Final Fantasy XIV Patch 5.45 has finally arrived, and just days before the MMO’s announcement livestream taking place Feb. 5. Excitement among the community is palpable for what is coming in Patch 5.5 and the heavily speculated new expansion. Is this the best time for a new player to jump in?
With so many gameplay mechanics and systems in Final Fantasy XIV, starting your adventure can be incredibly overwhelming. Thankfully, players are very friendly to newcomers and want to help. So when starting, do not hesitate to join the game’s official forums or Discord channels and ask for assistance. Your best bet is to find a group of friends (or convince your own) to start with you. However, convincing others to get into an MMO, and a monthly payment-based one at that, is steep.
But, you already talked yourself into committing and you are eager to get started. So, where do you start? This is where the FFXIV‘s YouTube community comes into play. Even after investing over 800 hours, I still reach out to a number of YouTube videos for a memory refresh, an item showcase or a simple how-to. Below, you will see four YouTubers I frequently visit to keep myself up to date on all things FFXIV.
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Work To Game
One thing to note about Final Fantasy XIV is that it is playable on PS4, PS5, and PC. So one of the biggest questions you will ask yourself is, “Should I use mouse and keyboard or a controller?” Whichever you choose, FFXIV works well with either one. Personally, I have grown accustomed to the gamepad layout and generally prefer it.
But what about the HUD design? Ability layouts? Small tips and tricks to get familiar with it all? Meet Work To Game, starring YouTuber duo Brian and Chris. The bulk of their content lately is in live streams and topical FFXIV discussions, but their videos on controller and UI guides are remarkable.
Zepla HQ
For fun discussions and the latest impressions from a FFXIV veteran, head to Zepla HQ’s channel. FFXIV‘s patches can be exceptionally dense, but Zepla does a fantastic job of providing a non-overwhelming view on them. Her video content is not only entertaining and hilarious, but super helpful on breaking down the game’s state and where it can possibly go next. See below for a list of mistakes to look out for when starting a new game.
Meoni
Known as one of the smoothest voices in the community, Meoni is known for his lengthy item breakdowns, lore dives, and weekly fashion reports. Final Fantasy XIV does have an online store that gets updated with costumes, mounts, and more, and Meoni breaks down the latest additions in-game. He also has a regular segment called “Teatime” in which he relays his predictions or conducts general discussions around the game.
Desperius FFXIV
Finally, Desperius FFXIV provides a clear lens to the more advanced mechanics of FFXIV. Job guides, tier lists, power testing gear and weapons, recommended graphic/performance settings on PC, and more are all featured. Desperius goes above and beyond providing outstanding videos for new and regular players. His video on how to get started is well worth a look too.
While these YouTubers are the ones I visit frequently, there are more great individuals making Final Fantasy XIV videos. Feel free to drop the name of your favorite FFXIV YouTuber below so that new and old players can give their support! For the latest updates on the game, visit its official website here.
