HW and SB is are order of magnitude less than ARR's 'back and forth' especially the 2.XX questing line.
To everyone else, I'm not complaining because I hated it back at release. I loved it. More than enough to get through it and here I am still. But the attrition rates and new players quitting before they can experience or enjoy the game that we currently play... that is not a matter of opinion or debate. It happens. You and I want it fixed and so do new players wanting to join an excellent trinity role MMO rather than listen to the constant litany of "It gets better, I promise". Its rough. Try it if you dare, you'll be shocked. It makes sense why new player attrition rates are knill.
I listed the biggest issues they have. Anyone have tips as it seems Square will not be addressing it in 5.0? I have a couple:
- Start in Limsa (wide open areas and decent enough story) People seem to dislike the Forest (all looks the same to new folks)
- Arcanist class or Rougue (@lvl10). Arcanist gets a great healer and DPS options. Marauder is still fun as a first class (if they have MMO Tank experience)
- Avoid Conjurer till the early game skills are re-balanced. The only healer but horrid to play now (nothing like it was when I played through). Boring for a long while... I'd rather recommend Scholar if they wanna heal at 30
- Use have them use the Story Potion (if needed) after chocobo is obtained and they have a grasp on stuff. Heavensward or Stormblood depends on the person
- Its a mainline Final Fantasy game so make sure they know this is not WoW's gogogogogogo rush to endgame. That will set them up for a long disappointing slog.
- Lastly, SET EXPECTATIONS. The game you play vs the new person is vastly different. Lvl 30 and on the story really picks up. Let them know that story/skills/pacing all improve but it takes a while.
The goal is to get our friends to join the game we keep talking about or show raid boss fights too. Does anyone have other good tips?