What Zero Could've Been

[aveyond-dreams]

My apologies, but it appears the full post I had written up got accidentally deleted when I misclicked. As the thread has already been created, I will instead provide the underlying ideas I was trying to bring out. These are just some thoughts that came into mind about Zero and to some extent Vrtra.

[RukoBoshi]

The kind of woman you are mentioning in your screenshot is not really what i would expect from someone coming from the void.
I think it's a bit soon to talk about what she could have been, when we are at the very beginning of her arc.
Especially considering she show interest in concept like friendship.

[Zanarkand-Ronso]

Ill jump the shark and say that there is probly more to Zero then we know.
We JUST met her, so any in depth analysis or What she COULD have been, will feel premature.

Thouhts on Vtra are welcome though, and Im quite curious what your personal version is

[Stepjam]

I kinda agree with the sentiment of why would she be easygoing and friendly? She's spent hundreds of years essentially all alone in a hell world where life is never ending and even dying violently doesn't guarantee you'll be free. The only "ending" is to be eaten by someone else and that doesn't sound very fun either. Her being cold and initially untrusting makes perfect sense for her character. Being open and friendly would be the opposite of that.

And yeah, it's the beginning of her arc. Now that she has more options than live in the void, she could grow into a more open character. And the fact that she currently has 100% unique assets makes me think she's not going to be a bit character that goes away, so we'll probably have more time for her to open up.

[myahele]

Zero has potential since she's still new and hasn't recovered most of her memories, although I expect her to be relatively unchanged personality-wise even if she starts talking about friendship and saving people.

Vrtra will act like most of the other greatwyrms, barring Nidhogg ... although it would be interesting if she decides to take out her anger on Voidsent after what Golbez did to her.

[CidHeiral]

Zero is awesome just the way she is. The game already has plenty of endearing "we can do anything with the power of friendship" characters. I very much enjoyed her straight to the point attitude and it makes perfect sense for a character who has spent eons in a world where the only rule is kill or be killed. I assume she'll open up more as time goes on but I hope they don't stray too far from how she is now.

[Renalt]

Hmm. Who dat?

[aveyond-dreams]

The kind of woman you are mentioning in your screenshot is not really what i would expect from someone coming from the void.
I think it's a bit soon to talk about what she could have been, when we are at the very beginning of her arc.
Especially considering she show interest in concept like friendship.

Have you never met a female demoness type character in video games. Succubi, and other sort of temptress like ones? Demons often have more to them besides the violence they're associated with, though I suppose instead FFXIV opted to make them quirky like SMT or Persona ones.

Having a character who can both look and act that sort of part would be quite refreshing, especially since Y'shtola in no way fills such a role despite the reputation she gained after the "little sun" stunt from Stormblood. She's way too bland to be treating men like that.

"Beginning of her arc" far be it from me to expect the start of a story to be bit more gripping, the friendship angle is just not what I expect to have fed to me especially so bluntly. That's some care bears or kingdom hearts type of storytelling, there has to be more going on. There are ways to make compelling heroines without going for such childish stories, but it's been ages since a female protagonist has been allowed to have a decent arc since the days of Ysayle.

Zero is awesome just the way she is. The game already has plenty of endearing "we can do anything with the power of friendship" characters. I very much enjoyed her straight to the point attitude and it makes perfect sense for a character who has spent eons in a world where the only rule is kill or be killed. I assume she'll open up more as time goes on but I hope they don't stray too far from how she is now.

I just wish the sort of attitude and dynamic she brings could've gone to a male cast member instead. FFXIV women are oftentimes too "strong" without a sufficient arc leading up to that level of empowerment or confidence while the men are either jokes or hung up on a set of emotions like Vrtra is, and it's not doing anyone any favors.

[Boblawblah]

She's way too bland to be treating men like that.

I'm not sure I understand. Mocking a man trying to flirt with her takes a certain non-blandness in a female character?

[TheMightyMollusk]

Zero has had all of one patch, and her cold attitude makes perfect sense for someone from an environment as brutal as the Void. Before judging what she "could have been", maybe give her a chance to actually be something.