Ranking EVERY Final Fantasy VI Character

[@aspieatheist6040]

Relm can be a beast if you know how to use her. She has a great magic stat. Teach her magic with magecite, and she can go to town. Give Mog the dragoon setup, and he becomes a beast as well.

[@ErekLadd]

Very true! I had forgotten to mention the dragoon setup for mog. Super handy!

[@CosmicCosmo1]

Get her to learn a good late game spell and she becomes very useful. She is the definition of potential if you put a little bit of time into her. If you don't work on her at all then she will be a corpse in Kefka's tower

[@dannysimion]

I agree! Relm seems to be such a powerful magic user. Mog is fun to use as a dragoon. Such a powerhouse. I use Sabin too for the heck of dragon too.

[@bcon1308]

Mog Dragoon set up is unbelievably broken lol. Most people don't know about it which is understandable.

[@AxeMain]

I think Relm has the highest magic stat in the game. I used her in my final party for that reason, but I ignored the Sketch ability. Celes' ability isn't very useful either though, so I don't mark it against her

[@feiitogaming]

Awesome video Erek! I didn't know about the fan theory around Shadow, but that totally makes sense. Also, great list - another class ranking. My favorite character is Celes.

[@ErekLadd]

Yeah there's a few fan theories getting around. This one seems to be the most possible maybe!

[@thecognitiverambler8911]

Locke is forever underrated. He has two compelling love stories, and his hero archetype personality is super charming considering how much weaker he is than the other characters at start. Him rescuing Terra and Celes who are both WAY stronger than him is an interesting subversion to me. What everyone seems to miss though is how much of a monster Locke can be built into. He can access all the best weapons in the game, and is the fastest character who can. He can deal 8x 9999 every turn like no other. He's even arguably the best early game genji glove candidate. Everyone else crutches on spells or abilities at that point.

[@StormWHM]

People focus too much on Damage with their rankings. Even though Steal would be used to equip those people. He was always in my party to get the goodies. Oh, that character can make a wind god setup? Really. Who stole the Tempest Swords again? Locke. Want more Blood Swords in WOB? Who stole them again? Locke. Want the Debilitator in WOB? Who can Steal from the Right Crane? Locke. Want the Paladin Shield or Ragnorak? Who do you need? Locke. When Locke uses the Master Scroll, I will usually equip Ribbon or Safety Bit or Miracle Shoes. Why not make him indestructible too. ROFL In the WOR and Cid dies, Celes will find a Pigeon with Locke's Ribbon. Which gives her hope. He also saves Celes again when you beat Kefka...

[@AndrewClunn]

That ghost who saved my party by sacrificing itself with posses... will always be number 1 in my heart.

[@madkaiser4887]

Celes is definitely the one who left a huge impression to me when I finally played this game, 2 years ago

[@ErekLadd]

Yeah definitely a very good character overall. Lots of amazing story points that are very impressionable!!

[@MalzraAirwynn]

I really liked the ensemble nature of VI. I would argue that by the end, Terra has looped back around to being the closest thing to a main character again. Since she is the only non required character that shows up for the ending regardless of recruitment, and the emotional stakes of the ending is basically 'can Terra survive in a world without magic' and this is brought up when going to Kefka's tower the first time even if she isn't in the party yet. And then saving her when she starts to fall when her power runs out. She's 100% the main character of World of Balance, as even when she's out of the party post Narche battle until after magitek lab, the story is still revolving around her. With the journey to Zozo being her friends trying to find her, and everything from there, to getting the airship, infiltrating Vector and the Magitek Lab is all about finding a way to help her. Plus, while Celes/Edgar/Setzer get some great moments in early world of ruin, once you get the airship they kind of lose any significance to the plot on a personal level, and the game just opens up into a pseudo sandbox of sorts to go recruit party members and gather weapons/magicite etc to prepare for storming Kefka's lair. I don't say this to undersell Celes, she's my favorite character in the game, but I wouldn't really call her the main character for all of world of ruin either. I like that the game gives room for other characters to shine and doesn't force Terra into the part 100% of the time, but some characters get more than others and I think Terra is pretty secure in her position as 'main character' overall.

