Thanks toFinal Fantasy, fans of RPG can get incredibly-unique experiences with each of its titles. Moreover, theSquare Enixfranchise earned critical acclaim thanks to its games' unique gameplay, compelling stories, and captivating soundtracks. However, hardcore RPG fans would highly appreciateFinal Fantasyfor revolutionizing the genre for gaming. After all, it’sFinal Fantasythat popularized the trend of switching classes (or Jobs) that assign special abilities and skills to characters.
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Final Fantasy’s unique class system introduced innovations that players believe changed the RPG genre. Additionally, certain unique classes fromFinal Fantasygames introduced tropes and quirks that made an impact in future RPG titles from various creators. Just whichFinal Fantasyclasses made a mark in the genre? And which classes from the franchise almost made the same impact?
10Iconic: Summoner
Fans ofFF10will remember Yuna, a spellcaster who specialized in Summons. Technicality-speaking, fans can classify her under the Summoner Job. FF10’s popularity helped the Summoner to become more recognizable as a Job in the franchise to younger fans, although summons have been present in the series in past games. Summoners (or Evokers) often trade their ability to master schools of magicto summon powerful monsters. In turn, Summoners can become a powerhouse for most parties in the game.
OutsideFinal Fantasy, the Summoner archetype exists in other RPG staples. These often come in the form of Necromancer or Warlocks that tap into dark magic. Likewise, Rangers can often summon beasts to aid them.
9Almost There: Warrior
InFinal Fantasy, the Warrior (or Fighter) serves as one of the most straightforward Jobs for characters. Unlike other Jobs, Warriors maintaina healthy balance in stats and survivability. In turn, Warriors can deal decent melee damage thanks to their specializations and get decent defense. Additionally, this quality of the Warrior reflects how RPGs should have a “balanced basic Job” to help players acclimate to the game.
Unfortunately, the Warrior’s generic nature failed to help make a mark in the RPG industry at large. Despite the inherent benefits of the Warrior, they remained overshadowed by their more versatile peers.
8Iconic: Paladin/Dark Knight
When fans think ofFF4, they often think of Cecil Harvey. InFF4, everyone except Cecil has a default Job assignment. After all, in the story, Cecil transitions from being a Dark Knight into a Paladin. In turn, Cecil gains access to both Jobs' respective special abilities. Both Paladins and Dark Knights in the franchise have access to heavy armor and high physical power. However, Paladins usually wieldWhite Magic-based support spells, while Dark Knights have more offensive Black Magic-inspired spells.
Unlike other Jobs, the Paladin/Dark Knight duality made a mark in the RPG scene thanks to introducing the idea of counterbalancing classes as a game mechanic. In other games, these come in the form of changing “stances” or battle “styles.” However,FF4made the feeling grander by enabling players to truly change a Job.
7Almost There: Time Mage
The Time Mage (or Dimensional Mage) serves as an attempt for Square Enix to introduce more versatile Jobs inFinal Fantasy. Technicality-wise, the Time Mage succeeds in this goal. After all, their Time Magic gravitates towards slowing or speeding up time or even manipulating gravity. Unfortunately, the rather “messy” nature of spacetime as a concept didn’t make the Time Mage as remarkable as their premise.
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Time Magic elements soon got incorporated into other Jobs. For instance, mobility-related Jobs may have access to Time Magic-based Haste and Slow. Likewise, other magic users also got to access Gravity, a Time Magic staple. Unfortunately, these caveats made Time Mages a bit obsolete inFinal Fantasyand applications outside the franchise.
6Iconic: Ninja
Players who neglected the Thief for their rather weak stature will regret the decision, thanks to the Ninja’s nature as a powerhouse “evolution.” In mostFinal Fantasygames, the shadowy Ninja often takes the form of a Job upgrade from the Thief. In turn, they share similar themes such asmobility, stealth, and quick attacks.
Despite having weaker statures compared to their comrades, Ninjas boast some of the highest evasion and speed in the franchise. In fact, some games often allow Ninjas to devastate opponents on the battlefield. Players who take the time to acquire the Ninja will soon appreciate the effort to unlock class progressions in other RPGs.
5Almost There: Samurai
Granted,Final Fantasyalready has a melee-dedicated fighting class in the Warrior. However, the Samurai adds a noticeable edge to the Job Roster thanks to its reliance on mobility and other support abilities. Appearance-wise, the Samurai usually don traditional Feudal Japanese attire that reflect their ability to be able to equip heavy armor and shields. Their Samurai-centric theme gives them access to flavored abilities such as fast-attacking iaijutsu and “spirit”-themed support abilities.
Unfortunately, the unique flavor of the Samurai didn’t make that much of a dent in the RPG scene compared to the Ninja. Unlike the Ninja, the Samurai didn’t have extremely noticeable offerings that fans will crave outside the baseFinal Fantasygames.
4Iconic: Red Mage
In most traditional RPGs, classes either rely on physical attacks or magical abilities to contribute in combat. Thanks toFinal Fantasy’s Red Mage, players realize they can actually get a bit of both. After all, they can use some spells from both Black Magic and White Magic while being able to equip most light armor and weaponry. Unfortunately, most Red Mage iterations only allow them to use low-level magic and never let them use stronger armor, weakening their efficiency. The Job became an icon in RPG culture as players need to learn how to balance class features with practicality.
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Interestingly, the Red Mage does have some counterparts in modern RPG setups. The Eldritch Knight ofDungeons & Dragons,for example,functions as a magical knight in the same vein as the Red Mage. However, while there’s no recognition of any inspiration from the Red Mage,D&Ddid release the Eldritch Knight in3.5e(2003) while the Red Mage already appeared in the firstFinal Fantasygame (1987).
3Almost There: Dragoon
Of all Jobs inFinal Fantasy, fans might say the Dragoon remains one of the most unique. After all, the Dragoon doesn’t seem to have any technical equivalent in other RPGs. InFinal Fantasy, the Dragoon (or Lancer) specializes in wielding lances and spears while wearing dragon-themed armor. Jump, their special ability, allows themto jump and avoid attackswhile raining hell on enemies with a powerful attack.
Unfortunately, despite their theme, they haven’t been as prominent in the series as fans wanted them to be. Despite their popularity in modern Square Enix games such asFF14, they didn’t make that much of an impact outside the franchise.
2Iconic: Black Mage
InFinal Fantasy, Black Mages specialize in Black Magic - a kind of magicthat focuses on offensive spellsthat often comprise of Fire, Blizzard, and Thunder elements. However, despite the popularity of spellcasters such as Wizards in other RPGs,Final Fantasy’s Black Mage remains iconic to RPG fans thanks to its signature look. After all, the Black Mage’s pointed hat, blue robes, and two visible eyes remain aFinal Fantasystaple.
Thanks to Black Mage Vivi ofFF9, fans now had a grasp of what a Black Mage would look like in 3D. Additionally, only the Black Mage had a unique distinction of using a particular set of spells, unlike other RPG counterparts.
1Almost There: Arithmetician
Fans ofFinal Fantasy Tacticswill remember some crazy moments courtesy of the Arithmetician (or Calculator). After all, unlike other spellcasters, the Arithmetician’s Arithmeticks allows them to cast most spells without Charge Time and MP costs. Moreover, their spells can affect a variety of characters based on conditions and numbers, such as aevels.
In turn, Arithmeticians can easily becomeone of the most powerful Jobs in the game. The Job serves as a first in the RPG scene where a class can randomly affect the battlefield based on player-set parameters. Unfortunately, the Arithmetician only made its appearance inTacticsand didn’t seem to make an indelible mark in the RPG landscape.
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