Gaining Access to Flight

It appears that, in the Lakeland region, I need to complete the Main Story Quest line far enough to be able to fly in this region. I don't like that. Flying should just happen in the game not be dependent on completing a quest.

But I am especially annoyed that completing the quest, as if that wasn't bad enough, won't happen unless I can figure out some way to successfully complete the Holminster Switch dungeon.

I'm a casual player who doesn't like dungeons because I'm no good at them. I'm always standing in the wrong spot or not eating the fruit or some other damn thing and dieing.

So, anyway, the reason I'm posting here is to ask whether I need to find some other game to play or is there actually a way to avoid having to complete that dungeon in order to fly?

Thanks.

You gotta complete the quest (and dungeon) to even continue MSQ, the flight aether is just unlocked with it.

If you are worried about playing with others, be aware that in shadowbringers, you can run all mandatory dungeons with npcs as your party members. It's called the trust system.

Also I assume you are aware that it isn't just completing the MSQ that unlocks flight, you also gotta find all the other aether nodes and complete a few other (very trivial) quests.

They aren't gonna change how it works though, it's been this way since flight was introduced

you're just complaining about flight privileges NOW after having to do them in both Heavensward AND Stormblood? lolol

Thanks, Stepjam for your reply. Yes, I've gotten to all the aether current spots and attuned to them. And I've gone through the Holminster Switch dungeon with the NPC group as well. And died several times doing it. But I do appreciate your mentioning those things for me.

It's just the dungeon fight itself that vexes me.

DrWho2010, you're complaining about my complaint? I'm sorry if I did it wrong. I don't have a lot of experience with complaining, as I really don't like to complain at all.

But I'm always glad to get advice from an expert.

So, thanks.

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Originally Posted by Lendal

It appears that, in the Lakeland region, I need to complete the Main Story Quest line far enough to be able to fly in this region. I don't like that. Flying should just happen in the game not be dependent on completing a quest.

But I am especially annoyed that completing the quest, as if that wasn't bad enough, won't happen unless I can figure out some way to successfully complete the Holminster Switch dungeon.

I'm a casual player who doesn't like dungeons because I'm no good at them. I'm always standing in the wrong spot or not eating the fruit or some other damn thing and dieing.

So, anyway, the reason I'm posting here is to ask whether I need to find some other game to play or is there actually a way to avoid having to complete that dungeon in order to fly?

Thanks.

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It seems to me that your overarching question is whether or not important gameplay elements are always going to be locked behind content that you don't particularly like or want to do, and I'm afraid to say that if your objection is the multiplayer content, then the answer is yes.
Lakeland MSQ completion requires finishing an 8 person trial which cannot be completed with an NPC Trust.
You will either need to get into a group that will carry you through that content, or improve your gameplay to the point where you can complete it without completely ruining your experience.
It's completely understandable if you find neither of those options acceptable, and if so, it would be better to realize that now and act accordingly rather than after you have "wasted" more time and money

The game is entirely built around the need to complete dungeons and trials to continue further into the story. They're the core content of the game, not a side activity, so "avoiding the dungeon so you can learn to fly without it" is the least of your problems if you want to be able to make progress and play the entire game.

I'm guessing you might have gotten a story skip and only started with Shadowbringers, because this is nothing new. Every other zone up to this point has only ever given you the last aether current at the end of questing in that region, which generally requires completing a dungeon as part of MSQ, or optional dungeons which will also have an aether current tied to them.

Certainly it would be nice to unlock it just by the effort of seeking out the currents, but if your actual concern is the mandatory dungeons then no, they are not something you can avoid at all.

Just pick a DPS class, use your trusts, let other people handle the complicated bits of trials, and get through it as best you can.

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Originally Posted by Iscah

... but if your actual concern is the mandatory dungeons then no, they are not something you can avoid at all.

Just pick a DPS class, use your trusts, let other people handle the complicated bits of trials, and get through it as best you can.

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Thank you, Iscah. That is my concern precisely. And I will be following your advice. When using the trusts, I don't need to worry about what my poor performance is doing to the rest of the group.

On the down side though, every time I die with the NPC's, the whole group starts over from the beginning. Whereas with a group of PC's, I would die and they would carry on and usually complete the fight without me. And, of course, the timer is still running with the trust group.

So, I'll settle in for a long day or two of struggling with it and eventually get through it. For me the sense of accomplishment for getting through the fight eventually will be the same as the one you get for getting to the dentist to get your filling done. Summing it up in one word... Meh.

It's a game! I'm supposed to be having fun!

:(

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Originally Posted by Lendal

Thank you, Iscah. That is my concern precisely. And I will be following your advice. When using the trusts, I don't need to worry about what my poor performance is doing to the rest of the group.

On the down side though, every time I die with the NPC's, the whole group starts over from the beginning. Whereas with a group of PC's, I would die and they would carry on and usually complete the fight without me. And, of course, the timer is still running with the trust group.

