7.0 News from Reddit.

[Zanarkand-Ronso]

The great thing about "no small amount of people" and other generalizations is that you can play the "whaaa? I'm just sharing my opinion here-desu" card when it's clear that you were originally trying to argue that a huge percentage (not max, but certainly close) feel the same way.

And thats what happened quite a few times, which is the funny part XD

[Aelin_Ashryver]

I can't say I really care much for Krile. But she has already suffered loss, she lost her mentor and all her fellow students. She had that thing in Stormblood too just nothing much came of it.

I wouldn't mind if she came along with us and they flesh out her character more but I rather more focus on meeting new characters and getting to know them.

[ty_taurus]

My personal thoughts on what the main trust team might look like in 7.0:

G'raha Tia: Almost assuredly going to be traveling with us. He's been well established at this point to want nothing more than to be our traveling companion anytime we go on a new adventure. He's well liked also, and I am all for keeping any character that doesn't have white hair.

Krile: Likewise, the reports on the 7.0 retreat make it fairly clear that she's going to play a larger role and will likely be one of our trust allies come 7.0. She seems like she'll be taking on a new job, most likely a new caster DPS since I highly doubt we'll get another healer and little else really fits her character. That said, I do think if we get a more magically themed tank, she could fit that role, though I wouldn't bet on that. Also, no white hair.

Thancred: Apparently Thancred will also have "time to shine" alongside Krile in the upcoming story, according to a January interview, so I imagine he'll also be a trust member seeing as how he's not included in the patch story thus far. I'm not really sure where they intend to go with him specifically though. Unlike Krile, he's had a lot of spotlight time to develop, so I really have no idea what to expect.

Y'shtola: It's hard to say exactly where the story will direct us, but given the direction we're currently going in, she's very strongly linked with the prospects of handling other worlds. Also, she's considered to be the "main scion" as far as past promotional material is considered, so I find it hard to imagine they'll drop her anytime soon.

Alphinaud & Alisaie: While Y'shtola is more the face character of XIV, I feel like the twins are the more true "protagonist" esque scions, and feel like they're likely to stay as prominent members of our party. That said, they are currently taking a break from the MSQ as it stands, so it's at least a little more probable than the above examples that they might be taking a break. I'd still lean more toward them remaining in the party though.

Zero: This one's up in the air, really. We don't know to what extent she'll be of value to the MSQ, what will come of the Thirteenth after we defeat Golbez, and what type of role she'll serve after that. It's entirely possible that she might decide to travel with us to learn more about us as a "friend" given her fixation on Zenos' view of us. She seems interesting thus far and would offer some nice contrast in comparison to our current party. Also, no white hair.

Estinien: I find it a little hard to say for sure if he'll be sticking with us long term. He seems clearly invested in the current plot, and that may very well keep him as a member of the group depending on how the current story links into 7.0 and what we're doing there. That said, while I know a lot of people like him, I personally feel like he didn't really add anything to EW. He just kinda felt 'there' and didn't hold the same kind of weight that Ryne did for the ShB story. Maybe it's not the best way to look at things, but being her replacement, I definitely felt like he just didn't service the plot in any really satisfying ways, and I'm not sure if that would really change. So I think he's got a fair shot, but I kinda hope he finds something else to get involved with.

Urianger: Definitely the most likely scion in my mind who might be taking a step back. He's largely been a more background character anyway, and EW gave a lot of closure to some of the loose end questions about his thoughts and feelings on certain things. I'd definitely like to see him take a step back more for the story.

Ryne: I imagine we'll one day get some kind of grand scale reuniting with her and she may rejoin the party in some fashion at that time (perhaps connecting to Thancred's development?) though it's hard to say if that will be 7.0 or later. It really depends on where we go from here in the patch story between EW and 7.0, and how close we get to exploring other shards. You know how I feel about non white-haired characters at this point.

Gaia: Given that we'll probably end up reuniting with Ryne in the future, that also opens the door for Gaia to become a story character. They've shown that they'll make older optional storylines become mandatory for the MSQ before, so it's not impossible they'll do it again with the Eden story and make her a mainstay. Honestly, I think she'd be a refreshing addition, though I can't really say that it seems likely anytime soon. HAIR.

Lyna: Again, if we're reopening the First's door, we might as well bring up Lyna quickly. Honestly, I think her personality and her being a Viera would be a great touch to the main group, but even though I imagine she'll be ecstatic to see G'raha, I don't really see her leaving her position at the Crystarium to join us full time.

