[aceman67]

With Final Fantasy XIV patch 5.3 coming sometime in Mid-Late July 2020 because of the plague, and all the new changes they are bringing to the Base Game (A Realm Reborn or ARR) content (They're trimming about 13% of the 'fluff' off of the Main Scenario Quest or MSQ, Adjusting the XP rewards from the MSQ, adding Flying to ARR areas, and making the Crystal Tower Raid series mandatory for the MSQ), I would suggest that new players wait till 5.3 drops before biting the bullet and getting the game.

If you don't want to spend money on the game, there is an unlimited time free trial of the game that allows you to play all the Classes/Jobs until lv35. That's A LOT of content to get for free.

Yes, this game is a Subscription-based Model, like World of Warcraft. But that does come with benefits, like not having micro-transaction cash-shops shoved down your throat like in other MMOs like STO or SWTOR. There is a Cash Shop in FFXIV called the Mog-Station, but 99.99% of what's there is cosmetic only with only 2 options that MAYBE might be considered 'pay to win' (A ground mount that moves faster at lower levels, and a Cosmetic Gear set that gives a mild XP boost).

If you do buy the game, I strongly suggest going all in and getting the Complete Edition, which has A Realm Reborn, Heavensward, Stormblood, and Shadowbringers, as it comes with 30-Days of Game time and you get the full experience. Keep in mind that if you buy the game and add it to your account, you have to start paying monthly and your free trial ends.

As free trials go, there are restrictions, but they are not as bad as the restrictions placed on players in F2P games (Looking at you, SWTOR), and are pretty reasonable. They are as follows:

• Free Trial Players are not required to purchase licensed software to use the Free Trial.
• One (1) Free Trial account may be registered using a Square Enix account so long as that Square Enix account has not been previously registered with any version of the game.
• Free Trial Players cannot make in-game micro transactions during the Free Trial.
• Free Trial Players can create only eight ( 8 ) playable characters, restricted to one (1) playable character per world.
• Free Trial account characters have their level capped at level thirty five (35).
• Free Trial account characters can obtain only a capped amount of in game currency (GIL).
• Free Trial Players cannot use the "shout", "yell" or "tell" in-game chat options during the Free Trial.
• Free Trial Players cannot access the in-game market board during the Free Trial.
• Free Trial Players cannot trade items with other players during the Free Trial.
• Free Trial Players cannot use the Mogletter service during the Free Trial.
• Free Trial Players cannot hire a retainer character during the Free Trial.
• Free Trial Players can join a Linkshell if invited, but cannot create a new Linkshell during the Free Trial.
• Free Trial Players cannot create or join a Free Company during the Free Trial.
• Free Trial Players can join a party if invited or by using the Duty Finder, but cannot assemble a party during the Free Trial.
• Free Trial Players cannot login to the Lodestone and or any other game forum during the Free Trial.
• Free Trial Players cannot progress past Floor 10 in the Deep Dungeon during the Free Trial.

One thing to keep in mind when purchasing the game is that further purchases are restricted to that platform. For example, if you buy just the Base Game (ARR) on Steam, you have to buy all other expansions (Heavensward, Stormblood and Shadowbringers) on Steam. Same for if you buy it on the SquareENIX store, for Mac, or for PS4.

Regardless of what platform you purchase, you play with everyone, FFXIV is a cross-platform game and is optimised for Keyboard and Mouse and Controller on all platforms (Even PS4).

You can play All Classes and Jobs on one character. No need for Alt-Toons. If you get tired of one class, go try another, it's as simple as unlocking it and changing your Main-Hand weapon. Do not feel like you're locked into one thing and have to stick with it. The Job System is one of the highlights of FFXIV that sets it apart from other MMOs

The Classes are as follows:

Tanks:

• Gladiator (Paladin at Lv30)
• Marauder (Warrior at Lv30)
• Dark Knight (Combat Class to Lv50, Heavensward Expansion, Starts at Lv30)
• Gunbreaker (Combat Class to lv60, Shadowbringers Expansion, Starts at Lv60)

Melee:

• Pugilist (Monk at Lv30)
• Lancer (Dragoon at Lv30)
• Rogue (Ninja at Lv30, Not a Starting Class, Can be Unlocked at Lv1 for Characters starting In Limsa Lominsa, or lv15 for those starting in Ul'Dah or Gridania)
• Samurai (Combat Class to Lv50, Stormblood Expansion, Starts at Lv50)

Physical Ranged:

• Archer (Bard at Lv30)
• Machinist (Combat Class to Lv50, Heavensward Expansion, Starts at Lv30)
• Dancer (Combat Class to Lv60, Shadowbringers Expansion, Starts at Lv60)

Magic DPS:

• Thaumaturge (Black Mage at Lv30)
• Arcanist (Summoner at Lv30, Shares XP Pool with Scholar)
• Red Mage (Combat Class to Lv50, Stormblood Expansion, Starts at Lv50)
• Blue Mage (Combat Class to Lv50, Limited Job)

Healers:

• Conjurer (White Mage at Lv30, only available Healer below lv30)
• Scholar (Aranist to Lv30, Shares XP Pool with Summoner)
• Astrologian (Combat Class to lv50, Heavensward Expansion, Starts at Lv30)

Crafters:

• Alchemist
• Blacksmith
• Armourer
• Goldsmith
• Weaver
• Leatherworker
• Culinarian
• Carpenter

Gatherers:

• Fisher
• Miner
• Botanist

With the exception of the Expansion Locked classes, you can play all of them to lv35. As I said, that's a lot of content. Every Class and Job as its own unique storyline, even the Crafters and Gatherers, and some of them are quite funny (The Fisher quest is chuckle-worthy).

