CAUTION: This Feature Contains Spoilers From the Mainline Final Fantasy Series, Including Final Fantasy 16.
The various Summons of the Final Fantasy series have become a staple since debuting in Final Fantasy 3 in 1990. Of the original batch of Summons, Shiva has become synonymous with the element of ice. While Shiva has had various incarnations across the Final Fantasy series, her most prominent recurring features include her blue or pale skin tones, long hair, and her signature attack Diamond Dust, which can freeze foes solid in an instant.
With many changes to the Summon, Shiva's appearances in the mainline Final Fantasy series from FF3 and on all have a different impact on the gameplay. As such, it's worth analyzing all of them based on a combination of each entry's plot relevance, battle potency, and character design. Final Fantasy 12 is a different beast in these regards, as the game does not include Shiva, despite the Esper Mateus serving as a substitute.
S Tier
- Final Fantasy 10 - As the fourth Aeon that Yuna obtains during the game's story, Shiva's design in Final Fantasy 10 one of the most iconic in the Final Fantasy series to date. In addition to her Overdrive Diamond Dust, Shiva can initially use NulBlaze and NulFrost to protect herself, or Heavenly Strike to immobilize foes. This makes Shiva a solid choice against foes weak to Ice magic. In Final Fantasy 10 HD Remaster, an optional boss called Dark Shiva can be fought if the party returns to Macalania Temple later.
- Final Fantasy 14 (Ysayle and Ryne) - Two characters have become Shiva through different parts of Final Fantasy 14. In A Realm Reborn, players encounter an Elezen woman named Ysayle, also known as Iceheart, who can assume the form of Shiva in battle. In Shadowbringers, a Hume girl named Ryne plays a key role in both the main story and the Eden raid series. During the Eden's Gate: Refulgence raid battle, Ryne uses Eden's power to become Shiva, but she loses control and unleashes Ice and Light magic on players. The Primal was eventually subdued and Ryne was none the worse for wear.
- Final Fantasy 15 (Gentiana) - Initially thought to be a deceased Astral, Shiva the Glacean is revealed in the latter half of Final Fantasy 15 to be alive and in disguise as Gentiana. She reveals her true form to Noctis while they are aboard a train bound for Gralea, the capital of the Niflheim Empire. Though the Glacian is the smallest among her gargantuan peers, Shiva's powers are shown in full force during a fierce battle against Ifrit in the city of Insomnia. Shiva then urges Noctis to bring an end to Ardyn's reign.
A Tier
- Final Fantasy 7 and Final Fantasy 7 Remake - Shiva's debut 3D design in Final Fantasy 7 may be considered rudimentary today, but the icy Summon's appearance was given quite a facelift in Final Fantasy 7 Remake. In the original, Shiva's Summon Materia was obtained in the slums under Final Fantasy 7's Junon after defeating Bottomswell, and will only use Diamond Dust when summoned in battle. FF7 Remake's incarnation is obtained from Chadley after clearing Shiva's trial battle. In FF7 Remake, summoning Shiva costs less ATB gauge compared to Leviathan and Bahamut, which makes her a viable alternative to use.
- Final Fantasy 8 - Shiva is available from the beginning of Final Fantasy 8, alongside Quetzalcoatl . Like other Guardian Forces in FF8, Shiva can be summoned at any time in battle, but she can only be Junctioned to one character at a time. Junctioning with Shiva can eventually grant her summoner the Doom ability, and she can Refine items to make Ice and Water magic. Shiva's hair was replaced with yellow appendages, but her blue skin and attire remained consistent with her past appearances at the time.
- Final Fantasy 11 - In Square Enix's first MMORPG, Shiva is Vana'diel's celestial Avatar of ice. She is obtainable by Summoners that complete the "Trial by Ice" in Final Fantasy 11's first expansion, Rise of the Zilart. Shiva has the highest magic attack of the Avatars, and Summoners can use Shiva's Heavenly Strike to deal significant damage to a target at the end of a skillchain.
- Final Fantasy 16 (Jill Warrick) - In Final Fantasy 16, Jill Warrick is the Dominant of Shiva. During a battle with Titan at The Nysa Defile, Shiva is defeated. However, she is intercepted by Clive, who remembers her after many years apart. The pair is then rescued by Cid following a scuffle with the Iron Kingdom. After that, Jill remains by Clive's side for most of the story. She eventually grants Clive a portion of her power, which allowed him access to Shiva's Eikonic abilities such as Ice Age and Cold Snap.
B Tier
- Final Fantasy 6 - Shiva's appearance in the sixth installment of the franchise is a somber one, given the events surrounding Final Fantasy 6's Kefka at Vector's Magitek Research Facility. Though they will initially attack the party, Ramuh's presence is enough to convince Shiva and Ifrit to transform into Magicite and help the party. In addition to using Diamond Dust, Shiva can teach her wielder some spells such as Blizzara and Osmose.
- Final Fantasy 9 - Though Eidolons play a pivotal part in Final Fantasy 9's main story, Shiva is oddly among the Eidolons that do not have much bearing on the plot. While Shiva is technically available early on, her steep 96 MP cost makes her nearly impossible to Summon. But after obtaining an Opal from Doctor Tot, Garnet can call upon the ice queen to deal serious damage for only 24 MP, making Shiva one of the most cost-effective Eidolons in FF9.
- Final Fantasy 13 (Stiria and Nyx) - In the world of Final Fantasy 13, the Eidolons are more robotic compared to previous versions, and can assume a vehicle-like Gestalt form to assist their chosen summoner. In the case of Stiria and Nix, the Shiva Sisters are the Eidolons bound to Snow Villiers, and they are the first Eidolons that players will earn in the game. Snow can call upon them to freeze foes on the battlefield. In their Gestalt form, the Shiva Sisters combine to form a motorcycle that Snow can ride and run over enemies.
C Tier
- Final Fantasy 3 - Final Fantasy 3 marked the first appearance of Summons in the entire Final Fantasy series, including Shiva, the Ice elemental Summon. Evokers, Summoners, and Sages could use a Level 2 Summon magic called Icen to call upon Shiva, but only Summoners and Sages could harness Shiva's Diamond Dust in battle. Though most of the Summons had little bearing on FF3's story, they laid the foundation for the entire Final Fantasy series afterward.
- Final Fantasy 4 - Shiva is an exclusive Eidolon to Rydia, Final Fantasy 4's main Summoner. But, Shiva herself is unavailable to use until Rydia returns to the party following an incident with Leviathan aboard a ship. Though Rydia's White Magic capability was lost, her Black Magic and Summon Magic powers intensified, allowing her to summon Eidolons such as Shiva. Compared to other summons in FF4, Shiva barely sees much use outside the Underworld, where most enemies are susceptible to Ice magic.
- Final Fantasy 5 - Though Shiva was an optional boss in Castle Walse, she could technically be missed if the player left Bartz's world before facing her. However, if Ifrit is obtained beforehand, her battle becomes an absolute wash. Though Level 2 Summons such Shiva can be useful in the early game, they are easily outclassed by later Summons like Titan and Leviathan.
Final Fantasy 16 is available now for PS5.