Top 20 Final Fantasy Summons

#20: Asura

One running theme throughout this list will be how certain summoned entities appear within various “Final Fantasy” games, often in different capacities. World mythologies also possess a huge influence on the “Final Fantasy” summon pantheon, including the multi-limbed Asura. Players will encounter Asura both as an enemy and as a summoned ally, and it’s in the latter capacity where the summon acts as an agent of healing. This stands in stark contrast to Asura’s mythological origins, where these creatures are typically described as demonic enemies of the benevolent Hindu gods known as Devas.

#19: Magus Sisters

Players may have had to wait until “Final Fantasy X” for the Magus Sisters to appear as an optional, summoned aeon, but it was definitely worth the delay. This trio of magic-users possess an antagonistic history within the “Final Fantasy” universe, dating back to their first appearance in “Final Fantasy IV.” Their Delta Attack was a triple threat, bad time back then, but their “Final Fantasy X” iteration allows the party to ask the Magus Sisters for an assist. Granted, the actual options for attack are limited to humble suggestions, but the results are a powerful and valuable aid for players choosing to ask Cindy, Sandy, and Mindy for some help.

#18: Eden

It is absolutely not easy for players to acquire Eden as a Guardian Force during her debut appearance in “Final Fantasy VIII.” That’s because it’s first necessary to defeat the optional, but insanely difficult power-boss, Ultima Weapon. Successfully achieving this aim, however, will result in what’s arguably the most useful and powerful GF in the entirety of “Final Fantasy VIII.” Her animation is epic in scope, while her non-elemental damage breaks through even the heartiest enemy defenses with ease. This Guardian Force’s moniker may represent the Biblical garden of paradise, but facing off against Eden is guaranteed to be anything but pleasant.

#17: Cactuar

A word to the wise: never judge a book by its cover, especially when it comes to the not-so-humble Cactuar! This otherwise adorable creature is something of a “Final Fantasy” mascot, while also doubling as one of the franchise’s most notoriously difficult enemies. This history is partially why being able to summon Cactuar in games like “Final Fantasy VIII” becomes crucial to achieving an easy victory. Their “1000 Needles” attack deals unblockable multiplier damage to enemies, while the junction system of “Final Fantasy VIII” enables players to boost their Luck and Evasion stats.

#16: Sylph

Summoned monsters throughout the “Final Fantasy” franchise tend to hang their collective hats upon specific abilities tethered to their design. The Sylph is a great example of this since these spirits tend to utilize various of the “Whispering Wind” attacks throughout their in-game appearances. The “Final Fantasy IV” iteration of the Sylph, for example, is used by Rydia as an eidolon, with “Whisperwind” siphoning off enemy HP and giving it to the party. Sylph also appears in other franchise entries like “Final Fantasy V” and “Final Fantasy Tactics,” although the latter versions cast “Silence” as part of “Whisperwind,” instead of the usual HP drain.

#15: Gilgamesh

There’s a collection of powerful swords within the arsenal of Gilgamesh. They possess a history of both helping and hurting “Final Fantasy” party members over the years. This character takes its name from an epic Mesopotamian poem, debuting back in “Final Fantasy V” as a major side-boss. His appearances as a summon are usually predicated by a little bit of side-quest work on the player’s part, such as when Gilgamesh replaces Odin as an optional Guardian Force in “Final Fantasy VIII.” His sword attacks are chosen at random, with most being incredibly powerful. That is unless Gilgamesh’s attack lands on “Excalipoor,” which only deals a single hit point of damage.

#14: Ixion

This next “Final Fantasy” summon is one with a comparatively more recent history than many other examples on our list. That said, 2001 was still quite a way back to debut new, recurring characters, but Ixion seemed more than up for the challenge. Its first appearance was in “Final Fantasy X,” where its lightning attacks replaced Ramuh as the de-facto electrical summon for that franchise’s universe. Ixion would continue to appear in future entries, usually as an adversary, but occasionally back in a summonable capacity, a la its usage in 2011’s “Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy” battle game.

#13: Titan

“Final Fantasy III” was the first game to feature Titan as both a powerful enemy and an optional summon. However, it was probably Rydia’s usage of Titan in “Final Fantasy IV” that further fleshed out the lore of this powerful earth creature. Titan’s initial non-elemental damage was replaced with this earth-focused attack shortly after that “Final Fantasy” entry, with future appearances in games like “Final Fantasy V” and “IX” delivering quaking damage to enemies. Meanwhile, the version of Titan that appears in “Final Fantasy XI” also utilizes the “Stoneskin” defense on the party, protecting them from damage.

#12: Tonberry

The cute and diminutive appearance of the Tonberry is another example of looks being very deceiving within the “Final Fantasy” universe. These little hooded menaces wield a butcher knife that can instantly kill a party member, or at the very least deal massive damage. Meanwhile, the summonable Tonberry in “Final Fantasy VIII” deals non-elemental damage in battle, but is notable for some other benefits. Characters that have junctioned with Tonberry, for example, recover HP while walking, and also start random encounters with their ATB gauge at maximum. They can also be utilized as summons in the Nintendo DS game “Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings.”

#11: Carbuncle

A lot of the summoned monsters of “Final Fantasy” are notable for their offensive capabilities, but the Carbuncle’s potent defense shouldn’t be denied. This ruby-headed creature casts Reflect on the party during its debut in “Final Fantasy V,” while future iterations boost Carbuncle’s worth by including health regeneration, Haste, and Shell properties to the summoner. Savvy “Final Fantasy” players will make the most out of Carbuncle’s support status as a summon, using it in conjunction with a strong offensive base or combining it with another guardian force for a perfectly balanced plan of attack.

