Dexterity

DEX

Abbreviation: DEX

A stat that is compared with an enemy's agility to determine the likelihood that a character's blow will be a critical.
 * The higher an attacker's DEX, the greater their Critical Hit Rate against an opponent is.

Dexterity also has a direct impact on a character's accuracy stat. For every two points of DEX a character has, his/her accuracy is raised by one point. However, when using a Two-Handed Weapon, for every 4 points of DEX, your accuracy value is raised by 3. (as of the November '07 Update).

Dexterity also plays a significant role in determining the damage caused by Sneak Attack when used by a Thief.

Associated with the element of Lightning. Many thunder-based items add DEX to a Player's Stats. Example: Ramuh's Staff, Thunder Staff, Jupiter's Staff

Breakdown of Level 1 and 75 Dexterity Stats by Race and Job Sorted Highest to Lowest
Based off Thief dexterity score

Mithra: 10 ; 70

Galka: 8 ; 63

Hume: 8 ; 63

Tarutaru: 8 ; 63

Elvaan: 8 ; 60

Level 1 stats taken from official FFXI strategy Guide, spring 2004 version. Level 75 stats gathered from Allakhazam.com and do not include stat bonuses from sub jobs.

DEX Rankings Based on Job
1. Thief 2. (Tied) Monk 2. (Tied) Ninja 2. (Tied) Puppetmaster 5. (Tied) Beastmaster 5. (Tied) Black Mage 5. (Tied) Corsair 5. (Tied) Dancer 5. (Tied) Dark Knight 5. (Tied) Samurai 5. (Tied) Warrior 12. (Tied) Bard 12. (Tied) Dragoon 12. (Tied) Ranger 12. (Tied) Red Mage 12. (Tied) Scholar 17. (Tied) Blue Mage 17. (Tied) Paladin 17. (Tied) Summoner 20. White Mage