Hardcore Final Fantasy fans know there's more to love in Square Enix's acclaimed franchise than just its visuals, narrative, and character concepts. For instance, some fans with a flair for game mastery likely know their favorite Final Fantasy game backwards and forwards. As such, one might know the best spell combinations, the right builds, or even the greatest summons to aid the party in battle. In fact, some gamers consider the summoning mechanic as one of the most unique aspects of the game.
After all, the summon system lets players call on the power of mythical creatures and figures to aid them in battle. These summons have special abilities and attacks that can buff the party or deal devastating damage to enemies. Likewise, some of these summons tend to become extremely iconic that fans even remember them outside the games. Just which of these summons are overrated? Moreover, which of these summons need more attention?
10 Too Much: Bahamut
Fans of Final Fantasy will likely remember Bahamut as a signature summon across almost all titles. After all, he's also one of the strongest summons to exist in the franchise. Whereas some characters or classes acquire certain summons on the onset, players usually have to fight Bahamut to earn his summon skill. Moreover, some stories also integrate the Bahamut summon into the storyline.
Unfortunately, some might also say Bahamut is one of the most overrated summons in the title. Granted, his Megaflare signature attack deals a ton of damage to almost any threat. As such, Bahamut becomes an essential member of any summoner's repertoire. However, some hardcore players may want to try to switch up their summons instead of relying on Bahamut for backup.
9 Needs Love: Kirin
In Eastern mythology, the Kirin appears to be a chimeric-like creature that often shares characteristics with dragons, deers, oxen, and even horses. It's commonly a divine creature, and is sacred in some cultures. Interestingly, in Final Fantasy, this hooved creature is primarily known for its restorative abilities.
Unlike other recurring summons, Kirin doesn't have a lot of appearances throughout the games. In Final Fantasy 6, summoning Kirin gives Regen to the party. Moreover, it can teach Scan, Poisona, Regen, Cura, and Cure. Kirin retains its Regen ability in Final Fantasy Tactics. Interestingly, Kirin also makes appearances in spin-off games. However, the Kirin may deserve a bit of a big break in future installments.
8 Too Much: Ifrit
Franchise fans will recognize Ifrit thanks to his humanoid but beast-like or demonic appearance. And despite subtle changes in his look throughout the games, fans can easily identify this fire-based summon. Serving as the flaming counterpart to Shiva, Ifrit boasts raw firepower in the literal sense. Moreover, he's one of the earliest summons players can receive in the games, making him a complement to class skills.
Thanks to his signature Hellfire or Inferno attack, Ifrit can make quick work of opponents on the battlefield. However, some fans may soon realize that the game might want to highlight other fire-based mythological figures or creatures as summon ideas.
7 Needs Love: Ramuh
Fans of Final Fantasy will remember Ramuh for his sage-like appearance. However, this old man wearing robes and wielding a staff holds a terrifying power against enemies. Thanks to his Judgment Bolt attack, Ramuh (or Indra) can strike down enemies from the skies with terrifying lightning.
Unfortunately, while a recurring summon, the Bahamut-Ifrit-Shiva trio easily steals the spotlight from Ramuh and his companions. Moreover, he's one of the few summons to actually play a role within a Final Fantasy story. For instance, it's Ramuh that helps the protagonist Terra Branford control her powers and explain the nature of the game world's past, which is crucial against their fight against Kefka.
6 Too Much: Shiva
Franchise fans call out Shiva when a party sees that the enemy needs to "cool down." Pun aside, Shiva serves as one of the most recurring summons in Final Fantasy, serving as perhaps the staple ice-based summon for summoning classes. Her signature Diamond Dust attack deals decent ice damage to foes, perfect to counter fire specialists or other fire-based creatures.
Interestingly enough, Shiva accompanies Bahamut and Ifrit as summon "mainstays" across main series titles, at least from Final Fantasy 3 through Final Fantasy 15. The exception of this would be in Final Fantasy 12, where she isn't a summon but instead an airship.
5 Needs Love: Titan
Mythology fans who hear the term "Titan" would likely remember the parents of the gods in Greek Mythology. In Final Fantasy, Titan is a giant that can generate powerful earthquakes that can ruin entire armies. His Gaia's Wrath attack deals decent earth-based damage, albeit weak against air-based opponents.
Unfortunately, other more popular summons overshadow Titan, perhaps due to his rather "straightforward" design. Unlike other summons with grand clothes and awesome details, Titan is simply a giant. However, Titan remains as one of the most reliable summons in the game. As one of the more accessible early summons, Titan can easily turn the tide of battle.
4 Too Much: Leviathan
In myth, the Leviathan is depicted as a massive creature commonly associated with the seas and the ocean. In Final Fantasy, Leviathan is regarded almost in the same manner. For instance, it's the Leviathan that "swallows" the party in Final Fantasy 2. And since this appearance, the Leviathan has become a recurring summon throughout the series with a water-based motif. His signature Tidal Wave attack brings hell to enemies in the form of a massive tidal wave, fitting for the Sea King.
However, the Leviathan seems a bit too "on the nose" for a water-based summon. After all, there are other water-based mythological creatures that can strike fear in the hearts of players. For instance, the Kraken, the Hydra, or even the Old One might seem other great candidates for a potential water-based mainstay summon.
3 Needs Love: Alexander
Fans of Final Fantasy who hear about Alexander the summon might remember Alexander the Great. And unlike images of a warrior on a steed, Alexander in Final Fantasy resembles more of a titanic machine than a person. Interestingly, that's exactly what Alexander is. In the games, Alexander is a fortress-type summon that deals Holy damage with his Divine Judgment signature attack. Summoners will likely rely on Alexander to deal damage, or become the staple summon in a divine spellcaster's roster of spells, or for the sake of flavor.
Unfortunately, Alexander isn't extremely popular amongst summoning fans. After all, with Bahamut being regarded as one of the most powerful out there, there might be no need for Alexander's firepower. However, given the right exposure, Alexander might be quite the interesting NPC summon.
2 Too Much: Odin
The All-Father in Norse mythology also makes an appearance as a recurring Final Fantasy summon. Fans who played the early games will recognize the motif of finding the Odin summon within secret passages and rooms, much in part due to his ability. In the games, Odin appears as an imposing knight with a massive sword. Moreover, his special Zantetsuken attack almost always deals Instant Death to enemies. This special trait explains why Odin seems to be such a popular summon in the games.
However, perhaps the franchise could use other figures of death in order to impart this fatal gift. Aside from the Grim Reaper, concepts and ideas pertaining to Hades, Hel, or even Pluto could serve as substitutes to Odin.
1 Needs Love: Phoenix
Fans of Final Fantasy recognize the term "Phoenix" in almost any game. Unlike other RPGs that feature a Resurrect spell, Final Fantasy has its Phoenix Downs. However, hardcore fans might remember the Phoenix summon in the actual games. And like its feathers, the Phoenix summon usually heals or revives the party. Interestingly, given this power, the Phoenix will usually appear under special conditions.
Given its capabilities, the Phoenix deserves a crucial role in other titles of the franchise. However, some fans might think the Phoenix shouldn't be relegated to an NPC or an event-based summon. Perhaps players can retrieve the Phoenix in a secret location, with its summon cost being high in order to avoid spamming resurrects.