Erenville: Really odd choice here at the end, but if we do end up going to Meracydia, which is where many of us are speculating 7.0 will take place, he does check a lot of boxes as a character that could introduce us to the land since he's likely been there as a gleaner. That doesn't necessarily mean he'll be a party member of course, but I wanted to throw him in because I'd honestly like if he did become a trust member despite how unlikely it is. Even being from Sharlyan, he's got quite a different personality to him than the scions do, has some good wit, brings more visual contrast to the group in multiple ways, and seems like a possible representative for a new job.

[aveyond-dreams]

It appears that several posters who have at various junctures been called out for their fixation on how I talk have once again taken to their usual tactic of belittling and trying to derail the topic at hand. I will thus attempt to provide something in the way of more relevant discussion.

I 100% believe that the amount of people who are fans of characters like the Scions are massively over-represented when it comes to certain social media sites. They can self-select and boost each other to no end on Reddit and Twitter but the moment someone voices an opinion against them that person is either a) bullied into silence or b) censured via the downvote feature on Reddit. If I were to say I don't think adding Krile is a good idea to the cast on those sites, the reactions from those sort of players is predictable to the letter.

The conclusion? Those of us who have long since grown tired of this cast refuse to engage in discussions surrounding them and, up until the finale of Endwalker, had 2 decent antagonist factions to keep our interest: the Ascians and the Garleans. Both have been done away with and nothing has since risen to take their place, and so far the Void isn't shaping up to be all that compelling if we're just going to gizmo our way to restoring it. Bringing in party members that unlike Zero, don't bring anything new to the table since Krile and Y'shtola act and think way too similar to each other, isn't helping or addressing the numerous concerns people have with the current writing direction.

People are sick of the "but he's your little brother!" trope. People are sick of the "sassy smart lady" trope. People are sick of seeing the men in the cast be treated as if they were less intelligent than the aforementioned sassy smart ladies. These sorts of things that have tired people out are the direct consequences of being led by the sort of attitudes that are prevalent on Twitter, whose users are often more preoccupied with seeing their own ideologies reflected back at them in an endless cycle than actually appreciating the richness of the story's setting, characters and what the game is supposed to be.

Outside that site, a character like Krile is a tough sell because she's little more than a kid who got possessed by Hydaelyn along with being a Mary Sue. Same for Y'shtola minus the possession part. Despite the short time she's been with us, Zero is the most likeable female member of the party given that she may have something of an arc to pursue unlike Krile and Y'shtola. Couple this with lackluster men like Vrtra and ponytail 1-liner Estinien, and I struggle to understand who this current party is supposed to appeal to, because it sure isn't most fantasy fans that have continuously voiced their opposition to these sort of trends across multiple fandoms. G'raha Tia needs no further elaboration. The people who don't play this game look at him as if he were an alien creature, from his facial features to his mannerisms, and those of us who do play this game have long since been worn out by his behavior and the preferential treatment he unjustly receives.

The only thing worse than this would be the return of the twins to the main cast - an act which under present conditions would be unjustifiable unless instead of engaging in cyclical character regressions of Alphinaud and continuing to degrade Alisae's unique persona further, that something of substance is actually done with the two of them. 2 rich kids whose parents are all well and ok that got everything handed to them by other people are the last choices most of fantasy fans want in their main party. Stuff like that makes them just as unlikeable as Mary Sues. It's time for them to revisit what made the RPG parties of older games resonate and have far less controversies than the current cast of FFXIV, and adapt those lessons into this game.

Heroines should have compelling arcs, replete with emotion, loss, drama, and sacrifices. Male heroes should sport more traditionally attractive physiques, and rather than gush about their traumas or be reduced to occasionally saying some fighting words, should be allowed to showcase their struggles and how they overcome their inner turmoil in appealing, non-whiny ways.

Adding Krile, in her current form, isn't going to bring us anywhere closer to this goal. Especially not if they bring back the Scions with even a great deal of their fans saying that they too have had enough. Get rid of these white-haired scholars and the catboy whose behavior turns off those who aren't part of his fanclub. Give us a cast as vibrant and unique as those of FFIX, FFX, the Dragon Age games, and so on.

[Zanarkand-Ronso]

Adding Krile, in her current form

....you know she isn't going to be in her 'Current Form' right?
Theres no way you already forgot she is going through changes.

Give us a cast as vibrant and unique as those of FFIX, FFX, the Dragon Age games, and so on.

