New player getting overwhelmed - what do I do?

[Crevox]

This game seems to go out of its way to make things as confusing and complicated as possible. I'm not an MMO newbie; I can figure things out. I played old, difficult MMOs in the past. But sometimes it feels like they purposely TRIED to make things really secretive or overly complicated.

I'm leveling up my SMN. It's going well. The game doesn't direct me where to go to level, but it's okay, I am resourceful. I look up monster levels, I go and kill stuff, and do the book missions and records of eminence. Goes pretty fast, I'm content.

The problem is there is a bajillion different types of content to do and the game offers little to no explanation as to what any of them are, why they're there, what they're for, or anything. The game offers little to no explanation on like, anything. Majority of the time, you aren't even told it exists, but you have to do it. Here's some random examples:

-Walk into Jeuno. I get a very long cutscene for CRYSTALLINE PROPHECY. I guess this is one of the addon scenarios, but I have no idea when I would do this, if I'm high enough level, if the reward is worth it at all... like, what.
-Walk into Windurst... A SHANTOTTO ASCENSION. Again, same as above. Also, I get told about some place called Adoulin. I have no idea how to get there or what level I should be or what it's for, but okay, it's telling me it exists.
-Walk into another place in Jeuno, the sky goes purple. Some guy tells me I should follow him to see the truth. Once again, game does not tell me AT ALL what that was about, what it's for, or anything. I guess it's for Abyssea? Again, game does not tell me what level I should be to persue this, and looking it up, it appears as though I am nowhere near ready.
-I found some random stones called Evoliths. There is no description as to what these are for. I look it up, it's for something called Synergy I guess? I have no idea what this is for, it looks complicated.
-Trust magic. If I had not looked this up, I would've never known it existed. There is no hint to go to this random NPC in each town, you just have to look it up and know it exists.

Looking into the future, I see all these types of content (off the top of my head): salvage, dynamis, aht-urhgan, chains of promathia, abyssea, adoulin, goblin mazes, conquest, campaign, besieged, wings of the goddess, BCNMs, nation missions... the game offers no explanation as to when you should do these, how you would do these, why you should do these, and in what order you should do these. I'm basically just winging it at this point and doing the content as I think I need to. I decided to pick one and tried to go into Wings of the Goddess (I walked into a maw thing) and was immediately killed by tons of extremely high level monsters. I guess I wasn't supposed to go in there yet? I guess? At least the cutscene was nice.

All I know is a basic idea of what things I should be aiming for... and that's all the things I've figured out personally. Like, I know I want the rest of the avatars... so let's see. Alexander, Odin, and Diabolos take ridiculously long questchains I don't even know where to start, and if I look it up, I have no idea what level I should be, how many people I need, how much money I will need; it seems like everything in this game makes it as difficult as possible to do. I also need to fight the avatars later (75 I assume) to get Fenrir, but it looks like I need a ton more rep with every city... and some other stuff? I don't even know anymore... even something as simple as getting some more inventory space costed me all my savings of gil, which was 30k. One of the items wasn't even up on the AH, a Peridot... I had to shout for it and someone was nice enough to give it to me. I didn't even know about /sack or /satchel, the game doesn't tell you, I just randomly found out that you could open it anywhere on the wiki page. I also think I need to get artifact armor soon? I wonder if that's difficult or what level I should be.

All I can say is this game gets exhausting and painful. Nothing is simple. I don't mind taking effort to get things or unlock things; I had no issue getting the reputation and fighting all the trial-size avatars. That's a done deal, no problem. The problem is just the overload of content and no direction of where to go, at all. All that stuff I listed above is all its own, complicated system with words that only make sense there and guuuuh just thinking about it makes my brain melt... like I can trade in my copper vouchers for a ton of different stuff at the eminence NPC. I don't even know what the majority of the stuff is, it's a bunch of currencies I've never even heard of... how am I supposed to even know if I want it or it's useful? One random example is something called Cruor, which, looking it up, it seems it's for Abyssea... how would I know that? Do I want that? How should I spend my sparks? The same goes for the login campaign, I don't know what the majority (like 75%) of the stuff on there even is. The chocobo mask looks nice, though, I guess.

