The races within Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn are the same ones that are in Final Fantasy XI, but with different names. This was done so that the players would have a familiar feel to the game. However a new race called Au Ra was added in the Heavensward expansion.
Hyur
The
Hyur race has the highest population within the region of Eorzea; where they migrated in three waves. With them they brought advanced technology and rapidly became a driving force behind cultural progress. The Hyur were known as the Hume race in Final Fantasy XI.
Elezen
The
Elezen race were the first race to exist in the lands of Eorzea and have adapted to their environment by becoming taller and evolving more sensitive ears. Throughout the history of the Elezen race they have fought wars with the Hyurs as they believed their migration to their lands was an invasion. However they now live peacefully together. The Elezen were known as the Elvaan race in Final Fantasy XI.
Lalafell
The
Lalafell migrated to Eorzea from the islands of the south when trade routes began to spring up. Being short gives them increbile agility and they are said to be an intelligent race. Th Lalafell were known as the Tarutaru race in Final Fantasy XI.
Roegadyn
The
Roegadyn are a maritime race who are mostly found in the northern seas. They are a very muscular race and are known for the cultural emphasis they place on competition and courage. In Final Fantasy XI the Roegadyn were known as the Galka race, however in Final Fantasy XIV they do not have a tail.
Miqo'te
The
Miqo'te race migrated to Eorzea during the Age of Endless Frost when the seas turned to ice and allowed them to cross. Since then, they have separated into two physically distinguishable groups known as the Diurnal Seekers of the Sun and the Nocturnal Keepers of the Moon. The Miqo'te are few in number within Eorzea and prefer to live isolated lifestyled, avoiding contact with the other races. The Miqo'te were known as the Mithra race in Final Fantasy XI.
Au Ra
The curved horns and beautifully patterned scales that characterize the Au Ra oft give rise to speculation that this Hyur-like race native to the Far Eastern continent of Othard are, in fact, the progeny of dragons. This, however, has long been disputed, with scholars citing several distinct differences in the two races as evidence of decidedly dissimilar roots-the first and foremost being the enhanced hearing and spatial recognition granted by an Au Ra's cranial projections (traits not attributed to draconian horns), and the second being the gross disproportion in body mass between Auri males and females (again, a trait widely unseen in dragons).
The
Au Ra race was added in the Heavensward expansion.
Starting Attributes
The starting attributes for the races in FFXIV: ARR are very similar and should not be used to determine which race you wish to start as. In FFXI the starting attributes mattered much more than they do in this game so it is a good idea to forget that. At higher levels when you have hundreds of attributes a difference of 1-6 of a specific stat is going to be irrelevant. However it is still worth listing the stats because some people are interested. They are in the table below.
Race |
STR |
DEX |
VIT |
INT |
MND |
PIE |
Hyur Midlander |
21 |
19 |
20 |
21 |
18 |
21 |
Hyur Highlander |
23 |
20 |
22 |
18 |
20 |
17 |
Elezen Wildwood |
19 |
23 |
18 |
22 |
17 |
21 |
Elezen Duskwight |
20 |
20 |
19 |
23 |
20 |
18 |
Lalafell Dunesfolk |
17 |
20 |
17 |
21 |
22 |
23 |
Lalafell Plainsfolk |
18 |
22 |
18 |
21 |
20 |
21 |
Roegadyn Hellsguard |
20 |
17 |
21 |
20 |
22 |
20 |
Roegadyn Sea Wolf |
22 |
18 |
23 |
17 |
21 |
19 |
Miqo'te Keeper of the Moon |
18 |
21 |
17 |
19 |
23 |
22 |
Miqo'te Seeker of the Sun |
21 |
22 |
20 |
18 |
19 |
20 |
Au Ra Raen |
17 |
21 |
18 |
20 |
22 |
22 |
Au Ra Xaela |
23 |
20 |
21 |
20 |
17 |
19 |