Free quests

Of course it is. You get SQ for free quests, some ascension mats, skill up gems. Just because you're f2p doesnt mean you wont have good servants.

It would be better to clear the free quests when it's 1/2 AP, but it would be a while before we got another half AP free quest campaign. If you want to get fast SQ to roll on the current banner, then sure, go for it. If you want ascension mats, events are better with the easy shop currency and the amount of mats. But if the event doesn't have the mats you need, then it's time to farm the free quests.

Always farm for the free SQ, especially when you are F2P.

In my experience, I seem to get better ascension mat drop rates in the training grounds... Unless the material I need isn't available there. Trying to get a scarab from the Egypt free quest during the half ap rate... Drained my supply without getting any. Ended up being quicker to clear camelot for the scarabs than get it from the free quest.

Unless there is a skill or ascension I really want to work on, I usually wait for event shops. And events have been so back to back lately that usually doesn't take long.

If you're serious about doing well at FGO as F2P, it's super important you do the free quests. You get a ton of ascension mats over the course of finishing them, as well as the SQ needed for 10x rolls, instead of trying to farm the daily quests and using quartz/apples to refill AP.

Should have done them all when it was being offered at half AP. Free sq is free sq though mate