New player looking for a few tips.

Hi.

I am a big final fantasy fan and have sunk many thoiusands of hours into final fantasy games and finally decided to take the plunge into this game.

Now I have so far got to lvl 12 by quests scattered around the area's outside the starter city (the desert themed one) and just got introduced to the levequests.

Are these repeatable quests the only way to level apart from doing fates?

How strict are guildhests? I am a very laid back player and past experiences with group content in mmo's has not been good to me.

Should I be doing the pugilist quests? (im a mage)

Any other tips are welcome also.

Thanks in advance for any help :)

Leves and FATEs are decent experience at low levels, and if you're going to try playing mostly solo, they'll be among the primary sources of experience.
You should be shortly able to unlock the Challenge Log as you progress, which provides bonus experience (which resets weekly) for doing mostly mundane things you're already doing (clear 10 FATEs, 20 leves, etc).
Your hunting log can also be completed for some bonus, best to get that out of the way as you can.
Always make sure to log out in town (or near any Aetheryte) to accumulate your Rested Bonus for additional experience.
Prior to your first dungeon runs, you should be finding/led to the Hall of the Novice, where you can complete a series of simple "training" exercises, which will reward an accessory that boosts experience gains up to level 30.
There's always tons of sidequests scattered around which can be some help.
Joining a Free Company can provide bonus experience, if they have the buff active for members.

If you decide to level another class (there's no penalty, you're nearly encouraged to try everything on one character), you'll get bonus experience as long as you have another class of higher level (so picking up Pugilist would level faster than Thaumaturge up until you catch up to the same level). You're free to try and swap and find what you like at will; your current class is only determined by your equipped weapon, so no harm in unlocking any/every class if you want.

Guildhests are fairly simple and straightforward for the early runs. As long as you can avoid getting yourself killed, you'll do just fine. They do get a bit more complex higher up, some are a bit more of a chore than others, but they can all be cleared in 5-10 minutes, usually.

Thanks for the detailed info.

I am actually level 15 now in game.

Will I unlock access to the other cities soon also as I would like to train as an conjurer to get cure.

And when can I use the mount I got for subbing?

The best way to level is always doing your Main Story Quests (the ones that look like they have a little fire around them) and the dungeons they unlock :) At these lower levels especially, really focus on your story. As Hasrat said, make sure to do the Hall of the Novice as well. I was new to MMOs when I first started, so I kind of thought of the Hall of the Novice as like DPS lessons and found it really helpful, plus you get pretty decent gear for when you unlock your first dungeon (level 15 Main Story).

That being said, I would also suggest finding a new player-friendly Free Company. I'm not familiar with the Moogle server at all, but I'm sure you'll find one if you look around :) Generally people are pretty nice and willing to help new players learn the game and answer any questions you may have. And if it's your first time in a dungeon or anything, the other players can see that you're new, and most are willing to help if you ask for it. Good luck! :)

(Oops posted late lol)

You'll gain access to the other areas through your Main Story Quests generally around level 15. Since your a Thaumaturge, for a cure spell, I would suggest Arcanist's Physick ability (also a healing spell) instead of Cure since it will be able to be to keep it on your hot bar when you unlock Black Mage at level 30 while you'll lose Cure.

You will be able to start using mounts once you join a Grand Company, which you'll be prompted to do around level 20 I believe in your Main Story quests. When you join the Grand Company, there'll be a blue quest at the Grand Company called "My Little Chocobo" that will allow you to use mounts.

Ahhh ok cool, the mooogle servers seems very populated as I have to que on an evening to get on.

thanks for that I appreciate it.