Final Fantasy XIV Beginner's Guide: Class and City, the Main Story and the Free Trial

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1. Choose your Home World carefully The official manual warns that the Home World chosen at character creation cannot be changed easily. If you're playing with friends, start on the same data center and ideally the same world.
2. Pick the starting class you enjoy According to the official manual your starting class determines both your role and starting city. Since you can switch classes later, pick the playstyle that appeals most: front line, healing or damage.
3. Set your movement type The official manual describes Standard (character-based) and Legacy (camera-based) movement. Players from other MMOs may find Legacy more familiar; change it in settings.
4. Follow the Main Scenario Main Scenario Quests stand out in the quest tracker. Early on, follow the main story rather than clearing every side quest; new systems and areas depend on it.
5. Try dungeons with Duty Support According to the official page Duty Support lets you enter dungeons required for story progress with NPC companions instead of queuing with players. It's a pressure-free way to learn your role.
6. Join the Novice Network The game has a chat channel for new players, the Novice Network; the official UI guide explains how to join. Ask anything you're stuck on there.
7. Set up keybinds early As your hotbars fill, key layout matters. The official UI guide explains that keybinds are changed in the Keybind section of the System menu.
8. Customise the HUD FFXIV's HUD is highly customisable. Moving hotbars, the enemy list and chat where they're comfortable makes long sessions much easier.

• Don't skip the storyStory is FFXIV's biggest strength, and early chapters establish the world. It may feel slow at first, but later expansions build on it.
• Stuck? Try another classBecause class is tied to equipped gear, you don't need a new character to switch.
• Learn your role's core dutyTanks hold enemy attention, healers watch party health, DPS deal damage while respecting mechanics. Stepping out of red ground markers is everyone's job.
• Join FATEsFATEs are short open-world events done with nearby players. They're a relaxed way to level if you fall behind the main story.
• Know the free trial limitsAccording to the official free trial page the trial includes A Realm Reborn, Heavensward, Stormblood and Shadowbringers up to level 80. Some chat channels, the market board and trading are disabled, gil is capped and PvP is unavailable.
• On the trial, get invitedThe official trial page says trial accounts can't recruit through the Duty Finder but can join a party when invited. Let a friend form the party.
• Crafting and gathering can waitCrafting (Disciples of the Hand) and gathering (Disciples of the Land) classes level separately. They're not required for the main story, so leave them for later if you like.
• Use the JournalThe Journal (J) shows active quests and your next objective. When lost, check quest markers on the map (M).
• Upgrade gear from questsAt low levels, quest rewards usually provide enough gear. Check your gear in the Character window (C) and swap outdated pieces for quest rewards.

• Picking a Home World at random: you may land on a different data center from friends, and moving isn't easy.
• Abandoning the main story for side quests: many systems and areas unlock through the Main Scenario.
• Making a new character to try another class: one character can play every class by swapping gear.
• Standing in ground markers: the mistake that most affects group success in dungeons.
• Never adjusting keybinds or HUD: the game feels clunky as your abilities grow.
• Planning without knowing trial limits: the market board and trading are disabled on the trial.

This guide was written for version: Guide written for the current version as of September 2026; free trial scope and controls may change.

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