100 Questions for Final Fantasy XIV Players

Inspired by various "100 Questions for []" templates, which have become popular around the indie web in recent months - there's too many inspirations for me to possibly link them all! If you want to fill it out for yourself, click here for the template.

Thank you to HillHouse for the background image and washi tape used on this page!

General Questions

1. Please introduce yourself!
I'm Marin! I'm a woman in my 20s who feels very normally about FFXIV and other FF titles.
2. How did you come across FFXIV, and when did you start playing? Do you remember what the current patch was when you started?
I think around August of 2020? I was bored out of my mind because of lockdown and wanted to try something new, so I ended up installing the game after seeing it all over my feed. Patch 5.2 was the patch I started on, I remember it because I got excited when I saw the Lodestone patch banner change to the 5.3 one!
3. Are you the kind of person who logs in daily, or do you play infrequently?
I'm a bit all over the place. Sometimes I play daily, other times I put the game down for an extended period of time (like YoshiP intended? lol).
4. Do you do your roulettes regularly, or do you tend to skip out on them?
I don't do my roulettes regularly... only ones I tend to do are levelling and frontline roulette... :)
5. Controller or Keyboard?
Keyboard for life. Controller players scare me, how do you get used to flicking between your hotbars so much?? LOL
6. Do you like to set custom keybinds, or do you just roll with what the game gives you?
Custom keybinds. I only really learnt how to change them over because my old keyboard was wayyy too big for my hands and I was basically having to play twister to do my rotations properly T__T I switched to a 75% keyboard last year and it's done wonders for me lowkey lol
7. Do you like seeing custom macros (resurrect, provoke, etc) made by other players? What's your favourite one?
YES! I always find them so amusing. Not to mention, they're super useful if you're playing healer in an 8-man raid so you can see if your co-healer is rezzing the person you've just targeted.
8. Do you make use of the custom macros feature yourself?
Not so much anymore since I rarely use my healer jobs. I did have a pretty gnarly one back in 2024 which literally made the main tank in my trial pause mid-mechanic to tell me it was foul. LMFAO
9. For main-line content, do you prefer to use Duty Support (NPC party) or Duty Finder (other players)?
Duty finder, mostly because it's faster. When I'd play on OCE and it was off-peak, I'd use Duty Support.
10. Do you have friends who also play the game? Do you play together?
Yes! We don't play together all the time, but we semi-regularly meet up and do some content together. At the very least, we all keep in touch and talk about the game.
11. Do you have a Free Company? Is it with your friends, or just one you joined for buffs?
I have a FC with some friends. I used to be in one over on OCE, but I moved over to JP with some friends so we joined one for buffs/submarine tomfoolery.
12. What is your favourite portrait you've made?
These ones lol (in order: Monk, Astrologian, Dragoon)
13. Show off your adventurer plate (censoring information is okay, of course)!
14. Do you pay attention to the Main Scenario Quest, or are you someone who skips cutscenes in order to dive straight into the content?
I am staunchly anti-skip. The story is good and at least 75% of why I like to play. I understand this isn't the case for everyone, but I do wish people would give it a chance before launching straight into skipping.
15. Which expansion has the best or most memorable trailer in your opinion?
Shadowbringers, without a doubt. Just raw aura (no Au'ra though, sad).
16. Have you ever bought anything from the Mog Station? Is there anything you'd like to buy from there?
Yes! I've bought fantasia, emotes and a couple item sets for glamour purposes. At some point I'd like to get the Crescent Moon mount!
17. Do you have a tendency to go AFK while the game is open?
Yes... usually because I'm googling something or walk away from my computer to do something -w-
18. What is one Quality of Life setting that you don't think you could live without?
The ability to change UI themes! I wish they'd add more though...
19. What is your approach to the game? (hardcore completionist, story fiend, etc)
Very casual. I love the story, achievement-hunting, doing side content and gposing though!
20. What was your starter class and city-state?
Started as a Gladiator, so I was in Ul'dah!
21. By comparison, what is your current main job?
I use Warrior for most content nowadays, but I still adore Paladin LOL!! I also play a lot of Monk and Ninja whenever I feel like swapping off tank.
22. Do you lean towards a specific role (DPS/Tank/Healer), or do you play a bit of everything?
Tank is what I like the most, I think. Warrior and Dark Knight are both very self-sufficient classes when it comes to dungeon content, so it feels smooth to play until it's time to stress out my healer LOL. I would like to be a bit more of a jack-of-all-trades though.
23. Which job would you like to learn or practice the most?
Gunbreaker is the only tank I haven't levelled to the level cap yet, so that's an easy answer. I'd also like to learn Samurai at some point. One of my friends plays and it always looks smooth...
24. Do you do crafting and gathering? Do you like it?
I do! I used to be a hardcore patch-prepping omnicrafter freak of Eorzea but nowadays I mostly stick to fishing and the occasional grind for gil-making.
25. Which “hub zone” do you like the most?
The Crystarium and Old Sharlayan!
26. What is your preferred Grand Company? Is it the same one you started with?
I like Maelstrom the most, but I started with Order of the Twin Adders! I know there's functionally no difference, but I like the distinct red image colour of the GC -w-

