Leveling Tips L1 to 50 | A Realm Reborn tier

In this (second) page of this guide, we evaluate the various leveling methods and tips, and apply it to leveling from level 01 to level 50 (FFXIV A Realm Reborn “tier”).

Within this chunky tier, I would set two more “subtiers” which have drastically different ways to play out. L1 to 16 sub-tier (the super early game) and the L16 to 50 sub-tier (essentially the rest of it). With that said, let’s get to it.

FFXIV Leveling Guide for ALL CLASSES – Navigation:
P1: Methods, and tips for leveling up at any tier.
P2: A Realm Reborn Tier – 1 to 50 | P3: Heavensward Tier – 50 to 60 (Under review)

Level 1 to Level 16 | ARR Sub-tier

The early game is really slim, even moreso if it’s your first character. But We gotta start somewhere. This tier is known to be a little boring and restrictive, but at least it doesn’t last so long.

If you’re reading this, you might want to check out
Base Class specific leveling guides:

L1 to L16 tier: Leveling Activity Priority

Remember the universal truths: Main Scenario Quest is king, and always have your passive EXP buffs (FC, Food, Chocobo, etc)

Renewable EXP sources

• • FATES (Great when you're in queue)
  • Levequests (Actually good EXP but better saved for DoH or DoL)
  • Deep Dungeon -Palace of the Dead (Repetitive, terrible for LOW levels)

Burst EXP sources

• • Challenge Log* (Complete passively until nearing reset, then force it)
  • Guildhests (First completions per class is mega bonus EXP)
  • Hunting Log (Great source of EXP this early on)
  • Sidequests (Personal preference. Better if in tandem with MSQ!)
  • Duty Roulette: Guildhest (Pretty irrelevant...)

*Challenge Log won't be unlocked in this tier if it's your first time around. While you need to be L16 to initially unlock it, it can be used by any level character thereafter. 

As always this is loosely ordered based on importance and value, which you SHOULD adjust to your personal preference. If I were to summarize the L1 to L16 subtier in a paragraph:

“Do your MSQ’s! Aside from that, do your limited EXP bursts when possible – Hunting Logs, Challenge Logs, and Guildhests. If you got nothing else to do, FATE’s are your basic source of EXP, as well as Sidequests (personal preference). Lastly, you can supplement your EXP with Levequests but I wouldn’t be too hot on that”.

L1 to L16 tier: Notes

Remember the universal truths: Main Scenario Quest is king, and always have your passive EXP buffs (FC, Food, Chocobo, etc)

FATE’s are a massive source of EXP during this tier. I place this note this high up since I feel it’s the “default” EXP source right now. Basically, if you have nothing else to do – grind FATEs! If you wanna change it up, look down the list.

Challenge Log: If this is your first character you WILL NOT HAVE CHALLENGE LOG unlocked. It unlocks via quest Rise to the Challenge, at Limsa Lominsa Upper Decks (Level 16). However, if this is an alt class you’re leveling you likely already have the Challenge Log unlocked and you can take advantage of a few entries as early as level 1.

Hunting Log this old-school system is actually great early on. Try to clean these up as fast as you can while tagging what FATE’s you can along the way. Chocobo’s really shine here. If you’re a new player, without many teleports unlocked – this may be a little lower on your priorities.

Guildhests unlock for you at level 1, 5, and 10 (and every 5 levels after). You gain HEFTY bonus exp for the first completion for every new class you’ve done it with. After the first clear their only purpose is to hammer out guildhest related Challenge Log entries (use “Under the Armor” Guildhest).

Sidequests are never cut and dry. Their value personally depends on how closely tied they are to your MSQ. It’s surely affected by your personal preference. While I know some people who love wiping the map of sidequests, my advice is don’t overdo it. If you overlevel sidequests by at max 2 levels STOP, and leave it for your other characters.

Levequests this early on are okay but ONLY consider them if you’re desperate for EXP, overcapped on levequests, or for “completion”. They’re not really a bad source of EXP but they have a large opportunity cost of stealing them away from DoH and DoL classes.

I speak of the above activities in a little more detail as there is a high probability you’re a newer player reading this. I’ll be more concise as many of these systems / habits will be repeated as you level.

L1 to L16 tier: Important Reminders

• Challenge Log – Unlocks at Level 15 via quest, at Limsa Lominsa Upper Decks. If you’ve unlocked it with another class – you can use it at L1.
• Duty Roulette – Guildhest unlocks at Level 10, but it’s a meh source of EXP.
• New Guildhest every 5 levels, do them as you get them.
• L15 Class Quest always gives you a skill. Typically a utility or ranged skill – not huge, but expanding your skillset is never bad.

The ultra early game is severely limited, but it opens up and becomes more fun as the journey progresses, trust me!

Level 16 to 50 | ARR Sub-tier

There’s a lot going on in this tier – if it’s your first time passing through this level a lot of new systems open up so it may be overwhelming. Here’s how this tier shakes out.

