I'm new to FFXIV (and MMOs in general!) but have been having a lot of fun over the last few weeks exploring Eorzea, trying various jobs/activities and generally just getting to grips with the mechanics of the game.

I've not had a huge amount of direct contact with other players yet. The initial dungeons via the duty finder were chaotic but fun.

I then hit the Bowl of Embers mission with the Ifrit fight. Not a good experience. After over a half hour wait on the duty finder I finally launched into it. To say I was unprepared was an understatement. Nothing so far in the game had prepared me for an instant death move from the boss. The first round I didn't even realise what caused it. Since I was lancing Ifrit from behind I didn't even see the nail spawn behind me.

Suffice to say, I recieved a torrent of abuse from my experienced teammates. Once I finally spotted the nail the next time I couldn't do enough damage to destroy it in time. Cue another torrent of abuse and a kick vote.