Ok so some of you are new, some of you are returning after a long hiatus. Whatever the situation here are some very basic, basics to keep in mind.
FOOD
Always have food with you. Yes, crafted food is a good thing. Even if it is a crafted boiled egg. The reason being, 3% additional experience provided during a dungeon run, or even killing things in the open areas. Later you will use that food in conjunction with the exp buff to add additional buffs to your abilities. ie: Crit/ vitality ect.
FIRST RING EXP BUFF to lv30
If under level 30, to the the Novice hall. After gaining basic info upon completion you wil be awarded a "Brand new Ring". This ring will provide you 30% for jobs level 30 or BELOW. ALSO, when you are running roulettes and are lucky enough to be stuck in a dungeon like say TOTO RAW D:<. All is good, slide that bad boy on for a Sweet 30% additional gain of exp killing things! Unfortunately it only works for war/magic ; (
*Pre ordering certain expansions would provide a item: Earing to 50 exp buff OR new Shadowbringers expansion purchase earing provides exp buff to level 70
MENTOR EXP BUFF
If you enter a dungeon with a Player with the "crown" that participates in the "mentor system" you will recieve a bonus of 20% from level 1 to level 20.
This SHOULD stack with food exp/ FC buff/ ect.
**Foot note...should also stack with Crafting items for exp buff and gathering. Have not confirmed recently but will update if not accurate.
FREE Company BUFFS
IF you belong to an "Free" Company Ask them to please intiate: Heat of battle II this will provide an additional percentage of experience for quite a few hours! If they say no, unless emotionally attached to the group promptly LEAVE. An FC should be helpful, courteous, and provide SOME perceived value.
MOG STATION
There are various items from pre-sales, Mog station Glam clothing, to refering friends that also provide experience. I'm going to side step all that and focus on what YOU can acquire in-game to level up organically.
CHALLENGE LOG
Challenge log: I CAN NOT stress enough the importance of the challenge log. Gil / GC seals/ and Experince in nice chucks for simply completing certain "tasks".
(*The challenge log can be unlocked by completing the level 15 quest Rising to the Challenge, available from I'tolwann in Limsa Lominsa Upper Decks (X:11, Y:10).
ROULETTES
Ok so Boring and sometimes you run into people LESS than desired. BUT, you also meet really GREAT people, acquire some really great instance experience, gain gear for leveling, or gear for turning in to your gc for seals.
IF you happen to be a tank you will receive MORE gil and sometimes a cluster for materia (you will learn more what materia is later in the game) if you happen to be the "adventure in need".
Leveling: unlocks after a few dungeon so keep your eye out. Also you acquire a TON of experience!
50/60: meh experience but good to run just to remind yourself of mechanics
Normal raids: Meh experience, questionable whether or not everyone will follow basic mechanics. up2U
Trials: Exp is okish, but TYPICALLY these are fast & easy. Typically...always the odd ball where it sucks.
Allied Raid: GREAT EXP! Lonnnngg wait, long instance but well worth it. Just make sure you have unlocked Ct/ St/ Wod. ( Labyrinth of The Ancients "CT" /Syrcus Tower "ST"/ The World of Darkness "wod". To unlock CT to begin the quest string is:
"Legacy of Allag" Giver: Outlandish Man Mor Dhona
Follow this quest until All three are completed.
UPDATE 4/2019 this has been streamlined VERY MUCH! No reason not to complete this. MUCH quicker to complete all the necessary requirements!
Main Story Quest Roulette: INCREDIBLE EXP! Must MUST do once you have completed this part of the main story line. This is your bread and butter exp gains. NOW, be warned, this is a LONG string of pointless cutscenes that are NOT skippable. BUT, again the exp is great. Later the tomes are not too bad either. But yea, grab a snack, or tab alt to youtube, get comfy you are in for a long boring instance.
OTHER METHODS:
HUNTS
Hunts provide a nice chuck of exp, and HUNT seals that will help with free teleports and other nice features. Check your "Hunt log" prior to level 50 for hunts and the experience gained.
Talk with your GC to initiate hunts at lv50.
Talk with Aytienne Foundation Lv60. Clan hunts
Talk with Estrild in Shiokaze Hostelry to unlock the next stage AFTER unlocking the B rank hunt at Foundation.
