Final Fantasy character classes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Final Fantasy series by Square Enix features a variety of classes (or jobs) that are assigned or assignable to each character in your active party. While many early games in the series have featured individual character classes, they did not appear, as such, in Final Fantasy VII through Final Fantasy X. Recent Final Fantasy titles, however, such as Final Fantasy X-2 and Final Fantasy XI, have seen a return of specialized classes. The following list summarizes the most common character classes: many games in the series have featured unique classes that have not reappeared in subsequent games. For information on those classes, please see the article regarding the specific game in which the class appeared.
The classes that appeared in Final Fantasy XI, the first online-only title, have certain unique implementations that more closely follow MMORPG convention. For information specific to this title, please see Final Fantasy XI character classes.
Job classes in Final Fantasy Tactics Advance are featured in List of jobs in Final Fantasy Tactics Advance.
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[edit] Physical classes
Physical classes fight using a variety of weapons, including their bare hands. Many of them specialize in specific techniques, although generally these attacks are not based in magic.
[edit] Warrior/Fighter/Knight
- See also: Warrior (character class)
The Warrior, formerly translated as the Fighter, is portrayed as a skilled swordsman who can make use of some of the most powerful heavy armors and weaponry in the game. They are also often used as tanks. As such, it is a well-rounded physical combatant with both high attack and defense statistics. Initially, the Knight was treated as an upgraded form of the Warrior class, but later games in the series began to use the two terms interchangeably. The Warrior/Knight can be reasonably described as one of the most basic character archetypes in the Final Fantasy series. The Warrior has appeared in Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy III, Final Fantasy X-2, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance and Final Fantasy XI while the Knight has appeared in Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy III, Final Fantasy V and Final Fantasy Tactics. The class Squire (Final Fantasy Tactics) bears some similarity to the Warrior class, and it is referred to as the Apprentice Warrior in the Japanese version of the game. Paine (Final Fantasy X-2) also starts off with Warrior as her default dressphere. Many games in the series also feature a variety of specialized sword-wielding classes, such as Dark Knight, Paladin, or Holy Knight. While these classes use the same basic type of equipment as the Warrior/Knight, they usually feature unique specialized skills and attacks.
[edit] Monk
- See also: Monk (character class)
The Monk is a master of martial arts (especially karate) who shuns heavy weapons or armor in favor of barehanded fighting, sometimes supplemented with claws. In the later games, it has also shown a proclivity towards certain meditative techniques which can improve its attack power, or heal its battle wounds. Frequently it has the ability to immediately counterattack against physical attacks directed at its person. In early English localizations of the series, the Monk was known as the Black Belt. The Monk has appeared as a class in Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy III, Final Fantasy IV (as Yang Fang Leiden), Final Fantasy V, Final Fantasy VI (as Sabin Rene Figaro), Final Fantasy XI, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance.
[edit] Samurai
Samurai are Japanese fighters whose weapon of choice is the katana. They hold their blades with both hands for increased damage, and are often associated with the Coin Toss (or Gil Toss or GP Rain) special attack. In the original Japanese version of Final Fantasy VI, the character of Cyan Garamonde is identified as a Samurai. Samurai are featured as classes in Final Fantasy V, Final Fantasy X-2, Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy Tactics. In Final Fantasy Tactics, Samurai can unleash the "spirit" of certain katanas with their Draw Out skill.
[edit] Dragon Knight/Dragoon/Lancer
The Dragon Knight or Dragoon uses spears to Jump onto enemies. Jump typically does double damage when the user is wielding a spear, and removes the Dragon Knight from combat for a number of rounds. Sometimes the Dragon Knight would also have techniques involving attacking or manipulating dragons or wyverns. Ricard Highwind of Final Fantasy II, Kain Highwind of Final Fantasy IV, and Freya Crescent of Final Fantasy IX were Dragoons. Dragon Knights are available as part of the job system in Final Fantasy III, Final Fantasy V, Final Fantasy XI, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance. The English software localization of Final Fantasy IV, Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance refers to Dragon Knights as Dragoons, and the English localization of Final Fantasy Tactics refers to them as Lancers.
