Tips for New Adventurers
Once you arrive in Vana'diel, several early settings and systems can make your first adventure much smoother. The tips below explain what each system does, why it matters for new players, and when you should start using it. Are you a returning player? Once you get your feet wet and get used to the system, check out the Adventuring Primer (https://www.playonline.com/ff11us/contguide/) to catch up.
Separate chat and battle messages into two log windows
FINAL FANTASY XI can display many types of messages in the log, including player chat, NPC dialogue, system messages, damage, abilities, spells, and other battle information. To make important messages easier to follow, consider separating regular chat and battle messages into two log windows. Open the in-game menu, go to Config, then Log, and review the settings for Window 1 and Window 2. A beginner-friendly setup is to place chat, NPC dialogue, and important system messages in one window, then place battle messages such as damage, actions, and spell effects in the other. You can also adjust Chat Filters to hide messages you do not need, or set important chat types to Hold so they remain visible briefly if the log scrolls quickly.
Tutorial NPCs
In every starting nation, there are NPCs before each of the gates of the starting field areas. These NPCs will not only teach you how the most basic functions work, but also reward you with some very generous items to start your adventuring life in Vana'diel! Please consider speaking with one of the follow NPCs during the first steps of your adventure:
Alaune - Southern San d'Oria (G-10)
Gulldago - Bastok Markets (D-11)
Selele - Windurst Woods (K-10)
Receive Signet before heading outside town
Signet is a beneficial status effect given by conquest overseers in the three starting nations and other allied locations. While Signet is active, defeating eligible enemies can earn conquest points for your nation, and those points can be exchanged for useful items. Signet is also tied to the Conquest system, which tracks the influence of San d'Oria, Bastok, Windurst, and the beastmen across different regions. Before heading outside town, speak with a conquest overseer to receive Signet, then refresh it whenever it wears off.
Start Records of Eminence early
Records of Eminence is an objective system that lets you select goals from the Quests section of the main menu and earn rewards as you complete them. Rewards can include experience points and Sparks of Eminence, which are useful for character growth and early equipment. Objectives can cover many activities, including defeating enemies, leveling, gathering items, and trying different content, so it is a good habit to keep a few active while you play. To get started, set a Records of Eminence objective, then speak with one of the following NPCs:
Rolandienne in Southern San d'Oria (G-10)
Isakoth in Bastok Markets (E-11)
Fhelm Jobeizat in Windurst Woods (J-10)
Eternal Flame in Western Adoulin (H-11)
Unlock Trust magic at level 5
Trust is a type of magic that lets you call forth alter egos of NPCs you have formed bonds with so they can fight alongside you. These alter egos can fill different party roles, such as tank, melee fighter, ranged fighter, offensive caster, healer, or support. Trust magic is especially helpful when playing solo or learning the game, and the official Adventuring Primer recommends it for players level 5 and above. To begin the Trust tutorial quest and learn your first Trust spell, speak with one of these NPCs:
Gondebaud in Southern San d'Oria (L-6)
Clarion Star in Port Bastok (K-7)
Wetata in Windurst Woods (G-10)
Join a Unity
Joining a Unity requires you to have done 10 or more Records of Eminence objectives, but is very worth the time as you gain access to more convenient warps, unique equipment, and special Unity Trusts. Unity Trusts are unlocked after earning 5,000 accolades from Unity-based objectives found in the aforementioned Records of Eminence. Get started on joining a Unity, by talking to the appropriate Unity Service NPC in the following areas:
Urbiolaine in Southern San d'Oria (G-10)
Igsli in Bastok Markets (E-11)
Teldro-Kesdrodo in Windurst Woods (J-10)
Register Home Points and Survival Guides
Home Points and Survival Guides are travel registration points found throughout Vana'diel. Home Points are crystal-like points that can be set as your return location and used for travel after they are registered. Survival Guides are field manuals located in many towns and outdoor areas that can also be registered for fast travel. Whenever you find either one, examine it so you can return there more easily later. A Warp Ring can also send you back to your Home Point and is a useful item to pick up once you are able to do so.
