Like most RPGs, a majority of your time in Final Fantasy XIV is spent completing various quests. However, new players may find themselves wondering what each of the different symbols mean, or how to tell what quests are worth their time. This guide will explain the three main types of quests, as well as how to tell if a quest can or can’t be completed.
As the name implies, Main Scenario Quests (or MSQs) are the primary quests players will undertake. They can be identified by a circle with what appears to be flame or smoke trailing from them (it is actually a meteor, a reference to the meteor which struck Eorzea shortly before the game rebooted as A Realm Reborn in 2013).
MSQs drive the story forward and completion of them is usually required to gain access to important features such as jobs and new areas. You should prioritize these if you’re looking for more diverse and exciting gameplay while also providing a larger focus on story than other quests.
Feature Quests are quests that unlock content in the game. Their icon features a blue background with a yellow exclamation mark in the center and a plus sign on the left side.. If MSQs are the primary focus of a new player, Feature Quests should be a close second. Not only are these quests required to upgrade your Class to a Job, but some of them are a great way to learn how to best play your role and will provide rewards specifically suited to your Job. They also have their own unique storylines which can be just as deep and engrossing as those experienced in the MSQ.
It is important to remember where your Class’ Guild is early on as once you reach a certain point in the MSQ, you will unlock various Feature Quests from the guilds around your starting area. Before you know it, you’ll have a map full of blue quest markers. Generally, you should focus on your starting Class’ Guild, but it is worth checking in with new Feature Quests that open up to see what they offer At this point in the game, it may be a little early to start focusing on a combat Job different from your main one as you are still early in your starting Class, but some of these Feature Quests may allow you to start leveling a crafting or gathering role, called Disciples of the Hand and Disciples of the Land respectively. There is no harm in picking these up now if you’re interested in them as they can help build your character without stalling progress on your primary Job. It can also be fun to take on a different Job’s Feature Quest to mix up the usual gameplay loop.
You will see a ridiculous amount of Side Quests while playing FF14. This can be a completionist’s nightmare. Like other games, these quests normally tell their own standalone stories and have little to no impact on the rest of the game. They also tend to provide less valuable rewards for completion. On the flip side, they can be completed fairly quickly and are almost always simple fetch quests, or have you go kill a certain amount of a specific monster.
Due to their simplicity, new players should not spend too much time on Side Quests as they can easily lead to burnout. But don’t dismiss them entirely. Some of the first Side Quests you’ll encounter teach basic game mechanics such as emoting or interacting with objects, but you can most likely learn these without picking up the quest to do so. The best method to handle Side Quests is to pick up any you see, but then prioritize your focus on MSQs and Feature Quests.
If MSQ’s and Feature Quests take you to an area in close proximity to the Side Quest location, it doesn’t hurt to stop in, kill some monsters and continue on your way. Then, next time you are in the area where the sidequest was offered, turn it in and enjoy a small amount of EXP and some clutter removed from your quest log.
Unlike the other Quests listed, Green Quests markers don’t have a specific name. But if you see one, you should go to it immediately as it indicates the final step in a quest you’re currently on. These markers will appear for MSQs, Feature Quests or Side Quests. A Green Marker means it’s time to get ready for some EXP and other rewards. We like Green Quest Markers.
Like Green Quest Markers, Red Quest Markers don’t have a specific name. And they aren’t a type of quest either.A Red Quest marker simply means the quest can’t be completed at this time.
You’ll typically see these when you’re too low-leveled to accept a certain questl. Alternatively, you might see a Red Quest Marker if you haven’t proceeded far enough into a given quest to unlock it.
Normally, you’ll first see these for Feature Quests for various guilds that haven’t opened up yet as you haven’t moved the story far enough yet. Of course, there is no harm in interacting with Red Quest Markers as they will simply describe the reason they are preventing progress.In some instances, you might just be missing an item that can be easily obtained. For example, one early quest asks you to turn in a High Potion to complete it. Until you’ve obtained a High Potion, this quest will have a Red Quest Marker. Once you collect a High Potion, you’ll see the Red Quest Marker turn into a shiny Green one, which we just learned are our favorites.
FF14’s many different kinds of quests and markers might seem a little confusing at first, but once you spend enough time with the game, they’ll become second nature. Just remember that MSQs should always be completed since they offer some of the best moments of the game. Feature Quests should be done if they interest the player as they provide some of the better rewards and storylines. Side Quests should be saved for when they can be finished at your leisure, but don’t need to take priority. You can obviously interact with the game in any manner you see fit, but by prioritizing the best content FF14 has to offer, you can prevent burnout and instead sink yourself into the more satisfying content of the riveting world of Eorzea.
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