Hot Take: The MSQ grind is too long and its harmful to expanding friend groups.

[Gordita]

Just give new peeps in dawntrail the option to start from shadowbringers at LVL 70 with scaevan gear and a recap, with a revamped novice training. I don't see this being harmful in any way.

[Bun_Vivant]

Just give new peeps in dawntrail the option to start from shadowbringers at LVL 70 with scaevan gear and a recap, with a revamped novice training. I don't see this being harmful in any way.

For US$45, you can immediately jump into Shadowbrings as a geared Level 80 of your choice of most classes:

https://store.finalfantasyxiv.com/ff...us/product/803

Tales of Adventure: Stormblood
$20.00 USD

Purchase Includes:
Tales of Adventure: Stormblood / 1
Allagan Platinum Piece / 50
Silver Chocobo Feather / 10
Note
...

Description
Use this item to complete the main scenario of A Realm Reborn, Heavensward, and Stormblood.
This item will instantly complete all main scenario quests up through "The Syrcus Trench," allowing players to immediately begin playing through the main scenario of the Shadowbringers expansion.

New players looking to jump straight into Shadowbringers or enjoy adventures with friends already playing the game can now catch up in the blink of an eye!

In order to facilitate a smooth transition into the game, players will also receive ten silver chocobo feathers, which can be traded with Calamity Salvager NPCs for gear, and 50 Allagan platinum pieces that can be sold to vendor NPCs for 500,000 gil.


https://store.finalfantasyxiv.com/ff...us/product/806

Tales of Adventure: One Warrior's Journey III (also available for most other jobs)
$25.00 USD
.
Description
Use this item and learn everything you need to begin your adventure as a level 80 warrior.
This item will instantly level warrior to 80 and complete all job quests up through "Once, Twice, Three Times a Warrior."

In order to prepare players for the life of a warrior, those who purchase this item will also receive a Cryptlurker's accessories of fending coffer containing five item level 530 augmented accessories, as well as 50 Allagan platinum pieces that can be sold to vendor NPCs for 500,000 gil.

[NYCLouisGamer]

There is a storyskip if you want to skip to current expansion. /endthread

/openthread Please find me instances where somebody would feel comfortable buying a story skip & boost for a game that they have never played before!

Skips and boosts are specifically designed for people who already play the game and don't feel like repeating content.

@PartyBarn brought up a genuine issue that needs a solution.

[Bun_Vivant]

/openthread Please find me instances where somebody would feel comfortable buying a story skip & boost for a game that they have never played before!

A veteran of another MMO who had a friend helping them transition of FFXIV.
Like me for example: I was a hard-mode raider in SWTOR before transitioning with my also-a-raider spouse to FFXIV with the help of a friend.
It was easy to spin-up on FFXIV classes, especially given the more relaxed pace (2.5s GCD vs. 1.5s in SWTOR) of FFXIV combat.

Skips and boosts are specifically designed for people who already play the game and don't feel like repeating content.

Not according to the marketing text SE attaches to them. "New players looking to jump straight into Endwalker or enjoy adventures with friends already playing the game can now catch up in the blink of an eye!" -- https://store.finalfantasyxiv.com/ff...us/product/804 (emphasis added)

[Jojoya]

/openthread Please find me instances where somebody would feel comfortable buying a story skip & boost for a game that they have never played before!

Skips and boosts are specifically designed for people who already play the game and don't feel like repeating content.

@PartyBarn brought up a genuine issue that needs a solution.

People only interested in end game content and care nothing about story, especially if they have experience with similar MMORPGs.

People pushed by friends to get to level cap as fast as possible so they can raid together.

People with more money than sense who figure they can always level a character normally later if they decide they like the game enough.

Those people most definitely exist. It doesn't matter than the boosts and skips are designed with the veteran player in mind. They're sold to everyone.