Would you be ok with a good rival figure for 7.0+?(6.0 spoilers)

[KageTokage]

I think I'm mostly saying it would be a refreshing change of pace have someone on the level of Ran'jit or Zenos who's not a villain, but our assistance is nonetheless needed mostly for the sake of addressing matters that can't be solved with brute force.

It would also be refreshing get a final boss the Scions and others can actually help us with via trusts and they don't either end up separated from us or thoroughly trounced beforehand.

[Naria]

Looking back on it, I feel like our true "rival" was actually Elidibus not Zenos. He was the one that we were actually at odds with most of the last several years. Zenos just feels like a stalker. I wouldn't mind a rival character if it was a more developed version of Elidibus, i.e. someone who actually feels like a continuous threat to the WoL and co and just isn't some guy following us around yelling "fight me!"

I did the final fights of the last several expansions as whm, and while whm has some amazing af, since HW it has been themed either "ball gown" or "nun" and so the big climatic fight always feels a bit silly. As did years of Zenos always wanting to fight my 100lbs when wet Au Ra, who is half his size. I don't really know how much could be done for it since Zenos was clearly designed to be physically imposing even if you are a max height Roe or male Au Ra. No matter what they do sometimes being this dainty dragon girl in a long dresses/robes that everyone runs screaming from is going to feel a bit out of place.

. . . I'll keep my ball gowns though.

That said Zenos was also dressed to the nines for the EW fight, so I felt like we should have been having some sort of posh dance off at the end of the universe instead of a brawl.

[ASkellington]

To answer OP's question: no.

For the simple fact of all of us have our own views of our WoLs. That's why Zenos doesn't work for so many people. There is no one size fits all rival.

[EaraGrace]

Looking back on it, I feel like our true "rival" was actually Elidibus not Zenos. He was the one that we were actually at odds with most of the last several years. Zenos just feels like a stalker. I wouldn't mind a rival character if it was a more developed version of Elidibus, i.e. someone who actually feels like a continuous threat to the WoL and co and just isn't some guy following us around yelling "fight me!"

Just Zenos with a sign saying “Fight Me” like this outside of Sharlayan.

That said Zenos was also dressed to the nines for the EW fight, so I felt like we should have been having some sort of posh dance off at the end of the universe instead of a brawl.

Any rival needs to have constant outfit changes, just make them the new Rowena.

[Lyth]

I think Elidibus effectively disqualified himself from being a worthwhile 'rival' when Zenos showed up in the body of Imperial Soldier A, chased Elidibus out of his own body, and permanently put an end to Elidibus' plan to kill millions with the Black Rose. When the real villain shows up, beats you at a massive disadvantage, and then tells you that your evil plan is just cringe, you really need to rethink your life goals.

[nighttimebunny]

I think Elidibus effectively disqualified himself from being a worthwhile 'rival' when Zenos showed up in the body of Imperial Soldier A, chased Elidibus out of his own body, and permanently put an end to Elidibus' plan to kill millions with the Black Rose. When the real villain shows up, beats you at a massive disadvantage, and then tells you that your evil plan is just cringe, you really need to rethink your life goals.

This is still hilarious to me.

[Vencio]

Much rather have a “betrayal, corruption” ensue from within the circle of people you’ve met; a drastic change

Had enough with this scions, wol, evil bad,

We need sonething original rather than far antagonize one or two key figures,

Incite conflict & unusual trusts amongst themselves; Scions & grand companies,

No more blessing this, chosen whatever,

[Cleretic]

Much rather have a “betrayal, corruption” ensue from within the circle of people you’ve met; a drastic change

Had enough with this scions, wol, evil bad,

We need sonething original rather than far antagonize one or two key figures,

Incite conflict & unusual trusts amongst themselves; Scions & grand companies,

No more blessing this, chosen whatever,

That was 2.x.

...and 2.0, actually, with Lahabrea sabotaging the Scions while possessing Thancred.

[Carin-Eri]

To be honest I felt that, in a sense, they hit the right notes with the Warriors of Darkness when they first appeared. Granted it was a deception but it was still an interesting concept. I mean, look at the first meeting we had with them - the Scions hurrying to combat a Primal only to find that the Warriors of Darkness got there first and had already defeated it, essentially doing something that, technically, only 'we' were supposed to be able to achieve at that point. And they were presented as being capable enough to fight the Ascians in their time, and were at least a match for the Scions and WoL.

And that isn't to say that the direction the story took with them was disappointing though, as it really wasn't - but it was certainly an interesting scenario.

And I don't enjoy Zenos in any way, shape or form and find his motivation a bit silly - his singlemindedness means he doesn't appear to have a true endgame*. I presume that, if he won, he'd pretty much have to return to sitting around being bored all the time. it is the epitome of the 'And then what?' trope.

* I have to note that I say 'appear' since I'm only in the early Endwalker stage of the game and therefore not privy to the part he plays later on.

[Scott]

I dont really need a "Rival". If they decide to do it.... ok. But Im happy to go on new Adventures with my Buddies the Scions.