Do you think you are now ready and have what it takes to play the Final Fantasy XIV? There are a lot of things that you will need to get done and preparing yourself for the wonderful adventure. This article provides players in finding their way in the adventurous world of Final Fantasy XIV. Please make use of this guide and I assure you that this will take you to the wonderful world with much excitement and fun.
First, you got to run the benchmark. You will need to visit the Final Fantasy 14 Benchmark site for you to be able to read and get the idea on the official benchmark for this game. You don't need to get discouraged. We were able to find the most high-tech computers that are scoring around 4000. The important thing here is that you will be able to get a score of 1900. Just around that range, you will surely enjoy Final Fantasy XIV game. After installing the game, and downloading the updates on the game, you need to make sure that the configuration are all good and make the necessary adjustments on the different options on graphics of your computer. Mostly, computers that are able to score 1900 - 2500 should view the game on the lowest settings. Meanwhile, the computers that got a score of 3000 and above should be able to play on default settings. It is also important to experiment with the variety of options available to be able to see which one is best for your computer. It will surely end in knowing what you care the most and in having the game run smoothly. If you need further details about the benchmark, don't hesitate to visit the Final Fantasy 14 Benchmark Site.
Installing and about Races
Now you are able to run the benchmark and your computer is able to score well. Now, you are ready to start playing the game. As mentioned earlier, there will be a lot of updates that you will need to download every now and then. FFXIV updates are on a peer to peer network. These updates may take a while. One things that we have discovered is that when your computer is hardwired to the network, downloads would usually take 2 hours but I was never able to finish the downloading of updates through wireless. This is the time where in you will need to think really hard as to what you really want to be in the game, be it a spell caster, tank, a damage dealer, or a full support character. When you get to have a final decision, this will also affect on your experience in playing the Final Fantasy XIV game.
Races
After downloading the updates, it is now time to choose your race. Each race has different strengths and weaknesses. It will be all up to you in deciding what type of class you would like to choose. Whether to specifically gear up on just one certain class or if you choose a race that is all about average and can do variety of tasks.
Here are the different types of races that you can choose from:
Elezen - good in up-close damages
Hyur - not so good and not so bad on anything
Lalafell - good in magic
Migo'te - Good damage
Roe gadyn - this means having a Meat Shield where it can take a massive amount of damage
Each type of race have their own variations as well. Please keep this in mind so that you will be able to decide as to what you really want to do in the game of Final Fantasy 14.
Next is, you will need to think about your character's birthday and Guardian sign. These two have an effect on the character that you have chosen. Yet, it is too early for us to know and tell what the Guardian really is for. I have chosen the Conjurer as my character and I will focus on the fire spells. I just hope that I have chosen the correct Guardian sign of fire to be able to boost my damage rate with my Fire spells. It is too early to be able to see that this is a good choice but hoping for good results in casting my fire spells to my enemies from here on.
Beginning Final Fantasy XIV and the System for Battle
After choosing your character and race, you are certainly ready to get started in the game.
Just for the sake of having a guide, let's start with Limsa Lominsa as our city. In the game, your first location is in a boat that is bound for Limsa Lominsa City. While on voyage, ship suddenly is under pressure and you will need to fight against monsters that will be attacking the ship. This is basically a tutorial for beginners in the game and will surely help you in learning about the FFXIV especially with the battle system.
If you already have experienced playing the FFXIII, you will be able to notice some of the elements of the battle system are somewhat alike in FFXIV. One of the important things that you should learn first is the usage of Stamina Gauge. Most of the Massively Multiplayer Online or MMO's abilities and attacks are based on a rolled dice. FFXIV would really make you feel that you are in control of your own character and the abilities that you have enabled. Before, you really have to wait until your character's animation is done before you can make use of a different ability. Now, you can make use of the ability as long as your stamina is enough. Another tip is for you to use the TAB key so that you will be able regenerate the skills quickly while attacking. For sure you will be having so much fun while you are on battle and you would watch your comrade getting knocked out using this tip.
Another tip is you can disengage your character by pressing F key. This will regenerate your health while you are not in combat. While you are walking around, press the F key and the weapon will be taken out.
