Quote Originally Posted by KizuyaKatogami View Post
Again, every single ff game has had characters die, had consequences for the protags, and have had the antagonists even win. But for some reason 14 hasn’t been following that. I sure wonder if it has to do with the fact the playerbase is super sensitive about this kind of storytelling. I mean, 8 years and people still haven’t gotten over elf boy. Honestly, it really does affect the story because typically, they give character unrealistic amount of plot armor and have them create plot holes which disrupt the story. Case in point Graha at the end of ShB where it was an insanely big plot hole that just ruined the story for me, all to keep some of the characters alive.
FF14 actually has been having antagonists win. The Ascians succeeded with the 7th Calamity, and in the bad future they won with the 8th Calamity. They've been behind the Garlean Empire who won multiple victories until we started turning things around. Hell, Gabranth has succeeded with his plans in the Bozja storyline.

IMO the three most likely to die this expansion are Thancred (who has only had a role in Eden) G'raha Tia (has enough knowledge and merged with Crystal Tower on the First to where it's definitely foreshadowing of his end), and Y'shtola (too many false death flags, has had no optional content with her, giant hanging thread of being able to see Aether slowly killing her).

Meanwhile Urianger and Alphinaud are likely to take a bow and stay in Sharlayan to help them transition back onto the political stage. Krile, Alisaie, Estinien, and Tataru are likely going to be staying for future stories.