The Weakest Final Fantasy Heroes: Who Falls Short in Power?

Summary

Ceodore, Firion, and Vaan are weaker Final Fantasy protagonists compared to others in the series.
The strength of these heroes varies due to factors such as lack of divine strength or a focus on gathering a party.
Despite their weaknesses, these protagonists still demonstrate bravery and determination in their respective games.

While the main characters in the popular video game franchise, Final Fantasy, are widely recognized as powerful saviors of worlds and even realities, some of these champions exhibit vulnerability. This could be due to their intense commitment to building a capable team of allies or perhaps a lack of inherent divine power. The series offers a broad range of strength levels among its protagonists.

The first protagonists of the “Final Fantasy” series often embody mortal swordsmen with a strong grip on destiny, while some heroes may seem less powerful compared to their non-famous comrades. However, it’s important to note that the main characters in the “Final Fantasy” series are usually content to stay on the weaker side.

8. Tidus

Final Fantasy 10’s Posterchild Whose Strengths Lie In Out-Of-Combat Activities

Although Tidus is the player-character in Final Fantasy 10 and appears on its North American box art, his skills in Blitzball and melee combat don’t make him as strong compared to other commanding protagonists within the broader Final Fantasy series.

Despite his abilities to use White magic and wield the powerful weapon Caladbolg, Tidus is relatively ordinary compared to Square Enix’s traditionally overpowered heroes. While he demonstrates his bravery in numerous challenging situations, leading up to the ultimate defeat of Yu Yevon, it is unfortunate that his strength seems rather ordinary when measured against the legendary figures who have graced the Final Fantasy series for nearly 40 years.

7. Ceodore Harvey

The Son Of Final Fantasy 4’s Hero With A Dwindling Power In Comparison

1991’s Final Fantasy 4 has seen numerous remasters and reissues over time. Seventeen years later, its expansive sequel, Final Fantasy 4: The After Years, was released. In this new story, Ceodore Harvey, the knight-in-training son of the original game’s hero, plays a significant role, contributing to the intricate tapestry of characters in the game.

During a span of around 40 hours in the game, Ceodore works with his group to help his father vanquish the Dark Knight. Through this journey, he gradually discovers a sense of self-worth and autonomy. However, Ceodore’s place in the annals of Final Fantasy lore is somewhat unclear. Though his lineage originates from one of the series’ most iconic heroes, Ceodore’s lack of prior training and his collaborative role often make him less powerful compared to other members within his party, let alone the game itself.

6. Firion

A Rebellious Warrior Who Fits The Bill As Final Fantasy 2’s Protagonist

While the “Final Fantasy” series is renowned for its groundbreaking role-playing games, revisiting some of its earlier installments can feel quite challenging nowadays. One such game is “Final Fantasy 2,” which centers around Firion, a swordfighter who rallies the Wild Rose Rebellion against the powerful Palamecian Empire. Despite being an early entry in the series, the storyline in this game remains focused and engaging.

Though some might argue that the plot of this series’ first game was simpler than later installments, my character, Firion, continued the original spirit of Final Fantasy, offering a player-controlled experience with remarkable versatility. Working alongside my comrades, we bravely toppled the Palamecian Emperor, but compared to the divine might of future heroes in the franchise, my strength pales in comparison – a testament to the open-ended nature of this epic saga.

5. The Warrior Of Light

The Series’ First Hero Who Found Legend With Bravery Over Strength

Although it’s widely known as the first release in the series, originally titled Final Fantasy, this game leans more towards an adaptation of traditional pen-and-paper role-playing games compared to some later titles within the franchise.

In this game, although it has four Warriors of Light, the straightforward storyline largely depends on the player to develop and shape the personalities and actions of these party characters. Following the pattern seen in earlier games of the Final Fantasy series, the narrative is structured to allow players to project their own personality and gaming style onto the protagonists who are essentially blank slates. Despite the Warriors of Light being skilled swordsmen capable of great feats, most players will find that they can only connect emotionally with Yoshitaka Amano’s iconic artwork representing the hero of this NES title, as it offers the closest depiction of the character’s temperament.

4. Luneth

A Modern Remnant Of The Series’ Early Blank-Slate Hero Structure

Luneth, one of the original characters from Square Enix’s 1990 RPG “Final Fantasy,” is among the series’ earliest heroes, even though he didn’t fully exhibit his jovial spontaneity until the 2006 remake of “Final Fantasy 3.” Much like other initial protagonists in the “Final Fantasy” series, Luneth serves as a canvas for players to project their own heroic ideals. This is evident in his initial role as a Freelancer, allowing players to mold him according to their imagination.

Unlike certain traditional heroes from the earlier versions of Final Fantasy games before the remake of Final Fantasy 3, Luneth is shown in some of the game’s full-motion video cutscenes wearing armor typical of a Warrior class character. Even after teaming up to defeat the Cloud of Darkness in the final moments of the game, Luneth is still considered a rather ordinary character when compared to his contemporaries from the early Final Fantasy series. With the game’s mechanics being less developed and him lacking any particularly heroic deeds that set him apart, he is often eclipsed by even some of the less impressive heroes in other RPG series.

3. Benjamin

The Paper-Thin Hero Inhabiting The Series’ Entry-Level Title

1992 saw the launch of Final Fantasy Mystic Quest, initially intended as an introductory game for Square Enix’s growing RPG franchise. However, the final product turned out to be quite ordinary, following a predictable design and offering unimpressive aesthetics. This blandness is mirrored in the game’s main character, Benjamin, who is pleasantly cheerful but lacks depth.

Although Benjamin effectively recovers the Elemental Crystals and vanquishes the ominous Dark King, his role as a blank canvas – a common trait in early Final Fantasy characters – limits his potential power. In the role of the hero in Mystic Quest, this minimalist design becomes even more watered down, with his abilities seeming less impressive compared to some of the series’ least capable warriors.

2. Edward Chris Von Muir

An Endearing Character With A Good Heart Yet Moderate Weakness

In the game Final Fantasy 4, Edward Chris von Muir may not live up to expectations in combat due to his late-game stat surge that lasts only for a short while before he departs from the party. It’s unfortunate given his beloved character and appearance, which led to his comeback in the series with the 2008 sequel, Final Fantasy 4: The After Years. However, his role as a Bard and Monarch somewhat justifies his delicate design.

Although the noble king is known for his kindness and fair rule, given that he’s vulnerable in battle without his allies’ protection, his role isn’t designed for the forefront. Regrettably, despite his abilities lying elsewhere, he becomes remarkably weak as a central character – all the more apparent when compared to the series’ future hero who towers above him.

1. Vaan

Final Fantasy 12’s Street-Rat Self-Insert Who Gets His Allies To Fight For Him

In contrast to the valiant and mighty characters that are typical of the “Final Fantasy” series, Vaan from “Final Fantasy 12” stands out as an exception, even among the less impressive fighters in the franchise.

During the playtime of the 2006 RPG, Vaan serves as a largely empty canvas for players to use. His background as a street urchin from Rabanstre gives him traits like scrappiness and determination that can be both charming and irritating. Given his physical and technical shortcomings, Vaan frequently lands himself in perilous situations that could potentially harm his party. Yet, due to his frequent need for help from his friends in difficult situations, Vaan’s recklessness and weakness are mitigated if players smartly utilize the other combatants in Final Fantasy 12 to fend off threats.

2025-02-20 06:34