Setting up and Fighting
Talking about actions in the game of FFXIV, it actually gives you the ability for you in setting actions to the number keys. Make sure that you have strategies in mind in setting up the keys. For example, if you are using a Conjurer, you will need to make sure that you have Cure Spell set up just in case things go wrong. If you are using the "meat Shield ", make sure that you cast boosts to be able to raise your defense system. This would depend on the level that your character is in, you will have a certain number of actions that is accessible to you. Whenever your character levels up, try to visit the "Action and Traits" menu just by pressing Home key and equip your characters with new abilities and spells for it to learn.
Before you set out and attack all the mobs on site, it is very important for you to understand that you do have the ability in winning the encounter. Whenever you have targeted a monster, you will be able to see a colored shield that will appear in the target box next to the mob's name. One general rule is that if you are going to see a yellow or red target sign, this is a sign of you not having any chances of survival against the monster. However, if you see a green or a blue emblem, you may go ahead and fight. These colors do change but will depend on the number of people in your party, rank and level.
Leveling Up
In FFXIV, the experience system is quite different compared to the other MMORPG games. There are actually 2 levels that you need to be concerned of. First is the physical level. The physical level will be leveled up anytime and by anything that you do in the game. Whether you do fishing, mining, or even battling with an enemy, you will be able to earn points for your physical level. As this increases, you will be given attribute points and element points. There are a lot of ways for you to be able to use these points but always remember to use this wisely and only to benefit your character. For example, if you are using a Tank, you will need to use these points in your Vitality stats. If your character has a great damage dealer, you will need to supply Strength points, to be able to add more damage points. Meanwhile, the element points are really tricky. You have to understand as to when and how to use them. To the best of my knowledge, they are supplemental abilities and defense points/stats.
While you are engaging an enemy for a certain job, you will actually gain points that will increase the rank of that certain job. As your rank increases, you will notice that you have new abilities that are accessible to you that were not available before. However, you also find that your abilities are limited to the action points that you have earned. It does not mean that you have earned a new ability would also mean that you can use it immediately. Each ability is equal to a certain amount of action points. You will only be able to use a particular amount of abilities due to the limitations of the action points as well. So you will need to make sure that you are using the action points wisely every time you earn a rank. You will also find abilities that are really not that useful and you may discard them so that you will be able to make use with the abilities that are more powerful with enough action points for it.
Your first Quests
So, the very question that comes into mind would be, "What should I do now?".
Now, you already know how to use your points wisely, the functionality of the leveling system, choosing your race, etc. You have gained a lot of information and certainly, you are now ready to play the game. There is just another problem though. The Final Fantasy XIV is considered to be a huge game and you will certainly lose your way around the game. You must not fear if you still do not know the way around the game since we will show the way around. All you need to do is read on.
After getting off the boat, you will need to go to Captain Hob and speak to him. He will then escort you to where the Drowning Wench is. This is also known as the Adventurer's Guild in Limsa Lominsa. Then, you will need to speak to Baderon and he will then suggest for you to visit the Camp Bearded Rock which is outside the city limits. You need to go the first level of the city. You can take the stairs of the elevator. Then, head east and then just follow the bridge until you will get out of the city measures. Just head towards north and you will find the Crystal of Aetheryte. These are the crystals that are a mainstay all through out the adventure in the game of FFIXV. You will be able to get quests and read a very lengthy tutorial guide about this game. I would recommend for you to take time to read through the tutorial text since this will certainly help you with your adventure. These crystals have ability in replenishing your character's HP and MP. Aetheryte Crystals is also able to give your character the ability to bring out your Guardian's favor that will help you in increasing the amount of experience points that you will receive with the quests you will complete.
After interacting with these crystals, you will then need to go back to the Adventurer's guild in Limsa Lominsa. Speak again with Baderon and he will be giving you advice for your next task. You will be advised to go to the Cooking Guild which is found North on the 2nd level of the city. You will then be turned into a fish, an ability that you have earned battling on the boat. Baderon also has given another advise for you to head on to the Musketeers Guild that is found on the 1st level in the western part. If you feel like you are lost or you don't know where to go, just press M key to open the Map and give you a visual on where you are currently and where you are heading to. After completing the tasks given to you, go back to the Adventurer's Guild and start receiving Level Quests. I would like to suggest for you to do the level quests tutorial. This will certainly give you more information on the battle system, fishing, botany and mining. The Disciples of the land is a way for you to earn Gil on the early part of your adventure. The quests are very basic and very easy for you to complete and will quickly give you a good boost on your cash flow.
