New Player Experience Sucks! - Impending Expansion Problems

[Haxaan]

I understand the sentiment here but at the same time is there really that big of a rush? There is a LOT of time between now and the Expansion. Your friend has plenty of time to slog through ARR, and though it sucks, like said before this is the time for people to learn the basics of the game and their jobs. If you think about it like a book series. You wouldn't want to read the cliff notes on three books that you paid for just so you can read the newest book when it comes out. That doesn't make any sense. Same with doing a MSQ/LVL Skip. That's like jumping into a series at book 4 and having no idea what the hell is going on.

[RubyCirha]

there literally adding new game + in the expansion for this very reason

[Physic]

there literally adding new game + in the expansion for this very reason

new game plus is good for people who already got skip potions, not as food for new players.

the real question is how entertaining low level play is. Its probably pretty bad for wanting to play with friends as well.

[Gemina]

I'm kind of confused...

You want to be able to skip the story and level boost, but still be able to go back and do the MSQ? I have heard that come ShB we will be able to redo the solo instances, but not entirely sure we can actually redo the quests leading up to them. I didn't read the whole thread, so perhaps someone has or will be able to disclose more information when it comes to this. A glaring issue is present because after you complete the initial storyline that comes with an expansion, you're still stuck because now you have to gear up before you can truly be caught up with others and run the most relevant content. Especially if someone comes in around the third patch release or later.

There are a couple of new peeps in my FC. One who didn't use skip potions, and another who did. Some issues came up with both of them. The first person hit the roadblock I mentioned in my previous clause. He was ilv300. He was excited about starting up the 8-man and 24-man raids, He unlocked Deltascape and Rabanastre but did not meet the requirements to actually go into them.

He has not obtained the resources to gear up quickly. When told he could use centurios to get to i340 quite easily, he didn't even know what those were. He also had less then 100k in gil so could not buy i380 stuff off of the MB. Myself and another FC mate offered to craft the stuff for him, but it was going to take some time, and definitely wasn't an overnight process. Even then, he still has to progress the story and complete all the dungeons to get access to 70 and expert roulette which will go a long way in helping him acquire the tomes he needs to gear up to ilv365 requirement that will allow him to complete all of SB, Alphascape, Orbonne, and the Four Lords.

The second issue came when this new gal who used the skip potions asked me who is my FFXIV husbando. I told her that my true love in FFXIV is Haurchefant. Her response was, "Who??" I told her that due to the skip, she will never meet him, but if she wanted to see who he is, I have a portrait of him in my house. Then I told her my WoL tends to fall for those who literally fall for her, and also mentioned Midgarsormr and said she will never meet him either. As a bit of consolation, I did tell her that Scathach is my queen and guilty pleasure and she would be able to meet her if/when she chooses to unlock the HW 24-man raids. Another issue was her first dungeon was Sirensong. She chose to be a healer, and we did it as an FC. Since we are all over-geared staying alive wasn't a problem, but she is simply not ready to heal a PUG, and is going to have some serious problems with The Burn when she gets there.

From my perspective, if you want to experience the story, then there is no reason to rush. Sit back and enjoy the journey. SE cannot release content fast enough to even keep tortoises like myself from catching up eventually. And believe me, I am slow. I finally got caught up a couple of weeks before 4.56, but was still a little bit behind in ilevel with my SCH and DRK compared to others. It can also get tough avoiding spoilers even after using skip potions. I think those are really meant for those who don't care about the story at all.

[SerLuke]

I'm sorry guys, don't pile on! You caught me, and it is exactly as I feared. A new player, like me, voice would not be heard. I just wanted to get my say in, my feelings on my rush to get through all of the content, because I want to be caught up in time for the early access of Shadowbringers. I just came from WoW, and just wanted to try something new.

Okay what on Earth is going on here?

[Selova]

I'm not saying that the leveling experience is great, the entirety of ARR isnt exactly new player friendly and honestly should get some kind of rework at some point. The skip option isnt the answer either.

Also bear in mind that we all had to do this, I remember starting the game alone and slogging through all of ARR and HW content by myself before I could reach current, relevant content.


As we get more and more expansions the level process will become more and more daunting. I'm sure SE is aware of this so hopefully they have something in the works.

[van_arn]

I've seen too many burn out in the hundreds of quests leading up to Stormblood not to encourage skips for new players.

With shadowbringers, it'll only be worse unless square does some pruning.

[Aurelius2625]

You know, in the time it took you to whine this much, you could have done the content, lol.

With a level boost and story skip it will take one three day weekend to get caught up, if you really wanted to.

It would be a tragedy for him to do that and skip HWs story, and the revolution and characters in SB.

Sounds like your buddy is fine. YOU have the problem of seeing spending time with your friend, helping them, as a CHORE. You just want validation. Thankfully, you have been rightfully repudiated.

I missed HW, but so what? Got to see SB in its glory. Glad I took the time.

[Selova]

snip

Wow, talk about missing the point. They aren't whining. They are giving feedback and their opinion on the not so great leveling process. Not once did they say that playing with their friend was a chore. Perhaps you should dial back on the hostility a tad and actually read what their actual concerns are.

[Maero]

I've seen too many burn out in the hundreds of quests leading up to Stormblood not to encourage skips for new players.

With shadowbringers, it'll only be worse unless square does some pruning.

Depends how the person plays i guess and if one takes small breaks now and then.
I have been playing this game for a little over 5 years now and while had no issues with all the quests i had come to a point a few times where i needed to take some time off.