Different Aspects of the Game Besides Combat!

[BuloAurius]

Hey Everyone,

So I'm a pretty new player here, and I've gotten around to notice that there are a LOT of different aspects of FFXIV besides combat, and I've been wondering what else I've been missing out on.

For instance, some systems I've been largely ignoring (partly because they've seemed too complex at first glance) include:

Retainers
GC Squads?--I read somewhere that you can form your own adventuring squad when your GC rank is high enough.
Palace of the Dead

Is there anything else I've been missing out on? And how exactly do I utilize Retainers / Squads to my benefit as a new player?

Thanks for the help

Balu

[BuloAurius]

Synthesis, Exploratory Missions, Barding...

Looks like there's a lot I'm going to research haha...

[AngelCheese77]

Hey Everyone,

So I'm a pretty new player here, and I've gotten around to notice that there are a LOT of different aspects of FFXIV besides combat, and I've been wondering what else I've been missing out on.

For instance, some systems I've been largely ignoring (partly because they've seemed too complex at first glance) include:

Retainers
GC Squads?--I read somewhere that you can form your own adventuring squad when your GC rank is high enough.
Palace of the Dead

Is there anything else I've been missing out on? And how exactly do I utilize Retainers / Squads to my benefit as a new player?

Thanks for the help

Balu

Adventure Squadrons (aka GC squads) are something that you must obtain Second Lieutenant rank with their GC.

Retainers are something you should have unlocked after the MSQ, The Scions of the Seventh Dawn.

Palace of the Dead is really fun. Neat way to pass the time.

Here's some more links to help you ...

Desynthesis Exploratory Missions Chocobo Barding

Overall, https://ffxiv.consolegameswiki.com/wiki/FF14_Wiki is a good resource.

[PandaMonium]

Two other main jobs areas would be Crafting (DoH) and Gathering (DoL), that are 11 more jobs you can level to 70 and maybe enjoy a lot as a good change from fighting.

Logs: there are a lot of kinds of logs you can complete for XP, achievements or just for fun:

Hunting log for every battle job

Grand Company log - you will have to complete it to achieve higher ranks in your GC and to unlock your Squadron

Fishing/ Gathering log - find and obtain all the possible resources

Crafting log - if you are an accomplisher, there are thousand of recipes to obtain and craft - gear, minions, cloths for glamour, furniture and house improvements.

Sightseeing log - discover some most beautiful places of Eorzia that you would never see otherwise.

Get you own house: it may be a long term goal if you are into decorating and such. People are spending hundred of hours playing around their houses or just hanging out with friend there. There are a lot of forum threads and even sites dedicated to housing. Like this for example.
To achieve this goal you might check how to earn a lot of gil, how to play on the Market Board, what crafting jobs to focus to get the furniture you like and so on.

Gold Saucer: welcome to FFXIV Las Vegas! All sorts of mini games, card games and even Chocobo races you can participate in.

Treasure hunt: buy or gather treasure maps and dig shining treasures with your friends

FFXIV has a huge amount of things to do, absolutely huge. I'm playing about 8 months and don't think I saw even 50% of it
So good luck in your journey!

[Enkidoh]

Hunting log for every battle job

Not entirely correct - the Hunting Log (given upon completing the level 1 class quest for each class) is only available for the original (version 1.0 and ARR) classes, there is no Hunting Logs for the new 'classless' Jobs added with Heavensward and Stormblood. There is also the Grand Company Hunting Log added when you enlist in a GC which is separate to the class Hunting Logs (and reward GC seals instead of EXP and gil).

The Hunting Log eventually was superseded by the actual Hunt, which is accessed from the Mark Board at the three GC HQs, as well as outside the Tavern in Ishgard's Foundation and from Rhalgr's Reach and Kugane. The Hunt is unlocked by speaking to a NPC next to those respective boards. This page has more info about the Hunt and how to do it.

[Frizze]

Another big one that no one mentioned yet.

Glamours(the true endgame). Its not terribly hard to spend hours coming up with the perfect outfit to match your class/mood.

[Avatre]

Adventure Squadrons (aka GC squads) are something that you must obtain Second Lieutenant rank with their GC.

In addition to this, if you decide to change GCs from Immortal Flames to Twin Adders(just an example) you do not lose any progress you have with the squad, you only have to get back to the Second Lieutenant rank for your new GC to be able to use them.

[BuloAurius]

Wow, thank you for the comprehensive and helpful advice!

So many different things to do in this game, truly feels like an MMORPG. Cant help but be impressed