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In several installments of the Final Fantasy series of role-playing games by Square Enix, classes (jobs) are roles assigned to playable characters that determine the character's proficiencies.[1] Classes can be loosely categorized into physical classes, which specialize in using weapons and techniques; magical classes, which are proficient in magic; and mixed classes, which combine elements of both classes in addition to other special abilities.

This article 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, see the article regarding the game in which the class appeared. Job classes in Final Fantasy XI are featured in Final Fantasy XI character classes; those in Final Fantasy Tactics Advance are featured in List of jobs in Final Fantasy Tactics Advance.

History and development

File:Final Fantasy V - Job System.png
The job system in Final Fantasy V

In Final Fantasy, the player allocates permanent class selections to the four playable characters at the beginning of the game.[2] Final Fantasy III and Final Fantasy V changed the formula by allowing the player to change a character's class, as well as acquire new and advanced classes and combine class abilities.[3][4] In Final Fantasy Tactics and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, classes are once again chosen by the player from one of the two starting jobs; however, characters must meet prerequisites before changing classes.[5][6] Character classes were re-introduced in Final Fantasy X-2 as "dresspheres"; these classes are gradually acquired and can be changed at any point, including battle mode.[7] The classes that appeared in Final Fantasy XI, the first MMORPG title in the series, have certain unique implementations that more closely follow MMORPG convention.[8] Notably, in Final Fantasy XI a player can equip a secondary job, called a subjob, and have half the abilities of another class that way.

Other Final Fantasy installments deviate from the class system by allowing flexibility in character growth, or featuring pre-determined jobs. Characters in Final Fantasy II are molded according to their performance in battle.[9] Final Fantasy IV introduced characters already locked into a class; abilities related to the character's class are learned as the character gains experience points.[10] In Final Fantasy VI, VII, and VIII, characters begin with equipment and attack proficiencies similar to character classes, but the player can allocate magic and statistical bonuses.[11][12][13] In other words, classes are not specifically defined in these installments.[14] Final Fantasy IX have predetermined "dormant abilities" similar to IV; however, the characters in IX learn abilities by wearing equipment instead of gaining levels.[15] Final Fantasy X introduced the sphere grid; characters began at certain areas of the grid, which represent traditional character classes by their statistical bonuses and abilities. In Final Fantasy XII, the player can mold characters into anything, without restriction of traditional classes.[16][17] However, in the game's international version and sequel, the growth system is modified to have more clearly defined classes. Final Fantasy character classes have also made cameo appearances as hidden players in Mario Hoops 3-on-3 and as enemies in Kingdom Hearts II.

Physical classes

Physical classes fight using weapons, including their bare hands. Many of them specialize in specific techniques, although generally these attacks are not based in magic. Generally, physical classes can use heavier weapons and armor than magical or mixed classes, giving them the best attack power and physical defense, although there are exceptions, such as the Monk and Thief classes.

Warrior

See also: Warrior (character class)

The Warrior (戦士, Senshi), formerly translated as the Fighter, is portrayed as an expert swordsman who uses some of the most powerful armors and weaponry.[2][3] As such, it is a well-rounded physical combatant with high attack and defense statistics.[7] Initially, the Knight was treated as an upgraded form of the Warrior class,[2][3] but later games in the series began to use the two terms interchangeably.[18] The Warrior has appeared in Final Fantasy,[2] Final Fantasy III,[3] Final Fantasy X-2, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance,[6] and Final Fantasy XI;[8] the Knight has appeared in Final Fantasy,[2] Final Fantasy III,[3] Final Fantasy V,[18] and Final Fantasy Tactics.[5] Many games in the series feature specialized sword-wielding classes, such as Dark Knight, Paladin, Samurai, or Holy Knight.[3][5]

Monk

See also: Monk (character class)

The Monk (モンク, Monku) is a master of martial arts who favors barehanded fighting,[2][18][3] sometimes supplemented with claws. In some games, they can use meditative techniques, which improve their power or heal their wounds.[5][18] They can often counterattack against physical attacks as well.[18] In early English localizations of the series, the Monk was known as the Black Belt;[19] in Final Fantasy III, the Black Belt is an upgraded form of the Monk.[3] The Monk has appeared as a class in Final Fantasy,[2] Final Fantasy III,[3] Final Fantasy IV (as Yang Fang Leiden),[10] Final Fantasy V,[18] Final Fantasy VI (as Sabin Rene Figaro),[20] Final Fantasy IX (as Amarant Coral), Final Fantasy XI,[8] Final Fantasy Tactics,[5] Final Fantasy Tactics Advance,[6] and Hataraku Chocobo. In addition, Tifa Lockhart (Final Fantasy VII) and Zell Dincht (Final Fantasy VIII) both fight with gloved hands (the former can also use claws) as well as having hand-to-hand limit breaks, keeping the tradition of the monk class.

