Do we really need the Scions again?

[AwesomeJr44]

If SE can do it for FFXI, why can't they do it for XIV storyline?

The FFXIV fanbase is far more rabid over certain FFXIV characters. The developers are scared of the FFXIV Twitter mob.

[Rithy255]

While i dont want them to "vanish" from the story 100% I think they need to take a step back, I want a new cast of characters who can get development, I feel like Endwalker was a good way to send off the scions.

Also a scion "dying" is usually some sort of fake out most of the time, which makes us have no real stakes with them anymore because you know they're always going to be fine, even if they happened to go off that way, no one would take it seriously at this point.

Personally I felt like a lot of the scions should have took a step back and played smaller roles in the story. But It looks like they're going to be a main part of it.

[Iscah]

Also a scion "dying" is usually some sort of fake out most of the time, which makes us have no real stakes with them anymore because you know they're always going to be fine, even if they happened to go off that way, no one would take it seriously at this.

I'm happy with them being "always perfectly fine" but I do wish they wouldn't do regular fake death drama thingies with them. (The exception being Ultima Thule – I was fine with the way that was handled.)

Like, at this point if they hypothetically did want to kill off Y'shtola, they've ruined their ability to have anyone take it seriously because they already did a big tragic scene of her being apparently dead and friends starting to grieve... and then she came back five minutes later with minimal effort.

Injured? Fine. Temporarily in life-threatening danger? Also fine. But fake deaths can only be milked for drama in limited quantities and need to be used super sparingly, especially as the game goes on longer and longer with this permanent core cast.

Yes, they will probably never truly kill off the major Scions at this point, but I'm fine with them just carrying on as the main cast through every expansion while the more interesting plot things either happen to other people or build the Scions up as more complex people. They don't have to die to achieve that.

[Rithy255]

Yes, they will probably never truly kill off the major Scions at this point, but I'm fine with them just carrying on as the main cast through every expansion while the more interesting plot things either happen to other people or build the Scions up as more complex people. They don't have to die to achieve that.

I feel like they're not really interesting at this point theirs no real room to have "development" like what else can you do with the characters at this point? Despite some small parts in ew, it was clear that the characters have grown but don't show a lot of room to grow as the main cast.

I rather they stay semi important characters that pop up a few times in the story instead of the main people we follow for the 3rd time? 4th time for the twins. It's just got to the point where fresh new faces new stakes, knowing that what you're doing comes with risks, HW was good for the reason you felt like people didn't just have plot armor it kind of ruins the characters if they all have plot Armor and theirs no stakes or fear of loss.

[Iscah]

I feel like they're not really interesting at this point theirs no real room to have "development" like what else can you do with the characters at this point? Despite some small parts in ew, it was clear that the characters have grown but don't show a lot of room to grow as the main cast.

You can just enjoy their company?

Seriously, that's what it feels like, as someone who likes the characters. (My default setting is "I will like them until they do something that makes me actively dislike them".)

They're old friends at this point. They can just be there and do stuff and be friendly to our character, and I enjoy their banter.

...Within the story of course. I'm not deluded into thinking of them as real friends.

[Fenral]

You can just enjoy their company?

Seriously, that's what it feels like, as someone who likes the characters. (My default setting is "I will like them until they do something that makes me actively dislike them".)

They're old friends at this point. They can just be there and do stuff and be friendly to our character, and I enjoy their banter.

I mean, they're basically our answer to the Straw Hat Pirates at this point. Questioning why Usopp is still around after the Going Merry sank is kind of missing the point.

[Kozh]

At first I want to voice my agreement, then somehow I get the feeling that it will be like a monkey's paw kinda thing.

Imagine if they really kill or retire some of the scions, only for us to ended up with ysthola, alisae, and graha for the rest of ffxiv life (since they're the most popular one). Yikes.

I think I prefer current situation than that. At the very least I still enjoy moments with thancred (and estinien sometimes).

[Kazhar]

You can just enjoy their company?

Seriously, that's what it feels like, as someone who likes the characters. (My default setting is "I will like them until they do something that makes me actively dislike them".)

They're old friends at this point. They can just be there and do stuff and be friendly to our character, and I enjoy their banter.

...Within the story of course. I'm not deluded into thinking of them as real friends.

It would be fine if they were mostly in the background doing their own thing and be occasionally relevant from time to time.
But they take a very large amount of focus because of they're the default characters to talk in place of the WoL.
It leaves too little place for new stories focused on different kind of characters. There are some distractions but in the end all Scions stories are always about how an homogenuous group of scholars are going to interfere in local politics. Or save the world.

Heavensward straight up could not have happened if the entire Scion group was there. The focus on Alphinaud, Estinien and Ysayle is essential to that story.

[Kazhar]

I mean, they're basically our answer to the Straw Hat Pirates at this point. Questioning why Usopp is still around after the Going Merry sank is kind of missing the point.

If the Straw Hat Pirates all shared the same background and general motivations. The comparison with One Piece only highlights how poor of a main cast the Scions are.

And even then, despite the much more diverse main cast, Oda constantly splits them in smaller groups (sometimes for years IRL) to focus the story on other characters and had a long saga where none of them except the main character were present.

And when it started getting a bit stale he had a two years timeskip to reboot their dynamics and make them feel a bit more fresh. Another thing I wish FFXIV did (especially since they're openly inspired by anime so the One Piece comparison certainly didn't escape them)

[Fenral]

If the Straw Hat Pirates all shared the same background and general motivations. The comparison with One Piece only highlights how poor of a main cast the Scions are.

You mean, besides being almost entirely from East Blue? And it's not like the Scions don't get split into smaller groups during any given expansion, or leave us on our own for stretches to hang with new characters. It's a better comparison than you think, the only difference is we're not getting it in 19-page weekly installments over the course of 25+ years, but in big chunks of one arc at a time.

And when it started getting a bit stale he had a two years timeskip to reboot their dynamics and make them feel a bit more fresh. Another thing I wish FFXIV did (especially since they're openly inspired by anime so the One Piece comparison certainly didn't escape them)

Time moved a bit differently for us than for them, but Shadowbringers already served a similar purpose to One Piece's timeskip, splitting everyone up and having them join, one at a time, with significant changes to kit and overall outlook on life thanks to the years they had spent on the First (which varied by character). The Thancred we have now is very different from the one we had in Heavensward and Stormblood.