The tiny slice of Final Fantasy 16 that Square Enix has shown fans so far with the latest demo is filled to the brim with references hearkening back to the origins of the series. However, one reference to the PS1 classic Final Fantasy Tactics could lay the path for how this latest title in the series will handle the long-running character Cid, known more formally as Cidolfus in this latest entry.
Considering that this latest Cid will be joining the party as a combat companion for a time, the reference could be good news for the character in Final Fantasy 16. This could then speak volumes for Cid's expected role as the Dominant of Ramuh, which is what grants him access to his powerful thunder magic.
Thunder God Cid
The last Final Fantasy to expand Cid's full name out to Cidolfus was Final Fantasy Tactics, where the character went by a handful of aliases, mostly related to his mastery of thunder magic. In that title, the character was more notably referred to as Thunder God Cid, or T.G. Cid, and had a unique set of skills that couldn't be replicated by any of the other classes available to regular NPCs. This has since made him a favorite among fans that are hoping to see Cid return in a possible Final Fantasy Tactics remake.
Thunder God Cid does also come with his own set of pros and cons in Final Fantasy Tactics, as having him on the team could often trivialize fights that were supposed to be some of the most difficult in the game. The character's unique skill set and high stats make him such an essential part of any party that some would rather choose not to use him in order to get more out of the rest of the party dynamic. In this case, the overpowered nature of this original Thunder God Cidolfus could mean that Final Fantasy 16's Cid could eventually be just as powerful of a companion as his and Clive's abilities continue to grow.
Cidolfus, Dominant of Ramuh
It goes without saying that not only has this most recent Cidolfus inherited his name from the version in Final Fantasy Tactics, but he also uses the same type of magic. Being related to Ramuh, Cidolfus also has access to powerful lightning magic that he's ready to use in most fights, and during a stellar cutscene shown off in the recent Final Fantasy 16 demo. So, the character's access to this boosted mode, which is reminiscent of Clive's own Limit Break, could spell for Cid to be one of the most powerful party companions available.
Given that companions haven't been shown to be all too powerful in what has been shown of Final Fantasy 16 so far, having Cidolfus become the powerhouse of his namesake could be great for the party dynamic. Similar to how the previous version of Cid became his own easy mode when brought into difficult scenarios, this new version of the character could help players breeze through some more complicated situations. This could go well with the difficulty options already available to make Final Fantasy 16 as difficult or accessible as any given player needs the game to be.
The original Cidolfus' backstory could also give fans a head start on what to expect from Final Fantasy 16's Cid as the new game's story unfolds. While the demo doesn't allow players to see the Active Time Lore entry for Cid, it appears so far that he shares some of the original's backstory of having fought for an empire, but changing sides after meeting the protagonist. It's a great nod that does a lot of work to make sure that fans still see how Final Fantasy 16 still relates to the ongoing series, even if the combat system has shifted.
Final Fantasy 16 is set to release on June 22, exclusively for PS5.
