Final Fantasy is one of the most popular video game franchises of all time, with its long-running legacy allowing fans to witness numerous recurring enemies, characters, bosses, spells, and everything else along the same lines that have helped the series become a household name in the first place. Of course, it would be impossible to talk about the greatest elements of Final Fantasy without giving props to its larger-than-life summons that have become a staple of the series.
Fans love the idea of calling these beings into battle, seeking out their help against the many tough enemies and bosses that stand in their way. These summons usually cost a lot of MP but are worth the cost for the sheer destruction they can bring to the table. Some of the most iconic summons in Final Fantasy have appeared across numerous games, causing fans to crack a smile whenever they get a chance to invoke the might of these powerful summons in battle.
Only mainline entries along with their remakes, sequels, & prequels will be considered.
6 Titan
Number Of Games Where This Summon Has Appeared: 12
- An earth-elemental summon that flexes its brute strength
Titan is a legendary summon from the Final Fantasy series that has made its presence known time and time again across the series. As one would expect from the name, this summon is usually gigantic, splitting the earth apart in a bid to attack foes. In most games, players should avoid using this summon against flying enemies if they don't want this amazing spectacle to be rewarded with a comical miss, but this is a problem that modern games in the series don't face.
Final Fantasy 15 is the game where players will summon Titan more often than not, and watching this massive behemoth destroy foes in style never ceases to be amazing. Players who want to use an earth-elemental attack to destroy the enemies standing in their way should make it a point to use Titan in battle and watch this summon slam enemies to the ground in style.
5 Ramuh
Number Of Games Where This Summon Has Appeared: 13
- Takes on the form of a wise old wizard that uses lightning to shock enemies
Players who want to summon the embodiment of lightning to shock their foes into submission will love using Ramuh's magic in battle. Every incarnation of this summon depicts him as a wizened old man who uses his massive staff to call forth lightning from the heavens, hitting all enemies for serious damage. He's an iconic summon that has made his presence known across the modern Final Fantasy games too.
Watching this imposing being dwarf its enemies as it decimates them with his Judgment Bolt never ceases to be a fascinating sight. It's easy to see why fans have developed such a connection with Ramuh, making him one of the most beloved summons in Final Fantasy who is a stunning visual treat whenever he gets his chance to shine.
4 Odin
Number Of Games Where This Summon Has Appeared: 15
- Uses his iconic Zantetsuken to cleave enemies in half
While almost every summon in Final Fantasy is pretty cool, Odin takes the cake in this regard courtesy of his imposing design, wielding a sword that has become legendary in the series. Zantetsuken is one of the most intimidating blades fans have seen across multiple Final Fantasy games, and seeing him arrive on his steed to cleave enemies in half is something that fans can't get enough of.
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There's a reason why Odin is so costly to summon in most Final Fantasy games — an Instant Death attack that hits all enemies is no joke. Final Fantasy 8 went the extra mile and turned Odin into an uncontrollable Guardian Force that appears at random to end an encounter before it begins, while other games have removed the Instant Death effect of the Zantetsuken to make things more balanced. Regardless of Odin's appearance across the Final Fantasy titles, there's no denying that fans love the idea of summoning this iconic being to wreak havoc on their enemies.
3 Shiva
Number Of Games Where This Summon Has Appeared: 16
- A beautiful woman who uses ice-fuelled attacks to freeze the player's enemies
Most people are well aware of Shiva's ice-fuelled attacks that have made her an enduring icon of the Final Fantasy series. Diamond Dust is one of the most iconic moves in the series that freezes enemies and hits them for serious damage. Regardless of when players get to summon Shiva, watching her carry out this attack with grace and poise never ceases to be engaging.
Shiva's design has changed multiple times across the series, but her ethereal beauty has been a mainstay that fans are quite familiar with. Whenever players face off against a tough foe that uses fire attacks to deal serious damage, then all they need to do is summon Shiva once to hit for serious damage and turn the tables in a flash.
2 Ifrit
Number Of Games Where This Summon Has Appeared: 17
- A beast-like creature that burns enemies to a crisp
The fact that Final Fantasy 16 chose Ifrit as the only controllable Dominant in the game shows just how iconic this summon is across the Final Fantasy series. This fiery beast hits like a truck with his Hellfire attack, blasting foes with a high-temperature barrage that burns them to a crisp and gives them no chance of escape. The demonic look of Ifrit has been a constant throughout the series and is one of his defining traits.
This horned demon is a joy to summon in any fantasy game, boasting brutish strength along with a litany of fiery attacks that can incinerate enemies in no time. It's easy to see why so many fans consider Ifrit to be one of the most recognizable summons in the series who can bring the pain to overzealous enemies time and time again.
1 Bahamut
Number Of Games Where This Summon Has Appeared: 17
- The Dragon King who destroys enemies with his Megaflare
One of the most iconic summons in Final Fantasy history who wows players with his power time and time again, it's easy to see why Bahamut has appeared in so many games across the series. His presence is so imposing that the most popular game in the series, Final Fantasy 7, features three variants of this summon so that players can comfortably use Bahamut until the end.
The Dragon King makes quick work of the player's enemies with his iconic Megaflare attack, which usually ignores enemy defense to hit for immense non-elemental damage. It's easy to see why fans love this summon to bits, whipping him out against a tough boss to show them who's boss.
- Creation Year
- 1987
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix