Returning Player

[SunahYhisa]

Been back for a few weeks now. I stopped playing a little after ARR and I really enjoyed the game. Couldn't seem to get my old account to work but I just made a new one since I was going to start fresh anyway. But I am kind of lost...

I am doing the MSQ and POTD, decided to stop trying to do MSQ as a healer because spamming one damage skill is driving me nuts haha... So im leveling a Red Mage. But to get to the main point... What should I be focusing on? Just continue to do MSQ? Should I be doing the side quest as well and also should I be leveling crafting? Just need a goal to work with honestly. Im not in any rush to level just need some direction haha.. Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance.

[Hestzhyen]

Do the MSQ since that will lead you to most of the content and also give you a ton of EXP, lessening the need to run dungeons and Palace of the Dead for that first job at least. Also, do any quests that have a blue filling in the middle and a + sign on them- they unlock content like dungeons, aether currents for flying, and more.

I'd say focus on one job until you hit level cap, and after that, try anything you want. You can go back to your healer, try a new job, go into crafting/gathering, focus on your one job and gear it up to try end-game content- if it seems fun there's no harm in trying it. And by the way, welcome back!

[Hasrat]

Play the way you enjoy the game the most. Seems a bit silly to ask other players how you should enjoy the game.

Personally, I think it's a bit strange to skip all side content until the end. Once you've finished the story, there's no real benefit to doing those side quests (don't need exp, side content is obsolete). Most players will say use side quests to level a second job, so, why not level both at the same time? Give yourself some options going through the story, or just some variety.
I also feel it's a bit silly to start crafting/gathering after clearing story, since you've skipped all the things crafting may have been useful for. Your only crafting goal at that point is to level it for the sake of having a leveled DoH/L, instead of having the option to keep yourself in the best gear as you progress.

So, for me, I feel it makes the most sense to level everything at the same time. Keeps everything similarly relevant, at the cost of progressing much more slowly. I don't mind the slow pace, and I get to enjoy the world a little more fully.

[Frizze]

Yeah, this is fairly dependent on what it is that you enjoy. I cant set a proper goal for you to enhance your playtime without knowing you. So instead, lets try this.

Do you enjoy having the most options available to choose from? Advance the MSQ and do all unlock quests.
Do you like making things? Level a crafting class. Want this to be harder? Dont use Ixali or Moogle tribe quests, limit leve and collectable turnins.
Would you rather make all the things? Then level all 8 crafters.
Does the idea of going out and finding materials to work with appeal? Level mining and/or botany.
Want to make money? Some combination of gathering and crafting is the easiest.
Do you like pointlessly wasting time and occasionally being rewarded? Try fishing - either in game or IRL.
More into fun and games? Save up to buy a Fenrir mount(1 million MGP - for most people thats a lot of cards or chocobo racing). You can also get the Archons Throne and Korpokkur Kolossus if you want to stretch this goal(another 750k each).
Want a deeper understanding of combat? Level and use a class of each roll - healer tank and dps. Bonus points if you expand "DPS" to: melee DPS, ranged DPS and magical DPS(for a total of 5+ classes leveled).
Want a challenge in battle? Get to end game and move into the Extreme/Savage/Ultimate scene.
Want a challenge you can try now? Complete a 200 floor run in PotD.
Want a better ending to the ARR storyline then the one Praetorium offered? Run the Coils of Bahamut. Find groups to do these sync'd/min ilvl for 2 more challenges(challenge one is finding the groups, challenge two is completing the content).
Want a better understanding of the world? Do every sidequest everywhere, and pay attention to all the lore that comes from it. If you do, bring more then one class to spread the exp around.
Want to do a light breezy sidequest line that most people agree is fun? Hilde!
Want to leave a mark on the world thats as permanent as you want it to be? Buy a house(easier said then done) and decorate it in a truly unique way.
Are you ready for the TRUE endgame? Glamour, glamour, glamour.
Like collecting? Work on one/several of the in game collections - mounts, orchestrion rolls, minions, and Triad cards. Note: If you are an obsessive completionist i advise against this goal, as some of these are more or less unavailable, others are only available on the cash shop, and many of the "available" in-game ones require insane amounts of RNG. In the event you do go down this rabbit hole, Frizze will not be held liable for any loss of sanity.
Like grinding? Work on some relics and animas!
Like grinding in a slightly more social setting? Centurio Tiger ALL the way(achievement reward for doing hunts - 5000 combined A and S ranks).
Want to improve the player base? Write a guide/make a video for some piece of content that people are having a hard time with that spells out how to win - this can either be general or from a specific viewpoint. Or find an area or two you feel comfortable giving advice on and help other players either in game or on the boards. Or recruit new people into playing the game who would be good at it. Or find a way to make the people who dont care magically suck less. Or maybe something else. This one more of a conceptual goal.
Not seeing any ideas that appeal to you? Try to use something on this list to inspire a personal goal you can work toward.
Want a longer list then this? Sorry, but im running short on ideas right this minute. But this seems like a good start. And in the unlikely event youve already done all these things, then teach me time management. Because ive been playing for a few years and i still dont have all of them done.

[Risvertasashi]

Focusing MSQ is generally a good idea, as pretty much everything is gated behind it. Finishing MSQ (at least to the end of 4.0 SB) opens up the rest of the game to you.

But you can stop and do some other things along the way. When you get to level 60, primals for example. Or pvp. Stop by the gold saucer. Try other jobs or crafting. And so on.

Once you do get to 70, this might help you. 4.1 endgame progression for fresh 70s