Story-related questions

27. At the time of writing, how far through the Main Scenario Quests are you?
Caught up as of 7.5!
28.Do you have any favourite side-quest chains?
I suppose the questline surrounding The Warring Triad from Heavensward's content patches. I really like Unukalhai and find his story to be incredibly interesting. Given where we've gone so far, I can't wait to see what else happens with him (and other associated characters).
29. What job quest storyline do you like the most?
Ninja and Dark Knight are tied for first for me so far. DRK was just peak writing, and NIN has some of the best NPCs in my honest opinion. I like Oboro and Tsubame a lot!
30. How do you feel about role quests?
Mixed feelings. I kind of miss job quests (but totally understand it's not viable for the writers given how many jobs are in the game now). I've only completed all of the role quests from Shadowbringers so far, and liked what was added to the world with them.
31. What is your favourite expansion and why?
It's hard to pick! It's a pretty even tie between Shadowbringers and Endwalker. All of them have their merits though, in my opinion.
32. What are your favourite quote from the game?
I have so many, but I think this one was life-changing enough to mention.
33. In your opinion, what is the most impactful scene?
Papalymo's sacrifice and Lyse's reveal. Yknow how it is.
34. Who is your favourite Scion of the Seventh Dawn?
Lyse AND to make it clear I will defend her to the grave. Everyone is so mean about her but I love her a lot!! Honourable mention to Y'shtola, Thancred, Alisae and Minfilia.
35. Do you have any favourite job/role quest-related NPCs? If so, who?
EVERYONE from the Rogue/Ninja quests (but especially Oboro and Jacke), Fray, Sidurgu, Granson...
36. Are there any other NPCs you really like?
HERMES, Sphene, Koana, Yotsuyu, Retsarra, Athena, Deep Blue and Red Hot (please I beg SE release their canonical names and not just their Arcadion monikers!)... there's way way wayyy too many to list
37. What are your favourite zones in the game?
Coerthas Western Highlands, Lakeland, The Fringes, Living Memory
38. What are your favourite songs from the OST?
Echoes in the Distance (and the variations. of course), The Mirror, Roses of May (Dawntrail), Unleashed, A Trail Unending, Heroes Forge Ahead, Wayward Daughter, Gates of the Moon... it's a very long list. Just know I think Soken is a genius with a massive brain.