Am I missing something? Can someone just, give me a clear cut explanation on some of these things? What level should I be for all these contents? Should I bother with them? When should I do my rank up missions to do the "story?" What is my goal, should I just keep leveling up? What is the progression system here?

Just... need... help... please...

[Valarr]

Actually the things you said is the reason why I prefer FFXI over FFXIV. I love that the game doesn't tell you a thing. It makes the world feel more real

[Demonjustin]

I can tell you what content to do but be warned, I will be skipping everything in the game practically that you do before level 75~99 because it all gets outdated and no one does it anymore. The only content pre-99 worth doing are the things in Treasures of Aht and the Expansion Missions themselves, hardly anything else thats old, which is around half or more of what you mentioned, isn't worth doing in the long run besides the experience of doing it, and a lot of it will need other people unless you do it at level 99, but finding other people will not be easy for content like that since it gives so little benefit

If ya want I can give ya a run down, just let me know, will probably be a long post and I rather not type it all out just to have you say you don't wanna skip things and not end up using it anyways. @_@;

[Crevox]

If ya want I can give ya a run down, just let me know, will probably be a long post and I rather not type it all out just to have you say you don't wanna skip things and not end up using it anyways. @_@;

I don't mind skipping things as long as I'm not missing out on something I need. I can always go back and do things for the lulz/story. But, things like Diabolos and Fenrir... I need those things. I just don't know when I can do it (if it's 99, so be it, I just don't know).

[Zeargi]

My suggestion is go for mission stories of your starting nation, level up and work towards getting to 75 with SMN. Leveling SCH or RDM for a Sub (I prefer SCH for Reraise). People will tell you mixed things and to do the level 20 Avatar fights, but I wish I hadn't so I could still warp to the Crystals directly, because at 75 a SMN can start soloing the Avatars (with the except of Fenrir) which can be done to get your Evokers Ring from Norg. But at 75x2 or x3 SMN can kill Fenrir, and at 90 you can solo him, but if you wait for 96 you can spam BP with the New 1hr ability. Diabolos most likely can be soloed at 99, I haven't tried, but As long as you stay out of Nightmare's range and don't fall, you'll be OK. You can't get Odin or Alexander without first beating ToAU and being level 75 to use them, so don't rush for them. Also, if you haven't gotten the spirit pacts, I suggest to also hunt them down. the Earth Spirit can be bought from an NPC in Norg, but Elemental Syphon is a great ability, and now that the spirits are free to use they can be a great distraction when you need to run from things. SMN is my pride and joy. I can't help with things directly because you're on a different server, but if you need help focusing on a goal. Let me know.

Also don't worry about the Add-On scenarios til much later, you'll need a party for some of it later on.

[Edyth]

http://wiki.ffxiclopedia.org/wiki/2013_New_Player%27s_Guide_by_Korvana

*Legend of Zelda "Found Item" jingle*

Things I recommend (out of order):
1. Your nation missions (start at 1+)
2. Rise of the Zilart missions (start 75+)
3. Chains of Promathia missions (start 40~50+ if you want to solo)
4. Aht Urhgan, Kazham, Adoulin unlocks (start now)
5. Aht Urhgan missions (the first missions are cutscenes, so you can start whenever; fights will need level 75+)
6. Wings of the Goddess (unlock at 30 or so, do missions/quests at 75+)
7. Adoulin missions/quests (99)
8. Abyssea (quests start at 75+, but you can unlock some stuff now at 30+)
9. Get your adventuring felllow (start now)

Safe to skip unless for fun:
1. A Crystalline Prophecy
2. A Moogle Kupo De'tat
3. A Shantotto Ascension
4. Meeble Burrows
5. Moblin Maze Mongers

Don't worry about at all for now:
1. Salvage
2. Einherjar
3. Adoulin content that involes battles
4. Assault missions

Completely avoid:
1. Ballista
2. Brenner
3. Pankration
4. Expeditionary Force/Garrison

Start whenever for solo fun:
1. Monstrosity

[Lexin]

I will be back in the game tomorrow and can help you if you need.