[@TheDrewjameson]

IMHO, Relm is worth building up. She can equip a lot of really useful equipment later in the game, Control is really useful, and her off the charts magic stat make her really powerful. I do find her characterization a little annoying, but she's fun to play!

[@ErekLadd]

Yeah good points here! I need to do another run where I just experiment with character builds and not just pick who I like!!

[@TheDrewjameson]

@@ErekLadd I also have always loved Cyan; he has one of the best story's and excellent characterization. He may not be as optimized as some of the other characters (he might be in my bottom tier by the end game...), but I love him story-wise so much!

[@generaljimmies3429]

The Pixel Remaster gave Cyan a MUCH needed update by having you select the Bushido you want first, then he will start charging it. He did the opposite in all previous versions interrupting the flow of combat during battles. I also love that the Raiden Esper now gives a +2 Speed upon level up instead of Odin's +1 Speed. I think only the Cactuar Esper from the GBA version gave that previously.

[@ErekLadd]

Yes this is very true!! A much needed improvement for Cyan!!

[@IlluminaZero]

You could work around it via timing Cyan's charges during qued up actions + action animations. Although IIRC it was still difficult to minimize team action downtime beyond level 4(ish) Bushido skills.

[@StormWHM]

You basically required Quick to use Bushido effectively in old versions.

[@NightVisionPhantom]

Strago is actually pretty cool. Build up his speed and magic stats and they along with his blue magic gives him extreme versatility.

[@Flanagax]

One thing i love about Cyan is how his story has only gotten better as I've grown older. Also the Figaro Bros have one of, if not THE healthiest sibling relationships in the series, and I just think that's nice

[@ErekLadd]

Totally agree with Cyan. The more time goes on the more I understand how he feels!

[@uppernimbus]

Awesome list, Erek! Hoping this one picks up for you and becomes yet another banger in your FF Ranking series!

[@ErekLadd]

Thanks!!! Hope you can play this one soon!! 🤣

[@uppernimbus]

@@ErekLadd God damn it 🤣

[@JimmySlippit]

Very fun video! As tends to happen with opinions and tastes, mine may be different but you did a great job presenting your picks and explaining why. I'm personally a sucker for more cartoony, over-the-top and silly characters, which Final Fantasy was so good at during this era in particular (4, 5, and 6) As our "favorites" are always a judgement of value combining many factors it's quite a task to place a definitive "rank" on these favorites My only absolute is personally that Celes is my number 1 favorite from 6, because not only does she have quite a story and personality presented directly from her character development. She also has one of the most fun designs in my silly opinion, in both Amano's artwork and in-game spritework, and her opening up to the party slowly, and eventually learning not to feel the guilt she has for her past actions, which were results of manipulation, felt pretty organic. Call it cliche but Terra also has to be my number 2 simply because she is my favorite actual sprite design of the party, just some very well expressed nuances in her design that tell you about her personality. Besides how could you not love the child of the ill-fated, star crossed lovers, easy bonus points that because of her lineage she has access to a f*****g Super Saiyan form Sabin after that simply beacuse of pseudo fighting game inputs and he is simply a riot while also legitimately feeling like the toughest guy in the room (or city, or country, or continent, or celestial orb, or plane of existence, or . . .) Actually I'm just gonna cheat and call every permanent attainable character a tie, for number 1, but just for fun and since you added Leo, I HAVE to shout out Banon for being just a bro and also having some of the fiercest looking character portrait in the menu while also being basically only useful for healing. RIP Banon

[@ThePublicAffair]

Just subscribed! Great video bro!

[@GenerationPixel]

That must have taken a great deal of deliberation. I salute your dedication 🫡

[@ErekLadd]

Took a little bit to figure out the order that's for sure!!

