Please post your common questions and answers here, I'll try to stay on top any additions.
When can I join a Grand Company?
As early as level 20 the main quest line will introduce you to Grand Companies.
When do I get my chocobo?
After joing a Grand Company. See above. 2000 GC Seals from your Grand Company quartermaster.
When can I travel on Airships to the other starting cities?
Roughly level 10 via the main quest line.
Can I reset my attribute points?
Yes. After you join a Grand Company you can buy an item for 10,000 GC seals that will allow a reset.
When and how are dungeons unlocked?
About level 15 via the main quest line for the first 3. Others via the main quest line or generic quest givers near major main quest line "hubs".
When can I change classes and how?
After reaching level 10 in your first class. Apply to a new classes guild in it's home city, they are on the map. You can switch to the new class after joing it's guild by equipping it's trademark weapon in your main hand.
What are those numbers I see above a monsters head when I'm in a dungeon?
Your tank or another player is marking the mobs in order to guide you and the other party members into attacking the mobs in order. It's almost always more effective for all party members to focus fire on a single mob rather than everyone attacking something different.
When does Duty Finder become available?
When dungeons open up at roughly level 15. Again, follow your main quest line. Once you access duty finder, note the group guildleves listed. These are basically on the job training for how parties will work in dungeons. Do them! First time is great exp and gil, and you might learn something new.
Where can I find the best armor and weapons while I'm leveling?
Dungeons for Aetherial (2nd best), or green rares such as plundered, acolyte etc. in the first 3 dungeons. This trend continues as you level up. Crafted HQ armor and weapons are also available and will most likely be more cost effective as the market stabilizes.
How do I get non Chocobo Mounts?
Many of these are rewards for the final class or job quests. For instance the unicorn is a reward for following the CNJ quest line at level 30. The Coeurl will be delivered to you via moogle mail after launch if you bought the CE edition of the game. the Ahriman is a reward for 90 days of subscription. All mounts require a chocobo license which is acquired at level 20ish via your grand company quartermaster for 2000 GC seals.
What are the little icons to the left of other characters names?
The "chair" means the player has typed /afk and is showing as away from keyboard. The movie reel means the player is watching a cutscene. The rectangular flag means they are currently queued in duty finder, and the triangular flag means they are in a party.
How do I get to Limsa Lominsa or another city without access to the airship?
Check out: http://home.comcast.net/~nakomaru/ffmaps/ for a route. BEWARE of high level mobs between you and your destination! You might find it faster to spend the 1-2 hours reaching level 10 so you can take the airship.
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Rather than adding yet another lousy complaint thread to the New Players forum, let's let those continue in Tech Support and General. Please contribute!