10 Most Underrated Final Fantasy Party Members Of All Time

The original Final Fantasy, released in 1987, revolutionized the JRPG genre. It offered a unique strategic role-playing experience, and the series continues to innovate today. While characters like Aerith have become legendary, for every celebrated hero in Final Fantasy, there are two equally deserving party members who don’t get the recognition they deserve.

Many heroes from the Final Fantasy series don’t get the spotlight they deserve. Some of the strongest characters are often forgotten due to uneven storylines or complicated abilities. We’ve highlighted 10 of the most underrated party members to show just how powerful they are – check out our picks below!

10. Vincent – Final Fantasy VII

It’s tough to say any character in Final Fantasy VII is truly underrated, considering how beloved the game is. However, when it first came out, some of the strongest characters had noticeable weaknesses. Vincent Valentine, a dark and powerful fighter, is a good example – many players completely missed him when playing through the game. Plus, his special attacks can be tricky to use effectively in battle.

Okay, so I really like Vincent in Final Fantasy VII, he’s a magic powerhouse, but honestly, he starts out pretty weak. His health and vitality are kinda low at the beginning, which can be rough. You can improve those stats as you play, but his Limit Breaks are a bit of a double-edged sword. They turn him into this cool shadowy monster, but here’s the catch: you lose control! The AI takes over and decides what he does, which can be awesome sometimes, but during a tough boss fight, having no control over your character is seriously frustrating. It can really mess you up!

9. Freya – Final Fantasy IX

Freya Crescent is a memorable character when Final Fantasy IX begins, largely due to her unique dragon ancestry and compelling storyline—a classic romantic quest to find Sir Fratley. Unfortunately, as the game progresses to its second disc and final chapters, Freya becomes less important and her role diminishes significantly.

After the storylines in Burmecia and Cleyra, Final Fantasy IX moves at a faster pace, and unfortunately, this causes Freya to become less prominent. While characters like Vivi and Zidane stay central to the story, Freya’s development is neglected. It’s a shame, considering her strength and unique Dragon’s Crest abilities, that she’s often overlooked after the first disc of Final Fantasy IX.

8. Wakka – Final Fantasy X

Wakka is a divisive character in the world of Final Fantasy. First appearing in the tenth game, he immediately turned off many players with his biased and harsh views towards the Al Bhed people. He quickly comes across as unlikeable, and as a result, a lot of players choose not to use him in Final Fantasy X.

Honestly, starting Wakka off as someone a lot of players dislike isn’t a bad thing, at least not in Final Fantasy X. The developers actually want you to think he’s a bit rough around the edges at the beginning. It’s all part of a really cool character arc where he grows and learns, and it pays off big time! Not only does he get some seriously powerful attacks with his Attack Reels – they’re some of the best in the game – but he’s also got great stats and can adapt to a lot of different combat situations. You just have to stick with him for a bit to see it.

7. Strago – Final Fantasy VI

It’s never good to arrive late – and that’s a lesson many Final Fantasy players understand. The series often focuses on characters who are sidelined, and Strago Magus in Final Fantasy VI is a prime example of the risks of being left out.

Unfortunately, Strago isn’t introduced until quite late in his first appearance in Final Fantasy. Because he doesn’t appear until more than halfway through the game, learning his unique Lore ability feels more like a tedious task than a fun experience. While Strago’s magic can be strong, its complicated strategy often leads Final Fantasy VI players to prefer more straightforward, powerful characters like Sabin.

Strago isn’t the strongest character physically, so players who’ve already developed a solid team in Final Fantasy VI might overlook him. However, giving him a chance pays off. By finding all of Strago’s hidden Lore, you can unlock incredibly powerful spells like Grand Delta, White Wind, and Mighty Guard. Don’t underestimate him – Strago is well worth the investment!

6. Rosa – Final Fantasy IV

It’s common for supporting video game characters to be overlooked, even if they’re important. Popular heroes often get all the attention, and that’s exactly what happens to Rosa Farrell in Final Fantasy IV. She’s a reliable and constant presence as the White Mage, but her consistent support role leads many players to underestimate her abilities.