You mean your Check-list Archetypes. A Charming Thief, and the Meat Head.
New Cast members will be present, every expansion they introduce new characters that join us on our Journey. Its not like it never happens.

[Raikai]

Erenville: Really odd choice here at the end, but if we do end up going to Meracydia, which is where many of us are speculating 7.0 will take place, he does check a lot of boxes as a character that could introduce us to the land since he's likely been there as a gleaner. That doesn't necessarily mean he'll be a party member of course, but I wanted to throw him in because I'd honestly like if he did become a trust member despite how unlikely it is. Even being from Sharlyan, he's got quite a different personality to him than the scions do, has some good wit, brings more visual contrast to the group in multiple ways, and seems like a possible representative for a new job.

They don't necessarily need to make Eren a combat job (likely the new ones)... He can assume a role similar to what Tataru did for the Scions as in being a support character for miscellaneous activities. Not to mention that just being a guide would be quite a lot to chew already.

I like Kirle, and this would be a nice opportunity to develop her character further. I remember how detestable Alphinaud was in ARR (which seems to be kinda intentional?) and he was the Scion with most character development so far, and turned out to be a really likable one by Endwalker.

People seem to be hating on Krile for how she have been portrayed so far, but that is not taking in consideration character development. Plus, I have a theory: they went all the way to design an unique (and rather intrinsic) hairstyle for Krile, just to be used in measly 2 EW scenes? I don't think. Maybe the plan to expand her character was in the works (ableit vaguely to when or how) ever since EW inception, and she's due a new outfit that will feature no hood, and that can be a turning point for her character, since those ears have a specific meaning.

Edit: Personal hopes for old people joining could be just Krile and Graha as the students of Baldesion, leaving the rest of the spots for new characters. Y'shtola is a popular character? Indeed, but so does G'raha... maybe she'll pass on the spot of postergirl for XIV?

[aveyond-dreams]

Erenville: Really odd choice here at the end, but if we do end up going to Meracydia, which is where many of us are speculating 7.0 will take place, he does check a lot of boxes as a character that could introduce us to the land since he's likely been there as a gleaner. That doesn't necessarily mean he'll be a party member of course, but I wanted to throw him in because I'd honestly like if he did become a trust member despite how unlikely it is. Even being from Sharlyan, he's got quite a different personality to him than the scions do, has some good wit, brings more visual contrast to the group in multiple ways, and seems like a possible representative for a new job.

While I have no strong opinions as to whether or not Erenville joins the party, if he were to I would like to see him be more "male Viera" than the other members of his race that we've seen so far. As he is a Rava, I want to see him shed his generic gleaner clothes and don some hunting gear, bow, arrows, and all. Given that his hair matches his skin tone, I think some white colored face tattoos or paint would create a striking impression.

If not as an archer, I can easily see him being the mascot for a non-limited Beastmaster job. It would fit well with the survival tactics and skills he doubtless has already mastered. Given that 7.0 will likely bring with it a Scouting DPS, I can see him taking up something along the lines of that rather than the much-anticipated next caster job. With his addition, the next slot for the male cast should probably be filled by one of the larger races that were previously discussed.

[Tsiron]

...

Nice recap! Given 7.0 is highly likely to be Meracydia, and bound to involve dragons (as Tiamat was headed back there at the end of ShB), I wonder if we might not also get Vrtra joining us as Varshahn, given they went through the trouble of giving him a new model with a custom face and everything for 6.2?

Admittedly Vrtra does state he can only control the simulacrum at the cost of being less aware of things going on around his real body, but maybe with the people of Thavnair stepping up at the end of 6.1 he doesn't necessarily need to worry in that regard?

[Zanarkand-Ronso]

Nice recap! Given 7.0 is highly likely to be Meracydia, and bound to involve dragons (as Tiamat was headed back there at the end of ShB), I wonder if we might not also get Vrtra joining us as Varshahn, given they went through the trouble of giving him a new model with a custom face and everything for 6.2?

Admittedly Vrtra does state he can only control the simulacrum at the cost of being less aware of things going on around his real body, but maybe with the people of Thavnair stepping up at the end of 6.1 he doesn't necessarily need to worry in that regard?

In 6.2 the people have stepped up to take care of things SO that Vitra could do business in the Void.
So I think Thavnir should be pretty ok, so long as nothing to powerful tries to cross over

[Troxbark]

I'm only interested in the graphics update at this point. Krile is uninteresting no matter what part she plays in the story.