[edit] Thief
- See also: Thief (character class)
The Thief is generally a slightly weaker physical combatant, but with an unusually high skill at evasion, escape, speed and often luck due to their natural dexterity. Steal is their trademark ability. It allows the Thief to remove one of an enemy's held items, weapons, armor, or accessories (depending on the game) and move it into the player's inventory. Steal is sometimes the only way to get some of the rarer items in a game. They can also disarm various traps, and sneak up on their opponents unawares. The Thief has appeared as a class in Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy III, Final Fantasy V, Final Fantasy X-2, Final Fantasy XI, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance. Locke Cole (Final Fantasy VI) and Zidane Tribal (Final Fantasy IX) were stated to be Thieves in their respective games. Rikku (Final Fantasy X-2) also starts off with Thief as her default dressphere.
[edit] Ninja
The Ninja, is generally both fast and powerful, combining the agility of a Thief and strength of a Fighter. However, in order to achieve this level of dexterity, Ninja are limited in defense, unable to wear heavy armor. They can equip a number of Ninja-specific weapons, such as Ninja Swords, Katanas, Knives, Boomerangs, et cetera. Ninja usually possess the Throw ability, which allows them to throw powerful, damage-dealing items like shuriken and weapons from the inventory at the enemy. Throwing usually does high damage, but the stock has to be replenished occasionally. In many games, Ninja possess the ability to hold a weapon in each hand, sometimes known as Doublehand or Two Swords. This adds to their damage dealing potential, and coupled with the most powerful weapons, Ninja can become main damage dealers. There are various Ninjutsu effects that depending on the game appear as magic, throwable items, or commands. Specific to Final Fantasy XI, Ninja shares more in common with a spellcaster than a physical job with the line of Ninjutsu spells. In the original Final Fantasy, the Ninja class is a class change of the Thief. They also appear in Final Fantasy III, Final Fantasy IV (as Edward "Edge" Geraldine), Final Fantasy V, Final Fantasy VI (as Shadow, who may more accurately be described as an assassin), Final Fantasy Tactics, and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance.
[edit] Hunter/Archer/Ranger
The Hunter, sometimes called Archer or Ranger, is a physical class that specializes in ranged weapons, which usually do less damage, but allow them to attack from a distance. Hunters traditionally use bows and crossbows for damage. Aside from their bow attacks, many Hunters have buff abilities that temporarily raise their stats, such as Aim, which raises accuracy, or Charge, which increases the damage their arrows inflict. They can also inflict status effects with their arrows, and sometimes have forestry related abilities such as detecting, capturing, or hiding from mosters. Fran from Final Fantasy XII could be considered a Hunter. Most characters in FFIV could wield a bow, and Rosa Farrell is able to use the Aim command, which increases the accuracy and power of her arrows. They have appeared as a class (in some form) in Final Fantasy III, Final Fantasy V, Final Fantasy XI, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance. The Sniper is also an upgraded class of the Archer in Final Fantasy Tactics Advance and can use more advanced moves like Doubleshot. Final Fantasy VI's Sniper Sight relic gives any character a guaranteed hit when equipped.
[edit] Engineer
The Engineer class was first introduced in Final Fantasy IV as a job for Cid Pollendina, with only one skill called Study, which allowed the player to view an enemy's statistical information. The Engineer appeared in Final Fantasy VI as Edgar with a more advanced skill named Tools. Edgar can use Tools that are in the player's inventory without limits. They can perform a number of uses, such as confusing the opposition or direct physical damage that ignores defense. In the Japanese version his job is Machinist (literally, Machinery). Mustadio Bunanza and Balk Fenzol are Engineers in Final Fantasy Tactics. They specialize in using guns.
[edit] Magical classes
Magical classes specialize in casting magic in all its forms. This includes both traditional white and black magic, as well as more esoteric forms of magic, such as geomancy.
