New player: when should I start paying attention to the story?

[Mushboom]

Hey, I've heard this game's story is good, so it's the first MMO I've played where I'm actually trying to read the quest text. I'm only level 20, and it seems like I could have safely skipped a lot of quest text so far with not much impact. Is there a specific point where I should start paying attention to the main quest story?

Thanks!

[Sardorim]

Skipping isn't encouraged as A Realm Reborn sets up so much in later expansions and gets referenced a lot. Especially Minfilla. Though you can skip some stuff like those stupid heroes that want you to go gather a bunch of stuff for a banquet.

Though if you do want to skip texts then just ignore the side quests about the MSQ and later quests needed to unlock extra stuff like flying. Luckily for you, you'll get flying in all ARR zones as soon as you hit 50. While old expansions had the unlock requirements drastically reduced.

[Arxie]

Автор сообщения: Mushboom

Hey, I've heard this game's story is good, so it's the first MMO I've played where I'm actually trying to read the quest text. I'm only level 20, and it seems like I could have safely skipped a lot of quest text so far with not much impact. Is there a specific point where I should start paying attention to the main quest story?

Thanks!

I take pride in having ready every word of every dialogue / listening to every cutscene (that I haven't accidentally skipped) that I've come across from day 1 of ARR to present day in Stormblood. There are tons of small callbacks that make me glad I did, but wouldn't be jarring to someone who didn't.

That said, recommend making the best effort you can to start listening to the story as early as possible. ~Level 15 is when it sort of starts.

[Mushboom]

I really appreciate the replies! I've been doing only the MSQ and job quests, and it seems to be an okay pace so far.

Автор сообщения: Khazimhir

why even skip the story, if you are actually interested in it?
either read/listen to everything, or be a savage and skip everything and enjoy the gameplay.

because with that attitude i have a feeling allot of questions are comming up later, because you have no idea whats going on, or what lead to the situation.

For more context:
If my time and patience were both unlimited, I'd absolutely read every bit of text everywhere. I'm all for setting up a story, but if it takes a very long time with no real hook, and combined with how slowly I read, it's easy to lose interest. My original question was asked so that I could approach the game in a way that gives me the best chance to enjoy it.

[SQQisMommy]

FFXIV is a JRPG. If you're going to skip the story there is no reason to play the game.

[romero]

skip everything up until you start fighting the primals. nothing before that matters and you shouldn't listen to people who tell you otherwise. FFXIV's start is absolutely horrible and no, "muh worldbuilding" is not a good excuse for bland/boring delivery.

[terror923]

ARR story is kinda the worst with pacing and all, i really started paying attention on the post ARR quests since that leads up to Heavensward.

I had a much more pleasant experience watching the story and what not after ARR.

[Kai]

ARR is a big tutorial until you get to Primal Slaying.

[RedGans]

Автор сообщения: 000 HLT/COB LITTLE MAN COMPUTER

skip everything up until you start fighting the primals. nothing before that matters and you shouldn't listen to people who tell you otherwise. FFXIV's start is absolutely horrible and no, "muh worldbuilding" is not a good excuse for bland/boring delivery.

agree the start of the game is horrible only got interesting when you get to fight the first primal