9 Weakest Final Fantasy Party Members, Ranked

The Final Fantasy series features some of the most memorable character lineups in Japanese Role-Playing Game (JRPG) history. These figures are so recognizable that people who haven’t played any games from this franchise can still identify them effortlessly.

Even though they have unique designs and personalities, certain party members within the Final Fantasy series might be less powerful than other characters when it comes to their effectiveness in combat situations. This observation is not related to their significance in the storyline, but rather their usefulness during battles.

In this piece, we spotlight the less effective characters from the Final Fantasy series, often overlooked during battles because of their underwhelming skills or statistics that tend to be overshadowed significantly.

This collection is primarily designed for individuals who enjoy the games leisurely, rather than those striving for a complete achievement or employing techniques from speedrunning, since such approaches significantly alter the overall gaming experience.

In this listing, I will limit the representation to just one character from each primary installment of the Final Fantasy series, omitting jobs-based games and online titles for a more diverse presentation.

9. Quistis

Final Fantasy VIII

In Final Fantasy VIII, identifying the least powerful party member is challenging because the Junction System allows players to customize which stats they enhance. As a result, every character can be powerful, and their effectiveness ultimately depends on their unique Limit Break. Using this measure, Quistis tends to rank as the weakest among the main cast.

Characters such as Squall, Zell, and Irvine possess powerful Limit Breaks which deal heavy damage repeatedly, acting as formidable boss-fighters. In contrast, Selphie and Rinoa primarily specialize in offensive and supportive magic. Quistis is positioned somewhere in the middle, functioning as the party’s Blue Mage with a diverse repertoire of skills that can be learned.

However, it’s worth noting that Degenerator could be considered the best ability for tackling typical adversaries; nonetheless, its effectiveness is primarily limited to such opponents.

In the game Final Fantasy VIII, it tends to be more effective to steer clear of battles or progress slowly in levels. Therefore, it’s generally suggested not to eliminate common enemies excessively.

8. Gladiolus

Final Fantasy XV

Discussing Final Fantasy XV can be challenging, especially for those who, like me, initially played the release version. Unfortunately, that version didn’t include the swappable party member feature. Even if you played the standalone DLCs, the characters were designed exclusively for those stories, making a full party less necessary.

If pressed to choose just one, I’d opt for Gladiolus. It’s not that he’s inferior, but among the quartet of rebellious characters, he seems to be at a disadvantage compared to the others.

The primary problem lies in Gladio’s excruciatingly slow speed, rendering it challenging to release his potent attacks when his fury gauge is maximized. However, he performs admirably under AI management, as adversaries often target him, allowing us to deal damage with the other characters.

However, even though you might not be controlling Noctis, you can still enjoy the gameplay with Gladio. The battle against Gilgamesh offers an engaging experience, ensuring that the combat in Final Fantasy XV feels responsive and interactive.

Playing as Noctis often felt like a blend of rapid Warp Strikes and constant dodging. The strategic element came from perfectly timed blocks and well-coordinated attacks with Gladiolus, which added an exciting twist to the combat dynamics.

7. Vincent Valentine

Final Fantasy VII

Wait, what about Cait Sith? I hear you protesting.

I feel the same pain as you do. Vincent Valentine was one of my favorites from Final Fantasy VII too. I admire his design, the heartbreaking past, and the weapon he prefers to wield, but in terms of abilities, he’s rather average.

You aren’t alone in feeling this way; Vincent Valentine was one of my top picks in Final Fantasy VII as well. I appreciate his design, the sad history, and the weapon he chooses to use, but when it comes to skills, he’s not exactly extraordinary.

Vincent leans more towards magic rather than raw physical strength, but his Intelligence and Spirit match that of Cait Sith’s. However, he has the least Health Points (HP) among the entire crew.

From my perspective, I believe Vincent’s main issue lies in his Limit Break. He can be quite formidable against ordinary foes and basic bosses.

Back in the day, if you’d told my teenage gaming self that using Vincent’s Limit Break against Safer Sephiroth was a smart move, I wouldn’t have believed you. I ended up watching an auto-battle unfold, with two of my party members knocked out, and Vincent, out of control, dishing out pitiful damage. Quite the turn of events!

Essentially, Vincent is included in the party mainly because of his stylish look and intimidating form, although he does come in handy if you’re trying to farm the Death Penalty weapon. However, considering his role as the weakest member in our group during Final Fantasy VII, it might not be the best choice.

6. Amarant

Final Fantasy IX

In the game Final Fantasy IX, Amarant possesses characteristics that blend Ninja and Monk roles. He’s capable of hurling weapons and currency (Gil) to inflict substantial harm, and boasts support abilities such as Chakra and Aura, which offer appealing positive effects. However, when compared to other team members, he underperforms in terms of damage output and overall utility.

A character with blue skin arrives rather late to the gathering. If you plan on utilizing him, it might be necessary to devote several skirmishes to nurture and bring out his full capabilities.

