The Final Fantasy series is chock-full of terrifyingly powerful characters, but sometimes their allegiances differ. Their powers remain indisputable no matter what side these skilled individuals fall into, but having them as an ally is always something to be celebrated.
Often overshadowed by male protagonists, the women of Final Fantasy are sometimes presented as lacking in terms of strength, but most of the series' women are far more powerful than its men. Usually given the role of a summoner, most female protagonists have the power to call upon gods to aid them in combat, but some choose to rely solely on their own physical strength.
10 Ashe - Final Fantasy 12
Having lost her husband along with her claim to the throne of Dalmasca, Ashe forms a rebellion to reclaim what is rightfully hers. With the Archadian Empire fixated on dominating the entire globe, only Ashe is capable of restoring the world to its once war-free state.
As the only living descendant of King Raithwall, Ashe is deserving of Dawnshard, an ancient Nethicite that holds unfathomable power. This stone grants her the power to destroy the empire once and for all, but she chooses not to in the hope of preventing the onslaught of another war. Though her impractical clothing attempts to negate her strengths, Ashe's determination and honor remain unmatched.
9 Rinoa - Final Fantasy 8
Rinoa is introduced to the player during the inauguration ceremony at Balamb Garden where she forces Squall to dance with her. She is an extroverted young woman who Squall grows to care deeply for as the game progresses.
Unlike most summoners in the series, Rinoa can call upon her pet Australian Shepherd to aid her in combat. Acting as a cannon, Rinoa perches Angelo on her hands before firing her at unsuspecting foes. Not many Final Fantasy characters would employ the unusual tactics that Rinoa opts to, but that further emphasizes her strengths.
8 Aranea - Final Fantasy 15
While infiltrating an imperial base, Noctis encounters Aranea, a skilled mercenary employed by the Niflheim empire. The battle that unfolds requires Noctis to take to the skies to meet her attacks as Aranea refuses to be confined by gravity.
Though she later contributes her fighting abilities to the party, the battle in which she is fought proves to fully showcase her bafflingly powerful abilities. Aranea's techniques echo thoughts of the Dragoon job class system, allowing her to leap to unbelievable heights before crashing down on her foes.
7 Lightning - Final Fantasy 13
Since her introduction to Final Fantasy 13, Lightning has become one of the most iconic characters to appear in the entire series. The opening of the game sees her tasked with saving her younger sister, Serah, from the PSICOM. Feeling somewhat responsible for her capture, Lightning is hellbent on destroying anyone who attempts to stop her from ensuring Serah's safety.
As the story progresses, Lightning discards her cold and distant demeanor in favor of a more approachable one. She opts to use a Gunblade as her primary means of combat but, unlike Squall's in Final Fantasy 8, her weapon of choice functions the way it is supposed to.
6 Tifa - Final Fantasy 7
Tasked with preventing an apocalypse, Tifa and her companions embark on an arduous journey to halt Sephiroth's sinister plan. Armed with nothing more than a pair of gloves and an elusive dolphin, Tifa uses an unusual approach to combat to showcase the true extent of her gifts.
She is known for being inhumanly strong, evident through her combat abilities that see her grabbing her opponents before slamming them into the earth. The Final Fantasy 7 Remake further emphasizes her physical strength through the Pull-Up mini-game wherein she outperforms Jules, the gym's leading trainer.
5 Garnet - Final Fantasy 9
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Garnet spends the beginning of her journey as a soft-spoken young woman who seeks solely to appease those around her. Though she relies on Zidane for guidance for most of the early game, she eventually develops the confidence to express herself, becoming much more independent in the process.
Upon returning to her birthplace, however, she unearths the heartbreaking secrets of her past and discovers her true purpose in life. Having survived Garland's attack on Madain Sari, Garnet is one of the only characters capable of calling forth Eidolons to assist in stopping Kuja's reign.
4 Aerith - Final Fantasy 7
The player's first encounter with Aerith paints her as nothing more than a local florist who speaks her mind but, as the game progresses, she is slowly revealed to be one of the most powerful characters in the entire series.
As a descendant of the Ancients, Aerith is capable of harnessing the power of the planet. She can converse with her ancestors thanks to her unique bloodline, allowing her to seek guidance from her fallen predecessors. She is also the only living being capable of summoning Holy, the planet's only hope of defeating Sephiroth.
3 Lunafreya - Final Fantasy 15
Destined to marry Noctis upon his arrival in Altissia, Lunafreya acts as the primary love interest in Final Fantasy 15. Though she is only briefly showcased before these events, her magical abilities echo through every instance she is referenced in. Lunafreya is the youngest Oracle to ever exist, allowing her to communicate with the gods and call upon their aid when she deems it necessary.
To prevent the return of the Starscourge, she summons forth Leviathan, a towering serpent that she hopes will assist her. Though this godly being refuses to lend its power to her, her ability to summon something of this scale showcases only a fraction of her power.
2 Yuna - Final Fantasy 10
Following in the footsteps of her father, Yuna aims to become High Summoner, a title only gifted to those who defeat Sin. Accompanied by an unlikely group of friends, she ventures across the vast land of Spira in the hope of restoring peace to the world as her father did before her.
Yuna's strengths lie in her magical abilities. Upon praying at each temple on her journey to Zanarkand, the Fayth will reward Yuna with Aeons, powerful entities that assist her in battle. The further she travels, the more Aeons she gains, making her a force to be reckoned with.
1 Terra - Final Fantasy 6
As the daughter of an Esper and a human, Terra's abilities are unmatched. Prior to her capture by the Empire, Terra was raised by her parents in the Esper World, a land that nurtured her and her abilities. Having lost both of her parents, she is forced to uncover her true purpose alone.
She spends the early stages of Final Fantasy 6 unsure of her origins. When the truth is revealed, Terra's innermost powers come to light. Transforming into an Esper, she soars around the continent before encountering Ramuh, a fellow Esper who has her best interests at heart.