Samurai

Samurai (侍, Samurai) are Japanese-styled fighters who fight primarily with katana.[5] They hold their weapons with both hands for increased damage. Some abilities often associated with Samurai are Coin Toss (sometimes Gil Toss, GP Rain, or Zeninage) which uses Gil to damage enemies, Fast Draw (also referred as Fdraw, Iainuki, Zantetsu or Oblivion/Cleave) an attempt to defeat the enemy in a single attack, and Blade Catch (Shirahadori), a supplementary evasion skill.[21] Samurai are featured as classes in Final Fantasy V,[21] Final Fantasy VI (as Cyan Garamonde), Final Fantasy X-2, Final Fantasy XI,[22] and Final Fantasy Tactics. In Final Fantasy Tactics, Samurai can unleash the "spirit" of certain katana with their Draw Out skill.[5] In Final Fantasy X, the character Auron uses the abilities that of a samurai and fighter. Samurai is also a type of enemy in Kingdom Hearts II, with similar powers and appearance.

Dragoon

The Dragoon (竜騎士, Ryūkishi) (also known as Dragon Knight or Lancer) uses spears and their Jump ability and usually wears heavy armor.[18][3] Jump typically does double damage when the user is wielding a spear, and removes the Dragon Knight from combat for one round.[18][10] While jumping, Dragoons either thrust downward with their spears to skewer enemies,[5][10] or toss the weapon at the foe from above. In Final Fantasy VI, the "Jump" skill is a special ability conferred by the "Dragoon Boots" relic. The English software localization of Final Fantasy IV, Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance refers to Dragon Knights as Dragoons,[22] and the English localization of Final Fantasy Tactics refers to them as Lancers.[5] In addition, the characters Ricard Highwind (Final Fantasy II), Kain Highwind (Final Fantasy IV),[10] Cid Highwind (Final Fantasy VII),[23] and Freya Crescent (Final Fantasy IX) are identified as Dragoons. Alexander Highwind Tycoon (Final Fantasy V), though not specifically stated to be a Dragoon, shares the common Highwind surname and wears armor resembling the traditional Dragoon garb. Ward Zabac (Final Fantasy VIII) is similar to a Dragoon because he fights with harpoon-style weapons and features an aerial limit break ("Jump"-like attacks).[24] Kimahri Ronso (Final Fantasy X) uses spears for weapons and features an overdrive called Jump.[25] The MMORPG Final Fantasy XI features the dragoon as a playable job class; players as able to utilize several signature jump techniques, as well as summon a wyvern as support in combat. In Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, only Bangaa characters can become Dragoons. Dragoon is also a type of enemy in Kingdom Hearts II, with similar powers and appearance. Unlike their armor, the design for the Dragoons' helmets remain fairly constant from game to game.

Thief

See also: Thief (character class)

The Thief (シーフ, Shīfu) is generally a nimble and agile physical combatant whose main weapon includes daggers or short swords.[2] They usually have very high speed, accuracy, and evasion but low defense due to light armor.[7] Steal is their trademark ability; it allows them to transfer an item or piece of equipment held by an enemy to the player's inventory.[5][7] They can also disarm traps and detect hidden passages.[18] as well as sometimes obtaining the skill 'capture' or 'mug', which allows items to be stolen during an attack. The Thief has appeared as a class in Final Fantasy,[2] Final Fantasy III,[3] Final Fantasy V,[18] Final Fantasy X-2, Final Fantasy XI,[8] Final Fantasy Tactics,,[5] Final Fantasy Tactics Advance,[6] and Hataraku Chocobo. Locke Cole (Final Fantasy III) and Zidane Tribal (Final Fantasy IX) were stated to be Thieves in their respective games, although Locke insists that he is a treasure hunter.[26][27] Rikku (Final Fantasy X-2) starts off with Thief as her default dressphere,[7] and learns theft-related moves in Final Fantasy X (Steal, Pilfer Gil, etc).

Ninja

The Ninja is generally both fast and powerful; however, to achieve this level of dexterity, Ninja are unable to wear heavy armor. They can equip Ninja-specific weapons, such as Ninja Swords, Katanas, Knives, and Boomerangs. 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.[5][18] In many games, Ninja possess the ability to hold a weapon in each hand, sometimes known as Doublehand or Two Swords.[5][18] There are various Ninjutsu effects that depending on the game appear as magic,[10] 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", this quote however is no longer valid, through updates in the Final Fantasy XI game, Ninja has become a close combat job as well, also used for its tanking capabilities. In the original Final Fantasy, the Ninja class is a class change of the Thief. This association between the Thief class is a constant trend in latter Final Fantasy games. Edge in Final Fantasy IV has the Steal skill as well as the Ninjutsu abilities. While in Final Fantasy Tactics Advanced mastering skills in the "Thief" jobclass is a prerequisite to acquiring the "Ninja" class.[2] They also appear in Final Fantasy III,[3] Final Fantasy IV (as Edward "Edge" Geraldine),[10] Final Fantasy V,[18] Final Fantasy VI (as Shadow),[20] Final Fantasy Tactics,[5] Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, and Final Fantasy XI.[22] Yuffie Kisaragi, from Final Fantasy VII, has her job given as "Ninja". Amarant Coral from Final Fantasy IX possesses the ninja signature move, 'Throw', but also possesses many characteristics of the monk character class. The Ninja class also appears in Mario Hoops 3-on-3 as a playable character.

