Unwritten Rules of FFXIV

TL;DR

  • Use Party Finder for Extreme/Savage content, never Duty Finder
  • Always communicate your new player status and respect cutscenes
  • Follow role-specific positioning and aggro management rules
  • Practice social etiquette including greetings and mount courtesy
  • Understand jumping signals and community traditions for better teamwork

Navigating Final Fantasy XIV’s vibrant community involves more than just mastering combat rotations and gear progression. The game’s unwritten social contract significantly impacts your daily multiplayer experience, whether you’re a fresh sprout or seasoned veteran.

Many players remain unaware of these community standards until they encounter social friction. Some guidelines you might intuitively follow without realizing their established status.

This comprehensive guide synthesizes insights from prominent community sources including Zepla HQ’s expert analysis and countless player commendations highlighting preferred behaviors.


What exactly constitutes these community standards? Explore the detailed breakdown below:

  1. Protocols you haven’t encountered
  2. Established practices you already follow
  3. Subtle cues you recognize but haven’t formalized
  4. Regional server variations to consider

Essential Dungeon and Raid Conduct:

  • ● Never queue for extreme or savage content via Duty Finder.

● Instead utilize Party Finder for organizing these challenging encounters. For older extreme trials or savage raids, activating the Undersized Party option enables higher-level players to efficiently clear content with smaller groups.

  • ● Always announce your newcomer status. Veteran players typically demonstrate remarkable patience and provide mechanical guidance when aware of your inexperience.
  • ● Avoid positioning yourself in front of bosses alongside tanks unless specific mechanics require it.
  • ● Never initiate pulls independently unless you’re the designated tank. If you accidentally draw enemy attention, immediately lead aggressors toward your tank for smooth aggro transfer.
  • ● When players repeatedly jump in specific locations during raids, they’re often indicating safe zones for mechanics, though some participants simply enjoy expressive movement.
  • ● In deep dungeon content, avoid exterminating every enemy. Eliminate only sufficient mobs to activate the exit portal before progressing onward.
  • ● Remain inside healing bubbles when deployed by healers. These sacred soil and asylum areas provide significant regeneration and damage mitigation.
  • ● If you prematurely engage a boss before the tank, expect that tanks and healers may permit your demise before commencing the encounter properly. This embodies the You-pull-it-you-tank-it principle.

Critical Knowledge for Tank Players:

  • ● Reserve Limit Break usage for DPS roles in dungeon content unless emergency situations arise. Melee damage dealers typically utilize this resource for maximum encounter efficiency during boss phases.
  • ● When party members view cutscenes, allow completion before initiating combat.
  • ● As tank, proactively consult your healer regarding comfortable pull sizes. This communication prevents overwhelming situations and establishes collaborative pacing.
  • ● In raid scenarios where co-tanks have deactivated tank stance, you’re generally expected to assume main tank responsibilities.
  • ● Maintain constant awareness of party chat communications. Avoid becoming the oblivious tank who misses repeated “activate tank stance” reminders or brief absence notifications like “BRB phone” or “BRB door.”

Fundamental Respect Protocols:

  • ● Exchange greetings upon joining groups and farewells when departing. The community-standard wave emote “o/” represents a character waving, where “o” signifies the head and “/” the arm.
  • ● Never extend Free Company invitations without prior whispered consultation.
  • ● Avoid excessive emote spamming in chat channels. If determined to emote repeatedly, disable the Display log message setting to prevent notification flooding.
  • ● Never obstruct quest NPCs with mounted characters. If encountering this issue, configure Keybind-Targeting-Target Nearest NPC or Object for quick targeting solutions.
  • ● Only participate in farm parties when prepared for extended farming sessions. If joining specifically for mount acquisition, remain to assist others rather than immediately departing upon success.

Enjoyable Community Customs:

  • ● When multiple players utilize Behemoth mounts, join the gathering with your own Behemoth mount for synchronized jumping. This tradition extends beyond specific mounts – whenever three or more participants gather with identical mounts, join the assembly if you possess the same mount.
  • ● During Thornmarch encounters when Moogle attendants commence drumming to summon their king, participants customarily dance.
  • ● In Shiva trials during Diamond Dust casting, perform emotes to capture perfect freeze-frame moments.
  • ● For unconventional activities, Limsa Lominsa Aetheryte Plaza serves as the designated venue, with appropriate timing being constant.
  • ● Upon encountering players with identical glamour sets, adopt matching idle stances and position yourselves together.
  • ● Lalafell encounters automatically establish instant friendships between participants.
  • ● When Lalafell characters approach, target you, and maintain silent observation, they anticipate receiving a /pet emote.

Comprehensive Jumping Signal Dictionary:

  1. Stationary jumping before movement initiation: Expedite proceedings.
  2. Single jump followed by directional change and additional jump: Proceed in indicated direction!
  3. Jumping during locomotion: Experiencing boredom.
  4. Stationary jumping during combat: Either “this position provides safety” or “survived narrowly through that encounter.
  5. Jumping following another player’s jump typically signifies: Greetings!
  6. When transitioning between zones, attempt jumping across boundary lines.

      

Community Integration Practices:

  • ● When observing players struggling solo during FATE encounters, take moments to provide assistance. Healers, particularly shield specialists, can apply protective spells or healing without level synchronization, making high-level players particularly valuable in A Realm Reborn zones.
  • ● Consistently permit novice players to view dungeon cutscenes uninterrupted, enabling full immersion in their narrative experience.
  • ● Direct commendations toward newcomer players in parties, fostering inclusive community atmosphere.

Final Recommendations:

  • ● At maximum level, ensure complete gear melding optimization.
  • ● Square Enix typically targets gil farmers rather than purchasers during ban waves. Platforms like MmoGah provide acquisition options for secure ffxiv currency.

Do these community standards align with your server’s culture? Are you surprised by the extensive unwritten protocols governing Eorzean society? Regardless, the depth of community-established norms frequently astonishes players. Should you possess additional unwritten rules or disagree with listed items, share perspectives through commendation feedback.

Action Checklist

  • Configure Party Finder for extreme/savage content instead of Duty Finder
  • Establish greeting protocol for dungeon entries and exits
  • Practice proper role positioning – DPS/Healers avoid boss front, Tanks maintain aggro control
  • Set up NPC targeting keybind for crowded quest hubs
  • Develop healer communication for pull size preferences
  • Create commendation strategy prioritizing newcomer players
  • Learn jumping communication patterns for raid mechanics

No reproduction without permission:OnLineGames Guides » Unwritten Rules of FFXIV Master FFXIV's unspoken community rules to enhance gameplay and avoid social pitfalls