So, I'll settle in for a long day or two of struggling with it and eventually get through it. For me the sense of accomplishment for getting through the fight eventually will be the same as the one you get for getting to the dentist to get your filling done. Summing it up in one word... Meh.

It's a game! I'm supposed to be having fun!

:(

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I dont want to be sound rude, but... if this type of game isnt fun to you, you can always pick a different game? I totally get the sentiment of just wanting to have fun with a game - which is why I personally stay away from games that I know wont be fun to me. Not every game has to be fun for everyone - and if a particular game or style of game isnt fun to you, you can always look for something else that is or figure out what keeps you from having fun and "fix" that.

In your case it sounds as if practising and improving using your Trusts could help - maybe looking up some guides and rotations. Or, if dodging is giving you trouble, checking if you're having issues with lag and considering moving to a server closer to home.

I dont believe that its 100% up to the game to "be fun" or to entertain you - a game always only offers the envoriment, the... circumstances or chance, if you will, to be fun and entertaining. Its then up to the player to evaluate wether thats working for them - or not. And unless its basically not working for anyone, I dont think its the games fault if here and there someone has to come to the conclusion that its just not for them.

Let me add to this that its not like I dont understand your pain, though - when I first started, running dungeons was super stressful for me. I would linger infront of the entrance for days and while I dont remember clearly it wouldnt surprise me if my cook was the first job I got to 50 (because that was leveled through crafting, not dungeons). But I enjoyed the game in general and was lucky enough to meet some encouraging friends along the way who helped me through dungeons while making sure I'd pull my weight aswell.
An MMO is kind of a longterm commitment - so I'd say its worth investing a bit of time to learn your job and improve. If you want it to, this game can stay with you for months and years, for countless hours. But its up to you to make sure that its fun to you - learning might help instead of just saying "I cant do this."
And, as mentioned: Sqaudrons and Trusts can help you with that until you feel comfortable to use the DF - or ask some FC-mates/friends to run a dungeon or two with you so they can observe and offer you tips and advice. As basically always in life: You'll get out of this game what you put into it. Dont expect it just be magically fun if some of the core-elements dont line up with what you consider to be "fun" (which is okay! You can always look for something else that is fun to you - maybe a different game, in the end)

Good job on getting your first ShB dungeon done and unlocking flight.

However, since you have some difficulty working with other players, wait until you meet your next Lightwarden. She might be quite a challenge. *wink ;)

Thanks for your reply, Vidu. You don't understand my situation exactly, but close enough. And your advice is kind and sound. And will, I believe, be helpful to me.

So, yeah, thanks.

RokkuEkkusu, I'm not sure where that 'you have difficulty working with other players' idea came from. Higher up in the post somewhere someone confused my having a problem with most of the dungeons with having a problem with other players. In reality, I have no problem with other players at all. It's just the dungeon mechanics that are a problem for me. And not always, just most of the time.

Thanks for your reply, though.

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Originally Posted by Lendal

RokkuEkkusu, I'm not sure where that 'you have difficulty working with other players' idea came from. Higher up in the post somewhere someone confused my having a problem with most of the dungeons with having a problem with other players. In reality, I have no problem with other players at all. It's just the dungeon mechanics that are a problem for me. And not always, just most of the time.

Thanks for your reply, though.

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Just as a head's up- there aren't just dungeons involved with the MSQ. You will have three 8-man trials to do as well (with a 4th being added as part of the patch 5.3 MSQ).

Trials cannot be completed with the Trust system. You will need to join a party of players to complete them.

You could consider watching some guides on YouTube, OP, if mechanics are particularly frustrating. There's usually a good few guides which are easy to follow and understand, and of course, you can watch it many times over to try and get it to stick in your head. It's not the same as actually doing the dungeon, of course, but I've found visual guides to be quite valuable, in addition to checking up rotations for whatever job I'm doing. I'm by no means perfect, but by and large I pootle through. :) You can too! Just find what works for you and aim to stick with it and improve. Good luck!

Excellent advice, Ceridwenae. I have found one or two Youtube content makers focusing on FFXIV dungeons. One in particular that I think is great. I'll use her guide for the fights as they come up and eventually get through it.

I know how these things work. It's just that, now that I'm older, my hand/eye coordination isn't the same as when I was younger. And my fingers don't always do what I tell them to immediately.

Thank you.

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Originally Posted by Lendal

Excellent advice, Ceridwenae. I have found one or two Youtube content makers focusing on FFXIV dungeons. One in particular that I think is great. I'll use her guide for the fights as they come up and eventually get through it.

I know how these things work. It's just that, now that I'm older, my hand/eye coordination isn't the same as when I was younger. And my fingers don't always do what I tell them to immediately.

Thank you.

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Same for me but the overall community is great. Most are helpful and patient, especially if you tell them it's your first time in an instance.

Not certain what system you're using to play, but something that can help with avoiding mechanics is to turn off other player battle effects. It improves your FPS and allows you to see things more clearly.