Hey all, I am new although i played OB but hadn't played since till i saw i could buy the CE for 25$.

I went with a LNC starting in Limsa Lominsa about 3 days ago. so 2 days without patch and one with. And at rank 15 I feel like I am hitting a wall because i got my RanK 9 weapon, and did the behest for the camp just outside Uldah (the lowest rank one while i was rank 12 level 10 or 9.

Patch 1.18: After doing alright for the first part of it some level 20+ enemies appeared in tandem and were just completely undefeatable. And leve scaling is doing the same thing. Solo one star really means solo now. But with all the decrease in SP now im leveling pretty slow. Not the end of the world but, new players get screwed just from the fact there arent many of us (understatement) so now one crafts fairly priced gear or is around to party with.

So I'm mixed on the 1.18 patch. I like where the game is heading but i feel like without people making new chars or a bigger influx of new people, it will never be fun for a new players.

In Short:
The learning curve is steep, which isnt a dealbreaker, but the systems have changed so much there are many confusing guides on the internet. There is not really anyone to party with around my level that i ever see. And its intimidating to really want to seek out a LS when you know your missing so much knowledge on the game. Plus going to Uldah and still not finding any equipment i can afford beyond my weapon is disheartinging. Before they said you can make it to lvl 20 with the starter armor but with the boost in enemy difficulty during leves and i think behests(was it that crazy in the rank 5 behest before 1.18?) i think it might be more of a chellenge unless you really really just grind on monsters.

I guess i just need some more guidance after people get used to the patch or something.