I wanna start playing FFXIV, where do I start?

[Beautiful End]

I've always been interested in playing a FF MMO, being a loyal FF fan myself, but I've never had the time to play one. I've been playing Destiny nonstop ever since day 1 and, while I'm not the best Guardian out there, it made me realize that perhaps I CAN spare enough time to invest myself in FFXIV.

Anyway, I know there's a new FFXIV expansion being released soon. I know there will probably be a Bundle sort-of deal being released in the future (or I hope so, at least) where perhaps I can get all current expansions along with the original game. But my questions are:

1. Should I wait until the new expansion is released?
2. If I get the base game right now, which one do I need to buy? (I saw several buying options online)
3. Is it hard to get into the game if I can only play for an hour or two per day?
4. Is it still $12-ish per month for the membership?
5. How's the community like? I know that when playing Destiny, one of the hardships I face is finding people to play with. Decent people. Not offending anyone, I just don't have a clan and matchmaking sucks.

I also don't know if this would be a con too but, as I mentioned, I have a hard time finding people to play with. I prefer to play solo and I don't have a lot of friends online, let alone people who play FFXIV at all. Any information that could help out a noob like me would be greatly appreciated!! I play on PS4. Thanks in advance.

 

[CrazyCapnMorgan]

I've always been interested in playing a FF MMO, being a loyal FF fan myself, but I've never had the time to play one. I've been playing Destiny nonstop ever since day 1 and, while I'm not the best Guardian out there, it made me realize that perhaps I CAN spare enough time to invest myself in FFXIV.

Anyway, I know there's a new FFXIV expansion being released soon. I know there will probably be a Bundle sort-of deal being released in the future (or I hope so, at least) where perhaps I can get all current expansions along with the original game. But my questions are:

1. Should I wait until the new expansion is released?
2. If I get the base game right now, which one do I need to buy? (I saw several buying options online)
3. Is it hard to get into the game if I can only play for an hour or two per day?
4. Is it still $12-ish per month for the membership?
5. How's the community like? I know that when playing Destiny, one of the hardships I face is finding people to play with. Decent people. Not offending anyone, I just don't have a clan and matchmaking sucks.

I also don't know if this would be a con too but, as I mentioned, I have a hard time finding people to play with. I prefer to play solo and I don't have a lot of friends online, let alone people who play FFXIV at all. Any information that could help out a noob like me would be greatly appreciated!! I play on PS4. Thanks in advance.

Hiyas! Player since FF14: ARR Beta Phase 3 here, currently on Malboro server (it isn't too populated, but there's a bunch of us around) and I'll try to give ya a quick run down on the game, without boring you with getting into specifics of the battle and class systems.

1) It's really up to you. You don't necessarily have to wait until the Stormblood expansion (which I believe is either late Spring or early Summer 2017) but that is your choice. Personally, I would advise getting it before the expansion and leveling a character, getting at least one battle class to max level and progressing the main story up to current before the new expansion releases. That way, when the expansion does come out, you'll be right there among us as it releases.

2) The base game you need to get is Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn (also known as patch 2.x content). The expansion from that is Heavensward (aka patch 3.x content).

3) Your progress might be slow as you get into and learn the game. However, as you get used to how FF14 feels and how your adjust to your new abilities as you level, you might find it to be a steady pace. Then again, you might have days where you can devote fully to it and find yourself progressing faster than you realize. As a bonus, the team of Final Fantasy did NOT skimp on the story. It's damned good, and the end game raids and their stories are just as good, if not more so than the main story. Hint - the raids thus far are Bahamut for ARR, and Alexander for Heavensward.

4) Current subscription fee is $14.99 US per month, with an option for additional retainers beyond the two you get at a certain point in your game. (Side note - I have one extra retainer, so my fee is $16.99 a month) PS Plus is NOT required for this game in any fashion.

5) You'll find everything no matter which server you choose, in terms of community. It all depends on how you present yourself towards others. I'm usually a goofball, so most people take a liking to me, so long as I don't overdo it. When you reach the point in the game where you need to enter instanced dungeons, you use the game's "Duty Finder" to help you find other people to run that dungeon, so you won't need to find people on your own server to help run you, like the old WoW model did. The same thing applies to instances that take 8 and 24 people to run. When in doubt, if the help messages and tutorials don't provide your answers, simply use /sh or /y and ask your question to the people in your general area. The game is great for both solo players and party players, but having a bud or two around to help with either gear or advice wouldn't hurt.

Hope that helps you out!

 

[Beautiful End]

I've always been interested in playing a FF MMO, being a loyal FF fan myself, but I've never had the time to play one. I've been playing Destiny nonstop ever since day 1 and, while I'm not the best Guardian out there, it made me realize that perhaps I CAN spare enough time to invest myself in FFXIV.

