Gathering/Mining

[Stabilis]

Hi guys, brand new to the game, and Final Fantasy games in general. What I would really like to know is whether or not it is practicable to play the game solely as a Gatherer/Miner, if one chooses to do so?

[TarynH]

You won't be able to do the story as a gatherer, if that's what you're asking. Level 51-60 abilities and nodes are locked behind story, as well as anything that you'd be able to gather post 60. But if you don't mind that, then feel free. Although it's not practical.

[Holy-chan]

Playing the game's story and general content unlockables (dungeons, new areas, features such a grand company or being able to ride a chocobo) can only be done as a disciple of war/magic - a battle class. Disciples of the land (gatherers) and disciples of the hand (crafters) cannot fight properly, and are not even allowed to enter dungeons and trials at all. While you could technically level all the way to 50 without touching anything else as a gatherer or crafter, you leave out the majority of the game's content off, still. Plus, as mentioned before, all of Heavensward's areas are locked behind story content, and you would be unable to gather there (level 51-60 gathering nodes).

[Sida]

While the above posters are correct,I'dt like to add that all the games mandatory content, that is, the main quest, can be done with minimal investment to anything outside of it. The quests reward enough gear to do them (and I believe, once SB is out, the 3.x interim quests will also offer gear to stay up to pace) so there should be no need to get into the "end game gearing" if you don't care about the optional battling content. Also as a crafter to have at least one battle craft class leveled means you can keep up one retainer of the same class, which helps in getting some of the monster drop ingredients. So while you can't totally ignore the battle classes, you can still play very devotedly for crafting and gathering.

[Stabilis]

Thanks to everyone for your advice.

[Silingfasi]

Actually you can level gatherer to lvl 50 and then fast run one DoW/DoM with proper food and equipment to complete story.
Or just make a tank/healer and levelup him with dungeon roulette. For example I am lvl 30+ crafter and today my tank received 30 by using this method.