[@mariondzi7726]

Celes is not only the best character in FF6, but also at least top 3 in the entire series

[@Ashenshugura]

100%

[@WesleyWyndam-Pryce]

Forever

[@geoffreys78]

I didn't realize at first this would be only the playables - Kefka would be pretty high if it was everyone

[@ErekLadd]

For sure!!! Kefka made it very very high in my Final Fantasy villains video though!

[@femtrooper]

Great list! I have always really liked Terra as a character - her story is creepy and compelling!

[@sydhamelin1265]

Very similar ranking. I've seen Gogo ranked really low, but I always appreciated Gogo. I love having to form 3 parties at the end, and deciding who would go in each group. Usually by that time I have the economizer (or whatever it's called in whichever version), and everyone has 'Ultima', so Kefka's tower isn't 'too' challenging, meaning I pick my parties for their RP value.

[@ErekLadd]

Yes! The dinosaur forest or whatever it's called ends up coming in clutch to level most of the characters in the game from like 10 to about 50ish. Takes a bit but it's worth doing. Thankfully the pixel remaster has 2x speed and auto battle option haha.

[@sydhamelin1265]

@@ErekLadd Whew, I remember the first time stumbling into an encounter there, and I thought "ok, why do the devs absolutely hate me?" One thing I love about the World of Ruin is how it takes away any and all safety nets. The tower where you can only use magic was another moment where I thought I might have broken something. I think a lot of us learned about 'the grind' from this game. Also, having a PC with the dual-cast relic, and Gogo then mimicking THAT (for free) - whew. Gogo needs more love.

[@travisflint7616]

No real arguments here! I'd say most of my list is similar to yours. I think I have Cyan a bit lower. I also have Celes and Locke higher. But it's marginal. Another awesome video. That was a fun theory about Clyde and Baram. I've never heard that one. I also never knew how to properly utilize Gogo until relatively recently (relatively being around five years ago or so) despite playing it in the mid 90's. It's a game that I will always find something new in each playthrough, but I really believe it's the most well rounded Final Fantasy.

[@ErekLadd]

I do really enjoy some of the fan theories out there - really makes you think!! And yeah I was in the same boat as you about Gogo. I just thought Gogo was a mimic and nothing more. But actually being able to replicate other members moves without them doing it is a game changer!!

[@RadishDoctor]

I think what hurts Setzer the most, also Locke by proxy, is that they're narratively both ONE character that got cut in half into separate characters for plot cohesion. FF6 was an idea pot of "wouldn't it be cool if" ideas which is why I think it's as popular as it is. Setzer is one of the 3 required characters (Celes, Edgar) and substitutes for Locke in Celes ending scene if Locke isn't obtained. Setzer even comes equipped with the bandana. You could almost 1-for-1 sub out Locke and Rachel's plot for Setzer and Daryl too.

[@MalzraAirwynn]

You can learn Locke's backstory fairly early in the game if you bring him to his hometown while on the search for Terra early on. In fact if you bring Celes there too, she'll have a little non verbal reaction to some of it and even get an extra line of dialogue in the opera sequence. For similar reasons I always bring Edgar and Sabin to the opera because their presence adds a bit more character to the scene where Celes scams Setzer by using Edgar's coin he used to trick Sabin. (Albeit out of love to set Sabin free rather than ill intent.)

[@st.anselmsfire3547]

This is a pretty good list for people who don't use Espers strategically when leveling their heroes. If you put in some effort, Strago and Relm are magical powerhouses, with Strago having access to some insane unique spells and Relm potentially getting so powerful that she can wipe the map with basic spells. Cyan and Sabin are helped *a lot* by the quality of life improvements in the remakes. The weird thing about Sabin is that most blitzes are magic-based so if you boost his magic stat with Espers he can destroy anything, and then if you give him the black belt so he does a physical counter every time he gets hit, he's devastating all around. Gau and Umaro are stuck in a berserk state, so, while they're power houses, they're too unpredictable. Mog and Edgar can become absurdly powerful dragoons by the end of the game, or you can turn Mog into your third super wizard behind Strago and Relm or a fourth one if that's how you developed Terra. Locke has two phases - before and after the brigand's glove. Before that, he's just a weak melee fighter with a kind of useless special skill. After he gets the mug skill, though, he's great because he can actually hurt the bad guys while stealing and he seems to just get better stuff, though that's probably because the bad guys you meet have better loot. Terra and Celes are naturally a red mage and paladin respectively. You can choose to develop them both that way or you can make them specialize.

