Story

In Final Fantasy II, Maria is one of the four main protagonists. The narrative follows these young heroes as they resist the evil Palamecian Empire. Maria, who is driven by the desire to find her missing brother Leon, becomes an integral part of the rebellion against the empire.

Gameplay

Final Fantasy II introduced a unique leveling system where characters improve their stats based on how they are used in battle. Maria, primarily a magic user, develops her skills by repeatedly using spells. However, her progression can be slow and cumbersome compared to other characters who focus on physical attacks.

Why it’s on this list

Maria is considered one of the weaker mages due to her slow spell growth and the game’s overall magic system, which can be unpredictable and inefficient. Additionally, her physical defense is notably weak, making her more vulnerable in battles.

Graphics and Sound

The graphics of Final Fantasy II were a step up from its predecessor, with more detailed character sprites and environments. The sound design, including the iconic soundtrack by Nobuo Uematsu, helped set the tone, even if the NES’s limitations were apparent.

Legacy and Reception

While initially overlooked due to its release timing and complex mechanics, Final Fantasy II has garnered appreciation for its ambitious storytelling and character development. Maria, despite being a weaker mage, remains a beloved character for her narrative significance.

Story

Tellah is an elderly sage in Final Fantasy IV, driven by the tragic loss of his daughter, Anna. Throughout the game, he is portrayed as a wise yet stubborn character, determined to seek vengeance against Golbez.

Gameplay

Tellah is a powerful mage with access to many spells, but he is hampered by a limited MP pool that never increases, making it difficult to utilize his full potential in longer battles. His signature spell, Meteor, is extremely potent but requires all his MP to cast, rendering him useless afterward.

Why it’s on this list

Despite his wide range of spells, Tellah’s low MP cap severely limits his effectiveness in combat. This restriction, along with his frail health, places him among the weaker mages in the series.

Graphics and Sound

Final Fantasy IV marked a significant leap in graphical fidelity for the series, with expressive character sprites and vibrant spell animations. The soundtrack, another masterpiece from Nobuo Uematsu, is both memorable and emotionally engaging.

Legacy and Reception

Tellah’s character arc is memorable, and his role in the story is pivotal. Despite his gameplay limitations, he remains a fan-favorite for his dramatic narrative contribution and iconic moments.

Story

Relm Arrowny is a young artist with a mysterious connection to the Esper realm in Final Fantasy VI. She joins the party in their quest to stop the madman Kefka and restore balance to the world.

Gameplay

Relm possesses the unique ability to Sketch enemy monsters, creating copies of their abilities. While this can be useful, it is often unreliable and sometimes buggy, leading to unpredictable results in battle.

Why it’s on this list

Relm’s magic potential is high, but the inconsistency of her Sketch ability and her limited initial spell set make her one of the weaker mages when compared to her peers who have more reliable and powerful magic skills.

Graphics and Sound

Final Fantasy VI is renowned for its detailed sprite work and evocative environments. The score, once again composed by Nobuo Uematsu, is considered one of the greatest in the series, perfectly complementing the game’s emotional depth.

Legacy and Reception

Despite her shortcomings in battle, Relm is cherished for her quirky personality and unique artistic abilities. Her charm and the mystery surrounding her background contribute to her lasting appeal among fans.

Story

Quina Quen, a quirky and gluttonous character, is introduced in Final Fantasy IX as a chef from the Qu tribe. They join Zidane’s party in search of new culinary experiences and to help save the world from impending doom.

Gameplay

Quina’s Blue Magic ability allows them to learn enemy skills, which can be powerful if used correctly. However, acquiring these abilities can be time-consuming and situational, requiring players to eat specific enemies under certain conditions.

Why it’s on this list

While Quina can learn potent spells, the process can be cumbersome and unreliable, especially for players unfamiliar with enemy patterns. This inconsistency and the character’s lack of traditional magic spells position Quina as one of the weaker mages.

Graphics and Sound

Final Fantasy IX’s graphics are a love letter to the series’ roots, with a charming blend of fantasy aesthetics and detailed character designs. The soundtrack by Nobuo Uematsu is both whimsical and nostalgic, fitting the game’s fairy tale theme.

