New Player Guide for Final Fantasy XIV
A beginners guide for Final Fantasy XIV. Starting out in a giant world like FFXIV can be daunting to a new player. There’s so many things to do and so many places to see, it can get overwhelming quickly. So here I’ll go over the basics and what you should pay attention to when first starting out. I highly recommend you read the tutorials that pop up, they’re incredibly helpful and will answer a lot of your questions. If you ever want to get another look at these helpful in-game tips, you can view them by going to the System Sub Menu and clicking on Active Help.
If you still need to make an account, be sure to check out the previous guide:
https://trialsoffantasy.com/account-and-character/
Since you’re a brand new player, be warned that you’ll probably get messaged by people trying to recruit you to their Free Companies (Guilds). Free Trial players won’t be able to respond to any private messages, or join any FCs for that matter. You can respond in /say chat if they’re nearby, if you want, or just ignore them. They’ll understand. Another thing is getting invited to the Novice Network. The NN is a large group that helps newer players, although some players just use it for a chat room. Join, or not, the choice is yours.
Quest Icons
In FFXIV, there’s three main icons you’ll see above NPC heads.
Main Scenario Quest – MSQ markers look like a little flaming meteor. (This is based on ARR’s Opening Cinematic.) This should be your primary objective in FFXIV, as almost everything is locked behind Story content. MSQ information can also be found in the top left corner of your screen.
Content Unlock Quests – These markers are Blue and have a Plus(+) symbol on them. These unlock new features such as new classes or dungeons; or new actions, such as the ability to dye your armor or to unlock desynthesis. It’s usually a good idea to take these quests.
Side Quests – These are basic Gold markers. Side quests are generally unimportant and can be skipped for later. Take them if you want though.
Getting Around
Aetherytes – These are the giant crystals found in towns. Once activated, you can return or teleport back to this place at any time. They’re kind of hard to miss. At first you’ll only get a Return Spell, but after you find a second Atheryte in another town, you’ll unlock the Teleport Spell. The Return Spell can only be attuned to one Atheryte at a time and has no cost, while the Teleport Spell can take you anywhere at the cost of Gil.
Aethernet Shards – These are the smaller crystals scattered around the main cities. These smaller Aethernet Shards allow you to teleport around to different places within the city that they were found. These don’t come with a spell, instead you simply interact with them. You can use the larger Aetheryte to teleport to the smaller ones, and vice versa; or simply between Shards. These Aethernet Shards can be seen from your map too, you can open your map using the M Key on keyboard, or the X or Square button on controllers.
What should I be doing?
If you’re ever asking yourself what to do next, the answer is MSQ. It’s always MSQ. Aside from the main story, the second most important thing to do in FFXIV is to do your Class and Job quests! These class specific quests unlock new skills and eventually Job Stones. Jobs are like upgraded versions of your base classes, you unlock these at Level 30. Try not to neglect these, you get a new Class Quest every 5 levels!
Changing Classes
After you finish your Level 10 class quest, you’ll unlock the ability to change or unlock new classes! All classes have their own levels and gear, so you’ll be starting back at Level 1. (Classes from later expansions start a bit higher leveled and need to be unlocked first.) FFXIV players can play all the classes that are available and can switch between them whenever they want without limitations. One character can do it all!
Leveling Up (Lv.1 – Lv.15)
If you’re doing your MSQ and Class Quests you should be leveling up fairly quickly, especially if you have the Road to 80 buff. (The Road to 80 buff is given to players who start on a Preferred World. This doubles your EXP.)
However, if you’re in need of some extra exp for some level requirements, maybe consider doing FATES or the Hunting Log. Both of these are good ways to level up in early game for any other classes you pick up.
FATEs randomly appear while out in the field and are small timed activities like small boss fights or escorts missions. They are marked with a spikey purple icon. Hunting Logs can be found in your menu and require you to hunt down a number of specific enemies.
Pro Tip: Eating food gives you a 3% EXP buff!
