WARNING: The following tier list contains MAJOR SPOILERS for the Final Fantasy mainline series.
TheFinal Fantasyfranchise has plenty of powerful characters across its many entries. While male characters such as Cloud Strife and Clive Rosfield often dominate the discussion, female characters have also led the charge and have left their mark on theFinal Fantasyfan base for different reasons.
Each character was sorted into a tier based on their design, feats of strength, and relevance to their game’s respective plots. The list also includes both playable and non-playable characters, and the only requirement was that they are female humanoids whose actions, for good or evil, carry significant importance to their game’s main story. Due to their versatility and range of character customization options, the Adventurer fromFinal Fantasy 11and the Warrior of LightfromFinal Fantasy 14were excluded. Save for two entries on the list, summoned entities such as Shiva and Garuda were also excluded from the ranks.
Only characters from mainline numberedFinal Fantasygames, including sequels and DLC expansions, were included.
S-Tier
Terra Branford (Final Fantasy 6):A half-human and half-Esper girl, Terra goes on a journey of self-discovery that sees her realize what it means to be human. Terra’s versatility and Esper magic make her one of the best characters inFinal Fantasy 6.
Celes Chere (Final Fantasy 6):As a former general of the Gestahlian Empire, Celes can use her Runic powers to absorb enemy spells and empower her attacks. Celes has also proven to be a talented singer, as was shown duringFinal Fantasy 6’s iconic opera scene.
Aerith Gainsborough (Final Fantasy 7):Aerith’s life is defined by tragedy from the start. Having been pursued by Shinra since childhood for being a Cetra, Aerith’s fate in the Forgotten Capital remains one of the most shocking moments in video game history.
Tifa Lockhart (Final Fantasy 7):Tifa is one of the most recognizable brawlers in theFinal Fantasyseries.Between her iconic outfits, her martial arts prowess, and her loyalty to Cloud and Avalanche, Tifa remains a fan favorite to this day.
Jenova (Final Fantasy 7):Jenova is the overarching reasonfor the events of theFinal Fantasy 7anthology. While Jenova’s unique cellular structure can create super-soldiers and monsters, each cell seeks to rejoin with the main body, which is a pivotal part of the overarching plot.
Edea Kramer (Final Fantasy 8):Despite her first appearance being as an antagonistic Sorceress,Final Fantasy 8players later discover that Edea is not the main threat. After being freed from Ultimecia’s control, Edea returns to being a kind and warm-hearted matron.
Ultimecia (Final Fantasy 8):The Sorceress Ultimecia is the main driving force behind the events ofFinal Fantasy 8. Seeking a way to compress time,Ultimecia’s powers of possessionand her array of magic attacks make her one of the toughest antagonists in the entire series.
General Beatrix (Final Fantasy 9):Beatrix is one of the scariest foesthat Zidane and the group face inFinal Fantasy 9. This is further amplified by the fact that, despite being fought three times, Beatrix’s battles are unwinnable for players.
Yuna (Final Fantasy 10and10-2):Between her powers as a Summoner and later a Gunner, Yuna’s devotion to Spira and to defeating Sin no matter the cost makes her one ofthe most selfless heroes of theFinal Fantasyfranchise.
Shantotto (Final Fantasy 11):With access to powerful black magic spells across the elemental spectrum, and a penchant for both speaking in rhyme and laughing in the face of devastation, Shantotto’s reputation as one of Vana’diel’s most feared characters precedes her.
Fran (Final Fantasy 12):Fran is Balthier’s partner-in-crime and an expert mechanic. As a Viera, Fran’s senses are the sharpest of the party, and her skill with various weapons and magic attacks make herone of the best show-stealersinFinal Fantasyoverall.
Lightning (Final Fantasy 13):Born Claire Farron, Lightning is the main focus of theFinal Fantasy 13trilogy. Lightning’s skill in battle and eventual ascent to godhood has asserted her place asone of the most powerful female leadsin the series.
Hydaelyn (Final Fantasy 14):Hydaelyn is a constant part ofFinal Fantasy 14, where she grants the Warrior of Light protection against the Primals' influence. Hydaelyn challenges the Warrior of Light toa trial by combat duringEndwalker’s main story.