Hunter

See also: Ranger (character class)

The Hunter (sometimes called Archer,[5] Ranger,[22] or Gunner[7]) is a physical class specializing in long-ranged weapons—such as bows, crossbows and occasionally guns.[5] Aside from their bow attacks, some Hunters have buff abilities that temporarily raise their stats, such as Aim, which raises accuracy;[21] or Charge, which increases the damage that arrows inflict.[5] They can inflict status effects with specialized arrows, and sometimes can detect, capture, or hide from enemies. They have appeared as a class (in some form) in Final Fantasy III,[3] Final Fantasy V,[21] Final Fantasy XI,[22] Final Fantasy Tactics,[5] and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance.[6] Some White Mages and Warriors throughout the series can use bows. Rosa from Final Fantasy IV, for example, is a White Mage with the "Aim" ability.[10] In Final Fantasy Tactics, the Engineer, Mediator, and Chemist classes have the ability to shoot long-range guns. The Sniper is an upgraded class of the Archer in Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, and can use more advanced moves like Doubleshot. Barret Wallace and Vincent Valentine from Final Fantasy VII fight with a gun-arm and a gun, respectively, like Hunters. Irvine Kinneas from Final Fantasy VIII wields a variety of rifles, and his Limit Break, "Shot", allows him to fire a volley of a variety of bullets with various effects. Laguna Loire from Final Fantasy VIII wields a machine gun and his Limit Break, "Desperado", has him swing from a rope and unleash a barrage of gunfire, followed by an explosion from a hand grenade, which deals damage to all enemies. Yuna (Final Fantasy X-2) starts off with the Gunner as her default dressphere. Wakka from Final Fantasy X serves as an interesting new take on a Hunter, as he fights with a blitzball he can throw to attack enemies from long distances rather than the expected bow, crossbow, or gun, and he, too, can use the "Aim" ability. The new playable race known as Gria in Final Fantasy Tactics A2 Grimoire of the Rift are able to become Hunters. The other new race in Final Fantasy Tactics A2 Grimoire of the Rift, the Seeq, have the Ranger job available to them.

Berserker

See also: Berserker (character class)

The Berserker is a pure physical class focussing on high strength and agility to defeat their opponents. Typically, berserkers use axes and hammers. In most appearances a Berserker is in a permanent "Berserk"-Status and as such not able to use other commands than "Attack". They first appeared in Final Fantasy V as a Job Class after acquiring the pieces of the Water Crystal, although the Viking class of Final Fantasy III is similar. The yeti Umaro from Final Fantasy VI can also be considered as a berserker. Final Fantasy VII's Vincent Valentine may be considered a berserker due to his Limit Breaks, which morph him into powerful, yet uncontrollable creatures. In Final Fantasy X-2 the Berserker class appears again with the Berserker Dressphere. Berserker are controllable this time, but can use the berserk command to increase their power for less control. Berserker is also a type of enemy in Kingdom Hearts II, with similar powers and appearance. The Berserker class is also available as a job to the Seeq race in Final Fantasy Tactics A2 Grimoire of the Rift.

Magical classes

Magical classes specialize in casting magic, including traditional white and black magic, as well as more esoteric forms of magic, such as geomancy. Magical classes are generally restricted to lighter equipment, such as rods, staves and robes, giving them weak attack power and physical defense, however their armor often provides high magical defense, and their equipment often provides bonuses to magic-related stats.

Black Mage

One of the most iconic classes of the Final Fantasy franchise, the Black Mage (黒魔道士, Kuromadōshi) is a magic user specializing in attack magic, Black Magic.[2][21] Their weapons are generally restricted to rods and daggers. They are usually depicted wearing distinctive costumes consisting of a blue or black robe and a large conical, wide-brimmed hat which obscures their face, with two yellow eyes shining from within the shadow.[2][21] The outfit of the Black Mages is similar to the generic appearance of a wizard. In the original NES game, the Black Wizard lacked the hat and obscured face that became the defining features of the Black Mage. This was changed in the WonderSwan remakes and Final Fantasy Origins so that he still looks like a traditional Black Mage after becoming a Black Wizard.[2] In Final Fantasy IX, the Black Mage Village is a forested hamlet where many mass-produced Black Mages have become self-aware. Final Fantasy IX is the only game that features Black Mages as a distinct race, although the Yukes of Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles are very similar in their inhuman appearance and magical ability.

