Final Fantasy 16 features a cast of interesting and complex characters that drive the story forward. In this guide, we‘ll take a deep dive into the key characters, their backgrounds, abilities, and how they influence the overarching narrative.
Clive Rosfield
As the firstborn son of the Archduke of Rosaria, Clive was originally destined to inherit the Phoenix‘s flame and become its Dominant. However, in a twist of fate, his younger brother Joshua awakens as the Dominant instead.
Still, Clive channels part of the Phoenix‘s fire and earns the title "Blade of the Phoenix" after becoming Rosaria‘s youngest ever tournament champion and First Shield at age 15. He‘s a master swordsman with some command over fire magic.
When Joshua loses control over the Phoenix and tragedy ensues, Clive sets out on a quest for revenge. He‘s a bit hot-headed but generally good-natured.
Abilities
- Swordfighting mastery
- Manipulation of fire
- Phoenix Blade – launches arcs of fire from his sword
- Inferno Blade – wreaths his sword in flames for added damage
Joshua Rosfield
As the second son born to the Archduke, Joshua was never meant to inherit any great power or responsibility. He enjoys studying plants and flowers and has a kind, timid demeanor.
Fate takes an unexpected turn when Joshua is discovered to be the Dominant of the Phoenix, bestowing upon him mythic powers. However, he struggles to control the violent flame, and disaster ensues when he accidentally unleashes its fury on their homeland.
Joshua‘s story drives much of the overarching plot as Clive seeks to save his brother from forces that would take advantage of his powers.
Abilities
- Commands the full power of the Phoenix
- Can unleash waves of fire that incinerate his foes
- Grants strength and fire resistance to allies
- Can revive allies from death‘s door
Jill Warrick
Jill is the heir to the esteemed Warrick family and close childhood friend to Clive and Joshua. She has a strong sense of duty and justice and is also an accomplished fighter like Clive.
After Joshua‘s incident, Jill is separated from her friends and eventually becomes the Dominant for the Titan Shiva. As such, she has cryomantic abilities revolving around ice. Her storyline frequently intertwines with Clive‘s.
Abilities
- Conjures spears and shards of ice
- Freezes her enemies solid
- Can heal allies‘ wounds with restorative ice magic
- Diamond Dust – Ultimate attack encases opponents in an avalanche of ice
Torgal
Torgal is a mysterious wolf-like creature of unknown origins who was discovered by Archduke Rosfield and gifted to his young sons Clive and Joshua. He fights fiercely alongside Clive with speed, cunning, and surprising magical abilities.
After the tragedy in Rosaria, Torgal finds his way back to Clive‘s side and aids his master in his quest for revenge across the realms. The wolf‘s unflinching loyalty earns him a place as Clive‘s stalwart companion.
Abilities
- Razor sharp claws and fangs
- Uncanny speed and agility
- Magic spells to blast groups of foes
- Can root enemies in place
- Grants allies fortitude against attacks
Hugo Kupka
A former soldier in the Dhalmekian army, Hugo becomes the Dominant for the Falcon Primordial after murdering his superior officer and stealing the crystal that enabled the transformation.
With his newfound powers granting him influence over the wind, Hugo rises rapidly through the political ranks to become Dhalmekia‘s Chancellor. Ruthlessly ambitious and ends-justify-the-means minded, he drives several of the story‘s central conflicts.
Hugo serves as a perfect foil to Clive – both are Dominants who wield part of their Primordial‘s elemental powers, but while Clive struggles against the forces who would use Joshua‘s Phoenix for destruction, Hugo leverages his position for personal gain at any cost.
Abilities
- Aeromancy to control wind, storms, and lightning
- Impenetrable shields of swirling air
- Tornados to rip opponents asunder
- Can summon Garuda‘s illusions to confound foes
- Grants allies speed and air magic
Benedikta Harman
As commander of the Kingdom of Waloed‘s elite intelligence corps, Benedikta‘s fierce fighting capabilities and cold personality make her a force to be reckoned with. She is Dominant over the Ice Primordial Shiva.
Like Hugo, Benedikta murdered her predecessor to obtain her Primordial‘s crystal and rise to power in the Royal Court through fear and intimidation. She frequently crosses paths with Clive in his journeys.
Her Shiva abilities augment her already potent martial talents with control over ice and the cold.
Abilities
- Conjures weapons and barriers of ice
- Freezes the blood in her foes‘ veins
- Surrounds herself in freezing winds that damage nearby enemies
- Can create frozen clones of herself
- Diamond Dust ultimate attack encases wide swaths of the battlefield in glaciers
Supporting Cast
A few other major supporting characters help shape Final Fantasy 16‘s story:
- Dion Lesage – Crown prince and Dominant of the Dragon Bahamut. He wrestles with the burdens of leadership.
- Cidolfus Telamon – A former soldier on the run who joins Clive‘s quest. Controls lightning magic granted by Ramuh and provides wise counsel.
- Barnabas Tharmr – The Sworn Shield and bloodthirsty Dominant of Odin who rules the eastlands with an iron fist.
Final Fantasy 16 has assembled an intriguing cast of layered characters whose histories intertwine and whose clashing ambitions, morals, and connections impact the game‘s epic story of Dominants and their Primordials.
Central protagonists like Clive, Joshua, and Jill drive the emotional core while antagonists like Hugo and Benedikta create conflicts pushing the story into unexpected directions.
Each has their own set of powers that players can utilize in combat. And their encounters with allies and rivals alike further develop these characters over the course of their interlinked journeys.
