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#1 Aug 26 2014 at 3:09 PM Rating: Good
I'm trying out the 14 day trial of FFXIV and overall am enjoying it. Up to this point have leveled THM to 16, which I used to get through the missions required to access the airship. Following that I decided to level ACN for some healing spells and have since then enjoyed the job more for soloing. I've been traveling around the the surrounding areas from the 3 main cities and have been doing some FATEs, most recently at Hawthorne Hut to level 17.

At this point, with the limitations of the trial (level 20 max, and communication (tell, shout, etc.) limitations, I'm not quite sure on what are my options on what I can do or see to best experience the game's offerings before my trial period runs out. I really don't know where to go or what to do now that the game has opened up beyond doing the early missions. Any advice or ideas is greatly appreciated.

Two other final question points: Does this game have anything similar to FFXI's NM camping? I always enjoyed soloing some NMs since that allowed to casually play on and off and didn't require me to be constantly active at some time periods.

The other question, does FFXIV have anything similar to FFXI's strongholds and quests/missions of that nature? One of my fondest memories of FFXI was attaining the airship for the first time and doing those missions with a group of people and the epic feeling of exploring those large dungeons full of monsters and high level NMs lurking around at every turn.

Thanks you in advance.

Edited, Aug 26th 2014 5:14pm by TimePrime
#2 Aug 26 2014 at 3:51 PM Rating: Excellent
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TimePrime wrote:
At this point, with the limitations of the trial (level 20 max, and communication (tell, shout, etc.) limitations, I'm not quite sure on what are my options on what I can do or see to best experience the game's offerings before my trial period runs out. I really don't know where to go or what to do now that the game has opened up beyond doing the early missions. Any advice or ideas is greatly appreciated.


Off the top of my head, you can explore the various methods of leveling. Definitely try to follow the main story quest as far as you can. You should be able to get a retainer, join a Grand Company and get your own chocobo mount, if I'm not mistaken. You should be able to take part in the first 4 dungeons of the game: Sastasha, Tam-Tara, Copperbell Mines, and Halatali. You won't be able to level in Halatali, but you can max out your level 20 gear. There are also miscellaneous quests, FATEs, Guildhests, Guildleves, and Company Leves.
Quote:

Two other final question points: Does this game have anything similar to FFXI's NM camping? I always enjoyed soloing some NMs since that allowed to casually play on and off and didn't require me to be constantly active at some time periods.


You can participate in Hunts which are similar to Hunts in FFXII. It requires level 50, however.

Quote:
The other question, does FFXIV have anything similar to FFXI's strongholds and quests/missions of that nature? One of my fondest memories of FFXI was attaining the airship for the first time and doing those missions with a group of people and the epic feeling of exploring those large dungeons full of monsters and high level NMs lurking around at every turn.


There are several Beastmen strongholds all across Eorzea, but most of them are inaccessible until you reach the 40s. All of them have "Beastmen Quests" which lead to access to special rewards for improving your reputation among other things like relic quests, access to the Crystal Tower, and such. But this is all high level and endgame content.
#3 Aug 26 2014 at 10:23 PM Rating: Decent
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The only similarities between FFXI and FFXIV are aesthetic. The races look the same, the mobs look the same, many of the spells are called the same thing, ect.

If you enjoyed the soloing aspect of fighting NMs in XI, hunts won't really compare. You would rarely find the hunt NMs alone and the content is tuned mostly for groups. It's about the same thing as a FATE where just anyone can join and get credit for killing it. At higher levels, you'll mostly find groups of players who are out killing hunt mobs and some of them use 3rd party applications to know where they will spawn.

As for beastmen strongholds, as Xoie said you won't be able to experience them without actually purchasing and subscribing to the game so you can advance far enough. You can venture in with a group of friends, but there's not much in the way of group content as it was in FFXI. XIV scrapped the idea of requiring groups to advance through most of the content outside of dungeons or raids.