[@justinc882]

Love seeing Cyan so high. His story is so deep. Personally I think Locke should be higher but the top 7 or so are pretty interchangable honestly.

[@stevenvegh7964]

Sabin and Edgar are almost always my auto includes so I can’t help but agree with most of the list.

[@ErekLadd]

Same!!! Sabin & Edgar are always a must have for my main party. Usually round out with Terra and Shadow!

[@timepassesbye]

My rate list is quite different, I don’t really rate characters individually. But more how they synergize with other party setups. My “main” party is always Terra, Edger, Gau, and Sabin. Terra and Gau are your magical powerhouses while Edger and Sabin are your physical, despite several of their abilities being considered magic. They all have very solid stats, and can cover all the bases necessary. Terra having high magic helps farm exp efficiently, gau learns powerful rages, which can be hit and miss, but don’t cost mp to use, Edger is a clear choice, and Sabin is the same, having mp less abilities that are ape as well. My 2nd party is Celes, Locke, Mog, and Realm. Celes mog and realm all have very high magic, and while Locke isn’t a melee powerhouse. He can still inflict significant damage. I like setting mog to a healing dance and letting him auto hale your party while you grind exp. Celes and really can nuke mobs down with east and Locke funda your shopping sprees. Also alloying him to stay in the back row with ranger weapons means less healing. 3rd party is Setzer, Cyan, Strago and Shadow. This is a more melee heavy party, with Strago being the only heavy magic user.the only time I employ this group is kefka’a tower. I struggle to find a place for umaro and gogo.

[@XionYetora]

Quite the list with an actual surprising top choice. I would have had gau higher as he is almost always in my final party. His rage ability is a wild card but like you said gets you out of quite a few boss fights because of how op it is. Love the list all the same, keep them coming.

[@ErekLadd]

Yeah Gau is definitely a wild card like you said. All of the characters are great if you strategize well enough!

[@monimonvii826]

Nice! Another Edgar enjoyer

[@zakirstocks9514]

I Absolutely Respect all of the Characters of *Final Fantasy 6/VI* Game, who followed Terra Branford, around the world, searching for people who're with Terra, to defeat the Evil Kefka Palazzo. Hell, I even Respect Kefka Palazzo himself in this game.

[@Wyrenth]

Admittedly, Relm wasn't used much on my v1.0 cart except for very glitchy circumstances... which I stopped using after one such instance nuked all the saves on the cart. Flew too close to the sun.

[@DavidAmarante]

I love Celes! Glad she made top 5. I'd love to play a spinoff game featuring her much like Crisis Core.

[@ErekLadd]

Never even considered that but now I really want it!! Such a great idea!

[@dannysimion]

World of balance my characters usually were Terra, Celes, Locke and Edgar but by World of Ruin, Edgar stays and the others to play with is Relm, Strago and Mog.

[@_Five_Knights_]

Gotta agree with the top 3 lmao, they we're def my crutch for the majority of the game, ESPECIALLY Sabin lmao For me it'd probably be Sabin in #1 for me purely because he tanked Kefka in my playthrough and somehow i got him to have all my best skills PFFT so kefka was pretty much done real quick. As for characters, my faves are definitely Sabin, Terra, Shadow and Gogo lol

[@Amamizu82]

Decent list, though I would've enjoyed more discussion of stats and combat prowess. Just curious why you included General Leo and not Bannon? Maybe he's just not as memorable as Leo? I can understand not including the moogles or ghosts that can join your party at certain points, but that caught my attention

[@redmagelala]

I expected a combat tier list, but all I got was this emotional weight tier list.