How to make a Gil
Right now, you will have few quests to do and your character has leveled up quickly and you start to realize that your gear is too weak for your character's level. So, you will then ask what to do. The answer to this is to get a job and I would suggest for you to focus on the first job, Fishing. Fishing is for the patient players who will not mind sitting down for a while at the same spot. It will surely provide you a lot of fishes for you to sell in exchange for Gil to a Non - Player Character or we refer to as an NPC. If you don't want to sell your fishes, you may use this for you to be able to try your Cooking ability. This is similar to our daily life activities. Your character also needs to eat. First, you will need to learn the art in catching fishes.
How to Fish
First, you will have to buy your own Fishing pole which is found on the first level of the city, down south. Specifically in the Fisherman's Guild. Once you have bought your first fishing pole, you will then need a bait. Get some lugworms and then head out to the docks at the right side of the Fishing Guild. Equip your character with the fishing pole in your main weapon slot and your lugworms in your packs slot. It will take time for you to be an expert in fishing and of course, not to forget the most important trait, patience. As your character levels up, you will find it easier to catch the different types of fishes.
When you have casted your line into the ocean for the very first time, you will then see a depth meter. This meter will tell you what type of fishes you are likely to get. If you are after clams, that is quite pricey in selling it to the NPCs, you will then need to learn how to fish at the bottom of the ocean. If you like to get fishes, try casting at the middle of the depth meter, or if you go for the Kelps, then you cast at the top. Unlike the perfect science, you will certainly be able to catch different types of things despite of the depth that you have casted.
Now, that you have learned about the depth meter, you will then need to learn about the jig system. When casting your line and something bites you, you can use the option to jig. This is more on the hot and cold system. You will need to check very closely on the text box for you to determine if you are getting hot or cold.
If you get to see phrases like "you are taking in line", you will need to put another jig meter back on the spot you have chosen or just close it. If you see the phrase, " The fish is taking line" this means that you will need to move the jig meter in another position. As you start, you only might be able to jig once or twice. As you rank up, you will surely be able to jig around 4 or 5 times. The more jigs that you can do, the more fishes you can catch. You will then know if you are on the hotspot because you will be able to see a little, animated flickering light on your fish pole. This means that you just do what you are currently doing and you will be able to fish out fine.
Based on my experience, you will want to stop the jig meter on your first try either by using the key J or G. when I have used this, I can certainly navigate find and be able to catch successfully.
Completing different types of quests in the game will also allow you to earn a lot of money. However, I would advise you not to rely so much on this quests as your source of income in the game. The income that you will be getting from crafting, mining and fishing is way higher compare to what you will earn from completing quests.
Changing Classes and Getting New Equipment
Now that you earned some money, it is time for you to purchase some new items for your character and on your coming soon adventures. In Limsa Lominsa City, shops are mostly found on the first level. You can simply take the elevator to go down to the 1st level and then just go left. Just walk straight until you will see multiple shops like the East Hawker's Alley or the West Hawker's alley. You will be able to buy weapons for any type of class here. One of the main features in FFXIV is the ability for you to change your jobs with just one click. All you need to do is just equip your character with the right kind of weapon for the right type of job you want. It is simple as that. If your character is a Conjurer and then you want it to be a Gladiator, then just buy a sword and you are now a Gladiator.
Always keep this in mind that it does not mean that you necessarily need to change your job just because you are able to. For example, your character is a magic user and then you want to have your character deal damage directly to your opponents. You must remember that most of your attributes are in other stats, and not on strength. Not unless, you have not used your attributes points and you want to put them on your strength. For changes like this, you might just want to create a new character that will be using pure strength.
In addition to seeing shops here, you will also be able to sell goods with other players that are selling their goods that they have earned from their adventures. I would suggest for you to buy from other players. You will certainly find good items from them that you will need. FFXIV have updates that will also include auctions with schedule for bidding. When it is time, this will be your first means of getting new items like your weapons and armor. For now, you will have to be very patient in getting the goods that you will need that is for sale.
Hopefully, at this time, you will be able to find your way around the game of Final Fantasy XIV. I hope that this guide has been able to give you a clearer picture as to what to do first and the next steps in the game. The most important thing in playing this game is that you are having fun. It is your character and your game. You are the captain of your own ship. So whatever you want to do with your character, or whatever job you would like to take, as long as you are enjoying, then go ahead and do it. Let things happen according to your own will.