Anyway, I know there's a new FFXIV expansion being released soon. I know there will probably be a Bundle sort-of deal being released in the future (or I hope so, at least) where perhaps I can get all current expansions along with the original game. But my questions are:

1. Should I wait until the new expansion is released?
2. If I get the base game right now, which one do I need to buy? (I saw several buying options online)
3. Is it hard to get into the game if I can only play for an hour or two per day?
4. Is it still $12-ish per month for the membership?
5. How's the community like? I know that when playing Destiny, one of the hardships I face is finding people to play with. Decent people. Not offending anyone, I just don't have a clan and matchmaking sucks.

I also don't know if this would be a con too but, as I mentioned, I have a hard time finding people to play with. I prefer to play solo and I don't have a lot of friends online, let alone people who play FFXIV at all. Any information that could help out a noob like me would be greatly appreciated!! I play on PS4. Thanks in advance.

Hiyas! Player since FF14: ARR Beta Phase 3 here, currently on Malboro server (it isn't too populated, but there's a bunch of us around) and I'll try to give ya a quick run down on the game, without boring you with getting into specifics of the battle and class systems.

1) It's really up to you. You don't necessarily have to wait until the Stormblood expansion (which I believe is either late Spring or early Summer 2017) but that is your choice. Personally, I would advise getting it before the expansion and leveling a character, getting at least one battle class to max level and progressing the main story up to current before the new expansion releases. That way, when the expansion does come out, you'll be right there among us as it releases.

2) The base game you need to get is Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn (also known as patch 2.x content). The expansion from that is Heavensward (aka patch 3.x content).

3) Your progress might be slow as you get into and learn the game. However, as you get used to how FF14 feels and how your adjust to your new abilities as you level, you might find it to be a steady pace. Then again, you might have days where you can devote fully to it and find yourself progressing faster than you realize. As a bonus, the team of Final Fantasy did NOT skimp on the story. It's damned good, and the end game raids and their stories are just as good, if not more so than the main story. Hint - the raids thus far are Bahamut for ARR, and Alexander for Heavensward.

4) Current subscription fee is $14.99 US per month, with an option for additional retainers beyond the two you get at a certain point in your game. (Side note - I have one extra retainer, so my fee is $16.99 a month) PS Plus is NOT required for this game in any fashion.

5) You'll find everything no matter which server you choose, in terms of community. It all depends on how you present yourself towards others. I'm usually a goofball, so most people take a liking to me, so long as I don't overdo it. When you reach the point in the game where you need to enter instanced dungeons, you use the game's "Duty Finder" to help you find other people to run that dungeon, so you won't need to find people on your own server to help run you, like the old WoW model did. The same thing applies to instances that take 8 and 24 people to run. When in doubt, if the help messages and tutorials don't provide your answers, simply use /sh or /y and ask your question to the people in your general area. The game is great for both solo players and party players, but having a bud or two around to help with either gear or advice wouldn't hurt.

Hope that helps you out!

Thank you so much! This really does help! I think I'm gonna get into it soon. From what you've said, I'll just go ahead and get the base game (and Heavensword?) at the same time.

You mentioned something about servers that I haven't thought about. Any servers in specific that I should look out for?

 

[CrazyCapnMorgan]

Thank you so much! This really does help! I think I'm gonna get into it soon. From what you've said, I'll just go ahead and get the base game (and Heavensword?) at the same time.

You mentioned something about servers that I haven't thought about. Any servers in specific that I should look out for?

There are "Data Centers" for each group of servers, and if memory serves me correctly, there are about 8 data centers for the Americas and a few others for Europe and Japan. Depending on where you live, the system will automatically set you up with a data center and server based on connectivity strength and population. If you feel like you are going to be getting heavily involved in the end game raids and whatnot, you might want to check the official FF14 website. I remember checking it once for population and other guilds (known as Free Companies in game, or FCs) that did that stuff, but that was way back when the game first came out and I cannot remember everything I did to find that information out. If not, just let the system point you in the direction of a good server, spend about half an hour on the character creation screen (it took me near an hour, so I'm being generous >.<') and then, welcome to Eorzea!

 

[Beautiful End]

Thank you so much! This really does help! I think I'm gonna get into it soon. From what you've said, I'll just go ahead and get the base game (and Heavensword?) at the same time.

You mentioned something about servers that I haven't thought about. Any servers in specific that I should look out for?

There are "Data Centers" for each group of servers, and if memory serves me correctly, there are about 8 data centers for the Americas and a few others for Europe and Japan. Depending on where you live, the system will automatically set you up with a data center and server based on connectivity strength and population. If you feel like you are going to be getting heavily involved in the end game raids and whatnot, you might want to check the official FF14 website. I remember checking it once for population and other guilds (known as Free Companies in game, or FCs) that did that stuff, but that was way back when the game first came out and I cannot remember everything I did to find that information out. If not, just let the system point you in the direction of a good server, spend about half an hour on the character creation screen (it took me near an hour, so I'm being generous >.<') and then, welcome to Eorzea!

Haha, I feel like I'll also spend about a good hour trying to come with a "perfect" character. I think I'll let the game do its job so I can end up in a good server with a good connection. Thanks again!