Suggestions on returning, please.Follow

Hellos!

I've been thinking about reactivating my account and actually trying to give FFXI another go. I'm faced with a few issues/concerns before I do - and maybe they will be addressed!


Character Background:

Jobs:

RDM Low 60's (Have all my AF though)
PUP Mid 40's (Lots of head/bodys, attachments)
BLM 40's
Others 30 and below


Content Experience
Rank: 6 or 7
Zilart: Little to None
CoP: Completed the first promys, maybe a little after?
ToAU: Little to None
WoG: Some Campaign

Add-on Scenarios: Own, but never did em

Abyssea: Started the questline before quitting.




What I'm asking is... it really viable now to return to FFXI with so much content missed? A few months ago when I activated campaign was basically dead.

Is it tough to get the groups to go do that older expansion content/or do people still run it?

When can you really start doing Abyssea content? Will I be stuck in 60's limbo?


I know these are some vague questions, and maybe I just have to drop $13 to see it. I still log into FFXIV weekly to see if anythings happening there and although its improving... it's not the same. With PUP I think I could solo up to higher levels to get into other content.


Help, advice, and suggestions?

Excellent response, and thank you!!

One more question... what level could i start getting into Abyssea content to do exp groups?

I'm assuming you're on Asura right? What's your character name?

I should mention that at anything below 70, you won't be able to hop right into Abyssea. People won't take you unless you pay them or are contributing somehow (usually by opening chests with Forbidden Keys). The catch with being a keywhore is that you have to buy your own keys, which costs cruor (the currency of abyssea essentially). And you can't get cruor unless you've been in an Abyssea party before, making it impossible for a new player to just start doing that right away.

My personal suggestion is this:
1) As soon as you hit 30, do the quest to gain access to abyssea. This way you start building up traverser stones so you will have a good buffer when you actually need to start using them.
2) Don't level in abyssea right away; continue to do book burns and regular parties where you can find them. This is slower than abyssea, yes, but still leagues faster than exp used to be. You're going to learn your job better and keep your skills closer to cap by leveling this way rather than standing around and doing nothing in abyssea.
3) When you are in the 60s, look on the wiki/ask linkshell members or friends about how abyssea works. Do your research and be prepared so you aren't totally lost when it's time to try it out. Know how lights work.
4) When you hit 70+ (some might even say 75, but most people will still invite you at 70), try to join a worms party in A-La Theine. It's a great camp to get introduced to abyssea; it's pretty easy and the exp is fast.

Following these steps will, in my opinion, give you a better understanding of your job and the game in general. The best advice I can give you is to do research on your own. Use the job forums here, use the wiki, and (if all else fails) use other players and ask them questions. Most will be happy to answer as long as you aren't annoying or ask too many.