For years, Final Fantasy 14 players who chose Viera or Hrothgar characters faced a peculiar trade-off: aesthetic identity or headgear. These races, introduced in the Shadowbringers and Endwalker expansions, respectively, were lauded for their distinctive styles and lore. Yet, they came with a frustrating limitation. Nearly all headwear was disabled, leaving players unable to use some of the game’s most popular glamour pieces.
This restriction sparked regular discussions across the community, from the official forums to Reddit threads. Requests to “let Viera and Hrothgar wear hats” became a near-universal plea. Now, Square Enix has finally responded, and players are seeing real progress with Final Fantasy 14‘s 7.0 update and beyond. Hats are coming, and it is a bigger deal than it might seem.
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Final Fantasy 14’s Hats Were a Long Time Coming
The lack of hats for FF14’s Viera and Hrothgar was not just a minor cosmetic gripe. In a game where glamour is famously called “the true endgame,” headwear is a key part of self-expression. Many headpieces include visual effects, hairstyles, or story-relevant significance. Being excluded from those options placed Viera and Hrothgar in an odd position. They were visually striking but cosmetically limited. Square Enix cited technical hurdles for years, particularly due to the unique ear placements and facial structures of both races.
Workarounds were complex. Even when some hats were added for Viera during Endwalker’s patches, Hrothgar remained excluded. That changed with Dawntrail, which introduces visible hat support for both races across a growing selection of gear. Square Enix’s commitment to updating character models has been seen in other visual improvements as well, such as those detailed in Final Fantasy 14’s 7.0 graphical upgrade changes.
Alongside expanded hat support, the option to toggle ears on or off adds flexibility to Viera and Hrothgar for even more customization.
It is a fix that goes deeper than just cosmetics. It shows Square Enix is still actively listening to legacy requests and working to modernize older decisions. The change also brings these races closer to parity with others in terms of customization.
Hats Expand Glamour Options in Final Fantasy 14
Even just a few days into the new patch, social media and fashion contests across Final Fantasy 14 are reflecting the impact of this update. Viera and Hrothgar characters are already appearing in new glamours that were previously impossible. Headwear such as sun hats and Black Mage styles now work on both races, thanks to Final Fantasy 14’s latest Viera and Hrothgar glamour update.
Some hats convey class identity or nostalgia, especially among legacy players. For example, pairing a classic Bard hat with the Viera’s long ears evokes nods to classic Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy 12 while still embracing Final Fantasy 14’s modern look. It also encourages players to switch jobs more freely on these races now that class-defining outfits do not feel incomplete.
In addition to hats, fans have noticed improvements in how older gear textures display on Viera and Hrothgar. This may indicate a broader visual overhaul for those models.
Final Fantasy 14’s Future Updates Should Match This
The success of this update highlights how small, targeted fixes can leave a lasting impression. While massive features like new jobs or zones dominate patch headlines, updates like those described in the big Final Fantasy 14 Dawntrail quality of life feature update build loyalty. It rewards longtime players who stuck around through years of limited options and shows new players that the developers care about polish as much as content.
Looking ahead, other updates could take a cue from this. More inclusive dye channels, better representation in hairstyles across all races, and expanded housing furniture placement are all frequently requested. If Square Enix applies the same effort to those areas, the results could be just as satisfying.
There is no guarantee every request will be fulfilled, but the removal of this long-standing restriction proves that persistence matters. As seen in player feedback from Final Fantasy 14’s 7.25 update, it took years of discussion, memes, forum posts, and creative workarounds, but it finally paid off.
Final Fantasy 14
- Released
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August 27, 2013
- ESRB
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T for Teen – Language, Mild Blood, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Engine
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Originally the Crystal Tools engine, but currently it’s a custom engine using parts of the Luminous Engine.
- Multiplayer
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Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer
