FINAL FANTASY 6 PARTY MEMBER TIER LIST EXPOSED

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Instead of traditionally concentrating on a single main protagonist and their companions, as seen in many classic Final Fantasy titles, Final Fantasy 6 stands out by utilizing an “ensemble cast” strategy for its heroes. This approach grants the player access to fourteen permanent playable characters, making it the game with the most playable protagonists within the main series of Final Fantasy . Moreover, this is a significant divergence from almost every other game in the series, as the focus on the game’s narrative constantly shifts from one major character to another. While Terra might be considered the main character due to her appearance on promotional materials and serving as the initial hero, characters like Celes, Locke, and the Figaro brothers also receive substantial development and screen time, making them equally significant members of the game’s cast.

In the context of Final Fantasy 6, this method for crafting game characters works remarkably well. It seamlessly integrates with the game’s development and mechanisms, where almost every team member can perform various tasks due to the Espers/Magicite system. This flexibility allows even seemingly weak characters like Relm to become formidable forces, given time and combat investment. This contributes significantly to the game’s power curve, making it one of the most rewarding in the series. However, each character possesses unique abilities that make them valuable in battle, and these skills, coupled with their narrative arcs, will be crucial in creating a comprehensive tier list ranking the heroes of Final Fantasy 6.

S-Tier: The ‘Stars’ of Final Fantasy 6

  • Terra Branford
  • Locke Cole
  • Edgar Roni Figaro
  • Sabin Rene Figaro
  • Celes Chere

In the epic saga of Final Fantasy 6, the most outstanding characters are those who shine in battle and have deeply impactful storylines intertwined with the game’s overarching plot. Before players acquire Magicite to learn magic spells for any of the playable characters, many key figures within the game demonstrate their worth as party members through gameplay. The top-tier characters are veritable powerhouses who can single-handedly carry a 4-member team, and when combined with other top-tier heroes, they possess an almost game-breaking potential. Remarkably, four of the S-tier characters in Final Fantasy 6 are the initial playable characters – Terra, Locke, Edgar, Sabin, and later joined by Celes, who became a star during the Opera House scene in the game.

Beyond showcasing the combat prowess of these five characters in Final Fantasy 6, each figure also embodies significant themes from the game’s storyline. They grapple with understanding their roles in the world and finding meaning in life through meaningful connections. For instance, Terra grapples with her identity as a “human” while trying to comprehend love throughout the game. Celes and Locke form a bond based on shared past regrets and a commitment to supporting each other. The Figaro twins, Edgar and Sabin, find themselves torn between their loyalty to their nation and their family obligations. As the story unfolds, these character journeys intertwine remarkably with the main plot in unexpected yet poignant ways, solidifying their status as key characters within Final Fantasy 6.

A-Tier: Final Fantasy 6’s Supporting Players

  • Cyan Garamonde
  • Gau
  • Shadow (and Interceptor)

In the cast of characters from Final Fantasy 6, those considered top-tier are either exceptionally strong in battle or have deep, engaging narratives. However, it’s not uncommon for these characters to excel in one area but not the other. Cyan is a good example of a B-tier hero – his personal story is rich and compelling within the game, but he isn’t as powerful in combat as some of the top-tier heroes. Despite efforts to optimize his abilities with Magicite, Cyan doesn’t reach the battle potential of the S-tier characters, and his signature skill, Bushido, lacks the versatility of many other character-specific abilities.

From the opposite side of Cyan, we find heroes such as Gau and Shadow, who, though their character development may not be as deep, transform into two formidable characters in the game when properly nurtured. Specifically, Gau boasts an array of unique skills that even the toughest opponents in the game lack defenses against, making him a potential game-changer in battle. Similarly, Shadow, with his robust statistical distribution, has the capacity to grow into one of the strongest characters statistically, given players ensure they don’t miss him on the floating continent and manage to keep him before the World of Ruin.

B-Tier: Understudies of Final Fantasy 6’s Principal Cast

  • Setzer Gabbiani
  • Mog
  • Relm Arrowny
  • Strago Magus

In a manner similar to several secondary characters from Final Fantasy 6’s party, B-tier heroes often fall short in either combat effectiveness, story significance, or both. Unlike top-tier heroes like Shadow and Cyan, who excel in one area but not necessarily the other, B-tier characters serve as fillers when assembling a team for the game’s multi-party dungeons. Setzer, for instance, has an intriguing character development limited to the World of Ruin, yet his story takes a backseat to other heroes. Characters like Relm and her grandfather Strago also seem underutilized in terms of their potential. This is one of the drawbacks of Final Fantasy 6’s ensemble cast approach.

It’s important to note that, given suitable conditions and particular tactics, both Relm and Strago can prove to be exceptionally powerful allies in battle due to their unique skills. Yet, this doesn’t change the fact that they don’t significantly influence Final Fantasy 6‘s primary narrative beyond being playable characters.

C-Tier: Final Fantasy 6’s ‘Extras’

  • Gogo
  • Umaro

Among the playable characters in Final Fantasy 6 are two hidden, optional heroes: the mimic Gogo and the yeti Umaro. These lesser-known characters offer little contribution to the storyline or battle strength, especially since they can’t enhance their stats with Magicite during level-ups or learn magic spells. As for their narrative significance, Umaro’s recruitment quest might be important in developing Mog’s character arc. However, Gogo’s appearance in Final Fantasy 6 serves as an enjoyable Easter Egg for players of Final Fantasy 5, a reference that wouldn’t be recognized by Western players until much later.

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2025-03-26 16:08