In Final Fantasy XIV, new players have a wide selection of content that they can unlock. However, there are some features, content, and gameplay elements that are very useful for newcomers. We will show you how to unlock them.
These are the quests: Basically, in FFXIV, the rule is that as new players, you should always accept the special quests marked with blue plus icons. The marking indicates that such quests offer unique rewards at the end. Often, they unlock new instanced content like raids and dungeons or new gameplay mechanics, such as dyeing your gear.
These quests are often very easy and quick. However, it can happen that they get lost among the mountains of other content that FFXIV has to offer. Therefore, we have created a list of useful features that you should not miss.
1. The Current Agenda
What is it? The Current Agenda (also known as Challenge Log) is a list of tasks that players can complete weekly in FFXIV to receive bonuses such as EXP or Gil. The agenda is especially useful for new players as it automatically provides rewards when you simply play the game and complete various content.
The agenda refers not only to combat content such as dungeons or PvP, but also to crafter and gatherer classes as well as the Gold Saucer casino. Depending on the content, you receive the corresponding reward, which can sometimes be in the form of PvP Wolf Marks or MGP.
How to unlock the agenda:
- Quest Name: The Forgotten Agenda
- Location: Limsa Lominsa, Upper Decks (X: 11.5 / Y: 10.9)
- NPC: I’tolwann
- Requirements: Level 15. Players who started in the cities of Gridania or Ul’dah must first complete the main scenario quest “The Call of the Sea” to be able to travel to Limsa Lominsa.
After unlocking, you will find the agenda in your main menu under “Notebooks”.
2. Dyeing and Projection
What is it? New players are unfortunate that the gear at low levels doesn’t look particularly good. Often, the items you can buy from NPCs or obtain from quests come in various colors. So you don’t have to walk around in green pants and a purple top all the time, there are dyeing and projection features (transmog in FFXIV).
While dyeing simply allows you to change the color of your gear, projection changes the entire appearance of an armor piece. You can create a cool outfit and project it over your current gear, provided that all requirements are met.
How to unlock dyeing and projection:
- Quest Names: Color Theory and Beautiful Appearance
- Location: Western Thanalan (X: 12.6 / Y: 14.3). Not far from the entrance to the Sunwind.
- NPC: Swyrgeim
- Requirements: Level 15
All important information about dyeing and projection as well as tips on cool gear at low levels can be found in our guide:
3. Beautician
What is it? To continue the fashion theme, you can also unlock a beautician in FFXIV. The slightly eccentric gentleman helps you change certain aspects of your character’s appearance for a little money. This includes things like hairstyle, hair color, makeup, and a few other adjustments.
If you don’t want to change your character’s gender and race directly but only make small changes, you don’t have to spend money on a Fantasia potion. The beautician is enough for that.
- Quest Name: Beautiful is not beautiful enough
- Location: Limsa Lominsa, Upper Decks (X: 11.1 / Y: 11)
- NPC: S’dhodjbi
- Requirements: Level 15.
4. PvP
What is it? If you want to beat up other players in FFXIV, you can do this from level 30 in various PvP modes. The modes include the 4v4 tournament mode FEAST, as well as large battles with up to 72 people and MOBA-like “Rival Wings”.
However, PvP is also interesting for those who normally have no interest in it. Because the rewards that can be exchanged for PvP currency Wolf Marks are worth looking at. This includes, for example, cool cosmetic gear, mounts, hairstyles, or other cool items.