The game used to be really bad, but it's made a lot of progress and is at least worth a shot now. Holding it to the standard of FFXI will almost certainly disappoint you though. You have to consider that many of the mechanics of XIV were borrowed from more modern MMOs like WoW, RIFT, ect. and almost everything is tuned for small groups until you start working on endgame progression. Even then, you only really need a small group of players to tackle most of the endgame content.

The game does get grindy around the late 20s, but it's not too bad unless you want to level more than a few classes. Unfortunately the lower level quests run out and you're kinda forced into doing guildleves, dungeons and FATEs to level up. I'd give it a shot though if you're enjoying yourself thus far. The developers have said that they intend to build content in a way that even if you decide it's not for you, it won't be hard to get caught up if you decide you want to continue later when more content is added.
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HaibaneRenmei wrote:
30 bucks is almost free

cocodojo wrote:
Its personal preference and all, but yes we need to educate WoW players that this is OUR game, these are Characters and not Toons. Time to beat that into them one at a time.
#4 Aug 27 2014 at 5:20 AM Rating: Excellent
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Xoie wrote:

Quote:

Two other final question points: Does this game have anything similar to FFXI's NM camping? I always enjoyed soloing some NMs since that allowed to casually play on and off and didn't require me to be constantly active at some time periods.


You can participate in Hunts which are similar to Hunts in FFXII. It requires level 50, however.


This is false as I have on occasion participated in hunts on my v1 char when lvn up smn (lv 17-20), as I was solo at the time and not in a party I didn't get full credit on the kill (B Rank) but I did receive a few myth, soldiery and seals for my help in the fight (1/2/1).
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#5 Aug 27 2014 at 9:32 AM Rating: Excellent
FilthMcNasty wrote:
Holding it to the standard of FFXI will almost certainly disappoint you though.

I'd say that is a matter of personal opinion. My experience is that while I enjoyed XI immensely for 9 years, playing all the way up to top endgame, I absolutely adore XIV. Everything that was annoying to me about XI is "fixed" in XIV, from my perspective. Now I did essentially quit XI right before Adoulin -- I still can't quite bring myself to cancel my XI sub, but I stopped when my endgame LS broke up and I never actually even went to Adoulin even though I installed it -- so I can't comment on the most recent XI updates.

A big key to this game is finding a good Free Company. In XI, a good Linkshell was important to the experience, but in XIV a good Free Company is absolutely essential. Without the need to level by regular partying, the FC is where the social aspect is at its peak. If you don't get a good one, you won't feel as at home in XIV as you do in XI.

If you are willing to transfer/start again on Lamia, the FC with Valk Ayree, Catwho (Katarh Mest) and myself (Verdha Tashon) has a lot of former (and current) XI players who can help you through the transition and won't be bored with constant XI references in chat. Smiley: smile We're very much the kind of good XI-style social linkshell that I think you'd like. There are a lot of other good ones out there too, of course, but don't be afraid to keep switching until you find one that feels like home. The right FC is that important in XIV.

The jobs play differently, and the style is different. What job you like in XI doesn't necessarily translate to XIV. My main in XI was DNC, with DRG and PUP close behind. In XIV I'm totally in love with WHM and MNK, both of which I levelled to about 50 in XI but dropped because they didn't hold my interest (what killed WHM for me in XI was I HATED!!! the Haste Cycle). I love fishing, hunting stuff in the wilds with my Chocobo companion, doing quests, running dungeons and trials, and just hanging out at the Free Company house.

My absolute favorite moment in all of XI and XIV is Phase 2 of the Ultima fight in Praetorium, that moment when the music shifts gives me chills every time, even just now thinking about it, and I run that mission again and again just for that moment even though I really don't need the rewards. That's how much this long-time XI player loves XIV.
#6 Aug 27 2014 at 9:42 AM Rating: Default
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Laverda wrote:
FilthMcNasty wrote:
Holding it to the standard of FFXI will almost certainly disappoint you though.

