Where in story..

[lacrimosaangel]

So, HW is approaching and early access isn't far away.
I'm a fresh lvl50 BLM and am currently working on getting quelling strikes, levelling my GSM and working through the next story missions. I have my Zenith and just unlocked the quest for Atma..

Where do I need to be in terms of story progression to enjoy HW when it launches? Do I need to finish ALL the story quests entirely or can I still explore Ishgard having only completed up to where I am currently?

(my next story quest is Qarn: hard mode)

[AkashiXI]

To access Ishgard you must have completed 2.55, a.k.a the ending of 2.0's story.

[lacrimosaangel]

So all 100 of the seventh Astral Era quests?
Dang, I got a lot of work to do then!

[StouterTaru]

I don't think Qarn HM is part of the main story, but normal Qarn is needed for some reason well into level 50 quests.

[KayoZ]

Just finished these myself last night. You'll need to unlock and finish up to the Shiva HM (as part of the story mode) as well as Steps of Faith plus the epicness that ensues soon after. Thats all.

Everything else is completely optional.

[LystAP]

The last cutscene is apparently a movie in of itself, so prepare for the fun.

[Voltron_HD]

yep, just look up patch notes and complete the Story mode quests that are listed. I can tell you that for some time you will be going to waking sands to continue your story mode until it steers you elsewhere. Good luck and have fun!

[Shinji2787]

Basically if you got treated to a giant, rather long, list of credits movie style after a really long 20-40 minute set of cutscenes then you're good to go.

[Cakekizy]

Basically if you got treated to a giant, rather long, list of credits movie style after a really long 20-40 minute set of cutscenes then you're good to go.

I got the credits, but haven't gotten to Steps of Faith yet. So, this doesn't sound right.

[Shinji2787]

I got the credits, but haven't gotten to Steps of Faith yet. So, this doesn't sound right.

Those are the credits for end of just the 2.0 (pre-anypatches) after you beat that one iconic boss in that one dungeon. The credits i'm referring to occur after a VERY long series of cutscenes. These cutscenes the game will even give a pop up warning before letting you proceed and view them saying that they are extremely long and to make sure you have enough time to watch them. Then you'll get another set of credits. I don't really want to say more detail as it can be viewed as spoilerish, but the game makes is pretty straight forward about you having reached the end of the 2.55 storyline. best advice is if you keep seeing Main Story Quest icons on the map/above ppl's heads then just keep doing them till there are no more to do .