Are the quest unlocked by "A recurring problem" mandatory?

[Waruji]

I've read that "A recurring problem" unlocks the hard mode Primals but I've also seen conflicting statements on if you have to do them or not...

I'm a mediocre player at best. I've played an MMO before (ESO) but I stick to solo content in that so this is my first time playing in groups (when the MSQ forces me to). I don't like it because it just a massive stress button for me even though I have been pretty fortunate with my PUGs so far (as in no mean people). Anyway, I'm happy to even be considered slightly below average. I've gotten a few commendations but since I play healer and mention I'm new, I think they're mostly just being nice or defaulting their commendation to healer.

I bought the game after the trial period under the impression that hard mode was optional.

Now I've seen some statements that you have to do the primal battles on hard to progress the MSQ? Is that true? Is that the 2.0 - 2.5 grind I've heard about? Or is this old information that no longer applies?

If they're necessary, I'll just have to stop playing unless I can get a story skip potion for cheap (do they have sales for those?).

[VictorTheed]

Not sure about the prices of skip potions cause it's been awhile since I bought one for my alt but there is a sale goin on in the mogstation( this game's cash shop) for alot of items and may include skip potions but I'm not sure so you'd have to check, I think the price of the skip a real reborn story one is like 15 bucks and to skip arr and hw that one I think is 25 bucks.

The primal battles you're talking about aren't that hard at all so you'll be fine, just throw up an unsynced party finder and put 1st time bonus in it and you'll be good to go or if have friends or are in a free company have them take u through real quick.

The grind from 2.0 to 3.0 yes it's like u heard but you can always buy a story skip if u don't wanna do it and just go to an inn and watch most of the cutscenes u missed.th

[Waruji]

I'm not really fond of skipping potions, since the story, characters and environment are what interest me. Raids and trials don't appeal to me at all. 25 bucks is a bit much... that's more than I bought the game for.

I don't have any friends or free company to play unsynced with. The only friend I have that plays games is on Xbox so she's not an option. I'm not really sure how the party finder works (I've only done each MSQ dungeon once, next one is Sunken Temple of Quarn)... isn't that asking to be carried? Don't people dislike it when you do that?

EDIT

I get so stressed that my hands shake but it's not really the dying and trying again that bothers me. It's the inconveniencing other people part. I just can't relax at all playing with strangers.

[Espritduo]

The (Hard) part of the name is misleading. They are not hard, just level 50. Labeling non-(Extreme) trials with (Hard) was a bad design decision that they eventually stopped doing. If you were able to do the normal titan, garuda, and ifrit fights while going through the MSQ, you will not find the "Hard" versions any more difficult. In fact, they will be significantly easier because the group will overgear them by a mile and there's 8 people instead of 4, so less pressure on any one person to perform adequately. Just queue up for them in the duty finder like normal and relax. The actual "hard mode" content of the game are things labeled (Extreme), (Savage), or (Ultimate), all of which is 100% optional. Everything required for the MSQ in the game is designed to be cleared by any group of people with any skill level. If you actually care about how good or bad you are, you are already leaps and bounds better than a good chunk of the playerbase and will find no issues with Hard primals.

Also no one cares about new players doing unsynced content through the PF, and it is done all the time for many reasons. It is the easiest, safest, and quickest way to clear the fights, but if you want to actually experience them at least a little bit properly, its better to just queue up normally. Trial roulette ensures you will get a group in a reasonable amount of time.

[Waruji]

Oh, that's a relief. I thought these trials were "Savage/extreme" content. My group died a few times against titan but managed. For both Ifrit and Garuda I think the group I was in knew what they were doing so I might have been carried a bit?

[Espritduo]

Titan is always a "fun" one simply because he has a permanent knock off aspect to the fight. This particularly annoying mechanic was also something they stopped doing for fights eventually. Every fight from Sophia onward that has knock off mechanics allows you to still be rez'd back into the fight. And don't stress out about whether you're being "carried" or not. If you're there and breathing, you're contributing and doing your part to clear the fight, especially if you're a healer.

[Waruji]

I hope I can contribute a little at least. I do like healing people. Thanks though, you've calmed me down a bit. =)

[RokkuEkkusu]

To add on what has already been said, the completion Ifrit (Hard), Garuda (Hard), and Titan (Hard) trials only applies as a prerequisite to start the 2.5 main story quests.

You can continue on the 2.1-2.4 main story without having to complete those 3 trials until then.

[Waruji]

Ok, so I don't need to do them right away? That's good to know.

[Stepjam]

You might as well do them though. They are fun and nothing to be scared of.