Gender locked race?

[Theodric]

I don't really see them as being overly feminine and child-like. They're meant to be fierce protectors of the forest and are even more isolated than their female counterparts - not to mention more solitary, suggesting a large degree of self reliance. Realistically that'd result in a decent amount of bulk - as seen in the more muscular concept art. It'd also reflect the effects of a tribal lifestyle as we know it in the real world.

[Roda]

I don't really see them as being overly feminine and child-like. They're meant to be fierce protectors of the forest and are even more isolated than their female counterparts - not to mention more solitary, suggesting a large degree of self reliance. Realistically that'd result in a decent amount of bulk - as seen in the more muscular concept art. It'd also reflect the effects of a tribal lifestyle as we know it in the real world.

And female xaela are supposed to be fierce warriors of the steppe, and yet we got tiny waifus. /shrug
There's been a decent discussion on the physique best suited to the males a hundred pages back or so, and i'm not really keen on doing it again.
I'm all for male viera being lean and cut, but I would be pretty disappointed with "bulky".
For critique mode that face is a bit too boyish for my imagining, but I just chalked that up to every race having their young face, and the body is a bit thin, but not too far off from my personal ideal, and it really could just be a fidelity thing, not showing the full details of the physique. But the limb proportions and overall height looks good to me. Fit, lithe, like a gymnast, like a dancer.

[ArcaneCarbuncle]

Gonna add to this, considering the previous comment this one seems to be replying to. Being "feminine" also doesn't necessarily equal being weak or not "fierce." Going off of other fantasy races, the elves in LotR were described in ways we would think of as more feminine, yet they were still badass. It IS possible for a pretty boy to be a badass.

Non-sequitur: I keep saying to others and myself I'm done with these threads. Yet I keep coming back. Fanfest cannot come fast enough.

Edit: I love that doodle!

And female xaela are supposed to be fierce warriors of the steppe, and yet we got tiny waifus. /shrug
There's been a decent discussion on the physique best suited to the males a hundred pages back or so, and i'm not really keen on doing it again.
I'm all for male viera being lean and cut, but I would be pretty disappointed with "bulky".
For critique mode that face is a bit too boyish for my imagining, but I just chalked that up to every race having their young face, and the body is a bit thin, but not too far off from my personal ideal, and it really could just be a fidelity thing, not showing the full details of the physique. But the limb proportions and overall height looks good to me. Fit, lithe, like a gymnast, like a dancer.

To add to these: Just look at female Viera. They're every bit the fierce Warriors the males are (just fighting on different Fronts, so to say), and they are still very slender. Hell, in FFXII, Fran kicked the <kupo> out of multiple armored enemies, and that Woman for all her badassery... bad-ass...ness?, (you know what I mean) sure as hell isn't 'bulky', so why would realism all of a sudden apply to male Viera?
Plus, if we were to talk realistically, 'bulk' isn't solely down to muscle mass, bone structure plays a role too. If male Viera have slender shoulders (as they realistically could have given their 'quirk' of being virtually indistinguishable from the females until puberty and then don't age all that much after) they wouldn't appear classically 'bulky' if they tried. Toned, yes, but not bulky.

[Shougun]

Don't lie to yourself, these threads are a delicious guilty pleasure.

This thread is like playing Civ late at night.

Just.

One.

More.

Turn.

OH MY GOD ITS 3AM AND I HAVE THINGS TO DO AT 6... O_O. Just one more turn.

I don't really see them as being overly feminine and child-like. They're meant to be fierce protectors of the forest and are even more isolated than their female counterparts - not to mention more solitary, suggesting a large degree of self reliance. Realistically that'd result in a decent amount of bulk - as seen in the more muscular concept art. It'd also reflect the effects of a tribal lifestyle as we know it in the real world.

Aye, I'd prefer bulk as well. I can understand those wanting something else, so it's not like I can't conceive the idea someone wants lean and cute or whatever but it is not my choice design.

Like I could see a Kuja like race/option set up being popular, but like.. I'd NEVER play it lol. I'd sooner play a female, which I seldom do, than a too feminine male (out of my own preference, I don't hate they exist but I'd not choose it for my own image).


