after taking the new path.
6. Do not pull the lever in the room with the statues.
7. In the statue room, complete the rituals for each statue.

To do the ritual, stand in front of the respective statue in the small circle and do the following:

• Whale: Say “O messenger from beyond the horizon, hear me.” Do two clockwise laps around the statues, and then one counterclockwise lap. After doing the laps, do the /dance emote.
• Turtle: Say “O wayfarer of land and sea, hear me.” Do two counterclockwise laps around the statues. After doing the laps, use the /bow emote.
• Sparrow: Say “O dancer of the skies, hear me.” Use the /blowkiss emote. Do one clockwise lap around the statues. After the lap, use the /dance emote.

Once you say the line correctly, the statue will emit a lot glow. If you do full rituals correctly, the statues will light up brighter. Here’s a screenshot of us running the lap for the turtle statue (which we did last) for reference:

If the statues aren’t accepting your ritual, remember to paste or type the messages exactly as you see them into the “say” chat, including punctuation. Also make sure you’re standing in the circle in front of the statue.

1. After doing all three rituals, a new path will open up. Head down.
2. Take out the monsters and Wobble-kneed Whasbyrm.
3. Interact with the sack that he drops.
4. Place the statues obtained from the sack on the pedestals. We put the sparrow on the first pedestal, the whale on the second, and the turtle on the third.

After doing all of this, you’ll eventually meet up with the secret boss of the area to finish up path 12.

Aloalo Island rewards

Aloalo Island in FFXIV offers a variety of cosmetic rewards that make exploring its 12 variant dungeon routes worthwhile. Completing all routes grants the coveted Spectral Statice mount via the achievement menu. Players can also collect the Free Spirit’s glamour outfit set, Statice’s Wings accessory, and several Orchestrion Rolls. Additional rewards include unique minions like Repulu and Uolosapa, Triple Triad cards for each boss, and decorative items such as the Aloalo Island Palm and Giant Leaf Parasol. Aloalo Coins earned in the Criterion Dungeon version can be exchanged for exclusive items like the Aloalo Island Framer’s Kit and Quaqua Horn, enriching the tropical dungeon experience with diverse collectibles.

The chests in Aloalo Island can reward Aloalo Potsherds, Triple Triad Cards of each of the bosses from their respective fights, and exclusive furnishing items. The meaty stuff that you’ll want from the chests is the Giant Leaf Parasol and the minions (Repulu and Uolosapa).

You can trade in the Aloalo Potsherds to Trisassant in Old Sharylan for the following:

• Free Spirit’s Hat (15 Potsherds)
• Free Spirit’s Jacket (27 Potsherds)
• Free Spirit’s Cropped Slops (12 Potsherds)
• Free Spirit’s Ringbands (9 Potsherds)
• Free Spirit’s Backless Loafers (9 Potsherds)
• O Speaker, Slumber Orchestrion Roll (9 Potsherds)
• Ballroom Etiquette – Humble Triumph (9 Potsherds)
• Statice’s Wings (3 Potsherds)
• Modern Aesthetics – The Bold and the Braid (6 Potsherds)

For completing all 12 routes of Aloalo Island, you’ll get the Spectral Statice mount, which you can claim from the achievements menu after getting the achievement “Good-willed Hunting.”

How do the different routes in Aloalo Island affect the final rewards

The different routes in Aloalo Island significantly affect the final rewards by unlocking unique endings known as Aloalo Conservation Records, each tied to specific paths and decisions made during the dungeon run. Completing all 12 distinct routes is necessary to earn the full set of Conservation Records, which culminates in unlocking the rare Spectral Statice flying fairy mount, a coveted cosmetic reward exclusive to this Variant Dungeon.

Each route leads to different boss encounters, story outcomes, and secret paths, influenced by choices such as selecting left, middle, or right paths, interacting with NPCs, or triggering special mechanics like defeating certain enemies in a specific order. While some choices affect boss mechanics or add extra loot chests, the main impact of route variation is on the final dungeon ending and the associated Conservation Record earned for that run.

Thus, the variety of routes not only enhances replayability but also directly determines the unique rewards and achievements players receive, making it essential to explore all routes to fully complete and benefit from Aloalo Island’s Variant Dungeon content.

How do the choices at each decision point change the final boss encounter

In Aloalo Island Variant Dungeon in FFXIV, choices at each decision point determine which path you take-left, middle, or right-and these paths lead to different boss encounters. Each route features unique bosses or variations of bosses, so your choices directly change the final boss you face in that run. This branching structure means that depending on your decisions, you could encounter entirely different boss fights, with some routes unlocking secret bosses or alternate versions of bosses, thereby affecting the dungeon’s challenge and story outcome. Ultimately, the decisions shape not only the final boss encounter but also the dungeon’s ending and the rewards you receive.