The Ultimate Ranking of Final Fantasy Protagonists: Unveiling the Elite Class (October 2023)

WARNING: This feature contains spoilers for the mainline Final Fantasy series. Alongside its renowned music and captivating storytelling, Final Fantasy is also famed for its unforgettable protagonists. These heroes, whether through their appearance or combat prowess, have left an indelible mark in the realm of video games. However, not all main heroes in the Final Fantasy series possess the same level of iconicity or strength as their counterparts.

The selection process for these heroes took into account their popularity among Final Fantasy fans, their impressive battle achievements, and their ability to connect with players through their stories. To maintain conciseness and fairness, the player characters from Final Fantasy 11 and Final Fantasy 14, with their vast array of jobs and customization options, were not included. Therefore, only the protagonists from the mainline, single-player Final Fantasy games were considered.

S-Tier

Cloud Strife (Final Fantasy 7 and Final Fantasy 7 Remake): Cloud Strife, known as the face of the Final Fantasy franchise, has been associated with the series for over twenty years, thanks to his iconic Buster Sword. Cloud's immense popularity even led to his inclusion in the Super Smash Bros. games. However, beneath his brooding exterior lies a complex past. Due to experiments with Jenova cells conducted by Professor Hojo, Cloud's memories became intertwined with those of his SOLDIER comrade, Zack Fair. While his story reaches its conclusion in the original game, there are bound to be surprises awaiting this "ex-SOLDIER" in the expansive Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.

Squall Leonhart (Final Fantasy 8): Squall Leonhart, the skilled wielder of the unique gunblade, holds the esteemed position of being the top SeeD at Balamb Garden, a mercenary school. Despite his aloof and reserved demeanor, Squall's simple black attire has become a popular choice for cosplay enthusiasts. Adding firepower to his sword strikes and utilizing his "Renzokuken" Limit Break, Squall's gunblade allows for impressive combat prowess. Furthermore, his ability to Draw and Junction magic from enemies grants him versatility and amplifies his own abilities. Despite the challenges of time compression and the game's somber ending, Squall successfully fulfills his mission and even manages to crack a rare smile along the way.

A-Tier

Clive Rosfield (Final Fantasy 16): Despite being the latest installment in the series, Final Fantasy 16 quickly captured the hearts of fans, with Clive Rosfield emerging as a favorite. His captivating Eikonic powers as Ifrit, along with his striking red and black attire, and his ability to show compassion despite facing personal tragedy, endeared him to the audience. The portrayal of Clive by voice actor Ben Starr, who drew from his own experiences, added a deeply human element to the character. While Final Fantasy 16 may not be the most challenging game on the PS5, Clive's spectacular combat style and impressive Eikonic abilities are undoubtedly among the series' best to date. The potential impact of any Final Fantasy 16 DLC in further accentuating these qualities remains to be seen.

Terra Branford from Final Fantasy 6 is renowned for her role in the beloved SNES JRPG. She faced numerous hardships as she battled oppressive forces that sought to exploit her magical abilities. Terra's unique lineage as a half-human, half-Esper hybrid granted her innate magical powers. Initially manipulated by the Gesthalian Empire, she was eventually saved by Locke and The Returners. This pivotal event set Terra on a personal quest of self-discovery and embracing her magical prowess in order to protect her comrades. In her formidable Esper form, Terra's magical prowess exceeded all others and played a vital role in the ultimate showdown against Kefka. While Kefka's defeat resulted in the disappearance of magic and Espers, Terra's selfless love for others enabled her to continue her existence as a human and contribute to the rebuilding of the world.

Zidane Tribal (Final Fantasy 9): Initially, Zidane may seem like nothing more than a thief and a womanizer. However, as a member of the Tantalus theater troupe, he possesses a unique quality of helping others without needing a reason. Despite his sometimes overwhelming adolescent behavior, Zidane, with his monkey tail, ultimately becomes one of the most selfless protagonists in the Final Fantasy series, defying the reasons for his creation. When in Trance mode, his skill with dual knives and bladed staves allows him to deal significant damage, compensating for his average defenses. Although there are rumors of a Final Fantasy 9 remake, only time will reveal when fans will witness Zidane steal the spotlight once again.

Tidus (Final Fantasy 10): Initially, Tidus is a confident and spirited rising Blitzball star in his hometown of Zanarkand. However, when Sin strikes and transports him to the distant land of Spira, his life takes a drastic turn. Forced to grow up swiftly and adapt to his new life, Tidus frequently vents and complains, much to the dismay of his companions and some Final Fantasy enthusiasts. Nevertheless, his innate speed and skill with a sword make him a valuable Guardian on Yuna's quest to defeat Sin. Although Tidus and Yuna are eventually separated in one of the most heart-wrenching moments in the Final Fantasy series, Tidus remains one of the franchise's most unforgettable protagonists.

