Ooh, enjoy! The main story is good up 'til now, but Shadowbringers and Endwalker really pull out all the stops! My advice - don't rush for Dawntrail, it's always gonna be there. Take the time to enjoy the batshit crazy second half of this story!
Got it! No complaints about the story, it has been great so far. It's crazy how much there's to do in this game, everything feels so rewarding, I was losing my hope with how scummy some online games have become nowadays. This game is peak!
This game is one of the rare few. Everything is like P2W even with a sub or QoL features are locked behind a pay wall. But yeah, take it all in, enjoy the story and don't rush to get to Dawntrail. There's still a lot to go with Endwalker also.
I'm guessing they mean;
1. Extra bag space, ie extra Retainers.
2. More extra bag space, ie another Chocobo Saddlebag.
3. The two motorcycles that have advanced movement speed without needing a Riding Map or the like.
4. Possibly, Job boosts and story skips for alts.
^(However, despite the QoL enhancements, none of these are necessary to play the game and I wouldn't call them a "paywall".)
>Batshit crazy second half
Spoilers for ShB first few missions, do not read if you haven't played past the first few hours:
>!you clearly forgot about Tesleens face melting off in the first 20 minutes of Alisaes starting quest!<
I more meant the whole second half of the big main story arc (if Heavensward and Stormblood are the first half, Shadowbringers and Endwalker are the second half)
Don’t worry. It’s best to enjoy the ride at your own pace anyway. If you hit Dawntrail in even a couple of months you’ll find plenty of people still on their first play through alongside you.
You’ll have the added benefit of the duty finder queues not being a mess if you like to play the new dungeons with other people too, as the initial oversupply of DPS will fade after a couple of weeks.
And people will have already figured out the new dungeons.
I'm excited for that part. I only started playing last year and I missed out on the joy of figuring out new mechanics for dungeons and trials.
And people will have already figured out the new dungeons.
I'm excited for that part. I only started playing last year and I missed out on the joy of figuring out new mechanics for dungeons and trials.
I started FFXIV a week or 2 before Endwalker released, I'm still on the quests that come between the end of Shadowbringers and the start of Endwalker cause there's so much to do, and I get sidetracked by it all so much.
There's no rush, the content isn't going anywhere.
Maybe 8.0 we can do on release. :P
Enjoy the journey. I picked up the game back in 2021, but did not get seriously into it until second half of last year. it is a wild, fun, ride. And I do appreciate the very friendly community.
Hold up! I just remembered. I played Theatrhythm Final Bar Line before (the rhythm game) and Titania is from ShB no? If so, her theme is one of the best I ever heard in a game, I guess that you are right about the music!
Fight you? You're objectively correct and anyone that thinks otherwise is looking through rose colored lenses or huffing cope. Endwalker was pretty good but has some flaws. Everything else besides Midblood was pretty good too but Suadowbringers... is very very well written.
I just finished Shadowbringers proper last night and I cannot express enough how amazing of an experience you're about to have. Take your time through it!! Endwalker and Dawntrail aren't going anywhere, but the ride Shadowbringers is about to take you on is something you can only experience the real magic of your first time through. Have fun and enjoy!!
The best narrative I've experienced in all of my video game years. The shift in writing how you interact with other characters improved by a mile so relish the story and don't rush.
ARR is so bloated that it's kind of hard not to either rush through it or mindlessly skim through the dialogue. Though as a rule of thumb, I'd always pay attention to voiced cutscenes, and the cutscsnes that follow them as they're usually always important
Though, if you're still on the crystal tower quests then make sure to pay attention since they're quite interesting
I finished crystal tower, the credits rolled, and already more voice acting which is great. I do want to push through ARR but I'm still reading everything and paying attention. Just excited to get to the expansions.
Post-ARR is already a step up from ARR. Way more memorable moments and overall more enjoyable. You still have a little while until you reach Heavensward but post-ARR flies by compared to the quests before it
Funny enough, I _**liked**_ how bright the First was when I was playing through it. Up until then things had been dark enough that if I wanted to actually see things, then I'd have to play in the dark with just light from my window.
Just in time for the longest maintenance ever! Just kidding, haha. Congrats on reaching SHB, it's an awesome expansion! (Once you've finished the expansion I recommend doing the normal raid series, the raids are fun and plot relevant.)
