Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster is back and finally on consoles and there is one big reason why fans are so excited to check it out. All six games in the collection are legendary RPGs but Final Fantasy 6 is far and away the top dog here. It was a legendary SNES RPG in 1994 and it remains great now.
It had a prototype system to the Materia system in Final Fantasy 7 wherein characters could equip Espers, their version of Summons, to unlock spells. Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster gives players the opportunity to relive this classic or to experience it for the first time on modern consoles. So, in celebration of that, let’s go through some good beginning Esper unlocks to keep an eye on from the twelve that unlock early on.
8 Kirin
Kirin is not a regular Summon/Esper that gets put into modern Final Fantasy games in the series. Summoning it in Final Fantasy 6 will cast Regen on everyone which will gradually heal the party. This is a great ace in the hole to have especially during boss battles.
More importantly, Kirin is how characters can learn healing magic early on. Cure, Cura, Regen, Poisona, and Libra are all spells under Kirin’s knowledge base. Of them all, Cura is the best healing spell to strive for.
7 Ramuh
Ramuh is a classic Summon/Esper in the series. He is usually depicted as a Gandalf-looking old man with long flowing silver hair and a giant staff. The same is true for Final Fantasy 6 and when summoned, Ramuh will cast lightning magic on all opponents.
Likewise, players can learn lightning-based magic from him. Thunder, Thundara, and Poison are the three spells that Ramuh has been blessed with in the game and Thundara is definitely the best of his magic.
6 Ifrit
Ifrit is another well-represented Summon/Esper in the series. In fact, he is one of the main Summons that will appear in Final Fantasy 16. He wields fire-based magic and will use it on all enemies in battle when summoned.
Players can learn Fire, Fira, and Drain from Ifrit and Firs is of course his best spell in the game. It's worth mentioning that Siren also has the Fire spell for learning purposes but Siren is overall one of the weaker Espers in Final Fantasy 6 as far as power and good spells go.
5 Shiva
Shiva and Ifrit can be acquired once players reach the Empire’s research facility. After a boss battle, the two Espers will reward players with their power. The research facility is also where players will meet this game’s version of Cid.
For those new to the series, Shiva is an ice-based Summon/Esper who typically always looks the same. She will attack enemies with an icy-cold blast when summoned to battle. Players can learn Blizzard, Blizzara, Rasp, Osmose, and Cure by equipping her and Blizzara is the spell to beat.
4 Unicorn
Unicorn is another Summon/Esper that doesn’t appear much in the series. It is a literal unicorn but a more classic depiction of one, unlike the darker version in Shazam: Fury of the Gods. Summoning Unicorn in battle will cure most status ailments if the party is suffering from any like Darkness or Poison.
Cura, Esuna, Dispel, Protect, and Shell are all spells players can learn from this magical creature. Since Kirin knows Cura and appears well before Unicorn, its best spell instead is Esuna which also cures status effects.
3 Maduin
Maduin is a huge Summon/Esper in the game. He is an Esper that fell in love with a human which led to the birth of Terra in Final Fantasy 6. Players will encounter Maduin in the Empire’s research facility as well after the boss fight with Ifrit and Shiva.
Maduin’s battle technique can hit all enemies with a wave of energy. He knows the three best elemental spells for this point in the game aka Fira, Thundara, and Blizzara. New party members that join should equip Maduin to learn these spells faster than separately equipping Ramuh, Shiva, and Ifrit.
2 Carbuncle
Carbuncle will cast Reflect on the party which is useful for players that know how to wield it. Reflect will, well, reflect spells back at opponents. Spells that bounce off of Reflect will be stronger which players can use to their advantage.
For example, let’s say players decide to cast Reflect on Sabin. If Celes uses Fira on Sabin, that spell will hit the enemies instead and for greater damage than if Celes used Fira normally. Carbuncle can teach Reflect to players, but it also has Haste, Shell, Protect, and Teleport in its repertoire.
1 Bismarck
Bismarck is a giant whale that will shoot water bubbles at enemies in battle. Water-based damage is rare in Final Fantasy 6, making Bismarck a good Summon/Esper to use against enemies weak to water-based attacks.
Players can oddly learn Fire, Blizzard, and Thunder from the Esper, but by this point in the game, those spells will be worthless. Bismarck’s best spell instead is Raise which can revive fallen party members in battle. Learning Raise will save on the cost of using Phoenix Downs as they can be expensive.
Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster was re-released for consoles on April 19, 2023, and is available on PS4 and Switch.