Lightning (Final Fantasy 13): Despite being born as Claire Farron in a futuristic world governed by the godlike Fal'cie, the individual known as Lightning eventually ascended to her own godlike status by the time her tale reached its decisive conclusion. While her strong desire to protect her sister Serah was evident, some Final Fantasy fans still find Lightning's stern and direct tsundere personality to be a point of contention. However, Lightning proved herself to be a formidable fighter, wielding her Blazefire Saber and trusted Eidolon Odin to gain an advantage over countless adversaries. Although her journey continued in two subsequent games, some fans initially grew tired of Lightning's presence in the series after the release of Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13. Nevertheless, Lightning's exceptional combat skills and impressive displays of strength remain unrivaled.

​​​​​B-Tier

Cecil Harvey, the protagonist of Final Fantasy 4, undergoes a significant Job change from Dark Knight to Paladin. Initially burdened by his power as a Dark Knight, Cecil's quest to avenge his kingdom and defeat the formidable sorcerer Golbez prompts him to let go of his violent past. Possessing remarkable skills in both roles, Cecil's surprising Lunarian heritage and its connection to Golbez form one of the most memorable plot twists in the history of the Final Fantasy series.

Vaan (Final Fantasy 12): Hailing from the war-torn city of Rabanastre, Vaan is a street urchin with a burning desire to free the kingdom of Dalmasca from the oppressive rule of the Archadian Empire. With dreams of becoming a sky pirate and commanding his own airship, Vaan and his best friend Penelo find themselves caught in a whirlwind of events and political schemes that threaten to plunge the land of Ivalice into further chaos. Although inexperienced and sometimes naive, Vaan's street smarts and proficiency with weapons and armor make him a formidable adversary against Emperor Vayne and the Archadians in this renowned PS2 RPG.

Noctis Lucis Caelum (Final Fantasy 15): Set in a captivating world that marries magic with modern technology, Noctis assumes the role of the crown prince in the dethroned kingdom of Lucis. Embarking on a journey to Altissa to meet his promised bride, Lunafreya, Noctis and his companions face a sudden assault from the Niflheim Empire, aiming to eliminate Noctis' father, King Regis. Despite his initial social awkwardness and questionable fashion sense, Noctis' command of the Royal Arms and ability to summon divine Astrals empowers him to confront the ever-looming threat of the Starscourge and its hellish spawns, the daemons. Ultimately reclaiming the Lucian throne from the usurper Ardyn, Noctis sacrifices his own life to restore light to the world of Eos, ensuring a hopeful future for its inhabitants, free from the terrors of darkness.

C-Tier

Warriors of Light (Final Fantasy): The original Final Fantasy game allowed players to name their party, but it also introduced the title of Warrior of Light. The characters in this group, while lacking in personality, have the option to pursue one of six Jobs that can be further enhanced. Despite the basic plot and gameplay structure, which may seem outdated by today's standards, and despite the game being remade on different platforms, the original Warriors of Light from FF1 are unfortunately overshadowed by future heroes.

Firion (Final Fantasy 2): Firion is the first protagonist in the Final Fantasy series to have a backstory, although a brief one. He is part of a small group called the Wild Rose Rebels, who are fighting against the powerful Palamecian Empire. Firion, along with his adopted siblings Maria, Guy, and Leon, witnessed their village of Fynn being attacked by the Empire. After recovering from the devastating ambush, Firion, Maria, and Guy join the Rebellion. Even though Leon goes missing, Firion, along with guest party members like Minwu and Josef, continue to fight. However, FF2's approach of determining character power through cause-and-effect remains an unsuccessful experiment in the Final Fantasy series.

In Final Fantasy 3, the young heroes known as the Onion Knights received new names in the 2006 remake on the Nintendo DS: Luneth, Arc, Refia, and Ingus. They had a wide array of Jobs to choose from, including the original Summoners who could call upon iconic Summons.

Bartz Klauser, accompanied by his loyal Chocobo named Boco, roamed the world of Final Fantasy 5 as a carefree adventurer. However, his encounter with the amnesiac Galuf at a meteor crash site changed everything. Alongside Princess Lenna and pirate captain Faris, Bartz joined a group of Warriors of Light on a mission to uncover the mystery behind the breaking Crystals. Despite having diverse abilities thanks to the game's Job system, Bartz's unremarkable personality often paled in comparison to the other characters and antagonists.