Not sure where to go...

[Brightamethyst]

Thank you, but I bought the most recent story skip the other day, and am now able to access areas with level 70/80 mobs.

You still won't be able to actually do anything with those levels though. Without the story you'll be stuck in old zones forever. You can't even access any of the level 80-90 zones without doing at least some of the MSQ.

I suppose there's technically nothing stopping you from spending a million hours solo grinding your way to 90 on Tempest FATEs or whatever, but for the life of me I can't imagine why anyone would want to do that.

[Rokal]

You still won't be able to actually do anything with those levels though. Without the story you'll be stuck in old zones forever. You can't even access any of the level 80-90 zones without doing at least some of the MSQ.

I suppose there's technically nothing stopping you from spending a million hours solo grinding your way to 90 on Tempest FATEs or whatever, but for the life of me I can't imagine why anyone would want to do that.

I started doing the MSQ that took me to some beachside town, where I'm fighting some level 80 giant turtles along the beach.

It's not that I don't want to do any of the MSQ, but not really for the story, just as a means to an end as you've all mentioned... and at least nowadays, if I understand correctly, I can do the "forced grouping" parts with NPCs who won't be a$$ hats towards me even if a wipe is my fault, lol.

[Brightamethyst]

and at least nowadays, if I understand correctly, I can do the "forced grouping" parts with NPCs

Yeah. You can do the dungeons with NPCs filling in the other party slots. You'll still need to party up for the 8-man trials though. Can't do those (with one exception) with NPCs.

who won't be a$$ hats towards me even if a wipe is my fault, lol.

To be fair, 99.8% of other players won't do that either, especially if you tell the party you're new when you join. The sprout/flower icon and the first timer bonus help a lot to immediately temper expectations. No one will expect you know everything, or even anything, the first time you run a given dungeon. In leveling dungeons no one really cares what you do or how good a player you are as long as you have the basics down (don't stand in AoE, stack for stack markers, etc.)

[Rokal]

...
To be fair, 99.8% of other players won't do that either, especially if you tell the party you're new when you join. The sprout/flower icon and the first timer bonus help a lot to immediately temper expectations. No one will expect you know everything, or even anything, the first time you run a given dungeon. In leveling dungeons no one really cares what you do or how good a player you are as long as you have the basics down (don't stand in AoE, stack for stack markers, etc.)

Thank you, but I'm not so sure about that part.

I actually asked here awhile ago if that was a thing in FFXIV, and the vast majority of responses were, yes it is... Tanks/Healers catch a ton of sh#* from other party members if there's a wipe... so I just don't, won't, do it.

I'll figure out the 8 man thing later... or maybe wait til the next expansion and buy another story skip

[Kennar]

I actually asked here awhile ago if that was a thing in FFXIV, and the vast majority of responses were, yes it is... Tanks/Healers catch a ton of sh#* from other party members if there's a wipe... so I just don't, won't, do it.

Brightamethyst is right. When it comes to the Duty Finder in normal content, people just want to get in, get done, and get out. As long as you have an understanding of your job and show a willingness to correct mistakes, you'll be just fine. Party wipes are also incredibly uncommon in normal content, and in most cases someone will be willing to explain what went wrong and be keen to try again. Almost all of us understand that this is indeed a game, and don't treat everything as a personal insult. If you're struggling, don't be afraid to call for a pause and ask for advice.

As far as player interaction, you'll be lucky to get a "o/" at the start and a "gg" at the end. Just remember that nobody likes to drag dead weight, but most players are geared and experienced enough to carry you, as long as you're making a decent effort. There's nothing to it but to do it.

All that "you'll be just fine!" nonsense out of the way, this really doesn't seem like your cup of tea. You don't care about the story, you don't want to do instanced duties... I mean, that's the game. The overworld has almost nothing worthwhile. Personally, I wouldn't want to keep throwing money at the Mogstation to make a game I didn't like tolerable.

[Rokal]

... All that "you'll be just fine!" nonsense out of the way, this really doesn't seem like your cup of tea. You don't care about the story, you don't want to do instanced duties... I mean, that's the game. The overworld has almost nothing worthwhile. Personally, I wouldn't want to keep throwing money at the Mogstation to make a game I didn't like tolerable.

It's just that I like exploring MMO worlds/zones, and as mentioned earlier, it's not that I don't completely care about the story, it's that I'm going through it on another server with RL friends when our play schedules align... and I hate repeating content which is why I love the FFXIV way of all roles/jobs on one character so much.

If I'm in the mood for melee solo'ing... I've got various melee jobs... feel like playing a caster, I can switch with the touch of a button, easy peasy.

This game IS for me, just not in the way it probably is for most people.

[keeper_of_moon]

Thank you, but I'm not so sure about that part.

I actually asked here awhile ago if that was a thing in FFXIV, and the vast majority of responses were, yes it is... Tanks/Healers catch a ton of sh#* from other party members if there's a wipe... so I just don't, won't, do it.

With all due respect, that's just part of being in an online environment. ffxiv is miles ahead of other gaming communities but the simple nature of being on the internet means you're going to come across abrasive people every now and then. Even if you play a dps or even here on the forum, you will find people who disagree with you and aren't very kind about it. My point being if you're comfortable enough to be making a post like this, you shouldn't worry about that as nearly as much as you are.

That being said, you do you. If you're getting enjoyment out of the game that way, all to you. I personally just feel like it's a bit of a waste since you're cutting out so much of the game but to each their own.