Rosa is a strong healer in Final Fantasy, but because she doesn’t have high physical strength, many players stop using her as the game goes on. This is often a mistake! With the right gear, Rosa can become one of your most valuable characters. Her Aim ability can inflict significant damage, and skills like Pray and Dualcast offer incredible support to the entire team.

5. Barret – Final Fantasy VII

It’s surprising to think of Barret as an overlooked character, but when Final Fantasy VII first came out, the original game didn’t highlight tanks very much. Although Barret is important to the story, his role as a defensive support character isn’t the most exciting. He’s very durable, but because he’s slower, players often prefer characters like Tifa or Cloud who deal a lot of damage and have more visually impressive attacks.

Years ago, Barret was often overlooked due to the outdated translation in the original game. However, players now recognize how valuable he is. He’s arguably the best defender in both the original game and the remake, and with the right upgrades, he can become a truly powerful character.

4. Steiner – Final Fantasy IX

Even well-liked characters can suffer if players develop a negative opinion of them. This happened in Final Fantasy IX with Adelbert Steiner. Players found him too demanding, damaging his reputation, and his strict gameplay style didn’t improve things.

While Steiner heavily relies on Vivi for support, he can become your most powerful attacker. His ‘Shock’ ability is widely considered the strongest physical attack in the game, consistently dealing maximum damage. Combine that with Vivi’s help, and Steiner’s Sword Magic becomes incredibly effective. Plus, if you’re dedicated enough to speedrun Final Fantasy IX and obtain Excalibur II, Steiner becomes almost unstoppable. It’s not too difficult, really.

3. Kimahri – Final Fantasy X

I’m a huge Final Fantasy X fan, and one thing always struck me is how each character feels really unique and useful in battle. Everyone from Tidus to Lulu has a clear job. But Kimahri? He’s a bit different. At first, he feels like a temporary fix, someone to use until you get stronger, more specialized characters. But if you really take the time to understand how to use him on the Sphere Grid, he can become surprisingly versatile and run all over the battlefield, covering a lot of ground and adapting to whatever you need!

Kimahri can be developed into a skilled thief, even earlier than Rikku becomes available, giving players access to rare items. His speed also allows him to act quickly in battles. If you build him strategically with spells like Holy and White Wind, Kimahri can start fights strong, though mastering this approach takes effort.

2. Quina – Final Fantasy IX

For players who enjoy taking chances, Quina Quen from Final Fantasy IX is a standout character. Quina specializes in a risky but potentially powerful playstyle. Their signature Eat ability can be annoying to use, and their attacks are unpredictable – they might do almost no damage, or a massive amount. This inconsistency can make Quina both funny and frustrating during battles.

With the right abilities, Quina can surprisingly defeat even the toughest bosses like Ozma. For example, the Frog Drop ability always deals a massive 9,999 damage. By equipping items like the Limit Glove and Mighty Guard, Quina can become a powerful support character, and abilities such as Angel’s Snack can save your entire team from devastating single-hit attacks.

1. Princess Garnet – Final Fantasy IX

I remember when I first played Final Fantasy IX, Garnet starts off as this amazing, almost god-like healer. But honestly, a lot of players – myself included at first – end up switching her out for Eiko later on because Eiko’s spells are just so much stronger. It’s a really common thing you see fans talking about. But looking back, I think that’s a mistake! Garnet wasn’t designed to be just a healer. If you take the time to equip her with the right items, she can actually deal some serious damage. It’s really rewarding when you build her that way!

Garnet’s strength in battle relies on collecting gems. Unlike other characters, her summons don’t get stronger as she levels up—they improve based on how many gems you’re carrying. With a full stock of 99 Garnet gems, her powerful summons like Bahamut can deal a massive 9,999 damage to enemies. This makes tough battles and boss fights much easier, as her Eidolon trance allows for a rapid succession of attacks. Simply gather a lot of gems, and Garnet quickly becomes one of the strongest characters in Final Fantasy IX.

2026-04-11 19:44