[Draylo]

That is why you get a linkshell with people in it that can help direct you. That was their intention in the first place unlike other modern MMO's. You don't have to do everything all at once, this wasn't meant to be rushed.

[Afania]

This game seems to go out of its way to make things as confusing and complicated as possible. I'm not an MMO newbie; I can figure things out. I played old, difficult MMOs in the past.

Which? :p Plenty of old MMO doesn't tell you a thing back in the past too.

When I started I just kept asking questions, tons of questions. I check wiki, visit forum, and kept asking more questions. My ls mate told me about CoP and took me to promy runs when I was lv 35ish. I think I did Zilart after I beat rank missions. I ran to Whitegate to unlock BLU after lv 30, a ls mate guided me through the quest. I rely on lsmate/friend all the way for every info :cool:

Ppl who plays FFXI are kinda used to not having a big ! on every NPC and every quest tell you where to go next on the map. So we just do tons of research and ask friends.

This game isn't as linear as many other current-gen MMO titles. You're just in a world with plenty of things to do, and you can choose to do them in any order. There are no clear progression system too. Some items you can get in pre-2008 content is still useful now.

[Economizer]

http://wiki.ffxiclopedia.org/wiki/2013_New_Player%27s_Guide_by_Korvana

*Legend of Zelda "Found Item" jingle*

Things I recommend (out of order):


Things I would recommend to a new player in order would be this:

0. BGWiki and FFXIAH are your friends.
1. Records of Eminence NPC, and always doing Records of Eminence, because it will help a lot later as well as now.
2. Tutorial NPC, because why not?
3. Get Signet.

After they did a little bit I'd recomment this:
4. Mog Sack
5. Trust NPCs
6. Mog Garden for stuff to sell.

Two of the six things in this list came out in a recent update though.

[Vivivivi]

I recommend using http://wiki.ffxiclopedia.org/wiki/Category:Missions and get yourself through the main scenario (at least rank 6), and then start working your way through at the very least, Rise of the Zilart.

From there you've got a ton of options available, and access to some relevant end game content (Dynamis).

If you're a storyline purist, and want to experience things in the order they were released, go through:
Chains of Promathia (unlocks more Dynamis areas, Limbus)
Aht Urhgan (unlocks Assaults, Salvage, Einerjar and some other things)
and at least part of the way through Wings of the Goddess (Cait Sith Mission) (unlocks Campaign, Walk of Echoes, portions of Voidwatch)
Abyssea (good place to xp 75+, still has some relevant gear worth getting)
Seekers of Adoulin (unlocks Skirmish, Delve, Wildskeeper Rieves, access to most modern gear)

But my best recommendation, is to enjoy FFXI at your own pace, don't feel rushed to get to end game. Even though it's an old game, it's still a very beautifully crafted game with great characters, music, stories and solid gameplay. Try to find a nice social linkshell who doesn't mind you asking occasional questions or help. You'll learn a lot from them about what you can think about doing to get access to join them for other events.

[bungiefanNA]

This game is about to turn 12, and a lot of the content you mentioned is from years ago. There has never been much of an official information soruce to direct you. We learned about stuff from the patch notes every time they updated the game and from the wikis out there. Catching up on over a decade of content is going to be overwhelming.

Zilart missions and areas came out while the level cap was under 75, so they're built to handle players at level 50+, which was hte original level cap. The main city missiosn were built to be completed by a party at level 50. Promathia came out shortly before they raised the cap to 75, and all expansions afterward are designed for level 75+. Promathia originally had level caps starting at level 30 and going higher as you progressed, but they removed them a few years ago. The add-ons (Crystal, Moogle, Shantotto) are designed to grow with you, early missions being doable at level 20, and final missions requiring a party of 75s, or a well-equipped 99.

http://www.bg-wiki.com/bg/Returning_to_Vana%27diel
and
http://www.reddit.com/r/ffxi/
have some summaries of events from the past and what the point of doing them is. Missions are for doing the storyline, as well as a few quest chains.

