TheFinal Fantasyseries is full to the brim with many recurring elements that help each game feel familiar to fans of the series, even if the narrative of each title is a self-contained story. This includes the spells players have access to throughout these adventures.
Some of the most iconicFinal Fantasyspells are names that fans are intimately familiar with. From aiding players early on in their adventure to end-game magic that can wipe out most foes with ease, it’s easy to see why magic is such an integral part of every game in the series.
8Fire/Fira/Firaga
The Quintessential Fire Spell That Evolves Over The Course Of A Game’s Run
One of the first spells that fans will get their hands on is Fire, a low-level Black Magic attack that is useful for exploiting an enemy’s weakness. As players make steady progress in these games, they eventually get to use an upgraded version of this flame-elemental attack.
As one would expect, exploiting an enemy’s weakness is important for players who want to get the upper hand on certain foes. It may seem like a simple spell, but the fact that this magic has appeared in every game in the mainline series is a testament to its iconic nature.
7Blizzard/Blizzara/Blizzaga
A Classic Spell That Freezes Enemies In Their Tracks
Players who love freezing enemies in their tracks will get a kick out of using Blizzard, another iconic spell that has made the rounds ineveryFinal Fantasygame. Blizzara and Blizzaga enhance the damage of this move, letting players deal frightening levels of Frost damage by spending a decent chunk of MP.
In the hands of a competent spellcaster with high Magic stats, it’s easy to see why this elemental spell can be a reliable damage dealer. It helps that this weakness is obvious from the get-go based on an enemy’s look.
6Thunder/Thundara/Thundaga
Shocks Enemies To Their Core
Shocking enemies is satisfying in every game, andtheFinal Fantasyseriesis no exception. Conjuring a bolt of lightning to punish enemies is a simple and entertaining way to decimate these enemies with ease.
This spell should be reserved for mechanical foes who are weak against this element. Thundara and Thundaga further enhance the effectiveness of this spell and make it a must-have for the game’s most challenging foes.
5Cure/Cura/Curaga
A Must-Have Spell To Heal Party Members
As effective as it may be for players to dish out a ton of damage as possible, it’s also important to use restorative magic to ensure that certain party members don’t bite the dust at an inopportune moment. This makes Cure and its higher-level variants some of the most useful spells in the game by a country mile.
One simple cast of this spell allows players to heal up a party member in no time. Some games allow these spells to target multiple party members, meaning that a single cast of Curaga is all it takes to restore a decent chunk of the party’s HP.
4Flare
A High-Damage Spell Unlocked Near The End Of A Player’s Run
Flare has made multiple appearancesacross theFinal Fantasygames, serving as the final tier of the Fire element spell in certain instances. However, most people know this spell to deal high non-elemental damage, usually on par with Holy.
This spell is so iconic that the series' best summon, Bahamut, uses a spruced-up version of this spell to deal immense damage. Megaflare, Gigaflare, and Teraflare are just a few of the many ways this spell has established itself as one of the strongest and most iconic attacks in the series.
3Holy
A Classic White Magic Spell That Hits Like A Truck
The fact that Holy was used asa plot device inFinal Fantasy 7shows just how important this spell is in the series. Once players start acquiring the highest-tier magic possible, it’s only a matter of time before they get to punish enemies with Holy.
The best thing about this spell is that it enhances the offensive repertoire of White Mages who are usually reserved for a support or healing role. This makes them useful against bosses, allowing them to blast foes with a simple cast of this spell to turn the tide of battle in a flash.
2Meteor
One of the most awe-inspiring spells inFinal Fantasy, a single cast of Meteor makes it abundantly clear why it’s so devastating. This spell has single-handedly elevatedthe Behemoth, a recurring enemywho uses this spell to bombard enemies with high-level magic.
Final Fantasy 16is notable for giving both Behemoth and the Meteor spell the respect they deserve. Even if fans don’t have access to this spell, watching this boss summon one of the most intimidating Meteors in the entire series strikes fear in their hearts and compels them to press the attack and avoid damage by any means necessary.
1Ultima
The Strongest Spell Players Can Wield In Most Final Fantasy Games
A spell that most fans would agree to be the strongest magical attack in the entire series, acquiring Ultima is a celebration that lets players decimate most foes in style. The sheer amount of damage unleashed by this attack isn’t anything to scoff at.
Ultima has such a beloved legacy in the series thatthe main antagonist ofFinal Fantasy 16is named after this spell alone. Of course, most players would prefer to cast Ultima instead of fighting it, since watching the numbers 9999 flash across the screen with a single cast of this spell is something fans can’t get enough of.
