I can’t decide between an Elezen and a Viera ... Help!!

Hi all, I want to use my final fantasia (I'm horribly addicted, I've used maybe 30 since ARR launched, and really want this to be the last one I use ...) I've made alts and played them both for the last two hours and really can't decide which one I like more ...

I was a huge FFXI player and mained Elvaan, but the Elezen always felt slightly off to me. However I still love them and feel an intense attraction towards the race over all. However the animations, specifically the run cycle always bug me.

I'm also a huge FFT/FFXII fan and Viera are incredibly awesome. Their run cycle in perfect, and I love their animations, however I can't help but feel that they lean more towards the waifu side of things, and less the dignified like Elezen.

I'll also say I never wear head armor so the lack of helmets on Viera are not a deal breaker to me.

Imgur link to screen shot of both : https://imgur.com/a/lUNPR1w

Are you someone that changes their hairstyle with some frequency? And how would you feel about losing access to every hairstyle you've bought or earned in the game, with the possibility they'll never be made available for Viera?

I'm obviously biased towards Viera, but if hairstyle variety is important to you at all I'd say go Elezen.

They both look great in the screenshots so you can't go wrong there :)

ELEZEN Elezen can wear hats and wear different hairstyles made available in the aesthetics items.

Viera, for sure. Unless you really want the option to wear hats now or in the future.

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Originally Posted by Yencat

Are you someone that changes their hairstyle with some frequency? And how would you feel about losing access to every hairstyle you've bought or earned in the game, with the possibility they'll never be made available for Viera?

I'm obviously biased towards Viera, but if hairstyle variety is important to you at all I'd say go Elezen.

They both look great in the screenshots so you can't go wrong there :)

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Most hairs look awful on elezen anyway, in my opinion. Just like you need specific glamour to compliment their proportions, you need hair that hides the ears somewhat, or distracts from them. Stuff that has bangs on the side. etc. I'll update with an image example.

Example using a wildwood preset of mine:
https://i.imgur.com/oNjGyll.png

As you can see the ears can be a problem when it comes to choosing hairs. Not only that elezens have an odd face or head shape, and many of their hairstyles like this long one (third image) look very odd. Morphed weirdly. This elezen may look decent despite this, but that is because I put a good amount of time making this preset.

If you want an elezen to actually look good, you are quite limited in options, however they aren't actually limited like viera. You might even find it a fun challenge making a great looking elezen. However, even so their running animation is very stiff - which you can't change. I still say pick Viera, under most circumstances.

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Originally Posted by Kearion

Imgur link to screen shot of both : https://imgur.com/a/lUNPR1w

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That elezen is unique, that viera isn't, but in my opinion the viera still looks better. Also, while that elezen is unique, I don't think it would look very good with much variation. The viera, if you ever want to change your look somewhat in the future, would work out better.

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Originally Posted by Kearion

Hi all, I want to use my final fantasia (I'm horribly addicted, I've used maybe 30 since ARR launched, and really want this to be the last one I use ...)

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That sounds like a hideous amount of pressure.

Which one looks better in your glams?
Will you remain the same gender? Or will some of your gear and up changing on you when you fantasia?

That’s my problem too ... I’ve been an Elezen before and always swapped off because while I love them standing still ... the second they move, I’m not a fan of the run cycle. But also there are maybe one or two hair styles that work on them and I’m not able to deviate much. I feel very limited with what I can do with my Elezen and her still look the way I want her to. Where as Viera all look excellent no matter what you do to them.

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Originally Posted by Kearion

That’s my problem too ... I’ve been an Elezen before and always swapped off because while I love them standing still ... the second they move, I’m not a fan of the run cycle. But also there are maybe one or two hair styles that work on them and I’m not able to deviate much. I feel very limited with what I can do with my Elezen and her still look the way I want her to. Where as Viera all look excellent no matter what you do to them.

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If what you say is true in the OP, and you don't care about headgear. I think you already know what you wanted: Viera.

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Originally Posted by Yencat

Are you someone that changes their hairstyle with some frequency? And how would you feel about losing access to every hairstyle you've bought or earned in the game, with the possibility they'll never be made available for Viera?

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So funny enough, some of the Viera hair styles are my favorite in the game, and I’d LOVE for them to be made available for Elezen because I think it’d solve a lot of my issues with only a select few hair styles actually looking food on Elezen.

If hats are a deal breaker, choose Elezen. Otherwise, Viera have less unsettling proportions. Seriously, Elezen give me some kind of uncanny valley effect, I can't shake it.

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Originally Posted by SturmChurro

If what you say is true in the OP, and you don't care about headgear. I think you already know what you wanted: Viera.

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Haha! I figured I’d add that little bit in since most people say that if you care about helmets at all to rule Viera out. I almost never cover my head with one, and even then if I do I’ve always found the Elezen look a little silly with the massive metallic ears sticking out.

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Originally Posted by TheMightyMollusk

If hats are a deal breaker, choose Elezen. Otherwise, Viera have less unsettling proportions. Seriously, Elezen give me some kind of uncanny valley effect, I can't shake it.

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Fair enough, I’ve always personally thought that their elongated proportions sold that they were somewhat alien, and not just taller Hyur with pointy ears. I also played Elvaan in FFXI and could be biased ... however their run animations leave so much to be desired.

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Originally Posted by Kearion

So funny enough, some of the Viera hair styles are my favorite in the game, and I’d LOVE for them to be made available for Elezen because I think it’d solve a lot of my issues with only a select few hair styles actually looking food on Elezen.

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I don't think they will ever actually make the Viera hair available for other races as they were not made with hats in mind and wouldn't play nice with them without some heavy reworking, so there's that.

I was mostly asking because if you really want this to be the last time you use a Fantasia it's definitely something to consider. Viera look great and their exclusive hairstyles do as well, but personally I'm pretty bored by now of looking at the same 8 styles we've had since launch with no real news on when we're getting more while other races keep getting more almost every patch.

So if headgear isn't a dealbreaker and you don't mind losing access to whatever hairstyles you currently have unlocked I'd say go for Viera, they don't have the unusual proportions Elezen do so hairstyles aside they're a lot easier to pick glamours for.

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Originally Posted by Kearion

Haha! I figured I’d add that little bit in since most people say that if you care about helmets at all to rule Viera out. I almost never cover my head with one, and even then if I do I’ve always found the Elezen look a little silly with the massive metallic ears sticking out.

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Oh yeah, helmets look awful on elezen as well, but people are probably referring to hats rather than helmets.

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Originally Posted by Yencat

I don't think they will ever actually make the Viera hair available for other races as they were not made with hats in mind and wouldn't play nice with them without some heavy reworking, so there's that.

I was mostly asking because if you really want this to be the last time you use a Fantasia it's definitely something to consider. Viera look great and their exclusive hairstyles do as well, but personally I'm pretty bored by now of looking at the same 8 styles we've had since launch with no real news on when we're getting more while other races keep getting more almost every patch.

So if headgear isn't a dealbreaker and you don't mind losing access to whatever hairstyles you currently have unlocked I'd say go for Viera, they don't have the unusual proportions Elezen do so hairstyles aside they're a lot easier to pick glamours for.

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Yeah, viera hairstyles are race exclusive, and any new ones that will supposedly be added will be race exclusive.

Side note, I always complain about viera hair, but I alternate more hair on viera than I do my au ra. I literally only use one style on au ra. Because it's the long one, I can't use several glamours because the hair clips through it. :(

Since you never wear helmets and the Elezen animations draw complaints, absolutely go Viera.

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Originally Posted by van_arn

Since you never wear helmets and the Elezen animations draw complaints, absolutely go Viera.

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Straight and to be point. I appreciate that :)

Animation is a big deal for me in any game. And honestly, they will not fix animations anytime soon.

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Originally Posted by SturmChurro

Side note, I always complain about viera hair, but I alternate more hair on viera than I do my au ra. I literally only use one style on au ra. Because it's the long one, I can't use several glamours because the hair clips through it. :(

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100%, I had a bit of a fit recently and Fantasia'd back to Miqo'te and it was so nice having such a long list of hairstyles to choose from. That lasted for all of a week or so because I mostly just stuck to Great Lengths anyway (pls SE reconsider giving it to Viera) while mostly just feeling pretty unhappy with not being a Viera anymore.

Viera may only really have 8 styles to choose from but all of them are pretty well made and I use all of them except one, and they don't have any of the weird cone-head morphing other races get sometimes with shared hairstyles.

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Originally Posted by Yencat

100%, I had a bit of a fit recently and Fantasia'd back to Miqo'te and it was so nice having such a long list of hairstyles to choose from. That lasted for all of a week or so because I mostly just stuck to Great Lengths anyway (pls SE reconsider giving it to Viera) while mostly just feeling pretty unhappy with not being a Viera anymore.

Viera may only really have 8 styles to choose from but all of them are pretty well made and I use all of them except one, and they don't have any of the weird cone-head morphing other races get sometimes with shared hairstyles.

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Yep! It's like, "wow all these options!" ...."that I'm not gonna use!" It's cool knowing you can use them though, that's the thing. Same though, when I play viera. The only thing I don't like is their limitations, that's it. It's the one race I have literally no little nitpicks about. Love their height, love their animations, etc. Love what they look like in cutscenes, I just can't take my au ra seriously, nor when I occasionally play miqo'te.. They just aren't what I picture my WoL to be - viera is.

100%. Viera, while they have a limited selection, have some REALLY nice hairs. Like the few we got are at least really good, I'd be very happy if SE would just give us more great styles to choose from - even if it's more racially unique styles.

