My daughter and I have just started playing FFXIV and have both purchased the main game. We'll want to purchase Heavensward, but we know that we won't get to level 50 and get all the story content up to 2.55 done by the release date.
Here's the questions:
If we preorder Heavensward so that we get the special preorder items, is the xpac automatically applied to our accounts or is it not applied until we put in a code somewhere?
Will we be getting xp for the level 50 story content that we have to do before we can proceed in the new content?
Ideally, we'd like to get the bonus preorder items, but NOT get xp at level 50 while we finish the story quests. How do we do this?
Thanks!
Questions re: Heavensward preorder for new players
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06-05-2015, 11:23 PMVelisraQuestions re: Heavensward preorder for new players
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06-05-2015, 11:55 PMTerrini
Well I know you receive the codes but I was pretty sure that was for registering your account for receiving the pre-order items... As I have pre-ordered, and input my code it acknowledges that I will be getting the pre-order items.
However you should not need to worry about loading Heavensward before you can access the story content because... well, it's IS gated behind story content. And I heard that even if you do NOT get Heavensward, you will still get experience above 50 and can level to 60. But the leveling from 50-60 will take as long as leveling 1-50! So you shouldn't have to worry about getting experience, in fact you'd be ahead of everyone that did all those quests without a hope at experience!
We however will not know for sure until it's here. -
06-06-2015, 12:39 AMRisvertasashiWelcome to XIV.Quote:
Originally Posted by Velisra
You will get the bonus items but you do need to register a code. Terrini's screenshot shows what it should look like when you're done. Exactly how to get a code depends on the region you're in, but your preorder should come with instructions. Note that you will need to register a second code once you receive the actual expansion.
You will get experience for the level 50 quests. AFAIK there is no way to avoid this. However, the exp required after level 50 to level up is huge, so I think it will not impact you going into heavensward too much. But even if you do level up a lot, there is a level sync feature so you will be able to experience the pre-60 Heavensward content without being too overpowered.
Good luck! -
06-06-2015, 12:55 AMVelisra
Hmmm...
Interesting that you will get xp even if you don't buy the xpac. I do worry that if that's the case, you might even get enough xp at 50 to get to level 51 before you even got to the new content, and then it would seem too easy!
So when you preorder, there are actually two codes? One for the bonus preorder items and one for the actual xpac?
Thanks for the help Terrini and Risvertasashi! -
06-06-2015, 02:05 AMRisvertasashiYour info on the left side says you're level 16... If this is up to date (it's often behind, I know), then you won't have experienced level sync yet. Basically, for example if you revisit Sastasha at level 50, you'll be synced down to... level 17 or 18? Of course, it will still be a bit easier than the minimum level, but the discrepancy is not too huge.Quote:
Originally Posted by Velisra
There will be options to bypass the sync in Heavensward, however, I can't imagine that sync'd won't be the default.
Yes.Quote:
Originally Posted by Velisra
For example, I ordered a physical copy of Heavensward. Immediately I got and redeemed my preorder code. This means that I can 1. participate in the early access and 2. get the bonus items. However, when the box ships, inside will be a registration code. This actually applies Heavensward to my account. I will get a grace period with the early access code but, if I don't enter the registration code within a certain time, I will lose access to the expansion (until I enter it).
If someone didn't participate in the early access and preorder bonus, they merely would not have access to the xpac. Then when they enter the registration code, they gain access.
In short, the preorder code is like a temporary pass with a few bonus items. The registration code is your lifetime membership.
Preorder codes are a bit easier to cheese (for example, preorder from amazon and then cancel), which is why I think they do it this way. -
06-06-2015, 02:06 AMNiwashi
I'm in the same boat. I want to pre-order because I want the bonus items, but I don't want the new level cap unlocked yet. I'm hoping I can pre-order and buy the game but wait on registering it (even though that also means I'd have to wait before starting my Au Ra alt).
I'd heard that if you take part in early access, you need to register the expansion by the 27th, but I don't know whether that just means if you do things like change to Au Ra, become a Dark Knight, and travel to Ishgard, that past the 27th you'd need the expansion registered in order to continue from there, or whether it really means that pre-orders would become invalid if not finalized by the 27th by registering the expansion. I'm guessing it's more likely that past the 27th anyone without the expansion registered would just lose access to the main expansion content (and therefore any character in an expansion zone, job, or race), but I wish it were more clearly spelled out.
(Another glitch in the plan is that I play on PS4, and PSN has an exclusive pre-order bonus in addition to the regular ones. Pre-ordering through PSN gives a FFXIV Heavensward theme for the PS4 background. I'd really like that theme, but in the case of buying through PSN, it's registered as soon as it's ordered, so it's impossible to pre-order early then wait to register it.)
