Final Fantasy XIV: Guide for Newcomers & Beginners

Welcome to Eorzea, adventurer! Embarking on your journey in Final Fantasy XIV is an exciting experience, filled with a rich story, engaging combat, and a vibrant community. To help you navigate the vast world of Hydaelyn and make your initial steps as smooth as possible, this guide provides essential tips, common pitfalls to avoid, and helpful resources.

Mistakes You May Make in FFXIV

New players often stumble upon common pitfalls that can hinder their progression or enjoyment. Being aware of these can save you time and frustration, ensuring a more pleasant start to your adventure.

• Skipping the Main Scenario Quest (MSQ)

  The Main Scenario Quest (MSQ) is the backbone of FFXIV. Many new players, eager to jump into endgame content, might be tempted to rush or skip the story. This is a significant mistake as virtually all content, including dungeons, trials, raids, and even new zones, are locked behind MSQ progression. Moreover, the narrative is a critically acclaimed aspect of the game, offering a deep and compelling reason to explore Eorzea. Follow the MSQ diligently; it’s your primary source of experience and unlocks.

• Ignoring Class and Job Quests

  Each combat class in FFXIV has a series of dedicated quests that unlock new abilities, traits, and eventually, your advanced job. These quests typically appear every five levels and are crucial for strengthening your character. Neglecting them means you’ll miss out on powerful skills and the vital “Job Stone” at level 30, which significantly upgrades your class. Always make sure to visit your class guild to pick up and complete these important quests as they become available.

• Hoarding Early Game Gil

  While having a healthy sum of Gil (FFXIV’s currency) is useful, new players often unnecessarily hoard it during the early levels. Early-game Gil is generally easy to come by, and essential purchases are minimal. Don’t be afraid to spend on teleportation fees, cheap food for experience buffs, or minor gear upgrades if you find yourself struggling. Save serious Gil-making and investment strategies for later when you have a better grasp of the game’s economy.

• Neglecting Hotbar and Keybind Setup

  Combat in FFXIV requires quick access to many abilities. Many new players stick with default hotbar layouts or click abilities with their mouse, which can be inefficient. Taking the time early on to customize your hotbars, arrange abilities logically, and set up comfortable keybinds will dramatically improve your combat performance and overall gameplay experience. Experiment to find a setup that feels natural and allows for fluid execution of your rotations.

FFXIV Beginners tips 2021

Starting fresh in a massive online world can be overwhelming. These essential tips will help you maximize your early progress and ensure a smoother, more enjoyable introduction to the world of FFXIV.

• Make Use of Your Hunting Log

  The Hunting Log is an excellent, often-overlooked source of experience points, especially in the early game. Accessible by pressing ‘H’, it presents a list of specific monsters you need to defeat in various zones. Completing each entry provides a small XP boost, but finishing an entire tier (ten entries) grants a significant bonus. These targets often coincide with areas you visit for quests, so keep an eye out for enemies marked with a crescent moon symbol above their name.

• Always Have a Food Buff Active

  A simple yet effective way to gain experience faster is by consuming food. Any food item, regardless of its stat bonuses, provides a 3% experience boost for 30 minutes. This buff stacks with almost all other experience bonuses. Early-game food is incredibly cheap and can be bought from vendors or the Market Board. Make it a habit to always have a food buff active, especially when engaging in combat, crafting, or gathering.

• Utilize Sanctuary Rested XP

  When you log out your character within a “sanctuary” (major Aetheryte plazas, inn rooms, or residential areas), you’ll accumulate “Rested XP.” This bonus is indicated by a crescent moon icon next to your experience bar. When active, it grants a 50% increase to experience gained from defeating enemies and crafting/gathering. The longer you remain logged out in a sanctuary, the more Rested XP you accrue, providing a substantial boost upon your return.

• Join a Free Company (FC)

  A Free Company is FFXIV’s version of a guild. Joining one offers numerous benefits beyond just social interaction. Many FCs activate “FC actions” which are temporary buffs that can grant increased battle experience, reduced teleportation fees, or higher MGP gains at the Gold Saucer. Look for a friendly, beginner-friendly FC, often advertised in major city states or via the game’s “Party Finder” system.

• Complete the Hall of the Novice

  At level 15, after completing your first class quest, seek out the “Smith” NPC near Adventurers’ Guilds in major cities. This NPC offers access to the Hall of the Novice training. These instanced challenges teach fundamental mechanics for each role (Tank, Healer, DPS). Completing the final trial rewards you with the invaluable “Brand-new Ring,” which grants a 30% experience bonus for combat classes up to level 30. Keep this ring for all future classes you level!

• Participate in Daily Roulettes

  Once you unlock the Duty Finder, you’ll gain access to “Daily Roulettes.” These offer a massive daily experience bonus for completing a random dungeon, trial, or FATE. Running your roulettes daily is one of the most efficient ways to level up, especially for subsequent classes after your main job. Tanks and healers often enjoy faster queue times, making them excellent choices for roulette leveling.