Content Questions

39. What is your favourite dungeon?
Ktisis Hyperboreia, Alexandria and The Atiascope are easily my top 3.
40. What is your favourite trial?
Castrum Fluminis hands down.
41. What is your favourite alliance raid?
Tower at Paradigm's Breach (honourable mention to the Ivalice series though, actually peak).
42. What is your favourite raid?
AAC CRUISERWEIGHT M4 AKA M8N
43. Do you have a favourite raid series? Which one do you like the most and why?
All of them have really enjoyable stories. This may be the recency bias talking but I really loved the Arcadion series even if the ending wasn't the best. The cast of characters was lovable and the fights were super engaging! Based on story alone, I really loved Binding Coils.
44. Do you do savage/ultimate raiding? If not, would you like to?
Not my cup of tea and I'm not a big fan of the raiding community. I do EX runs with my friends though.
45. Overall, what is your favourite boss fight?
Hermes, at the end of Ktisis Hyperboreia. I like him I like him I like my grown man I like him
46. Out of all the raids/dungeons/trials, which theme is the best or most memorable to you?
M8N (Cruiserweight M4) because I farmed the shit out of it for the Dancing Green glasses the week it came out. Everyone was basically min iLVL and I was playing healer so I had so many wipes of all time because kept standing in bad spots and getting dogged on. Tower at Paradigm's Breach was a similar story but on a larger scale, first week of that Alliance Raid was genuinely hilarious LMAO
47. Do you do allied society quests?
I do them for levelling my alt jobs most of the time, but I've done a few of the DOH/DOL ones too.
48. Which allied society questline is your favourite/the most interesting in your opinion?
I liked the Omicrons and Pelupelu ones the most! Namazu and Lopporit are also super fun.
49. What is your favourite allied society reward?
The Namazu Mikoshi mount! "Barista at the end of the Universe" is also an excellent title reward.
50. How do you feel about deep dungeons?
They're a fun piece of side content I'd like to do more of. Solo HOH to 200 is my dream but I'm super lazy...
51. Do you have a favourite deep dungeon?
Pilgrim's Traverse... it's so pretty
52. How do you feel about the variant and criterion dungeons?
I think it's a nice piece of side content to be added to the game.
53. Have you ever completed a variant and criterion dungeon? Are there any you would like to complete?
I haven't done any yet, but I'd like to do Aloalo (and Aloalo Savage) at some point maybe. Mostly just so I can get the Exquisite version of the Polaris Point/Vessel combo.
54. How do you feel about the custom delivery quests?
They're really good for levelling DOH/DOL and I like the lore and titles they have to offer.
55. Do you have a favourite custom delivery NPC?
Ameliance! M'naago is a close second.
56. Do you enjoy the Gold Saucer? Which activity do you enjoy the most?
Most of it doesn't appeal to me. I really like Triple Triad though!
57. Do you like collab events? Which one(s) did you like the most?
I do! The newest Monster Hunter collab was awesome. Definitely enjoyed watching the Monster Hunter players face off against Omega too LOLLLL
58. What kind of collab would you most like to see?
Fire Emblem or even an Overwatch collab. I'm delusional, it's true.
59. What is your favourite seasonal event?
The Rising (anniversary event). It always feels really soothing and reflective to me.
60. Do you play PVP at all? What is your favourite mode?
Yeah I tend to queue up Frontlines regularly and am a retired Crystalline Conflict enjoyer. Seal Rock greatest game mode BTW
61. Do you like Field Operations?
Yes! I really love Occult Crescent and have had a really good time in it so far. I unfortunately missed out on prime Bozja and am too busy/lazy to do Eureka... someday I will though.
62. How do you feel about limited jobs (Blue Mage and Beastmaster)? Is that kind of content something you enjoy?
I actually adore Blue Mage but it's hard to get people together to do BLU static content I've found... I don't know much about Beastmaster since I've not tried it out yet. Both jobs are conceptually something really cool and I love that they add new ways to play the game!
63. Is there any piece of content you wish was more popular with the player base?
Blue Mage statics... I also wish Field Ops wouldn't basically die a month or so after they update/release T__T. I also wish they'd do more things like Doman Enclave Reconstruction and the Ishgardian Restoration event! Those are so fun!

