Concerned newbie...

[JoshieLove]

So - I need a break from Azeroth. Decided to take my journey to Vana'diel. Patching right now - but, with the amount of expansions to this game, should I be a concerned newbie? Is there going to be so much stuff that I'm never going to catch up on? I'm worried about not being able to experience content, or a lot of the stuff that made certain expansions worth getting.

[TheGrandMom]

Nope don't be concerned at all. You won't bother with most of that until you have experience with the game anyways. There is so much to do in game that everyone is always "catching up"! LOL Welcome to FFXIO!

[JoshieLove]

Thanks so much

[Gentoo]

So - I need a break from Azeroth. Decided to take my journey to Vana'diel. Patching right now - but, with the amount of expansions to this game, should I be a concerned newbie? Is there going to be so much stuff that I'm never going to catch up on? I'm worried about not being able to experience content, or a lot of the stuff that made certain expansions worth getting.

The game certainly isn't going anywhere soon, so you've got plenty of time. Likewise you'll get a lot of playtime in before you need to unlock any of the expansion zones.

Unlike the-other-game-that-shall-not-be-named, FFXI tends not to be be as solo'able. Whichever server you end up on, find yourself a good LS that will be willing to help you with the quests/missions when the time comes.

[Shadowneko]

yes the game is team-based. Also unlike some other MMOs we know about your starting class is not locked in. We currently have over 20+ Jobs to choose from with no penitily for swapping other than the fact that every job starts at lvl 1.(the game keeps track of how far you've leveled each job).

The other thing that feeds my FFXI obession is the various storylines in the game...which are actually intresting...unlike some other games...

[Saphiera]

I wouldnt be worried if I where you, yes there is a lot you'll need to catch up on but that comes with time, there are a lot more newer ppl to the game than you think these days =) Like someone said earlier just find a good LS, Most ppl are willing to help newer players, especially other newer players gl! Oh here is some tips the most important jobs to lvl or shall I say one's that are most needed (lvl whatever makes you happy but this is only for if you are happy with any job and want to be useful instead) Redmage, Scholar, Blackmage, Paladin, Bard, Corsair; Those are really nice jobs to take to 75 firs if you want to solo your way through the game here are those jobs Beastmaster (reccomend takeing white mage and dancer to 37 they are awesome support jobs for this job), Puppetmaster (recommend taking dancer to 37 for this job) and Blackmage (I would advise takeing Redmage, Whitemage, and Ninja to 37 as support jobs for this one)

I really hope that was helpful to you =) Good luck in the game!

[Nandito]

Azeroth? Is that WoW's world or something? >.>

Any who, don't be concerned. I too was scared the game would end up leaving me before I got to the higher-end content. This game is gonna be around for quite some time, and then some. Hell, my DRG is only 43 and I started a year ago! ... Then again, I blame other stuff.

If you find yourself in Hades, drop me a line. I'm willing to help.

[Andrinor]

Above posts are spot on that your enjoyment of this game will likely hinge on your ability to find others to play with. There aren't copious EXP awards for soloable quests like in other MMORPGs, so leveling up is usually done in PTs. Fear not however, usually there is plenty of opportunity to find groups at any level. Try to make friends and glean information from other players on where to go, etc. But mostly, just enjoy the game. FFXI can be a lenghty process to reach end-game, and there is so much to do and explore. Have fun with it!

[Kitalrez]

Let's see... You won't need expansion content until pretty close to lvl 20, and that's only if you've been invited to Korroloka Tunnel to level on worms there. You'll be back in regular zones after that, until around lvl 25~27 when you can head to Kazham and the jungles. You unlock the first one by installing the Rise of the Zilaart expansion and registering the codes from it with Playonline. For Kazham, there's an annoying key farming quest where you hit up the lower level dungeon near each city and farm lvl 24 mobs to give you a key to that dungeon's chests. Giving all 3 keys to an NPC in Jeuno unlocks the Elshimo island areas. Some players forgo Kazham by heading to Altepa Desert instead. Once you're installed and registered, you should just be able to run through Korroloka Tunnel to reach this area. People tend to prefer Kazham over Bastok/Rabao, though. In terms of unlocking content, I suggest the following order:

1. Crag telecrystals ASAP when you can get near their areas. If you're in Konschtat Highlands, La Theine Plateau, or Tahrongi Canyon, find the large white building, run around it til you find a glowing blue crystal, and click it to be attuned so you can be teleported there later.

2. Subjob quest. Mhaura or Selbina for this, and you're stuck with whichever of the two you accept first. Selbina's items are easier for melee to gather, since skeletons don't resist melee damage like ghosts do.

3. Kazham key quest.

4. Optionally, when you hit 30 and have some exp made as a death buffer, you can unlock the three Promyvions for access to Tavnazia. It's not required, and rarely used, but it's a great solo and farming area later on. It also hurts less at 30 than it does later on. Expect to need medicines, items, and gear, so take a break and farm money for a bit before you go if you try this.

5. Airship Pass. You'll need either 500,000 gil or Rank 5. Most of us just do missions for Rank 5.

6. Near 50, you'll want to finally unlock the Treasures of Aht Urgan expansion, since a lot of easy exp can be had there during this range. The quest starts in Jeuno.

Past this point, you'll pretty much know what you want to unlock from talking with your LS and party.

[Messia]

I see no reason to be worried, the game should be around for a while yet, there is plenty of time left yet