#10: Phoenix

The first summon on our list is, literally and figuratively, a rare bird; a summoned creature which heals the party while also taking on their foes. Indeed, Phoenix's "Flames of Rebirth" possesses the power to revive fallen allies, while at the same time dealing some scorching fire damage to enemy hordes. The "Phoenix Down" feathers are also known throughout the “Final Fantasy” franchise as inventory items which resurrect the dead, making the impact of this summoned creature one which is felt throughout the “Final Fantasy” franchise.

#9: Ramuh

All hail the god of thunder! This badass summon takes the appearance of a wizened, yet regal old man with a long beard and staff. Appearances can be deceiving, however, for Ramuh possesses the power of thunder and lightning at his fingertips, assisting the party via his powerful attack known as "Judgment Bolt," which strikes down all foes in its path with a mighty lightning bolt from the heavens. Ramuh has kept pretty much the same appearance throughout his time in the “Final Fantasy” universe, making him one of the mainstay elemental summons which assist the player during the series.

#8: Leviathan

This lord of the seas exists as one of the most venerable “Final Fantasy” summons, with a history which dates all the way back to "Final Fantasy II." Leviathan takes the appearance of a giant sea serpent, whose Tsunami wave attack proves most effective against enemies of fiery or mechanical origin. This ocean guardian hasn't always been on the player's side, however, as his first appearance in the “Final Fantasy” franchise included swallowing the party whole, before eventually becoming an ally to summoner characters in later game entries.

#7: Alexander

Talk about impressive! Depending upon which "Final Fantasy" game one plays, the casting animation for this summoned creature can take quite some time before its full fury can be unleashed. The immense, mobile fortress known as Alexander is worth it, however, as this gigantic summon casts "Divine Judgment," which deals heavy holy damage to all foes in its way. This makes Alexander a particularly worthy ally to have when facing down undead or otherwise unholy enemies, while the summon's supreme stature makes him one of the most visually impressive creatures of the entire “Final Fantasy” universe.

#6: Ifrit

A classic never goes out of style. Ifrit just might be the closest thing to a reliable old friend in the summoning world; a fearsome god of fire which has been an integral part of the “Final Fantasy” bestiary for many years. Ifrit possesses an appearance similar to that of an Arabian Djinn, or Genie, albeit with large, demonic horns and a penchant for tossing down massive fireballs from the sky upon the party's enemies. The presence of Ifrit is always a welcomed one whenever players are pitted against creatures of ice and snow, while this summon's legacy as one of the first cast-able allies acquired by party makes him one whose reliable reputation is safe and secure.

#5: Anima

The next summon on our list reminds us more like something out of the "Hellraiser" franchise than anything remotely related to the worlds of fantasy or magic. Anima's summon animation is almost as horrific as her appearance, as this shackled and howling mistress of pain is raised up via chains from the underworld in what can only be described as one of the most badass summoning sequences in “Final Fantasy” history. Anima's attack is even more devastating, as her "Overdrive" attack envelops enemies into her netherworld, where she snaps free of her chains and assaults enemies with unlimited power. That's what we call "sharing the pain!"

#4: Shiva

Don't let this summon's delicate looks and grace deceive you, for Shiva the Ice Queen is not a creature with which to be trifled. Shiva's elemental attacks of "Diamond Dust" and "Heavenly Strike" are tailor made to be utilized against any fiery horde, making her the Yin to Ifrit's Yang. She is also one of the most commonly encountered summons throughout the “Final Fantasy” franchise, having appeared in nearly every "Final Fantasy" outing since the third game.

#3: Knights of the Round

This immensely powerful summon attack calls up not one, two, or even three allies to assist the party, but THIRTEEN Arthurian Knights, who come together to deal massive to any enemy unfortunate enough to be caught standing in the general vicinity. Each Knight attacks with its own unique weapons and spells, with the final attack arriving in the form of King Arthur himself, armed with the mythical sword Excalibur. This story gets a little twist in the fourteenth installment of the Final Fantasy franchise, however, where the player is actually pitted against the Knights during the game's final, climactic battle, as they take the form of King Thordan VII and his Knights of Heaven's Ward.

#2: Odin

Many summons within the “Final Fantasy” universe take their names or origins from world mythology. Odin is no exception to this idea, existing as one of the series' most popular and enduring characters. Odin usually appears as a giant, imposing figure, similar to his stature as the All-Father of Norse mythology. He is clad in armor, a horned helmet and rides a multi-legged steed by the name of Sleipnir, upon which both his sword and lance Gungnir are mounted. Odin's summon attack "Zantetsuken" has the power to inflict instant death upon the party's opponents, making him one of the most impressive and effective summons to ever grace a "Final Fantasy" screen.

#1 Bahamut

We saved the best for last, of course, that being the fearsome King of Dragons, the mighty Bahamut! This summon has existed as a fan favorite throughout many games in the “Final Fantasy” franchise, even receiving his own game for the Japanese Famicom, "Bahamut Lagoon," in 1996. Acquiring Bahamut is never an easy task, however, often requiring the party to best the beast in battle before the Dragon King will agree to be summoned. Once achieved, however, Bahamut's "Megaflare" attack more than prove its worth by inflicting defense penetrating, non-elemental damage against which very few enemies can survive.


What’s your favorite iteration of a classic “Final Fantasy” summon? Let us know in the comments!