[QUOTE=SturmChurro;5488260]Yep! It's like, "wow all these options!" ...."that I'm not gonna use!" It's cool knowing you can use them though, that's the thing. Same though, when I play viera./QUOTE]

Exactly! It's super nice to open the Aesthetician and see dozens of hair styles I've unlocked but I only ever use one or two. And the two I like the I've grinded to unlock or paid for (Y'sthola and Form and Function) look AWFUL on Elezen ... I normally only use one hair style on Elezen anyways, and while I love it, I do get bored within a week because any other style looks poor ... :(

I was in this boat, too!! What sold Viera to me was I like to wear glamours with pants and flat shoes. Femlezen have a very dainty stride that really only works in a flowing gown and princess slippers. What throws off their running animation is that their legs don't seem to move naturally in boots or flat-soled shoes.

Viera just have a healthier stride that works in all glamours.

Elezens(especially females) are rare in the game, so there's there's that.

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Originally Posted by Kearion

Hi all, I want to use my final fantasia (I'm horribly addicted, I've used maybe 30 since ARR launched, and really want this to be the last one I use ...) I've made alts and played them both for the last two hours and really can't decide which one I like more ...

I was a huge FFXI player and mained Elvaan, but the Elezen always felt slightly off to me. However I still love them and feel an intense attraction towards the race over all. However the animations, specifically the run cycle always bug me.

I'm also a huge FFT/FFXII fan and Viera are incredibly awesome. Their run cycle in perfect, and I love their animations, however I can't help but feel that they lean more towards the waifu side of things, and less the dignified like Elezen.

I'll also say I never wear head armor so the lack of helmets on Viera are not a deal breaker to me.

Imgur link to screen shot of both : https://imgur.com/a/lUNPR1w

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I mean the big downside to Viera is no access to a majority of the head gear or access to new hairstyles.

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Originally Posted by Kearion

That’s my problem too ... I’ve been an Elezen before and always swapped off because while I love them standing still ... the second they move, I’m not a fan of the run cycle. But also there are maybe one or two hair styles that work on them and I’m not able to deviate much. I feel very limited with what I can do with my Elezen and her still look the way I want her to. Where as Viera all look excellent no matter what you do to them.

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Your Elezen looks pretty good.

I was a Viera too but no headgear and no other hairstyles? nah..

I mean... the thing that's nice about this game is the high level of customization for your character. If you can't pick between a race then maybe you shouldn't? Try to play with one version of your character longer before using a fantasia again, all whilst knowing you're not bound to that one race and you can switch when you need a change.

I also started out with Elezen, altho now I've switched to Viera. But I don't cross out the chance I might switch back to Elezen in the future when I need a change, or even play a Highlander.

What I did was to just create a version of my character for all my preferred races, so they are there and ready to use. :)

I'm happy with both models. I just have to say that the Viera model looks so much more... detailed? Smoother? Than the Elezen model? Obviously cause it's newer. I also prefer the idle poses for Viera, the expressions in the cutscenes, running animation, as well as the dungeon completion emotes. They are just better matched to what I imagine to be my character's personality.

https://i.ibb.co/rkQRFh6/ffxiv-19102020-204236-201.png
https://i.ibb.co/Z693YDD/ffxiv-22102020-200754-839.png
https://i.ibb.co/F7s9Vc0/ffxiv-24012021-121358-429.png

When it comes to running animation as an Elezen, I just run with my weapons out and it changes the running animation to something better. If I were in your shoes, I would stick with Elezen, because you have a more complete character as Viera is an incomplete character with limitations. If they ever fix Viera’s limitations, I would say pick who you’re more comfortable with. Elezen are also rare and aren’t a dime a dozen as with Viera, Au Ra & Miqote. You won’t run into many lookalikes if that’s a problem to you. I’ve seen many beautiful looking Elezen ladies, so don’t go by the other’s opinion as beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

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Originally Posted by Antonio_Xul

You won’t run into many lookalikes if that’s a problem to you.

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I hate to say it, but with the fact that elezen faces are nearly identical, every f elezen is basically a clone :( Point to vieras where, while with limited hair, they have a bigger selection of facial features.

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Originally Posted by LisSquid

I hate to say it, but with the fact that elezen faces are nearly identical, every f elezen is basically a clone :( Point to vieras where, while with limited hair, they have a bigger selection of facial features.

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While any singular elezen next to each other probably look very similar, because there are so many viera in comparison, you see viera clones much more often. It's really a pick your poison. Seeing clones of yourself are kind of just a general problem in this game though. Doesn't matter if you are miqo'te, au ra, hyur etc.

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Originally Posted by SturmChurro

While any singular elezen next to each other probably look very similar, because there are so many viera in comparison, you see viera clones much more often. It's really a pick your poison. Seeing clones of yourself are kind of just a general problem in this game though. Doesn't matter if you are miqo'te, au ra, hyur etc.

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Solution: midlander hyur. You’re so boring you’re unique!

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Originally Posted by van_arn

Solution: midlander hyur. You’re so boring you’re unique!

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Everyone who isn't a bot, sure! ;)