Race Differences

[Arcell]

In FFXI, a decent portion of the population believed that you shouldn't invite a galka who is a caster because they couldn't compare to basically any other race in that matter. The fact is that it isn't true. A galka wouldn't be able to gear themselves using the traditional method and had to think outside of the conventional to compete with a taru of the same skill and level.

There were many a galka that could out DD a taru simply because the taru had a sense of entitlement and didn't think they'd have to try too hard to compete.

And therein lies the problem. At one point it doesn't matter how big the differences are, if the community has the mindset that X race can't do Y job because of stat differences then the damage is already done. By adding those kinds of race stat differences in you're essentially restricting everyones choice of classes and jobs because the community as a whole won't accept them unless they fit the norm.

Now when you have stat differences that actually are substantial and actually do differentiate the races, the problem becomes tenfold what it was before. Now you have the actual game limiting what people can and cannot do based on race. At least if it was just a mindset problem certain players could break it. If it's an actual gameplay issue then there is literally nothing you can do about it. X race just isn't good at Y class/job end of story. At that point they should just limit a races choice of classes and jobs because that's all they'll ever be allowed to do.

So no, stat differences between races are not needed. The freedom exists in the game as is and works perfectly fine. Choice of race should be merely aesthetic preference. It shouldn't force other things upon players.

[Azurus]

I hated race differences in FFXI. I really don't want them in this game, to any degree. Since we're freely able to change classes, then I see it as a detriment to be penalized due to something I picked purely for its aesthetics.

^^^this 100%

[Brannigan]

No no no no no no no no no no no no

[Scherwiz]

It dosent have to be stats, it could be something else, I don't hate the idea.

[Rau]

Just purposefully gimp yourself in the stats you don't feel are appropriate to your RP character.

[Betelgeuzah]

I find this kind of limitation to be too much. You can do many things to make the lore more apparent to the player, but please don't let it influence my class/race choices.

[Scherwiz]

"The Duskwight Elezen have spent centuries in the peace and seclusion of Eorzea's caves and caverns. They have developed an acute sense of hearing, capable of detecting the faintest of sounds. This natural gift, and the uncanny awareness it grants, has proven advantageous in the field of hand-to-hand combat. Many of the reclusive Duskwight resort to robbery and pillaging to survive, earning them the scorn of their woodland relatives."


Taken directly from the official website.

[Ferth]

people immediately construe racial differences as weakness... Frankly I think it adds flavor and wouldn't mind seeing it being added when they add the new genders. People will already have the option to change races... so should they decide they don't like the stats their race has they can change their mind.

Another option would be racial traits. Traits so far are mostly horrible and uninspiring... I'm hoping with the planned changes in 1.2 and 1.21 it will put traits into a position of greater prominance to help define class roles and job roles... wouldn't be too hard to have a minor racial trait added too.

[TnelisPotencia]

I think it's important to have the racial differences, to specialize my lalafell (tarutaru) to be an amazing whm/blm/smn!

[Duuude007]

Two ideas i had, that roughly stem from other mmo ideas.

1. Create dungeon puzzles that take character's weight into account (much like the Tonberry dungeon in FFXI). 4 lalafel could be the equivalent of 1 Roegadyn in terms of weight, to trip certain switches. As a balance, only Lallafel are small enough to reach switches to aid in access to alternate dungeon paths.

2. Allow certain species to have a species specific ability. It could be subtle or short term for balance, but still something that allows distinction. Something that would have a player be given a sense of personal pride to have, and a similar jealousy of the other ones they cannot have. For added variety, you could even split them into tribes, like Dunesfolk versus Plains Lallafel.