Level cap increase with HW?

[Luvbunny]

There is level 50 quest for all jobs. To be able to do this you have to finish MSQ 5.5 as well as having the expansion. You can gain level without expansion to 60 but all the new abilities from 50-60 are unlocked - need expansion. I was able to get XP over level 50 without the expansion but cannot get new abilities - since it is quest based.

[Elim]

You don't need to be in a new area to get exp. My friend got experience from handing in level 45 leves before he even started the new story quests. However you can't get exp from level 50 ARR dungeon mobs...for whatever reason. I guess the devs thought people would just powerlevel by spamming them - or it was too much trouble adding exp to the mobs.

And yes you need the expansion installed to get experience past level 50.