Classes - Final Fantasy
The class system in Final Fantasy , a series of RPG-style video games produced by Square Enix , also known as the job system or job class system, is a central and recurring element of gameplay whereby a player chooses a specific class or job for characters who start as blank slates. These jobs, or classes, are essentially categories. For example, the Black Mage and the Rogue have certain strengths or weaknesses. The system has varied and evolved as new titles have been released, for example, allowing a character to have multiple classes, as in Final Fantasy V , or, conversely, to have multiple party members each with a job, as is the case in Final Fantasy VII. There are so many classes that it would be nearly impossible to list and describe them all. Below is a summary and basic description of the class systems that have been used so far in the main Final Fantasy games.
Final Fantasy I Course
In Final Fantasy 1 , the player starts with four Warriors of Light and must assign each character to one of six classes. Each of these classes has different attributes and cannot be changed once selected. These classes are White and Black Mages - the ability to use the most powerful spells in their disciplines, Red Mage - the ability to cast both white and black magic, Rogue - the ability to flee easily, Fighter - the ability to inflict heavy damage, and Black Belt - the ability to have great strength without using weapons. Once the party's classes have been chosen, it is possible to complete a side quest that allows them to evolve their class (i.e., from Rogue to Ninja).
Final Fantasy III Classes
In Final Fantasy 3 , each character starts as a "Knight/Onion Child." After progressing through the story, a number of simple jobs become available (Thief, White Mage), and the player is allowed to switch between these jobs, gain experience, and master each of them if they wish. At a certain point in the game, the player can unlock "master" or "advanced" versions of these classes.
Final Fantasy V Classes
In Final Fantasy 5 , players start with a specific class and can switch between them while retaining their experience in each. An added element to this game is ability points, which can be used to unlock abilities and skills for chosen jobs, with each job having multiple abilities available. New classes such as the blue mage and the samurai are introduced, while old classes remain.
Final Fantasy XI Classes
In Final Fantasy XI , the old jobs are retained and a few new classes are introduced. The classic abilities and strengths associated with the old jobs are retained, and other aspects of the job system are present. Players begin by choosing one of six job paths and can switch jobs. However, in addition, the "support job" is introduced, where a player can essentially have two jobs at once, assuming they have enough experience. For example, a warrior classified as main can have the abilities of a ninja thanks to the support job system.
Classes of Final Fantasy XII
The original Final Fantasy XII game did not include a job system, but the Zodiac version of the game introduced the Zodiac Job System, where characters can choose from 12 license panels. Each corresponds to one of the twelve zodiac signs in the Chinese calendar. Once a job is chosen, it is permanent and cannot be changed.
Classes of Final Fantasy XIII
In Final Fantasy XIII, there are six jobs to choose from, but all of them can be unlocked and accessed. The game's combat system is therefore geared toward combat, with multiple classes available. Each class determines the characters' abilities in combat. For example, the Ravager class is associated with elemental attacks, which can increase an enemy's Chain Gauge.
Final Fantasy XIV Classes
In Final Fantasy 14 , an armory system, classes, also known as disciplines, are tied to the equipment, weapons, and tools a player can use. Therefore, if a player wants to change jobs, they simply need to use different equipment. Disciples are divided into four groups: War, Magic, Hand, and Earth, each with one of five roles: DPS, tank, healer, gatherer, and craftsman. In an updated patch of the game, the job system was released, through which traditional Final Fantasy jobs were introduced with some specializations added to war and magic.
Final Fantasy Record Keeper Classes
There are no job classes, however; each character is given a profession description that may or may not be their actual job, a role identifier such as "Offensive Magic" or "Physical Defense," indicating roughly how each will fit into a party. In terms of gameplay, each character's stats, available equipment, and ability set will determine their strongest job roles. For example, Tyro can equip all items and use all skills from all disciplines as a Guardian, but is neither particularly strong nor weak in any of them; Vivi is a basic Dark Mage like Lulu; while Josef, Refia, Galuf, Sabin, Zell, Tifa, and Snow are all monks despite having very different professions; they can all wield fists, gloves, or claws and use abilities representative of the Final Fantasy class system.
