Final Fantasy XIV: Au Ra Race in Heavensward is Coming

The Au Ra race made its spectacular debut during the 2014 Final Fantasy XIV Tokyo Fan Festival, immediately capturing player imagination. With the confirmed June 23rd release of Heavensward approaching, comprehensive details about this visually striking race have emerged. Square Enix’s “My Au Ra Twitter Campaign” provided early access to character creation tools, allowing enthusiasts to experiment with the new race’s distinctive features before the expansion’s official launch.

Contrary to initial assumptions, the Au Ra possess a rich historical background within Eorzea’s lore. Their defining characteristics—gracefully curved horns and intricately patterned scales—often spark theories about draconic ancestry, given their Hyur-like appearance and origins in the Far Eastern continent of Othard. However, scholarly research consistently refutes these claims, highlighting critical physiological distinctions. Au Ra cranial projections enhance auditory perception and spatial awareness, capabilities not associated with dragonkind. Additionally, the significant size disparity between male and female Au Ra represents another trait uncommon among dragon species. The character Yugiri served as players’ first introduction to this race in-game.

Similar to other playable races in FFXIV, the Au Ra divide into two primary clans: the Raen and Xaela, each with distinct cultural identities and physical traits.

Auri creation mythology describes ancestral descent from both a Dawn Father and Dusk Mother. The Raen clan traces its lineage directly to the Dawn Father, with their luminous white scales and formidable determination serving as tangible evidence of this celestial heritage.

Unlike their Xaela counterparts, who engage in continuous tribal warfare across the plains, the Raen have adopted peaceful, isolated existences. They abandoned their ancestors’ nomadic traditions generations ago, establishing permanent settlements within Othard’s eastern mountain valleys. Only occasionally do individual Raen venture beyond the valley mists to pursue adventures in distant lands.

From a gameplay perspective, Raen characters often suit players preferring diplomatic approaches and scholarly pursuits. Their cultural emphasis on tranquility translates well to crafting classes and healing roles, though they remain equally capable in combat situations.

Xaela Au Ra claim descent from the Dusk Mother, with their gleaming black scales and passionate temperaments demonstrating this inherited legacy.

In stark contrast to the reclusive Raen who dwell behind Othard’s eastern peaks, the Xaela maintain their ancestral nomadic traditions. They traverse the expansive western steppes in tightly-knit tribal units, maintaining hunting, gathering, and warfare practices unchanged for countless generations.

Xaela society revolves around tribal loyalty and martial prowess, making them ideal for players drawn to warrior classes and combat-focused gameplay. Their cultural emphasis on strength and freedom often aligns well with tanks and damage-dealing roles. Understanding these cultural differences can significantly enhance your class selection strategy and role-playing experience.

Common mistakes when creating Xaela characters include overlooking the cultural significance of their scale patterns and underestimating how their nomadic background influences dialogue options and quest interactions throughout Heavensward content.

Initial player reactions to the Au Ra’s 2014 reveal included mixed responses regarding their distinctive appearance. However, the current character creation system provides extensive customization capabilities that showcase the developers’ meticulous attention to detail. The race’s elegant, refined aesthetic conceals remarkable visual complexity.

The remarkable detail applied to scale textures and extremity design represents some of FFXIV’s finest artistic work. For instance, tail customization includes four distinct styles with variable lengths, though this merely begins the customization journey. Facial options encompass four horn variations with complementary scale patterns, plus five scale types that players can selectively enable or disable to achieve their desired aesthetic.

Advanced customization features include limbal rings surrounding the iris, which can be applied to one eye, both eyes, or neither. Players maintain complete control over limbal ring coloration, allowing for subtle or dramatic ocular effects. Each configurable element contributes to creating truly unique characters that stand out in Eorzea’s diverse population.

Optimization tips for experienced players include coordinating scale patterns with armor sets and considering how different horn styles interact with headgear. These considerations become particularly important for players focused on weapon mastery and endgame content where visual coherence enhances immersion.

With Heavensward’s imminent release, the Au Ra race will undoubtedly attract substantial player interest. Based on five years of market observation regarding FFXIV Gil transactions, currency values consistently appreciate following major content updates. The current period presents an optimal opportunity to buy FFXIV Gil, particularly considering Square Enix’s increased enforcement actions before Patch 2.5, patterns likely to continue with Version 3.0.

Understanding these economic cycles proves valuable for players planning major purchases or gear upgrades. Market fluctuations typically stabilize within 2-3 weeks post-update, making preparatory acquisitions strategically advantageous.

Mmogah , recognized as the largest FFXIV Gil seller, maintains professional service standards trusted by growing player communities. Their 24/7 Live Chat support remains available continuously, prepared to deliver the fastest and most secure FFXIV Gil transactions. For comprehensive guidance on managing in-game economics, consult our complete gameplay guide for additional insights.

Time estimates for completing Au Ra-specific content and achieving optimal character customization typically range from 30-45 minutes for thorough designers. Rushing this process often leads to regrettable choices requiring expensive appearance resets later.

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