new player, sort of. . .

Just a few of questions that have come up as I have been leveling. . .

When do I get to use the Market Board? I know I have to have a Retainer, but the game won't let me yet. . .I'm level 14. I want to sell stuff!!

Hunting Log. . .I believe I just finished the first section? Not sure of terminology to use? What rewards do I get for that completion? Is it just experience, or is there gil involved?

When can I ride my mounts? I bought the digital collector's edition, so I have a couple to ride when the time comes. Level 20? level 30?

I'm an Archer now. . .should I go to lvl 30 and then switch to Pugilist and get to lvl 15 so that I can get to Bard? Or does it not matter how I get to the certain levels, i.e., get to 15 on ARC then switch over to PUG til 15 then switch back to ARC til I get to 30? Also related to switching classes. . .right now I focus on Dex as an ARC. When I get to PUG don't I focus on Strength? Or does it not matter at such low levels?

Level to 15 and follow your storyline quests. At a certain point retainers are unlocked as is the joining of a GC (mount riding prerequisite).

I think hunting log is just exp.

As for what order to level classes its up to you. Only thing I would suggest is when you get something to 30 then level the other class required to 15 and unlock the job. There are some cross class skills you will want but you can worry about that later.

Each class has their own attribute point allocation so putting them in one stat on ARC won't carry over to any other class.

I'd just keep going with ARC for the time being, especially since you're itching to get your mount and retainers. Those both unlock by progressing so far in the main scenario, I believe between levels 22 and 25 give or take. So you'll probably want to get your archer at least to the point where those unlock before switching over to PGL. Your PGL will start at level 1 of course, so you won't be advancing the main story with that class (unless you level enough to surpass your Archer).

You won't get exp from main story quests on any secondary or further classes, however, all but your highest class gets a 50% exp bonus.

You should be able to use the marketboard by now at your level.
You can take on and do pugilist at any point but i would recommend to level pugilist to at least 15 to be ready for when you hit 30 on Archer.
Archer/Bard all points are allocated into dex and pugilist/Monk is Str
Later on you may want to level Pugilist/Monk up to 50 fro cross class abilities, also lancer a must have cross class from lancer is invigorate.
This ability refreshes your tp, and is a definite must have.

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Originally Posted by Kraxammer

When do I get to use the Market Board? I know I have to have a Retainer, but the game won't let me yet. . .I'm level 14. I want to sell stuff!!

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It's unlocked by the level 17 main scenario quest The Scions of the Seventh Dawn.

Incidentally, here's a wiki page with a good listing of what gets unlocked when:
Guide:Progression and Level Locked Content

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Originally Posted by Kraxammer

Hunting Log. . .I believe I just finished the first section? Not sure of terminology to use? What rewards do I get for that completion? Is it just experience, or is there gil involved?

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In the case of class hunting logs like the one you have now, it's just extra experience. You get an XP bonus for each hunting log entry you complete and then another somewhat larger XP bonus for completing the whole tier. Each class you unlock will have its own hunting log with a tier for each 10 levels.

Once you join a Grand Company, that will also have its own hunting log. That one grants GC Seals rather than XP bonuses. Also, some Grand Company promotions require having finished certain tiers of the GC hunting log.

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Originally Posted by Kraxammer

When can I ride my mounts? I bought the digital collector's edition, so I have a couple to ride when the time comes. Level 20? level 30?

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At level 20, once you join a Grand Company within the main scenario, there will be a sidequest available at your GC headquarters called My Little Chocobo. In addition to giving you a Company Chocobo, it unlocks the mount system in general, so will make your CE mounts available as well.

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Originally Posted by Kraxammer

I'm an Archer now. . .should I go to lvl 30 and then switch to Pugilist and get to lvl 15 so that I can get to Bard? Or does it not matter how I get to the certain levels, i.e., get to 15 on ARC then switch over to PUG til 15 then switch back to ARC til I get to 30?

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The order in which you meet the requirements doesn't matter. So long as you're at least level 15 (or above) on PUG, at least level 30 (or above) on ARC, have completed all your ARC class quests up through the level 30 one, and have completed up through Slyph Management in the main scenario quests, you can take the Song of Bards and Bowmen quest that unlocks Bard. It is strongly recommended, though, that you do so before going much beyond level 30 as an archer, because the job crystal gives significant stat boosts.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kraxammer

Also related to switching classes. . .right now I focus on Dex as an ARC. When I get to PUG don't I focus on Strength? Or does it not matter at such low levels?

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Each class has its own set of bonus attribute points which are only applicable when playing that class or its descendent job(s). So the points you add to Dex as ARC will apply only while you're an ARC or BRD. You can then put your PUG points into Str.

Completing the Hunting Log for each class also nets you an achievement as well, that rewards a special 'Master class' ring that has some nice bonuses for the time, although it naturally quickly gets made obsolete stat wise by end game gear. But it's still a nice accomplishment (plus they look good as vanity gear). :)

Thank you everybody for the information and help!
Great forum community here!