re: we didn't go out last night - on leveling up in FFXIV
This is in response to this post but specifically for tips on how to level in FFXIV without fully relying on the duty roulette, but I have no idea how to contact Dan anywhere to share my insights, so I'm writing this based on my own experience (since I've leveled like... Several alts in this manner) and hoping Dan can see this in the Discover page.
There's a bunch of ways in this game that you can feasibly level without going through the slog of the duty finder especially as a DPS so I'll try to list the ones I did off the top of my head. This is assuming a few things:
- You're done with MSQ but you're doing a second job before going to HW
- You play on a free trial so you don't have access to PVP or the ability to join FCs
This is also mostly my own experience. They might not be the most efficient, but for someone who might prefer to play solo more I think they're pretty solid. Also note: eat your food! Food gives you up to 6% exp gain. This is assuming you're not in a FC yet and not playing in a preferred world.
- Battle leves
This is the way I go to when I got sick of doing duty roulette. It's pretty great (and underrated) especially for ARR areas in my opinion. Do leves in areas based on your level - if you're level 35 I believe the levemete in Coerthas Central Highlands will be your best bet. Just remember that at a higher level up to 50 it does get pretty grindy.
- FATEs
FATEs are also a pretty good way to level your character. Do FATEs in areas that are around your level for bigger EXP gain.
Some tips if you're a DPS:
- always have your Chocobo out for combat. If you haven't unlocked it, you can unlock it via Docette at the Camp Tranquil aetheryte.
- for FATEs where you have to clear mobs & boss FATEs, set the Chocobo to be your healer. You can do this by accessing the Companion interface. I just set my Chocobo as a healer by default if I play DPS mostly
- If you're a melee DPS, Bloodbath + Arm's Length is your best friend. Arm's Length gives enemies the Slow debuff when they hit you while it's active, and Bloodbath helps you gain back your HP.
- Use the Duty Support
Slow as hell when you have a party of NPCs and you can only single pull to be safe, but great if you want the huge dungeon EXP without dealing with people.
- Hunt logs
The Hunt log is also a pretty solid way to level, and you will have two separate logs: one log is for your class and one log for the grand company you signed up to. The grand company Hunt logs can go up to three tiers, and they get unlocked after you're done clearing one.
- Society quests
I feel like for ARR specifically society quests are slept on. I think they're accessible at level 41 past an MSQ marker, and your combat jobs need to be at level 41 and above to do them, but the EXP gain is pretty solid. The Ixal particularly gets the added bonus of you being able to level up your crafters at the same time.
If you do have access to PVP & FCs:
- do Frontlines roulette. You don't have to win anything in there, you'll get big EXP anyway. Queue into it with the job you want to level, then when you get into the arena you can switch back to a preferred class. Turn off the chat box if you need to.
- FCs often have the battle EXP buff that lasts for 24 hours. So I'd take that and eat food at the same time!
I hope this helps somewhat! Feel free to reach out to me via e-mail if you've got any Qs. Also I have no idea if there are any other FFXIV players on bear, but please let me know if there are other more efficient ways to level up than the duty roulette!