[@ErekLadd]

🤷🏻‍♂️

[@redmagelala]

@@ErekLadd It's a pretty good list. Not gonna lie about that.

[@ILoveThisBlank]

I think my list would change drastically depending on whether we're looking at utility in battle or how well-written the character is. Battle: 1. Edgar, 2. Sabin, 3. Relm (Relm actually has the highest base magic stat). Locke and Cyan wouldn't be anywhere near the top on that list. But based on the characters? 1. Celes, 2. Terra, 3. Locke, 4. Edgar, 5. Sabin, 6. Cyan.

[@BJGvideos]

The Baram theory doesn't really work because Kefka was already a soldier and that's why he was picked for the tests. I wonder how the thing about Celes's speech pattern even COULD have been translated. Only thing i can think of is that she could have talked roughly and coarsely until then but the interpretation and connotation would be different. Maybe she could have spoken very formally and then relaxed. Expanding Setzer needs to happen! My god how is it that we tool around in a flying casino and the game still doesn't have a card game like they insist on cramming into all the other games?

[@BoojieD]

Strago is the only character in the game who can cast Mighty Guard. That alone should easily get him halfway up the list.

[@ParasaurolophusZ]

11:20 Biggs and Wedge, right?! Celes was always my favorite. I love seeing a tragic heroine who overcomes.

[@ErekLadd]

Someone out there has them on their list!!! I'm sure of it!! 🤣

[@renatop2610]

Strago and Relm higher for me. They got an interesting storyline. Strago is also a powerful mage if developed. Umaro, Gogo and Mog bottom 3 as they lack proper story development. Terra too low. Should be higher than Cyan at least. Also Shadow would be higher than Cyan for me. Nice shout to General Leo. Such a tragic character. I think your ranking is good but looks like you ranked them based on how much you used them during your own gameplay, rather than their relevance to the stories told in the game, which makes this a “ranking all playable characters”otherwise….Kefka or Ultros anyone? It’s all fine but would love to see how you rank them based on story relevance.

[@onernoa]

Gogo is one of the highest utility characters in the game, and he destroys at the colisseum because you can control his abilities. He has no story but I would easily put him at rank 5 (which is to say as soon as you need a second party, you've got gogo)

[@onernoa]

otherwise, love the thought behind your decisions!

[@ErekLadd]

Gogo is great!!! Super great for a second party for sure. Was pleasantly surprised at the ability to just outright use anyone's abilities instead of just repeating an action - I guess that is the point of the mimic though 🤣

[@adamnesico]

In case you still wanna do ranks, i suggest to rank every FF team character in every game in tiers like: Game protagonist. Imprescindible for story. Good sidekick Had its function at some point. Why did they putted it?

[@cbarcher8527]

What about Biggs, Wedge, Banon, Maduin, and everyone's favourite ghost ??????.

[@derekminna]

Dont sleep on Strago. He has 2 spells that make him top tier.

[@helloidharbl6753]

I've played FF6 (originally released in USA as 3) so many times it's absurd. Tier lists have been a thing since the days in the school cafeteria. It really depends on if you are low level, mid, high, or max level. And consider this; at high to max level if you are casting attack spells you are only doing so for flavor. Most everyone will have sime way to throw out some 9999. Which is why the remake and that damage cap unlock changes everything.

[@WesleyWyndam-Pryce]

Favorite character only not skill level 1 Celes 2 Celes 3 Celes 4 Edgar 5 Terra 6 Sabin 7 Locke 8 Cyan 9 Setzer 10 Shadow 11 Relm 12 Umaro 13 Mog 14 Strago 15 Gau 16 Gogo

[@TheLMBLucas]

Celes will always be the #1 for me! Setzer has more lore than I was expecting by the end, I would rank it higher. And if we include the villain, I would put Kefka at 15, just above Umaro lol. Sorry, nostalgic players, the character didn't age well.