[edit] Black Mage
A Black Mage is a magic-user that specializes in attack magic, Black Magic. Many of their spells utilize the elements to attack their enemies (earth, fire, ice, thunder/lightning, water). The Black Mage is available as a class in Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy III, Final Fantasy V, Final Fantasy X-2, Final Fantasy XI, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance. In the English localization of Final Fantasy Tactics, Black Mages were called Wizards. In Final Fantasy I, Black Mages could be upgraded into Black Wizards. Other black mages throughout the series are Rydia (who is also a Summoner and loses the ability to cast white Magic halfway through the game) and Palom of Final Fantasy IV, and Vivi Ornitier from Final Fantasy IX. As the series has grown, Black Mages have gained the ability to not only inflict elemental damage, but also to cause certain status ailments such as Blind.
[edit] White Mage
A White Mage uses White Magic, which emphasizes defensive spells with spells, such as replenishing party members' hit points with spells such as "Cure", reviving the fallen with spells such as "Raise" or "Life", and curing status conditions with spells such as "Esuna." They are also known for casting 'holy' offensive spells, which are typically effective against undead or demonic enemies. White Mages have appeared as a class in Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy III, Final Fantasy V, Final Fantasy X-2, Final Fantasy XI, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance. Minwu of Final Fantasy II, Rosa Farrell and Porom of Final Fantasy IV, Dagger and Eiko Carol of Final Fantasy IX are all White Mages. In the English localization of Final Fantasy Tactics, White Mages were referred to as Priests.
[edit] Time Mage
The Time Mage is a specialized wizard with the ability to manipulate the space-time continuum to speed up, slow down, or completely halt the passage of time, to increase or decrease the pull of gravity, or even to open up rifts to another dimension. While it is referred to as Time Mage in English localizations of the series, some know this as the Time/Space Mage. In actuality, the Japanese version specifically calls these mages "Time Mages" (時魔道士, tokimadoushi). Time Mages have appeared as classes in Final Fantasy V, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, commonly depicted wearing tall, pointed wizard hats adorned with star and moon decorations. In most games, Time mages appropriately use Time Magic. In Final Fantasy V, however, Time Mages used time/space magically (literally 時空 jikuu, or time/space). In Final Fantasy XI, Time magic is divided amongst White, Red, and Black mages (with White Mages receiving teleport spells and some enhancing and enfeebling spells (Haste, Slow), Black Mages receiving utility spells to Warp someone to their home point or Tractor a fellow adventurer's corpse, and Red Mages receiving the same enhancing and enfeebling time/space magic as White Mage as well as an exclusive enfeeble, Gravity).
[edit] Blue Mage
The Blue Mage is a practitioner of Blue Magic, a specialized school of magic which replicates the special attacks of various monsters, usually through observation: in most games, the only way to learn blue magic spells is to survive being targeted by them. Blue Mages have appeared as classes in Final Fantasy V, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, Final Fantasy X-2 (as Gun Mages), and the Final Fantasy XI: Treasures of Aht Urhgan expansion pack. Additionally, various characters in other games have been identified as Blue Mages, including Strago Magus (Final Fantasy VI, pictured at left). Strago Magus of Final Fantasy VI uses Lore, another name for Blue Magic. In Final Fantasy VII, the Enemy Skill materia allows a character to cast Blue Magic. Quistis Trepe (Final Fantasy VIII), Quina Quen (Final Fantasy IX), and Kimahri Ronso (Final Fantasy X) are other famous Blue Mages in the Final Fantasy series.
[edit] Summoner
Summoners call upon entities of great power (whose name and source varies from game to game) to attack their enemies, protect their party or render other forms of aid. This type of magic is known within the franchise as Summon Magic. Summoners have appeared as optional classes in Final Fantasy III, Final Fantasy V, Final Fantasy XI, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance. Rydia of Final Fantasy IV, Garnet Til Alexandros XVII and Eiko Carol of Final Fantasy IX, and Yuna of Final Fantasy X are identified as summoners, though there is usually also a strong White Mage element to the character. In the English localization of Final Fantasy IV, Summoners were referred to as Callers. In games that lacked Summoners, various means of equipping the summon ability (Magicite in Final Fantasy VI, Summon Materia in Final Fantasy VII, Guardian Forces in Final Fantasy VIII) are provided.