Follow your nation missions and Rhapsodies of Vana'diel
Your starting nation missions introduce the world and gives you clear early goals as you make your way towards other expansions' missions (please note that Free Trial players will not have access to further expansions). As you progress, Rhapsodies of Vana'diel also serves as a helpful path through many parts of the game and unlocks useful rewards along the way.
Experiment with jobs and support jobs
FINAL FANTASY XI features 22 jobs in total. Six standard jobs are available when creating a character: warrior, monk, white mage, black mage, red mage, and thief. Additional jobs can be unlocked later by reaching level 30, completing quests, and progressing through the game. You can change jobs from your Mog House, and you will eventually gain access to support jobs, which let you combine abilities from two jobs at once. Try different roles and see what playstyle fits you best.
Check current campaigns and login rewards
The official FINAL FANTASY XI website regularly announces seasonal events, login campaigns, version updates, and support campaigns for new and returning adventurers. Before you start playing, check the latest Topics on the official website so you do not miss limited-time rewards or helpful campaign bonuses.
Use Mog Wardrobes to manage equipment
Mog Wardrobes let you store weapons and armor while still equipping them from the equipment screen or macros. Mog Wardrobe and Mog Wardrobe 2 are available by default and each hold up to 80 items. Additional Mog Wardrobes 3 through 8 are available as optional paid services. Click here (https://sqex.to/jQWrH) to learn more.
Understand what the Free Trial includes
The Free Trial is a great way to take your first steps into Vana'diel before purchasing the full version. However, it is designed as a limited introduction to FINAL FANTASY XI, so some features are restricted. Use the checklist below to understand what you can do during the Free Trial and what becomes available with the paid version.
<table class="ffxi-trial-comparison"><thead><tr><th>Feature</th><th>Free Trial</th><th>Paid Version</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Play period</td><td>Playable for 14 days.</td><td>Playable with an active subscription.</td></tr><tr><td>Character creation</td><td>Up to 3 characters per account.</td><td>Additional character slots are available through Content IDs.</td></tr><tr><td>Level cap</td><td>Characters can level up to level 50. Experience gained after reaching the cap will not increase the character’s level.</td><td>Characters can continue leveling beyond the Free Trial cap, based on current game rules.</td></tr><tr><td>Accessible areas</td><td>Limited to areas included in the original FINAL FANTASY XI release, excluding Rise of the Zilart areas.</td><td>Access expands based on the registered game version and expansion content.</td></tr><tr><td>Auction House</td><td>Cannot list items, bid on auctions, or view other players’ auction listings.</td><td>Available.</td></tr><tr><td>Gil limit</td><td>Can hold up to 100,000 gil. Gil earned beyond that limit will not be counted.</td><td>Not limited by the Free Trial gil cap.</td></tr><tr><td>Trading and bazaar</td><td>Cannot trade items with other players or use the bazaar to buy or sell items.</td><td>Available.</td></tr><tr><td>Party invitations</td><td>Can join a party when invited, but cannot invite other players to a party.</td><td>Can invite other players and join parties.</td></tr><tr><td>Mog House Delivery Box</td><td>Not available.</td><td>Available.</td></tr><tr><td>/tell, /shout, and /yell</td><td>Cannot use these chat features, but can reply to /tell messages from party members and other players.</td><td>Available.</td></tr><tr><td>World Transfer Service</td><td>Not available.</td><td>Available when service requirements are met.</td></tr><tr><td>Mentor status</td><td>Cannot become a mentor, even if normal mentor requirements are met.</td><td>Available when normal requirements are met.</td></tr><tr><td>Unity Concord</td><td>Not available.</td><td>Available.</td></tr></tbody></table>
If you decide to continue beyond the Free Trial, upgrading to the paid version will let you keep progressing with fewer account and communication restrictions. Before upgrading, review the latest official Free Trial details and product information, as restrictions and service details may change over time.