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With no real replies to the 'Latency' thread (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...Data-Center%29) and having talked with both Comcast and Level3 (they are both 'looking into it'), is a VPN a requirement to play the game?
The issue has been around for a very long time and no real information has come from SE or ISPs on a fix in the near future.
If you use an ISP that routes you via Level 3 (i.e. Comcast)... maybe. Depends if you play at a time when Level 3 is busy or not and drops packets. If you have an ISP that doesn't route you through Level 3... you probably don't need any VPN software.
Short answer no. Long answer maybe as Worldofneil explained.
In my case, if I want to play optimally, yes. If I'm just doing casual content, no. I run about 85-115 ms with WTFast and 120-185 without, due primarily to bad hubs that a VPN is the only way I have to avoid with the local internet service. In the few times that hub isn't hugely trafficked, the difference is seemingly minimal, but still enough to prevent a minimal skill-speed maximization of GCDs within a given buff window (e.g. a maxed Berzerk). When it's especially bad, the 330-420 ping makes the game feel unplayable.
I'm from the UK but play on a US server and WTFast is mostly necessary for raiding and current EX primals, though I only switch it on for those events, the rest of the time the I can play fine.