Rewards from the add-ons are various augmented items from early missions, and the final one is a piece of 75 equipment with 3 augments of your choice, which were pretty good at the time they came out, and look like equipment from Final Fantasy III's jobs.

You need Sneak/Invis to survive in WotG areas until you are 99 or so, as all the zones mix monsters that are level 10-85 or so. Beastmen are almost all high-level in those zones. You should never be exploring on a low level job without having a source of sneak/invis, and knowing about truesight/truesound enemies.

FFXI is from a time that MMOs were geared to have the players provide each other with information. SE has never documented it well for the public, outside of the Ultimania guides in Japan. Stuff also contantly changes, and a guide would be hard to keep up-to-date without resorting to a wiki, run by the community, which is what we have (3 major wikis actually, BlueGartr, Wikia, and GamerEscape).

It sounds like you're at too low of a level to worry about most of the events. Your first goal should be to get to 99, since it takes so little time. Worrying about level appropriate armor, when you level past it within an hour, is a waste. AF used to be relavent, but now only is when you upgrade it to level 119 via Adoulin. Once you are 99, you can start any of the content you want, for any equipment you want, and by then you should have enough sparks to buy a full set of level 117 armor and weapons from Records of Eminence to start anything you want, including the current endgame, Delve.

The best thing to do after leveling is to pick one event and study it. Try it out a bit, see if you like it. Then try something else. Don't try to look at the big picture all at once.

Unlocking all your summons requires progress in Chains of Promathia and full completion of Aht Urhgan. The core ones are enough, and Fenrir just requires beating all the core summons a second time, then facing Fenrir.

[Alhanelem]

-I found some random stones called Evoliths. There is no description as to what these are for. I look it up, it's for something called Synergy I guess? I have no idea what this is for, it looks complicated.Evoliths are for old gear that nobody makes anymore. The best thing you can do with them is give them to NPCs at the regional outposts. They will mention they deal in evoliths, so just trade them to these NPCs.



Completely avoid:
1. Ballista
2. Brenner
3. Pankration
4. Expeditionary Force/GarrisonUhm, no, he should not completely avoid these things. Well the first three anyway. If you can find anyone to do them with they're all fun side-diversions.

Crevox, this game was created in a day and age where MMOs did not hold your hand at all, they were about exploring and solving riddles as much as they were about killing things and getting rewards. FFXI threw storylines into this mix as its main claim to fame. A lot of the things you accidentally ran into were opening cutscenes for side story lines, and it's the main reason those contents exist. It's true that it can be frustrating and cryptic at times, but it does also add positive elements to the experience that you just can't find in newer games today. Even though FFXIV is my main game pretty much now, I keep finding myself drawn back to this game for periods of time just because of the things that it does different from every game out there.

[Crevox]

Should I be doing my artifact armor quests?

[Demonjustin]

Yes, when you get to that level do them.

[sc4500]

Just unlocked BST and Dnc and can do everything need to solo. Then if realized how outdated it is . Then well it is a 11year old game. Sucks but the truth. Moment See a modern mmo like . OMG . FFXI pave the way and rest of the world grew up and learn of the errors and there success and FFXI is now trying to catch up.

[bungiefanNA]

Should I be doing my artifact armor quests?

They are marginally useful at level 50 or so, while you are at that level. You will level out of them pretty quickly. The main reasons to do them are for the backstory on the jobs, and to have them to upgrade to level 109 and 119 in Adoulin. Some monsters you need to fight were meant for a party at level 50 to be fighting them, so soloing may or may not be possible at those levels with Trust. It would be much faster to just go and get them when you are level 99. Buy armor off the AH when you need new armor, and just get to 99 to start doing the content you want.

You're mainly going to be storing the armor with a porter moogle until you are ready to upgrade it. Even Relic armor is outdated (alternate colored AF-type armor from Dynamis) as that was for level 75 or so, before the third expansion. The Empyrean armor from Abyssea (AF-type armor for about level 90) is also mostly outdated. They will likely upgrade them to level 119 in the coming months, but for now, until you are 99, that equipment doesn't matter much.