Original Character/Fandom Questions

64. How do you feel about Original Characters (OCs) in the FFXIV story? Do you exclusively have a Warrior of Light (WoL), or do you have other OCs too?
LET ME BE CLEAR. I absolutely adore OCs and I love seeing the ways in which people "tweak" the MSQ to adjust to their own personal quirks and tastes. It makes me ridiculously happy! I always think there's a lot you can tell about a person by their original characters and the circumstances they find themselves in. I don't think there's enough words in any language to express how much I love OCs.

I have my own OCs for FFXIV - I wanted to make my own "8-man static" so to speak for content, so I have 8 Warriors of Light who are involved with the Scions in some capacity.

65. Does your WoL (or any of your other OCs) have a “canonical” main job?
Without naming too many names - the canonical line up is a Warrior, Paladin, White Mage, Scholar, Black Mage, Dragoon, Machinist and Samurai. I'll eventually make a series of pages dedicated to them, I promise.
66. Do you like shipping?
Yes! It's so much fun to imagine characters in different dynamics - romantic or not.
67. If you like shipping, do you ship your WoL or OCs with any NPCs? If you have multiple OCs, do you ship your OCs with each other?
I do OC x Canon AND OC x OC! I haven't really got any canon endgame ships so far, it's mostly just me smushing characters together like Barbie dolls for fun at the moment lmao
68. If you like shipping between NPCs, which pairings do you like the most?
Oboro x Jacke and Oboro x Karasu are two major ones for me... others include Lyse x M'naago, Thancred x Urianger, Ardbert x Lamitt, Honey B Lovely x Vamp Fatale, Howling Blade x Brute Bomber, Red Hot x Deep Blue... at the end of the day I'm open to most things. I'm a total omnivore LOL.
69. What are your favourite kinds of fanworks that you like to see?
All of them! I really don't have a preference. I'd say I seek out fanfiction intentionally the most, though.
70. Do you like to make fanworks? If so, what is your preferred medium, and what do you like to express with them?
I mostly write stuff, but it never really sees the light of day (for now? I tend to keep most things to myself and occasionaly share snippets with friends). Most of it is "character study" in some capacity involving my own OCs and how they'd engage with the world around them.
71. Do you own any merchandise (fan-made or official)?
Yes! I have official and fan-made things.
72. Are there any “grails” you have or would like to get your hand on?
Not so much a "grail", but I'd love to collect all of the art books and the Encyclopedias! I'd also like to buy some doujins at some point - an artist I follow is working on a Deep Blue/Red Hot one and I'm hoping to get my hands on it!
73. What kinds of merchandise would you like to see more of?
Now that we have official Nendoroids: I'd love to see more official figures! I would also legitimately kill someone to have a Lyse nendoroid. I love her
74. Have you been to any FFXIV events or locations (stores, cafes, etc)?
I passed by a couple but I never went in... I want to go so bad whenever I go back to Japan. I might try my best to get in and drag my partner along.

