Questions about leveling in Stormblood

[Dawn_FF14]

I just started doing Stormblood content at level 61. I have a couple of questions, and really appreciate if anyone can help with some insights.

1) Will MSQ and side quests provide enough EXP to reach level 70?
I started HW at almost level 55, and I still had to do a significant amount of side quests and some leves to continue in MSQ around level 58-60. Looking at the EXPs from the first few side quests in Stormblood, I can't help wonder if non-quest EXPs are sort of required to finish Stormblood.

Since I don't run dungeons for EXPs beyond what is required by the MSQ, maybe I need to think of other ways to gain EXPs. Also note that I'm not concerned about the speed of leveling. Probably more like, can I just do quests and avoid dungeon and FATE to reach level 70?

2) Is it necessary to raise my chocobo rank to 10+?
I use the chocobo to help kill monsters faster during regular questing. And, I have no plan for it to tank or heal for me in any challenging fights. Just wonder if I can level it later, or later would be less efficient or more of a hustle to do it.

[Stepjam]

1. If you aren't sharing exp between classes, msq should be enough to get you through stormblood. Though if not, roulettes are your best bet. Also if exp is an issue now, you definitely won't get through shadowbringers without a bit of grinding (which is generally standard).

It is not mandatory to level or even unlock the chocobo for combat purposes. It's just handy to do so. I do recommend healing over damage though but its 100% up to you.

[Canadane]

Since I don't run dungeons for EXPs beyond what is required by the MSQ

Wait why? Dungeons are the best exp/hour in the game. Queue times aside.

[Dawn_FF14]

1. If you aren't sharing exp between classes, msq should be enough to get you through stormblood. Though if not, roulettes are your best bet. Also if exp is an issue now, you definitely won't get through shadowbringers without a bit of grinding (which is generally standard).

It is not mandatory to level or even unlock the chocobo for combat purposes. It's just handy to do so. I do recommend healing over damage though but its 100% up to you.

I start to get the feeling that the game by its design is assuming roulettes are used during leveling along with MSQ. So I wondered if side quests can be an alternative.

As for my chocobo, I have it on Free stance, and the little guy does try to heal me whenever my HP is not full.

Wait why? Dungeons are the best exp/hour in the game. Queue times aside.

It's a personal thing. I'm used to run dungeons at level cap, when I switch to my "end game" mode from "quest/leveling" mode. In FF14, dungeons are also intertwined within the story line, rather than optional. It kind of feels weird to "relive" something that I've already done/killed, when I'm "immersed" in the current story.

[MistakeNot]

I just started doing Stormblood content at level 61. I have a couple of questions, and really appreciate if anyone can help with some insights.

1) Will MSQ and side quests provide enough EXP to reach level 70?
I started HW at almost level 55, and I still had to do a significant amount of side quests and some leves to continue in MSQ around level 58-60. Looking at the EXPs from the first few side quests in Stormblood, I can't help wonder if non-quest EXPs are sort of required to finish Stormblood.

Since I don't run dungeons for EXPs beyond what is required by the MSQ, maybe I need to think of other ways to gain EXPs. Also note that I'm not concerned about the speed of leveling. Probably more like, can I just do quests and avoid dungeon and FATE to reach level 70?

If you do all the sidequests, and maybe the occasional FATE you stumble across, you will get enough EXP for leveling without having to run any extra dungeons.

2) Is it necessary to raise my chocobo rank to 10+?
I use the chocobo to help kill monsters faster during regular questing. And, I have no plan for it to tank or heal for me in any challenging fights. Just wonder if I can level it later, or later would be less efficient or more of a hustle to do it.

You do not have level up your chocobo, but is useful to have it leveled. You don't have to go out of your way to level it, just make sure you do at least the first stage of the weekly challenge log for it.