[Vivivivi]

Should I be doing my artifact armor quests?

As bungiefanNA mentioned, some of it is marginally useful from the level you can equip it through about level 75, and again at level 99 when you can reforge it.

If you're really into the storyline, I highly recommend doing the artifact quests just for that alone. Many of the AF story lines are really great.

[Zeargi]

As bungiefanNA mentioned, some of it is marginally useful from the level you can equip it through about level 75, and again at level 99 when you can reforge it.

If you're really into the storyline, I highly recommend doing the artifact quests just for that alone. Many of the AF story lines are really great.

As well as many of them link things throughout the main story too, certain things you'd otherwise miss

[Crevox]

I just did the Windurst Mission 2-1. They really expect you to make your way through a 70-80 monster area at such a low level? I had invisible and sneak, so I had no issue, but seriously? Am I missing something about this quest or was it really intended to be that difficult?

I can't say I would be too surprised, but... I'm surprised after all these years something like this wasn't toned down.

Also, I tried the level 40 summoner quest, but it has you fight a level 56 monster. I got it to about half HP and then died; I might've been able to pull it off, but only because I'm level 51. I was trying to be very conservative and wasn't sure how much damage Astral Flow would do, and wasn't entirely prepared for not being able to use my Trust NPCs at all (would've been much easier with Yagudo Drinks and stuff). I ended up dying before popping Astral Flow at all. If I went back and tried again, I could probably do it (knowing the fight and planning a bit better), but it wouldn't be worth it for that +20 MP staff, and I imagine the next fight is even harder.

It definitely seems like you shouldn't try to do the quests, at least alone, as they come to you. If I tried this quest at level 40, I would've stood no chance.

[vienne]

For a long time this game had a lvl75 cap so those lvl80~90 mobs werent in horutoto. After abyssea was released and the lvl cap raised they added those mobs as a part of the GoV regimes, although yes...little people make use of them. Luckily they are not true sight/sound so they can be avoided if needed. You'll see this phenomenon in more dungeon areas though.

[Zeargi]

I just did the Windurst Mission 2-1. They really expect you to make your way through a 70-80 monster area at such a low level? I had invisible and sneak, so I had no issue, but seriously? Am I missing something about this quest or was it really intended to be that difficult?

I can't say I would be too surprised, but... I'm surprised after all these years something like this wasn't toned down.

Also, I tried the level 40 summoner quest, but it has you fight a level 56 monster. I got it to about half HP and then died; I might've been able to pull it off, but only because I'm level 51. I was trying to be very conservative and wasn't sure how much damage Astral Flow would do, and wasn't entirely prepared for not being able to use my Trust NPCs at all (would've been much easier with Yagudo Drinks and stuff). I ended up dying before popping Astral Flow at all. If I went back and tried again, I could probably do it (knowing the fight and planning a bit better), but it wouldn't be worth it for that +20 MP staff, and I imagine the next fight is even harder.

It definitely seems like you shouldn't try to do the quests, at least alone, as they come to you. If I tried this quest at level 40, I would've stood no chance.

I posted awhile ago about the drastic changes to that dungeon. It isn't really fair low level players and there could have been better placement of them. Also even with the Enmity changes the 'Summon/Dash' Strategy works really well still.

[Crevox]

Also even with the Enmity changes the 'Summon/Dash' Strategy works really well still.

It's basically what I was doing, but with a 30 minute time limit, I had to get greedy. With my MP starting to wane, I did get a bit reckless, which resulted in my death. Another attempt would probably be easy, but, yeah, not gonna bother right now for a staff I don't need.

[bungiefanNA]

It definitely seems like you shouldn't try to do the quests, at least alone, as they come to you. If I tried this quest at level 40, I would've stood no chance.

Trust isn't usable in time limited areas at this time, so no boss fights in separate battlefields. Remember, a lot of these quests are ~10 years old, when the game was focused around needing a party to do just about anything. You need to be way over level to solo them. Focus on getting to level 99, then do quests. This is what I have been telling you all along. If you're not questing with a party, save it for when you are max level.

