Gender locked race?

[Theodric]

and PS you can make all those characters in game right now.

Just as you can already make feminine and androgynous looking men.

[Lauront]

Their legs, sure. Arms though? They look roughly the same (aside from the weird scales Au Ra got on only some parts of them and not all over. Really weird design choice, SE).
I can't check in-game right now so I'm only able to go by what I can find on Google images .-.

They're slightly larger on both counts. I'd certainly put them in the almost-bara category, along with highlanders.

Ye I'd say au ra are more "lithe" than bara, aside from the birthing hips their biceps and arms are generally way more twiggy than your typical bara character. They're tall as high heaven though.

Well, that'd put Highlanders in the same category, as they're a bit smaller in their proportions. Their toning is just more visible on the max option.

[artyport]

Just as you can already make feminine and androgynous looking men.

TRUST ME! I KNOW I CAN.
BUT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BODY Types that are not available in game.. and slim/skinny men are not present at all.. as opposed to the fact that we have 3 large males bodies. 2 medium bodies. 1 tall and slim and awkward bodies. You are asking for a body type that is already present. I am asking for one that is not.

[Lauront]

Final fantasy hasn’t ever been a extremely masculine franchise by western standards
And just because a game does not conform to your western view of masculinity doesn’t mean there isn’t option for you.

I mean there's biological bases to sex differences beyond a "western view of masculinity". Of course, they need not work the same way in fantasy races as they do in humans, but SE have provided zero lore to expect reverse dimorphism for Viera.

However when it comes to physical bodies you have more options for masculine men even if the proportions are not exactly to your liking.

There are three larger built options, three slender ones and 1 tiny one.

Given to how viera as a whole are described in lore they could still be very feminine as the women of the race are very beautiful and are no weaklings on the battlefield. There is little logic in fantasy

Actually, most settings make an attempt to be internally consistent and provide explanations for why things as they are in them, so there is actually a fair bit of "logic" in it. However, it's not the word "beautiful" that keeps coming up for Viera males, but "soft" and "cute".

[artyport]

I mean there's biological bases to sex differences beyond a "western view of masculinity". Of course, they need not work the same way in fantasy races as they do in humans, but SE have provided zero lore to expect reverse dimorphism for Viera.



There are three larger built options, three slender ones and 1 tiny one.



Actually, most settings make an attempt to be internally consistent and provide explanations for why things as they are in them, so there is actually a fair bit of "logic" in it. However, it's not the word "beautiful" that keeps coming up for Viera males, but "soft" and "cute".

Midlander have neutral body types.. wouldn't call them slender. Miqote are short but actually kinda buff. Elezen are are actually slim but have awkward porportions. I always forget about lala as i would never play those things.
What we are looking for here are slim body types like alphy.

You are right fantasy does use a internal system that makes sense for their lore.. however in FINAL FANTASY PIPIN can weild a greatsword into battle and win. If that is the case I can be a cute/beautiful/handsome thin viera and still be a protector of the forest.

and while there are biological sex differences the view of how masculinity plays out is different culturally and changes through time.

[Lauront]

Right, well they're unlikely to be any thinner than midlanders or elezen and certainly nowhere near as thin as Alphinaud. Comparing someone like Pipin, who no doubt has access to all sorts of magical equipment, to a race which evolved in a given environment and subject to (tens of?) thousands of years of evolutionary pressures where they may not have had access to such methods of artificially augmenting their strength is a fool's errand. Not that SE would not be able to explain why such pressures led to that, but they've done nothing to do that, and seem downright opposed to the notion.

[artyport]

you saying pipin has access to magical equipment is head cannon and bad head cannon at that.
There are tons of LALA who can weild all manor of heavy weaponry and win in battle.

Again..
Also it is said that they are incredible archers. which takes much less strength than wielding a great sword.
Also to navigate a jungle and live among the trees would lean towards a more thin frame.

[SomeRandomHuman]

you saying pipin has access to magical equipment is head cannon and bad head cannon at that.
There are tons of LALA who can weild all manor of heavy weaponry and win in battle.

Again..
Also it is said that they are incredible archers. which takes much less strength than wielding a great sword.
Also to navigate a jungle and live among the trees would lean towards a more thin frame.

I hate having to contradict you but knocking a bow takes considerable strength depending on the draw weight ;w;

[Fukuro]

this is what i imagine a viera from when i read its lore: athletic, fast, silent, not too heavy build (a mix between hyur and au ra kind of)



i know, lore doesnt have to follow allways logic, but i just can't wrap my head around, thinking vieras to be "soft, small, slender, androgynous"
they live in harsh conditions, which just wouldn't allow such body traits if you ask me :S

BUT THIS IS JUST MY OPINION THO, NO HATE PLS!

[Gwenorai]

Midlander have neutral body types.. wouldn't call them slender. Miqote are short but actually kinda buff. Elezen are are actually slim but have awkward porportions. I always forget about lala as i would never play those things.
What we are looking for here are slim body types like alphy.

You are right fantasy does use a internal system that makes sense for their lore.. however in FINAL FANTASY PIPIN can weild a greatsword into battle and win. If that is the case I can be a cute/beautiful/handsome thin viera and still be a protector of the forest.

and while there are biological sex differences the view of how masculinity plays out is different culturally and changes through time.

i mean, how skinny do you want them? With how the Viera males are being portrayed if you're looking for something that's 'skinnier' than a elezen then doubtful. If you mean something like 'Omega M' which to me didn't look skinny at all, he seems rather 'toned' - but you can have a muscular/lithe toned individual.

Do you want something like WoL 'moebius' 'lithe' - which is similar to male hyur - or are we skirting towards the dangerously slim? Which is possible, but I imagine the male Viera would have a vast 'muscular scale' due to how the lore has them.