where is our "Sephiroth"?

[pooch]

Hildibrand is the real end-boss.

[Alistaire]

Hildibrand is the real end-boss.

Or maybe it's his dad?

[Malrend]

While drawing comparisons between FFXI and FFXIV is more or less a moot practice, one could take a look at the structure of FFXI's villains (of which there are many) and readily assume that FFXIV will see something similar, where rather than one big nasty looming in the background, we will see several threats to the peace of Eorzea, and Hydaelyn itself.

In fact, it has already happened, although these multiple threats have all been under one umbrella and been related to the Garlean Empire, so far.. But with the advent of Syrcus Tower there are plenty of hints towards a third malignant force besides the Garleans and Ascians. Heck, once the Binding Coil of Bahamut has been fully explored, there is a distinct likelihood that it'll start influencing the surface of Eorzea more.

[ThirdChild_ZKI]

You know, it might be nice to have a clear-cut rival of sorts. A Warrior of Darkness as it were, to face on multiple occasions. Much like Cid has Nero, if we had a persistent adversary to challenge/be challenged by, that might be nice. That is, IF handled well.

[Empressia]

Definitely the Father crystal aka Hydaelyn's alter ego

[Rasenore]

You know, it might be nice to have a clear-cut rival of sorts. A Warrior of Darkness as it were, to face on multiple occasions. Much like Cid has Nero, if we had a persistent adversary to challenge/be challenged by, that might be nice. That is, IF handled well.

I'm kind of suspecting that the Ascians might end up fitting that bill when they come more into the forefront.

[Nuinn]

Not taking into account Primals EX and Coil 1 & 2 as they just branches, everyone so far, from the main story line, has been an unmemorable pushover. Which, frankly, sort of pisses me off. None of the threats we faced during the main story quests really felt all that threatening :< (thank you team jump rope mechanics for making it easy to play fights like DDR.... -___-) Going back to something old here but, if they kept the 1.0 look for Ascians, I would be at least able to take them and their dealings seriously. Right now they just rank maybe 2% higher than being just a bunch of emos in black robes. Pffffft (￣へ￣)

[LineageRazor]

No one has mentioned Zodiark? The (possibly) evil god that the Ascians are trying to awaken? Seems like that might make for a decent long-term baddie to look forward to.

On the other hand, Zodiark seems more like he'd be a Jenova than a Sephiroth; an enabler, rather than a direct foe. Still, doesn't mean we might not fight an empowered avatar of Zodiark, similar to the Promathia fight in FFXI.

Like Promathia, though, the trouble with having a "Sephiroth" in an MMO is that, no matter how you build him up, eventually you'll face him, defeat him, and then... he's done. And since it's an MMO, the game doesn't end. You just keep right on going, expansion after expansion. Your arch-baddie is now just a footnote in your history. It's then up to SE to try to come up with baddies that measure up after you defeated the ultimate baddie!

[Aurelle_Delacroix]

I find it funny that we put Sephiroth so high up on the totem pole for FF villians. I mean, the only reason he is, is because he was the first FF villian on the PS1 with awesome (at the time) graphics. I do like Seph, but he kind of is one big emo kid with whiney mommy/parental issues. Though he did his villian predecessors justice. Kefka though....at least he succeeded in what he wanted first before being defeated....

Anyways, as for the 'big bad' in FFXIV I think once 2.4 is over and all of the lesser primals (elemental primals) have been killed/sent back into the aether is when Zodiark is going to become the main focus big bad. I'm at work so I can't get the picture I want to show, but the statue of Zodiark that they show in game at one point looks to have parts of the six lesser primals all in it sooo....

2.5 should be interesting ^_^ (or 2.6 if 2.5 is going to be Crystal Tower related)

[Magis]

People like Gauis and Lahabrea and others got pushed to the side for most of the main scenario, then you just kill them.

Sounds like my issue with WoW. The original WC1-3 setup some interesting villains, and they kept killing them off. Heck, The Burning Crusade killed off everyone introduced in WC3: The Frozen Throne.