Final Fantasy has been running for years now, with no sign of slowing down, and has provided no shortage of amazing characters, locations, and stories across its many entries. One thing, in particular, it is known for is its suite of iconic character classes and jobs.
Whether it’s the bounding Dragoon or the powerful Black Mage, these character classes are immediately identifiable to even casual fans. One of the most striking is the dashing Red Mage, but which Red Mages are the best? Read below to find out.
Red Mages are easily identified by their predominantly red clothing, often with a pointed hat, and their combat flexibility. Able to fight with weapons and magic, they typically learn a wide range of skills but aren’t the best in any one area.
8The First Red Mages
Final Fantasy
Credit has to be given where it’s due, to the very first instance of the Red Mage in the series. That, appropriately, was in the very first game. They were one of the six basic classes, later upgrading into Red Wizard.
Setting the tone for Red Wizards going forward, they were able to use both offensive and healing magic as well as hold their own using weapons. Their visual design and this versatility would become the mainstays of Red Mages going forward.
7The Legacy Assured
Final Fantasy 3
Final Fantasy 3 was the second entry in the series to include Red Mages, ensuring that they would become a staple going forward even if they wouldn’t appear in every game. In this instance, they were a job class gained from the Wind Crystal.
They followed much of the trend established for Red Mages in Final Fantasy 1, minus the evolution into Red Wizards, as versatile fighters capable of using a wide range of magic.
6Dualcast At Last
Final Fantasy 5
Final Fantasy 5introduced the ability Red Mages would become best known for, Dualcast. The exact function of Dualcast has varied slightly from game to game, but at its core, it’s all about letting you cast two spells back to back.
This helped give Red Mages a more distinct playstyle and reason to pick them up beyond the jack-of-all-trades appeal. Final Fantasy 5 and the introduction of Dualcast can’t be overstated, this was a high point for Red Mages.
5Versatility Personified
Final Fantasy 11
Final Fantasy 11 has, for many, been eclipsed by its MMO successor Final Fantasy 14. That means many of the things it did get overlooked, which is a disservice to both it and the job classes it offered up.
Red Mages are known for their versatility, and the ones in Final Fantasy 11 portrayed this perfectly. They had a vast array of skills and could partner up well with just about any other job class in the game.
4No Stranger To Danger
Stranger Of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin
Red Mages fromunderrated Stranger Of Paradise Final Fantasy Originare obtained after advancing far enough with both Mage and Swordfighter and progressing in the main story. It stays true to its roots, serving as a hybrid caster and physical attacker.
Although middlingly good at everything, one area the Red Mage excels is that it has one of the best MP recovery rates in the game, better enabling you to get back to throwing out high-powered spells in a pinch.
Swordfighter and Mage are required to unlock Red Mage, but Red Mage itself is also required to unlock both the Tyrant and Void Knight expert jobs.
3Tactically Sound
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
Few versions of the Red Mage feel as effective as the Final Fantasy Tactics Advance iteration of the job class. They have balanced stats, and a wide range of spells, and can rely on their physical abilities when silenced, just as you’d expect.
The only wrinkle is that in their official art, they’re depicted with staves, which they can’t actually use in the game at all. That oddity aside there’s nothing about these Red Mages that can be faulted.
2The Warrior Of Light
Final Fantasy 14
Final Fantasy 14 deservesthe critical acclaimit is known for, partly due to what an excellent example each of its job classes are of delivering on their premise. Although they have less healing than some other versions of Red Mage, Dualcast makes up for this.
Able to cast spells instantly, the Red Mage excels at dishing out damage and then throwing out lightning-fast heals or revives for members of their team in trouble. Playing Red Mage in Final Fantasy 14 will have you feeling like the hero of every raid.
1Alisaie Leveilleur
Most Red Mages in Final Fantasy are examples of a job class you can choose for yourself. Alisaie Leveilleur is one of the rare examples of an NPC Red Mage and has grown to become a fan favourite.
Although mostly absent through the events of A Realm Reborn, Alisaie becomes more involved in the story as Heavensward progresses into Stormblood, which is when she picks up the Red Mage job class.
