things a new player might have missed

[Sucuri]

A Realm Reborn level locked content guide
Heavensward level locked content guide

Those right there, wish I had stumbled across the ARR one before I had hit level 50 already, wasn't to hard to catch up on things missing though

I also used this sites as well.
http://ffxiv.consolegameswiki.com/wiki/Dungeons

[misterdean]

A Realm Reborn level locked content guide
Heavensward level locked content guide

looks like i missed alot. materia skills, guild heists, hunts, mists, glamour, challenge log, eternal bonding, retainer ventures, sightseeing log, treasure hunting, isle of umbra, relic weapons, more than a dozen dungeons and trials.

sounds like i missed half the game.

[Ebonwings]

60 days of gameplay time I have a few jobs at 60 all dungeons and trials cleared ( minus Sephirot and Thor Ex) except all these sidequests laying around. ^-^'
I was thinking of using those sidequests for levelling, but I got too hook up on spamming dungeons and leve quests....

[EveK]

You haven't missed them. They're still there. Go get 'em! =)

[MidnightKingZX]

cant u just go back later and do them

[EveK]

It's also worth noting that getting "too much EXP" is not really ever a problem. It may result in less efficiency as you do a lower-level quest and don't get EXP for killing its field monsters, but you will always be able to do lower-level content anyway. You'll never be in a situation where you can no longer do a lower-level dungeon, for instance, because you're already past its level. Again, it may not be particularly efficient as the drops you receive from there will still be for the lower level, but even those have additional usage (alternate classes, crafting, expert delivery, glamour, money).

[MistakeNot]

It's also worth noting that getting "too much EXP" is not really ever a problem. It may result in less efficiency as you do a lower-level quest and don't get EXP for killing its field monsters, but you will always be able to do lower-level content anyway. You'll never be in a situation where you can no longer do a lower-level dungeon, for instance, because you're already past its level. Again, it may not be particularly efficient as the drops you receive from there will still be for the lower level, but even those have additional usage (alternate classes, crafting, expert delivery, glamour, money).

That's not the problem with "too much EXP". The problem (for some people anyway) is that as you outlevel content it becomes trivial and therefore less fun to do. Many people want a bit of challenge.

[EveK]

Hm. Do you have a specific example? In my experience, everything is either story-based and of trivial difficulty in the field areas or is instanced in such a way that applies level sync so your level is limited specifically to what is appropriate for the content anyway.

[Niwashi]

Hm. Do you have a specific example? In my experience, everything is either story-based and of trivial difficulty in the field areas or is instanced in such a way that applies level sync so your level is limited specifically to what is appropriate for the content anyway.

You're right that it's a moot point with instanced level-synced content, but that leaves everything else, all the quests that you yourself referred to here as "story-based and of trivial difficulty in the field areas". If (as most often happens) you out-level it before you do it, all that open world content is completely trivial. Many people, though, don't like it being "of trivial difficulty" since the story usually claims that it's significant. Immersion in the storyline is a lot easier if you stay on-level with the quests you're doing, so that there is still something to accomplish with each quest.

[Gemina]

The MSQ isn't going to bring you anywhere near certain unlocks such as feisty little chocobo (companion unlock), treasure hunter, and even certain valuable dungeons like Brayflox and Cutter's Cry which drops really good low level gear and jewelry. These have to be actively sought out, and unlocking them by happenstance is rare. Usually only those obsessed with clearing area maps of quests will do it.

An FC mate and rl buddy unlocked HW content in just a little over a month. When I asked him questions like what rank is his chocobo, what's his favorite event at the gold saucer, which beast tribe does he like the most, or hate the least, or what should I know about this optional dungeon, he had no answers.

Anyone who rushes to endgame is going to miss A LOT of the game's additional content. Of course you can always go back, but experiencing these things for the first time as a new player or a vet are two entirely different experiences.