Starting your journey in Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles can feel overwhelming with 20+ jobs and hundreds of abilities to choose from. The key to success lies in mastering three fundamental early game jobs that will carry you through the entire campaign while teaching you essential tactical mechanics.
Why These Three Jobs Dominate Early Game
Success in FFT Remaster depends on three core principles: survivability, versatility, and damage output. The jobs we'll cover excel in these areas while remaining accessible from the game's opening chapters. Unlike advanced jobs that require complex unlock chains, these powerhouses can be accessed quickly and provide immediate returns on your investment.
Final Fantasy Tactics Guide: Best Early Game Builds
Monk
The Monk stands as the most versatile early game job, combining raw physical damage with self-sufficiency that makes them nearly unstoppable. You'll unlock this powerhouse after reaching level 2 with both Squire and Knight.
Final Fantasy Tactics Guide: Best Early Game Builds
Key Monk Abilities to Prioritize:
Progression Path:
- Start as Squire - Learn Focus, JP Boost, and Counter Tackle
- Switch to Knight briefly for Equip Swords
- Unlock Monk and commit to learning core abilities
- Eventually progress to Ninja for Dual Wield support ability
tip
Monks don't rely on weapons - their fists scale with their job level, making them consistently powerful throughout the game.
Monk Combat Strategy: Position your Monk as the primary tank, using Chakra for self-sustaining healing while Aurablast handles distant threats. The First Strike reaction ability lets you eliminate enemies before they can damage you, turning defense into offense.
Chemist
While other healing jobs require MP and casting time, the Chemist provides immediate, reliable support that can save your party from disaster. This default job becomes increasingly powerful as you acquire better items and unlock key abilities.
Final Fantasy Tactics Guide: Best Early Game Builds
Essential Chemist Abilities:
Advanced Chemist Build:
- Primary Job: Time Mage (for Haste and support spells)
- Secondary: Items (Chemist abilities)
- Reaction: Auto-Potion
- Support: Throw Items
- Movement: Teleport
warning
Stock up on X-Potions for Auto-Potion - the game uses your weakest healing items first, so sell basic Potions to force stronger healing.
Chemist Tactical Approach: Keep your Chemist in the backline, using terrain for cover. The instant nature of item usage means you can revive fallen allies immediately rather than waiting for spell casting. Late game, transition to Time Mage primary with Chemist secondary for maximum support potential.
Black Mage
Unlocked at Chemist level 2, the Black Mage specializes in devastating AoE elemental damage. While fragile, proper positioning and spell selection can eliminate entire enemy groups in single turns.
Final Fantasy Tactics Guide: Best Early Game Builds
Spell Priority Guide:
Early Game (Chapter 1-2):
- Fire/Blizzard/Thunder - Basic elemental coverage
- Toad - Disable dangerous enemies
- Arcane Strength - 33% spell damage boost
Mid-Late Game (Chapter 3+):
- Firaga/Blizzaga/Thundaga - Skip level 2 spells entirely
- Flare - Non-elemental boss killer
- Advanced support abilities from Time Mage or Summoner
important
Always check enemy elemental resistances - late game foes often nullify or absorb elemental damage, making Flare essential.
Black Mage Positioning: Stay on high ground for extended range and defensive bonuses. Use corners and obstacles to break enemy line of sight while maintaining spell coverage. Remember that your spells can damage allies, so coordinate with your team's positioning.
Optimal Early Game Party Composition
Core 4-Unit Setup:
- Monk (Frontline tank/damage)
- Chemist (Healer/support)
- Black Mage (AoE damage)
- Knight (Secondary tank/utility)
Optional 5th Unit:
- Archer for item stealing and ranged physical damage
- Second Black Mage for overwhelming magical firepower
Advanced Tips for Early Game Dominance
JP Farming Strategy: Use Focus on weak enemies to farm JP safely. This ability doesn't require a target and grants experience for ability learning.
Item Management: Sell weak healing items to force Auto-Potion to use stronger consumables. This dramatically improves the reaction's effectiveness.
Terrain Mastery: High ground provides damage bonuses and extended range. Always position ranged units on elevated terrain when possible.
Building Your Dream Team
These three jobs form the foundation of any successful FFT Remaster party. The Monk provides reliable damage and survivability, the Chemist ensures your team stays healthy and functional, while the Black Mage delivers the area damage needed to control battlefield tempo.
Master these early game powerhouses, and you'll have the tactical foundation needed to tackle FFT Remaster's most challenging encounters. Each job teaches essential skills - positioning, resource management, and tactical timing - that will serve you throughout your entire Ivalice adventure.
For more Final Fantasy Tactics, check out our guide on How to Unlock Secret Characters.