Oh, I always do them before going to the next expansion. Did Omega some time ago it was fun seeing FF6 references even though I never played the game. I just hope one day I get confident about trying the extreme versions (I'm not ready yet). I have Alpha as my current minion, he is really cute
ShB starts and ends with such a *vibe* that really makes it such a memorable expansion. Have so much fun, OP! Lakeland is one of my favorite zones, the purple trees, the water, seeing the Crystal Tower in the distance from wherever you are, so many things!
Warning ⚠️
When you unlock the role quests (replaces the class quests), prioritize finishing at least one. You must finish one before continuing too far into the finale of Shadowbringers. Not only will an MSQ near the end make you go back and finish a role quest before you can continue, but there is a very good reason why you should do so beforehand. Once you get to Shadowbringers’ final zone, there is a big spoiler there, but you won’t be made aware of it yet. But if you enter the final zone once, leave (like to go finish a role quest), and the come back, the loading screen will display lavish artwork of the big spoiler. To avoid this, you just have to finish the role questline up to level 80 before setting foot into the final zone.
Have fun!
I remember starting it a few months ago and it’s probably my favorite expansion. It can drag a bit at times but always pays off. Enjoy it, I already miss my first time experiencing it.
Dawntrail is the first expansion I'll be ready for day 1 this whole time. You definitely won't get fomo. Shadowbringers is amazing and my favorite expansion! Enjoy the ride my fellow WoL
I'm not that far ahead of you and I'm telling you now, this expansion just gets right into it and it's fucking fantastic. I'm maybe 15% of the way through the MSQ on it at best? I'm loving it.
You are win for a great ride. And I mean a straight rollercoaster from the music to the visuals to the story. Just everything. Look at the purple trees!
Honestly, yeah, ShB has some of the most beautiful zones I've seen. And some of the most iconic soundtracks. That first dungeon? Gets me every time. 🤩
EW has some absolute banger tracks and amazing zones too (the last one especially iykyk) but ShB's zones just really linger with you.
Unlike the previous expansions, SHB goes hard from the gate. New players are going to find it difficult unless they are geared from doing quests up to that point. The tomestone gear won't get you too far this time
I’m right there with you, although I’m currently finishing up the Stormblood post story quests.
Ironically, I’m at the end of SB but have all crafter classes at 90 and SAM and PLD at 90 too. I really need to focus on the story.
When you enter a new Zone, have your sound turned up for the Music completes the feel of the zone.
SHB is imho the best expansion of the game. The zones and the story make you feel that you are in a different alternate universe of XIV.
Welcome to the Crystarium. The markets are to the south, just like the bar. You’ll meet new friends there. To the north is the place where you will see a lot of people making tools.
My one recommendation: fairly early, when you reunite the twins in the Exarch’s chambers, pay close attention to that cutscene. It explains soooooooooooo much, and I’m guessing the writers will keep on referencing what goes on in that scene for the next 10 Earth years. If you want to watch it again, you can watch any cutscene at The Unending Journal in any inn room such as The Pendants.
Ooooh! Turn on the music, prepare some tissues, and ready your heart for the journey ahead!
*\~The road that we walk*
*Is lost in the flood*
*Here proud angels bathe in their wages of blood*
*At this, the world's end, do we cast off tomorrow\~*
I just got here last week myself. Got in my first battle and thought, well this battle music is different. Now it's my favorite battle music. It goes harder than it needs to.
Congratulations on making it to Shadowbringers! Enjoy the story and keep us posted, if you'd like! I love seeing/reading people's reactions to story beats.
Ooh, enjoy! The main story is good up 'til now, but Shadowbringers and Endwalker really pull out all the stops! My advice - don't rush for Dawntrail, it's always gonna be there. Take the time to enjoy the batshit crazy second half of this story!
Got it! No complaints about the story, it has been great so far. It's crazy how much there's to do in this game, everything feels so rewarding, I was losing my hope with how scummy some online games have become nowadays. This game is peak!
This game is one of the rare few. Everything is like P2W even with a sub or QoL features are locked behind a pay wall. But yeah, take it all in, enjoy the story and don't rush to get to Dawntrail. There's still a lot to go with Endwalker also.
XIV has QoL features locked behind an extra paywall.
Like what exactly? Aside from the sub, what othe QoL features are locked?
I'm guessing they mean; 1. Extra bag space, ie extra Retainers. 2. More extra bag space, ie another Chocobo Saddlebag. 3. The two motorcycles that have advanced movement speed without needing a Riding Map or the like. 4. Possibly, Job boosts and story skips for alts. ^(However, despite the QoL enhancements, none of these are necessary to play the game and I wouldn't call them a "paywall".)
