The Women FFXIV Needs

[aveyond-dreams]

Although the women of FFXIV are much beloved, there are some aspects that could stand to improve especially given the renewed focus on graphical upgrades and the anticipation of new characters being introduced to the story. This post will analyse the visual design of the female main cast members of FFXIV as well as the designs of other characters that would be nice to see incorporated into the game. If there are any other female character designs in particular you would like to share, I highly encourage you to do so in the replies.

When it comes to the two female party members we currently have, Y’shtola and Alisae aren’t all that visually distinct. They have the same issue of having white/blond hair as so many of the scions do. Outfit changes can only do so much when these women are both short haired mages with light hair and skin tones. After her meeting with Minfilia in Shadowbringers, at least Ryne gained another characteristic to set herself apart from the others by not just having long hair, but also being ginger. In Ryne’s absence, I can’t say that Y’shtola or Alisae really capture the look of an idealistic fantasy heroine, especially in a cast where the similarities in appearance dilute these two characters further.

For many years there has also been fan support for the introduction of Au Ra women or more recently Viera women to the main cast, as both races are beloved for a variety of reasons. Yugiri’s beautiful outfit color palette that compliments and contrasts with her skin and hair comes to mind, with Au Ra women inherently having a handful of long hairstyles they could sport as main party members. Viera are also notable for having very high-quality facial models in addition to some of the longest hairstyles in game, hopefully female Hrothgar will also offer options of similar quality that portray the look of an epic, feminine heroine with some lioness-like characteristics.

No discussion regarding female character design would be complete without addressing a key issue that seems to hinder them: the fear of clipping and long hair. Unfortunately over the course of the game we have seen clipping be used as a means to explain why certain designs are impossible or improbable. However, especially given how well received the visual design for Venat was, I strongly believe that it is essential to look into having more npcs with such hair as well as offering similar hairstyles for players to use themselves. Clipping is a small price to pay for more unique and varied designs. This can be applied not only to female customization, but also to the issue concerning Hrothgar hairstyles as well.

The following are some iconic female characters whose designs I’d like to go into depth on as to why they work well and what they bring to the table in terms of visual variety. Given the oversaturation of blonds/light haired women in the cast, I chose to exclude such characters from the following list:


Oerba Yun Fang – FFXIII

In terms of more rough women who take a more active role on the battlefield, Fang from FFXIII remains one of my favourites in terms of such a design. With wild hair and a flowing outfit that lets her move freely, she is the ideal mascot for Pulsian beauty. Her hairstyle would also be an excellent addition for players as well, given the “adventurous” look it gives off. At any rate, her looks portray her as a character that can be readily taken more seriously compared to the likes of Moenbryda, whose design was limited by available gear and hair options at the time. Personality-wise, I recall Fang as being easier to follow on-screen compared to Moenbryda’s behavior.

It is possible we may see characters like her if and when the story takes us to Meracydia, and I look forward to having at least one dark haired character join the party. In terms of her warmer skin tone, Y’shtola used to have skin like hers, but for some reason it was decided to have her skin be lightened during Shadowbringers due to the effects of being in a dark room in the Source for so long. Nevertheless, I think the colors used in Fang’s design compliment her well and make for a striking and impressionable look that stays in the memory longer than either Y’shtola or Alisae.

Aerith Gainsborough – FFVII

With long brown hair and dazzling green eyes, Aerith once again succeeded in capturing many hearts when FFVII Remake released back in 2020, and many look forward to her return in FFVII Rebirth. In stark contrast to Fang, she is definitely more girly and light-hearted despite the harrowing events she had already endured by the time she steps onto the scene. She also has a playful and teasing side of her personality that worked well as a contrast to Cloud’s icier and more stoic nature.
Although I do not anticipate a return to an urban setting like Garlemald’s again for some time, her dress/jacket combo is an iconic look for a more modern sort of healer. While Alisae has always had a bit of red in her design, her latest outfit is a bit puzzling to understand and makes her look like more of an advanced student than an accomplished adventuress. Swordswomen wearing dresses is not an unheard of concept, such as the knight class from Tactics Ogre, and contributes more to the fantasy feel of the heroine than yet another Sharlayan uniform.

Rydia of Mist – FFIV

Rydia’s design brings a unique color scheme to the table, and shows what can be accomplished when one goes beyond natural hair/outfit colors. We already have her gear available in game, though a main cast member with an otherworldly look like hers would be a welcome change, especially since she looks quite different to the women who have joined the party before. With a past marred by trauma that she later overcomes over the course of the story, she grows into a compassionate and confident heroine that continues to demonstrate these qualities in the other games she appears in.

The main point for this character is to not be afraid when it comes to experimenting with these sort of fantastical looks, and that the kind of vibrance her presence brings on screen does far more than yet another white haired woman with faded colors in her outfit.

