To Start Playing or Keep Waiting?

Hello everyone. I just need some opinions and some questions answered. Firstly, i was in the beta since the first alpha went live and all the way through open beta. Didn't like some of the things during the betas, as well as player feedback wasn't really even taken into account which made me cancel my CE 1 week before early access went live. Once the game finally went live, the same exact thing being brought up in beta were being brought up again and then that's when they decided to start fixing things. What was the point for us testers then? I have no idea, lol

Anyway, the game has been out for about 8 months now and i saw a deal on collectors edition i couldn't pass up. My local gamestop had it for $25 and i bought the last copy a few days ago, which i didn't even open yet. It is sitting next to me, still sealed in it's plastic wrap lol..

So i wanted to ask you guys a few questions :
1. is it worth for me to open it and start playing, or should i keep waiting for a while longer?

2. What is the most populated server at the moment and what guild/linkshell is aiming towards doing some endgame content in the future etc etc (if released already).

3. I remember in beta that your characters gear needed some repairs but the npc's only repaired it to like 50%. Is this still the case? or do they repair to 100%? Or you had to repair them yourself which took a bit of time for me to get the items.

4. I am assuming the surplus system is still around. So to make your character a lot better, you would still have to lvl a subjob like in FFXI? (I am thinking of making a tank Gladiator, what would be the best subjob?)

5. Any other means of travel other than the anima stuff? Airships, chocobos?

6. Is crafting better now? In beta it felt like crafting was a bit of a minigame within FFXIV, due to the i think 3-4 options you had to choose from. The process to make 1 item took forever.

7. What's the best/populated starter city? In beta i didn't really like Limsa Lominsa.

I apologize if these questions were asked already but i couldn't find them. Thanks in advance!

it's there, so might aswell take a look yourself.
it's still free, so you won't lose the deal XD

Very little of what you didnt like has been fixed.

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Originally Posted by DeadlySwordz

1. is it worth for me to open it and start playing, or should i keep waiting for a while longer?

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Well if you want to get started on ranking now is the time to start. Battle content changes are coming though so it wouldn't be a bad idea to wait for that if you don't care about getting started on ranking.

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Originally Posted by DeadlySwordz

2. What is the most populated server at the moment and what guild/linkshell is aiming towards doing some endgame content in the future etc etc (if released already).

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Besaid, Lindblum and Mysidia I think are the more populated servers. Might be wrong though.

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Originally Posted by DeadlySwordz

3. I remember in beta that your characters gear needed some repairs but the npc's only repaired it to like 50%. Is this still the case? or do they repair to 100%? Or you had to repair them yourself which took a bit of time for me to get the items.

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NPCs repair to 75% I believe, though it's not hard to get a person to repair your gear to 100%.

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Originally Posted by DeadlySwordz

4. I am assuming the surplus system is still around. So to make your character a lot better, you would still have to lvl a subjob like in FFXI? (I am thinking of making a tank Gladiator, what would be the best subjob?)

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Surplus is still around but they've talked about removing it.

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Originally Posted by DeadlySwordz

5. Any other means of travel other than the anima stuff? Airships, chocobos?

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Anima's still about it, no date on chocobos or airships.

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Originally Posted by DeadlySwordz

6. Is crafting better now? In beta it felt like crafting was a bit of a minigame within FFXIV, due to the i think 3-4 options you had to choose from. The process to make 1 item took forever.

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Well the actual crafting mechanic is the same but it's been streamlined. Doing leves is quicker as you have a repeat option. Adding items to the synthesis is faster and there's a recipe menu you can choose recent crafts from.

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Originally Posted by DeadlySwordz

7. What's the best/populated starter city? In beta i didn't really like Limsa Lominsa.

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Ul'dah is the most populated.

the subjective and server population questions fall outside of the purview of my knowledge. I solve practical problems!


