Games

Best Viera Characters In Final Fantasy

Published

4 weeks ago

October 26, 2024

Christoph Rediske

a collage showing game stills key art of various viara from the final fantasy series

Key Takeaways

Table of Contents

Viera in Final Fantasy have diverse personalities and roles, such as assassins and adventurers.
Every Viera character, from Veis to Fran, brings unique traits to their respective games.
Mydia’s transformation in Final Fantasy 12: Revenant Wings showcases the darker side of Viera lore.

Along the road to completing any Final Fantasy title, players will fill their hours with characters of many differing races and creeds. From fantasy hallmarks like humans and elves to wholly original and unique races such as the humanoid rabbit-like Viera.

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Although they share a passion and responsibility towards nature, Viera can vary in personality and disposition. As a result, across the series’ history, players have seen them take on a multitude of roles, from cat-burglers, assassins and archers.

8 Veis

The Vanishing Viera Assassin Who Assists The Player & House Bowen

A Collage Showing Game Stills & Key Art Of Veis From Final Fantasy Tactics Advance 2

Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire Of The Rift

Systems

Released: June 24, 2008
Developer(s): Square Enix

Throughout players’ adventures around Ivalice in Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift, a suite of varied characters with even more varied roles can join the ranks of their group, Clan Gully, from Mages and Paladins to race-specific jobs such as Viera Assassins.

Integral to players learning the aforementioned Assassin job role, Veis the Viera engages with Clan Gully before promptly vanishing to join House Bowen if the correct quest markers have been hit. Her brooding demeanor is reinforced during gameplay, as her ‘Vanish’ ability allows her to disappear from enemy sights before promptly attacking from another unknown location. Appearing in typical Viera Assassin clothing, Veis’ dialogue showcases the hubris and stoicism as a staple of the race.

7 Syrenead Sie Hyskarias

A Collage Showing Game Stills & Key Art Of Syrenead From Final Fantasy Tactics Advance 2

Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire Of The Rift

Syrenead’s seemingly underwhelming appearance may have caused some players of Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift to write her off as a minor character with little to contribute to the game’s narrative. However, her spunky nature and drive for acceptance create an endearing personality in a relatively throwaway Viera character in the Nintendo DS exclusive tactical RPG.

With the appearance of a typical green mage, Syrenead’s appearance as a guest character brings with it her thrill-seeking tendencies. In trying to defeat a powerful Wyrm to prove to her father that she is capable, she enlists the player to assist her. Her 3-part quest culminating in the Wyrm being kept as a pet may seem obscure. Still, her drive to pursue dangerous situations transforms what could have been a forgettable Viera cameo into a grounded yet silly narrative about proving one’s strength.

6 Relj

The Only Viera On The Kiltia Site Of Mount Bur-Omisace

A Collage Showing Game Stills Of Relj From Final Fantasy XII

Released: October 31, 2006

When breaking Viera laws and setting out from her native homestead to pilgrimage around Final Fantasy 12‘s realm of Ivalice, Relj was curious about the varied cultures and races around her. Unfortunately, with the selfishness and destruction of Hume warfare on full display, her Viera innocence and optimism are tarnished by the time players reach her.

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As refugees of the Hume conflict flood to Relj’s place of residence at the Kiltia religious center of Mount Bur-Omisace’s peak, the seeming naïveté of the Viera people seen in Relj has been made weary. Although, through the work of players besting the Rank VIII Fanfir that has terrorized the land and recovering her companion Leeha’s ring, she seems to not only regain some of her once-lost warmth but a newfound respect for the Hume race.

5 Shara

A Tight-Lipped & Lethal Archer With A Soft Spot For Ritz Malheur

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance

Systems

Released: September 8, 2003
Developer(s): Square Product Development Division 4

Playing an incredibly active role in the assistance and adoration of Final Fantasy Tactics Advance‘s female protagonist Ritz, Shara’s seemingly unfazed demeanor acts as a fitting counterbalance to Ritz’s short fuse.

As an active part of Ritz Malheur’s clan, Shara’s traits are consistent with the rural setting of the Viera people. Clothed in a relatively typical woodland garb and being an incredibly proficient archer, her appearance is fairly typical with other traditional Viera. Striking up a strong kinship with Ritz throughout the game’s narrative while making her fear of insects transparent to the player, Shara’s hard exterior is slowly peeled back to reveal the caring and fallible being beneath.

4 Jote

Fran & Mjrn’s Eldest Sister And The Viera Elder Of Eruyt Village

A Collage Showing Game Stills & Key Art Of Jote From Final Fantasy XII

While many of the Viera that players interact with in the Final Fantasy franchise are those who have disregarded the way of their native people, Jote stands firm as a stoic reminder of the rabbit-like race’s culture and customs. Although she is the eldest of two other notable Viera characters in Final Fantasy 12 – being Fran and Mjrn – her position as the Elder of Eruyt Village determines that she is just as memorable.

Although her position as the village Elder necessitates that she remains calm and collected when faced with challenges, this can have the effect of portraying her as cold and distant. However, the love she has for her two sisters – who have left the village in stark contrast to Viera law – saddens her as she has to uphold the traditions and boundaries of her culture.

3 Krjn

A Founding Member Of Clan Centurio & A Proficient Fighter

A Collage Showing Game Stills Of Krjn From Final Fantasy XII

Donned in dark armor and a foreboding mask design, Krjn’s stoicism as one of the founders of Clan Centurio is on full display when players first meet her in Final Fantasy 12. Being highly protective of her clan, sister, and community, she assists players in aiding her people.

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Specifically when players are sent hunting a Rank VII Malboro named Carrot, her navigation and battle prowess are integral to discovering and besting the oversized beast. Playing a relatively minor speaking role, her position as a Clan hallmark leads her to travel where she is needed, which is most likely why she sees it necessary to aid in slaying Madame Zammadria’s ‘scandalous’ mistake.

2 Mydia / Judge Of Wings

The Rebellious Viera Whose Anger Literally Transforms Her

A Collage Showing Game Stills & Key Art Of Mydia From Final Fantasy XII Revenant Wings

Final Fantasy 12: Revenant Wings

Systems

Released: November 20, 2007
Developer: Think & Feel, Square Enix

Despite her initial Viera appearance, Mydia’s grief and frustration transform her into not only a shadow of herself but an existential threat in the form of the Judge of Wings.

After falling in love and tumbling through grief, Mydia is possessed by Feolthanos the Eternal, and that rage is concentrated at her own people. The Feol subspecias of Viera, who are found in Final Fantasy 12: Revenant Wings, live in hiding – which is what spurred Mydia to adventure beyond the bounds of her homeland. Yet, before she dies, Feolthanos channels her emotions to commit effectively genocidal acts on her own Viera people. Although Feolthanos is ultmately defeated in his Exultant form, the damage resulting from his control of Mydia has already been done, and the Feol Viera people are seemingly wiped from existence as a result.

1 Fran

The Floppy-Eared Cat-Burgler Working Alongside Balthier

A Collage Showing Game Stills & Key Art Of Fran From Final Fantasy XII

Arguably the most memorable Viera of the entire franchise, Fran has become a fan-favorite character as a result of her spunky nature and hidden soft side. First appearing in Final Fantasy 12 alongside fellow thief in the night Balthier, Fran’s driving prowess and devil-may-care attitude have ensured that she has appeared in multiple spin-offs since her debut.

Joining the player’s party in Final Fantasy 12 as one of the series’ only playable Viera, the ‘Master of Weapons’ may show a discipline distinguishing her from others, yet her humanity shows through as her cut ties with her Viera kinfolk are slowly presented while pursuing the title’s narrative.