Guide for Returning Players

This is aimed at those returning to game after five months away or more. I stopped kicking inactives from my FC some months ago since folks keep coming back! :o I wrote this for my FC members and I hope it helps someone here too.

Of course, if you have anything (constructive) to add, feel free to leave comments! :D


Welcome back!

Life happens, we understand. :D Perhaps you are wondering what all has changed since you've been out of game. Asking in FC chat won't work too well since a LOT changes with every patch; big things, small things, and what's important to each person varies greatly. So I found this handy dandy official link to all the previous patch notes here:

http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodest...patchnote_log/

Feeling overwhelmed? Completely understandable. We'll help answer questions as we can and will help you get (or keep) going.

1. Start with the main story quest. Don't feel you have to rush either. :) Enjoy the cut scenes!
2. Unlock new dungeons. Ask FC members to go with you so you can learn the dungeons and watch CS if you want to.
3. For side stuff, check out what seems interesting to you. Don't worry about doing it 'in order'
4. CHECK YOUR SKILLS. This may seem odd, but go in and review your abilities. A refresher will help and some minor patches tweaked a few skills like Circle of Scorn and Apocatastasis (or removed them completely like Thunder as a cross class skill).
5. Upgrade your gear. This game is all about vertical progression. This means your awesome gear from patch 2.2 is woefully underlevel compared to folks continuously playing. See my post, Fresh 50 Guide to Gearing, for advice: http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodest.../forum/122200/