This is why the game lost me to be completely honest. I felt like the type of storytelling changed into more of a Sunday morning cartoon type vibe where the gang always wins and nobody ever dies.
There was a point during the story (probably Post-ARR through the beginning of post-Stormblood patch quests?) where it felt like there were actual stakes and risks of consequences and the lives of beloved characters were actually in danger and I loved that.
But instead more people seemed to come back from the dead than actually die.
Thancred dying could be interesting if they want to bring Ryne back. I think Urianger is the obvious choice though, since he finished his arc with Moenbryda's family
Your spoiler tag didnt work for me on alexandrite.app, just fyi. But I agree, they completely destroyed any emotional value of that scene and when Uriange joined Yshtola FOR NO FUCKING REASON I was just laughing, completely ruined the emotional scene they were going for.