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 component of gameplay whereby a player chooses a specific class or job for characters that starts out as blank slates. These jobs, or classes, are essentially categories. For example, the Black Mage and Thief, have certain strengths or weaknesses. The system has varied and evolved as new titles have been released, for example, by allowing one character to have multiple classes, like in Final Fantasy V, or, on the contrary, to have multiple party members with each having one job, as is the case for Final Fantasy VII. So many classes exist that it would nearly be impossible to list and describe them all. Rather, below is a summary and basic description of the class systems that have been used in mainline Final Fantasy games so far.
Final Fantasy I Classes
In Final Fantasy 1, the player starts out with four warriors of light and must assign each character to one of six classes. Every one of these classes has different attributes and can not be changed once selected. These classes are White, Black Mages - Ability to use the strongest spells of their disciplines, Red Mage- The ability to cast both white and black magic, Thief- ability to easily flee, Fighter- Ability to inflict heavy damage, and Black Belt- Ability to have great strength without using weapons. Once the party’s classes have been chosen, it is possible to complete a sidequest that allows their class to be upgraded (i.e. Thief to Ninja).
Final Fantasy III Classes
In Final Fantasy 3, each character begins as an “Onion Knight/Kid”. After progressing through the story, a number of simple jobs become available (Thief, White Mage), and the player is allowed to switch among these jobs, gaining experience and mastering each if desired. At a certain point in the game, the player is able to unlock “master” or “advanced” versions of these classes.
Final Fantasy V Classes
In Final Fantasy 5, players start as a specific class and are able to switch among different classes while retaining their experience in each. Something added to this game is Ability Points, which can be used to unlock abilities and skills for their chosen jobs, each job having multiple abilities available. New classes such as the Blue Mage and Samurai are introduced, while old classes are still present.
Final fantasy XI Classes
In Final Fantasy XI, old jobs are retained and a few new classes are introduced. The classic abilities and strengths associated with old jobs are retained and other aspects of the job system are present. Players start by choosing one of six job paths and may change their jobs. However, in addition the “Support Job” is introduced, where a player can essentially have two jobs at once, assuming they are experienced enough. For example, a warrior classed as a main is able to have the abilities of a Ninja through the support job system.
Final Fantasy XII Classes
The original Final Fantasy XII did not include a job system, but the Zodiac version of the game introduced the zodiac job system whereby characters can choose from 12 license boards. Each corresponds to one of twelve zodiacs of the Chinese calendar. Once a job is chosen, it is permanent and can not be changed.
Final Fantasy XIII Classes
In Final Fantasy XIII six jobs can be chosen, but eventually all can be unlocked and accessed. The battle system of this game thus is geared toward combat in which multiple classes can be exploited. Each class determines the characters abilities in combat. For example, the ravager class is associated with elemental attacks, which can boost an enemies chain gauge.
Final Fantasy XIV Classes
In Final Fantasy 14, an armory system, classes also known as disciplines are connected to gear, weapons, and tools a player is able to use. Therefore, if a player wants to change jobs all they need to do is use different gear. Disciples are divided into four groups: War, Magic, Hand and Land, each of which has one of five roles: DPS, tank, healer, gatherer and crafter. In a patch updated to the game, the job system was released whereby 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 an occupation description that may or may not be their actual job, a role identifier such as "Offensive Magic" or "Physical Defense", roughly indicating how each will fit into a party. In terms of gameplay, each character's stats, available equipment and ability set will determine his/her strongest job roles. In example Tyro can equip all items and use all skills from all disciplines as a Keeper, but he is neither particularly strong nor weak in any of them; Vivi is a stock Black Mage as is Lulu; while Josef, Refia, Galuf, Sabin, Zell, Tifa, and Snow are all Monks despite vastly differing occupations; they can all wear fists, gloves, or claws and use abilities representative of the class system in Final Fantasy.