Summons have never been given much spotlight as they had in Final Fantasy XVI, and them being attached to some of the best FF characters is just the cherry on top. If you’re curious to see who these Dominants are, what Eikons they channel, and how much of an impression they left the team, this is the article for you.
Every Dominant in FF16 from worst to best
Warning: Post-Crystalline Dominion spoilers ahoy. Turn back now while you still have the chance!
9. Waljas, Dominant of Leviathan
The thing about Waljas is that there isn't much of him to justifiably place him higher. Waljas is a newborn, one who was forced by his tribe to prime at a young age to birth a new mothercrystal. His story is a heartbreaking one, but I'd rather we'd been given a chance to see a more grown-up Dominant of Water and his life in Valisthea after 80 years of time imprisonment.
8. Benedikta, Dominant of Garuda
Say it with me: Benedikta was a waste. While I know that not everyone gets redemption or a happy ending, Benedikta truly didn’t deserve much of what happened to her. Her purpose was “survival,” and working for Barnabas was the only path that she saw led to it. Benedikta didn’t have to be an ally, but she didn’t deserve her fate. Most importantly, she didn’t deserve how she met her fate—in the most disgraceful way possible, a remnant of her roots as a Branded.
7. Kupka, Dominant of Titan
Kupka was a man who was down bad—and who could blame him? While we don’t exactly have a full picture of this man’s history, it really seemed like Benedikta was the only woman who showed him any affection. I may love vulnerability in my men (see #1), but not when that vulnerability becomes their Achilles heel. Kupka would have ruled over his dominion for decades if he wasn’t blindsided by love, but I suppose that’s what loneliness does to a person.
6. Dion, Dominant of Bahamut
I loved Dion before the events of Crystalline Dominion, back when he was level-headed enough to make good decisions. Watching Dion’s story unfold after that was... painful. He now charges into things without the intent to return. That’s not bravery; that’s recklessness. It’s admirable of him to want to atone for all he’s done, but he constantly forgets that there are people waiting for him to return.
If he truly wanted to atone, he would have been in Northreach with his people.
You really can’t blame him, though—there were a lot of forces at work in that throne room. Dion, I suppose, was also not built to be a character that listens to other people. After all, he never had to. As prince, he was always the one being listened to. It’s an extremely frustrating part of his character.
5. Jill, Dominant of Shiva
I love Jill. She’s sweet, strong, and willing to step up when the situation calls for it. However, when compared to the other Dominants on this list, she’s not who I’d immediately take as my favorite.
After her epic moment against the leader of the Ironbloods, the game kind of snubbed her to focus more on Clive and Joshua. Even the Leviathan DLC couldn't give her the spotlight she desperately needed, despite its story being held in the north, where Jill was both.
Still, my biggest gripe about her lies with the events just before the fight with Ultima, when she is given the same treatment as Torgal (if you know, then you know). Jill deserved more screen time than she was given, and it's something that upsets me to this day.
4. Barnabas, Dominant of Odin
I initially considered putting Barnabas below Jill, but the game did make an effort to complete his character (de)growth. Barnabas was a king who fought for what he believed was best for the world. He didn’t concede to the ideals of his enemies until the very end, which I find admirable.
There is no redemption at the end of Barnabas’ story, only the sight of someone suffering the consequences of his actions. And for all his faults, Barnabas did show “will,” as Clive pointed out, which made the untouchable king feel entirely human.
3. Joshua, Dominant of Phoenix
Joshua’s endearing, so consider this entry my most biased one. He made a lot of terrible decisions I couldn’t fathom the reasoning behind (like not telling Clive he was alive for five years), but he’s a Rosfield. And I find all Rosfields cute, charming, and lovable.
Joshua is someone who doesn’t just love his family but knows how to carry out his duties. He's also never had that annoying stubbornness most games give their teenage character, thank the Phoenix. Joshua is stubborn (stubborn enough not to show his face for years), but he's never blinded by the fact that he can do things alone. He concedes when it’s absolutely necessary and listens when people speak.
2. Cid, Dominant of Ramuh
Cid Telamon was one of the most memorable Cids I’ve ever encountered. He’s funny and smart, but more importantly, he is integral to the plot—something that not a lot of Final Fantasy titles can boast. What's more, Final Fantasy XVI was able to tell such a rich story about him despite his absence in most of the game. You see it in the way Clive gets compared to him, in the way his friends honor his memories, and in the alliances you make because of the connection he built.
If his name wasn't Cid, he might have been a protagonist, but I suppose being a legacy is an honor in itself.
1. Clive, Dominant of Ifrit
You knew this was coming. There is no other Dominant I want in my number-one spot except Clive. Clive is, in a sense, just like Joshua. He knows how to listen and backs off when he knows he can’t do it alone. For that alone, he gets a ton of points from me. I hate it when protagonists think they’re invincible.
I also love how Clive values his connections. He cares about family and treats everyone like family. Despite all the hardships he endured in the Empire, he never lost that Rosfield brand of kindness. When he needs help, he doesn’t push people away. This vulnerability made Clive such a good character, one who made sound decisions and loved people equally.
For more Final Fantasy XVI, take a look at All Final Fantasy 16 Secrets and All Hunt Locations in Final Fantasy 16 here at Pro Game Guides.
Bianca has over three years of experience in gaming journalism, specializing in anything remotely turn-based and strategic, like Pokémon, Final Fantasy, and Honkai: Star Rail. She's a huge fan of Square Enix, RPGs, party games, and visual novels, but will play anything with a banger OST. She's a proud early bird.