[edit] Geomancer
Geomancers channel the powers of the environment around them. Therefore, their abilities differ depending on where they currently are. If in a forest, they will attack with vines and forest animals, if in a cave with rockslides, if in a desert with quicksand, etc. Geomancers are featured in a few Final Fantasy games, either as a class or in loose association with a characters powers. They first appear in Final Fantasy III, and they reappear in Final Fantasy V and Final Fantasy Tactics. In the Japanese versions, Geomancers are "風水士 (fuusuishi)," which specifically refers to Chinese geomancy or feng shui.
[edit] Sage
Sages are powerful magic users who can learn nearly every single Black and White Magic spell. The Sage class first appeared in Final Fantasy III which was located in Eureka. This class can also learn summons. Tellah and Fusoya appeared as Sages in Final Fantasy IV but unlike the Sages in Final Fantasy III, they didn't learn any summons. The Sage class also appeared in Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, as a class limited only to the Nu Mou race. In Final Fantasy Tactics, a class called Calculator is similar to a Sage, in that it can learn and use all spells of all types and cast them on enemies and allies alike, depending on the calculated values of their stats.
[edit] Mixed classes
These classes are capable of both adequate physical attacks and the use of magic or magic-related attacks.
[edit] Red Mage
Red Mages use the abilities of both Black Mages and White Mages and have the combat abilities of a Fighter, but are dilettantes and are not as good at any one ability as are any of the other classes; they are the "jack of all trades, yet master of none" sort of class. In general, they are only able to cast lower-level spells, and even then, not necessarily every one of those. In their later appearances, they were associated with the ability to cast two spells in one combat round. Red Mages have appeared in Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy III, Final Fantasy V, Final Fantasy IX (but only as NPC), Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance. Later in the series, such as Final Fantasy XI, the Red Mage began to gain specialized magic (such as Refresh, which slowly restores your MP over time, and the ability Convert, which uses HP to replenish spent MP) that the other mages are not able to.
[edit] Bard/Dancer
Bards in the Final Fantasy series use songs to cause effects, often strengthening the party or weakening the opposition through temporary stat reduction by using the Sing command. They generally equip harps as weapons, which vary in strength from game to game. Many Bards have summoning abilities, as well. Moreover, some Bard incarnations, including Edward Chris von Muir from Final Fantasy IV, have the ability to Hide from the enemy. This command is mainly inserted due to the Bard's low physical abilities. The attempted insult "You spoony bard!" from Final Fantasy IV is often parodied in Internet Culture, particularly among Final Fantasy fans. A variation of the class, the Dancer, uses special Dances to cause status effects or damage to all enemies on a battle field. Unlike songs, the result of a dance is usually random. Other variations include types of Moogles, Songstresses, and various members of royalty. Bards in Final Fantasy XI have MP regeneration songs and stat boosting songs. The Bard class is seen in Final Fantasy III, Final Fantasy V along with Dancer, Final Fantasy XI, and Final Fantasy X-2 as the Songstress. In Final Fantasy Tactics Bard and Dancer are the only male and female (respectively) unique classes.
[edit] Beast Master/Trainer
Beast Master/Tamer/Trainer appeared in Final Fantasy V, VI, X-2, XI and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance in which they are able to control or even capture and train monsters. Sometimes, this technique is necessary to attain specific Blue Magic spells or Lores. While controlling the monster, one can make the monster attack the Blue Mage unit with the desirable spell. In Final Fantasy Tactics, the ability is adjusted for the job Mediator as learning an ability to communicate with and manipulate monsters.
[edit] Dark Knight
Dark Knights are the embodiment of sorrow, regret, and mourning. They wield dark magic dedicated to stealing the health of an enemy. Their special attacks usually involve draining their own health or in some cases, sacrificing themselves, in order to inflict heavy damage on the enemy. They use very heavy armor and weaponry to augment their skills. Some of the most notable dark knights in the series include Leonhart (Final Fantasy II), Cecil Harvey (Final Fantasy IV), and Gaff Gafgarion (Final Fantasy Tactics). Cecil Harvey of Final Fantasy IV possesses the ability Dark, which allows him to sacrifice his HP to do damage to all enemies. Dark Knights are also found in Final Fantasy III, Final Fantasy X-2 and Final Fantasy XI. In Final Fantasy XI they are a damage dealing class but have relatively weak armor and spells. They do not appear in Final Fantasy VIII and Final Fantasy IX but their trademark Darkside ability is learnable. In Final Fantasy XII the Soul Eater ability along with the Arcana class of magic are learnable off the License Grid.
