Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker is releasing on December 7, and players need to decide which jobs or classes to finish leveling before the coming EXP reset. While losing out on mid-level experience might not be a massive detriment to combat jobs, Disciple of the Land (DoL) and Disciple of the Hand (DoH) classes will take a bigger hit. All the gathering and crafting classes of FFXIV take more time to raise. The fastest and easiest way to level both DoH and DoL professions is by spending Gil to purchase materials and equipment. However, by missing out on the mid-level experience already gained on these classes, players will lose out on the time and money spent.
When broken down to a basic level, Final Fantasy XIV, and any other RPG, is about progression relative to an increase in the value of numbers. Gaining attack, health, healing potency, critical rate, etc. all serve the purpose of achieving victory in battle. To experience new stories, fights need to be won and an increasing numerical value will unlock achievements as well. The more Gil that's obtained, the more materials, gear, potions, and food that can be acquired. One of the most prominent mechanics in RPGs that shows accomplishment is a character's level. Upon the release of FFXIV's Endwalker, any class or job in the game will lose all mid-level experience and be reset to the current level.
All FFXIV classes, jobs, retainers, and Trust NPCs will be affected by the mid-level EXP downscaling. The game will be rebalanced along with the new change. The time and amount of duties (including other EXP gains) required to level up will remain the same. The reason for the experience reset given was that one billion values would need to be rewritten to compensate for the overhaul of the database. All servers in Final Fantasy XIV would be paused for three weeks to give the team time to make the changes needed. Instead, the reset allows players to enjoy a smooth release of Endwalker. However, players do not have to worry about all mid-level experience being reset upon the start of the new expansion.
FFXIV: Endwalker's Mid-Level EXP Progress Reset Details
An update was released by Square Enix detailing the exception to the downscaling. EXP acquired by FFXIV's Chocobo companions and Grand Company squadrons will not be affected. EXP accumulated to level up via Deep Dungeons or the Forbidden Land, Eureka, mettle earned at the Bozjan southern front or in Zadnor, and PvP experience will not be changed. To mitigate the loss of progress, players can still choose to level up their desired job or class before December 7, 2021.
Final Fantasy XIV is constantly being modified and improved. While undoubtedly the development team would have liked to keep players' mid-level EXP, the time and effort required to change each character's individual values would be an overly difficult task, and given the type of numerical downscaling used to achieve Square Enix's stated goal of controlling "the inflation of in-game values," there likely was no other expedient option. Overall, the reset is minimal and shouldn't impact players to a huge degree. There are plenty of Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker experience-gaining opportunities, and the change can be an opportunity for players to seek out new adventures.
Source: Square Enix