L16 to L50 tier: Leveling activity priority

Remember the universal truths: Main Scenario Quest is king, and always have your passive EXP buffs (FC, Food, Chocobo, etc)

Renewable EXP sources

• • Dungeons (Stable, "fun", massive EXP easpecially with rested bonus)
  • FATES (Great when you're in queue)
  • Deep Dungeon -Palace of the Dead (Repetitive, but fast)
  • Levequests (Actually good EXP but better saved for DoH or DoL)
  • Beast Tribe (EXP is meh, but great for getting cosmetic items)

Burst EXP sources

• • Duty Roulette: Leveling (The ultimate EXP source until L50)
  • Challenge Log (Complete passively until nearing reset, then force it)
  • Guildhests (First completions per class is mega bonus EXP)
  • Hunting Log (More for completionism or first timers, it's "alright")
  • Sidequests (Personal preference. Better if in tandem with MSQ!)
  • Duty Roulette: Guildhest (Pretty irrelevant...)

As always this is loosely ordered based on importance and value, which you SHOULD adjust to your personal preference.

L16 to L50 tier: Notes

By now you have a general idea of what to do, with a few added twists to your typical activities after L15.

MSQ and Passive EXP buffs are your “universal truths”. Always do MSQ, always keep EXP buffs up. Only if you have no MSQ do you seek to do something else.

Duty Roulette: Leveling becomes your daily burst of EXP. Aside from this you have the weekly Challenge Log that you typically get without trying too hard, along with the occasional new Guildhest you unlock.

After you’re done with the “burst” sources of EXP – you have to look further out for renewable grindable EXP sources. Typically that’s either FATEs or Dungeons (as in straight up queueing up). Hunting Logs aren’t bad when you’re in queue, same goes with FATEs. Dungeons are better with rested EXP, and are still decent without. FATE’s are great while in queue, or if you cannot commit to a dungeon.

Other random bursts such as Hunting Logs and Guildhests should be done “when you can”. Don’t chase so hard for Challenge Log entries – let them happen naturally through the week.

At the bottom of the list you got Sidequests (whose value can vary greatly, or do them if it’s a personal preference), and Levequests which are OK, but should be saved for DoH or DoL (Use them up if you’re capped, I guess).

I know this sounds a bit repetitive from the very similar subtier before this one, but I suppose it doesn’t hurt as there are many possible newer players looking at this.

L16 to L50 tier: Important Reminders

Lot’s of mechanics for you as a player and character open up during this period. Keep your eyes out for “blue” quest markers!

• Challenge Log – Unlocks at Level 15 via quest, a note worth repeating from last tier.
• Duty Roulette: Leveling unlocks at L16 (once you unlock and clear Tam-Tara Deepcroft).
• Quest to get your first chocobo mount at L20 (and future combat companion) starts .
• JOB CHANGE AT LEVEL 30! If you’re in this tier there’s a high chance you’re rocking a base class. If you’re leveling a base class – you get 2 new skills at this level – from your final class quest and your first job quest.
• Combat Chocobo – Officially called “Companion”, unlocks at Level 30 via quest.
• L41+ Unlocks various Beast Tribes, for some repeatable daily quests.

Numerous optional dungeons unlocks

• Halatali (optional dungeon) can be unlocked L20+
• Sunken Temple of Qarn (optional dungeon) can be unlocked L30+
• Cutter’s Cry (optional dungeon) can be unlocked L38+
• Dzmael Darkhold (optional dungeon) can be unlocked L44+
• Aurum Vale (optional dungeon) can be unlocked L47+

Many of these dungeons are required for Grand Company progression, but are ultimately unimportant in the grand scheme of things. Personally, I suggest you unlock and complete them at least once.

Hopefully all the above information gets you to Level 50 ASAP!
It gets a little simpler in the coming “tiers”, don’t worry!

L50? Before entering Heavensward tier…

You got to 50? Hopefully you PRIORITIZED MSQ heavily and you’re well on your way to completing the base ARR storyline.

I HIGHLY SUGGEST YOU UNLOCK FLIGHT ASAP

Flying simply makes completing the rest of ARR’s MSQ’s much much faster and more bearable.  Flying is also a “quality of life and sanity prereq” for effectively leveling DoL classes if you’re into that.

While it’s hard to miss the flying unlock, you might get SIDETRACKED doing non-MSQ activities. Don’t. Unlocking flight saves so much time.

L50? Should I unlock all these random blue quests?

Ho boy, there are a metric ton of unlocks at this point. Honestly, here’s my advice. Unlock PRIMALS (avoid Odin), avoid non-MSQ dungeons. Hard mode dungeons and the non-MSQ optional dungeons don’t really affect you down the line.

Only complete these random hard mode dungeons if you’re really bored. A fair warning, these can be painful to DF as a group of all new players could wipe on them. My boring suggestion is to wait until you can solo ’em when you’re higher level just to get the quests off the map.

Related reads and other links

Base Class Leveling Guides:
ACN | ARC | CNJ | GLD | LNC | MRD | PGL | ROG | THM

*added other links here soon

Summary & Closing

The A Realm Reborn tier, L1 to 50 can be a confusing time for newer players. If it’s not your first time around the track, I hope I still helped you out anyway. Newer players, don’t worry! All of these little systems will get clearer and more condensed in the future tiers. Onto the Heavensward tier!

P3 Still being reviewed! Hold on tight!

FFXIV Leveling Guide for ALL CLASSES – Navigation:
P1: Methods, and tips for leveling up at any tier.
P2: A Realm Reborn Tier – 1 to 50 | P3: Heavensward Tier – 50 to 60 (Under review)

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