Earlier than you may start your journey in Remaining Fantasy XIV, you’ll have to create your individual participant character (which is enjoyable) and determine which server you’re going to play on (which is much less enjoyable). For these completely new to MMORPGs, your server (often known as a “world”) dictates who you’ll work together with while you play the sport. Two buddies taking part in the sport on the identical server can run into one another on the overworld, whereas gamers on separate servers will run into one another much less regularly. Easy sufficient, proper?
Nicely, Remaining Fantasy XIV throws a number of wrenches into the combo that may make selecting a server really feel overwhelming. So earlier than we talk about learn how to go to different servers, the variations between congested and most well-liked worlds, and new participant bonuses, know that above the whole lot else, you must decide the server or information heart your folks play on. In the meantime, in the event you’re a solo participant, no server selection is totally irredeemable so long as your information heart matches your area (which the sport ought to default to). For MMORPG newbies that simply need to play the sport, that’s all it’s worthwhile to know.
For the remainder of you, let’s get into the nitty gritty of selecting a server.
What’s an information heart in Remaining Fantasy XIV?
Earlier than we dig deeper on this subject, you must know that your selection of knowledge heart will impression your expertise in Remaining Fantasy XIV as a lot as your particular server will. To clarify what information facilities are…properly, if every server is a planet, then the info heart is a galaxy. Sure multiplayer options in Remaining Fantasy XIV are information center-wide and never server-wide, such because the Responsibility Finder (a significant a part of the sport) and Celebration Finder. Additionally, as alluded to above, information facilities that match your area ought to decrease latency as you play.
Learn how to decide a server in Remaining Fantasy XIV primarily based on its standing
In case you’re decided to handpick a world that’s best for you, you’ll want to have a look at the standing of every server. By clicking this hyperlink to the official Remaining Fantasy XIV web site, you’ll discover that every server has one among 4 distinctive classifications. Right here’s what these imply:
Normal servers are precisely what they sound like. These worlds are decently populated, and you’ll create new characters on them with none trouble. They’re as vanilla as vanilla ice cream, which is sweet, as a result of vanilla is scrumptious.
Conversely, Congested servers are too populated for their very own good. Whereas these worlds might have bustling participant communities, you can not create a personality on these worlds till more room is made on them. If you wish to have adventures on these servers, your greatest wager is to choose one other server throughout the similar information heart and use the server journey characteristic (extra on this later).
New and Most well-liked worlds are the place issues get attention-grabbing. These are servers that Sq. Enix actually must populate, so characters right here will obtain some cool perks. These embody a double EXP bonus and gadgets you may trade without spending a dime tools. Additionally, present gamers can completely switch to those worlds without spending a dime (as a substitute of paying an $18 payment) and obtain their very own bonuses. There are some drawbacks to those worlds, however we’ll get to that later.
Learn how to server journey and information heart journey in Remaining Fantasy XIV
Luckily, Remaining Fantasy XIV has a nifty characteristic that permits you to journey to completely different servers inside your area. In different phrases, in the event you begin the sport on the Adamantoise server and also you meet somebody who performs on the Gilgamesh server, you may nonetheless group up. Let’s break this characteristic down.
To journey between servers inside your information heart, you’ll need to go to both New Gridania, the Limsa Lominsa Decrease Decks, or Ul’dah – Steps of Nald. Study the primary Aetheryte (ie the large crystal) and choose “Go to One other World Server.” Select the world you need to go to, and also you’ll warp there after a (often) brief queue time. It’s that simple!
If you wish to go to one other information heart, you’ll must log off and return to the primary menu. Choose the “START” choice to open the character choose menu, spotlight your character, and both Proper Click on or press the Sq./X button. From the menu that pops up, choose “Go to One other Information Middle,” after which choose the place you need to go.
Remember that you don’t have complete server journey freedom right here. Information heart journey is restricted to your area (aside from Oceania servers, since all gamers can journey there). This implies gamers in North America, Europe, and Japan can’t play collectively until they create model new characters on these respective information facilities. If you wish to play with mates from around the globe, keep in mind that taking part in on a international information heart might lead to extra noticeable community lag.
In case you can journey to virtually any server, is there any motive to choose a house server to start with?
Sure, the truth is. Whilst you can hang around for days at a time on non-home servers, a handful of options will turn into unavailable to you till you come. These largely have an effect on subscribed and endgame gamers, so these having fun with the critically acclaimed free trial don’t have to fret an excessive amount of about this. Right here’s what you’ll miss away from your property server:
– You possibly can’t work together with any Free Firms (ie guilds)
– Your retainers might be locked
– You possibly can’t buy participant housing
– Scores from Deep Dungeons received’t save to the leaderboards
– Sure gathering nodes won’t spawn for Miners and Botanists
Additionally, these EXP bonuses you get from new and most well-liked worlds will solely apply in the event you decide these servers as your property world. Nevertheless, if a type of worlds is your property server, you’ll nonetheless get these bonuses when visiting different servers.
Are there variations between servers in Remaining Fantasy XIV (other than standing)?
In contrast to some MMORPGs that supply completely different rulesets on every server, worlds in Remaining Fantasy XIV are functionally similar. Nevertheless, because the recreation has been energetic for over a decade(!), many servers and information facilities have fostered sure communities which may impression the place you need to spend most of your time.
For North American gamers, servers on the Aether information heart have a tendency to accommodate probably the most hardcore gamers and sometimes characteristic probably the most strong raiding scene. In the meantime, servers on the Crystal information heart veer extra informal; the Balmung server is especially often called a hotbed for role-players. For these on the lookout for a center floor, servers on the Primal information heart supply a much less congested different to Aether.
Dynamis is the latest information heart in North America, which brings notable professionals and cons. Because it’s newer, you’ll have one of the best probability of scoring your individual housing since there are few gamers competing for the restricted residences obtainable. Nevertheless, you’ll battle far more to search out different gamers to run dungeons and raids with by way of the responsibility finder, as many gamers use the info heart switch characteristic to run content material on Aether or Primal. As a silver lining, chances are you’ll discover a decrease inhabitants server advantageous throughout particularly busy instances within the recreation, similar to at the beginning of a brand new growth.
Once more, the above observations aren’t built-in options of every information heart. Communities and participant conduct can change, particularly as the sport continues to develop its roster of servers. When you have particular communities you want to be a part of, otherwise you need to be taught extra about areas other than North America, I counsel doing a little analysis earlier than you make a dedication. However like I stated on the prime, Remaining Fantasy XIV will play just about the identical means no matter the place you select to begin. Take the above tricks to coronary heart, make the selection that feels best for you, and luxuriate in your journey in Eorzea!