Noobie Help

[BigPaul]

Hello

Me and my friend has been playing for 4 months we just got to level 50 and at this stage we are a little lost as to what we should be doing. We are working on the story line just finished the 2 8 man raids that finished the ARB. I was a little upset that i couldnt enjoy the raid as it was meant to be as everyone just ran through it like a hot knife through butter. Though I unless that this raid is old and that people are farming it. We both come from WOW (about 7 years of playing) I fully understand that game but this one im trying to know it like i know WOW. I have seen alot of videos but they dont always go into the detail that im looking for. So right now the only thing me and my friend are doing is well we are winging it. However i feel like the enjoyment of the game is going to be a quick one as everything is going by so fast.
Any thought or points or tips or something would be very helpful as we are loving the game but we want to enjoy it.

[Taika]

Hey BigPaul, and welcome to the game!

Since the level cap of this game was 50 for a long time, there is a lot of level 50 content to do before you're able to move to the content of the first expansion (called Heavensward). The level 50 content includes a lot of 4 person dungeons and also 8 person trials in which you are fighting primals. All this content is level capped to 50 when you're doing it through Duty Finder, so it's scaled to your level and some parts of it can be still quite challenging.

The content you and your friend did were not "raids" but in fact story dungeons. It is a known issue that these days people rush through them and newbies will either be forced to skip cutscenes or miss some of the fights. Don't worry though, SE fixed this issue in the future content design. Now that you're done with it, you can move on with the main scenario and start killing hard mode primals (I'm not sure if you still need to start this quest to unlock the first primal fights).

There is some actual raid content for level 50. First, there is the series of Binding Coil of Bahamut which include 13 "turns" (instances). This was the original raid in the game added in the release and it was relevant until the first expansion and level cap raise. Unfortunately people don't run it much anymore, and if they do, they're likely to run it through party finder groups unsynced, meaning they'll be doing it on their level 60 jobs. This is the unlocking quest for it (you will need to have killed the first 3 hard mode primals, Ifrit, Garuda and Titan, before you can unlock it). There is also a 24 person raid called Crystal Tower with 3 instances. This isn't very relevant content anymore either but there are still some people running it for one part of relic (a powerful weapon at level 60) quest. You can unlock the first instance in the series, called Labyrinth of the Ancients, through a quest chain starting with a quest called Legacy of Allag.

At level 50, you'll get to experience a lot by simply following the main scenario quest until the end of level 50 content and then towards level 50+ Heavensward content.

[BigPaul]

So doing the old stuff isnt worth it? I guess what we are trying to know is what should we be working on. I hear there is alot of new and cool stuff in HS. I think with the old and new stuff and since there is alot to do we are lost. Im afraid we are missing alot I hope i am making some sense here

[Naria]

I don't want to type this up again, so crossposted from another thread:

The MSQ continues at 50 for a while (added in patches 2.1-2.55). These quests reward nice gear and exp, but you can only gain exp past 50 if you have purchased and installed Heavensward. Getting this exp is not necessary to get to 60, but if you plan on playing to 60 I'd go ahead and get Heavensward now as it is a nice boost. You will need to finish all of these quests in order to access any Heavensward content.

I would also rank up in your GC until you reach 2nd Lt, as the housing system is locked behind that rank. Personal apartments are being added this patch, if you want to purchase one you will need to be that rank.

Tomestones (sry, pet peeve of mine, it is a common mistake) come in a couple different varieties: Tomestones of Poetics, Lore and Scripture. Tomestones of Poetics are used to purchase level 50 i120 Ironworks gear, some crafting items, items for the ARR and Heavensward relics and a few minions. This gear can be upgraded to i130 using lvl50 raid drops or more poetics, and will last you until about lvl 55. As soon as you start doing level 50 content, it will start rewarding you with them, and you can get a bonus amount of them once a day doing the level 50 roulette. You will want to have the level 50 roulette unlocked at some point (you need to complete all ARR dungeons to do so) as poetics do have some limited use at 60 and it is good exp if you are leveling an alt class past 50. That said, it is not necessary at the moment. 50 plus the MSQ will reward you with appropriate gear to continue progressing; this continues in Heavensward. It is not really worth stopping to farm up and upgrade an Ironworks set unless you feel like it. Lore and Scripture tomes are used and obtained at level 60.

