Goal of the Game (Simple)

FFXIV is built around the Main Scenario Quest (MSQ). Follow the story to level 100, unlock jobs and duties, then gear up through roulettes, raids, and trials. Along the way, enjoy glamours, Island Sanctuary, and a mountain of side content.

Follow the MSQ (Main Scenario Quest)

MSQ is the core story path and best XP from 1 to cap.

Reach level 100

Dawntrail raised the cap to 100—enjoy the journey through expansions.

Unlock and learn your job

Each job evolves with new skills; practice in dungeons and trials.

Gear up and try harder duties

Normal/Savage raids, Extreme trials, Variant/Criterion dungeons.

Express yourself

Glamour, housing, Island Sanctuary, achievements, and side content.

Download, Register & Start (Step-by-Step)

Start the Free Trial

Play up to level 70 (ARR + Heavensward + Stormblood) with no time limit.

Start Free Trial →

Choose Data Center & World

Pick a nearby Data Center (lower ping) and any World; join friends if possible.

How to pick a World →
The Free Trial lets you play up to level 70 (ARR + Heavensward + Stormblood) with no time limit. Subscribe if you love it.

Beginner-Friendly Jobs

One character can play every job. Start simple; you can unlock more later.

Warrior (Tank)

Simple, sturdy tank with big self-healing; very forgiving.

How to play (very short)
  • Keep your job gauge/buffs rolling; follow combo or proc cues.
  • Use mitigations (tanks) or oGCD heals (healers) proactively.
  • Dodge AOEs first, then resume your rotation—mechanics > DPS.
Warrior tanking checklist →

Paladin (Tank)

Defensive toolkit and clear rotations; great for first dungeons.

How to play (very short)
  • Keep your job gauge/buffs rolling; follow combo or proc cues.
  • Use mitigations (tanks) or oGCD heals (healers) proactively.
  • Dodge AOEs first, then resume your rotation—mechanics > DPS.
Paladin pull-to-pull tips →

White Mage (Healer)

Strong heals and straightforward kit; great for learning roles.

How to play (very short)
  • Keep your job gauge/buffs rolling; follow combo or proc cues.
  • Use mitigations (tanks) or oGCD heals (healers) proactively.
  • Dodge AOEs first, then resume your rotation—mechanics > DPS.
White Mage healing basics →

Summoner (Caster)

One of the easiest DPS; pet-themed, clear rotation beats.

How to play (very short)
  • Keep your job gauge/buffs rolling; follow combo or proc cues.
  • Use mitigations (tanks) or oGCD heals (healers) proactively.
  • Dodge AOEs first, then resume your rotation—mechanics > DPS.
Summoner quick opener →

Red Mage (Caster)

Simple builder/spender with a clutch party rez; fun starter DPS.

How to play (very short)
  • Keep your job gauge/buffs rolling; follow combo or proc cues.
  • Use mitigations (tanks) or oGCD heals (healers) proactively.
  • Dodge AOEs first, then resume your rotation—mechanics > DPS.
Red Mage dualcast basics →

Dancer (Ranged)

Supportive ranged DPS; mobile and party-friendly buffs.

How to play (very short)
  • Keep your job gauge/buffs rolling; follow combo or proc cues.
  • Use mitigations (tanks) or oGCD heals (healers) proactively.
  • Dodge AOEs first, then resume your rotation—mechanics > DPS.
Dancer support toolkit →

Your First 60 Minutes

Bind core actions & enable target ring

Put 6–8 skills on easy keys (1–5/Q/E/R); keep target ring on for clarity.

Attune to Aetherytes & Aethernet

Click big crystals in towns and small shards for fast intra-city travel.

Use Return and Sprint

Return goes to your Home Point (set it!). Sprint often in cities/instances.

Queue with Duty Support (story dungeons)

Run MSQ dungeons with NPC allies if you prefer a low-pressure run.

Try Duty Roulette: Leveling

One random duty daily for big XP; learn dungeon flow and etiquette.

Say you’re new

FFXIV communities are helpful—letting others know makes runs friendlier.

Day-1 Route

  1. Follow the MSQ until your first story dungeon.
  2. Run it with Duty Support (NPCs) if you’d like a calm intro.
  3. Unlock Duty Roulette: Leveling and do it once for a big XP bonus.
  4. Attune Aetherytes in each zone to speed up travel; keep sprinting.

Leveling Path (MSQ First)

1–70: ARR → Heavensward → Stormblood

Follow the MSQ; add Duty Roulette: Leveling and FATEs if needed.

MSQ leveling tips →

Gearing Roadmap (Fresh 100)

Finish MSQ & grab vendor gear

Story rewards and city vendors will raise your item level smoothly.

Allagan tomestones (current)

Run roulettes to earn tomes; buy ilvl catch-up sets each patch cycle.

Normal raids & Alliance raids

Weekly tokens for set pieces and accessories—steady upgrades.

Extreme trials / Savage raids

Harder fights for glamour weapons, mounts, and high-end gear.

Crafted gear & materia melds

Buy or craft starter sets; meld materia for extra stats as you progress.

If duties feel rough, grab a few tomestone pieces, meld basic materia, then try again. Small upgrades matter.

Glossary (Plain English)

MSQ (Main Scenario Quest)

The main story chain; best XP and unlocks most systems.

Duty Finder / Roulettes

Matchmaking for dungeons/trials; daily roulettes give big bonuses.

Duty Support / Trust

Run story dungeons with NPC allies instead of players.

Tomestones

Endgame currency from roulettes and duties; exchanged for gear.

Glamour

Appearance system to dress how you want without losing stats.

Materia / Meld

Socket upgrades that increase specific stats on gear.

FATE

Open-world dynamic event; quick XP while traveling.

Aetheryte / Aethernet

Teleport crystals in the world (Aetheryte) and within cities (Aethernet).

Variant / Criterion

Replayable dungeon types with branching paths and hard-mode challenges.

Raid tiers (Normal/Savage)

Eight-player raids with story (Normal) and hard (Savage) versions.

Want more terms? See the full MMORPG Dictionary.

FFXIV FAQ

What’s the core loop in FFXIV?

Follow the MSQ to level cap, learn your job, gear up with tomestones and raids, then explore side content like Extreme trials, Savage raids, Variant/Criterion dungeons, glamours, and Island Sanctuary.

Is there a free trial?

Yes—play up to level 70 including the Heavensward and Stormblood expansions, with no time limit.

Can I play solo?

Yes. You can finish MSQ dungeons with Duty Support/Trust. Group content is optional but rewarding.

Can one character play all jobs?

Yes—FFXIV lets you unlock and level every job on a single character.

Old PC tips?

Lower shadows, turn down SSAO and reflections, reduce view distance a notch, and use Fullscreen for stability.