[Xantavia]

Should I be doing my artifact armor quests?
I've done almost all of them and don't regret it. Sure the storyline is a nice bonus, but I like having the full sets and taking interesting screenshots of me posing in it all across the world.

It's also not bad armor to use for your first time fighting Maat. Gives you something to wear at the mid-levels. (Wish they had kept that idea for RUN and GEO. Stupid level 99 artifact armor. :mad:)

[Crevox]

Trust isn't usable in time limited areas at this time, so no boss fights in separate battlefields. Remember, a lot of these quests are ~10 years old, when the game was focused around needing a party to do just about anything. You need to be way over level to solo them. Focus on getting to level 99, then do quests. This is what I have been telling you all along. If you're not questing with a party, save it for when you are max level.

I figured this was the case, yet other people in this thread told me otherwise...

[Zeargi]

My other suggestion is also this, Do you have The Carbuncle's Mitts? SMN has LOTs of optional you can get. The Evoker's Ring, Yinyang Robe, Carbuncle's Mitts, Karura Hachigane, The Austere's/Penance Set. As a Level 99 SMN, I still use the Carbuncle Mitts for the fact that they help make Carbuncle Free of his Prep cost. The Austere's set is ugly, but has a good boost to -Blood Pact and is great for SMNs until they get some AF pieces. You will need help if you're going after the Mitts, but if you have anyone that's a lvl 99, they can easily destroy the Mob you have to kill, plus there's a chance of get a Light Spirit pact, which is always a help for you. If you were on sylph, I could give you my old Austere's and help you with those mitts. But there are people on Asura that will help you, I'm sure.

[Crevox]

My other suggestion is also this, Do you have The Carbuncle's Mitts? SMN has LOTs of optional you can get. The Evoker's Ring, Yinyang Robe, Carbuncle's Mitts, Karura Hachigane, The Austere's/Penance Set. As a Level 99 SMN, I still use the Carbuncle Mitts for the fact that they help make Carbuncle Free of his Prep cost. The Austere's set is ugly, but has a good boost to -Blood Pact and is great for SMNs until they get some AF pieces. You will need help if you're going after the Mitts, but if you have anyone that's a lvl 99, they can easily destroy the Mob you have to kill, plus there's a chance of get a Light Spirit pact, which is always a help for you. If you were on sylph, I could give you my old Austere's and help you with those mitts. But there are people on Asura that will help you, I'm sure.

Someone actually helped me get the mitts... but we weren't really going for them. Someone helped my friend and I get a coffer key from that temple place for the Aht Urhgan travel quest, and while we were there, he said we should kill an NM and they dropped. I guess only he drops them, but I'm happy he was nice enough to go out of the way to not only help us, but get me the mitts.

As for the rest of the stuff, I don't have it. No one is selling any of the austere/penance, and even if they were, they seem extremely expensive. I don't have anyone to help me get the rest, but as I will be going for Fenrir, hopefully I can get the Evoker's Ring from that... if I can actually do all the quests...

[Bearstar]

You just need to focus on a few things at a time. Leveling and raising reputation is what I recomend first. Missions can as well, but depending on your nation there are quests that must be done along side the missions, like the Star Onion Brigade in Windurst and the Cornilia quests in Bastok, which require leveling reputation to access.

FFXIclopedia is a good site for beginners. I think it's more user freindly than BGwiki.

You're coming in at the end of a 11 year storyline so you will be seeing alot of zone-in cut scenes for high level activities like A crystaline prophesy and A shantotto assention, just ignore them for now.

This is a little more advanced, but because of the zone-in triggers it is actually do some parts of the storyline in the wrong order. Namely Rise of the Zilart, Chains of Promathia, Apocolipse Nigh, and A Crystaline Prophesy. Do them in that order.

Also in the wiki guides you will see (Optional) for some steps. NEVER SKIP OPTIONAL CONTENT!!! They give importaint information for understanding what's happening in the story and also importaint prizes like the Portal Charm for Windy 3-2.