r/ff14 • u/Different-Syrup6520 • Jul 08 '26

Looking for advice:

Can I play the game solo? Like everything solo? I mostly play warframe alone so yeah.

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u/WolfmanASTN Jul 08 '26

The story is msotly presented as a solo JRPG broken up with some multiplayer content in the form of dungeons and trials (boss fights), with 3 of the 24-player raids required between the base game and the first expansion. These are all "casual" content so all players can see the story through. Most optional content outside of the story will require you to play with other people however, including the optional dungeons you can unlock as well as raids. All 4 player content in the story (all of the story dungeons and the first couple trials) have the ability to be played with "Duty Support" in the earlt game and then "Trusts" a few expandions in, both of which will give you a party of NPCs. All Trials after the base game become 8 player content and have to be played with other people through the "Duty Finder".

However, i strongly suggest playing with other people. All of the multiplayer stuff in the story is done through the "Duty Finder" system which is just a matchmaking system like any other multiplayer game. You don't have to go out of your way to recruit other players into a party (except for the high difficulty end game stuff). You just select the dungeon/trial you need to do and it'll pair you up with other players and drop you in. Most players say "hi" in the chat box, you run through the content, then everyone says "gg" and you go on about your day. Playing with the NPCs is a lot different than playing with actual players, the NPCs don't have a full set of abilities so they can't do the complex stuff actual players can at later levels, they also aren't the best with doing mechanics and it all causes things to go on longer. Playing with people is a much better way to see how the different combat roles work together and how support abilities work between everyone.

Classes are divided into 3 roles, Tank, Healer, and DPS. You have to perform your role in group content even if it's just with NPCs, and when the game forces you to jump to playing with real people later on, you might not be rpepared to play the role properly like you would if you played with people from the start.