PALACE of the DEAD
Palace of the Dead: Levels 1-60. Long, grind that takes you through multiple floors. As you progress and reach level 50 inside your experience gain is far more impressive. Although I recommend this as a means to an end, I'd personally ONLY use this as a supplemental use when all roulettes are completed, challenge log is done, and you want to get a little more experience to get that level you are so close to.
HEAVEN ON HIGH
Heaven on High: The FOLLOW up to palace of the dead only for levels 60-70. More of the same, but at least slightly more engaging mobs to kill. Slightly.
GRAND COMPANY MISSIONS
Grand Company Squadron Missions: This allow you and 3 of your NPC crew to aimlessly kill things. I found the exp to be meh, but you'll need FIVE different dungeons ran AND sucessfully compelted to rank up your GC rank so might as well get them over with while earning some exp!
CURRENT LEVEL/or level below DUNGEON SPAM
And of course, spam the dungeon that is AT your level, or CLOSEST to your level to be on par with max experience gained.
eg: You are level 57, well then time to spam a Level 57 Dungeon. That dungeon being every healers favorite "The Vault".
BEAST TRIBE DAILY QUEST: ( Thank you Mahdi for reminding me of this method )
LV 50 Beast Tribes Include:
-Amalj'aa Daily Quests:
Begin the quest by talking to Swift in Ul'dah - Steps of Nald.
Also Great way to farm Lower Level Crit/Det Materia and some crafting ores
-Kobold Daily Quests:
start the quest in Limsa Lominsa Upper Decks (X:12,Y:12)
-Sahagin Daily Quests
start the quest in Limsa Lominsa Upper Decks (X:13,Y:12).
-Sylph Daily Quests
start the quest by talking to Vorsaile Heuloix in New Gridania (x9,y11).
-Ixali Daily Quests
To unlock Ixali Daily Quests, talk to Scarlet in New Gridania (x9,y11) to begin the quest titled A Bad Bladder. Players must have previously completed the quest In Pursuit of the Past.
NOW this Tribe is PRIMARLY an excellent method for leveling Crafters, it does involve SOME combat experience here and there.
LV 60 Beast Tribe:
Vath Daily Quests
players must complete level 50 quest The Naming of Vath. Players can start the quest in by speaking to Vath Storyteller in The Dravanian Forelands (x24,y20).
Vanu Vanu Daily Quests
To unlock Vanu Vanu Daily Quests, players must complete the level 50 quest Three Beaks to the Wind. Players can start the quest in Ok' Zundu by speaking to Sonu Vanu (x11,y14)
LV 70 Beast Tribe:
Kojin Daily Quests
Unlocked in Isari (X:6.8 Y:13.3).
Ananta Daily Quests
unlocked in The Fringes (X:30.2 Y:25.7) by completing the quest Brooding Broodmother.
Few Notes on Beast Tribes:
-There is a daily allowance of beast tribes you can perform, be mindful of them.
-If you begin a beast tribe quest from another tribe you will be locked from begining another Tribe's quest until you have competed all prior tribe's quest.
-Each tribe offers a mount for purchase after you have leveled up your Rep to Max!
-A few beast Tribes will also offer to Max levels a limited "Dance Emote" only acquired through them.
-Many tribes offer items from their vendors that can assist you crafting/ desynth purposes/selling
That concludes Leveling up, please let me know if I missed any other methods...which I'm certain I did. I should really be working, the plus side is I've looked REALLY busy while typing this :D
As an addition, here is a quasi Helpful link for all that are BRAND NEW to the game. This will assist with things to keep an eye out for! And just to clarify, this is based upon your Main Story Quest LEVEL, not your current level!!! (eg: Character level is 22 gladiator but you are on story level 14)
https://ffxiv.gamerescape.com/wiki/Guide:Progression_and_Level_Locked_Content*edit 2/8/19 wanted ephasis to each catogory for easy viewing Along with add Mentor 20% buff from levels 1-20
*edit 4/25/19: Ty to Mahdi for reminding me of Beast Tribes Exp. Also Added Startup quest chain for Ct/ ST/WOD has been streamlined!