Just finished ARR - where to go next?

[Zavinus]

I got the "Warrior of Light" achievement and the game keeps guiding me to do the quests in the later patches of ARR, but right now I'm mostly interested in getting to the level cap so I can focus on end-game content and such. What's the best route for leveling after doing the main MSQs for ARR?

[Tsiron]

I have bad news... content is gated by MSQ progression more than it is by your character's level. But if you want to reach level cap afaik there's doing duties/roulettes (useful for the currency they give, too) and deep dungeons (Palace of the Dead in ARR). People have said Bozja is the way to go for 70-80 but you're not unlocking that anytime soon so...

[Jeeqbit]

The main story of all of the expansions is interconnected, including their patches. To get to end-game you need to do the ARR patch quests, then do Heavensward, then its patch quests, then Stormblood, then its patch quests, then Shadowbringers and its patch quests. Then you can focus on the end-game content.

If that is a lot you can pause and do the older end-game content from ARR, Heavensward and Stormblood. It's up to you really.

[Tarryme]

When I got to that point in the game I was so excited, I thought I was going to HW. That was a week ago and I'm still not there.

[Arrhin]

When I got to that point in the game I was so excited, I thought I was going to HW. That was a week ago and I'm still not there.

Consider that this story based MMO launched in 2013. You have that much content to get through, a week isn't going to get you far. I don't often recommend them but in your case you might consider a story skip pot for $$ on the Online Store.

[MistakeNot]

I got the "Warrior of Light" achievement and the game keeps guiding me to do the quests in the later patches of ARR, but right now I'm mostly interested in getting to the level cap so I can focus on end-game content and such. What's the best route for leveling after doing the main MSQs for ARR?

You keep doing the MSQ, with occasional stops for whatever other content strikes your fancy.

Nearly everything in the game is gated by the MSQ in one way or the other. You want to do end-game content, you need to follow the MSQ to the end.

Do not rush to level cap.

[Tarryme]

I finally got there op. It WAS worth the wait. Keep on trucking.

[Tarryme]

Consider that this story based MMO launched in 2013. You have that much content to get through, a week isn't going to get you far. I don't often recommend them but in your case you might consider a story skip pot for $$ on the Online Store.

Hell shalt freeze over befell that day doth pass upon shame and discontent will not surrey my head if thy wish it or not.

[Iscah]

You really don't want to be at level cap until you are nearing the end of Shadowbringers. Quests give a huge amount of EXP – enough to carry a class through the whole game, especially once you include dungeon EXP.

You have basically completed the first story chapter out of eight at the moment.

As for what you actually should be doing now, besides following the MSQ: take the sidequest from Minfilia that unlocks the hard-mode primal fights, do the Crystal Tower alliance raids and catch up on your job quests if you didn't do them up to 50 yet. (The first two things are eventually required; the job quests give you necessary skills.)