Hall of the Novice
Upon reaching level 15 with at least one combat class, players can speak with The Smith NPCs located at the Adventurers’ Guild in each city and register for Hall of the Novice training.
You can undertake these as DPS, Healer and Tank roles. These are basically tutorials for your selected role. These play out very slowly but I still highly recommend that you do these, and with any new roles that you take, if not for the experience, but for the rewards.
First of all you get a really good set of Level 15 gear to use, it should last you a few levels at least. Secondly, you get a item called the Brand-new Ring. This ring gives you some pretty decent stats and increases your EXP gain by 30% when worn, up to Level 30. Definitely worth doing!
Level 15 MSQ Unlocks
Airship Travel – When you start doing your Level 15 MSQ, you unlock the ability to travel by Airships. This is your MSQ Level, not your character level. Airship will let you travel to and visit the other starting city-states.
While you could always walk to the other cities before this, it’s not possible to leave or walk to the La Noscea region. That’s because it’s an island and not even the boats will take you before you unlock airships.
Dungeons – Not long after unlocking Travel, you’ll start unlocking your first dungeons, how exciting! Queue up for these using the Duty Finder, either from the menu or from the dungeon entrance. If you’re playing a DPS expect to wait around 15-20 minutes before finding a group.
MSQ – By this point, all of the Main Story Quests will start to converge and be the same for everyone.
Level 20 MSQ Unlocks
Grand Company – When you reach Level 20 in the MSQ you’ll be required to join a Grand Company. This is an NPC organization, not to be confused with Free Companies. You’ll have three different options: The Immortal Flames, The Maelstrom, or The Order of the Twin Adder.
Differences are minimal and are mostly just location and aesthetic based. Any weapons, gear or other items will match the GCs style and colours. Join the one you like best, you can always change GC later on.
Mounts – After picking a GC you’ll then see a new quest will appear called “My Little Chocobo”. Taking this quest and completing it will reward you with your very first mount! Traveling the world will no longer be a struggle!
If you’re lacking Company Seals to buy the mount, try progressing the story a little farther for some. Otherwise, you can get these from FATEs. It’s also possible to change your Chocobo’s name later on, so no worries.
Leveling up (Lv.16+)
MSQ will typically carry you through the game in terms of levels, along with any side content you’re doing. When that runs dry, however, you’ll need to know how to level normally.
The best way to level up is by running the highest level dungeons available to you, this applies to lower levels and higher levels. You can also do the Leveling Roulettes which give a daily bonus chunk of EXP.
If you’re struggling with DPS queue times, consider trying out the Duty Support function. This lets you instantly play with NPCs instead of players. It’s also a great choice if you want to run duties at your own pace.
Another option for leveling is Palace of the Dead, roles and gear do not matter there. You can unlock PotD at Level 17 from a quest in Gridania.
Level 30 Unlocks
Chocobo Companion – Upon reaching Level 30 in a class, a new quest will appear in South Shroud called “My Feisty Little Chocobo”. By completing this quest you’ll be able to use your Chocobo Mount in battle! Chocobo’s have levels and skill trees themselves. (It’s recommended to go Healer or DPS.) Your companion can only be used in the overworld and cannot be brought into instances.
Chocobo Saddlebags – On top of being able to use your companion in battle, your chocobo will now be able to carry extra items for you! You can access your Saddlebag from the Menu. This extra storage comes with 70 item slots and your companion doesn’t need to be with you to access it.
Soul Crystals – When you reach Level 30 in a class and finish your class quests, you’ll receive a Soul Crystal. When these are equipped your base class evolves and becomes a more advanced Job. Players usually just call these Job Stones. An example would be a Rogue turning into a Ninja.
Closing Thoughts
So now we come to the end of this section. There’s a lot of topics I did not cover here obviously, and I didn’t exactly go deep into any subjects either. I wanted this guide to be short and cover the main topics when starting the game as a new player. Discovering things for yourself is part of the fun!
As always, you can ask any questions in the Trials of Fantasy Discord. ♥