The Black Mage is available as a class in Final Fantasy,[2] Final Fantasy III,[3] Final Fantasy V,[21] Final Fantasy X-2,[7] Final Fantasy XI,[8] Final Fantasy Tactics,[5] and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance.[6] In the English localization of Final Fantasy Tactics, Black Mages were called Wizards.[5] In Final Fantasy I, Black Mages can be upgraded into Black Wizards.[2] 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,[10] Vivi Orunitia from Final Fantasy IX (who also carries several of the distinct characteristics of a Black Mage),[28] and Lulu from Final Fantasy X.[25]In Kingdom Hearts, some of Donald Duck's rods have the figure head of a Black Mage. Statues of Black Mages are seen in various places at the magic academy in Geo in Legend of Mana. A Black Mage is a playable character in the PlayStation racing game Chocobo Racing. A Black Mage also appears in Dice de Chocobo, Chocobo Land: A Game of Dice and Mario Hoops 3-on-3, while enemy Black Mages appear in Chocobo's Dungeon 2. The Black Mages is the name of Final Fantasy music composer Nobuo Uematsu's band that plays remixes of Final Fantasy music.

White Mage

A White Mage (白魔道士, Shiromadōshi) uses White Magic,[2] which emphasizes defensive 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.[21] Typically having a weak and limited repertoire of attack spells and an inability to use heavy weaponry or armor, their primary use is support for other members of a battle party. Usually their only offensive skill is the magic Holy, which deals heavy damage to a target, regardless of whether or not the target is undead. They often cast 'holy'-element spells, which are typically effective against undead or demonic enemies. Because of the limited use of the class in combat, the White Mage has occasionally been integrated with the Summoner class. The White Mage is typically depicted as wearing a white cloak or robe, which robe has long sleeves and a hood that covers the Mage's hair.[2][22][3] Another feature of the robe is the red, triangular patterns on the cuffs of the sleeves and bottoms of the robes.[2][22][3] In some games, female White Mages wear the hood over their hair, while male White Mages normally do not wear the hood at all. In Final Fantasy XI, the hood is a separate piece from the body and they can be worn independently, regardless of gender.

White Mages have appeared as a class in Final Fantasy,[2] Final Fantasy III,,[3] Final Fantasy V,[21] Final Fantasy X-2,[7] Final Fantasy XI,[8] Final Fantasy Tactics,[5] and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance.[6] Minwu of Final Fantasy II shares many similarities with White Mages, and Rosa Farrell and Porom of Final Fantasy IV are referred to as 'White Mage' in the original English translation.[10] In Final Fantasy VII, Aerith Gainsborough's defensive and restoring limit breaks, her staff, and her possession of the "Holy" Materia place her in the White Mage tradition. Garnet Til Alexandros XVII and Eiko Carol (Final Fantasy IX) incorporate characteristics of the White Mage class and the Summoner class. Garnet also dons the classic White Mage garb as a disguise near the beginning of the game. Yuna's area of the sphere grid in Final Fantasy X almost exclusively contains abilities normally attributed to white mages. Some White Mage NPCs appear in various towns in Final Fantasy IV, and Shelinda from Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2 is also a White Mage NPC. In the English localization of Final Fantasy Tactics White Mages were referred to as Priests (but not in the introduction movie, oddly).[5] Shirma, (or Shiroma) a pink-haired female White Mage, is the partner of the main character Boco in Chocobo's Dungeon 2, a playable character in Chocobo Racing and makes another appearance in the Nintendo DS game Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales. She is also one of the central characters in Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon for the Wii console. A White Mage is also playable in Dice de Chocobo, Chocobo Land: A Game of Dice, and Mario Hoops 3-on-3.

As white mages are forbidden from carrying bladed weapons, their primary weapon in most games has been a hammer or a staff. The relic weapon for white mage in Final Fantasy XI is the mythical hammer Mjollnir.

Summoner

Summoners (召喚士, Shōkanshi) use Summoning Magic, which calls on powerful entities known as call beasts (Final Fantasy IV), espers (Final Fantasy VI and Final Fantasy XII), Guardian Force (or "GF," for short, in Final Fantasy VIII), eidolons (Final Fantasy IX and the DS version of Final Fantasy IV), aeons (Final Fantasy X), avatars (Final Fantasy XI), or simply Summon Monsters (most other games in the series). These entities attack enemies, protect the party, or render other forms of aid. Summoners often use commands such as "Summon," but in Final Fantasy IV, the command was instead known as "Call". As a magic-using class, summoners are typically shown to be physically frail as a trade-off for high magical potency, and can traditionally equip only light armaments such as clothing and robes. Summoners often use staves or rods for their offensive means[5], although in some games they can also use whips; their potential in the use of melee weaponry is downplayed significantly in favor of their ability to use magic. Many summoners feature a horn on the forehead and green robes.[29][22]

Summoners have appeared as classes in Final Fantasy III,[3] Final Fantasy IV (as Rydia),[10] Final Fantasy V,[29] Final Fantasy XI,[22] Final Fantasy Tactics,[5] 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,[25] though there is usually also a strong White Mage element to the character. In games that lacked Summoners, various means of equipping the summon ability (Espers formed from magicite in Final Fantasy VI,[20] Summon Materia in Final Fantasy VII,[24] Guardian Forces in Final Fantasy VIII,[30] Espers in Final Fantasy XII.[31]) are provided. In Final Fantasy III, the lower-class name for a Summoner is called an "Evoker".[3] Notable recurring "Summons" include Ifrit, Shiva, Ramuh, Bahamut and Odin.