If Hrothgar is a bulky thing then I don't really want to "wish" my opinion of bulky Viera onto others who don't want it, but if Hrothgar isn't a thing then I can't help but let my selfish desire overtake the "understanding" and wish "bulk viera, bulky viera, lets go plz".

I wish clans were used more dynamically though, then I'd wish for a masculine heavy to medium (based on options) clan and a medium to very light masculine (high feminine) option for most diversity. Unfortunately it seems clans are often color switches and a few changes to other things, not like Hyur which gives you a strong difference in options.

[Gwenorai]

Snip.

I kind of agree with this one actually, it makes a lot of sense to me and is probably part of the reason why Yoshida thinks a cute male would be weird? I don't know, when I read their lore I certainly don't imagine cute in like a 'awwww' he's adorable, kind of way. Let's not beat around the bush, they're cold-blooded murderers - who use the title as Wood Warden to justify it. They literally murder anyone who goes into the wood, regardless of why they're there. A merchant could be lost, a person could be running away from their enemies, completely innocent - they don't care. Your presence offends them, they will kill you. If you're lucky they might even ask you why you're there and then they'll kill you.

The males fight among themselves for space and resources, that means only the strongest of the strong are going to survive in the long run to survive. Yet again, you have a bunch of dogmatic powerful men competing for space around the village/but not actually in it and for the best hunting spots. They're constantly fighting either each other, the wildlife or outsiders. It's what they're primed for.


So yeah, I can imagine them being 'cute' in a handsome type of way, but rugged in the form of the body. Someone did mention a dancers body which I could get behind. Have you seen how well developed a ballet dancers body is? Especially a male? Those guys are pure lean sculptured muscle. They have to be if they have to lift their own weight, someone elses weight and leap high. Come to think of it, I imagine it's just like that for a male Viera. They get around by travelling quickly from jumping from tree to tree in complete silence - these guys must have the thighs of gods and the ability to jump like dragoons.

Regarding African. No, they don't have bulk but they're lean as Jamia stated - but you also need to take into consideration that those guys work in tribes and aren't alone. Their diets and lifestyle don't allow them to put on bulk, lack of protein due to the low number of game and the difficulty to hunt. So, using them as an example is kinda 'meh'. South American Tribesman is closer to home due to jungle environs; but still, not a good example to make due to comparing of fantasy with reality. In reality, you're not going to find 6ft+ dreamboats walking around wearing high heels in Jungles. Heck, they're more likely to be 5ft-5'5 in height with smaller ears - and that'd be regarding ALL Viera. If we were going to get all logical about it.

Of course, this all comes to the whole idea of how a person imagines 'fierce' to be. To me, a tiny cutie boy is not fierce. His actions do not inspire fear or 'wow badass'. Fierce to me is, 'damn, you don't want to mess with them.' Fierce by definition is someone who shows an intense amount of aggression; ferocious and savage. Of course, we can bring up the whole Au'ra argument on how the females of the Azim steppe are supposed to be fierce. Yeah, they are - their concept art had them looking super fierce, I loved that. But we also know why they decided to go 'wifu' mode with them. Sex appeal and cuteness sells.

And for the record, feminity can be fierce. Amazonian women in myths are viewed as these tall bulking women who can crush you with their bare hands, yet be beautiful. Beauty can be fierce. An elegant woman/man can be fierce - adorable cutie patootie? Eh, I don't know. Anyone here takes their really adorable cute dog trying to snarl seriously? I'm sure someone can use this type of thing in RPs I suppose.

But yes, this is my opinion really; I'm not one for adorable cute men in terms of 'aww he's a cutie' more like 'Damn, he's cute.'

Press X to doubt fierceness of adorable little bunny boy.
Press F to respect the now dead underestimating silly boy.

Here's an example of a male ballet dancer; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7z2Eqm72sr4 Yes, he's 'pole dancing' imagine he's just doing 'ring of thorns.'

And a reminder; that elegance and beauty in regards to males should not be associated with specific sexuality - It's backwards thinking - I hope Yoshi realises this and I think he does, due to Dancer, I'm hoping that's going to be elegant for both genders in game.