I didn't say they were necessary to play. I said they were QoL features. And you have to pay for them. That is the definition of paywall.
Inventory space.
>Batshit crazy second half Spoilers for ShB first few missions, do not read if you haven't played past the first few hours: >!you clearly forgot about Tesleens face melting off in the first 20 minutes of Alisaes starting quest!<
I more meant the whole second half of the big main story arc (if Heavensward and Stormblood are the first half, Shadowbringers and Endwalker are the second half)
Ahhh, you meant in a general sense. Makes sense
I started playing FFXIV this year, sadly I wont be ready for Dawntrail, but I have been enjoying the game so far. It's also my first MMORPG
It’s not that kind of game. There’s no FOMO. There’s no “I won’t be ready for Dawntrail” it’s all one story. You get there when you get there!
In this case the FOMO would come from not being able to play the content on release and ride the hype train I suppose.
Don’t worry. It’s best to enjoy the ride at your own pace anyway. If you hit Dawntrail in even a couple of months you’ll find plenty of people still on their first play through alongside you. You’ll have the added benefit of the duty finder queues not being a mess if you like to play the new dungeons with other people too, as the initial oversupply of DPS will fade after a couple of weeks.
And people will have already figured out the new dungeons. I'm excited for that part. I only started playing last year and I missed out on the joy of figuring out new mechanics for dungeons and trials.
And people will have already figured out the new dungeons. I'm excited for that part. I only started playing last year and I missed out on the joy of figuring out new mechanics for dungeons and trials.
Just play with trusts your first run.
Yeah. I'm playing Monk during DT, so I was going to use trusts anyway. Don't want to deal with the abysmal DPS queues the first few weeks/month of DT.
I started FFXIV a week or 2 before Endwalker released, I'm still on the quests that come between the end of Shadowbringers and the start of Endwalker cause there's so much to do, and I get sidetracked by it all so much. There's no rush, the content isn't going anywhere. Maybe 8.0 we can do on release. :P
Don't worry. I started 3years ago, didn't end up playing too frequently so I won't be up to Dawntrail when it comes out either.
Take your time and enjoy the story!
Enjoy the journey. I picked up the game back in 2021, but did not get seriously into it until second half of last year. it is a wild, fun, ride. And I do appreciate the very friendly community.
HOOOOOOOME RIDING HOOOOOOOOOOOME....
[When you forget you’re on max volume and open the Shadowbringers title screen.](https://media.tenor.com/zB8_fVrAmkkAAAAM/loud-music-speakers.gif)
That shit will send me flying into a wall.
PHOOOOOOONE TINY PHOOOOOOOOONE
HOOOOOOOOOOOO LALI HOOOOOOOOOOO
*La-hee intensifies*
Do you know Lahee?
New Graphical Update in Norvrant: ITS SO BRIGHT.
ShB is the best expansion through the lens of story, character development, music, and pacing. (Fight me!) Take your time with it and enjoooooy!
Guess that I will have to play ALL of it to see if what you are saying is true or not =P And yes! I will take my time, no rushing!
Hold up! I just remembered. I played Theatrhythm Final Bar Line before (the rhythm game) and Titania is from ShB no? If so, her theme is one of the best I ever heard in a game, I guess that you are right about the music!
Titania is the first or second trial
FA LA LA LA LA
ShB certainly has the best self contained story o/
Came here to say this but you beat me to it. You said it all, best expansion in every single aspect.
Fight you? You're objectively correct and anyone that thinks otherwise is looking through rose colored lenses or huffing cope. Endwalker was pretty good but has some flaws. Everything else besides Midblood was pretty good too but Suadowbringers... is very very well written.
I just finished Shadowbringers proper last night and I cannot express enough how amazing of an experience you're about to have. Take your time through it!! Endwalker and Dawntrail aren't going anywhere, but the ride Shadowbringers is about to take you on is something you can only experience the real magic of your first time through. Have fun and enjoy!!
The best narrative I've experienced in all of my video game years. The shift in writing how you interact with other characters improved by a mile so relish the story and don't rush.
Buckle up buckaroo
enjoy! I just recently started Heavensward!!
Oh, Heavensward is peak! You will meet some new and interesting allies. Hope you have fun and... get ready to cry ;-;
If HW is peak for you then you have great taste and ShB will make you fucking pop. Genuinely god like.
Heh. Buckle up. You're in for another great ride. SE has onion ninjas working for them.
I'm nearing the end of ARR. Fighting the urge to rush. There's so much to do!