Completing the raids The Crystal Tower and The Binding Coil of Bahamut will get you some nice story and a bit of exp and maybe some gear. The Crystal Tower raids are 24 man raids that can easily be completed at 50 through the DF (though I'd queue on the weekends). Be aware that even if you are new the alliance won't slow down for you in the Tower. We've been running this thing for years and cheese most of the mechanics. Anyone new is just going to get dragged along for the ride. If you want explanations I'd look up a guide before entering.

Pretty much no one does Coil (called Turns 1-13 or T1-13) outside of level 60 unsynced parties, as some of these raids will still wipe your party at 60 if everyone is not paying attention (which happens a depressing amount in T9).

There are also Hard and Extreme mode trials at 50. You can ignore the extremes--most people do these unsynced at 60 to farm mounts and glamour gear, but you will have to defeat the hard mode primals in order to do patch 2.5's story and get to Heavensward. Some of these are part of the MSQ but Ifrit, Garuda, and Titan HM are not so you will have to pick the quests for these up at the Waking Sands. There is also a trials roulette and there are a few trials unlocked from side quests needed to unlock this, but I don't believe you need to do that to start Heavensward.

Just a quick addendum: Coil, Crystal Tower and the ARR Extremes all ended up being relevant to patch 3.4's MSQ, although only Coil progress effected the dialogue. So you might want to complete those before starting 3.4's storyline.

3.4 Starts with the lvl 60 quest "Promises Kept". If you want to, you will have plenty of time to do Coil and the ARR extremes at 60, before you get to that quest. If you haven't already, I'd stop and level up your sub classes to get your cross class abilities. One more piece of advice: If you are new and need a explanation, say so. If you don't even with the new play message people will assume you are an alt and act accordingly. If you say you are new, most groups will be accommodating. (With the exception of Prae, CM and the Tower)

[Taika]

I think what you're saying is that you don't want to miss any important experiences? Since most of the game content are unlocked and experienced through the main scenario, you'll be fine simply following that. The only battle content left outside of it are the mentioned Binding Coil and Crystal Tower raids which are outdated (reward wise) raid content. There are still some people doing Crystal Tower instances, so if you're interested, you can unlock it and see what the queues are like, just run through each once or something. Binding Coil has a really nice and epic story, but since people aren't really running that anymore, I'd recommend you to first level to 60 and then go back with your friend or other level 60s to see that. There are also some level 50 dungeons that are unlocked through side quests, but you will be able to unlock and run those later (with or without level sync).

[BigPaul]

So if i am understanding you both WHICH THANK YOU SO MUCH for answering. Just do the story get into runs and raids if i can work my other classes do all the quest level up my professions. how important is it that i need a apt or house etc.

[Taika]

You don't need a house for anything. If your Free Company has a house, you can buy a room from there, or buy an apartment from the newly added apartment buildings if you wish. By professions I think you mean crafting and gathering classes? Yes you can freely level those and your other battle classes as well. I would actually advice you to level your Warrior (Marauder) and White Mage (Conjurer) for the useful cross-class abilities (Foresight, Mercy Stroke, Bloodbath and Stoneskin) for your Paladin.

[BigPaul]

i am a Paladin and i have my Conjurer up to 15 my friend is a Brad and his PUG is a 15

Like i said i came from WOW lol so yes professions means crafting etc. WE just want to do it right and have fun but not miss out

BUT WE THANK YOU ALL for the info

Could your friends join your apt ?

[Taika]

i am a Paladin and i have my Conjurer up to 15 my friend is a Brad and his PUG is a 15

Yes, I meant that you should level your Conjurer (White Mage after 30) and Marauder (Warrior after 30) higher to get all the important cross-class abilities from them to equip on your Paladin. Similarly, your Bard friend should level Pugilist (Monk after 30) and Lancer (Dragoon after 30) higher to get at least Invigorate and Blood for Blood for his Bard.

[BigPaul]

Sweet thanks guys anything else you can see what need to know