Final Fantasy XI remains one of the most rewarding MMORPGs for players who enjoy challenging encounters with valuable rewards. Whether you’re looking for rare crafting materials, valuable weapons, or simply a reliable source of FFXI Gil, BCNMs (Burning Circle Notorious Monsters) and ENMs (Empty Notorious Monsters) offer some of the best opportunities to profit from repeatable content. In this guide, we’ll explore the most efficient BCNMs and ENMs to run in 2025 for both rare drops and fast gil, along with strategies to maximize your time and rewards.
What Are BCNMs and ENMs?
BCNMs are instanced battles accessed through Burning Circles, requiring Orbs made from Beastmen Seals, Kindred Seals, or Kindred Crests. Each BCNM features unique enemies, time limits, and potential rare loot.
ENMs, on the other hand, are Empty Notorious Monster fights found in regions like Promyvion, Lufaise Meadows, or Bearclaw Pinnacle. These can be attempted weekly and are an excellent way to earn both experience and valuable materials.
Both types are repeatable and soloable or duoable with modern gear, making them great gil farming content for veteran or returning players.
Best BCNMs for Rare Drops and Profit
1. Under Observation (BCNM 40)
Location: Horlais Peak
Entry Item: Comet Orb (requires 40 Beastmen Seals)
Enemies: Three Manticores
Recommended Jobs: NIN, RDM, or BST
Why it’s great:
Under Observation has been a long-time favorite among gil farmers because it can drop the Erase scroll, which still sells for a good price on most servers. Other valuable drops include Utsusemi: Ni, Sniper’s Rings, and various high-demand consumables.
Tips:
- Keep your level synced to 40 for the challenge.
- Sell all drops via Auction House; even minor ones like crystals and rings can add up quickly.
2. Treasures and Tribulations (BCNM 50)
Location: Waughroon Shrine
Entry Item: Cloudy Orb (50 Beastmen Seals)
Enemies: Three Treasure Chests (one is real, two are mimics)
Recommended Jobs: THF or RDM with Treasure Hunter
Why it’s great:
This fight is quick and simple, with a chance to earn Astral Rings, which are still highly valuable for mages. It’s also one of the fastest BCNMs to complete—ideal for players who want repeatable runs for consistent profit.
Tips:
- Use Treasure Hunter gear or bring a THF for higher drop chances.
- Don’t waste time fighting mimics unless necessary; focus on opening the real chest fast.
3. Royal Jelly (BCNM 40)
Location: The Palborough Mines
Entry Item: Comet Orb
Enemies: Multiple Slimes and Royal Jelly boss
Recommended Jobs: BLM or AoE DD
Why it’s great:
This BCNM drops Utsusemi: Ichi, Erase, and rare staves like Elemental Staves that remain profitable. The enemies are weak to magic, allowing for fast clears with modern gear.
Tips:
- AoE jobs like BLM or GEO can wipe the mobs in seconds.
- Farm Beastmen Seals in Dynamis or Limbus to keep your orb supply full.
4. Up In Arms (BCNM 60)
Location: Balga’s Dais
Entry Item: Sky Orb (60 Kindred Seals)
Enemies: One giant Tonberry
Recommended Jobs: MNK or DRK
Why it’s great:
The key drop here is the Jujitsu Gi, a piece of equipment that still sells to collectors and low-level players alike. This BCNM also has chances for Scrolls of Erase, Sniper’s Rings, and Mithra RSE gear.
Tips:
- Save all your Kindred Seals for this one if your goal is raw gil.
- This fight is easy to solo with modern item levels.
Best ENMs for Consistent Gil and Loot
1. Pulling the Strings (ENM 60)
Location: Boneyard Gully
Enemies: Puppets and a Puppetmaster-type boss
Reward: Cloud Evoker, Maneater, and gil reward
Why it’s great:
This ENM is one of the most profitable due to the chance of dropping Maneater, a sought-after weapon, and Cloud Evokers, which are valuable for Summoner trials. It can be done weekly, making it perfect for passive income.
Tips:
- Bring a balanced setup with a healer and DD.
- Each run can easily net 200k–400k gil in items and rewards.
2. Brothers (ENM 75)
Location: Bearclaw Pinnacle
Enemies: Two Gigas brothers
Reward: Snow Gorget materials and gil
Why it’s great:
The Brothers ENM drops crafting items used for Snow Gorgets and Snow Belts, which remain in demand for weapon skill accuracy. You also earn solid gil rewards upon victory.
Tips:
- Duo-friendly for most modern setups.
- Collect elemental gorget materials and sell them in stacks.
3. Pulling the Plug (ENM 75)
Location: Mine Shaft #2716
Enemies: Various mobs and a final boss
Reward: Suppanomimi upgrade materials
Why it’s great:
Drops Suppanomimi upgrade components and rare crafting materials used in modern reforging content. It’s a great combination of challenge and reward.
How to Maximize Gil from BCNMs and ENMs
- Farm Beastmen/Kindred Seals Efficiently: Dynamis and Odyssey are great sources.
- Use Treasure Hunter Gear: Even a small boost increases your drop rate over time.
- Sell Everything: From scrolls to crafting materials, many older drops still sell quickly.
- Rotate Weekly ENMs: Alternate between Pulling the Strings and Brothers for consistent weekly profits.
- Join LS Runs: Some LSs still organize BCNM rotations, which helps share orbs and maximize rewards.
Final Thoughts
BCNMs and ENMs are more than nostalgic content—they remain some of the most efficient gil-making methods in Final Fantasy XI. With fast completion times, guaranteed loot, and potential rare drops like Erase, Utsusemi: Ni, and Astral Rings, you can earn steady gil while enjoying fun, classic battles.
Whether you’re soloing old BCNMs for the thrill or farming weekly ENMs for stable income, these instanced fights are a perfect blend of strategy, nostalgia, and profit. So stock up on seals, craft your orbs, and step into the Burning Circles—Vana’diel’s treasures await.
