Dion Lesage: Staying Strong Through Tragedy (Final Fantasy XVI Character Analysis)

Look at that smile. How can anyone not like this guy?
Feels good to be back on the upload grind again! I actually had the script and voiceover for this video done before Clive's, so it ended up not being too much hassle to have this done. Looking forward to streaming again soon and to getting some FFXIII-2 videos uploaded, so please consider liking and subscribing to see all of that as it happens! Lemme know what you think of Dion down in the comments!
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[@wanderingbardgaming]

Putting this out there just in case: when I wrote this script, I hadn't done all the endgame sidequests, including the one between Dion and Harpocrates. Dion himself credits Harpocrates with giving him a lot of perspective about the world, so I imagine that contributed a lot to his values as well. Just wanted to make sure Harpocrates' contribution is noted.

[@zeldagirl519]

Thank you for making this video. In my mind, Dion is the best character in this entire game. His arc is beautiful and this video does it justice. I’m in love with this analysis of his character and think it’s possibly the best one I’ve seen as someone who loves him and cares about him as a character so SO much

[@wanderingbardgaming]

Thank you so much for the compliment! I'm really glad you enjoyed this.

[@tbspromotions]

Nawh the best character is Torgal

[@ClaireYunFarronXIII]

Yet another gay, Bahamut-wielding Dragoon that I love. A beautiful trend. Like most Dragoons in the Final Fantasy series, Dion has this character journey: they come from a place that is/becomes destroyed, they have wavering loyalties to the main characters early on (they're often self-serving), they do something horrible but understandable, which comes with great consequence and regret. But in the end, they redeem themselves in the eyes of the main characters, usually through a self-sacrifice. Of course, I'm putting it very simply; the Dragoons come with far more nuance, which gives each of them a unique identity. But they usually follow this template.

[@wanderingbardgaming]

I hadn't thought about all the dragoon parallels! You are right, there's nuance to each. But yeah that's a good point

[@Blastanker]

Wait what? There’s another gay bahamut dragoon? Who?

[@yuna361]

​@@Blastanker Oerba Yun Fang from Final Fantasy XIII, she has the Eidolón of Bahamut

[@summerstarr3446]

In my head, I think Dion survived the ending of the story. Mostly it's a "no body = no death" sort of thing. But one of the ideas I can think of for Dion to be ok with dying is that Kihel and Terrence were in Twinside (the Dominion), which is where Origin originated from. To my understanding, when it lifted into the sky, the creation of Origin killed any and all survivors in and around the city. So unless Terrence took the girl and immediately fled to Oriflamme (Sanbreque, their home state) - odds aint too good for them (this is furthered by Dion's line of everything important to him died in the Dominion). I like a lot of your thoughts to his over all arc. One of the things I especially liked for Dion was how he was such a lighter colored and put together prince as opposed to Clive. He's an interesting foil type character, if you will.

[@wanderingbardgaming]

Ooooh that's a good point I hadn't considered that Terrence and Kihel likely died when Origin appeared. Dion and Clive as foils is an interesting thought too...Dion is more composed and lighter in his color palette, but he has lurking darkness (even if his anger was from a good place), while Clive is darker and fierier outwardly, but has a noble heart too.

[@dimitrinastancheva231]

Unfortunately, this is a Final Fantasy game, it is supposed to be tragic and heartbeaking. 😭 Thank you for making this video, his character was a pleasant surprise and quickly became one of my faves gaming characters ever. Also I like this type of character story and struggles as well. (i want to believe he's not dead but oh well..)

[@wackko300]

I loved this character. I wish you can take Dion with you during the DLC.

[@wanderingbardgaming]

That would be an interesting option. I do understand why they didn’t do that though; they wanted to focus on Clive and his loved ones, and Dion was only there to fight Ultima

[@tbspromotions]

9:37 the english VAs are great in this game man

[@tbspromotions]

3:23 yeah i was happy when dion did the deed to his family in one scene. Im still confused about the knight with the splendent heart and his connection to dion. Oh you didn't bring up the quest

[@wanderingbardgaming]

Ahh yeah. I hadn’t actually done that quest when I made this. I think said knight was some kind of senior dragoon; all the dragoons were loyal to Dion