So what's the best course of action for those who are playing the JP version in regards to preparing for new content?
My Lasswell/Rain is already 5* at max level, as is all my generics. I have no intention of pulling for high level Characters right now until double drop rate gates or Lightning/Luneth are released.
There's a couple of options I can see currently.
1. Grind Rank. Catacombs Exit is the best right now, giving 76 or so Rank XP for a measly 3 NRG. However, it doesn't have the benefit of getting crysts or magicite by farming Exploration quests.
2. Grind Espers. The very first Exploration Quest gives Red Magicite, which can help getting Ifrit up to level 30 and unlocking the 2nd version of him to fight/acquire. However, the NRG to Rank XP ratio is super poor (13 or so Rank XP for 3 NRG).
3. Grind Mats. Basically the Vortex of Awakening. I've read comments Awakening mats become far more plentiful come the following continents, but having a good stash might be useful. That being said, it's super NRG extensive and while you do get Rank XP, you get nothing to improve the Espers.