Suggestion [remove Aether Currents as a catch up mechanic]

[MilkieTea]

I got all Aether Currents (from HW-ShB) in what equates to roughly 4 hours. It's not hard work, nor is it overly tedious. The one which requires a dungeon, though, I think should be nixed.

[KageTokage]

Coming from WoW, I honestly appreciate having to explore a zone on foot and take in all the little details before flight trivializes navigation.

[Kes13a]

using WoW players as an excuse is just wrong. If you have any clue how hard Blizz locks up flight the way FFXIV handles it is a dream.

they are fine as they are. they also promote exploration.

there is no need to give everything away. why not just let people make a level 80 character? that way they can jump right into end game?

[Shougun]

I think what could be nice is if they reward you tomestones or something, if we were discussing catch up mechanics. Run around touch all the currents, buy yourself a new set of tome gear.

[Seera1024]

I haven't found any huge reason to have flying on the maps once the MSQ takes you away from them.

I have them on my main and I've got an alt that's only gotten a few of them and I've not been terribly inconvenienced by not having flying unlocked on those maps. And my alt has completed all currently released MSQ and is waiting for Endwalker to release.

The only map where it would be an issue is one they give you simply for completing the MSQ - no side quests or aether currents.

[Jeeqbit]

I haven't found any huge reason to have flying on the maps once the MSQ takes you away from them.

That's a good point, it depends if you plan to do content from previous expansions, such as going back to do old side quests, grinds or hunts. A lot of people choose to just focus on the new content and nothing else.

[Packetdancer]

I haven't found any huge reason to have flying on the maps once the MSQ takes you away from them.

I have them on my main and I've got an alt that's only gotten a few of them and I've not been terribly inconvenienced by not having flying unlocked on those maps. And my alt has completed all currently released MSQ and is waiting for Endwalker to release.

Mostly it's useful if you're a crafter/gatherer and want to be able to gather materials for crafting gear and such (witness zipping around to gather things to make Exarchic gear for your alt jobs or whatever), or if you run treasure maps with any sort of regularity. Having flight for those is useful (in the case of the maps) or even necessary (in the case of gathering, as some gathering nodes cannot be reached without flight).

[Dawn_FF14]

…As a new payer to FF14, with nearly 45K hours in video games [50% of that is in MMOs], I have rarely seen a game that implements such a mechanic as to purposefully CRIPPLE the player…

- You are at a moment where many WoW players are moving to your game…

As a WoW player for 10+ years, I want to say flying is so easy to get in FF14. In WoW, there were Pathfinder Part I, Pathfinder Part II, covenant campaign and renown grind… plus the 1+ year time gate in current expansion… Sounds like you weren’t playing WoW.

[Zanarkand-Ronso]

Nah, I vote keep it the way it is. There is nothing hard or even bad about exploring the Map while following a compass to a Current, and then making story progress to unlock more quests that reward the other currents.
There is nothing about this that CRIPPLE's anybody nor does it decrease accessibility to the game. If it did, it wouldn't be in the game at all after 3 expansions.
And WoW players coming into the game is not an incentive to get rid of this system.

I also don't understand the "CatchUp Mechanic" in your title...what are you catching up to by unlocking flying right away?
And what are you losing out on by having to earn your ability to fly?

[KDSilver]

I don't like it.
But I don't want them to be removed either.

It's an overworld activity that encourage exploration.
I think it's fine.