The White Mage is one of the character types synonymous with Final Fantasy, even if the idea itself isn't anything new. A healer who supports the party from the backlines isn't a revolutionary idea but Final Fantasy packages it with a distinct look and suite of abilities across each game.
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Posts By Quinton O'ConnorThat relative consistency has given the White Mage a central place in the Final Fantasy fan community, and with good reason. They're iconic and deserve their flowers, but who among the decades-spanning roster of White Mages is the best? Read below to find out.
Rather than exploring which White Mages are the best mechanically, the criteria is which ones are the most iconic and had the biggest influence on the series as a whole.
8 Final Fantasy
The Original
Final Fantasy (1987) Like Follow Followed JRPG Adventure Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 83/100 Critics Rec: 87% Released December 18, 1987 ESRB e Developer(s) Square Publisher(s) Square 6 Images final-fantasy-in-game-screenshot-6.jpgfinal-fantasy-in-game-screenshot-2.jpgfinal-fantasy-in-game-screenshot-5.jpgfinal-fantasy-in-game-screenshot-4.jpgfinal-fantasy-in-game-screenshot-3.jpgfinal-fantasy-in-game-screenshot-1.jpgCloseWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALNo conversation about White Mages would be complete without talking about the original version, appearing in the very first Final Fantasy released in 1987. It solidified much of the White Mage aesthetic and playstyle instantly.
Although a recruitable character with no real personality of their own, they still helped establish one of the best-known jobs in the series and lay the foundation for all other White Mages to come.
7 Minwu
Final Fantasy 2
Final Fantasy II Like Follow Followed JRPG Systems Released December 17, 1988 ESRB t Developer(s) Square Publisher(s) Square Engine Unity 6 Images CloseWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALThe first White Mage is important, but arguably the second is even more so. While the first game introduced the White Mage, it was Minwu from Final Fantasy 2 who established it as a tradition that the games include one.
He's the rare example of a male White Mage for the series and an extremely valuable party member. He's so influential that he's alluded to in multiple other games in the series, always as a wise mage of considerable knowledge.
6 Y-R-P
Final Fantasy 10-2
Final Fantasy X-2 Like JRPG Systems Released November 18, 2003 ESRB t Developer(s) Square Product Development Division 1 Publisher(s) Square Enix, Electronic Arts Engine PhyreEngine 6 Images final-fantasy-x-2-in-game-screenshot-1.jpgfinal-fantasy-x-2-in-game-screenshot-2.jpgfinal-fantasy-x-2-in-game-screenshot-3.jpgfinal-fantasy-x-2-in-game-screenshot-4.jpgfinal-fantasy-x-2-in-game-screenshot-5.jpgfinal-fantasy-x-2-in-game-screenshot-6.jpgCloseWHERE TO PLAY
PHYSICALThe sequel to Final Fantasy 10 tends to be a love-it-or-hate-it game, the Charlie's Angels vibe is admittedly a huge tonal shift from the previous game. That said, the Dressphere system is one of the best Job systems in the series.
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Posts By Hilton WebsterYuna, Rikku, and Payne all make excellent White Mages, each sporting their unique take on the outfit. Yuna even uses her default weapon from Final Fantasy 10 in this class, which is a nice touch.
5 Rosa Farrell
Final Fantasy 4
Artwork by Yoshitaka Amano. Final Fantasy 4 Like Follow Followed JRPG Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 85/100 Critics Rec: 88% Released July 19, 1991 ESRB e Developer(s) Square Publisher(s) Square 6 Images CloseWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALRosa Farrell was a trailblazer for White Mages in Final Fantasy, as the first love interest in any of the games. This would establish the tradition that the love interest is often a White Mage, something seen in other entries in the series like 7, 9, and 10.
She's an excellent character in her own right, grappling with loyalty to her opposed childhood best friends, the Dragoon Kain Highwind and the Dark Knight Cecil Harvey.
4 Dagger
Final Fantasy 9
Final Fantasy 9 Like Follow Followed JRPG Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 81/100 Critics Rec: 81% Released July 7, 2000 ESRB T for Teen: Violence, Mild Language Developer(s) Square Enix Publisher(s) Square Enix Engine Unity Multiplayer Local Multiplayer Franchise Final FantasyWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALDagger, also known as Princess Garnet Til Alexandros of Alexandria, also known as Sarah, is more than a woman of many names. She's also one of the White Mages for her game, not to mention a Summoner.
Few characters go on as much of a journey throughout their life as Dagger does, with a strong case to be made for her being more of a protagonist for Final Fantasy 9 than Zidane is.
Don't try to follow her example and give yourself a haircut with an actual dagger. The game makes it seem cool and she looks great afterward, but in reality, the results would be awful. Just don't.
3 The Warrior Of Light
Final Fantasy 14
Final Fantasy 14 Like Follow Followed MMORPG Systems Released August 27, 2013 ESRB T for Teen - Language, Mild Blood, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence Developer(s) Square Enix Publisher(s) Square Enix Engine Originally the Crystal Tools engine, but currently it's a custom engine using parts of the Luminous Engine. Multiplayer Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer Franchise Final Fantasy Steam Deck Compatibility Playable PC Release Date August 27, 2013WHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALOther games in the series have made White Mage a selectable Job for characters, but none have done as good a job as Final Fantasy 14. It nails everything from the abilities to the animations and even the outfits.
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Posts By Alexander PineraIt's the easiest healer to play in the MMO, and there's nothing quite like getting to make your very own character this iconic Job. Even if you're a DPS main, give White Mage a try, you won't be disappointed.
White Mage unlocks after playing a Conjurer to Level 30. If you don't start the game as a Conjurer you can train to be one in Gridania.
2 Aerith Gainsborough
Final Fantasy 7
Final Fantasy 7 Like Follow Followed RPG Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 81/100 Critics Rec: 84% Released January 31, 1997 ESRB T for Teen: Blood, Fantasy Violence, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes Developer(s) Square Enix Publisher(s) Square Enix Engine Unreal Engine 4 Cross-Platform Play ps, pc Cross Save Players who have already started their adventure on iOS or Android can take advantage of cross-save capabilitiesWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALAerith isn't classified as a White Mage, Final Fantasy 7 doesn't adhere to the Job system from other games, but she fits the bill. Her Limit Breaks primarily revolve around healing and supporting the party, and most players opt to set her up like a White Mage with her Materia.
She's even dressed in White Mage colours, so the aesthetic matches. Aerith is one of the most well-known characters in all of gaming, never mind just Final Fantasy, so her influence is abundantly clear.
1 Yuna
Final Fantasy 10
Final Fantasy 10 Like Follow Followed JRPG Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 83/100 Critics Rec: 87% Released December 17, 2001 ESRB T for Teen: Mild Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence Developer(s) Square Enix Publisher(s) Square Enix 5 Images CloseWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALYuna from Final Fantasy 10 is first and foremost a Summoner, her role as one is central to the story. And although her version of summoning is one of the best in all of Final Fantasy, she's still a White Mage at heart.
Her area of the Sphere Grid focuses on White Mage abilities, so she's likely to play like one for most of your time with Final Fantasy 10. It suits her personality too, namely her desire to care for people in need.
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