[@kingveelatte41]

I remember when I played the game for the first time, reaching end of the game, i just realize Edgar's potential. I feel so dumb not using him more often 🤣 agree with your list tho

[@ErekLadd]

Yeah he's a powerhouse with his tech abilities!! The chainsaw attack he has is so good.

[@ogun6464]

Celes is top for me, but I mostly agree with the rest

[@mattbrown9631]

MOG AT 12?! With Gau above him at 11? That is.... a choice

[@armorvil]

yeah a tier list straight from a beginner / first time FF6 player lol

[@GGGKlimpt]

Terra at 6 is criminal

[@hellrossa2137]

I like your voice !

[@wizcatcheslightning]

Yeah it’s hard to not have both twins in the top 3

[@ErekLadd]

Definitely!

[@tats_sacs]

As a future FF XiV pictomancer, i disagree for Relm to be ranked that low.

[@Eagleknight815]

5:41 Dude Spoilers! 🤣

[@ErekLadd]

Sorry for spoiling a game that came out 30 years ago !! 😂😂

[@matthewt3969]

@@ErekLaddagree with other guy. Came out thirty years ago yet any people playing for first time. Super weak.

[@cedhabs20]

I disagree with this list, Shadow, Celes, Terra, Relm, Gau, Cyan, Sabin, Edgar should be in this order at the top. Shadow is the best writen character in the game, great fighting stat and Throw is just awesome, Relm/Shadow story should have been developped more. Celes and Terra are both great magic user, great in battle and huge storyline. Relm magic power is unmatched. Gau powerful if use with the right rage. Cyan great but is storyline is even better. I never really find great the Sabin/Edgar story, but both are good in battle, especially in WOB. I never get into Setzler and find him one of the weakest of all character. Locke is weak too, steal is almost his only utility. Great story with Rachel. Mog, Umaro and Gogo have no backstory. Strago is not that strong either.

[@stevenvegh7964]

Umaro = automatic last place. Poor Sasquatch. Worst character and no story development.

[@BJGvideos]

The only thing I can think of is from his name since it maaaaay be based off Umar, which means "follower of the prophet". And Mog said that he joins you because he had a vision of Ramuh. So is Mog a prophet?

[@nosaurian]

honestly your tier list sucks! downranking characters because "you never really use them" is No real explanation. you place Cyan higher than Gau, Mog and even Gogo? anyway here's your comment and view

[@veghesther3204]

Even at lv 99 Cyan/Umaro are still CRAP.

[@matthewt3969]

Thanks for the spoiler for no reason. Thumbs down

[@ErekLadd]

This game came out 30 years ago. You're watching a video that details every character in the game. What did you expect?

[@oddeye9640]

Shadow was always my favorite as a kid playing when it first came out on snes. But that was just due to me liking Ninjas and Ninjitsu. As I got older, Terra, Locke, and Celes became my top 3. Because of their stories and the emotional weight and struggles they went through. No game has ever come close to this one in my opinion. That goes for every aspect. Music, characters, story, villains. Kefka is the best villain because he’s not just doing such horrible things, but he’s enjoying doing them. I hope they remake it and add like 60+ more hours of gameplay. I don’t care about graphics, or it being more realistic like the ff7 one. Just make the characters backstories, playable, stretch out some other parts, and make things like the Esper World, playable, even if it’s in a backstory. Hell, make the entire past, and War Of The Magi, playable. Make Celes’ past joining the empire, Locke’s past with Rachel, Sabin & Edgar’s past leading up to their coin toss, Setzer’s past with Darryl, All of Shadow’s past (but only if you save him on island, all playable. Maybe Shadows past you can play after certain choices are made, and it can be like Laguna’s in FF8. Leading to Relm’s birth and her past with Strago, and his past etc.. Damn, they could even give Gogo, Mog, and Umaro a little more background. Along with Gau. Sorry, a remake is just the main game I’d ever want. As well as a Shining Force Collection, that includes sf3 and all 3 scenarios, leading up to a new Shining Force expansion 4 release.