[edit] Paladin
- See also: Paladin (character class)
Paladins are virtuous knights devoted to the good of the people; these "knights in shining armor" wield white magic to aid the people. A possible precursor to the class existed in Final Fantasy III with the Mystic Knight job, which was a dark sword wielding knight capable of using lower level white magic. The Paladin can use Cover to temporarily halt all physical damage to a certain target, but the Paladin takes all of that damage. Important paladins in the series include Cecil Harvey (Final Fantasy IV), Beatrix (Final Fantasy IX), Agrias Oakes, and Delita Samuel Hyral (both of which are called Holy Knights in Final Fantasy Tactics). In Final Fantasy XI, they are considered a "tanking" job and rely on curative magic and high defense bonuses to aid their parties in battle. Paladins also appear in Final Fantasy Tactics Advance.
[edit] Mystic Knight
Magic Knights, Sorcerers, or Mystic Knight are knights that can cast magic on their swords to perform attacks with the power of the spell for several rounds. They have also been called Mageknights or Biskmatars. (In the English localization of FFV they are called Sorcerers.) In Final Fantasy V the magic knight can use any magic previously learned on their sword. In Final Fantasy Tactics it is called Temple knight and is a special character class. The skill itself is called Magic Sword and Spellblade (FFV Advance). Their magic power might not be as powerful as the mages' but since each cast can last for more attacks, they use less MP as compared to the mages. Note that the magic effects will affect the target when hit, therefore they are very useful when used to poison, stone, etc. enemies.
[edit] Chemist
Highly proficient in the use of items, Chemists are generally rather weak attackers with below-average defense; as such, they function best as support units, using special abilities such as Mix to cure party members and relieve status ailments. When using the Mix command, Chemists combine two items from the player's inventory to produce a certain effect, be it an elementally-based attack on the enemy party or powerful restorative magic designed to help allies. The Chemist has appeared as a class in Final Fantasy V, Final Fantasy Tactics, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, and Final Fantasy X-2 (as Alchemist in the latter two). Final Fantasy IX offers the ability Chemist which doubles the potency of items. In Final Fantasy XII there are spaces on the License Grid that increase the effects of items like potions, ethers, remedies, and phoenix downs.
[edit] Gambler
The Gambler uses a slots system in battle. When the player selects the slots command, three slots like those of a slot machine are presented on screen. Each slot is then stopped by the press of a button. Certain combinations produce beneficial effects such as healing the party or dealing great damage, or even death, to the enemies. However, this is usually balanced with combinations that have disadvantageous effects, such as reducing the party's health, or instant game over. The first gambler was Setzer Gabbiani (Final Fantasy VI). The gambler class has also appeared as in Final Fantasy X-2 as the Lady Luck dress sphere, utilising different Dice and Slots attacks. While not technically gamblers, an evolution to the Gambler class has appeared in the MMORPG Final Fantasy XI which has been dubbed Corsair. The Corsair class uses a card based game similar to Black-Jack (or Twentyone) to enhance party members' profeciency in battle.
[edit] Mime
Mimes can mimic the previous action of another party member with the Mimic command. In Final Fantasy V, Mimes can be given other previously-learned abilities and commands. In Final Fantasy VI Gogo can be given up to three special commands that the other characters have. In Final Fantasy VII, the characters equipped with the "Mime" Materia can mimic the most recent action performed by another party member--even potentially mimicking their own limit breaks. In Final Fantasy Tactics, the Mime is the final unlockable class, available to a character once they unlock all other jobs and achieve certain levels in those other jobs. The class does not appear in Final Fantasy X but a move called "Copycat", which allows you to perform any previous action of an ally, is learnable.
