New Character // New to the Game

[Mikita]

Hi and welcome to FFXIV! I just thought I'd add my 2 cents to the thread. ^^

Shposhae
Definitely worth doing for the experience. It's a fun low level dungeon to run around in and fight things, and the NM fights are fun as well. But you will probably quickly outgrow any equipment you get here, so it may not be worth doing repeatedly for the drops.

On a side note, an R50 player can practically one shot the NMs in Shposhae, so if you value experiencing the dungeon I'd recommend going with a few people while you're all in the R20 to 25 range if at all possible.

Crafting and Gathering
Some people love these activities, and some people hate them. But they are an integral part of the game and you will eventually need to work on these if you want to be somewhat self reliant, so it would be good to get started now because it can take a while if you only work on them between adventuring activities. Or you can befriend people who have put in the time to level these and who can help you out.

Doing it for profit...
Crafting by itself may not be a money making activity... in fact, it can sometimes cost quite a bit to get the materials you need if you need to buy them in the markets. Gathering brings new raw materials into the economy and therefore has greater potential for earnings if you can collect items that are in demand. Of course, the best combination is finding complementary activities and leveling them up together. ^^

Starting Class
One of the great things about FFXIV is that you can freely change classes and find the ones you like to play. I started as a Lancer, then switched to Pugilist main before finally finding my heart was in Conjury and being a White Mage.

Being able to use abilities from other classes is also integral to the game, and jobs have sub-class requirements as well. So even if you start as one class you have the freedom to try other classes, then mix some of the abilities you've learned from each. ^^

[Bladewall]

You all are AWESOME, thanks so much for all the awesome pointers. Wow. I've set aside a couple hours tonight to work on crafting/gathering, armorsmithing and mining as Estellios suggested-- and I will also, hopefully, push through more of the Skull Valley camp.

Mikita after reading your great post I'll try to curb my enthusiasm about profits-- at least, heh, to start out with. So long as I can sustain my gear to some degree and help keep myself up to snuff... That'll be enough for now. Even if it becomes something of a gil-dump.

I've been working on Marauder/Gladiator almost exclusively but I'll shoot for spending some time with Pugilist and Conjurer to kind of round out my abilities because of your post Taika. If I hadn't read it, I would have, probably foolishly, just plowed ahead as just a Marauder/Gladiator until I unlocked warrior- so thank you for that input.

Heh, I feel like I'm just barraging you all with questions (thanks for your patience!) but I have a few more...

Outside of Shposhae I haven't really seen many other dungeons- is that something that is in the works for 2.0? Are there many other dungeons to explore as a team? Or is it mainly named monster hunting for the time being?

Had a friendly player direct me to the camp where I could pick up a Goobbue when I hit level 30- - I also unlocked Battlecraft achievements. I understand that as I gain achievement points I can exchange those for items, is that true? When I get to higher levels is it worth it to focus on gaining those achievement points?

Finally, as far as starting areas go, I hear alot of people saying to head to Ul'dah for groups and linkshells. I'm really liking Limsa Lominsa's style right now-- if I wanted to kind of stay put where I'm at for a little while, when would it be a good idea to kinda change my base of operations to Ul'dah? Does the main story quest chain that begins in Limsa Lominsa eventually head there?

Thank you all!!

[Mikita]

Outside of Shposhae I haven't really seen many other dungeons- is that something that is in the works for 2.0? Are there many other dungeons to explore as a team? Or is it mainly named monster hunting for the time being?

In the Black Shroud there are the Tam Tara Deepcroft (lower level) and Mun Tuy Cellars (higher level).

In Thanalan there is Nanawa Mines and Copperbell Mines... These aren't really dungeons, but a labyrinth like mine with lots of monsters to fight. There were also a couple of other mines that we stumbled upon, but neither were available for entry.

In La Noscea there is Cassiopeia Hollow near Camp Bloodshore, and the U'Ghamaro Mines (fairly difficult Kobold stronghold).

There are also the instanced dungeons of Toto Rak in the Black Shroud, Dzemael Darkhold in Coerthas, Cutter's Cry in Thanalan, and Aurum Vale in Coerthas.

Finally, as far as starting areas go, I hear alot of people saying to head to Ul'dah for groups and linkshells. I'm really liking Limsa Lominsa's style right now-- if I wanted to kind of stay put where I'm at for a little while, when would it be a good idea to kinda change my base of operations to Ul'dah? Does the main story quest chain that begins in Limsa Lominsa eventually head there?

Ul'dah is the gathering point for many players and it would be much easier to meet people, find parties, and get introduced to Linkshells there.

Even if you don't want to make Ul'dah your home, it's very easy to get around.
I usually keep my main return point as Ul'dah so I can go there easily whenever I like, and my secondary home point is set to the Inn Room in Limsa Lominsa so I can go "home" easily. ^^

[RicoJalapeno]

I have seen the Battlecraft option, but what exactly are battlecrafts?

[REDace0]

There are three other non-instanced dungeons like Shposhae. They're the three beastman strongholds: U'Ghamaro Mines north of Camp Iron Lake in La Noscea, Zahar'ak east of Camp Broken Water in Thanalan, and Natalan east of Camp Dragonhead in Coerthas. These are full of level 50-59 Kobolds, Amalj'aa, and Ixali, respectively, and have many special beastman NMs that sometimes drop keys to the coffers nearby, which sometimes contain unique gear.

You can't turn in the points you earn for completing achievements in FFXIV. The points themselves are like Xbox's Gamerscore: fun, but essentially worthless. On the other hand many of the hardest or most time consuming achievements have unique rewards, including the Luminary Tools, the Paragon's Crown, and the various Grand Company Escutcheons. These can be obtained from the NPCs issuing the corresponding achievements after they have been unlocked.

"Battlecraft" just refers to Battlecraft leves. Regional leves are divided into Battlecraft (fighting) and Fieldcraft (gathering). There's no corresponding word for crafting leves, since all Local Leves are crafting.

And yes, the main scenario will take you to Ul'dah at level 20. But the Grand Company storyline will take you all over.

[RicoJalapeno]

Once again, thank you guys for answering my questions. Looks like this game will keep me busy for awhile. I am getting all my Classes up to 15, then starting archer as my main so I can unlock Bard. I don't really like crafting, so I will most likely ignore that for awhile.

Another Question:
Does it matter where you place your retainer? Not as in which city, but the sub-category's. As long as someone searchs for an item I have, they can still find it right? Doesn't matter which sub-category it's in?

[REDace0]

They can still find it in the Item Search. The tax you pay to the city on the item varies by ward though. If you actually enter each ward it will tell you which items are discounted, e.g. Upper Tailors halves the tax on leather and cloth armor level 41-50. This is the tax taken away from the sale price when the gil is put into your retainer's inventory. I believe the tax is 5% in the wards, 2.5% in the correct ward, and 10% in a player bazaar (not sure why there's a tax there, lore-wise). Note that this is distinct from the item delivery fee charged when buying through the Item Search, which is added on top of your specified price when someone makes a purchase and is only charged to the buyer.

[RicoJalapeno]

Gracias Senior. So easy to pick up other MMO's, this one has been a little more difficult, and I played FF11.

[RicoJalapeno]

Lol I can't believe I asked the Battlecraft question, I got it mixed up with something else, I always knew what it was.