Final Fantasy Xiv Create Character

Embark on Your Eorzea Adventure: A Comprehensive Guide to Final Fantasy XIV Character Creation

Creating your character in Final Fantasy XIV is more than just choosing a pretty face; it's the first step in crafting a unique adventurer who will journey across the vast and vibrant world of Eorzea. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every aspect of the character creation process, ensuring you create a character that perfectly reflects your playstyle and aesthetic preferences. From selecting your race and gender to customizing your appearance and choosing your starting city-state, we'll cover everything you need to know to begin your epic tale in FFXIV.

Choosing Your Race: A Look at the Diverse Peoples of Eorzea

The first, and arguably most important, step in character creation is selecting your race. Each race in FFXIV offers a unique blend of physical characteristics, cultural background, and starting stats, influencing your gameplay experience in subtle but significant ways. Let's delve into the distinct attributes of each race:

• Hyur: The most common race in Eorzea, Hyurs represent humanity in all its diversity. They are divided into two sub-races:

  • Midlander Hyur: The more common of the two, Midlanders are generally of average height and build, with a wide range of appearances possible.
  • Highlander Hyur: Taller and more robust than Midlanders, Highlanders possess a more rugged and imposing physique.

• Elezen: Known for their elegant features and tall, slender builds, Elezen are divided into two sub-races:

  • Wildwood Elezen: With pointed ears and a more natural, untamed look, Wildwood Elezen often exude a free-spirited aura.
  • Duskwight Elezen: Possessing longer, more refined features, Duskwight Elezen often have a more sophisticated and mysterious air.

• Lalafell: The smallest race in Eorzea, Lalafell are known for their cheerful disposition and relatively small stature. They are divided into two sub-races:

  • Plainsfolk Lalafell: Generally have a more rounded physique and a warmer skin tone.
  • Dunesfolk Lalafell: Slightly taller and thinner than Plainsfolk, Dunesfolk often have a more tanned complexion.

• Miqo'te: Distinctive for their cat-like features, Miqo'te are divided into two sub-races:

  • Seekers of the Sun: With golden eyes and a playful personality, Seekers of the Sun are often seen as more optimistic and cheerful.
  • Keepers of the Moon: With their more stoic demeanor and silver eyes, Keepers of the Moon often project a more mysterious and reserved air.

• Roegadyn: The tallest and most physically imposing race in Eorzea, Roegadyn are known for their strength and resilience. They are divided into two sub-races:

  • Sea Wolves: With their robust builds and thick beards (for males), Sea Wolves embody the strength and fortitude of their seafaring heritage.
  • Hellsguard: Slightly leaner than Sea Wolves, Hellsguard still possess significant strength and often display a more serious and focused personality.

• Au Ra: A mysterious race with dragon-like features, Au Ra are known for their unique scales and striking appearance. They are divided into two sub-races:

  • Xaela: With their tribal markings and more rugged features, Xaela possess a wilder and more untamed look.
  • Raen: With their more refined features and often lighter skin tones, Raen often appear more elegant and composed.

• Viera: Distinguished by their long, rabbit-like ears and graceful movements, Viera are a mysterious race known for their beauty and connection to nature. Currently, only female Viera are available.

• Hrothgar: Imposing and powerful, Hrothgar are a race of lion-like humanoids. Only male Hrothgar are currently available.

Choosing your race isn't merely an aesthetic choice; it subtly impacts your gameplay. While the differences aren't game-breaking, some races possess slightly higher base stats in certain attributes. Consider your preferred playstyle. Do you want a physically strong character? A nimble and quick one? Researching the racial bonuses can give you a slight edge.

Customizing Your Appearance: Crafting Your Unique Look

Once you’ve chosen your race, the real fun begins: customizing your character's appearance. FFXIV offers an extensive range of options, allowing you to create a truly unique avatar. This includes:

• Gender: Choose between male and female (with the exception of Viera and Hrothgar which are currently gender-locked).

• Facial Features: A wide array of options are available, including eye shape and color, nose shape, mouth shape, and more. Experiment to find a face that you find appealing and expressive.

• Hair Style and Color: Numerous hairstyles are available, ranging from classic cuts to more elaborate and fantastical styles. Combine this with a wide palette of hair colors to personalize your character's look.

• Body Type: Adjust your character's body build to achieve the desired physique.

