The Ultimate Final Fantasy Shiva Ranking: Unveiling the True Power of this Iconic Summon!

WARNING: Spoilers Ahead! This section delves into the iconic Summons of the beloved Mainline Final Fantasy Series, featuring Final Fantasy 16.

Since its introduction in Final Fantasy 3 back in 1990, the Summons in the Final Fantasy series have become an integral part of the franchise. Among the original group of Summons, Shiva has become closely associated with the element of ice. Throughout the Final Fantasy series, Shiva has taken on various forms, but her most recognizable characteristics include her icy blue or pale complexion, flowing locks, and her trademark attack, Diamond Dust. This powerful move has the ability to instantly freeze opponents, turning them into immovable ice sculptures.

S Tier

Throughout the mainline Final Fantasy series, Shiva's appearances in the Summon have undergone numerous changes since FF3. Each entry's plot relevance, battle potency, and character design play a significant role in evaluating the impact of Shiva. However, Final Fantasy 12 takes a different approach as it excludes Shiva, instead utilizing the Esper Mateus as a substitute.

Shiva, the fourth Aeon acquired by Yuna during the game's narrative, showcases a design that has become one of the most iconic in the Final Fantasy series thus far. Alongside her devastating Overdrive attack, Diamond Dust, Shiva possesses the initial abilities of NulBlaze and NulFrost to shield herself. She can also employ Heavenly Strike to immobilize adversaries, making her an excellent choice when facing foes vulnerable to Ice magic. Moreover, in the Final Fantasy 10 HD Remaster, players have the opportunity to challenge Dark Shiva—an optional boss—in Macalania Temple later in the game.

Final Fantasy 14 (Ysayle and Ryne) - In Final Fantasy 14, there are two characters who can transform into Shiva. Ysayle, also known as Iceheart, is an Elezen woman players meet in A Realm Reborn. She possesses the ability to assume the form of Shiva during battles. In Shadowbringers, a Hume girl named Ryne plays a significant role in both the main story and the Eden raid series. During the raid battle called Eden's Gate: Refulgence, Ryne taps into Eden's power and becomes Shiva. However, she loses control and unintentionally releases Ice and Light magic on the players. Eventually, they manage to subdue the Primal without any harm coming to Ryne.

Final Fantasy 15 (Gentiana) - In the latter half of Final Fantasy 15, it is revealed that Shiva the Glacean, who was initially believed to be deceased, is actually alive and disguised as Gentiana. This revelation occurs while Noctis and Shiva are aboard a train headed towards Gralea, the capital of the Niflheim Empire. Despite being the smallest among her massive counterparts, Shiva demonstrates her immense powers during a fierce battle against Ifrit in the city of Insomnia. Afterwards, Shiva urges Noctis to end Ardyn's rule.

A Tier

Shiva's 3D design in the original Final Fantasy 7 may be considered outdated now, but it received a noticeable upgrade in the Final Fantasy 7 Remake. In the original game, players obtained Shiva's Summon Materia in the slums under Junon after defeating Bottomswell, and she only used Diamond Dust when summoned in battle. However, in the Remake, players can acquire Shiva from Chadley after successfully completing her trial battle. Additionally, summoning Shiva in the Remake requires less ATB gauge compared to summoning Leviathan and Bahamut, making her a viable option for players.

In Final Fantasy 8, Shiva is available right from the start of the game, alongside Quetzalcoatl. Similar to other Guardian Forces in FF8, Shiva can be summoned at any point during battles, but she can only be Junctioned to one character at a time. Junctioning Shiva eventually grants the summoner the Doom ability and the ability to Refine items to create Ice and Water magic. While Shiva's hair was replaced with yellow appendages, her blue skin and attire remained consistent with her previous appearances in the game.

Final Fantasy 11 - Shiva, the celestial Avatar of ice, is a significant character in Square Enix's first MMORPG. Players can obtain her by completing the "Trial by Ice" in the game's initial expansion, Rise of the Zilart. Shiva stands out among the Avatars with her powerful magic attacks, particularly her devastating move, Heavenly Strike, which deals substantial damage when used at the end of a skillchain.

Final Fantasy 16 (Jill Warrick) - In Final Fantasy 16, Jill Warrick takes on the role of Shiva's Dominant. During a fierce confrontation with Titan at The Nysa Defile, Shiva falls in battle. Nevertheless, Clive, who has a history with her, intervenes and saves her. The duo is then rescued by Cid after a clash with the Iron Kingdom. From that point on, Jill accompanies Clive throughout most of the storyline. Eventually, she bestows upon Clive a share of her power, granting him access to Shiva's formidable Eikonic abilities, including Ice Age and Cold Snap.

B Tier

In Final Fantasy 6, Shiva's appearance is a solemn one due to the events at Vector's Magitek Research Facility involving Kefka. Although initially hostile towards the party, Shiva and Ifrit are convinced by the presence of Ramuh to transform into Magicite and aid the party. Shiva not only has the ability to use Diamond Dust, but also teaches her wielder spells such as Blizzara and Osmose.

In Final Fantasy 9, Shiva plays a minor role among the Eidolons and does not have much impact on the main plot. Despite being technically available early on, her high cost of 96 MP makes it nearly impossible to Summon her. However, after obtaining an Opal from Doctor Tot, Garnet can summon the ice queen with a significant reduction in cost to only 24 MP, making Shiva one of the most efficient Eidolons in FF9.

Final Fantasy 13 (Stiria and Nyx) - In the fantastical universe of Final Fantasy 13, the Eidolons undergo a remarkable transformation, appearing more mechanized than their predecessors. These powerful beings can now shape-shift into vehicle-like Gestalt forms, granting invaluable aid to their chosen summoner. Enter Stiria and Nix, the formidable Shiva Sisters, who are bound to Snow Villiers and happen to be the first Eidolons that players can acquire within the game. When called upon by Snow, they unleash their chilling abilities to freeze adversaries on the battlefield. Moreover, in their awe-inspiring Gestalt form, the Shiva Sisters seamlessly merge their strengths to embody a magnificent motorcycle, enabling Snow to deftly maneuver and dispatch enemies with ease.

C Tier

In the world of Final Fantasy 3, the game introduced Summons for the first time in the entire series. Among these Summons was Shiva, the powerful Ice elemental being. The classes of Evokers, Summoners, and Sages possessed the ability to wield Level 2 Summon magic known as Icen to call upon Shiva. However, in battle, only the Summoners and Sages could tap into Shiva's devastating attack, Diamond Dust. While the presence of Summons in Final Fantasy 3 did not have a significant impact on the game's storyline, they laid the groundwork for the entire Final Fantasy series that followed.

In Final Fantasy 4, Shiva is an exclusive Eidolon for Rydia, the main Summoner of the game. However, players cannot use Shiva until Rydia rejoins the party after an incident with Leviathan on a ship. While Rydia loses her White Magic capability, her Black Magic and Summon Magic powers become stronger, allowing her to summon Eidolons like Shiva. Shiva is mostly used in the Underworld, as most enemies there are vulnerable to Ice magic.

Moving on to Final Fantasy 5, Shiva is an optional boss in Castle Walse and players have the possibility of missing her if they leave Bartz's world before facing her. However, if players obtain Ifrit beforehand, the battle with Shiva becomes quite easy. Although Level 2 Summons like Shiva can be useful in the early stages of the game, they are quickly overshadowed by stronger Summons such as Titan and Leviathan.

Final Fantasy 16 is available now for PS5.