3. I remember in beta that your characters gear needed some repairs but the npc's only repaired it to like 50%. Is this still the case? or do they repair to 100%? Or you had to repair them yourself which took a bit of time for me to get the items.

the amount of repair from a npc was raise to 80% i think (its been a while since i had to use a npc). The durability lost from use has been significantly lowered if you are not using the gear while under is "Optimal" rank. they have also added a rather handy icon displaying that you are seeking a repair in your bazaar. its not that much of an issue these days.

4. I am assuming the surplus system is still around. So to make your character a lot better, you would still have to lvl a subjob like in FFXI? (I am thinking of making a tank Gladiator, what would be the best subjob?)

Yes surplus is still around. How ever they seem to have removed the final stage where you do not gain any sp. The entire system it self is being phased out as well.

5. Any other means of travel other than the anima stuff? Airships, chocobos?

no. How ever things have been changed a bit to ease the use of anima. anima regens slighly faster then it use to. porting to citys had there cost cut in half. your also able to "favorite" three camps so you can teleport to them for a reduced cost as well

6. Is crafting better now? In beta it felt like crafting was a bit of a minigame within FFXIV, due to the i think 3-4 options you had to choose from. The process to make 1 item took forever.

While the ui slowness has been removed and they have added multiple ways speed up the imput of materials and make local leves less frustrating, and a lot of the under the hood mechanics of crafting have been altered or improved since testing started. the actual act of crafting its self has remained unchanged, it was always a minigame.

7. What's the best/populated starter city? In beta i didn't really like Limsa Lominsa.

By most accounts no mater what server your on Uldah is the city with the most hustle and bustle. Theres a saying in my shell. If you cant find it in uldah, you ain't finding it.

and before you ask. Stability issues aside the market wards have come a long way. the market wide search function has made finding what ever your after a snap and you can see exactly how much things are being sold for so do not fear getting ripped off.

Play it for like a week, you'll probably see everything worth of seeing. Then come back in 6 months.

Arcell is pretty much spot-on with all of your points. Of course, I'd recommend you come play on Lindblum, as we are fairly populated (not as much as Mysidia, Cornelia and possibly Besaid, but pretty far up there) and have an active community, but I'm biased, haha. As was also mentioned, Ul'dah is the most populated, but you shouldn't let that influence your starting nation. A walk to Ul'dah from Limsa Lominsa and Gridania is only like 30 mins. and it's a mostly safe path.

If you are going to wait, I wouldn't wait for long with Patch 1.18 coming out mid-June. In my opinion, you might as well start now and get a hang of the game so you can be prepared for the dungeon that will be released as part of the patch. While there hasn't been anything substantial added content-wise, the game does have a much better feel to it since release.

As Black_Rose mentioned, the game is still free-to-play, so since you already bought the game, you don't really have anything to lose. :p

If you didn't like it before you probably will not like it now. You should wait until you think it's up to par with what you expect so you are not disappointed again.

Come play on Wutai and join Diplomats. Things are being changed at a steady pace and the game is getting its first big content patch of sorts in Mid June, and some battle mechanic changes are happening as well. They haven't said what exactly but they said the first of many will be coming with that patch. Arcell answered your questions well.

My game name is the same as on here, here is our linkshell website, http://dip-set.enjin.com/
Wutai is just as populated as Mysidia that much I am certain of, there are many good linkshells to join including ours. We are always looking for new blood. Better to start playing now so when the R30 dungeon comes out in about a month you can start doing that content. I will personally help you out if you message me.

I been playing since closed beta, and I can say while they have fixed a lot of things, theres still much to be desired. The only reason to start the game now is if you want to get a head start on your ranking up. Otherwise I would wait at least until mid june when patch 1.18 is supposed to be implemented with a bunch of battle system changes.

They are introducing a story that ties in with the lore about the beginning of the 7th umbral era, along with a some quests. If that kind of thing interests you, it is kinda neat to see the world take shape as they are improving/fixing things and have lore to go with it. But its still very limited.

