Final Fantasy 14: Best starting classes for each playstyle

New players are coming to Final Fantasy 14 every day, and picking the right starting classes is important. Although you can become any class/job you want as you play through the game, it’s also important to get the right feeling and impression when beginning. If you pick a class you don’t enjoy, and the one you want is really far away—in another city that you have yet to access for example—it can be frustrating. We don’t want people to turn away from FF14, after all.

These are just my opinions on what the best starting classes are for each of the primary roles in the game. Since these are my opinions, your experiences or opinions may vary if you’re a veteran player. We’re also basing this on starting classes/jobs, so jobs that unlock later are not counted (Paladin, Samurai, etc.).

Note: This article is subjective and solely based on the author's opinion.

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Best starting class for each role in Final Fantasy 14

1) Tank: Marauder (Warrior)

The Marauder eventually becomes a mighty Warrior (Image via Square Enix)

If you’re going to tank in Final Fantasy 14, the best starting class for you is Marauder. While each tank is amazing, and fun to play in FF14, there isn’t a single one that can outshine the Warrior in terms of damage, tanking abilities, and self-sustainment. It’s so good that it’s become a problem for many healers, with some threatening to strike, and not heal in the coming expansion.

Warrior is still one of the best jobs in the game, period. Marauder itself isn’t anything special until you become a Warrior, though. It’s a solid, serviceable class, and you shouldn’t have any issues learning the ins and outs of tanking with it.

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2) Healer: Conjurer (White Mage)

The Conjurer will eventually dominate groups with huge AOE heals, as White Mage (Image via Square Enix)

Frankly, I was torn between the two healer options you have at the beginning of Final Fantasy 14, but in the end, I went with Conjurer (White Mage). It’s the healer I play the most, and I feel like they have better options, buttons, and all-around numbers compared to some of their compatriots.

The only real downside is leveling as a healer, just in general, in Final Fantasy 14 can feel very boring; they don’t have a bunch of DPS buttons to choose from. However, it’s still very feasible, more so than it was in the past. If you plan on starting as a healer, the solid, reliable direct heals/AOE heals of the White Mage you get, after going conjurer make it the best starting class.

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3) Physical DPS: Lancer (Dragoon)

Lancers start simple but get a bit more complex with the Dragoon (Image via Square Enix)

I wish I could pick Samurai for this Final Fantasy 14 starting class, but sadly, it’s not an offering. The physical DPS offerings are a blend of tanks and ranged/melee DPS at the start of the game. It takes a while to actually become a tank, after all. When considering this, I wanted it to be accessible, but also powerful.

That’s why I went with the Lancer, which ultimately became the mighty Dragoon. I think the Dragoon has a less complex system compared to classes like Ninja. I have never really been a fan of Monk, just in general, and don’t think it’s quite as satisfying to play as a Dragoon is. In addition,

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4) Magical Damage: Arcanist (Summoner)

Channel your inner Summoner from Mist! Arcanist into Summoner is very satisfying (Image via Square Enix)

I was torn between ultimately moving towards Black Mage and Summoner, but at the end of the day, I think Black Mage just has too much going on. Picking Arcanist, and going Summoner also gives you the luxury of having a Healer class! It’s a fun pet class, and though I desperately miss all the cool DOTs (damage over time) they had, it’s still a fun option.

While you don’t get all the amazing summons that come up as a part of a summoner, it’s an easy-to-play ranged magical class. Plus, you get the adorable Carbuncle that follows you around and helps out. Who doesn’t want a cute Carbuncle pet?

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At the end of the day, you should play what feels right to you. It’s never too late to play something else, since Final Fantasy 14 lets you play as every job/class on one character. That makes life so much easier. However, we feel like these are the best starting choices you can make right now.