I'd say that is a matter of personal opinion. My experience is that while I enjoyed XI immensely for 9 years, playing all the way up to top endgame, I absolutely adore XIV. Everything that was annoying to me about XI is "fixed" in XIV, from my perspective. Now I did essentially quit XI right before Adoulin -- I still can't quite bring myself to cancel my XI sub, but I stopped when my endgame LS broke up and I never actually even went to Adoulin even though I installed it -- so I can't comment on the most recent XI updates.

A big key to this game is finding a good Free Company. In XI, a good Linkshell was important to the experience, but in XIV a good Free Company is absolutely essential. Without the need to level by regular partying, the FC is where the social aspect is at its peak. If you don't get a good one, you won't feel as at home in XIV as you do in XI.

If you are willing to transfer/start again on Lamia, the FC with Valk Ayree, Catwho (Katarh Mest) and myself (Verdha Tashon) has a lot of former (and current) XI players who can help you through the transition and won't be bored with constant XI references in chat. Smiley: smile We're very much the kind of good XI-style social linkshell that I think you'd like. There are a lot of other good ones out there too, of course, but don't be afraid to keep switching until you find one that feels like home. The right FC is that important in XIV.

The jobs play differently, and the style is different. What job you like in XI doesn't necessarily translate to XIV. My main in XI was DNC, with DRG and PUP close behind. In XIV I'm totally in love with WHM and MNK, both of which I levelled to about 50 in XI but dropped because they didn't hold my interest (what killed WHM for me in XI was I HATED!!! the Haste Cycle). I love fishing, hunting stuff in the wilds with my Chocobo companion, doing quests, running dungeons and trials, and just hanging out at the Free Company house.

My absolute favorite moment in all of XI and XIV is Phase 2 of the Ultima fight in Praetorium, that moment when the music shifts gives me chills every time, even just now thinking about it, and I run that mission again and again just for that moment even though I really don't need the rewards. That's how much this long-time XI player loves XIV.



Yeah everything that was annoying about FFXI may have been fixed in XIV but what SE did WRONG with XIV is the thing in XI that WERENT annoying have so far not made the cut to XIV
#7 Aug 27 2014 at 9:47 AM Rating: Excellent
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Most of your questions where answered pretty well, so I will just give this advice; if you really want to enjoy the game to its full extent, find a good group of friends to play with. I enjoyed ff11 for over 6 years an it was due to my LS. No matter what you enjoy doing in ffxiv, it will be made 100% better when doing it with friends. And do not take the game seriously, because it is just that, a game.

Enjoy your time in eorzea.

Edited, Aug 27th 2014 11:49am by RyanSquires
#8 Aug 27 2014 at 3:59 PM Rating: Decent
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Laverda wrote:
FilthMcNasty wrote:
Holding it to the standard of FFXI will almost certainly disappoint you though.

I'd say that is a matter of personal opinion. My experience is that while I enjoyed XI immensely for 9 years, playing all the way up to top endgame, I absolutely adore XIV. Everything that was annoying to me about XI is "fixed" in XIV, from my perspective. Now I did essentially quit XI right before Adoulin -- I still can't quite bring myself to cancel my XI sub, but I stopped when my endgame LS broke up and I never actually even went to Adoulin even though I installed it -- so I can't comment on the most recent XI updates.

