Questions re: Heavensward preorder for new players

[Velisra]

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!

[Risvertasashi]

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!

Your 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.

There will be options to bypass the sync in Heavensward, however, I can't imagine that sync'd won't be the default.

So when you preorder, there are actually two codes? One for the bonus preorder items and one for the actual xpac?

Yes.

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.

[Niwashi]

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.)

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!

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.

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.

So when you preorder, there are actually two codes? One for the bonus preorder items and one for the actual xpac?

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.

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).

[Risvertasashi]

...

Please 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).

Edit: From the all-we-know-about-Heavensward info doc

[Niwashi]

Please 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).

As of February, they were saying it's "Once you register Heavensward":

Q: Will there be any special quests or requirements in order to level up beyond 50?

A: No, there will not. Once you register Heavensward, the level cap will be increased and you can start to earn experience points. You won't have to complete any special quests.

[Risvertasashi]

As of February, they were saying it's "Once you register Heavensward":

Ah hah. Ok, thanks for the info.

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.

Hmm. Perhaps so. I might have been confused, if it's only pre-50 quests that give (increased) experience. Apologies for the mistake.