Leveling

Levelling FFXIV is Straight Forward for your first run-through the Main Scenario Quest (MSQ). Sticking to these quests will get you the lions share of XP, but there are some things to keep in mind while levelling.

There are various activities available throughout the game that all have different Icons associated with them:

Generally, you want to stick to your MSQ, followed by your Job Quest every 5 levels, and any of the 'Feature +' quests you see, as they unlock additional activities. If you see this while out in the world, do it if it is available to you.

Additionally, there are open-world timed quests called Fates, and have different icons depending on what type of Objectives it has, and is shown on your map with the Icons below and likely a blue circle surrounding it:

Fates should be done whenever you have time, or whenever you are waiting for a party-finder queue for grouped content (Dungeons, Trials, etc). They are a good source of XP and Grand Company Seals.

While your levelling, you should also be completing your Class Hunting Log, which has you go out into the world and kill X number of specific mobs. You will see these out in the world with symbols above their nameplates:

You will also notice the other symbols, here is what they mean:

Each level denotes how difficult the Mob is.

Additional Leveling Information:

Levequests:

Guildleves are repeatable quests that reward XP based on difficulty and time completed. While not an efficient way to level, they are a source of XP, so best not to pass them up. Most settlements you go to have a Guildleve quest giver, so it is strongly suggested you unlock these when you see them, as they will become more important when you are levelling up other jobs in the future.

Guildhests:

These are special grouped content that focuses on different aspects of Grouped Content Gameplay (Fighting Mobs, Fighting Bosses, avoiding AOEs, etc). Completing these the first time offer a large chunk of XP for that level bracket, so it's suggested you complete these when you come across them. You can unlock more by speaking to Battlemasters in Settlements. They stop around lv40-45 ish, can't remember exactly.

Hall of The Novice:

Hall of the Novice is a tutorial of sorts for your classes Role (DPS, Tank, Healer), and is Unlocked when you get to Lv15. While the MSQ will direct you to complete this, you can start it on your own when you get to Lv15. I STRONGLY suggest you complete this the moment you get to Lv15. To do so, speak to "The Smith" located in your City State's Adventurers Guild. You'll see them standing next to the Innkeep and Mendor.

Completing The Hall of the Novice gives you a nice set of gear for your role, as well as "The Brand New Ring", which gives you boosted XP below lv30. A Must-Have item.

Grand Companies

Grand Companies are unlocked when you complete the Lv20 MSQ "A Hero in the Making", and you will go on a tour through the 3 main city-states speaking with each of the Grand Companies. You are free to pick whichever one you want, The Maelstrom (Limsa Lominsa), The Immortal Flames (Ul'Dah), or The Order of the Twin Adder (Gridania). Whichever one you pick is cosmetic as they all function the same, the only difference is what city you go to to do things related to your Grand Company.

I mentioned Grand Company Seals earlier, and here is where it is important. When you reach Lv20 and pledge yourself to a Grand Company, you receive the quest called "My Little Chocobo". This will give you your own Mount.

To Unlock this mount, you must have acquired 200 Grand Company Seals from completing various activities out in the world. Once you have 200 seals, turn the quest in and you have your own Chicken Horse!

At Lv30, you get access to a quest called "My Feisty Little Chocobo", which unlocks the ability to use your Chocobo as a fighting companion, and as you level your Chocobo up, you can specialize it in Tanking, DPS or Healing.

If you've bought the game, I strongly suggest you work on getting your Grand Company Rank up to at least Second Lieutenant. When you do this, you will unlock "The Hunt".

Here's a video explaining it:


It is by far the most efficient way to level up alt classes, gain rewards that make life easier for yourself (And save money), and grind the Tomestones needed to unlock End-Game gear. I never did this on my current character and I regret it.

Ranking up in Your Grand Company takes a lot of Grand Company Seals (31,000) and completion of Level 1 and 2 Grand Company Hunting Logs. This isn't as far fetched as it seems. If you're levelling up as a Healer or Tank roles, you can take advantage of the "Adventurer in Need" buff on Duty Reullettes, which award bonus XP and Company Seals on content below lv50 very quickly (The Adventurer in need varies on what is needed at the time. Mostly its Tank or Healer, but rarely it shows DPS).

Gaining ranks gives you several benefits:
Access to gear for levelling
XP Buff items for Crafting and Gathering jobs
Venture tokens for your Retainers

At First Lieutenant, you unlock Squadron Command Missions. These are identical to regular dungeons, except that it's you, and 3 other members of your NPC squadron and give the same rewards as completing those dungeons regularly (including gear, which all goes to you). This is a great way to level up your alt Jobs quickly, especially DPS jobs. They're also slower paced to account for your Squad AI, so they're good for learning new roles if you're new to Healing or Tanking.

Complete 5 unique Command Missions and you get promoted to the highest rank in your Grand Company for players: Captain.

--==I'm writing this at work, so more info to be added here later.==--