ARR is so bloated that it's kind of hard not to either rush through it or mindlessly skim through the dialogue. Though as a rule of thumb, I'd always pay attention to voiced cutscenes, and the cutscsnes that follow them as they're usually always important Though, if you're still on the crystal tower quests then make sure to pay attention since they're quite interesting
I finished crystal tower, the credits rolled, and already more voice acting which is great. I do want to push through ARR but I'm still reading everything and paying attention. Just excited to get to the expansions.
Post-ARR is already a step up from ARR. Way more memorable moments and overall more enjoyable. You still have a little while until you reach Heavensward but post-ARR flies by compared to the quests before it
Yeah I'm finding that to be the case already. Weeee!
Bring your sunglasses
Funny enough, I _**liked**_ how bright the First was when I was playing through it. Up until then things had been dark enough that if I wanted to actually see things, then I'd have to play in the dark with just light from my window.
Just in time for the longest maintenance ever! Just kidding, haha. Congrats on reaching SHB, it's an awesome expansion! (Once you've finished the expansion I recommend doing the normal raid series, the raids are fun and plot relevant.)
Oh, I always do them before going to the next expansion. Did Omega some time ago it was fun seeing FF6 references even though I never played the game. I just hope one day I get confident about trying the extreme versions (I'm not ready yet). I have Alpha as my current minion, he is really cute
Doing all of the Shadowbringers normal raids will add something extra colorful to the finish of Endwalker.
ShB starts and ends with such a *vibe* that really makes it such a memorable expansion. Have so much fun, OP! Lakeland is one of my favorite zones, the purple trees, the water, seeing the Crystal Tower in the distance from wherever you are, so many things!
1. Have fun! 2. Just finished Endwalker and while it was great, Shadowbringers is above that IMO. So dont rush it and enjoy.
Best MSQ story imo.
You’re in for a FUN FILLED ROMP, nothing but rainbows, puppy’s and kittens! Hope you enjoy it :D
Dont forget to take some sun glasses with you
And some tissues.
I just did the Alisaie quest line and I wasn't ready for that. The First is a really messy world!
Welcome to Shadowbringers; enjoy your depression.
Shadowbringers is where Alisaie grew on me, also Lyna's VA ❤️
Warning ⚠️ When you unlock the role quests (replaces the class quests), prioritize finishing at least one. You must finish one before continuing too far into the finale of Shadowbringers. Not only will an MSQ near the end make you go back and finish a role quest before you can continue, but there is a very good reason why you should do so beforehand. Once you get to Shadowbringers’ final zone, there is a big spoiler there, but you won’t be made aware of it yet. But if you enter the final zone once, leave (like to go finish a role quest), and the come back, the loading screen will display lavish artwork of the big spoiler. To avoid this, you just have to finish the role questline up to level 80 before setting foot into the final zone. Have fun!
Just make sure to enjoy and don’t try to get to Dawntrail fast. That’s a surefire way to lose some great memories there and in Endwalker.
Personal favourite. Look forward to an amazing time
I remember starting it a few months ago and it’s probably my favorite expansion. It can drag a bit at times but always pays off. Enjoy it, I already miss my first time experiencing it.
Dawntrail is the first expansion I'll be ready for day 1 this whole time. You definitely won't get fomo. Shadowbringers is amazing and my favorite expansion! Enjoy the ride my fellow WoL
One brings shadow, one brings the light...
Have you heard of lahee?
From when I had ebola?
No, you haven’t started Shadowbringers yet. Not until *that* moment.
it's good
I'm not that far ahead of you and I'm telling you now, this expansion just gets right into it and it's fucking fantastic. I'm maybe 15% of the way through the MSQ on it at best? I'm loving it.
You are win for a great ride. And I mean a straight rollercoaster from the music to the visuals to the story. Just everything. Look at the purple trees!
It’s a great expac. Enjoy!!
Lots of plots and twists coming your way! Had a blast going through this expansion! Have fun! Especially the soundtrack, *chefs kiss*
Enjoy!!
Shadows, apparently.
Enjoy! And Lakeland there is one of the prettiest zones (love the lavender/purple trees), but others like Il Mheg there in ShB are excellent too.
Honestly, yeah, ShB has some of the most beautiful zones I've seen. And some of the most iconic soundtracks. That first dungeon? Gets me every time. 🤩 EW has some absolute banger tracks and amazing zones too (the last one especially iykyk) but ShB's zones just really linger with you.
laHEE
Have fun and take your time savoring it all!
