Best Trios In Final Fantasy History

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This list contains spoilers

The Final Fantasy series is famous for its memorable pairs, but the trios that have appeared throughout the games don’t get as much attention. Although most Final Fantasy parties have more than three members, characters often form smaller, tighter-knit groups of three during their adventures, developing strong relationships with a couple of specific teammates.

I’ve always loved how many awesome groups of three characters we get in games, each with their own reasons for sticking together – it’s cool how different those reasons can be! Now, I want to really dive into some of the most well-known and memorable trios from the Final Fantasy franchise and figure out what makes them so fun to watch and play as. It’s been a lot of fun seeing them team up!

Lightning, Snow, & Hope

A Troubled Trio Who End Up Becoming Close Friends And Allies

Even before the story of Final Fantasy 13 began, Lightning and Snow had a strained relationship. Things became even more complicated when a boy named Hope entered the picture, as he blamed Snow for his mother’s death. Because of this, while the Final Fantasy 13 group includes other characters, the story mainly centers around these three. They begin working together reluctantly, trying to understand their Focus, but as the story’s challenges grow, their relationship starts to evolve.

Originally, Hope was trained by Lightning with the goal of defeating Snow. However, things changed when Snow unexpectedly saved Hope’s life. This led to a reconciliation between all three of them, and they eventually became close friends. It’s truly moving to see how much these three characters grow and change throughout the story. Even if some fans don’t particularly like them individually, it’s difficult not to appreciate them as a group.

Cloud, Barret, & Tifa

Arguably The Most Iconic Trio In The Franchise Who Share A Complex Relationship

Before you can add a robotic cat, a talking dog, and a ninja who’s really into Materia to your team in Final Fantasy 7, you’re limited to just three Avalanche members: Cloud, Tifa, and Barrett. Although these three generally work well together throughout the game, what’s truly interesting is the subtle tension that exists between them. For instance, Cloud and Tifa have a history, but it’s clear Tifa is holding back information, and Barrett is consistently wary of Cloud because of his connections to Shinra.

By the time they battled the Air Buster, the three characters had truly begun to trust each other with their lives. Having already faced so much together, they became very close and remained inseparable from that point forward. While Final Fantasy 7 features the much-loved character Aerith, it’s this initial trio who first take center stage, establishing them as the most memorable and iconic group in the game, and potentially, the entire franchise.

Zidane, Garnet, & Vivi

Final Fantasy 9’s Main Trio Form An Impenetrable Relationship

Similar to many other Final Fantasy games, Final Fantasy 9 lets players experience the story through a variety of characters. However, three characters are often considered central to the narrative. It’s natural that the playful Zidane would be one of them, as he’s the main character, but Garnet and Vivi are equally important to the plot.

Following Garnet’s rescue by Zidane at the start of the game, a romantic connection begins to develop between them, though it’s suggested rather than explicitly shown. At the same time, Zidane also develops a close, brotherly bond with Vivi, a Black Mage who had a very difficult childhood. Seeing these three characters grow, learn, and change throughout the game is a highlight of Final Fantasy 9, and a major reason why many fans believe it’s one of the best titles in the series.

Yuna, Rikku, & Paine

After The Events Of FF10, Yuna Formed A Dangerous New Girl Band

Yuna seems quite shy as a Summoner in Final Fantasy 10, but she’s almost unrecognizable in the sequel – which is understandable given everything she experienced with Tidus. In Final Fantasy 10-2, Yuna is now a well-known singer, and she’s joined by two powerful women on her new journey. One of these women appeared in the original Final Fantasy 10, while the other is a brand new character making her first appearance.

Rikku and Paine join Yuna throughout the whole game, and their very different ways of playing make sure that each character feels important and useful in fights. This also goes for what they’re like as people. Yuna and Rikku are generally cheerful and positive, while Paine’s more serious attitude balances them out when they get too excited. Final Fantasy 10-2 reduced the number of party members compared to the first game, but it was a smart move to concentrate on these three characters, because they work together so well as a charming team.

Reno, Rude, & Elena

The Lovable Bad Guys Of Final Fantasy 7

Even though the Turks are presented as enemies in Final Fantasy 7, many players find it difficult to dislike them – they’re simply enjoyable characters. The first Turk Cloud meets is Reno, a passionate agent who is a skilled fighter. Soon after, his colleague, Rude, and the energetic Elena, join the narrative. What makes this team so compelling is their contrasting personalities and viewpoints, which lead to amusing and clever conversations whenever they share a scene.

Rude is a quiet and serious character who usually solves problems with force. Elena, however, is a young and inexperienced soldier working for Shinra, and she’s determined to prove herself, even if she acts impulsively. Reno is somewhere in between the two of them. While Sephiroth is a truly frightening villain, these three smaller antagonists occasionally offer some comic relief, preventing the story from becoming overwhelmingly dark.

Laguna, Kiros, & Ward

Three Loyal Soldiers Who Go Through A Hellish Adventure Together

I always found Laguna, Kiros, and Ward really interesting in Final Fantasy 8. Unlike most of the groups you control in the game, they aren’t really *part* of Squall’s team, not at first anyway. You do get to play as them for a bit, but their story feels separate, letting you see things from a totally different angle. They’re all members of the Galbadian Army and always watch each other’s backs in battle. Plus, they’re great at lifting each other’s spirits when things get rough – they’ve definitely been through a lot together!

For instance, during what would be their final operation as members of the Galbadian Army, the group was captured by Esthar soldiers. This led to Ward being seriously hurt and losing his ability to speak. Although they only appear for a short time in the main game, the emotional weight of their shared story makes them a truly unforgettable group for any Final Fantasy 8 enthusiast.

Cecil, Kain, & Rosa

A Classic Love Triangle That Spirals Out Of Control

Many Final Fantasy games include romance as part of their stories, but how much attention it receives differs from game to game. With Final Fantasy 4, the complicated connection between Cecil, Kain, and Rosa is a key part of the overall storyline. What initially appears to be a typical love triangle quickly becomes much more unusual and captivating as players progress through the game.

Rosa, Kain, and Cecil all grew up together, but Rosa has always been in love with Cecil. This upsets Kain, who is in love with Rosa himself. Things become even more difficult when Kain falls under the control of Golbez, the game’s villain, causing him to become much more aggressive and violent. Even with these changes, Kain’s feelings for Rosa sometimes still come through. This complex love triangle creates a lot of tension between the characters, making the already amazing story even more captivating and unforgettable.

Magus Sisters

Mysterious Beings Who Have Appeared In Several Games

Many creatures and characters reappear throughout the Final Fantasy series. While players often think of Gilgamesh or Cid, one group is frequently overlooked: the Magus Sisters. They originally appeared in Final Fantasy 4, and later returned as both Summons and enemies in several subsequent games. Though renowned for their incredible power, acquiring and utilizing the Magus Sisters proves to be quite challenging.

For instance, in Final Fantasy 10, unlocking these characters requires a significant time investment. However, when you use them during battle, their abilities are quite different from what you’re accustomed to, making them challenging to control. Beyond this unique gameplay element, their character designs are also noteworthy. Each of the sisters has a distinct appearance, yet they all share a common Final Fantasy style that ties them together as a cohesive group.

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2025-09-30 05:40