Summary
- Final Fantasy games incorporate job systems unique to each entry, tying characters' roles to their personalities and stories.
- While progression systems like Materia, the Sphere Grid, and the Junction System offer versatility, some FF characters still exhibit innate job-specific abilities.
- Many games in the series feature characters embodying classic jobs like Warrior, Monk, Black Mage, and Summoner, paying homage to its rich history.
The job system is one of the most iconic elements of the Final Fantasy series. Countless fans love the entries in the series that let them assign jobs to various characters, governing the abilities they enter combat with.
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Meanwhile, other Final Fantasy games let players control characters who are clearly adhering to one of the many jobs in the series. These party members with pre-assigned jobs are often quite memorable, especially when the role they play in combat plays into their personality and story in their respective games.
6 Final Fantasy 7
The Materia System Makes Things Flexible, But Characters Still Have Innate Abilities Adhering To Certain Jobs
Final Fantasy 7
- Released
- January 31, 1997
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Fantasy Violence, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- RPG
With the materia system, party members in Final Fantasy 7 can learn a ton of powerful magic and abilities without having to adhere to a rigid class structure. However, veterans of the games know that the innate abilities of some characters in the game make them perfect representations of a certain job.
Barret is a modern ranger, Tifa is obviously a monk, Cloud embodies the spirit of a Warrior, and Cid's proficiency with spears makes him fit to be a Dragoon. This unique method of paying homage to the job system of the series while also introducing new progression systems made Final Fantasy 7 a huge step forward for the series in more ways than one.
5 Final Fantasy 6
Spells Can Be Learned By Anyone, But Party Members Also Have Unique Skills Of Their Own
Final Fantasy 6
- Released
- October 11, 1994
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Fantasy Violence, Partial Nudity
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Unlike the robust job system of Final Fantasy 5, its sequel featured characters with rigid roles. However, this wasn't a bad thing in the slightest, since it allowed the personality of the cast to shine, courtesy of their fleshed-out backgrounds.
Locke's thievery makes him a dashing rogue, Shadow is clearly a Ninja, Cyan is a powerful Samurai, and Sabin is arguably the most beloved monk in the series. Along with their innate abilities, party members can equip Magicite further down the line to learn a bevy of spells and abilities, increasing their versatility in combat.
4 Final Fantasy 4
Every Character Has Pre-Set Jobs That Sometimes Play A Major Role In The Story
Final Fantasy 4
- Released
- July 19, 1991
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Final Fantasy 4 tells one of the most ambitious stories in the series, with the job system also playing a major role in the protagonist's narrative. As a Dark Knight, Cecil was disillusioned with his inhumane job and decided to climb Mount Ordeals to try and clear his head.
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After overcoming his self-doubt, he is reborn as a Paladin who leaves his Dark Knight shell behind. Along with Cecil, the other temporary and permanent party members also embody some of the series' most iconic jobs, making Final Fantasy 4 a treat for long-time fans of the job system.
3 Final Fantasy 9
Characters Adhere To Classic Final Fantasy Jobs That Are Used In Unique Ways For Certain Story Beats
Final Fantasy 9
- Released
- July 7, 2000
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Violence, Mild Language
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Final Fantasy 9 is one of the greatest games in the series that pays homage to the series' past. The setting and gameplay are decidedly more classic-feeling while featuring enough modern twists to keep fans happy.
One glance at the cast will make their job affinities clear as day. Zidane is the charming thief, Steiner is the protective knight, Vivi personifies the Black Mage archetype to a T, and both Dagger and Eiko share the responsibilities of a White Mage and a Summoner.
2 Final Fantasy 10
The Sphere Grid Is Versatile, But Characters Are Usually Placed On A Path That Unlocks Certain Job-Specific Abilities
Final Fantasy 10
- Released
- December 17, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Mild Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
The Sphere Grid is one of the most versatile leveling systems in the Final Fantasy series, and players can technically explore any path on the Sphere Grid to mold their character however they want. However, in reality, most people won't want to veer too much from each character's starting spot on the grid.
This is by design, with each character acquiring abilities suited to their role in the party. Unless players veer too far for each character on the Sphere Grid, Lulu will become an adept Black Mage, Rikku will become a wily thief, and Yuna will juggles the responsibilities of being both a White Mage and a Summoner.
1 Final Fantasy 8
The Junction System Enhances Versatility, But Characters Have Natural Abilities Tied To Certain Jobs
Final Fantasy 8
- Released
- February 11, 1999
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
The Junction system, coupled with the act of drawing magic, means that characters in Final Fantasy 8 can be pretty versatile. However, that doesn't stop the heroes from conforming to certain classes.
The biggest giveaway here is the Limit Breaks that characters can use. Quistis can use Blue Magic abilities in combat, and Zell's Duel is self-explanatory, positioning him as the party's Monk.
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