MSQ having me run back and forth across Coerthas, strawberry float me give it a rest. Started playing Dragoon over the past couple of days. Very relaxing so far compared to some of my recent WHM runs. Tanks wall to wall pulling, but not quite catching everything so come the inevitable time to heal I get stomped. Very frustrating.
Square Enix have published a new series of introductory video guides for the game. They are short vids intended to explain the basics... ideal for beginners and those looking for a refresh!
These starter guide videos are also accessible through the FFXIV website.
Shame they're gated behind completing the 6.0 MSQ content.
I'm right at the end of the 3.0 HW stuff, but I need to find a day where I can actually get a clear couple of hours to do a run through the final quest chain with the last dungeon, trial, and then all the associated cutscenes.
HW has been really good so far, but I think I was expecting a bit more given all the talk about it being an award winning expansion. Also, HW spoilers: I thought we'd have found more of the scions by the end of this. Gone through the whole expansion and we've only managed to locate Y'shtola so far. It just feels like a even after all that's happened in 3.0, the fallout of 2.55 is still just sat there waiting.
I’m looking to dive back in after a few months off. I’m only about level 31 as a monk so I’ve not done much of the game. Is there anything new I need to be aware of or needs checking out?
Carlos wrote:I’m looking to dive back in after a few months off. I’m only about level 31 as a monk so I’ve not done much of the game. Is there anything new I need to be aware of or needs checking out?
Depending on when you last played, the ARR and pre HW patch MSQ content has been streamlined, and you'll now find duty support available for most dungeons, so you can run them with NPCs if you prefer and avoid having to queue.
The Moonfire Fayre is currently on, including a jump puzzle with a linked quest and cosmetic rewards.
I've come to the conclusion that - of all the video games I've played - this is the one that I have the weirdest relationship with. I just don't get it.
Oh, and how I want to! Over the years I've subbed a at various times and re-started but, when it comes down to it, I just don't know what the heck is going on. I want to, as the stories seem good, the atmosphere is fantastic, the sound is sensational and exploration is right up my street. But the fighting just kills me. Where to move, what to press, when and why? I went to that training building for DPS (damage) training and barely got through it; and, in battles, I just don't really have a clue. I've tried watching a few YouTube vids but they never seem to cater for total noobs; they tend to assume that folk have plenty of knowledge already.
It's odd as there are so many things about the game to like. I was thinking about re-subbing for a month and giving it another go but, realistically, I don't think things would be any different from before. I'll leave it for now and then have this thought process again in a couple of months.
Part of the problem is probably that you’re restarting it over and over, engaging with the section of the game that you don’t need to do anything correctly over and over.
But DPS is straightforward. “Avoid the marked areas on the floor, attack the same enemy as the tank, pop all your abilities with long cooldowns when they’re up and do your combos” will get you through the first 40 levels or so. The only time you have to deviate is when fighting a boss and more enemies spawn, generally the gimmick will be that you have to take care of the additional enemies (adds) quickly.
The game even makes combos super easy to follow by highlighting the next ability to fire in the chain.
A common behaviour you’ll see in the early game that might be confusing is tanks pulling a whole heap of enemy groups at once in a dungeon to fight them all at once, and this is because there’s no limit to how many enemies you can hit with an AoE attack. If you bunch 25 enemies up and spam your area attacks, you’ll be putting out a much higher DPS than fighting the groups one at a time.
jiggles wrote:...But DPS is straightforward. “Avoid the marked areas on the floor, attack the same enemy as the tank, pop all your abilities with long cooldowns when they’re up and do your combos” will get you through the first 40 levels or so. The only time you have to deviate is when fighting a boss and more enemies spawn, generally the gimmick will be that you have to take care of the additional enemies (adds) quickly.
The game even makes combos super easy to follow by highlighting the next ability to fire in the chain...
Thanks, jiggles. I've never really understood or gotten into the "cycling" (fire/ice) mechanism and so I don't keep attacks (damage) going. I probably need to just practice more (and maybe better tutorials would help) but I prefer the "wandering around to different places" aspect of the gameplay rather than the fighting. I might build up the enthusiasm to sit through a few guidance videos on YouTube and then give it another go.
jawa_ wrote:Gnngh. I sacked off the monthly sub as part of my cutbacks a few days ago... and I'm missing it.
I really want to get back into it. I’m happy to clear my gaming slate and only play XIV. I still have the OST on rotation. It’s so good.
I’ve made my mind up to restart the thing though as it’s been a year since I last played and whilst I have some idea as to what I’m doing I think I just decided to leg it through the hard bits to explore the world and am miles away from where I actually need to be.
Carlos wrote:...I’ve made my mind up to restart the thing though as it’s been a year since I last played and whilst I have some idea as to what I’m doing I think I just decided to leg it through the hard bits to explore the world and am miles away from where I actually need to be.
Yeah, I would start afresh if I were to give it another go, too, Carlos. Hope that you enjoy returning to the adventure, dude.
I cannot advise more strongly against starting again. Mechanically, the combat at earlier levels is pretty straightforward, and you can get away without worrying about optimising your attack rotation too much, so won't take long to get back into the swing of things. You'll instead be resetting progress on the MSQ, and that will take hours of going through the same content you've already done, just to get caught up, when you've got access to all the story cutscenes in your inn room if you really want to recap on where you were.
Knoyleo wrote:I cannot advise more strongly against starting again. Mechanically, the combat at earlier levels is pretty straightforward, and you can get away without worrying about optimising your attack rotation too much, so won't take long to get back into the swing of things...
I forget controls and this game is is pretty complex (I never got to grips with the battling before!) so I think going through the beginning could help with that.
I'm not planning to start playing again at the moment, though. But... now this topic cropped up, I am thinking about it .
Knoyleo wrote:I cannot advise more strongly against starting again. Mechanically, the combat at earlier levels is pretty straightforward, and you can get away without worrying about optimising your attack rotation too much, so won't take long to get back into the swing of things. You'll instead be resetting progress on the MSQ, and that will take hours of going through the same content you've already done, just to get caught up, when you've got access to all the story cutscenes in your inn room if you really want to recap on where you were.
Bang on. Plus, there’s deep dungeons and level-synced duties if you really can’t remember how to fight.
I’m not really bothered by the plot as I just like role playing the lone hero travelling the world and helping people out. I’m happy to fight and listen to the music!
I actually want to start again because I want to redo my character. I enjoyed my time as a monk but really my heart is set on trying the Paladin again as it’s closer to my usual play style.
Well, the good thing about this game vs that other big MMO is that if you want to change class like that you just equip the weapon the class uses, and it’ll start you at lv1, while giving you an EXP boost due to the discrepancy between that and your highest level class, PLUS you have a bunch of faster means of gaining EXP already open to you instead of having to walk around doing the same quests you did before.
After that chat a few months back, I am now gonna have another go at playing FF XIV on my PS4. I'll be starting out as a fresh character. Previously I tried being a "DPS" ("Thaumaturge") character and I struggled to get into it. Looking online, it seems that "Tank" ("Gladiator") might be a good role for a new player to try? I think this means trying to attract aggro from enemies?
Do any of you guys think that Gladiator could be a decent role for a (total) noob to try?
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