Quote Originally Posted by Alyx View Post
No, PvP is a completely separate system from the rest of the game content. Your gear serves no purpose there other than cosmetics. There are no player levels. There are completely separate and different skills than anywhere else in the game.

Not participating in PvP will have minimal impact on your progression through the game. To you, it would only serve as one source of XP among many.

The most optimal way to level a class in FFXIV is to mix content. That means combining roulettes, dungeons, FATEs, challenge log, hunts, sidequests, main quests, and anything else that grants XP.
Thanks all for the info.