Time Mage

See also: Chronomancy § Fiction and games

The Time Mage (時魔道士, Tokimadōshi) 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; control celestial bodies; or influence the pull of gravity.[29] Although it is referred to as Time Mage in English localizations of the series, some versions call it the Time/Space Mage. Time magic is also referred to as green magic and Time Mages as Green Mages to conincide with the black/white/red/blue mage theme. In actuality, the Japanese version specifically calls these mages "Time Mages" (時魔道士, tokimadōshi). Time Mages can typically wield rods and/or staves. Although he mostly resembles the Fighter class, Tidus from Final Fantasy X has a variety of Time Mage spells in his section of the Sphere Grid.[citation needed] Time Mages have appeared as classes in Final Fantasy V,[29] Final Fantasy Tactics,[5] Final Fantasy Tactics Advance and Hataraku Chocobo, commonly depicted wearing tall, pointed wizard hats adorned with star and moon decorations.[29]

Geomancer

Geomancers (風水士, Fūsuishi) channel the powers of the surrounding environment;[3] therefore, their abilities differ depending on their location. If in a forest, they will attack with vines and forest animals, if in a cave with rockslides, if in a desert with quicksand, and so on. Geomancers are featured either as a class or in loose association with a character's powers. They first appear in Final Fantasy III,[3] and they reappear in Final Fantasy V and Final Fantasy Tactics.[32][5] In the two first games, the Geomancers are depicted wearing green or blue fur-lined clothes and a fur-lined cap.[21] In the Japanese versions, Geomancers are "風水士 (fūsuishi)," which specifically refers to Chinese geomancy or feng shui. The signature attack for a Geomancer has been called "Terrain" (Final Fantasy III),[3] "Gaia" or "Earth" (Final Fantasy V),[32] and "Elemental" (Final Fantasy Tactics).[5] In Final Fantasy VI, the moogle Mog can use dances that have similar effects to the Geomancer. In Final Fantasy XII, there is a member of the Garif tribe that is identified as a Geomancer and grants access to a sidequest later in the game. In Final Fantasy Tactics A2, Geomancer is a job class for the Gria race.

Scholar

Scholars are a magic-based class introduced in Final Fantasy III. They are more powerful than the preliminary White and Black Mages but less so than Devouts (White Wizards) and Magi (Black Wizards). They are capable of using both black and white magic. They use 'books', physical weapons with element-based damage and which are equally powerful from the front or back rows. In Final Fantasy III, Scholars have the ability to see the enemy's health and weaknesses, render their positive statuses to zero, and double the effects of any item. Also, Scholars were added as a job in the fourth expansion to Final Fantasy XI. In Final Fantasy XI, Scholars have access to both the curative White Mage spells and the elementally powerful Black Mage spells, but do not have access to most of the enfeebling or enhancing spells from either job's spell line (though many of these can be acquired depending on the sub-job selected). They have spells that influence the weather effect that a character is under, and can cast powerful elemental Damage Over Time (DOT) spells that inflict small amounts of damage over regular intervals for a period of time. They also build up "charges" that are used to power effects that can cause spells to be cast more efficiently or more powerfully. While books cannot be equipped in Final Fantasy XI, the book theme from Final Fantasy III is retained as a book appears floating before the Scholar whenever a charge is used. A well-known NPC Scholar is Maechen from Final Fantasy X.

Mixed classes

These classes can use both adequate physical attacks and magic or magic-related attacks. Generally, these classes can equip heavier weapons and armor than magical classes, although their selection of heavier weapons and armor tends to be limited compared to that of physical classes.

Red Mage

Red Mages (赤魔道士, Akamadōshi) use the abilities of Black Mages and White Mages and have the combat abilities of a Warrior, are not as good at any one ability as are any of the other classes. In general, they can only cast a handful of lower-level spells.[3]. In their later appearances, they were associated with the ability to cast two spells in one combat round (often called Dualcast or Doublecast).[29]. In Final Fantasy XI, Red Mages use additional special skills like the MP-restoring "Refresh" and the special ability Chainspell, which can be used every two hours, allowing the Red Mage for a limited time to Instant cast, and Recast instantly. Red Mages are often distinguishable from other classes for wearing a distinct red hat with a white feather.[22] Other articles of clothing vary, though a red cape is common. Red Mages have appeared in Final Fantasy,[2] Final Fantasy III,[3] Final Fantasy V,[29] Final Fantasy IX (as NPCs), Final Fantasy XI,,[8] Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (as a Viera job class), and Hataraku Chocobo. Red mages did not appear in Final Fantasy VI, Final Fantasy VII or Final Fantasy X, however their signature X-Magic / W-Magic / Doublecast ability appears in all three games. Confusingly, Freya Crescent from Final Fantasy IX wears clothes very similar to a Red Mage, but is functionally a Dragoon.

