For years,Final Fantasy 14players 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 withFinal Fantasy 14’s 7.0 update and beyond. Hats are coming, and it is a bigger deal than it might seem.
Final Fantasy 14’s Hats Were a Long Time Coming
The lack of hats forFF14’sViera and Hrothgarwas 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 duringEndwalker’spatches, Hrothgar remained excluded. That changed withDawntrail, 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 inFinal Fantasy 14’s7.0 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 acrossFinal Fantasy 14are 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 toFinal Fantasy 14’slatest 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 classicFinal FantasyandFinal Fantasy 12while still embracingFinal 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 bigFinal Fantasy 14 Dawntrailquality of life feature updatebuild 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 fromFinal Fantasy 14’s7.25 update, it took years of discussion, memes, forum posts, and creative workarounds, but it finally paid off.
Final Fantasy 14
WHERE TO PLAY
For newcomers to FINAL FANTASY XIV Online, this edition includes three award-winning titles - FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn the base game, and the first and second expansions: FINAL FANTASY XIV: Heavensward and FINAL FANTASY XIV: Stormblood. This edition also includes a 30-day free play period. Other expansions for the game include Dawntrail, Endwalker, and Shadowbringers.Join over 30 million adventurers worldwide and take part in an epic and ever-changing FINAL FANTASY. Experience all the hallmarks of the best-selling franchise - an unforgettable story, exhilarating battles, and a myriad of diverse and captivating environments to explore. Party up with friends or play solo! Experience all the main story dungeons on your own by calling upon NPC allies to fight by your side.Will you play as a healing mage or an offensive black mage? Perhaps you want to be a warrior and smash enemies in the face. The famed Final Fantasy job system lets you experiment!