A-Tier
Rydia (Final Fantasy 4):Rydia is a young, green-haired girl who hails from the village of Mist. Rydia rapidly ages into an adult during her time in the Land of Summons, and her skills with both black magic andsummoning Eidolonsare increased as a result.
Yuffie Kisaragi (Final Fantasy 7):Although she is a plucky shinobi with an eye for materia thievery, Yuffie’s dedication to Wutai aligns with the goals of Avalanche. InFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth,Yuffie’s usefulness in battleis proven by her elemental Ninjutsu and impressive range.
Rinoa Heartilly (Final Fantasy 8):The main female lead ofFinal Fantasy 8, Rinoa is introduced as a member of the Forest Owls rebellion against Galbadia’s government. Rinoa later poses as one of Squall’s SeeD members and eventually develops Sorceress powers of her own.
Quistis Trepe (Final Fantasy 8):While other weapons such as Squall’s Gunblade and Rinoa’s wrist-mounted Blaster Edge are more memorable compared to Quistis' whips,her Limit Breaks allow her to channel Blue Magic, which consists of monster spells such as Mighty Guard and Shockwave Pulsar.
Princess Garnet til Alexandros XVII (Final Fantasy 9):Taking the alias “Dagger” after fleeing Alexandria, Garnet and Zidane form a bond during their adventures throughoutFinal Fantasy 9. Between her Eidolons andher White Magic spells, Garnet is an invaluable party member.
Freya Crescent (Final Fantasy 9):Freya’s devotion to her kingdom and her yearning to reunite with her lost love make her one of the most memorable party members inFinal Fantasy 9. When in Trance mode, the power of Freya’s Jump attack is amplified, making her one of the top physical attackers of the bunch.
Lulu (Final Fantasy 10):Lulu remains one of the most reliable and knowledgeable members of the party. Hersignature black dress and power as a Black Magemake Lulu one of Spira’s top spell casters, though her Overdrive can be infuriating to control.
Paine (Final Fantasy 10-2):As the newest recruit of the Gullwings, Paine is a warrior with a past intrinsically tied to theevents ofFinal Fantasy 10’s sequel. Her dark clothing is a sharp contrast to the colorful wardrobes that Yuna and Rikku sport.
Prishe (Final Fantasy 11):Despite her childlike appearance, Prishe is older than meets the eye. Prishe’s powers make her a pivotal character in theChains of Promathiaexpansion.
Princess Ashelia B’nargn Dalmasca (Final Fantasy 12):Following the siege of Dalmasca by the Arcadian Empire, Ashe goes into hiding to form a Resistance to retake the kingdom. Her struggle to reclaim the throne isthe focal point ofFinal Fantasy 12.
Oerba Yun Fang (Final Fantasy 13):A lance-wielding warrior who has lived longer than her appearance shows, Fang admittedly has a few screws loose. However, her Eidolon Bahamut makes Fang a force on the battlefield.
Serah Farron(Final Fantasy 13 and 13-2):After being a crystallized l’Cie for most ofFinal Fantasy 13, Serah steps into the spotlight inFF13’s first sequel. She wields a bow in battle and can use magic like her older sister Lightning.
Minfillia Warde (Final Fantasy 14):Though she was taken from the main cast followingA Realm Reborn,Minfillia’s bravery and subsequent sacrificewould have major ramifications in theShadowbringersandEndwalkerexpansions.
Y’shtola Rhul (Final Fantasy 14):Y’shtola is arguably the most popular character inFinal Fantasy 14. Betweenher powers as a black mage and her aether sightthat allows her to see things beyond the physical plane, Y’shtola’s thirst for knowledge and devotion to the Warrior of Light keep her motivated.
Alisaie Leveilleur (Final Fantasy 14):While she sometimes gets mistaken for her twin brother Alphinaud, Alisaie isa powerful Red Magein her own right. Alisaie’s tenacity and loyalty to the Warrior of Light are second to none.
Meteion/Endsinger (Final Fantasy 14):The bird-like Meteion was introduced during theEndwalkerexpansion. When she takes on the form of the Endsinger, Meteion can use the power of Dynamis to overwhelm anyone in her way.
Cindy Aurum (Final Fantasy 15):Cindy is the main mechanicofFinal Fantasy 15’s Hammerhead Station. Though she remains married to her job, she is responsible for maintaining and upgrading the Regalia throughout Noctis' journey.
B-Tier
Rosa Farrell (Final Fantasy 4):Rosa is the love interest of the main protagonist Ceciland the top White Mage within Baron’s military. Though she was kidnapped by Golbez, she was successfully rescued and remained by her lover’s side.
Porom (Final Fantasy 4):Along with her twin brother Palom, Porom is one of Mysidia’s top magical prodigies. Compared to her hot-headed brother, Porom is more soft-spoken and constantly scolds Palom for speaking out of line.
Faris Scherwiz (Final Fantasy 5):The long-lost sister of Lenna, Faris is a rough-spoken pirate captain who sometimes gets mistaken for a man. Despite her rugged exterior, Faris' loyalty to Lenna and Bartz remains consistent throughout their adventures.
Relm Arrowny (Final Fantasy 6):Relm is the adopted granddaughter of Strago Magus. Asthe first Pictomancer of theFinal Fantasyfranchise, Relm can be used as a supportive spell caster to bolster her allies' powers.
Lucrecia Crescent (Final Fantasy 7):Though she does not appear until the latter half ofFinal Fantasy 7, Lucrecia is revealed to be the biological mother of Sephiroth. Wracked with guilt, Lucrecia sealed herself away in a hidden cave, where the truth was revealed to the main cast.
Elena (Final Fantasy 7):Elena is a headstrong Turk who follows Rude and Tseng on their mission to capture Aerith. Despite her enthusiasm, her inexperience in combat was exposed during her first scuffles against Cloud, which does little to deter her from her work.
Cissnei (Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth):Cissnei is the leader ofthe Gongaga Youth Coalitionand an undercover Turk. Despite her perky personality, Cissnei’s battle experience and devotion to Zack Fair stand out more.
Scarlet(Final Fantasy 7):As one of Shinra’s board members, Scarlet is a ruthless woman bent on annihilating the company’s enemies. Scarlet can control various mechanical suits in her attempts to crush Avalanche.
Eiko Carol(Final Fantasy 9):A lonely summoner from Madain Sari, Eiko’s bow and horn make her instantly recognizable toFF9fans. Like Garnet, she can summon Eidolons to assist the party.
Rikku (Final Fantasy 10and10-2):Rikku’s upbeat personalityand feisty temperament make her a foil to her cousin, Yuna. Rikku’s skills as a melee fighter and a chemist make her a valuable ally to Tidus and Yuna inFinal Fantasy 10.
Oerba Dia Vanille (Final Fantasy 13):Alongside Fang, Vanille is older than her youthful appearance and personality would give off. While her voice and attitude are divisive amongFinal Fantasyfans, Vanille remains a pivotal part of FF13.
Krile Maya Baldesion (Final Fantasy 14):Krile isa lalafell Pictomancerwho aids the Warrior of Light and the Scions throughout many expansions. After years of being in the foreground as a White Mage, Krile’s otherworldly origins are explored duringDawntrail.
Lyse Hext (Final Fantasy 14):Lyse was originally introduced as “Yda” to players, as she bore the name of her late sister. However, Lyse’s reveal and strong-headed personality remains a controversial sticking point.
Wuk Lamat (Final Fantasy 14):Wuk Lamat is the first female Hrothgar to be part of the main cast. Thoughshe remains a controversial and talkative figurelike Lyse before her, Wuk Lamat’s skill as a Warrior, and her firm resolve to overcome any obstacle, can match the Warrior of Light’s vaunted tenacity to some extent.
Queen Sphene Alexandros XIV (Final Fantasy 14):Sphene is an Endless simulacrum who serves as the main antagonist ofFinal Fantasy 14: Dawntrail. Although Sphene was defeated during Patch 7.0, two versions of her returned during the ensuing patches. Ergo, the jury is still out overhow Sphene’s new reign will end.
