Is ff 14. Too feminine?

[Welsper59]

Just because it's cloth doesn't account for this. There's plenty of potential, even with cloth, to offer options that are a bit less frilly. Not one that SE seems keen on offering for any but crafters, however...

It's not about potential, it's about general understanding and realistic expectations. Besides that though, there really isn't a whole lot you can do with cloth to make it feasible in design that gives you the idea of "magic". Can you provide an example that would undeniably showcase that, in a fantasy world, this IS a magic users outfit that isn't robe/gown/coat-like or "girly"? Ideally multiple examples, since I'm pretty sure a one-off isn't really anyones idea of "plenty" lol. Honestly, there isn't much in the way of magic user to work off of. I mean, we can easily do that heavy armors to indicate "tank" or "armored physical dps". You can't really add too much jaggy edges to a material like cloth, as you can with metal, without it looking like a cheap cosplay.

BTW, I'm not saying that I wouldn't be for it, nor for the idea of using metal armor for aesthetic purposes, but rather that it's why a default design for magic users is what they are.

[Risvertasashi]

Can you provide an example that would undeniably showcase that, in a fantasy world, this IS a magic users outfit that isn't robe/gown/coat-like or "girly"? Ideally multiple examples

SCH AF, BLM AF. Direwolf Healing set is almost there. The SCH AF2 preview we saw in the Heavensward stream.

Actually I'm OK with the WHM AF, though some might not be. But the Syrcus Tower, WoD and Swan sets, for example, really take it to the extreme. Not that having these is bad, I'd just like some balance. This is a healer specific criticism, as AFAICT most other classes do have a good range of options.

I don't actually mind robes (robes do not precisely share the same characteristics as dresses, despite all the jokes and naysayers). I'd kill to have a BLM AF-esque robe available to healers. Or even "Gandalf the White" would be fine by me. Following the Heavensward SCH AF2 theme, I bet there's a lot of steampunk (magitek punk?) options that could be explored.

edit to add one more: Take the PLD AF2, make it all cloth instead of having chainmail/plate bits, and that would do it too. (And still perfectly suited to female characters as well))

[Welsper59]

SCH AF, BLM AF. Direwolf Healing set is almost there. The SCH AF2 preview we saw in the Heavensward stream.

Actually I'm OK with the WHM AF, though some might not be. But the Syrcus Tower, WoD and Swan sets, for example, really take it to the extreme. Not that having these is bad, I'd just like some balance. This is a healer specific criticism, as AFAICT most other classes do have a good range of options.

I don't actually mind robes (robes do not precisely share the same characteristics as dresses, despite all the jokes and naysayers). I'd kill to have a BLM AF-esque robe available to healers. Or even "Gandalf the White" would be fine by me. Following the Heavensward SCH AF2 theme, I bet there's a lot of steampunk (magitek punk?) options that could be explored.

edit to add one more: Take the PLD AF2, make it all cloth instead of having chainmail/plate bits, and that would do it too. (And still perfectly suited to female characters as well))

Wait... you're arguing to me about something that I'm not trying to say. The entire point of the post I made was about why designs are the way they are, NOT about what can potentially be done in this game (hence why I said it's not about potential in my last reply). Robes (and similar attire) are the go-to because that's how fantasy stories originated or glamorized them as in western entertainment. For example, would you be able to take the SCH AF in Heavensward, throw it into Tolkiens LotR series, and honestly think "that's a wizard"? Probably not lol. Could you do that with someone wearing robes/coats/etc? More than likely, at least more than the prior mentioned SCH AF in the expansion lol. Even the SCH AF now wouldn't fit the bill, but it fits this game because of the job description for SCH... which is completely irrelevant to my reply to that other person.

Again, the person I replied to questioned or didn't seem to understand why the design seems to be about the whole "dress" or robe idea that they fall back on. But as far as what's available is concerned, there's only so much you can do really without starting to make things look a little frilly lol. I mean even with what you mentioned, then what? Recoloring? Removing a little strap here and there? That's still only 3 or 4 art designs that you find okay in this game that's filled with far more gear sets for different jobs and roles lol. Thankfully, since the ideas are not bound to the stereotypical look, they can branch out (like the expansion look). Although... they do have to keep within a certain theme usually, and can only allow for so much design variance to be made available to non-vanity gear. If a SCH AF hat look dropped for BLM in Coil, it really wouldn't fit the part lol. Come Heavensward, we may actually end up seeing a shift from non-robe looks being normal and the robe look being rare (by the future drops design, not what's already available).

[Risvertasashi]

Lots of stuff!

Well for one, you asked for examples, not an exhaustive list. So I gave some examples; please don't assume those are the only things I like.

Secondly, talking about the conventions and perceptions in LotR and the fantasy genre as a whole isn't appropriate to this conversation (I've also never called anything "girly" or similar.). My remarks were very specific: Healer gear, in the context of the FFXIV game. And in this context, stuff like the SCH AF does make people think, "That's a magic user!"

But I'll add another example of armor that I think would work well in FF: Hugo Fact. He's even from a JRPG ：Ｄ. If my memory serves, the robes in Fire Emblem were also decent. I realize you were more explaining 'why' but I'm just pointing out, we could have a lot more options/variety that we don't have right now, and saying 'fantasy conventions' doesn't really fit, IMO :/