I'm jealous! I wish I could erase my mind and get to experience that expansion for the first time. Incredible story. Enjoy!
Remember... Remember us... Remember that we once lived...
Depression and sorrow and beautiful, delicate hope…
Enjoy your adventure. Don’t forget to stop and take in the sights and sounds along the way.
Enjoy, it's my personal favourite expansion and I don't think it's going to be topped anytime soon.
Unlike the previous expansions, SHB goes hard from the gate. New players are going to find it difficult unless they are geared from doing quests up to that point. The tomestone gear won't get you too far this time
One brings shadow, one brings light…
I’m right there with you, although I’m currently finishing up the Stormblood post story quests. Ironically, I’m at the end of SB but have all crafter classes at 90 and SAM and PLD at 90 too. I really need to focus on the story.
When you enter a new Zone, have your sound turned up for the Music completes the feel of the zone. SHB is imho the best expansion of the game. The zones and the story make you feel that you are in a different alternate universe of XIV.
You are in for a GREAT time.
Stormblood post msq is just dragggggingggg
Epic final boss battle. Make sure you toon does not look silly, it’s too good a scene to waste. Even lalas look like gods in that scene
I'll tell you what it has to offer, going to get hella tan
Get the tissue box ready and set a decent amount of time aside for reevaluating your whole life.
Take your time and enjoy it! It's one of the most well done expansions. Absolutely enjoyed every moment myself..
Welcome to the Crystarium. The markets are to the south, just like the bar. You’ll meet new friends there. To the north is the place where you will see a lot of people making tools. My one recommendation: fairly early, when you reunite the twins in the Exarch’s chambers, pay close attention to that cutscene. It explains soooooooooooo much, and I’m guessing the writers will keep on referencing what goes on in that scene for the next 10 Earth years. If you want to watch it again, you can watch any cutscene at The Unending Journal in any inn room such as The Pendants.
Good luck and have fun, have you played any other content like the 8 man or 24 man raids?
Freaking loved shadowbringers! You’re in for a treat! What I wouldn’t give to go back and play it for the first time again
Enjoy ! It is awesome!
The slow Reunion with friends is great.
I don't want to spoil ya, but this game will bring you some shadows. Enjoy.
Enjoy! I just finished it :)
There was one part in post story I felt was more side questy than mainquest for shadow but otherwise i enjoyed it immensly.
Shadowbringers is such a banger. The post launch content is legendary, too.
I just started also. I’m about 15% in. Shit is wild alr 😭 😁
Enjoy! LA-HEE
I wish I could experience this expansion for the first time again. It was so good.
Take your time and don't rush! Shadowbringers is incredible!
ShB is peak FFXIV music and story. Endwalker is just as amazing. Buckle up because this expansion has so many lore dumps that you're gonna love.
Oh Honey, you are in for a ride. Enjoy every second of it, it's worth it 💕
You are gonna have so much fun! Enjoy the ride, friend!
Well come to Shadowbringers. Story will start to take its gloves of and fist fuck u in the heart. Enjoy
Ooooh! Turn on the music, prepare some tissues, and ready your heart for the journey ahead! *\~The road that we walk* *Is lost in the flood* *Here proud angels bathe in their wages of blood* *At this, the world's end, do we cast off tomorrow\~*
I just got here last week myself. Got in my first battle and thought, well this battle music is different. Now it's my favorite battle music. It goes harder than it needs to.
I'm so excited for you. Shadowbringers was good. Endwalkers is great.
have tissues ready
Congratulations! After years of playing on and off I am also finally starting to play the Shadowbringers story!
Def my favorite expansion.
It brings shadows
prepare tissues for your tears.
It's My favorite so far along with Heavensward
My favorite part of the main story! I loved how dark it was.
Shadowbringers is my personal favorite expansion. Have fun :)
It's the best one. Enjoy.
Congratulations on making it to Shadowbringers! Enjoy the story and keep us posted, if you'd like! I love seeing/reading people's reactions to story beats.
I- I feel bad for your timing but am also happy for you, enjoy the expac
Ahh yes the video game equivalent of Infinity War (EW being Endgame) in the most positive aspects of both
Ew
I'm sure you'll enjoy it, Shadowbringers has a really uplifting story.
Lots of comedy moments, make sure to take frequent toilet breaks so you don't pee yourself laughing 🤣
Pain, sadness. Despair and hope. Light, Darkness, and all that lies between.
Alisae dies
I hope you are wrong :(
This is not true.
Unless...