In the vast and mystical realms of Final Fantasy, strength takes many forms, be it extraordinary physical capabilities, or powerful magical abilities.

Over the course of a few decades and numerous entries to this series, lots of iconic characters emerged, etching their names into the span of the gaming history forever. Final Fantasy’s lore is rich in distinct figures, from valiant heroes to formidable villains, whose strength transcendents our boldest imaginations.

Nevertheless, in this very group, we can distinguish some exceptionally gifted individuals.

Let’s embark on this journey together and try to uncover the best characters in Final Fantasy history, each of whom left a permanent mark on the hearts and minds of players worldwide.

10. Tidus (Final Fantasy X)

The protagonist from Final Fantasy X, Tidus, originates from the city of Zanarkand. After his hometown was attacked by a beast named Sin, he was transported to the world called Spira.

His journey, despite being a physical one, is also a journey of self-discovery, over the course of which his upbeat and childish behavior gets replaced with a more level-headed and grounded approach.

In battle, Tidus wields swords and shields with unmatched speed and agility. Equipped with his Celestial weapon Caladbolg, the tougher he gets, the stronger he becomes, as damage dealt with this sword scales with his health points. Tidus’ special mechanic is Swordplay.

He can increase his knowledge about it and learn new abilities by using them frequently. He is also one of the very few characters who can fight underwater.

9. Yuna (Final Fantasy X)

Yuna is renowned for her grace and resilience. Following her father’s example, she became a summoner. She embarks on a pilgrimage with the aim of expelling a monstrous entity called Sin.

The fact, that she is so selfless and strong-minded inspires those around her, which might explain why she is one of the most beloved protagonists in Final Fantasy’s lore.

She participates in fights equipped with rods and rings and is capable of summoning aeons, powerful entities summoned to support her in combat. With her mastery of summoning magic and proficiency in white magic, she can serve as both a healer and a summoner, which showcases her versatility on the battlefield.

Her unique ability to command these mystical creatures earns her a place among the most iconic and powerful characters of Final Fantasy.

8. Squall Leonhart (Final Fantasy VIII)

As a representative of quiet strength and resilience, Squall Leonhart is the main protagonist of Final Fantasy VIII. Described as a stoic and calm individual, his demeanor helped him play an important role in a complex narrative filled with political intrigue.

In combat, Squall wields his iconic gunblade, seamlessly blending melee strikes with powerful gunshots. His unique abilities Limit Break and Renzokuken give him a tremendous advantage in a fight, showcasing his mastery of swordplay.

He stands as the figure of strong and relentless human spirit which makes him worth mentioning here.

7. WoL – Warrior of Light (Final Fantasy XIV)

Adventurer, a symbol of valor and heroism, an emblematic character and a legendary warrior. Warrior of Light may be called by many names. He is the player character and his background doesn’t provide enough information to describe it in a precise manner. While he does appear in the lore a few times, each time he plays a different role.

Despite having very little information about him, Warrior of Light is considered to be one of the strongest characters in lore.

Thanks to a wide array of weaponry from swords and shields to axes he can adapt to any situation with his mastery of various combat techniques, which makes him a really dangerous individual.

6. Ultimecia (Final Fantasy VIII)

Ultimecia, the enigmatic antagonist of Final Fantasy VIII, commands fear and respect as one of the series’ most formidable villains. This sorceress is on a quest to control time and space which could help her become “a living god”.

She manipulates events and people to bend the course of history to her will and can give life to inanimate objects.

In the heat of the battle, she wreaks devastation wielding a vast array of spells and conjuring nightmarish creatures to do her bidding. Her determination and thirst for power make her stand out from the many antagonists in the series and she surely is a dangerous enemy to have.

5. Sephiroth (Final Fantasy VII)

The iconic villain of Final Fantasy VII, Sephiroth, is the embodiment of power and malevolence. Born from the twisted experiments of the Shinra Corporation, after his triumphs in battle he was hailed as a war hero and became a poster boy for both the corporation and its SOLDIER program.

After becoming aware of his background, he became insane and began to chase godhood.

While fighting, he uses his supernatural abilities, such as Supernova, to unleash havoc upon his foes. Carrying his massive sword, Masamune, he eliminates enemies with deadly precision.

With his enigmatic aura, tragic past and unmatched power, he can, without a doubt, be seen as one of the most powerful characters in the lore.

4. Cloud Strife (Final Fantasy VII)

Cloud Strife, despite being an arrogant and proud swordsman, stands as a legendary figure in the history of Final Fantasy VII. A former SOLDIER who turned mercenary embarks on a quest to spoil the plans of the Shinra Electric Power Company and confront the malevolent Sephiroth.

He grapples with the fragments of his memory and his true self, finding it difficult to open up, ultimately rising as a symbol of courage and resilience.

In battle, Cloud wields his massive Buster Sword, which is one of the most powerful weapons in the series. His versatile fighting style combines piercing melee strikes with potent magical capabilities.

With access to the strongest Limit Breaks, such as Omnislash he is able to wreak havoc on the battlefield.

3. Terra Branford (Final Fantasy VI)

Ranked high on the list, Terra Branford, a main character in Final Fantasy VI, stands as a complex and compelling figure in the series’ lore. Initially introduced as a mysterious young woman with no memory of her past, Terra’s journey unfolds as she discovers her true identity as a half-human, half-Esper hybrid.

Born with innate magical abilities, Terra finds herself implicated in a conflict against the tyrannical Gestahlian Empire.

On the battlefield, Terra shines through her proficiency in magic, particularly her mastery of powerful spells mostly associated with the Fire element. As a wielder of magic, she can morph into her Esper form, unleashing devastating magical attacks upon her enemies.

2. Noctis Lucis Caelum (Final Fantasy XV)

Noctis Lucis Caelum, the prince of Lucis in Final Fantasy XV, embarks on a journey to reclaim his kingdom from the invading Niflheim Empire. He is a kind of lone wolf as he prefers to cope with his problems alone. However, he keeps his friends close to him and treats them as equal to him.

Armed with his signature Engine Blade and empowered by spectral Royal Arms, he is able to swiftly dispatch any foe. His warp strikes allow him to traverse the battlefield effortlessly.

He can increase his speed and strength even more by invoking his Armiger. The combination of all these elements makes him almost invulnerable and unbeatable.

1. Lightning (Final Fantasy XIII)

Considered the most powerful character in the whole saga, Lightning is the main protagonist of Final Fantasy XIII. Determined to protect her sister and defy fate, Lightning embarks on a risky journey to save her sibling and unravel the mysteries surrounding the fal’Cie and the world of Cocoon.

Lightning showcases her formidable combat skills with her remarkable weapon, the gunblade known as the Blazefire Saber, and mixes a swift fighting style with magical abilities. With her unique shifting ability, she seamlessly transitions between different combat roles, easily adapting to various situations.

Additionally, Lightning has access to powerful abilities such as Army of One, which allow her to unleash her full potential.

Conclusion

Throughout the many parts of the Final Fantasy saga, stories of many great characters came along. From heroes to villains, from human beings to monstrous entities empowered by magic. Each of them being unique and powerful at the same time.

On this list, we were able to learn about the mightiest characters in the lore. Some inarguably deserve their spot on the pedestal, and some merit their place here a little less, nevertheless, all of them in some way left their mark on Final Fantasy’s history.