When it comes to real wheels, I’m drawing a blank, but ask about the bestFFXIVmount, and I’ll deliver an essay. It’s not a cut-and-dry stat thing though, and someFinal Fantasy XIVmounts are major hassles for what they are.

InFFXIV, most mounts don’t have any meaningful difference outside of whichever you prefer. Some are cute, some are weird — plenty are obnoxious. However, there are one or two defining traits that may have you considering a new ride priority. A rare few mounts fit an eight-man party in them, while tons are perfect for two. There’s even mounts that go fast(er), kind of.

The Twintania mount in FFXIV

Anyway, our bestFFXIVmounts list uses a combination of criteria, like: Does that ride earn you bragging rights? Or how helpful is it based on player capacity? From the Lanner mounts toFinal Fantasy VII’sclassic motorcycle to Cerberus, here are our picks.

FFXIV’s Skyslipper, aka The Shoe

No, I’m not joking, and yes, this is a personal favorite. TheFFXIVSkyslipper mount wins in both the what-on-earth factor and functionality. Grab this mount by defeating Titan in theShadowbringersraid Eden’s Gate: Sepulture (Savage); it’s old content now, so it should be easier to enter unsynced.

It’s neat in the way new players stop and stare, unsure of what to make of it. Also, it’s helpful! The Skyslipper seats four people, including you — that is, if you can find three others willing to sit in it.

The FFXIV Skyslipper Mount

Blackjack, like the airship

The Blackjack mount lands here mostly out of the nostalgia factor. As an ode toFinal Fantasy VI, it’s kind of hard to resist any wink and nod to the classic. However, the airship will definitely cost you, it’s 4,000,000 MPG; that’s the Gold Saucer currency.

For the grind, it’s not too spectacular-looking. The Blackjack comes with no fancy particle effects or musical tributes, but you will get another four-set mount to add to the fleet.

Screenshot by Destructoid

Final Fantasy VII’s SDS Fenrir

Whether you’re sick of it or delighted by it,Final Fantasy VIIstill permeates everywhere through the series, and that includes making it on my list of bestFFXIVmounts. As you explore Eorzea and beyond, you may notice zones have upgradeable travel features unlocked through mount speed maps. The motorcycle mount comes with one of these unlocked, and that’s why most players prefer it for quickly running through new expansion zones.

If you’ve got the extra real-world cash, the SDS Fenrir comes from theFFXIVOnline Store. Occasionally, it’s among the goodies that go on sale, but at full price, the motorcycle is $29.99 USD.

Perhaps it’s not the best FFXIV mount, but the motorcycle comes close.

Ehll Tou and her little hammer

If you’re familiar with some of my other ramblings, then you know I do love the realm’s dragons. This includes the incredibly adorable Ehll Tou, who you’ll meet in Ishgard’s Firmament. After fulfilling weeks of her Custom Delivery quests and raising her satisfaction, Ehll Tou joins you in mount form. It’s a neat little way to level crafting or gathering classes, plus learn a little more dragon lore.

The quests aren’t hard, and it’s not a mount you see tons of flying about. They just require a little dedication and a lot of love forFFXIV’scutest companion.

Ehll Tou is a reward for FFXIV Custom Deliveries

FFXIV’s Niermount, Pod 602

It’s Pod, that feels like reason enough. For Nier fans, Pod 602 is a delightful tribute to Yoko Taro’s Automata masterpiece, complete with music and all. Plus, the animation is pretty cool; it’s not something you see with mostFFXIVmounts.

Grind out 300,000 MGP in the Gold Saucer, and the Pod 602 Identification Key is yours.

The Pod 602 FFXIV mount

The Chi Fate’s Level Checker

If you’ve made it to theEndwalkerexpansion and ventured into Ultima Thule, then perhaps you’ve witnessed the masses shouting, “Chi’s up!!” in the zone. That’s because, well, Chiisup. Omicron Recall: Killing Order is the boss’ extra-difficult Fate spawning on a limited, unseen timer.

Defeat Chi in its Level 90 encounter to earn the special Fate currency, Chi Bolts. Completing the fight with full credit, gold status, earns you six bolts, and it’ll cost 12 Chi Bolts to pick up Level Checker. Speak to Nesvaaz in Radz-at-Han with tokens in hand, then enjoy your weird little Omega-like guy.

The Level Checker mount in FFXIV

From the bayous, the FFXIV Island Alligator

FFXIV keeps going all-in on the slice-of-life style content, and what better reward than a ‘gator? Perhaps it’s the weird southern part of me, but this chunky guy is another favorite not many traverse the MMO on.

The Island Alligator Horn is one of several mount rewards from Island Sanctuary, available for 35,000 Seafairer’s Cowries. It’s pricey, but you’ll likely get there grinding to Island Level 10 for the shop’s reward access, anyway.

The Island Alligator mount in FFXIV

Suzaku’s firey Euphonious Kamuy

There’s a whole collection of wolf mounts you may want to grind in pursuit of theKamuy of the Nine Tails, but this one is a personal favorite. The Euphonious Kamuy Fife drops from Suzaku Extreme, aStormbloodtrial. The Kamuy all look great, but the bold, firey reds on this one make it a cut above. My favorite is either this or the Blissful Kamuy, which favorsOkami’sAmaterasu.

True Blue: The Morbol mount

Hope you enjoy a good grind because this one’s gonna take a lot of practice. TheFFXIVMorbol mount comes from the True Blue achievement. You’ll need to complete the last fight in all six Bahamut and Alexander raid tiers with an eight-man Blue Mage group. The content must be done with no Echo buff, too.

I completed this one beforeEndwalker’sBlue Mage update, so perhaps it’s easier now. Regardless, the Morbol is pretty dang neat, and it comes with a Bad Breath animation. It’s only kind of annoying when you spam it, but you’ve earned it.

The Euphonious Kamuy Fife

The Best FFXIV Mount, Cerberus

The Cerberus Horn won’t fit you and several friends, but it will earn some serious bragging rights and certainly deserves the bestFFXIVmount title. Cerberus is a reward for clearing Delubrum Reginae (Savage), and that’s a whole ordeal in itself. You may remember the three-headed beast from World of Darkness, but now he’s practically pocket-sized — or, the Lalafell version is, at least.

Delubrum Reginae is part of theShadowbringersRelic Weapon questline, and if you’re keen on getting the puppy, hunt down one of the community Discord servers. They’re the best way to coordinate for a clear, and while it may take you a while, this boy certainly seems worth it. Just look at’em.

The FFXIV survey asks your favorite mount