Right, I'm not saying that you can't enjoy both. Just saying that you don't find much of what you enjoyed about XI in XIV. Yoshi and crew haven't looked back to XI at all to see what it did right and carry it over to XIV. XI on the other hand is adding quite a few things that are putting it's quality of life more on par with XIV. While the monthly updates don't have as much content as XIV adds every 4 months or so, it does make you feel good about the direction of the game when you see constant improvements.
____________________________
Rinsui wrote:
Only hips + boobs all day and hips + boobs all over my icecream

HaibaneRenmei wrote:
30 bucks is almost free

cocodojo wrote:
Its personal preference and all, but yes we need to educate WoW players that this is OUR game, these are Characters and not Toons. Time to beat that into them one at a time.
#9 Aug 27 2014 at 4:37 PM Rating: Good
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6,899 posts
XIV is still so young. There is plenty of time to grown or change. IIRC, Yoshi has already mentioned that they will be adding a "sky-like" zone to XIV at some point. Hunts are certainly a step towards FFXI and away from MOST other modern MMOs, so let's just keep that in mind. And with how popular hunts are, I can easily imagine them adding more content that isn't just raids or primals. I'll be very curious to see where the game is when the first expansion hits. That puts it roughly on the same timeline as XI when RoTZ came out (although that expansion came out a bit faster than this one will). I'll be curious to compare the content for the two at that point.

Personally, I want to see more ideas taken from XI for sure. Not all stuff, and not even necessarily the same concept as XI, maybe just some of the ideas... like Limbus, Sea, Sky, etc. Play off those but make them modern and fun for casuals and hardcores alike. I know, easier said than done, but a man can dream can't he?
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#10 Aug 27 2014 at 5:18 PM Rating: Decent
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BartelX wrote:
XIV is still so young. There is plenty of time to grown or change. IIRC, Yoshi has already mentioned that they will be adding a "sky-like" zone to XIV at some point. Hunts are certainly a step towards FFXI and away from MOST other modern MMOs, so let's just keep that in mind. And with how popular hunts are, I can easily imagine them adding more content that isn't just raids or primals. I'll be very curious to see where the game is when the first expansion hits. That puts it roughly on the same timeline as XI when RoTZ came out (although that expansion came out a bit faster than this one will). I'll be curious to compare the content for the two at that point.

Personally, I want to see more ideas taken from XI for sure. Not all stuff, and not even necessarily the same concept as XI, maybe just some of the ideas... like Limbus, Sea, Sky, etc. Play off those but make them modern and fun for casuals and hardcores alike. I know, easier said than done, but a man can dream can't he?



a "sky like" zone in FFXIV meaning.a endgame area that takes place in the OPEN WORLD where you need a 4-8 man well geared from to farm for pop items to spawn a raid strength boss which would require a good party of 8 to tae down that drops good gear plus a pop item which when all the bosses are taken down and their pop items are used together spawn an even harder mega boss of the zone thats super hard and drops even better loot.. which ALL takes place in the OPEN WORLdD (but have lock outs so that people outside your group cant jump in and attack if they arent in the battle arena when you popped but can at least still watch from a safe distance)? this would finally become my favorite MMO if something like that ever happened but I doubt it... show me this link of yoshi mentioning a "sky like" area?
#11 Aug 27 2014 at 7:54 PM Rating: Good
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No, I'm not gonna waste my time digging around for it. I'm not even positive it's what he said or just what became a rumor, hence why I prefaced it with IIRC, if I remember correctly. I saw it posted on the official forums several times though in passing. And no, I highly doubt it would be exactly like sky, hence sky-like.
____________________________
Bartel Hayward--- Ultros Server
The Kraken Club <ZAM>
50 WAR • 50 MNK • 50 MIN • 50 GSM • 50 ARM • 50 LTW • 50 CUL • 50 WVR
thekrakenclub.shivtr.com
#12 Aug 27 2014 at 9:18 PM Rating: Default
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BartelX wrote:
No, I'm not gonna waste my time digging around for it. I'm not even positive it's what he said or just what became a rumor, hence why I prefaced it with IIRC, if I remember correctly. I saw it posted on the official forums several times though in passing. And no, I highly doubt it would be exactly like sky, hence sky-like.




sky-like to mean means just that... like sky but with a different name lol, kind alike how Hunts are like NM hunting just not called NM hunting.
#13 Aug 27 2014 at 9:25 PM Rating: Decent
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BartelX wrote:
Hunts are certainly a step towards FFXI and away from MOST other modern MMOs, so let's just keep that in mind.

