Thanks to Final Fantasy, fans of RPG can get incredibly-unique experiences with each of its titles. Moreover, the Square Enix franchise earned critical acclaim thanks to its games’ unique gameplay, compelling stories, and captivating soundtracks. However, hardcore RPG fans would highly appreciate Final Fantasy for revolutionizing the genre for gaming. After all, it’s Final Fantasy that popularized the trend of switching classes (or Jobs) that assign special abilities and skills to characters.
Final Fantasy‘s unique class system introduced innovations that players believe changed the RPG genre. Additionally, certain unique classes from Final Fantasy games introduced tropes and quirks that made an impact in future RPG titles from various creators. Just which Final Fantasy classes made a mark in the genre? And which classes from the franchise almost made the same impact?
10 Iconic: Summoner
Fans of FF10 and FF6 will remember Yuna and Terra, both spellcasters who specialize in Summons. Technicality-speaking, fans can classify them under the Summoner Job. Their games’ popularity allowed the Summoner to become more recognizable as a Job in the franchise. Summoners (or Evokers) often trade their ability to master schools of magic to summon powerful monsters. In turn, Summoners can become a powerhouse for most parties in the game.
Outside Final Fantasy, the Summoner archetype exists in other RPG staples. These often come in the form of Necromancer or Warlocks that tap into dark magic. Likewise, Rangers can often summon beasts to aid them.
9 Almost There: Warrior
In Final Fantasy, the Warrior (or Fighter) serves as one of the most straightforward Jobs for characters. Unlike other Jobs, Warriors maintain a healthy balance in stats and survivability. In turn, Warriors can deal decent melee damage thanks to their specializations and get decent defense. Additionally, this quality of the Warrior reflects how RPGs should have a “balanced basic Job” to help players acclimate to the game.
Unfortunately, the Warrior’s generic nature failed to help make a mark in the RPG industry at large. Despite the inherent benefits of the Warrior, they remained overshadowed by their more versatile peers.
8 Iconic: Paladin/Dark Knight
When fans think of FF4, they often think of Cecil Harvey. In FF4, everyone except Cecil has a default Job assignment. After all, in the story, Cecil transitions from being a Dark Knight into a Paladin. In turn, Cecil gains access to both Jobs’ respective special abilities. Both Paladins and Dark Knights in the franchise have access to heavy armor and high physical power. However, Paladins usually wield White Magic-based support spells, while Dark Knights have more offensive Black Magic-inspired spells.
Unlike other Jobs, the Paladin/Dark Knight duality made a mark in the RPG scene thanks to introducing the idea of counterbalancing classes as a game mechanic. In other games, these come in the form of changing “stances” or battle “styles.” However, FF4 made the feeling grander by enabling players to truly change a Job.
7 Almost There: Time Mage
The Time Mage (or Dimensional Mage) serves as an attempt for Square Enix to introduce more versatile Jobs in Final Fantasy. Technicality-wise, the Time Mage succeeds in this goal. After all, their Time Magic gravitates towards slowing or speeding up time or even manipulating gravity. Unfortunately, the rather “messy” nature of spacetime as a concept didn’t make the Time Mage as remarkable as their premise.
Time Magic elements soon got incorporated into other Jobs. For instance, mobility-related Jobs may have access to Time Magic-based Haste and Slow. Likewise, other magic users also got to access Gravity, a Time Magic staple. Unfortunately, these caveats made Time Mages a bit obsolete in Final Fantasy and applications outside the franchise.
6 Iconic: Ninja
Players who neglected the Thief for their rather weak stature will regret the decision, thanks to the Ninja’s nature as a powerhouse “evolution.” In most Final Fantasy games, the shadowy Ninja often takes the form of a Job upgrade from the Thief. In turn, they share similar themes such as mobility, stealth, and quick attacks.
Despite having weaker statures compared to their comrades, Ninjas boast some of the highest evasion and speed in the franchise. In fact, some games often allow Ninjas to devastate opponents on the battlefield. Players who take the time to acquire the Ninja will soon appreciate the effort to unlock class progressions in other RPGs.
5 Almost There: Samurai
Granted, Final Fantasy already has a melee-dedicated fighting class in the Warrior. However, the Samurai adds a noticeable edge to the Job Roster thanks to its reliance on mobility and other support abilities. Appearance-wise, the Samurai usually don traditional Feudal Japanese attire that reflect their ability to be able to equip heavy armor and shields. Their Samurai-centric theme gives them access to flavored abilities such as fast-attacking iaijutsu and “spirit”-themed support abilities.
Unfortunately, the unique flavor of the Samurai didn’t make that much of a dent in the RPG scene compared to the Ninja. Unlike the Ninja, the Samurai didn’t have extremely noticeable offerings that fans will crave outside the base Final Fantasy games.
4 Iconic: Red Mage
In most traditional RPGs, classes either rely on physical attacks or magical abilities to contribute in combat. Thanks to Final Fantasy‘s Red Mage, players realize they can actually get a bit of both. After all, they can use some spells from both Black Magic and White Magic while being able to equip most light armor and weaponry. Unfortunately, most Red Mage iterations only allow them to use low-level magic and never let them use stronger armor, weakening their efficiency. The Job became an icon in RPG culture as players need to learn how to balance class features with practicality.
Interestingly, the Red Mage does have some counterparts in modern RPG setups. The Eldritch Knight of Dungeons & Dragons, for example, functions as a magical knight in the same vein as the Red Mage. However, while there’s no recognition of any inspiration from the Red Mage, D&D did release the Eldritch Knight in 3.5e (2003) while the Red Mage already appeared in the first Final Fantasy game (1987).
3 Almost There: Dragoon
Of all Jobs in Final Fantasy, fans might say the Dragoon remains one of the most unique. After all, the Dragoon doesn’t seem to have any technical equivalent in other RPGs. In Final Fantasy, the Dragoon (or Lancer) specializes in wielding lances and spears while wearing dragon-themed armor. Jump, their special ability, allows them to jump and avoid attacks while raining hell on enemies with a powerful attack.
Unfortunately, despite their theme, they haven’t been as prominent in the series as fans wanted them to be. Despite their popularity in modern Square Enix games such as FF14, they didn’t make that much of an impact outside the franchise.
2 Iconic: Black Mage
In Final Fantasy, Black Mages specialize in Black Magic – a kind of magic that focuses on offensive spells that often comprise of Fire, Blizzard, and Thunder elements. However, despite the popularity of spellcasters such as Wizards in other RPGs, Final Fantasy‘s Black Mage remains iconic to RPG fans thanks to its signature look. After all, the Black Mage’s pointed hat, blue robes, and two visible eyes remain a Final Fantasy staple.
Thanks to Black Mage Vivi of FF9, fans now had a grasp of what a Black Mage would look like in 3D. Additionally, only the Black Mage had a unique distinction of using a particular set of spells, unlike other RPG counterparts.
1 Almost There: Arithmetician
Fans of Final Fantasy Tactics will remember some crazy moments courtesy of the Arithmetician (or Calculator). After all, unlike other spellcasters, the Arithmetician’s Arithmeticks allows them to cast most spells without Charge Time and MP costs. Moreover, their spells can affect a variety of characters based on conditions and numbers, such as aevels.
In turn, Arithmeticians can easily become one of the most powerful Jobs in the game. The Job serves as a first in the RPG scene where a class can randomly affect the battlefield based on player-set parameters. Unfortunately, the Arithmetician only made its appearance in Tactics and didn’t seem to make an indelible mark in the RPG landscape.
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