Final Fantasy XIV: 10 Important Mechanics Beginners Often Ignore

Like many MMOs, Final Fantasy XIV throws a lot of information at its players from the outset. The myriad of tutorials that cover the game’s wide range of mechanics can, from time to time, feel overwhelming to new players, especially those without a background in the genre. While the game does a good job of easing newbies into the experience overall, it’s inevitable that some people will miss out on important mechanics.

It’s impossible for a player to permanently hinder their progress in the game, but missing out on these mechanics and features might make progress through the story less efficient or enjoyable. Side content, bonuses, and special gear are often tucked away behind mechanics that remain obscure to many new players.

10 Feature Quests

Also known as “blue quests” on account of their appearance in the overworld, feature quests are those sidequests that unlock additional features and content. The rewards for these quests can range from additional dungeons, mechanics, areas, and equipment, and are frequently worth doing. It’s even possible to unlock the ability to perform some of Final Fantasy‘s best OSTs.

They aren’t all worth doing, though. Occasionally a player might feel that a feature quest’s rewards aren’t relevant to their chosen job, or simply aren’t worth the time. Because of this, new players are encouraged to check the game’s wiki to find out which feature quests are considered essential, as well as when and where they become available.

9 Job Quests

Broadly speaking, the most important side quests that the game offers are those specific to a player’s chosen job and class. Appearing using the same blue icon that feature quests use, class and job quests are tremendously important because they unlock new skills, spells, and equipment specific to a player’s role.

Generally, these sorts of quests should be tackled as soon as they become available. They’re unlocked as a player levels their job, and it’s important to finish them quickly because doing otherwise means potentially going into a dungeon or quest without an up-to-date set of skills.

8 The Hall Of The Novice

Before charging into Final Fantasy‘s first PvE dungeon, the game offers players the option to run through a tutorial area called the Hall of the Novice. Experienced MMO players or the impatient may scoff at the idea of needing a tutorial for such a low-level dungeon, but the rewards are well worth the effort.

The Hall of the Novice outfits the player with a respectable set of gear which will almost certainly be an upgrade over whatever the main quest has provided thus far. The most attractive reward, though, is a ring that offers a serious boost to EXP gain under level 30, which is a must-have for beginners.

7 Grand Companies

After joining a Grand Company around level 20, new players will find themselves inundated with Grand Company seals for completing any number of different actions. A currency running parallel to Gil, completing FATEs and many quests will often leave players with more seals than they know what to do with.

Don’t neglect unspent seals! They can be redeemed at the player’s chosen Grand Company to improve the player’s rank within the faction, as well as for items and Company-specific gear. Oftentimes it’s more cost-efficient to purchase things using Company seals than it is to do so elsewhere, making this avenue a great way for new players to stay equipped.

6 The Gold Saucer

Final Fantasy XIV has a flexible endgame, and it’s that flexibility that’s lead many to consider it one of the greatest titles in the Final Fantasy franchise. There are those who strive to clear the game’s most challenging raids, those for whom fashion is the endgame, and those who just want to spend hours decorating their house to perfection. The truly enlightened, however, know that the endgame is becoming the best Chocobo racer in all of Eorzea.

Chocobo racing and other minigames can be found at the Gold Saucer, unlocked by speaking to the Well-heeled Youth in Ul’dah (after level 15). While it isn’t essential to the story’s progression or a character’s stats, it is loaded with fun things to do that provide a diversion from the main quest.

5 Materia

Materia is frequently given to players as a quest reward, and many newcomers simply let them sit in their inventory without any idea what to do with them. The bonuses these items can confer on gear is important, though, so it’s worth learning about them along the way.

Players would do well to visit The Bonfire, a location in Central Thanalan that’s home to a handful of quests designed to familiarize players with the basics of Materia. There’s a lot to learn here, but those familiar with the extraction, use, and creation of Materia will have a clear gear advantage over the rest.

4 The Hunting Log

The Hunting Log is an excellent way for new players to boost their EXP gain during the early levels of the game. It’s a class-specific list of hunting requests and corresponding rewards for defeating the indicated types of enemy. Much of it can be completed while pursuing the main quest, but players should still attend to completing it because the EXP rewards are worth it.

The Hunting Log is also a great way to level side jobs outside of the main quest as well. Because each class has a unique log, it’s a great avenue for players looking to level up a job outside of their main.

3 Crafting/Gathering

Learning how to cook a variety of delicious stews might not sound as compelling as saving the realm from certain destruction, but everyone needs a break now and then, even from one of the Final Fantasy series’ best stories. In addition to cooking, the game offers a range of crafting vocations, including leatherworking, carpentry, and weaving.

These vocations are excellent for making cool new gear, but those without a taste for crafting may choose to pursue gathering vocations as well. Harvesting the raw materials necessary to construct the game’s many items is an excellent way to pad out income, so it shouldn’t be skipped out on by newcomers.

2 Other Jobs

New players can often succumb to a sort of tunnel vision around the main scenario quest, charging through the story as they try to get their character to level 80. There isn’t really any need to rush, though, and experienced players will often explain that a beginner’s first job doesn’t always go on to become their personal favorite Final Fantasy job.

As such, it’s recommended that beginners take the time to try out other jobs and classes that sound appealing. Final Fantasy XIV lets players level every job in the game on a single character, after all, so there’s no good reason not to try a little bit of everything.

1 Glamours

It’s a frustration well known to RPG players the world over, but Final Fantasy XIV plays into the unfortunate trope of giving players equipment that has better stats than their current gear but looks absolutely hideous. Sometimes, sacrificing dignity for plus two magic defense just doesn’t seem worth it.

Thankfully, Final Fantasy XIV features a “Glamour” system, wherein a player can keep the stats of a piece of equipment while giving it the appearance of another. Once a player hits level 15, they’ll be able to unlock this system through a handful of sidequests around Eorzea.

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