In the game Final Fantasy IX, although Zidane and Steiner can inflict good damage, they are more powerful than Amarant. It is advisable to have a mage and support character in your party instead of Amarant.

Quina, when it comes to adaptability, steps up to the mark. Initially, one might think that Quina is weak due to his fondness for frogs, but as events unfold, he proves invaluable with skills such as White Wind, Mighty Guard, and Auto-Life. Furthermore, if you’re on a quest for frogs, Frog Drop becomes one of the strongest abilities within Final Fantasy IX.

5. Kimahri

Final Fantasy X

Kimahri’s main challenge lies in his position smack in the center of the Sphere Grid, offering numerous growth opportunities. This might perplex newcomers, despite the fact that Final Fantasy X generally caters well to beginner players.

In my gaming adventures, I often find myself choosing a different route from Lulu, which leaves me less physically formidable than your typical attacker. Unlike the game’s specialized Black Mage, I’m not particularly proficient in wielding powerful magic either.

Absolutely! You can train him to master Holy or mold him along Auron’s war-focused path. However, I pointed out that it’s quite challenging to determine the best approach, particularly for a newcomer to Final Fantasy X.

Kimahri’s inclusion in the party seems challenging given that other members excel more than him at his skills. In essence, much like other Blue Mages, he’s a versatile character without a clear specialty, and by the time he becomes strong, the rest of the team will have grown even stronger.

4. Sazh

Final Fantasy XIII

Final Fantasy XIII may appear to play itself due to its reputation, but don’t let that fool you. While the combat system might seem simplified at first glance, it hides a deeper layer of strategy known as the Paradigm system. If you’re not vigilant, a game over could easily catch you off guard.

Essentially, I’m trying to convey that despite the expansion of the Crystarium, which increases everyone’s versatility, most party members remain valuable in their individual roles.

Initially, Sazh plays a crucial role due to his Haste magic, but over time, he grows less powerful compared to other characters. Fang emerges as stronger, while Hope proves more valuable, resulting in Sazh being largely overshadowed.

While much of Final Fantasy XIII follows a linear path and requires you to use him at different stages, he remains useful up until you reach Gran Pulse. However, beyond that point, you’ll find fewer reasons to keep him as a permanent member in your fixed party.

3. Umaro

Final Fantasy VI

In this listing, you’ll find a recurring element that I strongly dislike – characters who act on their own without player control, such as Umaro from Final Fantasy VI. Despite being a powerful yeti, his true potential remains untapped due to the lack of control over his actions.

Umaro has access to as many as four abilities based on the item he carries. A notable advantage is that he can perform actions even when debuffed. However, a significant disadvantage is that he blindly attacks foes, lacking the ability to aid allies with items or magic in dire situations.

In the realm of World of Ruin, I’ve often encountered a unique character named Umaro later in my gaming journey. His role is quite specialized, proving particularly useful for adventures within the Coliseum or the Cultist’s Tower. However, beyond these specific scenarios, Umaro doesn’t seem to offer much allure for me as a player.

2. Gordon

Final Fantasy II

Discussing the unique abilities of characters from Final Fantasy II is peculiar due to the fact that most characters start as empty canvases, allowing players to shape their skills and traits according to their preferences.

Although Leon might appear weaker compared to the initial three party members due to his lower stats upon joining, I would like to advocate for the addition of guest characters instead.

In the game “Final Fantasy II,” the fourth party member is often a temporary character. Some of these guests are fantastic additions and prove particularly useful in dungeons, such as the powerful white mage Minwu and the sturdy monk Josef. However, there’s also Gordon, a guest who initially joins the group with less impressive stats at the onset of the game.

If Gordon had joined the game from the beginning, his traits wouldn’t have been an issue. However, since he enters later, he appears significantly weaker than the other characters who were established party members, such as Leon. In this case, it might be wiser to let Gordon perish in battle and concentrate on strengthening Firion, Maria, and Guy instead.

1. Edward

Final Fantasy IV

It’s quite frustrating when a party member uses up a turn without being productive. Even though Edward from Final Fantasy IV can be utilized strategically, he’s not particularly helpful. Similar to many characters in the game, he’s temporary. So, it’s advisable to act like Tellah and disregard his presence for now while we have him in our party.

The character known as the Spoonbard possesses weak physical and magical attributes and an ability called Hide, which withdraws him from combat – essentially signaling that he may not be very useful in battle. However, he does have skills such as Bardsong and Salve. Bardsong could potentially impose a detrimental status on enemies, while Salve can distribute a usable item among the entire party.

It’s worth noting that Edward tends to be quite unpredictable. His attacks cause only minor harm, his Bard’s song may not always function effectively, and while his Salve can be useful, it too has certain restrictions.

If Edward doesn’t voluntarily leave the battle, that’s when all this occurs. His presence in the story is transient, and during his time with us, we recall mostly how he separated the party’s shared experiences.

Or:

If Edward chooses not to desert the battle, then these events unfold. Edward’s presence in the narrative is brief, and throughout, our main memory of him is that he divided the group’s collective experience.

2025-01-28 18:40