Best Server for me

Hello everyone.

I am new to this game and currently on the 14 day trial. I was wondering which server would be the best for me if I continue to play this game, currently trying it out to see if I want to switch from SWTOR.
Things that I like to do is group content, mostly end game raids and flash points (not sure what they are called in this game for sure). I do dabble in some PVP here and there but a PVE focus.
The times that I would be most active would be evenings and weekends for the US east coast.
Thank you in advance for all of you help.
GEM

I suggest you take a look at the server forums here and see if you could find a nice Free Company for yourself from one of them to do content with. Especially now that you're new and just starting up it's very important to find a group that helps you catch up and keeps you company through the leveling dungeons and story instances.

This site has some data on server populations (and also comparisons between experienced / inexperienced players) so that might be worth checking out too.

Welcome to Eorzea Gem! :D

From my understanding Goblin is one of the less populated servers so you might find things a bit quiet there - all US servers are actually based in Montreal Canada, so any one on the NA server groups will be fine. Balmung is probably the most populated (as its the unofficial RP server) but hence is almost impossible to create a new character on (although transferring there from another server shouldn't be an issue).

If you've never played a FF game before this site may be helpful for you for getting up to speed with the traditions and reoccurring ideas and elements of the earlier games that FFXIV has at it's heart and references constantly.

Finally this site can be very helpful if you're finding yourself stuck in the game and needing assistance.

Anyway, if you need any further help, just ask and if I'm unable to provide assistance, I'm sure someone else will be able to. :)

I would like to thank you both for the replies and when I am not at work I will look more in depth at all of the resources that you have linked.

I have played FF games before VII was my favorite and still have the disks for it and play it through from time to time.

I created my character on Goblin since it did not have the restriction at the time and I was just trying to get a feel for how the game was, It would be a much better experience I am sure when there are more people around for help and all that. I will probably try to get a character onto Gilgamesh or Balmung at their less popular times.

Once I get a bit more into the game I will start to look for a Free Company to join, but that probably would not be until after a subscription since I only have about 12 more days left on the trial.

I do have to say that so far I like how the game plays and am enjoying the quests that I have had to do.

*edited to fix a typo

Also, another question I have is what is the most common voice chat program used? I mainly use TeamSpeak for SWTOR.

TeamSpeak is used significantly.

I used to play on Goblin (2013 ARR launch - May 2015), and my entire FC transferred servers to Gilgamesh last spring.

As you are a new player, I recommend you join a free company to help guide you.
The Dark Lords are a great group at helping out new members. Penny, Pookie, Aldric, and Retik are great people.
Kupopolis is lead by friend Gem Beloved. Gem created an alt character on Gilga to continue playing with us.

Re: server transfers, a small server like Goblin has two major faults and one big advantage.
Faults:
1. It can be difficult to put together good raiding parties due the lack of players around. When we were still there, it was common to put up a PF for an end game raid and watch 5 hours go by without it filling. On Gilga by comparison, it is rare for PF to take longer than 20 minutes to fill.
2. The limited number of players also contributes to higher prices on the Market board for most items.

Advantage:
Housing is almost always available.

If you're going to try to get onto Balmung or Gilgamesh, you actually have a golden opportunity coming up. The restrictions are typically lifted for a brief time after a major patch as no one is logged in when the servers come back online. I've heard this grants an opportunity to create a new character before the restrictions are triggered again. It just so happens that the next major patch will be taking place next Monday night with the servers coming back online a 2 AM Pacific Time (5 AM Eastern Time). If you get up early and try to make a new character at 5 AM Eastern, you should have a decent chance of getting on one of the higher population servers.

My entire FC uses Teamspeak.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dement

If you're going to try to get onto Balmung or Gilgamesh, you actually have a golden opportunity coming up. The restrictions are typically lifted for a brief time after a major patch as no one is logged in when the servers come back online. I've heard this grants an opportunity to create a new character before the restrictions are triggered again. It just so happens that the next major patch will be taking place next Monday night with the servers coming back online a 2 AM Pacific Time (5 AM Eastern Time). If you get up early and try to make a new character at 5 AM Eastern, you should have a decent chance of getting on one of the higher population servers.

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The restrictions are entirely based on the amount of people logged in or trying to log in. The second maintenance finishes after a major patch is notorious for some of the longest queues actually and a couple other times causing problems with the servers due to the amount of people trying to log in. The better chances are the maintenances that usually occur during the following week.

I've seen TeamSpeak, Mumble, and Discord used for voice chat.

I'm on hyperion, I find its very friendly, there is usually stuff going on and it has a nice mix of end game raiders and people who just like to chill and craft :) my fc (Sapphire Guard) is very friendly and welcoming to new players and is very active socially, check us out on Facebook! I'm also part of a find and seek linkshell with some awesome people in. :) if you do fancy trying hyperion and my fc let me know :)

I had a friend making character on Phoenix which at the time was having constant queues. Found out best time to "sneak" in is actually in the half an hour before a scheduled maintenance. Many people don't either to bother logging in, and as much people start logging out after the server announcement of it going down in half an hour are shown. If you have planned you character beforehand that gives ample time to create it and go through the very start animations.