Returning from a 2 year hiatus

Evening folks.
Well after two years away from ARR I've jumped back in to experience Heavensward and all that FFXIV has to offer. I've probably spent my first few hours reacquainting myself with my character and trying to remember where I left everything, but I would dearly like some help.
I'm returning to a lvl50 SMN (iLvl76)/SCH (iLvl 60). I've found my old Free Company has been disbanded (it was the old Midlife Gamer community), the company house has gone, and none of my friends play anymore (they were lured away by Destiny whilst I was distracted by Diablo 3). I'd like to join a casual Free Company and/or link shell that wouldn't be averse to helping me get reacquainted with the game and some of the changes (I last played before the Golden Saucer appeared).At some point I'd love to give Binding Coil a run but seeing as Garuda HM may have been as far as I got last time, I may need to up my iLvl a bit.
Are there any patient people out there?

Hi there,
I'm not on Phoenix, but I'll help as much as I can.
Yep you're right, the first thing to do would be to increase your iLvl.
Actually, you should try to get your iLvl 120 equipment (this is done by gathering enough poetic tomestones).
Then, this should allow you to complete all the 2.0 quests, trials and dungeons, and get access to Heavensward.
Doing the main quest might even reward you with nice equipment.

Garuda HM is part of a roulette, so finding a group for it shouldn't be hard. (queuing as a Scholar makes the queues shorter)

For Binding Coils, it's almost impossible to enter them without a Free Company. I'm still stuck at T11, even with an FC :/

Enjoy.

Welcome back. I also cant offer any server-specific help, as im not on pheonix either. But advice and info are easy enough.

So for ilvl, you are fairly far behind but the solution is an easy one. The level 50 tomestone(poetics) buys you ilvl 120 gear. The MSQ 2.x series goes through several sets of gear, ultimately ending up at ilvl 110 - and you have to complete this chain to gain access to Ishgard and the 3.+ content anyway. And if you had some cash(either from before, or an income source now) you can just BUY ilvl 115 gear from crafters. Getting a full set in the 110+ range should cover you for a few levels(potentially to about 54), and by then i imagine you'll be back into the flow of everything.

I couldnt tell you how much the game has changed since then, but in general id think looking back over your skills then running a couple dungeons should help you get back in touch with your classes. Maybe starting with one of the mid-30 ones, then working your way back up until you're comfortable again with level 50 hurting/healing. If you mention at the beginning of a run that you're returning 99% of people will understand(the rest will likely leave, and youre better off without 'em) and not fret about less then perfect play(often offering up advice to help too). Also, they added a new mentoring system a little while back, so look for people with a crown symbol next to their name in game and they should be a good resource.

As for content, most of the level 50 content can still be completed(most are fairly easy). The coils are the main exception. New friends/FC members are your best bet, as random groups just rarely seem to go there.

Finally, yes you should be able to find patient people. Good luck with everything, hopefully you wont need it.

Welcome back! :D

One thing that needs to be mentioned is that now that the level cap has been raised to 60 (requires the expansion to be installed and registered), the Armoury System has undergone a slight change. Past level 50, your base class will no longer gain new abilities or even class traits, instead, your new abilities are entirely for your Job, and these are gained from a new set of Job quests which you undertake every two (not 5) levels, up to level 60. It's the same Job trainer you had before so for SMN, go back to Apkulla Falls and speak to Y'hmitra, she should have a new level 50 Job quest waiting for you. :)

Thanks for the advice. I logged on last night and managed to find a helpful FC. Realised I'm way behind but already gring out Poetic Tomes to get my iLvl up.
I was at Thornmarch HM when I left 2 years ago. Queued it up, and Moggle Mog went down fairly quickly. So I'm starting to get comfortable with my spell rotation again.
Eorzea is still a beautiful place to visit - I'm hooked again.

For the Coils, I'd recommend actually using Party Finder to get in. It's one of the better ways to find folks that are competent at it. It's actually how I cleared it. With orchestrion rolls, people are more willing to try going into the coils... But the best bet is still either through FC, friends, or PF