“Dagger” aka Garnet Til Alexandros XVII – FFIX

Arguably one of Final Fantasy’s best heroines in the entire mainline series, Garnet sports a variety of outfits throughout FFIX including a classic white mage robe, a royal ball gown, and her travelling outfit. In contrast to FFXIV’s female cast members, she wears her dark hair long for a long portion of the game before eventually cutting it. Even so, if we must insist on limiting ourselves to hair that doesn’t cause clipping, the least that can be done is ensure that it isn’t all colored the same and to include darker haired characters like her. Black hair with dark eyes is considerably unique compared to light hair and light eyes as has been repeated for...well since ARR really.

Admittedly, I much prefer her long haired look and as with all FFIX characters, her outfit design is also colored brightly with elements that build up her “travelling princess” look. Though Y’shtola’s sorceress dress definitely leans more into fantasy than her previous Heavensward outfit, Alisae still has that modern Sharlayan-esque design to her clothes that might not work well in any future high fantasy settings, which is to say nothing of how out of place Alphinaud as a Sage would look if we ever visit a region like Ishgard again. Lyse also suffered from a similar issue with the modern flair her travelling outfit had, which is hardly a look that stuck with me when compared to her beautifully designed Ala Mhigan dress. I proudly bought it and still where it on one of my alts because of how much it satisfies that fantasy feel, though that doesn’t mean more practical outfits like Garnet’s can’t do the same.

[CrownySuccubus]

I'd simply appreciate more body types besides "Roe", "Lala" and "Conventional".

[SturmChurro]

I think the female options are fairly decent in comparison to our males. We need the texture update, and I think some races in particular could use some new faces for sure though. Like midlanders, highlanders, elezen could definitely use more, etc. Female hrothgar is also on the way, for a theoretically furry equivalent.

As for cast members, or npcs, yes I think the addition of viera or au ra in a more leading role would be nice. Characters with longer hair is always good, and I want more, quality, longer hair options to be made for players of female characters too.

[KariTheFox]

I'd simply appreciate more body types besides "Roe", "Lala" and "Conventional".

I agree with this, I wish players had the option to play as characters who look like Dulia-Chai, for instance.

I'd also love the ability to make women who looks older than 25.

[Hurlstone]

More. Muscle. Woman!

[Rulakir]

Long hair, for the love of... It doesn't matter if female characters have 200 different hairstyles if they're all short and you don't like short hair. Even the long hairstyles they do have are quite plain and not that great. Also, going to point out clipping wouldn't be such an issue if they'd offer more chest pieces that don't have high collars.

I'm also going to mald forever about how short female Au Ra are. They look completely ridiculous next to the males and, despite my love for them, I was not happy to discover the character I created was small enough for lalafells to be a threat. :P Also, tush options, please? Not even asking for J. Lo here, but something other than barely not flat would be great.

Busting out the Wildstar hairs because I loved some of the styles they offered:

[Senn]

I really want longer hairstyles for both males and females. I don't care if it clips, I'll just find outfits that work around the clipping issue.

[Theodric]

I'm admittedly not into women but I would definitely appreciate more in the way of conventional beauty. I think a vocal portion of this game's community get a little too focused on fringe aesthetics that most people don't actually find all that appealing - so the ability to see more characters like Scarlet from FFVII or Edea from FFVIII would be very much appreciated.

More longer hairstyles for female characters would also be a lot easier on the eyes than the weird half-shaved options that look like something out of a post apocalyptic survival game. Though hopefully more longer hairstyles doesn't equal more neglect for shorter, masculine hairstyles for those of us who like and play as men.

[SturmChurro]

I really want longer hairstyles for bother males and females. I don't care if it clips, I'll just find outfits that work around the clipping issue.

I really have a preference for longer hairstyles, and the clipping is secondary, since I would do the same. My au ra always use the same long racial hair. Have to emphasize *quality* longer hairs nowadays though. It's too bad for the players that want more shorter masculine styles, because it seems like it would be one or the other, instead of both for both.

[CrownySuccubus]

I'm admittedly not into women but I would definitely appreciate more in the way of conventional beauty. I think a vocal portion of this game's community get a little too focused on fringe aesthetics that most people don't actually find all that appealing - so the ability to see more characters like Scarlet from FFVII or Edea from FFVIII would be very much appreciated.

More longer hairstyles for female characters would also be a lot easier on the eyes than the weird half-shaved options that look like something out of a post apocalyptic survival game. Though hopefully more longer hairstyles doesn't equal more neglect for shorter, masculine hairstyles for those of us who like and play as men.

I'd prefer they offer people the ability to make and create whatever type of character they want, no matter how "fringe" or "conventional" it is. If we're going to seize an opportunity to ask for more variety, then that should include all types of variety, not just a "manly muscle man" and "buxom hourglass female" aesthetical binary.