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Final Fantasy XIV offers a host of character creation options for players, but one thing that leaves people stumped is choosing from the playable FFXIV races. The game currently has eight playable races. Its number may change as some came to be via expansions. For now, we will discuss the eight races available, diving into their stats and appearances to help you decide which one to choose.
All Playable Races in Final Fantasy XIV
A popular MMORPG, Final Fantasy XIV accumulates players from around the globe. From the exciting quests to the cool weapons, every player finds something to enjoy the most about the game. Before you can do anything, however, you must create your unique character.
In strides to give players as much freedom as possible, you have several Final Fantasy XIV races to pick from. We’ve listed them in alphabetical order below:
- Au Ra
- Elezen
- Hrothgar
- Hyur
- Lalafell
- Miqo’te
- Roegadyn
- Viera
All FFXIV races differ slightly in their base stats. Otherwise, besides appearances, there are not too many differences. Most players appear to decide based on personal preference. So, we will break down their looks and base stats to help you decide.
Final Fantasy XIV Races – Au Ra
The Au Ra became one of the playable Final Fantasy XIV races with the Heavensward expansion pack. They hold similarities with the Hyur, but their intricate, patterned scales and curved horns help them stand out. There are thoughts that they descended from dragons, but scholars heavily debate the theory.
Au Ra feature two clans with physical distinctions: Raen and Xaela. The Raen tribes adhere to solitude. They do not typically roam, and they are more peaceful, tranquil people. You can recognize the Raen by their lighter, white scales. Meanwhile, the Xaela are close-knit, often sticking together, and boast a free-spirited attitude. The Xaela also revel in combat, warring like their ancestors. You will know the Xaela people by their darker scales.
Races – Au Ra Base Stats
(Raen)
- STR: 19
- DEX: 22
- VIT: 19
- INT: 20
- MND: 23
(Xaela)
- STR: 30
- DEX: 20
- VIT: 22
- INT: 20
- MND: 18
Playable Races – Elezen
With their humanoid shapes, the Elezen are distinctly tall, thin in size, and feature pointy ears. Among all the FFXIV races, they even feature a slightly extended lifespan. Their physical features and lifespan resemble that of classic fantasy elves.
The Elezen stand with the other Final Fantasy XIV races with two clans: Wildwood and Duskwight. Wildwood people feature incredible eyesight and archers. They live primarily in the forests. As for the Duskwight people, they stick to caves while avoiding contact with anyone not of their kind. They have a remarkable sense of hearing. Duskwight also features darker skin tones compared to their Wildwood cousins.
Final Fantasy XIV Races – Elezen Base Stats
(Wildwood)
- STR: 20
- DEX: 23
- VIT: 19
- INT: 22
- MND: 19
(Duskwight)
- STR: 20
- DEX: 20
- VIT: 19
- INT: 23
- MND: 21
Playable Races – Hrothgar
The Hrogthgar, first introduced in Shadowbringers, stands out among all FFXIV races as you can only play as male even though there are female Hrothgar. There is an in-game explanation that females are rare, and other races hardly see them. As a feline race, the Hrothgar heavily resembles humanoid lions. They do feature two clans: Lost and Helion.
The Lost clan boasts winter fur with cooler color tones. They are nomadic. As for the Helion clan, they have warmer, darker tones and are more traditional, vowing to stay on Ilsabard serving their queen.
Races – Hrothgar Base Stats
- STR: 23
- DEX: 17
- VIT: 23
- INT: 17
- MND: 23
Related:
How To Get Rubellux Weapons in FFXIV
Final Fantasy XIV Races – Hyur
Perhaps the most recognized of all FFXIV races, the Hyur are your human race. Despite being migrants, they are the most populous race in Eorzea. They don’t have a unified culture since they value individual freedom more than anything else. The Hyur people do feature two main groups: Highlanders and Midlanders.
