Yes. There are alternative ways to level. You can do class - specific quests which give decent XP. Also, exploring and finding hidden treasures sometimes rewards you with XP boosters. But the main story is like a backbone of the game, and without it, you might find it a bit more challenging to fully understand the game's mechanics and the context of the world you're in.
Sure. You can level up through things like FATEs (Full Active Time Events). They occur randomly in the game world and give out XP. Also, guildhests are a good source of XP. But not following the main story might mean you miss out on some important unlocks and lore that could enhance your overall gaming experience.
The length of the pre-Heavensward main story questline can be quite substantial. It often takes players anywhere from 10 to 20 hours, but this can change based on factors like your familiarity with the game and how much time you dedicate to it each session.
Sure. The story quests in FFXIV are designed in a way that they provide enough experience for leveling. But it's important to note that later on in the game, the leveling curve gets steeper. So while it's possible to rely solely on the story at the start, you may eventually need to branch out. For example, in the higher levels, the story quests might not give as much XP per quest as you need to level up quickly, and that's when other content can be useful.
Yes, you can. Eureka has its own independent progression system, and it doesn't strictly require you to complete the main story. However, keep in mind that having a certain level of character development from the main story can be beneficial in terms of your overall skills and equipment.
Yes, you can. But you might miss out on important context and character development.
Yes, you can. But you might miss out on some context and background info that enhance the gameplay experience.
Patch 1.05 was important as it fixed several bugs in the Ringed City questline. It made it easier to progress in certain parts of the main story related to the area.
No, you typically can't. The main story is often a prerequisite for unlocking alliance raids in FFXIV.
Yes, you can. But it might take longer and be more challenging compared to doing side quests and other activities.
The Arr story in FFXIV typically ends at a specific level, but it can vary depending on updates and expansions. Generally, it's around level 50.