So, if you like story/ want to see the world take shape/ want to advance ahead of others start now.

If not, then wait till 1.18 gets implemented and see what ppl have to say about the game mid-june.

Good luck!

thanks for the responses guys. And to Griss, your name sounds very familiar, i am going to take a wild guess that you were in all of the beta's since alpha lol. To Nipa, so basically you are telling me to fully come back in 6months instead? So why would i even open it now then?

it looks like the game has improved a bit since release. the market wards were terrible in beta, im glad they have improved. so am assuming there will never be an AH now? I remember seeing an AH icon somewhere in Limsa in beta. So if you do indeed need to lvl a support class, what are the best support classes if i were to go Gladiator for tanking?

i might wait a bit before coming back, so i will read up or try and find out more from players that are currently playing. all in all, thank you for taking the time in responding to my questions!!

Well since it's still free you may as well at least take a peek. I started playing during beta and stopped shortly after it launched. Kinda forgot it was there for a while, and then came back last week.

To be honest, I'm pleasantly surprised.

For the most part it's still the same game, same basic framework they started with, but the many improvements are great. There's still a lot I'd like to see, chocobos and airships are a biggy, but I think this game is heading in the right direction. It's not a "great" game yet by any stretch of the imagination, but I think it has graduated to "good" game. Better than "barely playable torture" that it used to be, in my opinion.

I'm still sad it had such a rough start, but again I'm really impressed with where it is now and where it's going. I could almost be convinced to start paying a monthly sub for it, if it keeps this up.

I really don't think the forums is for this purpose, but it is the one place you'll get people to give you an opinion. But I'd say wait till 1.18 and 1.19

Wait until patch 1.18. Trust me.

Game improved a ton since beta, but still lacking in the terms of content, which should start getting fixed in the next several updates. make sure to read the devs notes and stuff they are pretty good at letting us know what is coming up.

If you are questioning it waiting until the next big updates is probably a good thing. Once the battle changes are done, dungeons, and stuff are added you will get a good idea if you like the path the game is going and what not.

Wait, unless you want ranks. I'd say wait a few weeks after 1.18 even since people will be hyping it up at the start just cause it's new and you will have a better idea on here if it was anything worthwhile after that initial hype dies down.

It is still free though so nothing really stopping you from trying it.

IF you are bored and have nothing else to do man open that thing up and just play, enjoy the game take your time you got a month before any real content comes out. If I was you I would play take my time leveling up different jobs be in no rush to 50, play with crafting if that is your thing and when content comes you will have something to do.

Thanks for the heads up Dargoth. We shall see, but most of you are getting me to want and open up the collectors edition and start my adventures!! Lol

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Originally Posted by DeadlySwordz

Thanks for the heads up Dargoth. We shall see, but most of you are getting me to want and open up the collectors edition and start my adventures!! Lol

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Well like some of us said...you've already got it, and there's no subscription at the moment, so you might as well get your feet wet! Haha.

But take Dargoth's advice and don't try and rush. You'll just end up getting burned out!

Besaid is not even in top 5 lol its only got 2 chocos now! Theres a few with 5, last time I made a char couple days ago.

Anyway OP I think you should wait, wait for another game. This game is like having a really ugly but loveable gf, and you want to end it but you think all she needs is to do a little exercise or eat right, and she says she will and never does.

I would wait until the patch that changes combat. If you quit once already because you didn't like the game, you probably won't like it now. They've made a lot of welcome changes, but all of the "major" design flaws are still there. Combat still sucks, partying is still uncommon unless you have a static, leveling is still boring SP grinding, equipment is still annoying to repair (although rate of decay is MUCH MUCH lower), travel is still awful, zones are still bland, hardware/software/engine performance still sucks. For every person that says these thing, you'll probably have 3 people say the opposite because these forums are quite obviously biased, but as someone that only plays a couple times per week tops, I would say wait unless you're very casual. They are working on most, if not all of these major flaws, but who knows when the fixes will actually launch.