• Summon Your Chocobo Companion

  At level 30, you can unlock your personal Chocobo companion through the quest “My Feisty Little Chocobo” in the South Shroud (X: 20.3, Y: 21.6). This allows your mount to fight alongside you in the open world. By feeding it Gysahl Greens, you can summon your Chocobo and choose its combat stance (Healer, Attacker, Defender). Your companion gains experience and levels up through combat, becoming a valuable ally in solo content.

• Utilize Vesper Bay Aetheryte Tickets

  Early in the MSQ, you’ll frequently visit “The Waking Sands” in Vesper Bay, a location notorious for its inconvenient travel distance. Fortunately, the game provides “Vesper Bay Aetheryte Tickets” directly to your inventory as you progress the MSQ. These consumables offer an instant teleport directly to Vesper Bay, saving you countless minutes of travel. Always check your inventory for these tickets before making the journey manually.

• Advance Your Grand Company Rank

  Upon joining one of the three Grand Companies at around level 20, make it a priority to increase your rank. Grand Company ranks unlock essential features such as the Squadron system, glamour prisms, unique gear, and most importantly, “Expert Delivery.” Expert Delivery allows you to trade in unwanted gear from dungeons for Grand Company Seals, which are then used to purchase valuable items like Venture Tokens or unique mounts. Use your Grand Company Hunting Log and FATEs to gain early seals and promotions.

• Explore the Palace of the Dead (PotD)

  Palace of the Dead (PotD) is an instanced deep dungeon that offers a unique leveling experience separate from the main game. Unlocked by a blue quest called “The House That Death Built” in New Gridania (X:12.0 Y:13.1) after completing your first dungeon, PotD starts you at level 1 and has its own progression system. It’s an excellent method for rapidly leveling new classes, trying out job abilities at higher levels, and even obtaining rare mounts or minions.

• Remember to Have Fun

  Ultimately, FFXIV is a game meant for enjoyment. Don’t feel pressured to rush to the endgame or grind incessantly. The Main Scenario Quest isn’t going anywhere, and you only get to experience it for the first time once. Take breaks, explore side activities like the Gold Saucer, try Ocean Fishing, delve into crafting and gathering, or simply socialize with other players. Eorzea offers a wealth of activities; find what you love and immerse yourself at your own pace.

Unwritten Rules of FFXIV

While FFXIV has official rules, a strong community culture has also established several “unwritten rules” or social etiquettes. Adhering to these helps foster a friendly environment and ensures smooth group content experiences for everyone.

• Be Polite and Communicative

  A simple “hello” at the start of a dungeon and a “thank you” at the end go a long way. Communicate any uncertainties, especially if you’re new to a dungeon or boss fight. Most players are happy to offer advice if you ask, but silence can lead to frustration.

• Understand Your Role’s Responsibilities

  Tanks are expected to initiate combat and maintain enemy aggro. Healers are responsible for keeping the party alive. DPS focus on dealing damage. While these roles intertwine, understanding your primary function prevents confusion and helps your party succeed.

• Let the Tank Initiate Pulls

  In dungeons, the tank dictates the pace and gathers enemies. As a DPS or healer, avoid running ahead and pulling extra mobs, as this can overwhelm the tank, disrupt their plan, and potentially lead to a wipe. Follow the tank’s lead.

• Move Out of AoE Attacks (Dodge the Orange)

  This is a fundamental combat rule. When you see orange markers on the ground or a boss telegraphing an attack, move out of the indicated area immediately. Standing in avoidable attacks puts unnecessary strain on the healer and reduces the party’s overall efficiency.

Top 10 FFXIV Guiding Websites

Even with in-game tutorials, the depth of FFXIV means external resources are incredibly valuable. Here are some top websites that can provide detailed guides, databases, and community insights to further your adventure.

• The Balance (Discord Server)

  While primarily a Discord community, The Balance is renowned for its in-depth, theory-crafted guides for every combat job. It’s the go-to place for understanding optimal rotations, gear choices, and advanced strategies.

• Gamer Escape (FFXIV Wiki)

  An incredibly comprehensive wiki and database for FFXIV. Looking for quest details, item locations, lore explanations, or monster information? Gamer Escape has it all.

• Eorzea Collection

  For fashion-conscious Warriors of Light, Eorzea Collection is a treasure trove. It’s a community-driven database of “glamour” (cosmetic) outfits, allowing you to browse, upload, and find inspiration for your character’s perfect look.

• Teamcraft

  An indispensable tool for crafters and gatherers, Teamcraft helps optimize your material gathering, craft rotations, and overall progression in these Disciple of the Hand and Land classes.

• FFXIV Housing

  If you’re interested in personal or Free Company housing, this site offers creative design ideas, furniture previews, and tips for making your in-game abode truly unique.

• Universalis (Market Board Tracking)

  This tool tracks Market Board prices across all servers, helping you make informed decisions when buying or selling items, and potentially saving you a significant amount of Gil.

Eorzea is a world rich with adventure, discovery, and community. By heeding these tips and utilizing the wealth of resources available, your journey as a new FFXIV player will be both smooth and incredibly rewarding. Embrace the story, connect with other adventurers, and most importantly, enjoy every moment of your unique path in Hydaelyn!