10 TOUGHEST Enemies in Final Fantasy Games
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VOICE OVER: Aaron Brown
WRITTEN BY: George Pacheco
Bosses aren't the only enemies in the Final Fantasy franchise that can offer players a significant challenge. In this list we'll be looking at enemies that offered a surprising difficulty spike when players are simply trying to explore the many worlds of the Final Fantasy franchise. For this video, we highlight enemies such as the Tonberry, Cactaur, Iron Giant and many more from all corners of the acclaimed series.
The 10 Toughest Enemies in Final Fantasy Games
Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most challenging, obnoxious or relentless enemies within the “Final Fantasy” franchise. We’re omitting canonical boss fights from this list, and focusing solely on regular enemies or secret/hidden/optional boss enemies.
Iron Giant
“Final Fantasy XV” (2016)
There are things that go bump in the night, and then there are the Iron Giants. These enemies often break up your party’s progress during the overnight hours, and prove to be a pest every time they show up in “Final Fantasy XV.” Their physical attacks can do heavy damage, and Iron Giants also utilize a gravity-based attack that draws party members within their striking distance. The strategy to employ when facing off against an Iron Giant is defense, with blocking and dodging being particularly key. Poison attacks also work against these foes, but be careful to avoid the Iron Giant’s sword strikes, which can easily cut a swath across your party.
Ochu
Various
There is a wealth of lore behind the “Final Fantasy” franchise, including a number of enemy types that tend to appear time and time again. The Ochu should be a familiar face for anyone who's played a “Final Fantasy” game, since they’ve been a near-constant presence since the very first game. These carnivorous plant monsters are notorious for the debilitating status effects they can inflict upon any or all of your party members. Lightning and fire-based magic is often a good offensive maneuver against an Ochu, as is protective magic to aid against their stat attacks. The OG Ochu from “Final Fantasy” 1987 may not be the toughest random encounters, but these horrific beasts just became tougher and more annoying with age.
Warmech
“Final Fantasy” (1987)
The Warmech may be considered to be the “Final Fantasy” franchise’s first “superboss,” but we feel that the rarity with which it’s encountered lends it more towards a random encounter. That’s because there’s only a 1 in 64 chance for the Warriors of Light to run into Warmech while they’re crossing the Flying Fortress bridge en route to Tiamat. If one does encounter the Warmech, however, watch out! The battle is one of the most infamously challenging in a game that’s already known far and wide for its difficulty. Warmech often strikes first and asks questions later, decimating the party with either physical damage or a nuke attack that can spell certain death in an instant. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Intangir
“Final Fantasy VI” (1994)
A battle with Intangir in “Final Fantasy VI” is only accessible once you’ve acquired an airship. Additionally, it’s also only recommended if you’re a glutton for punishment, simply because there are so many things working against you during this fight. For starters, Intangir needs to be woken from an invisible slumber in order to start the fight. Then, he’ll cast Meteor on your party, instantly ruining your day. Players also need to act quickly, because Intangir will run away if you take too long. It is possible to exploit some bugs within older versions of “Final Fantasy VI” for an easier time, although Intangir will always leave you with a parting Meteor attack as a going-away gift.
Ahriman
Various
Ahriman made his official debut as a boss back in 1990 with the Japanese release of “Final Fantasy III.” However, he’s since gone on to appear in nearly every iteration of the franchise since that point, all the while retaining an extremely high level of difficulty. Their name is taken from Middle Persian history and myth, where it serves as an embodiment of The Devil. It’s a fitting moniker, for sure, since Ahriman are quite fond of casting instant death spells on the party, such as Petrify and Doom. Their physical appearance is always that of a grotesque, flying eyeball, and their genus includes other Ahriman subspecies, like the Floating Eye and the Blood Eye.
Behemoth
Various
Behemoth is another monster from the “Final Fantasy” bestiary that started out life as a boss, but has since gained a reputation for its recurring appearances within the franchise. Their appearance has changed somewhat over the years, but generally retain their bipedal, canine appearance first seen back in “Final Fantasy II.” They’re dangerous magic-users, frequently casting Flare and Maelstrom upon the party for huge damage. Moreover, Behemoth also employs the Meteor spell in their arsenal, often busting it out at the most frustrating of times.
Adamantoise
Various
The high defensive properties and the resilient shell of an Adamantoise makes it a difficult fight in any “Final Fantasy” game. It’s usually worth the risk, however, since fighting these beasts often leads to post-match drop of a valuable item or material. That said, don’t expect fighting an Adamantoise to be easy, since this creature has been both a boss and random enemy during its history in the “Final Fantasy” franchise. Magic is your friend here, since physical attacks will often find themselves fighting a losing battle. What’s worse is how many Adamantoise are frequent healers, making encounters feel twice as long and endlessly challenging.
Cactuar
Various
We probably only need to quote one phrase when it comes to the Cactuar. Two words that will make any “Final Fantasy” stalwart shudder with fear. “1000 Needles.” It’s become the hallmark attack of this otherwise innocuous-looking creature. But don’t let the Cactuar’s appearance deceive you, because 1000 Needles does just that: delivering a thousand points of damage, regardless of your party’s defense. It’s one of the most annoying and needling (pardon the pun) sticking points (that pun, too) when fighting the Cactuar. Well, that, and the fact that this thing is so damn hard to hit! Cactuar usually drop good loot, though, so it’s worth your while in stepping up and trying your luck.
Tonberry
Various
Newcomers to the “Final Fantasy” universe might be wondering what’s all the hubbub behind this otherwise adorable-looking enemy. Those people, however, would also be surprised to find out how difficult it is to kill a Tonberry. This is thanks largely to their idiosyncratic attack and defense maneuvers. Their “Chef’s Knife” attack can instantly kill a party member, or at the very least do a significant amount of damage. Tonberries also have high HP, and retaliate when attacked with Karma. This deals a backlash of damage to the attacking party member, equivalent to the amount of enemies they’ve defeated. There’s just no way around it: Tonberries are tough.
Malboro
Various
If you thought that fighting against the Ochu’s status ailment attacks were rough, then get ready for your worst nightmare. The Malboro is another demonic plant monster with a penchant for making your party members sick to their stomachs. We’re talking specifically about the “Bad Breath” attack, which can instantly debilitate even the most prepared of players. Bad Breath doesn’t so much hurt physically as it does knock out the party with nearly every negative status in the book. Poison, Sleep, Confuse, Silence and more will all be afflicted, and party’s will have to react quickly to survive. The only upside is that some Malboro will only be able to use this attack three times…although if you’re asking us? That’s three times too many.
Which “Final Fantasy” enemies give you the most trouble? Let us know in the comments!
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