Do you prefer your FFXIV solo or MMO style?

[Myrany]

I've come to find that, with the most recent relic weapon abandoning additional content in favour of tome grind, a lot of people really do prefer this MMO to be a solo experience. I'm of both minds: it's nice to be able to solo and complete personal goals without relying on others, but I feel you get SO MUCH more out of it when you have to actually play the game with other people, persevere, and earn your shiny beatstick. It also feels like the game heavily favours the solo players experience.

For me, ginding for boz relics and the yokai event in anticipation for Dawntrail has been some of the most fun I've had in my 1800+ hrs of playtime. This is the first time I've done any events with an FC aside from maps, and its cool actually playing with your guild! I've met some really cool people in boz because it forces interaction, something which I think this game SORELY lacks, considering its an MMO. Stepping into the southern front instance and seeing people milling about and actually talking about the game has been so, so refreshing. The yokai event has injected a ton of life into the game for me. The world actually feels alive when you can go to nearly any zone right now on a congested server and see SWARMS of players running around doing overworld content. It all comes down to personal preference, I suppose, but playing an MMO and actually having to make your own parties, work with other players, and engage with content I've otherwise not really touched due to a lack of general interest from other players has been phenomenal.

What is your preference? Did you do the any of the bigger relic grinds when they were current? Did you love it, hate it, or was it just meh?

This Watch event brings out everything I hate most with the behavior of some people in MMOs to be honest.

As far as playstyle I am mostly a solo player. I do use Duty finder to get things done. I enjoy seeing other people around me and the random things that can happens as a result. But for day to day play I prefer to be solo. Not rushed by anyone. Not told what to do tonight by anyone. Free to explore and go down rabbit holes at my own whim (latest is discovering Big Fish fishing).

[Equitable_Remedy]

I've come to find that... a lot of people really do prefer this MMO to be a solo experience.

In what sense did you "come to find" that? What percentage of the total player base have you asked?

I'm begging people to realize that social media is not a representative sample of anything.

[IslingrHashslinger]

In what sense did you "come to find" that? What percentage of the total player base have you asked?

I'm begging people to realize that social media is not a representative sample of anything.

It's anecdotal and my impression. not everything has to be a doctorate level, MLA cited, journalistic paper completely divorced of bias. "ive come to find" heavily implies a subjective perspective and its honestly a failing of your reading comprehension that you chose to nitpick this, or a wilful decision to find something I said disagreeable without reason so you chose this complaint. it's a game, not a master's thesis. the least you could've done is contribute to the conversation.

[Boa-Noah]

I like the duty system because I have anxiety and I like seeing what the NPCs say/interact with, but also because who even wants to do dungeons? They're the worst part of the game IMO and as a DPS I got queue times to deal with, running it with a friend might make it more enjoyable but I only have a couple FFXIV friends and most are not on at the same time as me.

But everything else in the game is fine, I like alliance raids (the Crystal Tower ones in particular, they're just a brainless run through and I really like that.)

I wouldn't define FFXIV as a 'solo experience' though, I also wouldn't consider Bozja a social experience either, for me Bozja is a miserable wasteland and if I wanted to run around mob farming I'd join the nearest train, I have no idea why people seem to enjoy that kind of content and to date I haven't completed either Eureka or Bozja, they're just so 'blegh'. Not to mention the time involved, why would I want to spend weeks of my life killing trash mobs in a fancy field just so I can get the latest shiny trinket? Something that's almost always outclassed by the raid weapon?

If that's 'social' then it's not for me.

[1313]

I've come to find that, with the most recent relic weapon abandoning additional content in favour of tome grind, a lot of people really do prefer this MMO to be a solo experience. I'm of both minds: it's nice to be able to solo and complete personal goals without relying on others, but I feel you get SO MUCH more out of it when you have to actually play the game with other people, persevere, and earn your shiny beatstick. It also feels like the game heavily favours the solo players experience.

For me, ginding for boz relics and the yokai event in anticipation for Dawntrail has been some of the most fun I've had in my 1800+ hrs of playtime. This is the first time I've done any events with an FC aside from maps, and its cool actually playing with your guild! I've met some really cool people in boz because it forces interaction, something which I think this game SORELY lacks, considering its an MMO. Stepping into the southern front instance and seeing people milling about and actually talking about the game has been so, so refreshing. The yokai event has injected a ton of life into the game for me. The world actually feels alive when you can go to nearly any zone right now on a congested server and see SWARMS of players running around doing overworld content. It all comes down to personal preference, I suppose, but playing an MMO and actually having to make your own parties, work with other players, and engage with content I've otherwise not really touched due to a lack of general interest from other players has been phenomenal.

What is your preference? Did you do the any of the bigger relic grinds when they were current? Did you love it, hate it, or was it just meh?

I loved the hell out of both Eureka and Bozja, the former more than the latter. They made the game interesting, while keeping players with something to do outside of the same dungeons/raids/trials they have done 45 million times already. The lack of content required for Manderville weapons made Endwalker endgame really boring, and players are less active. In SHB a lot more people stayed subbed right til the very end, while currently a large number of players are on hiatus. I really hope Dawntrail does better with the endgame.

[Jojoya]

I like having the combination. I can choose to play by myself or with others depending on my mood.

[rawker]

Both. There are times that I am tired and have little patience to what Roulettes will give to me so I so Duty Support or do other stuff in-game.

[Sotaris]

Bruh, it's an MMO

Are you sure? It doesn’t feel very MMO and this comes from someone who played for a decade.

[Asako]

If it was ARR difficulty then MMO style, but as the game is now who cares really, I just treat other players as NPC's.

[Ancalagon_Blacktalon]

for overworld and questing, I prefer solo, including first-time runs of dungeons. But I'm not opposed to roulettes or occasionally joining a hunt or FATE party either. It depends on how spent I am and how much energy I can dedicate to being social.