Aranea Highwind (Final Fantasy 15):A mercenary initially on the Niflheim Empire’s payroll, Aranea has both fought alongside and against Noctis and his retinue. Her skill with a spear and aerial attacks can keep up with Noctis' royal powers.
Jill Warrick (Final Fantasy 16):Asthe Dominant of Shiva, Jill hails from the fallen Northern Kingdoms. This grants Jill power over ice magic, which she uses to assist Clive on his quest to topple the mothercrystals.
Benedikta Harmon (Final Fantasy 16):The wily and cunning Dominant of Garuda is as sadistic as they come. Despite her prowess as a spy, she eventually succumbs to her Eikon’s baser instincts and is overpowered by Ifrit.
Anabella Rosfield (Final Fantasy 16):Anabella betrays her family and sees the Phoenix Gate razed by the Empire of Sanbreque. Though she isnever directly fought as a boss, Anabella’s schemes leave their mark onFinal Fantasy 16’s story.
C-Tier
Princess Sarah (Final Fantasy 1):The first female character mentioned by name, Princess Sarah of Cornelia is taken to the Chaos Shrine by the rogue knight Garland. Though her role isfurther expanded inStranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin, Sarah’s fate is inevitably the same.
Maria (Final Fantasy 2):As the first playable female character of theFinal Fantasyfranchise, Maria is joined by Firion and Guy for the entirety of the adventure. While she starts with a bow and arrow, her power with magic makes her useful as the party’s primary spell caster.
Refia (Final Fantasy 3):Although the main party ofFinal Fantasy 3’s original release did not have names,the 2006 DS portsaw each party member gain an individual name and identity. In Refia’s case, she is considered to be the “big sister” figure among the Warriors of Light.
The Cloud of Darkness (Final Fantasy 3):The green-colored monstrosity has a feminine appearance that is used to deceive its opponents. Despite its form and its array of particle beam attacks, the Cloud of Darkness was overrun by the Warriors of Light and banished back to the nether.
Princess Lenna Charlotte Tycoon (Final Fantasy 5):As the heir to the throne of Tycoon, Lenna has a deep bond with her wind drake, named Hiryu. However, both her devotion to Hiryu and her royal title have put Lenna at risk throughoutFinal Fantasy 5.
Krile Baldesion (Final Fantasy 5):The inspiration behind theFinal Fantasy 14character of the same name,FF5’s Krile is the granddaughter of Galuf. Though she inherits all of Galuf’s skills following his death, Krile’s impulsive personality is a sharp contrast to her late granddad.
Selphie Tilmitt (Final Fantasy 8):A member of Squall’s SeeD unit, Selphie wields nunchucks in battle and her Limit Breaks can buff the party. Though she is a spunky SeeD, Selphie’s upbeat personalitysometimes draws Squall’s ire.
Queen Brahne Raza Alexandros XVI (Final Fantasy 9):Queen Brahne kidnapped Garnet from her birthplace and raised her as her own to further her ambitions. However, Brahne was ultimately consumed by her greed, thanks to an attack on Alexandria by the Eidolon Bahamut.
Penelo (Final Fantasy 12):In battle, Penelo has the highest MP and magic power alongside Ashe, making her a viable Red Battlemage or Black Mage inThe Zodiac Age. However, Penelo’s involvement inthe main story ofFinal Fantasy 12is a supporting role for the rest of the cast.
Colonel Jihl Nabaat (Final Fantasy 13):Jihl enjoys toying with her enemies and using the party’s fate as l’Cie to further the ends of the antagonistic Galenth Dysley. After Dysley reveals his endgame, he ends Jihl along with the rest of the Palamecia’s crew.
Lunafreya Nox Fleuret (Final Fantasy 15):As the Oracle, Lunafreya has the power to commune with the Astrals. Though Lunafreya was slain by Ardyn following Leviathan’s rampage on Altissia, she was able to prove her devotion to Noctis, her betrothed.
