Where do I go from here?

[ErikMynhier]

I just completed the Main Story yesterday, and after a day of celebrating by running around Ul'dah like a tool in my AF, spamming Scorn, I'm ready to get serious and start the next phase.

I know I need DL to go on after this point, and I need Tomes to do that, but here's the problem. I hate being a burden. It comes from my years in the service I guess, I hate to be the weak link in the chain, I literally feel guilt over it. So I wanted to know the best place to start farming AToP and Myth if possible, without being a drag on the group. I am a Lv50 Paladin, full AF1, full HQ amber accessories, a high dungeon shield (don't remember which but its higher then the HQ stuff on the AH), and will have a Flame Lieutenant's Katzbalger by Monday (I can't play on the weekends because I work).

So with that, where should I start? And what are the best guides for said place?

Thanks

[coffeerox]

Ifrit HM (for the weapon)
Amdapor Keep (Hoplite Gear) - or - crafted Heavy Darksteel (which is a complete alternative to DL gear but more expensive and time consuming to get)
Castrum Meridianum (ToP, for DL gear)
Garuda HM (relic)
Titan HM (relic)
Amdapor Keep/Wanderer's Palace (ToM for AF2)

[Donjo]

I'd say start at Wanderer's Palace. It's the easiest non-story 50 dungeon and very doable in AF1 gear. It currently gives 100 Tomestones of Philosophy and 30 Tomestones of Mythology. This Philosophy Tome number is equivalent to Amdapoor Keep, Castrum Meridianium, and the Praetorium. The two story instances are relatively speed run friendly, so you'll be considered a drag on many groups due to not having a bunch of Darklight yet, and AK should not be attempted without some Darklight and gear from Wanderer's Palace.

Another thing you can and should go for immediately is unlock Ifrit Hard Mode and get your "Ifrit's <weapon>" from it. Even Duty Finder groups practically have this one down to a science, so just listen to the party and rip him a new one

[Sinth]

Well if you don't want to be a burdon, do not jump into Garuda HM, Titan HM or AK without acquiring some post-50 gear first.

Areas to do at fresh 50:
Wanderer's Palace
CM
Praetorium
Ifrit HM

Areas to do after you have a few pieces of post-50 gear:
Garuda HM
AK

Areas to do after you have replaced all AF gear / pre-50 accessories:
Titan HM
Binding Coil



inb4 white knights scream OMG YOU CAN DO GARUDA/AK/ETC in AF YOU ELITIST SCUM STOP RUINING THE GAME FOR EVERYONE. Yes, it can be done, but will you be a burdon your group? Highly likely.

[Angelwatch]

Biggest piece of advice, start with Wandering Palace and just explain that you're new to 50 and open to tips. Research ahead of time so you have an idea of what to expect and look for members who can help you. If the group is full of elitists who resent that you're new to 50 and don't want to help out, drop group. The 15 minute cooldown on Duty Finder isn't that bad and maybe you get into a better group the next time.

At 50 I've had groups that were helpful and ones that resented the fact that I hit 50 earlier this week and didn't know every tiny nuance of the level 50 instances. Ignore the latter and you'll be fine. With good group members who are willing to help out, you'll do ok and there are plenty out there who will be understanding.

Beyond that, what other people have said. Run Ifrit for the weapon (you'll like be on shield bash duty anyway). Run WP for points and buy the cheap DL gear (belt, gloves and so on) first. You'll be fine. Good luck.

[peaches]

I'll just tell you what I did. When I hit 50 I had enough Philo tomes to buy the either the darklight chest piece or the materials for a crafted 2 star chest piece. I chose the chest piece, and after that I started my Relic quest. Did all the requirements for it, went straight to Ifrit then Garuda, then farmed Garuda for the weapon. Soon as that was done, I melded some Vit materia to do Titan (I should point out I'm a healer).

You should honestly be able to do any of the 50 content before Titan that you want. Just get together a few friends who can run everything with you once to explain the mechanics. IMO, everything before Titan is a mechanics thing. It doesn't really matter your gear, if you know all the fights and the mechanics, you'll do great. People telling you that you need full DL to do AK or something is just false. Yea, the healer will have to work a little more, but it just means they won't be falling asleep, or helping to DPS.

[ErikMynhier]

Thanks for all the advice guys. Its a little overwhelming, with the thousand voices screaming different things.

[peaches]

The best thing I could suggest is this - go start your relic quest. If you have enough tomes to buy a piece of gear, that's awesome, grab it! Try everything the Relic quest throws your way. If you can't do it... Oh well! At least you know the point at which you'll have to gear up, or really buckle down and learn the mechanics

[Teleniel]

Gear progression as I see it...
AF armor / lv44 GC Weapon >>> do Amdapor once
-- Start your relic quest
AF armor / lv50 GC Weapon >>> farm Ifrit for weapon
AF armor / Ifrit's >>> farm Amdpaor for armor
Amdapor / Ifrit's >>> Garuda (at least once, maybe farm)
Invest in Darklight accessories (they're cheeper and usually a better upgrade than over AK armor)
If you have Ifrit/garuda weapon + AK armor + Darklight accessories you can beat Titan Hm... it gets easier with more gear, so continue to invest in Darklight while you learn the fight.

Once you beat Titan HM, you should have at least half-Darklight and your relic weapon. You may have purchased a piece or two of AF2 armor with Mythology and are ready to start looking at Coil. Again higher level gear makes this easier.

[Oxide_Vanwen]

When I hit 50 I had enough Philo tomes to buy the either the darklight chest piece or the materials for a crafted 2 star chest piece.

I may be missing something here. You had enough before you hit 50 to buy this stuff? How?