Engineering Manuals

[Vindrax]

After a very long break from FFXIV, I have returned to check out all of the changes and man talk about a revamp... I have been reading over threads on the forums and as someone interested in leveling DoH/DoL I saw that there are these manuals that could drastically help speed the leveling process. According to what I've gathered so far, I need to do some sort of grand company quest then begin to obtain seals to purchase these. Here's a couple of questions if anyone would be so kind to help me out:

1. My two highest DoW/DoM classes are 40THM/21CNJ. Will this be sufficient to solo this quest? All of my gear is Dated and not up to those current levels since I crafted all of it myself. Would hunting for better gear drastically help me?
2. I recently started leveling PUG (currently 14) so I can unlock BLM. Would unlocking BLM help me drastically in completing this quest (should I do that first)? How difficult is it to do the quest for job unlock?
3. I actually was leveling THM because it played more like a RDM/WHM with some CNJ splashed skills back before they changed all the spells/skills around. I'm hoping to play a healer. Would it make more sense for me to level CNJ and unlock WHM before doing this quest?
4. How difficult are seals to obtain? Is this going to help speed up my leveling DoH/DoL classes drastically if I do this first or should I just keep going about everything as I have been?

It seems like unlocking these grand companies are pretty important now, I just haven't been playing on my THM since they switched all my skills and I'm a little nervous to have to relearn everything (so I've been sticking to PUG and gathering/crafting). I realize that grouping is supposedly a lot better now (before I would just solo Coblyns/Doblyns) so I want to make sure I understand my class before jumping in with others that would be relying on me.

I know it sounds like my goals are currently all over the place, but any recommendations of you would set your priorities if you were in my place would be appreciated. I managed to obtain my goobue mount, which is absolutely outstanding for travel and did my inn quest, which rested EXP is great as well. Any tips for a player who has been out for an extended time would be greatly apprecatied.

[REDace0]

The only quest that involves fighting that you must do to become a Private First Class has you fighting four L22 enemies. One or two Firas should do it.

If you want to heal, but like being able to throw in damage too, you'll be happy in end-game as a WHM. You'll want GLA22 and PGL6 I think for all the abilities that you need.

This will speed up leveling your DoH and DoL, but only if you can do L45 Grand Company caravans. These can be done successfully with 4 or more L50s. However, you also need to spend these seals to promote in your GC, which is required for the current 1.0 storyline that's going away in a few months. The manuals are a 50% bonus for up to 12k XP and cost 400 seals. Until you clear the GC story, I'd unlock WHM, get GLA to 22, get WHM to 50, and then just apply your rested XP bonus to crafting.

[Vindrax]

The only quest that involves fighting that you must do to become a Private First Class has you fighting four L22 enemies. One or two Firas should do it.

If you want to heal, but like being able to throw in damage too, you'll be happy in end-game as a WHM. You'll want GLA22 and PGL6 I think for all the abilities that you need.

This will speed up leveling your DoH and DoL, but only if you can do L45 Grand Company caravans. These can be done successfully with 4 or more L50s. However, you also need to spend these seals to promote in your GC, which is required for the current 1.0 storyline that's going away in a few months. The manuals are a 50% bonus for up to 12k XP and cost 400 seals. Until you clear the GC story, I'd unlock WHM, get GLA to 22, get WHM to 50, and then just apply your rested XP bonus to crafting.

Thanks for the informative and detailed response. I'll take this under advisement!