Summary
Summons are an integral part of any player’s strategy in theFinal Fantasyseries. Throughout the games, these beings have provided defensive, offensive, and healing support for the player’s party. A significant grind in any of the games is unlocking the more powerful summons.
In fact, the developers have locked a few away behind complex algorithms, formulaic attacks, and even the final bosses themselves because they’re so strong. Some of thestrongest summons inFinal Fantasyare so incredibly powerful that many people simply can’t fathom the depths of their strength.
Updated on June 15, 2025, by Ritwik Mitra:Final Fantasy is a series full to the brim with numerous recurring elements, even if the stories of each mainline entry are self-contained. One of the most enduring aspects of the series is the many summons that players can call upon in battle. These powerful beings are a force to be reckoned with, rearranging the battlefield with their spectacular attacks that hit enemies for severe damage. Some of the best and most powerful summons in the Final Fantasy games are ones that players will love to use time and time again, especially on powerful foes who are a pain to deal with otherwise.
16Crusader
So Powerful That Even The Party Isn’t Safe From This Attack
On paper, Crusader should be one of the most impressive summons in the game. It’s acquiredafter players beat all eight legendary dragonsin the World of Ruin and provides a 50% bonus to MP growth on a level-up, which is useful for obvious reasons.
However, the ability that Crusader uses in battle hits friend and foe alike, leading to a game over unless players have certain safeguards set in place. This spell is bound by the damage cap too, meaning that players can use far safer attacks to unleash 9999 damage without endangering their party. The MP cost will probably be lower for this alternate approach too.
15Pandemona
Since Most Enemies Are Weak To Wind, This Guardian Force Is Extremely Useful
The Wind element is overpowered inFinal Fantasy 8, which is why a summon that utilizes Wind in their attack is bound to be useful. Such is the case with Pandemona, a summon that looks like an extraterrestrial and can use Tornado Zone to decimate foes.
This makes Pandemona an important Guardian Force for players who aren’t grinding out 100 units of each magic to break the Junction system. It levels the playing field and is perfect for battles against multi-enemy boss fights.
14Eden
The Strongest Guardian Force In The Game
Eden is supposed to be thestrongest summon inFinal Fantasy8, with the player having to go through several hoops before standing a chance of attaining this powerful GF. The trek involved in getting this Guardian Force is pretty grueling and engaging, so it’s easy to see why many players are disappointed when Eden doesn’t live up to her full potential.
Her strength isn’t so high that it makes her worth all the headache that players have to bear, even if players can boost their damage quite a bit because of how lengthy the animation for her summon is. The solitary 9999 damage is still pretty great, and Junctioning this GF allows players to unlock the full potential of their respective characters too!
13Diabolos
Can Drain Enemy Health To Last Longer In Battle
Diabolos fromFinal Fantasy Type-0may not be the most powerful in terms of raw damage, but he sticks around longer in battle and can heal himself. This is because every attack drains the enemy’s health and is used to heal him.
There is also the signature move Gravitation Ball that will drain the health of enemies, form a large sphere of energy, and launch it at the enemy for massive damage. Combine the high damage with massive healing and Diabolos is a force to be reckoned with.
12Ark
A Lengthy, Powerful Summon That’s Acquired Near The End Of The Game
Boasting a nearly two-minute attack time, the Ark is a powerful summon that can dramatically change the outcome of any battle it’s called to. Two-minute cutscenes can seem excessive, but with a brutal shadow-basedattack dealt to all enemiesvia Eternal Darkness it can be worth it.
The Ark also receives a boost to its spell power for every unit of Lapis Lazuli in the player’s inventory. Considering there are around 40 in the game that’s a solid power boost. Even without that boost, it has the highest base damage of anysummon inFinal Fantasy9. It’s too bad it’s locked behind the two toughest bosses in the game.
11Odin
Can Unlock A Very Strong Insta-Kill Attack When Certain Conditions Are Met
Odin has appeared in severalFinal Fantasygames, but his most powerful version by far was inFinal Fantasy 9. If the player has 99 Ore in their inventory Odin has a 50% chance ofkilling any enemyoutright with Zantetsuken.
Conversely, if the player has Odin’s Sword activated and no ore in their inventory, then Zantetsuken will deal increased damageto any enemythat survives the attack. It’s up to the player whether they want 50% of instant death or higher damage with every hit. Either way, it’s a brutal summon to have in battle.
10Raiden
An Upgrade Over Odin Who Gives Amazing Level-Up Bonuses For Physical Fighters
Players love the idea of upgrading their summons after completing optional dungeons, with these rewards tasting sweeter as a result. Such is the case with Raiden, an Esper that can be acquired in Odin’s place if players reach the end of the Ancient Castle.
It’s a powerful summon that uses Shin-Zantetsuken on all enemies to inflict Instant Death. This may not be effective against enemies immune to this life-rending attack, but Raiden still stands out as one ofFinal Fantasy 6’s best summons courtesy of its amazing leveling bonuses that players can make the most of.
9Magus Sisters
The Best Aeons Yuna Can Summon In The Game
The Magus Sisters are a trio of death on the battlefield. Cindy is a master of healing and magical attacks,Mindy deals black magic and defends the party, while Sandy is a master of physical attacks and support. Combined the three can damage all enemies, heal the party, and provide buffs.
Their signature move Delta Attack will cause all sisters to attack simultaneously and deal a little under six hundred thousand points of damage to a single target. The only catch and why they don’t rank higher is that the sisters cannot be directly controlled and will largely do what they want in battle.
8Ramuh
A Massive Astral Who Uses His Judgment Bolt To Defeat Enemies Time And Time Again
Ramuh is one of the mostlegendary summons inFinal Fantasy. He’s consistently appeared across mostFinal Fantasygames, making a thunderous appearance whenever he’s summoned — quite literally! — and decimating his enemies without too many problems. However, there’s no denying that his power was simply eclipsed by the more high-level summons that players could find later on in eachFinal Fantasygame.
This isn’t the case inFinal Fantasy 15, with the majority of summons leading to Ramuh appearing and thrusting his staff on the ground,electrocuting enemies for serious damage and taking them out in no time flat. The frequency of this summon over others makes him the highest damage-dealer out of all the Astrals whom players can interact with in the game.
7Anima
A Tortured Aeon Who’s Ridiculously Powerful
This summon with a tragic backstory is one of the more powerful inFinal Fantasy 10. Anima’s Pain attack can outright kill most opponents and deal significant damage to those who are immune to Death magic. Especially when it also bypasses any defenses the enemy may have.
Her signature move Oblivion is also devastating as it’s a sixteen-hit combo. In the remastered game, each hit can deal a max of 99,999 damage. If every hit is perfect she can deal a little over 1.5 million points of damage in one move.