How to unlock PvP content: Each Grand Company has its own unlock quest for PvP in FFXIV. You will therefore turn to the NPC associated with your company. First, you need to unlock access to the Wolf’s Den Pier, the PvP hub of FFXIV:
- Quest Name: Path of Suffering
- Location: Limsa Lominsa, Upper Decks (X: 13.1 / Y: 12.8), New Gridania (X: 9.7 / Y: 11.1) or Ul’dah, Nald crossing (X: 8.4 / Y: 8.9)
- NPCs: R’ashaht Rhiki (Maelstrom), Vorsaile Heuloix (Brotherhood of the Murder Viper) or Swift (Legion of the Immortal)
- Requirements: Level 30
To unlock the large battles of the PvP front, you need to complete the following quest:
- Quest Name: Frontline Deployment
- Location: Limsa Lominsa, Upper Decks (X: 12.7 / Y: 12.8), New Gridania (X: 9.9 / Y: 11.4) or Ul’dah, Nald crossing (X: 8.6 / Y: 9.4)
- NPCs: Trachraet (Maelstrom), Scarlet (Brotherhood of the Murder Viper) or Mimio Mio (Legion of the Immortal)
- Requirements: Level 30
To unlock the MOBA-like PvP mode “Steel Wings”, you need access to the Wolf’s Den Pier and the following quest:
- Quest Name: Wings of Steel
- Location: Wolf’s Den Pier (X: 5.7 / Y: 5.4)
- NPC: Gentlebox
- Requirements: Level 30
5. Companion Ventures
What is it? Companions are essentially your sales kiosk and item storage in FFXIV. You unlock them automatically during the course of the main story of the MMORPG and can entrust them with your stuff, which they can then either just keep or sell for you at the market board.
Your companions can also be leveled. You can give them a weapon or gathering tool and send them out into the wide world to gather items for you. It’s a practical feature that helps you, for example, when farming certain materials for crafting or, with a little luck, brings in cool and rare items.
How to unlock the ventures: There are 3 NPCs with the same name from whom you can obtain the quest. They are located in one of the three starter cities. Which one you unlock the feature with doesn’t matter:
- Quest Name: Venture Enthusiast
- Location: Limsa Lominsa, Lower Decks (X: 9 / Y: 11.2), New Gridania (X: 11.8 / Y: 12.2) or Ul’dah, Nald crossing (X: 9.3 / Y: 8.7)
- NPC: Adventurer in Need
- Requirements: Level 17
6. Deep Dungeon – Palace of the Dead
What is it? The Deep Dungeon is very different from the usual dungeons in FFXIV. In the Palace of the Dead, you descend into an abyss that holds up to 200 randomly generated floors for you. The interesting part is that you do not use your usual gear there, but rather ethereal weapons and armors that you level up by opening special chests.
The Palace of the Dead is primarily interesting at low levels in that no fixed group composition is required. This means you can theoretically be matched with 4 DPS players. So if you don’t want to wait long in queues for dungeons, you can also level your melee and mages in the Palace of the Dead without relying on healers and tanks.
How to unlock the palace:
- Quest Name: Down into the Depths
- Location: New Gridania (X: 12 / Y: 13.1)
- NPC: Nojiro Marujiro
- Requirements: Level 17
As the Deep Dungeon functions differently than the rest of the dungeons, you cannot access it via the content search. You must be at the entrance in South Forest at the teleport Millbrook.
All information about the Palace of the Dead and its special rules can be found on the official Lodestone page.
7. Eorzea Incognita
What is it? The side quest Eorzea Incognita is aimed at the wanderers and explorers among you. It is a collection of locations in FFXIV that you need to visit to complete a notebook. You need to go to specific spots on the maps for the entries in the book and look around there or fulfill other conditions.
In Eorzea Incognita, the motto is: The journey is the destination. Discovering cool landscapes and beautiful views is the focus here. As rewards for completion, you will get achievements and companions, but no significant prizes.
How to unlock the notebooks:
- Quest Name: Unknown Eorzea
- Location: New Gridania (X: 11.8 / Y: 13.4)
- NPC: Naoh Gamduhla
- Requirements: Level 20, completion of the main scenario quest “The Intentions of the Sylphs”
To the veterans here: Which content and features would you still recommend to new players? Let us know in the comments, and we will possibly supplement the article.