Legacy and Reception

Quina is remembered fondly for their humor and unique gameplay mechanics. While not the most effective mage, Quina’s character adds depth and diversity to the party, contributing to the game’s rich tapestry.

Story

Penelo is a childhood friend of Vaan, the protagonist of Final Fantasy XII. She becomes entangled in the political turmoil of Ivalice and joins the party on an epic journey to restore peace to the land.

Gameplay

Penelo has the potential to be a competent mage, but her initial role is more supportive. The game’s License Board system allows her to learn various spells and abilities, but she starts with limited options compared to other characters.

Why it’s on this list

While Penelo can be developed into a capable magic user, her initial lack of powerful spells and reliance on player investment in the License Board makes her one of the weaker mages in the series.

Graphics and Sound

Final Fantasy XII is celebrated for its impressive graphics, showcasing the PlayStation 2’s capabilities with expansive environments and detailed character models. The orchestral soundtrack by Hitoshi Sakimoto provides an epic backdrop to the game’s grand narrative.

Legacy and Reception

Penelo is appreciated for her cheerful demeanor and close relationship with Vaan. Her character development adds depth to the story, though her effectiveness as a mage often pales in comparison to other party members.

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Story

Rafa Galthana is a character in Final Fantasy Tactics, embroiled in the complex political and personal conflicts of Ivalice. Her journey intertwines with the main protagonist, Ramza, and she seeks to free her brother Malak from manipulation.

Gameplay

Rafa’s unique abilities, based on the Heaven skill set, rely on random damage patterns across a grid. This randomness makes her attacks unpredictable and often ineffective against single targets.

Why it’s on this list

The randomness of Rafa’s skills significantly limits her utility in battle, making her one of the less reliable mages despite the potential for high damage output under ideal conditions.

Graphics and Sound

Final Fantasy Tactics features an isometric graphical style, with intricate character sprites and richly detailed environments. The soundtrack, composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata, perfectly captures the game’s tactical and emotional depth.

Legacy and Reception

Rafa’s character is often remembered for her tragic storyline and emotional struggles. While her gameplay mechanics are flawed, her narrative arc contributes significantly to the game’s thematic depth.

Story

Hope Estheim is a central character in Final Fantasy XIII, whose personal growth and quest for understanding drive much of the game’s narrative. Initially motivated by revenge, he evolves into a more mature and hopeful individual.

Gameplay

Hope functions primarily as a support mage, using synergistic abilities to bolster the party and cast elemental spells. However, his low HP and reliance on support roles often limit his direct impact on battles.

Why it’s on this list

Hope’s fragility and dependency on other party members to maximize his effectiveness make him one of the weaker mages in the series, despite his narrative importance and potential for powerful support magic.

Graphics and Sound

Final Fantasy XIII boasts stunning visuals, with highly detailed character models and breathtaking environments. The soundtrack by Masashi Hamauzu complements the game’s futuristic setting, enhancing the epic scope of the storyline.

Legacy and Reception

Hope is a divisive character; while some players appreciate his growth and emotional journey, others find his gameplay performance lacking. Nonetheless, he remains a significant figure within the narrative of Final Fantasy XIII.

Story

Krile Mayer Baldesion is introduced in Final Fantasy V as the granddaughter of the wise sage Galuf. She inherits her grandfather’s role in the party, bringing her own strengths and determination to the group’s quest to save the world.

Gameplay

Krile benefits from the versatile Job system, allowing her to become a powerful mage with the right setup. However, she inherits the same base stats as Galuf, which aren’t optimized for spellcasting without significant player intervention.

Why it’s on this list

Krile’s potential as a mage is hindered by her starting stats and dependency on the Job system to unlock her true capabilities. This makes her initially weaker compared to other dedicated mages in the series.

Graphics and Sound

Final Fantasy V, though limited by its era, offers charming pixel art and vibrant environments. The soundtrack, composed by Nobuo Uematsu, features memorable themes that capture the adventurous spirit of the game.

Legacy and Reception

Krile is fondly remembered for her spunky personality and vital role in the story. Despite being a weaker mage at her introduction, her character’s development and flexibility in the Job system make her a valuable addition to the party.