Blue Mage

The Blue Mage (青魔道士, Aomadōshi) is a practitioner of Blue Magic, which replicates the special attacks of monsters through learning or observation.[29] Originally, Blue Mages wore blue domino masks;[29] throughout the series, however, they have not retained any distinct image like that of the White Mage and Black Mage. Blue Mages have appeared as classes in Final Fantasy V,[29] Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, Final Fantasy X-2 (as Gun Mages who use the Blue Bullet ability), and the Final Fantasy XI: Treasures of Aht Urhgan expansion pack. In Final Fantasy V, Blue Mages may "Scan" an enemy for its statistical information.[29] Strago Magus of Final Fantasy VI uses Lore, another name for Blue Magic.[20] Additionally, Gau Graham is able to use enemy abilities via his "Leap" and "Rage" moves, similar to Blue Magic. In Final Fantasy VII, the Enemy Skill materia allows a character to cast Blue Magic. Quistis Trepe (Final Fantasy VIII),[33] Quina Quen (Final Fantasy IX), and Kimahri Ronso (Final Fantasy X) are other famous Blue Mages in the series. Quistis learns enemy skills by obtaining items, Quina devours enemies that use Blue Magic, and Kimahri draws the skills with his Lancet ability.[25] Blue Magic in Final Fantasy XI is learned when a monster uses a said ability. Final Fantasy XII lacks Blue Magic, however the game's Technicks (a class of special abilities) include several abilities which are traditionally Blue Magic spells, such as 1000 Needles. In, Final Fantasy Tactics, humanoid characters can learn a spell or ability, without using any Job Points, when attacked with it, provided that the person's job is able to use it by default. (i.e. The summon spell "Zodiac" for Summoners, "Ultima" for Ramza as a Squire, etc.)

Bard

Bards (吟遊詩人, Gin'yūshijin) use songs or dances to cause effects, often strengthening the party or weakening the opposition through temporary stat reduction via the Sing command.[32][7][3] They generally equip harps as weapons,.[32] Some Bard incarnations, including Edward Chris von Muir from Final Fantasy IV, have the ability to Hide from the enemy.[10] This command is mainly inserted due to the Bard's low physical abilities. A variation of the class, the Dancer, uses special Dances to cause status effects or damage to enemies on a battle field.[5][7] Unlike songs, the result of a dance is usually random. Other variations include Moogles, Songstresses,[7] and 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,[3] Final Fantasy IV (as Prince Edward Chris von Muir of Damcyan),[10] Final Fantasy V,[32] Final Fantasy XI,[8] and Final Fantasy X-2 (as the Songstress).[7] In Final Fantasy Tactics, Bard and Dancer are the only male and female (respectively) unique classes held by generic units.[5] In Final Fantasy V, Bard and Dancer are separate classes. The Dancer class also appears in Hataraku Chocobo. Dancer is included in the latest expansion of Final Fantasy XI, Wings of the Goddess; it uses TP points to carry out dances which have varying effects and can be played as a front-line healer because of its restorative dances. In "Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift", the Bard job is exclusive to the Moogle Hurdy.

Beast Master

Beast Master (also known as Tamer or Trainer) can control or even capture and train monsters.[32] In Final Fantasy Tactics, the ability is adjusted for the job Mediator as learning an ability to communicate with and manipulate monsters.[5] The class (or a variation thereof) has also appeared in Final Fantasy V,[32] Final Fantasy X-2, Final Fantasy XI,[8] and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (restricted to the Nu Mou race).[6] Typically, the class wields whips.

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 — to inflict heavy damage on the enemy.[10] Some of the most notable dark knights in the series include Leon/Leonhart (Final Fantasy II), Cecil Harvey (Final Fantasy IV),[10] and Gaff Gafgarion (Final Fantasy Tactics). Dark Knights are also found in Final Fantasy III,[3] Final Fantasy X-2, and Final Fantasy XI. In Final Fantasy XI, they are a damage dealing class with the highest base attack in the game but have relatively weak black magic spells other than their dark magic.[22] 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 and the Arcana class of magic are learnable. In Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions, characters can use the Dark Knight class. This differs from Gafgarion's version of the class, which is renamed Fell Knight.[34]

Paladin

See also: Paladin (character class)

Paladins, the opposite of Dark Knights, are virtuous knights devoted to the good of the people; these "knights in shining armor" wield low-level white magic to aid the people. The Paladin can use Cover to temporarily redirect damage from an ally to itself. This ability was also usable through a Relic called True Knight in Final Fantasy VI, and was also available through the "Cover" Materia in Final Fantasy VII. Notable Paladins in the series include Cecil Harvey (Final Fantasy IV), Beatrix (Final Fantasy IX), Agrias Oakes, and Delita Hyral (both of which are called Holy Knights in Final Fantasy Tactics). In Final Fantasy XI, they rely on curative magic and high defense bonuses to aid their parties in battle, they also have the highest sword and shield skills.[22] Paladins also appear in Final Fantasy Tactics Advance.

