sprouts, sprouts everywhere

[Alxyzntlct]

Hmm, this is strange to me. Every other MMO I've played is more accessible than XIV. ARR is a really big barrier of entry and it's always a big reason I can't get people to try this game, meanwhile in say, WoW, you can be max level having fun in like 2 days, picking what story you want to experience along the way. Or ESO where you just kinda do whatever.

Different strokes I guess.

Oh wow, yeah, definitely different perspectives.

Honestly, I don't feel that ARR is a barrier to entry. I'm absolutely loving playing the game, the story is phenomenal, and the way it all progresses has made the learning process a lot smoother as a whole considering how much there is to the game.

As for WoW, yeah, you could get to max level in 2 days, skipping 95% or more of the game, just to get to the current "endgame" content. Which, to be blunt, is a terrible system to me. The majority of the endgame community in WoW is a cesspit of toxicity and is a big reason why I left the game. Heck, even leveling lead to a lot of garbage attitudes where people would be caustic to anyone attempting literally any group content without having everything memorized in advance (especially for old content, which makes little sense in regards to new players). Plus nearly everything which can be done solo, especially professions, have been gutted so that the only content with real meat to it is the endgame group content, which as I noted a moment ago, is less than pleasant.

Here it's been the exact opposite experience for me, which is why I'm continuing to even play the game (whereas WoW I've dropped like a bad habit). Folks here have been, for the most part, really nice, patient, and helpful in explaining how things work. There's a width and breadth of classes that can be explored on a single character, none of which have outlandish requirements to unlock and access, and professions seem like they're going to be a lot of fun to explore and more importantly, seem worthwhile.

So that's what I meant by accessible; it's not that I can hit endgame raiding in 2 days (I'm definitely not in any hurry to get there, lol, especially considering how much of the rest of the game there is to experience), but the rest of the game has clearly been built to be thoughtful of new players or those that enjoy the leveling experience or even just simply replaying older content. It does take time, yeah, but isn't that the point? To play through and experience the whole world?

Well, it is to me at any rate. I like how it is so far, and I hope it continues to be that way.

[VictorTheed]

I noticed it about 2 weeks ago when my friend joined the game, was gonna have him be on Goblin with me and my cousin but Goblin Server was full, I never knew Goblin got that popular.

So now I just go over to the Couerl Server when he needs something or if I'm teaching him stuff, gonna take him through Sastasha soon and help him understand bard when he gets to Gridania, if he ever stops chatting with people in Limsa, Glam'n or Fishing lol.

But at least he's found something that keeps him into 14, I tell him enjoy the ride man, you'll get there when u get there.

[Zachia]

Hello I am a sprout or wow refugee >_>. I am fond of the Miqo'te because cats are amazing! And i had a hard time deciding between the grand companies or Twin flames or twin adders so i went with twin flames because the queen is so cute i could give her a hug and pinch her little cheeks and her body guard / general is very cool so i wish to serve under them. My long term goal is to max all the jobs from combat to profession based, complete all the logs and do all the quests and i'm having a blast and in no rush for end game. I also got my brother into the game . Nice to meet you all!

[Godzillaxpowerrangers]

Hello I am a sprout or wow refugee >_>. I am fond of the Miqo'te because cats are amazing! And i had a hard time deciding between the grand companies or Twin flames or twin adders so i went with twin flames because the queen is so cute i could give her a hug and pinch her little cheeks and her body guard / general is very cool so i wish to serve under them. My long term goal is to max all the jobs from combat to profession based, complete all the logs and do all the quests and i'm having a blast and in no rush for end game. I also got my brother into the game . Nice to meet you all!

You can always switch GC later. First time is free then cost gil.

[Warlyx]

110% accurate. It has pretty much become a "welp, there goes another one..." sort of experience for me nowadays. When they start running there's not much point in chasing after them. There are some things best learned the hard way.

indeed, if im on a rez job im already using swiftcast for the inevitable

[Jeeqbit]

I noticed it about 2 weeks ago when my friend joined the game, was gonna have him be on Goblin with me and my cousin but Goblin Server was full, I never knew Goblin got that popular.

Goblin having Preferred status made it congested and full of sprouts even when I was visiting it 2 years ago and it's remained like that ever since. It's the same for a lot of Crystal worlds that people mistakenly believe have a low population.

[Pirana1]

The sprout communicates to other people in a dungeon that you are new. This changes their expectation of you - instead of expecting you to know what to do, they will be expecting you to get certain mechanics wrong that are common to get wrong on your first time. They will be expecting a lack of understanding of the game from you. This works really well so even without any communication, everyone in the dungeon gets what your experience level is and will be respectful of that.

That would be correct.

Another reason I followed up my previous post with additional information in regards to rotations and guides, and at that point, it's up to each individual to do some research on fight mechanics. So whether you're new or not, the person has some kind of an idea of what they're getting themselves into.

Not having that emblem enabled means very little in the overall picture once you're past the ARR content, you either know the encounter, or you do not. I've been in a number of groups where the healer has the sprout enabled and the tank continues to not only chain pull, but LOS's the heals. As with anything, it's situational. It's probably better than nothing though.

[ForteNightshade]

Famous WoW streamer Asmongold started playing the game recently and a bunch of veteran WoW players followed

You joke but several big name WoW streamers have been playing FFXIV. Bellular, Annie, richwcampbell and etc. They have fairly big audiences who are naturally going to follow, especially with FFXIV having a free trial until the end of HW.

[Puremallace]

It has been funny to be chilling and watch a bard start playing and see a massive group of sprouts gather. This is probably the first time they have seen something like this in an MMO. I think a lot of them are taking the advice of not rushing to end game and just enjoying FF1 what it is.

My hope is the hundreds of videos and threads floating around have gotten idea across that FF14 respects your times unless you want to grind for certain things that do not affect player power.

[Imora]

Now if they would stop toggling their tank stance on and off.....

Omg this.

Had a tank in toto-rak doing it. Oye.