The Pod 602 mount, a charming nod to Nier: Automata, lets players zip through Eorzea on a compact, flying machina companion recovered from ancient ruins. Introduced in patch 6.1, this airborne mount supports flight, swimming, and ground travel with a unique remix of ‘Weight of the World’ as its theme.
Why Pursue the Pod 602?
This diminutive white machina stands out for its lore ties to machine lifeforms and HAR unit support, capable of carrying one adventurer despite lacking style or comfort. Its description hints at reliability: ‘Your Pod 602 may leave you hanging but will never let you go unless it malfunctions or runs out of energy.’ Collectors prize it for the Nier crossover appeal and the challenge of accessing Prize Claim 3 at the Gold Saucer.
With speeds matching standard mounts and full terrain compatibility, Pod 602 enhances exploration in Endwalker and beyond. It’s purchasable for 300,000 MGP via the Pod 602 Identification Key, but unlocking the vendor demands prerequisite quests.
Prerequisite: Finishing the Shadowbringers Nier Raid Series
Access to the Prize Claim 3 vendor requires completing the ‘Chronicles of a New Era’ questline, specifically ending with ‘Brave New World’ at level 80. This series integrates the full Nier raid chain from Shadowbringers, blending story with high-stakes 24-man raids (minimum item levels 435, 465, 495).
Start indirectly via the Eden raids or directly through related quests, but the full path unlocks post-‘A Scandal in Komra’ or equivalent lead-ins. Premade parties via Party Finder are recommended over Duty Finder for efficiency, as level 90 players gain little XP or gear here.
Full Quest Sequence Breakdown
- The Copied Factory: 24-man raid, iLvl 435 min. Entry via Duty Finder after initial triggers.
- On the Threshold: Level 80 quest from Dig Site Chief.
- An Academic Dispute: Level 80 from Anogg.
- Tails You Lose / Heads I Win: Level 80 from Anogg or Konogg.
- Carnivals and Confrontations: Level 80 from Dig Site Chief.
- One Way to Do It: Level 80 from Anogg.
- We Can Rebuild Her: Level 80 from Dig Site Chief.
- Everything You Know is Wrong: Level 80 from Anogg.
- The Puppets’ Bunker: 24-man raid, iLvl 465 min.
- Crime and Punishment: Level 80 from Konogg.
- To Make Amends: Level 80 from Konogg.
- Konogg, Alone: Level 80 from Dig Site Chief.
- Brave New World: Level 80 from Dig Site Chief – Unlocks vendor access.
- The Tower at Paradigm’s Breach: Final 24-man raid, iLvl 495 min.
- It Takes a Village: Level 80 wrap-up from Dig Site Chief.
Progress methodically; some quests chain strictly. Fresh characters may need Shadowbringers completion first.
Farming 300,000 MGP Efficiently
MGP (Manderville Gold Saucer Points) fund the 300,000 purchase. The Gold Saucer offers multiple methods; veterans call it ‘less than a month’s work.’ Focus on high-yield activities.
Top MGP Grinding Strategies
| Method | MGP per Run | Time per Run | Weekly Cap? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wondrous Tails (Khloe Aliapoh) | 30k–1M | ~1-2 hrs | Weekly |
| 54k-90k | 15 mins | Weekly | |
| Variable (up to 30k) | 5-10 mins | Daily-ish | |
| 10k-20k | Varies | Daily | |
| 5k-20k | 2-5 mins | No cap |
Wondrous Tails: Weekly journal from Khloe in Idyllshire. Complete 8/12 duties in a 4×4 grid for stickers; align 4-in-a-row for rewards (1 line=30k, 2=100k, 3=1M MGP). Reshuffle below 8 stickers; bind at 9. Turn in bi-weekly or lose rewards.
Fashion Report Other Dailies: Mini-games like Cactpot, Chocobo Racing (train via Sidequest ‘Chasing Yesterday’), and roulettes provide steady gains. Prioritize uncapped methods for bulk farming. With ‘Brave New World’ done, visit Gold Saucer’s Prize Claim 3 (new window post-6.1). Exchange 300,000 MGP for Pod 602 Identification Key. Approach your Pod 602 (if owned? Wait, no – the key activates it directly into mount form). Equip via Collections > Mounts. Summon with standard mount hotbar; it hovers loyally, playing its Nier-fanfare track. Note: Pod 603 variant exists via similar means, but 602 is the classic. FFXIV boasts hundreds of mounts; Pod joins icons like Magitek Armor (MSQ ‘The Ultimate Weapon’), Yol (Stormblood MSQ), and Vinegaroon (Elite Marks). Crossovers like Nier highlight Square Enix’s collaboration legacy. No, the mount is fully integrated into FFXIV lore via raids. Limited; 24-man raids often need Party Finder for reliability. 1-4 weeks casually; faster with Wondrous Tails max-outs. Yes, full flight/swim/ground support. As of 6.1+, stable; check patch notes for expansions. For min-maxers: Chain Wondrous Tails with Fashion Report weekly. Farm Cactpot extremes for jackpot bursts. Use MGP exchange NPCs for optimal trades. Video guides showcase Pod summon animations and flight paths. Integrate into mount parades or glamour showcases – its compact design pairs well with Nier emotes.: Weekly contest at Gold Saucer. Match themes for escalating prizes up to 90k MGP. Guides online help newcomers score high. Purchasing and Summoning Pod 602
Tips for New and Returning Players
Pod 602 in the Broader Mount Collection
Mount Unlock Method Pod 602 300k MGP post-Nier quests Chocobo Level 20 Grand Company + ‘My Little Chocobo’ Troll 600 Faux Leaves or Khloe Certificate CPU MSQ ‘Fetters of Lament’ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need to own Nier: Automata?
Can Duty Support help with raids?
How long to farm 300k MGP?
Is Pod 602 flyable in all zones?
Any patches changed requirements?
Advanced Tactics for Speedrunners
References