Modding and Glamour Questions

75. How do you feel about modding the game?
I acknowledge it's against TOS technically, but I do appreciate there's a sort of "don't ask, don't tell" culture around it (even if that has been broken thanks to things like Mare which made YoshiP address the highly-modded Viera in the room #ripbozo #packwatch). I personally like cosmetic mods for my characters, but at the end of the day I like how much potential is unlocked for the game through modding. Very much against it for raiding though (especially when it comes to World First raiding and Ultimates).
76. When it comes to your character(s), are you a “modbeast”, someone who leans more towards “vanilla+”, or someone who doesn't mod their character(s) altogether?
I'm very much a Vanilla+ sort of player. I mostly use mods to add extra features that don't really clash with the base models too much. Scarring and extra moles/freckles/skin detail are mostly what I make use of. I'll occasionally use gear mash-ups, but that doesn't happen very often.
77. Do you use any mods for Quality of Life?
I'd say Brio and Price Insight are my go-tos for making things easy. I used to use other mods for gposing, but I've gotten very comfortable with Brio and really like what it can do.
78. What is your favourite mod?
Glamourer. It allows me to basically treat FFXIV like one big dress-up game.
79. What mods in general do you like to use to enhance your experience with the game?
GShade is one of my favourites! Brio also really does enhance gposing and make it easy to create unique scenes and setups.
80. Is gposing something you like to do? If so, show some of them off!
Some of these are kind of old and I'm still not great at it, but I liked these ones. I tend to play around with in-game animations but sometimes use other pre-made poses >_>
81. What is your favourite mount?
Yan :)
82. What is your favourite minion?
...Also Yan :)
83. What is your favourite in-game title?
Lady Protector, Keeper of the Lilacs + Barista at the end of the Universe
84. Is collecting minions and mounts something you try to do?
Kind of yes, kind of no. It's nice to see the collection fill out when doing content and see what's new.
85. Do you collect anything else? (triple triad cards, orchestrion rolls, framer kits, etc.)
I'm currently on a mission to get as many Triple Triad cards as possible. It makes me feel like Sisyphus and the boulder because they're always adding new ones. Otherwise, I just like getting framer kits and orchestrion rolls normally.
86. Do you like to make glamours for your character(s)? Show off your favourite one!
This is probably my favourite one at the moment! It's my WAR glam for Celine lol
87. When it comes to glamours, do you have a “staple” item that seems to show up regularly?
I like using the Varsity Cap the most, I'd say! It's in basically all my caster glams...
88. What is your favourite weapon?
Polaris Point/Vessel! I also really like all the figmental weapons from the design contest...

Miscellaneous Questions

89. Do you like housing?
I have some gripes with it. Generally though, I do.
90. Do you prefer to decorate, or do you prefer to go around looking at other players' houses?
I kind of do both! More exploring others' houses than working on my own, though...
91. In your opinion, what is the best residential district?
Shirogane and Empyreum are tied for me.
92. Where would you like to see a new residential district the most?
Probably Ala Mhigo!
93. If you had the ability to put one housing item in the game, what would it be?
Not so much a singular item, but I'd love the ability to put minions down in your house (kind of like how you can in Island Sanctuary).
94. What do you think FFXIV does well?
Worldbuilding, OST and character designs are what I enjoy the most about the game. While there's still limitations with character creation, I like how much you can even do with the game's base models. It's really cool!
95. What do you think FFXIV doesn't do well?
Content distribution... it feels like there's too many long waits between things being rolled out that it kills people's enjoyment.
96. What is your hottest take about anything in relation to the game?
I really don't think the game's community is amazing by any means at the moment. Also I am a genuine honest-to-god Stormblood defender I hateeeee seeing people shit on it for being "bad". It's NOT!!!!! LEAVE MY GF LYSE ALONE!!!!!!
97. If you had the ability to add one feature and remove one feature from the game, what changes would you make?
Add more alliance raids to the mandatory list so roulettes aren't ALWAYS Crystal Tower. Remove the current blacklist/friends list system and replace it with something that isn't just straight shit from a butt. Thank you
98. What is your favourite community meme?
This one ALWAYS fucking kills me. Average FLs commander.
99. On the whole, what are your feelings on the game?
I cherish the game. Nothing is ever perfect in the world, but I really do think it got me through way more than I ever could imagine. So much of it is heart-wrenching and comforting in the same breath. There's always something to do, memories to be made. It's put me in contact with so many amazing people, and helped me flex my creative muscles in ways I hadn't in a long time. Even if I someday grow out of it or it eventually ends service, it'll always be something I love and hold dear. The entire series will!
100. Free space! Go all-out and share something about the game! This can be anything from a certain character, your own WoL, the story... the possibilities are endless!
I love complicated jobs. I hope you're all optimising your rotations in the Crystal Tower - we will not accept anyone parsing below purple in our daily roulettes. Did you know Art of War is a gain on 2 btw?