Mystic Knight

Mystic Knights are warriors that can cast magic on their swords to perform attacks with the power of the spell for several rounds. They have also been called Magic Knights, Mageknights, Biskmatars, and Sorcerers[21]. In Final Fantasy V, the Mystic Knight can use any magic previously learned on their sword.[21] In Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, it is a Bangaa-exclusive class called Gladiator. The skill itself is called Magic Sword and Spellblade (Final Fantasy V Advance). Although their magic power is weaker than the mages', Mystic Knights use less MP (and generally pierce Reflect, which can hinder certain mages' offense). In Final Fantasy XI, Red Mages have "En-" spells, which imbue their weapons with elements. The Mystic Knight's ability appears in Final Fantasy IX in the form of the combo between Steiner and Vivi, where Vivi casts a spell on Steiner's sword, who attacks the enemy at the same time (although, confusingly, it is Steiner's MP which is consumed by doing so). In Final Fantasy VII, the Added Effect materia could be used in a combo slot with a Magic materia such as Bio or Transform or the Elemental Materia with other magic Materia such as Ice (Blizzard) or Fire for the same results. Likewise, the same effect can be obtained in Final Fantasy VIII through the use of the Junction system, adding elemental or status-inflicting spells to their respective attack junctions. In Final Fantasy X-2, the Warrior dressphere carries elemental physical attacks that use MP.

Chemist

Highly proficient in the use of items, Chemists are generally support units who use special abilities such as Mix to cure party members and relieve status ailments.[32] The Mix command allows the Chemist to combine two items from the player's inventory to produce a special effect.[32] The Chemist has appeared as a class in Final Fantasy III, Final Fantasy V,[32] Final Fantasy Tactics,[5] 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 Tactics, Chemists do not have the Mix ability; however, they are the only job that can use items, and throw them more than one space, without equipping a special ability.[5] In Final Fantasy X, Rikku uses the ability Mix when her Overdrive is activated. In Final Fantasy XI, Chemists are not present as jobs, but alchemy exists as a craft among many.

Gambler

The Gambler (ギャンブラー, Gyanburā) 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).[20] In Final Fantasy VII, Cait Sith's limit break attack featured a slot machine or dice. In addition, Tifa Lockhart's limit break used a slot system to determine which techniques in a string of powerful moves hit or missed. Selphie Tilmitt from Final Fantasy VIII uses Slot as her limit break;[33] in Final Fantasy X, Wakka's Overdrive uses slots as well.[25] The gambler class has also appeared as in Final Fantasy X-2 as the Lady Luck dress sphere, using different Dice and Slots attacks. In Final Fantasy XII, the player had to press a button on the controller given a short amount of time that appears suddenly to perform a mist ability, a form of an overdrive. An evolution to the Gambler class has appeared in Final Fantasy XI, which has been dubbed Corsair. The Corsair class uses a card based game similar to Blackjack (or Twenty-One) to enhance party members' proficiency in battle. Gambler is also a type of enemy in Kingdom Hearts II, with similar powers and appearance. In Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, there is a class called the Gadgeteer that bears resemblance to the Gambler because it uses techniques that have an equal chance of affecting the party or the enemy (e.g., Green Gear has an equal chance of poisoning the player's party or the enemy's party.) However, they do not use a slot system.

Mime

Mimes can replicate the previous action of another party member with the Mimic command.[32] In Final Fantasy V, Mimes can equip most weapons and be given other previously learned abilities and commands.[32] In addition to replacing their Fight command with the Mimic command, they also sacrifice their Item command for an extra custom ability slot, both commands can be added back just like others. In Final Fantasy VI, Gogo can be given up to three special commands that the other characters have.[20] In Final Fantasy VII, the characters equipped with the "Mime" Materia can mimic the most recent action performed by another party member. In Final Fantasy Tactics, the Mime is the final unlockable class, available to a character once they unlock most other jobs and achieve certain levels in those other jobs. These Mimes are complimented by immense strength of their own, however, they cannot equip armor or weapons, and suffer from extreme vulnerability. Although the class does not appear in Final Fantasy X, players can learn a miming move called "Copycat".

Reception

In a review of the Final Fantasy Anthology compilation, IGN praised Final Fantasy V's "incredibly engrossing" job system.[35] The gameplay of Final Fantasy Tactics Advance was lauded for retaining elements from Final Fantasy Tactics while offering freedom to players to develop characters as they wish;[36] however, some reviewers thought the character jobs in Final Fantasy Tactics Advance are too many and overlaps one another, and have reached a point where certain abilities are redundant.[37]