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Originally Posted by Ava

I would wait until the patch that changes combat. If you quit once already because you didn't like the game, you probably won't like it now. They've made a lot of welcome changes, but all of the "major" design flaws are still there. Combat still sucks, partying is still uncommon unless you have a static, leveling is still boring SP grinding, equipment is still annoying to repair (although rate of decay is MUCH MUCH lower), travel is still awful, zones are still bland, hardware/software/engine performance still sucks. For every person that says these thing, you'll probably have 3 people say the opposite because these forums are quite obviously biased, but as someone that only plays a couple times per week tops, I would say wait unless you're very casual. They are working on most, if not all of these major flaws, but who knows when the fixes will actually launch.

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I quit during open beta and a week before collectors edition buyers had early access to the game. i took my reservation off at my local gamestop. but from what i've see on these forums and other fansite ones, people have said they are enjoying the game. i mean i am a casual MMO player, if i don't come back now, i may come back after the next big patch that some people have been mentioning. i was very hyped!! when the game was announced at E3 of 2009? but no player feedback was taken into any thought at all during the 6 months worth of betas, SE released the game how they wanted to still. then the first director left/got fired or whatever it was and in came the new guy. this new director seems to be paying more attention to the player base than the last.

but since the game is still f2p and no date is even mentioned yet of when they will start billing nor when the ps3 version will be release...i'm thinking of possibly just starting up, we shall see though lol

You see that here and on fansites cause they are biased. lol

There is a reason the player population is so very very low even though it's free. I don't mean to talk you out of it though but just have your expectations low. Hell, you might actually enjoy the game as it is now.

To each his own.

well one problem is even if you like it, they are going to change the battle in june, and if you dont like it, then probably a waste. The game actually has real good points, but its all pretty old for the people who stayed, and not a lot has changed for the people who didnt.

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Originally Posted by viion

Besaid is not even in top 5 lol its only got 2 chocos now! Theres a few with 5, last time I made a char couple days ago.

Anyway OP I think you should wait, wait for another game. This game is like having a really ugly but loveable gf, and you want to end it but you think all she needs is to do a little exercise or eat right, and she says she will and never does.

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WoW your trolling hit a new low.... Not something to be proud of dude.


To the OP it was stated what happen with the beta testing. The server instability issues and the amount of bugs prevent alot of fixes, additions to what beta was. We are still having issues with servers various ppl getting 3002 and 3001 errors.

Game is free so i say try it out, if you like it stick with it. If not there are other games.

to everyone else: how can the game improve if we keep chasing ppl away? more ppl who play more this game can grow the better off game will be.

might as well start playing because the longer u wait the more u have to make up for....

I say get on and go to Besaid or Lindblum, though you'll probably end up doing what everyone is doing Leve-links then logging out, with an NM here and there. Perhaps some local leves if your into suffering, whatever floats you boat.

so i decided to open my collector's edition just now and am currently installing lol. i have registered my copy of the game in my account management and registered my security token. since the game is free to play still, do i have to even choose a payment method yet? and there are two methods crysta and click and buy? which one is better to use etc?

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Originally Posted by Kilta_Firelotus

to everyone else: how can the game improve if we keep chasing ppl away? more ppl who play more this game can grow the better off game will be.

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How can the game improve if we tell people to stop stating what's wrong?

Cause the game is perfect! Nothing wrong with the game at all.

They are not remaking about every aspect of the game because it's not perfect no sir! So be a good boy and put on these blindfolds and chant "We like losing leves to dc and having stats mean next to nothing!"

The lower levels are actually pretty fun it's just when you get to the higher ones and you are still doing the same things over and over again. So just take it steady don't rush as there is nothing waiting at the end atm, take your time and you may enjoy it a bit more.