Love this game,Only one complaint

[Serilda]

Despite regularly leading alliances in FFXI (and having my own FC here), I was very nervous when I started out in FFXIV - new game, what if I sucked in groups? So I muddled through the first three dungeons then quit for a year after getting to the first boss fight. I'm on a JP server group (I speak Japanese) so it wasn't due to people being rude - in fact, they were very nice and we had good conversations in the starter dungeons - I was just too shy to give it a try! Eventually I came back and continued with no problems. I was still logged out right at the point where that boss was added to my Duty Finder :/

I've never been told I sucked, even though I have most definitely sucked. But if you don't like the experience of being thrown together with a random grab-bag of speedrunning know-it-alls, Party Finder is a really good way to make groups. There is a silent population of other shy people on every server, for sure, and if you throw up a Party Finder saying you want a relaxed, quiet run with novice players/helpers only and no drama you'll find people will appear to help out. Even for old content that speedrunners hate. The game incentivises helping and banding together.

I don't recommend turning off chat (I kick for that, and nobody wants to be kicked after spending half an hour working through a dungeon any more than I want to waste time talking to someone who won't listen or respond). But you can dictate the terms of your play. Level up and power through the story unsynced, wait to see when the upcoming NPC squadron materialises, get a partner or friend to help you out or use Party Finder to control your experience; there's likely to be something that will work for you.

[MistakeNot]

Soloable up to a point. I mean there is lots do do that can be soloed, but as it stands now in Legion, the main story is divided between zones and also separate class hall quest chains. Every quest chain in each zone in the expac culminates in a 5 man dungeon. The story quest chains then take you into raids (and more dungeons) later on down the line. NO avoiding it if you're there for the story.

That sounds like what I would call optional dungeons. Sure you miss some stuff if you skip them, but doing so does not block you from other parts of the game.
You will miss part of the story if you skip the dungeons in all the other games I listed as well.

[Sinrai]

An alternative to finding a nice Free Company would be asking around in the Novice Network, since there's always people willing to help in there.

Also, the community in this game is mostly nice enough that it's worth trying to get over your anxiety by taking the plunge. In fact, some of the most fun times I've had in this game was in dungeons with friends from my old FC.

Especially when your tank is crazy enough to overpull and somehow you make it through in one piece.

[Esper]

It would be interesting to see a solo mode. But it does take away from the experience.

Often I can relate because in other games if you announce you're a new player to any content, other players over-react and think you incompetent rather then give a chance.

Not so much here, as we are rewarded for newer players and if no one knows what's going on we can just have a blast figuring it out(imo)

[Rivxkobe]

Most players in this game are actually pretty nice and forgiving. You are going to be expected to tank and hold hate as a paladin, which isn't difficult, but if you don't want to do that you can expect others to get upset. Tanks get into dungeons quickly, but if you aren't going to do your job and hold hate then that's on you and you can expect backlash.

Also dungeons and parties are included in PvE. Just because you don't like it doesn't mean you can​ exclude it.

Oh and to get anything at all end game you HAVE to play with others. This might not be the game for you.

[Bluejay]

not totally true but i see your point. In ESO i can progress through the whole story and never be forced to group.. same with SWtor.. running delves in ESO our still playing alone but assist other players at times and public dungeons are the same. Swtor you dont group unless you que for it..

My issue is they are forcing me to get in a group just to progress the main story.. if i choose not to group...i cant finish the story.

ESO and SWTOR (both favorites of mine, I still play ESO) were heavily criticized for not 'really' being MMO's but just Single Player games with MMO trappings. FF14 is often praised as one of the few MMO's that actually is true to its MMO roots and requires groups for content. It's a major selling point for the game. If you don't like group requirements I would recommend moving to a different MMO as the grouping requirements for FF14 get much much worse as you progress. Most of the end game content is group based and progressing past a certain point will be only possible through group content.

[bswpayton]

I really really dislike the fact i am forced into group events to progress the main story. Ive never been a big player in groups, dungeons

I totally agree with you op I to came from other games where doing stuff in groups wasnt really a thing and it was more of just seeing people and passing them on by. Its just something you have to deal with in this game wish it wasnt so but its one of those things where its like it is what it is as the saying goes.

I love my character, so therefore I love the game as well, the group stuff I could gladly go without but your not gona get very far otherwise so its just something you have to do if you want to enjoy the game.

[Velisra]

OP, I totally get you. I don't like grouping. It's just not my thing, and I get very stressed out when I have to do it.

We have a family group of four in our FC--me, my husband and daughter, and my aunt. None of us like doing group content with strangers, so we usually do the story dungeons together. That works okay--but still is stressful for me even with family--until we have to do an 8-man trial. /shudder

"Just do it" is about all I can recommend. I decided that I have enough fun playing the rest of the game that doesn't require group content that I'll put up with the part that does. It's a relatively small part, as long as you don't expect to have the best gear at end-game. Most of the time, I just do my own thing when I play.