Physical Resistances
Physical Resistances were a set of Attributes originally introduced with Final Fantasy XIV 1.0 (although the concept itself was introduced in and carried over from Final Fantasy XI). Increasing a physical resistance attribute would decrease the damage taken by the corresponding attack of that physical type. The three types that could be guarded against were Slashing, Piercing, and Blunt. The attributes were represented as percentages with 100 being the standard, lower values representing decreased resistance (down to 0, indicating double damage)[1], and higher values representing increased resistance.
Theoretically, a character could have increased these attributes to guard against devastating attacks of a certain types as had been done in Final Fantasy XI; for example, slashing resistance could be increased to guard against attacks from Odin. However, no methods were available to alter these attributes.
As most enemy encounters never made use of these attributes in any meaningful way, and character progression was tied to increasing Item Level rather than sidegrades, these attributes were removed from the Character page in Patch 4.2.
Vestiges of these attributes still remain though Buffs and Status effects. These are only used as a mechanic to shield against enemy attacks or increase incoming damage from certain attacks.
| Buff | Status Effect |
|---|---|
 Slashing Resistance Up |
 Slashing Resistance Down
|
 Piercing Resistance Up |
 Piercing Resistance Down
|
 Blunt Resistance Up |
 Blunt Resistance Down
|
