Okay, I admit, race doesn’t play a big part in playing your character in Final Fantasy XIV. Unlike other MMOs, you don’t get any racial abilities that make choosing one a priority over the other, and your starting stats become inconsequential by the time you reach the max level. Since a single character can level up all the jobs in the game, I suppose it makes sense Square wouldn’t want to hinder players who didn’t choose the “correct” race. Still, some jobs and races just fit better due to the lore, theming, or, most importantly, aesthetic. So with that in mind, let’s dive right in.
Monk For Monks, I decided the best fits were Highlander Hyurs. I was tempted to include Midlander Hyurs, just because of the Hyur from the Stormblood trailer, but let’s be real: none of our male Hyurs look as good as he does.
His picture online vs him in real life.
If you’ve played through the Stormblood expansion or done the Monk Class quest, you’re probably familiar with the Fist of Rhaal. They’re the sect of Monks who train our monk PCs, and house many of the refugees and Ala Mighan resistance near their temple in Garlean controlled Ala Migho. Highlander Hyur seem to make up the main body of the Fist of Rhaal order, so they seem like a good, thematic pick for Monk mains.
Dragoon
For Dragoons, the obvious pick is Elezen. The Elezen of Ishgard are the originators of the Dragoon job, after all, and the training of a Dragoon is specialized to help them in their war against the dragons. Elezen are the most thematic pick for this class and will feel right at home in much of the Heavensward story. Show Estinian how it’s done.
Ninja
Listen, if you don’t immediately think of cat boys/girls when you think of the Ninja job, well… you’re probably better adjusted than I am. Still, Miqo’te are known for perhaps the most important traits in a Ninja: Dexterity and Cunning. And if you get to go max weeb on all the haters, that’s just a bonus.
Samurai
Roegadyn, yes! Look at this guy with his Samurai sword! You can’t tell me this isn’t a good aesthetic choice, I will simply disagree and then block you on all social media so I am no longer subject to your lies. I like my Roegadyn as tanks or as big damage DPS, they just look so good leading the charge, and DPS doesn’t get much bigger than the Samurai.
Bard
Viera are already a favorite of mine because they’re essentially a race of forest-dwelling Amazons, and that whole aesthetic is just complimented so well by a bow. Bards in FFXIV only really have a musical association when it comes to certain mechanics, and at their heart, they’re archers with some support buffs.
Machinist
“WHO GAVE THAT CHILD A GUN!?” Is the energy Lalafell Machinists exude, and it’s that chaotic vibe that makes them place as my number one aesthetic choice for machinists. Once you hit 80 and you can summon a robot that’s 2-3x your size to pummel your enemies the visuals just get better.
Dancer
Dancers are elegant and dainty. Hrothgar are hulking lion men. The two obviously go hand in hand. Hrothgar Dancers give off the opposite kind of vibe as Lalafell Machinists. The delicate aesthetics of the Dancer class combined with the rough looks of the Hrothgar throw off the shackles of expectation and stereotypes! Besides, he looks so happy.
Black Mage
Miqo’te make the best Black Mages for one very specific, but very important reason: Cat ear witch hats. You can’t beat that kind of spooky-cute Halloween aesthetic, it’s literally impossible and this is a hill I will die on. Every other race can do edgy caster Black Mage, but only Miqo’te can make those hats cute, and that’s the tea.
Summoner You’re a dragon-person who can summon the power of the most iconic dragon in the Final Fantasy series. Need I say more? No, I don’t, but I will anyway because you need to be given this gift: Use the Summoner Limit Break 3 on an Au Ra character. It looks coolest on Au Ra for obvious reasons. You’re welcome.
Red Mage I resent the implication (regardless of how accurate) that I only placed Midlander Hyur on this list for a full spectrum of representation. Hyur are a very interesting and aesthetically pleasing race, and when Square Enix allows me to have a Hyur Midlander as attractive as the one in their FFXIV trailers I’ll totally roll one.
Seriously, look at him:
And that’s it for my totally comprehensive and unbiased look at which race and class combos are best in FFXIV! Hope you learned something, and if you have anything to add or (polite) disagreements feel free to comment below!
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