Now that DT is over ...

[Antharaes]

After a very long break, I am trying to get another char through DT.....how in the hell did this ever pass quality control ? The second time around is even worse then the first. I am almost at the end of the MSQ, no way in hell I am going to do post DT. Time for another break till Evercold.

[GlowClam]

Hi Aneshda,

if you want to make Dawntrail and Wuk Lamat much more bearable, I highly recommend this workaround for your alts:

Skip every single MSQ cutscene starting right from the very first 7.0 quest. Keep skipping until the MSQ involves a train. From that point on, the story actually gets interesting and, in my personal opinion, genuinely exciting.

The entire MSQ up to the train is basically just a giant showcase of all the different tribes in the New World. You pick up more than enough of that world-building context just by running from A to B as Wuk Lamat's vassal anyway. The only thing you’re really missing out on is her endless yapping. Just enjoy the virtual muzzle you've put on her by hitting the skip button!

[Clerith]

Do we already know when the full Evercold trailer will be released, and when pre-orders and the contents of the Collector's Edition will be shown / available?

By the way: I played DT twice.
I did enjoy the first playthrough (since my expectations were set to this being a more laidback experience for my WOL)
- but it could have been so much better (huge potential went untapped and is now lost forever).
The second playthrough wasn't too painful either (loved the vistas and music - still do), though I did skip a lot of the dialogue.
(It probably also helps that Wuk is more bearable in German.)

Halmarut and Visna I already like, though. So, I'm definitely in for the next msq ride. Hopefully it will be a good one.

[Dastan]

Grow to understand people and stop pre-judging them. Just because you don't understand something, it doesn't mean it's a threat. And just because you think you know everything, it doesn't mean you do.

That was the entire lesson of this expansion. I expect the characters to carry that lesson forward.

[Carighan]

Just because you don't understand something, it doesn't mean it's a threat. And just because you think you know everything, it doesn't mean you do.

I suspect that lesson is lost on virtually every single player, nevermind the WoL who can only nod, punch their own hand, and murder things.

[Clerith]

Grow to understand people and stop pre-judging them. Just because you don't understand something, it doesn't mean it's a threat. And just because you think you know everything, it doesn't mean you do.
That was the entire lesson of this expansion. I expect the characters to carry that lesson forward.

For me, it was more a case of: the better you get to know the people and their cultures, the better you can lead.
Moreover, engaging with the culture and respecting it can lead to many positive outcomes.
I found much of that aspect rewarding - and without it coming across as preachy.
At least as far as the first part of the game is concerned.
My disappointment comes more from the trials given to the group.
Even though they made sense for the participants of the "Crown", I had hoped for a bit more adventure and better character development there.

The second part deals with different themes and offers more adventure and danger; while it didn't delve too deeply into the subject matter, it certainly wasn't boring.
Aesthetically, I really enjoyed both parts.

Gulool Ja Ja and Sphene - I liked.
Bakool Ja Ja is the character that had a good character development.
Krile - Wasn't given enough time.
Wuk - Was too much on the forefront / shoved in like no other FF14 char to date.
Zoraal Ja – Was quite disappointing
(while I "understand" the idea of a suffering civilization learning to appreciate things more again, there was absolutely no self-reflection, no learning process, and no remorse - aside from having failed.
He will likely be remembered as the most banal villain in FF14.)

Thancred and Urianger were hardly around - neither was Y'shtola. Alysee also had a muted personality. G'raha joined very late.
And Estinien was having his fun without us, too. Good thing he's back in Evercold.

[CaptainLagbeard]

Most of the expansion was a filler arc with terrible characters.

Bakool Ja Ja was easily the best written character of the expansion, but he got relegated to being essentially a side character in the Alliance Raid quests.

The story got better at 7.2, but the bar was so taken so low by 7.0 and 7.1 that even dwarves wouldn't dig it out.

[Clerith]

I have to say, though: the Hildibrand questline was really good again.
I’d even go so far as to call it excellent / the best - even though the villain was a bit of a let down.

Nashu, in particular, is undoubtedly one of the best characters in the entire game. At least for me.
Sure, she follows Hildi every step of the way and doesn't say much,
but just like the Warrior of Light, she stays true to her way of life no matter what happens; she provides hilarious scenes
and has the best "catch my drift" moments, where the WOL plays perfectly off her actions (whether intentional or not),
in order to solve the case and help whatever "brand of Hildi" we are experiencing this time around.

The rewards aren't bad either.
I didn't expect a cockroach minion nor do I like these insects (who does?) - but for the fun of it, it's a great minion.
It’s just a shame that the "Night Stallion" motorcycle is once again only a single-seater.
I guess even Noirshu has to follow Hardiboiled by foot.

But I do get that not everyone likes this kind of silly humor or the characters.

[Veritas-Ancora]

Most of the expansion was a filler arc with terrible characters.

Bakool Ja Ja was easily the best written character of the expansion, but he got relegated to being essentially a side character in the Alliance Raid quests.

The story got better at 7.2, but the bar was so taken so low by 7.0 and 7.1 that even dwarves wouldn't dig it out.

The end of 7.3 is when things get interesting for me. Endless Necropolis trial is when I really started paying attention.

7.4 and 7.5 were its peak storytelling moments.

I appreciated Bakool Ja Ja being in the alliance raids. His character would have otherwise disappeared. But you're right that he probably had the most fleshed-out character of the entire expansion.

You'd expect Wuk Lamat to have a better story... but... no... (Consuela voice) nooooo, nooooo...

[ZephyrMenodora]

No. The story is not bad. It's not as good as the other expansions but it's still enjoyable.

Do people really have no standards?