• Skin Tone: Select from a wide range of skin tones, ensuring your character's look aligns with your aesthetic preferences.

• Facial Hair (for male characters): From beards to mustaches, various facial hair styles allow for further character customization.

• Body Markings: Add tattoos or other body markings to further personalize your character's appearance.

• Eye color: Experiment with different eye colors to find the perfect match for your character's overall look.

Take your time with this process. Don't rush it. Play around with different combinations until you're completely satisfied with your character's appearance. Remember, this is the face that will represent you throughout your journey in Eorzea.

Choosing Your Grand Company and Starting City-State

After creating your character's appearance, you'll be asked to choose your Grand Company and starting city-state. This choice doesn't significantly affect your gameplay in the early stages but does influence your initial social interactions and the overall feel of your early game experience.

• Grand Companies: These are the primary military forces of Eorzea, each with its own unique culture and aesthetics. They are:
  • The Maelstrom (Gridania): Known for its strict discipline and focus on strength.
  • The Immortal Flames (Limsa Lominsa): Known for its adventurous spirit and emphasis on honor.
  • The Order of the Twin Adder (Ul'dah): Known for its cunning and tactical prowess.

Choosing a Grand Company is largely a matter of personal preference. Each offers a similar storyline and progression system, so your choice won't significantly hinder or benefit your gameplay.

• Starting City-States: Each of the three main city-states of Eorzea—Gridania, Limsa Lominsa, and Ul'dah—offers a distinct atmosphere and cultural experience:
  • Gridania (The Black Shroud): A city nestled within a vast forest, Gridania emphasizes peace and harmony with nature.
  • Limsa Lominsa (The Sea of Clouds): A coastal city built on a series of islands, Limsa Lominsa is a bustling hub of trade and adventure.
  • Ul'dah (The Gold Saucer): A grand desert city known for its wealth and opulent lifestyle.

The starting city-state primarily dictates the initial area you’ll explore and the initial quests you'll undertake. While you can eventually travel freely to all areas, your starting city-state sets the tone for your early adventure.

Choosing Your Class: Your Path to Adventure

Finally, you will select your starting class. While you can change classes freely later, your initial choice sets the tone for your early gameplay experience. Each class plays differently, utilizing distinct weapons and abilities:

• Pugilist: A hand-to-hand combat class focusing on raw strength and speed.
• Gladiator: A sword and shield class emphasizing tanking and defensive abilities.
• Archer: A ranged damage dealer utilizing bows and arrows.
• Conjurer: A support healer specializing in restorative magic.
• Thaumaturge: A damage dealer wielding potent elemental magic.
• Lancer: A physically imposing class that wields a lance and specializes in high damage and skillful defense.
• Rogue: A nimble DPS class relying on stealth, agility, and quick strikes.
• Carpenter: A crafting class allowing you to create furniture and other items.
• Blacksmith: A crafting class focused on crafting metal weapons and armor.
• Armorer: A crafting class specializing in creating armor.
• Goldsmith: A crafting class for creating jewelry and accessories.
• Leatherworker: A crafting class specializing in leather-based armor and items.
• Weaver: A crafting class for creating clothing and other cloth items.
• Alchemist: A crafting class for producing potions, elixirs, and other consumables.
• Culinarian: A crafting class focusing on preparing food and beverages.

Consider what kind of role you want to play within a party. Do you prefer dealing damage, healing, or tanking? Researching each class will help you select one that suits your preferred playstyle.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Can I change my appearance after character creation? Yes, you can alter your appearance at a later time using a service provided by an aesthetician.

• Can I change my race or gender after character creation? No, you cannot change your race or gender. Choose wisely!

• Can I change my starting city-state? No, you cannot change your starting city-state.

• How many characters can I create? You can create multiple characters on a single account, though this may be limited by your server's population.

• What if I'm not sure which race or class to choose? Don't be afraid to experiment. There's no wrong choice. The best way to find what you enjoy is to try it!

Conclusion: Embark on Your Eorzean Adventure!

Creating your character in Final Fantasy XIV is a crucial step in beginning your adventure in Eorzea. Take your time, explore all the options, and create a character that you'll love to play for countless hours. Remember, your character is a reflection of yourself, and their story is waiting to unfold. Choose wisely, and may your journey be filled with exciting adventures and unforgettable experiences. Now go forth, adventurer, and shape your destiny!