Female Roegadyn Are the Least Played Race in Final Fantasy XIV
Out of all the unique races and clans found throughout Eorzea, the mighty female Roegadyn stand alone as the least played in Final Fantasy XIV. Making up just 1.1% of the total population according to the 2022 census, one could go months without encountering another player repping these towering amazons.
But why has this particular race/gender combination struggled so much to find its footing in the FFXIV community? As a long-time player who has proudly mained a female Roegadyn since Heavensward, I‘m on a mission to get to the bottom of their lack of popularity!
Popularity Breakdown by Race and Gender
To understand why female Roegs specifically lag behind others, let‘s examine the popularity of all races in FFXIV according to the latest census results:
| Race & Gender | Popularity % |
|---|---|
| Female Miqo‘te | 23.4% |
| Female Au Ra | 16.5% |
| Male Miqo‘te | 13.6% |
| Female Hyur | 12.5% |
| Male Au Ra | 8.3% |
| Female Roegadyn | 1.1% |
Roegadyn as a whole make up around 7% of active players, putting them on the lower end of the spectrum. But when divided by gender, we see a massive discrepancy emerge.
Male Roegadyn account for 5.8% of all players – over 5x the % of female Roegadyn. This begs the question – what causes such a sharp divide between two genders of the same race?
Addressing Common Criticisms of Female Roegadyn
Over the years, I‘ve seen a handful of criticisms consistently levied against female Roegadyn by players arguing why they don‘t play them:
"They‘re too big and muscular – not feminine enough!"
This complaint puzzles me, as women with athletic builds exist in the real world too! Not all fantasies have to cater purely to typical beauty standards. Roegadyn offer a fresh take for those drawn to tall, powerful women.
"There‘s so few good glamours that work for them…"
I‘ll admit customization options used to be limited, but after 8 years the devs have added tons of gear that complements Roegadyns. You just need to get more creative with dyes/textures compared to slender races.
"Their animations and emotes look weird on such a large body."
This one I sort of understand – sometimes cutscene animations do seem awkward when framed around a 7-foot Roe woman. But small sacrifices for the majesty of towering over puny Lalafells!
Appeal of Female Roegadyn to Their Fans
Clearly female Roegadyn don‘t cater towards everyone, but they have some unique appeals for those who vibe with them:
Visually Distinct: In a sea of catgirls and Aura girls, female Roegadyn stand out instantly with their hulking physique.
Power Fantasy: Their strength both physically and in their animations/combat presence fulfills that fantasy.
Gender Nonconforming: Breaking gender stereotypes by playing as these beefy, often flat-chested women.
Niche Aesthetic: For those specifically attracted to muscular women, Roegs are a dream come true!
As longtime player Moxie Marlinspike told me:
"I‘ve mained a female Roe for the last 5 years – they exude this raw, commanding presence that demands respect. Watching this hulking warrior woman charge into battle never fails to inspire me!"
How Do Female Roegadyn Compare to Other Rare Races?
Beyond the standard Hyur/Miqo‘te/Au Ra trinity, FFXIV has its share of lesser-played races. So how do female Roegadyn stack up against them popularity-wise?
Male Viera: The newest bunny-eared race introduced in Shadowbringers. Extremely rare at 1.2% popularity due to being male-only. Slightly edging out female Roegadyn.
Female Hrothgar: Hulking feline race also from Shadowbringers. But unlike Viera, Hrothgar are female-only. They account for 1.5% of characters.
Male Miqo‘te: Always the least popular gender divide of the iconic cat-people. Still over 10x more prominent than female Roegadyn at 13.6%.
So female Roegadyn do come in lower than other gender-locked races. My theory is that the aesthetic appeal of lithe cat men and tall bunny-men simply outshines that of overly muscular women to most players.
How Can Female Roegadyn Increase Their Popularity?
If we want to raise interest and awareness around these mighty warriors, I propose the FFXIV team implements:
More Customization Options: Provide players with more control over musculature/proportions. Appeal to those intimidated by extreme dimensions.
Story Representation: Add more prominent female Roe NPCs beyond just Merlwyb. Show them in feminine contexts beyond just warriors.
Race-Specific Gear: Introduce armor and glamour sets designed specifically to complement Roegadyn frames. Make them truly stand out!
I‘m optimistic that over time, Female Roegadyn can claim more of the spotlight among fans. Their uniqueness gives them great untapped potential!
But regardless if the masses eventually come around – to those already pledged to the Roegadyn sisterhood, we‘ll continue slaying primals and taking names all the same. Our tiny-but-mighty population has never been hung up fame.
Join the 1% with Female Roegadyns!
So if you‘re itching to shatter expectations and stand up for unsung diversity – roll a female Roegadyn today! Together we can shift perspectives on what a woman in Eorzea can represent.
I‘ll see all you lovely ladies at the next clan meetup in Limsa Lominsa!