Hunts are basically FATEs which is just a rift with a fancy acronym. Saying that this is a step away from other MMOs doesn't make any sense when the main mechanic is borrowed directly from other games.

I do agree with seeing more events similar to XI though. Hell, even just one event would be nice fan service.
____________________________
Rinsui wrote:
Only hips + boobs all day and hips + boobs all over my icecream

HaibaneRenmei wrote:
30 bucks is almost free

cocodojo wrote:
Its personal preference and all, but yes we need to educate WoW players that this is OUR game, these are Characters and not Toons. Time to beat that into them one at a time.
#14 Aug 28 2014 at 6:44 AM Rating: Excellent
We got a hint about the sky-like zone in the Ixali beast tribe opening quest.

Pretty sure it's the floating island that you start out on FFIII. The Ixali say they are building an airship because that is their homeland, and they want to return there. The Natalan Ixali fell prey to Garuda because she promised to return them there, but the Ehcotl (however it's spelled) realize that she is lying and never intends to follow through on that promise.

{sky} was an open-world zone for level 75s that just HAPPENED to have a lot of storyline and endgame stuff in it. It used to be a prime spot for exp, too. Lots of cool things there - the rainbow of elementals is still my favorite farming spot on BLM.
#15 Aug 28 2014 at 7:34 AM Rating: Decent
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6,899 posts
DuoMaxwellxx wrote:
BartelX wrote:
No, I'm not gonna waste my time digging around for it. I'm not even positive it's what he said or just what became a rumor, hence why I prefaced it with IIRC, if I remember correctly. I saw it posted on the official forums several times though in passing. And no, I highly doubt it would be exactly like sky, hence sky-like.




sky-like to mean means just that... like sky but with a different name lol, kind alike how Hunts are like NM hunting just not called NM hunting.


Like means similar to, not an exact copy. What you described was wanting an exact copy, which I highly doubt it will be.

FilthMcNasty wrote:
BartelX wrote:
Hunts are certainly a step towards FFXI and away from MOST other modern MMOs, so let's just keep that in mind.

Hunts are basically FATEs which is just a rift with a fancy acronym. Saying that this is a step away from other MMOs doesn't make any sense when the main mechanic is borrowed directly from other games.

I do agree with seeing more events similar to XI though. Hell, even just one event would be nice fan service.


Meh, I've never actually done hunts so I'm just going from what I read, but everything I read about it sounds exactly like NM hunting from FFXI, only on a larger, more popular scale. It's not the contents' fault that it is way overcrowded, it's the crazy high rewards for minimal effort in an attempt to get people "caught up" for the next tier of gear. Had they made the rewards more similar to FFXI, you'd see it a lot less players doing it. The basic concept of NM-hunting is pretty much identical to XI though, which is what I was really getting at. Open world mobs that you have to hunt down and kill for reward.

Edited, Aug 28th 2014 9:37am by BartelX
____________________________
Bartel Hayward--- Ultros Server
The Kraken Club <ZAM>
50 WAR • 50 MNK • 50 MIN • 50 GSM • 50 ARM • 50 LTW • 50 CUL • 50 WVR
thekrakenclub.shivtr.com
#16 Aug 29 2014 at 8:51 PM Rating: Excellent
Thank you all for your thoughts. Very much appreciate reading the different perspectives from everyone.
#17 Aug 30 2014 at 2:15 AM Rating: Excellent
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195 posts
TimePrime wrote:
At this point, with the limitations of the trial (level 20 max, and communication (tell, shout, etc.) limitations, I'm not quite sure on what are my options on what I can do or see to best experience the game's offerings before my trial period runs out. I really don't know where to go or what to do now that the game has opened up beyond doing the early missions. Any advice or ideas is greatly appreciated.


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