References

  1. ^ Square Electronic Arts (ed.). Final Fantasy Tactics North American instruction manual. Square Electronic Arts. pp. 13, 24. SCUS-94221. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |origdate= (help)
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Square Enix Co. (ed.). Final Fantasy Origins North American instruction manual. Square Enix Co. p. 5. SLUS-01541. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |origdate= (help)
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa Final Fantasy III Official Website. Square Enix. Accessed February 17, 2007.
  4. ^ Square Enix Co. (ed.). Final Fantasy Anthology North American instruction manual. Square Enix Co. pp. 17–18. SLUS-00879GH. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |origdate= (help)
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af Square Electronic Arts (ed.). Final Fantasy Tactics North American instruction manual. Square Electronic Arts. pp. 24–26. SCUS-94221. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |origdate= (help)
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Final Fantasy Tactics Official Website Square-Enix.com. Accessed February 18, 2007.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Square Enix Co. (ed.). Final Fantasy X-2 North American instruction manual. Square Enix Co. p. 13. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |origdate= (help)
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i Final Fantasy XI Official Site. Playonline.com. Accessed February 9, 2007.
  9. ^ Square Enix Co. (ed.). Final Fantasy Origins North American instruction manual. Square Enix Co. p. 23. SLUS-01541. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |origdate= (help)
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Square Electronic Arts (ed.). Final Fantasy Chronicles North American instruction manual. Square Electronic Arts. pp. 6–9. SLUS-01360. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |origdate= (help)
  11. ^ Square Enix Co. (ed.). Final Fantasy Anthology North American instruction manual. Square Enix Co. pp. 47–48. SLUS-00879GH. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |origdate= (help)
  12. ^ Square Electronic Arts (ed.). Final Fantasy VII North American instruction manual. Square Electronic Arts. pp. 32–34. SCUS-94163. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |origdate= (help)
  13. ^ Square Electronic Arts (ed.). Final Fantasy VIII North American instruction manual. Square Electronic Arts. pp. 24–35. SLUS-00892GH.
  14. ^ The Evolution of Final Fantasy. IGN.com. Accessed February 11, 2006.
  15. ^ Square Electronic Arts (ed.). Final Fantasy IX North American instruction manual. Square Electronic Arts. pp. 16–19. SLUS-01251. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |origdate= (help)
  16. ^ BradyGAMES, ed. (2006). Final Fantasy XII Official Strategy Guide. DKPublishing. pp. 18–19. ISBN 0-7440-0837-9.
  17. ^ Final Fantasy XII introduces a new way to experience RPGs. CBS News. Accessed February 11, 2006.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Square Enix Co. (ed.). Final Fantasy Anthology North American instruction manual. Square Enix Co. p. 19. SLUS-00879GH. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |origdate= (help)
  19. ^ Final Fantasy Origins review. IGN.com. Accessed February 11, 2007.
  20. ^ a b c d e f Square Enix Co. (ed.). Final Fantasy Anthology North American instruction manual. Square Enix Co. pp. 44–46. SLUS-00879GH. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |origdate= (help)
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Square Enix Co. (ed.). Final Fantasy Anthology North American instruction manual. Square Enix Co. p. 20. SLUS-00879GH. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |origdate= (help)
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Final Fantasy XI Official Website: Job Descriptions. Playonline.com. Accessed February 10, 2006.
  23. ^ Khosla, Sheila (2003). "Tetsuya Nomura 20s". FLAREgamer. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help); Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  24. ^ a b Square Electronic Arts (ed.). Final Fantasy VII North American instruction manual. Square Electronic Arts. pp. 7–11. SCUS-94163. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |origdate= (help)
  25. ^ a b c d e Final Fantasy X Official Site. Square Enix.com. Accessed February 10, 2006.
  26. ^ Terra: You're Locke, right? Edgar told me about you. Is it true you're a thief? / Locke: That's TREASURE HUNTER! (Final Fantasy VI)
  27. ^ Amarant: Listen to you. I lost to some spineless thief. / Zidane: The sly eagle doesn't kill at whim. (Final Fantasy IX)
  28. ^ Square Electronic Arts (ed.). Final Fantasy IX North American instruction manual. Square Electronic Arts. p. 18. SLUS-01251. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |origdate= (help)
  29. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Square Enix Co. (ed.). Final Fantasy Anthology North American instruction manual. Square Enix Co. p. 21. SLUS-00879GH. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |origdate= (help)
  30. ^ Square Electronic Arts (ed.). Final Fantasy VIII North American instruction manual. Square Electronic Arts. p. 25. SLUS-00892GH.
  31. ^ BradyGAMES, ed. (2006). Final Fantasy XII Official Strategy Guide. DKPublishing. p. 44. ISBN 0-7440-0837-9.
  32. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Square Enix Co. (ed.). Final Fantasy Anthology North American instruction manual. Square Enix Co. p. 22. SLUS-00879GH. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |origdate= (help)
  33. ^ a b Square Electronic Arts (ed.). Final Fantasy VIII North American instruction manual. Square Electronic Arts. p. 21. SLUS-00892GH.
  34. ^ BradyGAMES, ed. (2006). Final Fantasy XII Official Strategy Guide. DKPublishing. pp. 284–286. ISBN 0-7440-0837-9.
  35. ^ Reyes, Francesca (1999). "Final Fantasy Anthology IGN Review". PSX.IGN.com. Retrieved 27 July. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  36. ^ Kasavin, Greg (2003-09-08). "Final Fantasy Tactics Advance Review". GameSpot.com. Retrieved 2007-07-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: year (link)
  37. ^ Metts, Jonathan (2003-10-13). "Final Fantasy Tactics Advance Review". Nintendoworldreport.com. Retrieved 2007-07-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: year (link)
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