It took a decade, but Final Fantasy 14 finally introduced an additional dye channel for many armors with the Dawntrail update last year. However, the outcome has been a mixed bag, with some dye channel decisions appearing utterly perplexing, altering essential aspects like overcoats while focusing on trivial details like a belt buckle.

Older equipment seems particularly impacted by odd secondary dye channel choices, especially with the recent additions from this week’s Patch 7.2.

Image credit: Square Enix

The backlash? A glance at the Final Fantasy 14 subreddit reveals some egregious fashion faux pas. One notorious example is the Gryphoskin Breastguard, which many fans feel deserves better dye options.

In their infinite wisdom, Square Enix appears to prioritize dyeing inconspicuous elements, leaving players exasperated. As one Reddit user lamented, “WHAT THE HELL? I’ve been looking forward to a second dye channel for this top… seriously, why even bother at this point?” Another commenter straightforwardly described it as “embarrassingly bad.”

The mechanics behind dyeing in Final Fantasy 14 involve layering, yet often lack logic. The primary layer may be dyeable while the secondary encompasses minute decorative elements. This discrepancy leads to unconventional choices, such as the Coeurl Tanga, whose dye option privileges its anklet instead of allowing more significant pieces like patterns to be altered.

Image credit: Square Enix

Fortunately, not all is lost. Some players enjoy newfound dyeing abilities, like changing the inner ear fur on the Tamamo Headband. Yet, many still wish for thoughtful choices rather than minimal details dominating the upgrade experience.