SE had said earlier that the level cap changes from 50 to 60 as soon as you register the Heavensward expansion. (That would be the final expansion code and not the pre-order code.) It's possible they've changed their minds since then, but if not, then no you wouldn't get experience during the level 50 content if the only game you've registered is the original Realm Reborn. Only those with the expansion get the level 60 level-cap.Quote:
Originally Posted by Velisra
Sites selling the expansion list "A New Level Cap (50 → 60)" as being part of the expansion, so I really don't think that's changed. We should be able to remain 50 until the expansion is registered. I'm pretty sure it's only those with the expansion registered who would be getting XP during the level 50 content.
If you order from SE or most retailers, that's how it works. When you pre-order you get a pre-order code, and then at release when you get the expansion, you get a final code. Those purchasing it after release would just get the final code alone. If you play on PS3 or PS4, you register the expansion codes through Sony's PlayStation Network, and if you play on PC you register them through SE's MogStation.Quote:
Originally Posted by Velisra
However, console players can also buy the digital console versions directly from the PlayStation Network (where their codes would otherwise be registered). In that case it's automatically registered as soon as it's purchased, without any codes involved (which is why I wouldn't be able to get the PS4 theme that's exclusive to PSN pre-orders and still be able to hold off a while on registering the game). -
06-06-2015, 02:08 AMRisvertasashiPlease do correct me if I'm wrong, but I am near certain SE has said the level cap is rising to 60 for all players, regardless of expansion ownership (Much like has been done in FFXI).Quote:
Originally Posted by Niwashi
Edit: From the all-we-know-about-Heavensward info doc
http://puu.sh/idwSh/b9cfa1cd2a.png -
06-06-2015, 02:28 AMNiwashiAs of February, they were saying it's "Once you register Heavensward":Quote:
Originally Posted by Risvertasashi
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gildrein
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06-06-2015, 02:29 AMVelisra
I'd be ordering a digital CE from the SE store if that makes a difference in all of this.
I see on the document linked:
So is the MSQ up to 2.55 considered "A Realm Reborn era?" If so, that would seem to indicate that you wouldn't get xp for it even after the xpac releases.Quote:
A Realm Reborn Adjustments
Aimed at making access to Heavensward content easier
Main Story Quests exp rewards “more than doubled”
Post-2.0 Main Story Quests give equipment rewards.
You will be able to go from New Player → Heavensward without having to do sidequests, gear from MSQ will be enough
Duty Finder will prioritize people running content for the first time
Level 50 A Realm Reborn era will still give 0 exp.
May be adjusted at a later date.
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06-06-2015, 02:36 AMRisvertasashiAh hah. Ok, thanks for the info.Quote:
Originally Posted by Niwashi
Hmm. Perhaps so. I might have been confused, if it's only pre-50 quests that give (increased) experience. Apologies for the mistake.Quote:
Originally Posted by Velisra
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06-06-2015, 02:41 AMNiwashiI think that means the quests don't give XP as a quest reward. Completing their objectives, however, often involves killing lots of stuff and running dungeons. There would still be quite a bit of XP for that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Velisra
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06-06-2015, 02:43 AMVelisraQuote:
Originally Posted by Niwashi
Ah, that makes sense of course! Though in some other games, the quests at level cap actually do have xp programmed in, but won't give it unless you have purchased the next xpac that is above the level of the quest. -
06-06-2015, 02:47 AMVelisra
Actually though, it says:
In that document. I would think that means ALL the content in level 50 ARR, even mobs, would give no xp if you are level 50 or above.Quote:
Level 50 A Realm Reborn era will still give 0 exp.
ARGH, this is all kinda confusing! Thanks for the input all. :-) -
06-06-2015, 02:58 AMNiwashiWell, I'm not positive, but I'd think you would get XP at 50 if you'd unlocked the 60 level cap. I do know that at least level 50 open world mobs have an XP value assigned to them, because if you kill a level 50 mob while you're level 48 or 49, you'll get XP credit for it. (Just last night I helped kill a level 50 A-Rank hunt mob as a level 48 Ninja and got XP in addition to the tomes and seals.) Since you can't actually enter level 50 dungeons until you're level 50, though, I'm less certain whether the dungeon mobs also have XP values assigned to them.Quote:
Originally Posted by Velisra
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06-06-2015, 05:44 AMRisvertasashiUnfortunately I'm more confused than when I'm started and at this point, I'm just going to wait and see.Quote:
Originally Posted by Velisra
All that said, though, I shouldn't think that being a bit higher level (up to whatever the sync point will be) would ruin experiencing ARR content. -
06-06-2015, 06:18 AMVelisraQuote:
Originally Posted by Risvertasashi
Awww... I'm sorry! :(
Wait and see seems to be the best course now, you're right. -
06-06-2015, 06:20 AMVelisraThat would make sense, just as it would make sense to NOT get xp at 50 if you've not unlocked Heavensward by inputting the code to your account. I hope that's how it turns out. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Niwashi