Highlanders, the first of the Hyur to settle in the area, have a slightly larger build thanks to their time spent in the mountains. The Midlanders serve as the most population of the Hyur in Eorzea, and they are the most diverse in their culture and heritage.
Races – Hyur Base Stats
(Highlanders)
- STR: 23
- DEX: 20
- VIT: 22
- INT: 18
- MND: 20
(Midlanders)
- STR: 22
- DEX: 19
- VIT: 20
- INT: 23
- MND: 19
Final Fantasy XIV Races – Lalafell
If you’ve played Final Fantasy XI, the Lalafell may remind you of the Tarutaru. Their distinct feature includes their childlike appearance with a short physique. They are also the friendliest and most welcoming of the races. It helps them maintain solid relationships with everyone.
The Lalafell features two types you can play: Plainsfolk and Dunesfolk. The Plainsolk people have unique hair colors that resemble their earthy and grassy environments. Although you can find them with different skin tones, they tend to have fairer features. The Dunesfolk group has a much wider skin tone variation. But they lean more toward darker colors as they live primarily in the desert.
Races – Lalafell Base Stats
(Plainsfolk)
- STR: 19
- DEX: 23
- VIT: 19
- INT: 22
- MND: 20
(Dunesfolk)
- STR: 19
- DEX: 21
- VIT: 18
- INT: 22
- MND: 23
Playable Races – Miqo’te
And we have reached our cat people in the Final Fantasy XIV world: the Miqo’te. They don’t hold as many heavy feline traits as the Hrothgar. Instead, they have more Hyur features. What makes them stand out is their feline tails and their cat ears. They do share an appearance with the Mithra people from Final Fantasy XI.
In this game, the Miqo’te migrated like the Hyur, but there are fewer Miqo’te in Eorzea. They split into two ethnic tribes: Seekers of the Sun and Keepers of the Moon. The Seekers of the Sun are diurnal with faintly colored eyes due to their sun exposure. The Keepers of the Moon are nocturnal and have large, rounder eyes with their irises hardly seen.
Final Fantasy XIV Races – Miqo’te Base Stats
(Seekers of the Sun)
- STR: 22
- DEX: 23
- VIT: 20
- INT: 19
- MND: 19
(Keepers of the Moon)
- STR: 19
- DEX: 22
- VIT: 18
- INT: 21
- MND: 23
Playable Races – Roegadyn
The Roegadyn are a towering, muscular race of people. Their women share a strong frame but are far sleeker than the men. Many consider Roegadyn to be barbarian, but they are known to be loyal. Additionally, they began as maritime people, but some have migrated inland.
Their differences show in two playable groups: Hellsguard and Sea Wolves. The Hellsguard come from the volcanoes and are more reclusive. They typically carry darker tones. The Sea Wolves usually have lighter, cooler tones and come from the islands.
Races – Roegadyn Base Stats
(Hellsguard)
- STR: 20
- DEX: 18
- VIT: 23
- INT: 20
- MND: 22
(Sea Wolves)
- STR: 22
- DEX: 19
- VIT: 23
- INT: 18
- MND: 21
Final Fantasy XIV Races – Viera
Lastly are the Viera race, the bunny people of Final Fantasy introduced in Shadowbringers. They are slender with taller than average height. An interesting fact about this race is that most are born female, and there is no distinction between the appearance of the genders until the boys reach adolescence and develop distinct features.
Viera people also have two clans: Veena and Rava. Both are known as hunter/gatherers. However, the Veena people hold much lighter skin tones suitable to the snowy mountains near their home, while the Rava people are warmer to match their jungle surroundings.
Races – Viera Base Stats
(Veena)
- STR: 19
- DEX: 20
- VIT: 19
- INT: 23
- MND: 22
(Rava)
- STR: 20
- DEX: 23
- VIT: 18
- INT: 21
- MND: 21
Final Fantasy XIV is available on PC, Mac, and PS5/PS4.
