Building the perfect army in Final Fantasy Tactics requires understanding its intricate job system - and with 38 classes to master, choosing the right path can feel overwhelming. Whether you're commanding Ramza through his first battles or crafting endgame powerhouses, the job you select shapes everything from stat growth to battlefield tactics. This guide breaks down every class, reveals the most devastating combinations, and shows you exactly how to unlock Ivalice's deadliest warriors.
How Do Jobs Work in Final Fantasy Tactics?
Your character's job determines their available abilities, equipment options, and stat growth patterns. Each class excels in specific roles - Black Mages demolish enemies with elemental magic, while Knights tank damage and break enemy equipment. The real magic happens when you combine abilities from multiple jobs, creating hybrid warriors that can adapt to any situation.
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The Job Progression System
Most advanced jobs require mastering prerequisite classes first. Want to unlock the devastating Ninja? You'll need Archer Level 4, Thief Level 5, and Geomancer Level 2. This progression system encourages experimentation and ensures your characters develop well-rounded skill sets.
tip
Always equip JP Boost from the Squire job tree early - it doubles job point gains and dramatically speeds up your progression through the class system.Tier Rankings: The Ultimate Job Breakdown
S-Tier: Game-Breaking Powerhouses
Monks reign supreme because they punch harder than most weapons while requiring zero gil investment. Their Martial Arts ability scales damage with their bare hands, and abilities like Chakra provide free healing and MP restoration.
Chemists might seem basic, but they're battlefield gods. Instant Potion throws keep your army alive, while guns let them break enemy equipment from 8 spaces away. No cast times, no MP costs - pure efficiency.
A-Tier: Specialized Dominators
Summoners wield the game's most powerful spells. Unlike Black Mages, their summons never harm allies and cover massive areas. Bahamut and Cyclops can end battles in single casts, while Lich deals percentage-based damage perfect for high-HP bosses.
Ninjas combine speed with Dual Wield for devastating physical combos. Two weapons mean double the attacks, and their high movement keeps them mobile across any battlefield.
Samurai offer instant-cast Iaido abilities that scale with Magic Attack. They're the perfect hybrid - tanky enough to survive while dealing magical damage in wide areas around themselves.
B-Tier: Solid Specialists
Dragoons excel at hit-and-run tactics with their Jump ability, staying airborne to avoid damage while dealing extra hurt. Geomancers provide free elemental attacks based on terrain, while White Mages keep everyone alive with Holy damage and resurrection magic.
Job Unlock Requirements: Your Roadmap to Power
Starting Classes (Level 1)
- Squire: Available immediately
- Chemist: Available immediately
Basic Classes (Level 2-3)
- Knight: Squire Level 2
- Archer: Squire Level 2
- White Mage: Chemist Level 2
- Black Mage: Chemist Level 2
- Monk: Knight Level 3
Advanced Classes (Level 4+)
- Time Mage: Black Mage Level 3
- Summoner: Time Mage Level 3
- Thief: Archer Level 3
- Dragoon: Thief Level 4
- Geomancer: Monk Level 4
Elite Combination Classes
These require multiple high-level prerequisites:
- Samurai: Knight Lv.4 + Monk Lv.5 + Dragoon Lv.2
- Ninja: Archer Lv.4 + Thief Lv.5 + Geomancer Lv.2
- Arithmetician: White Mage Lv.5 + Black Mage Lv.5 + Time Mage Lv.4 + Mystic Lv.4
warning
Don't rush to unlock advanced jobs too quickly. Each class you level provides permanent stat bonuses, so spending time in foundational jobs like Monk and Black Mage creates stronger characters long-term.
Devastating Job Combinations That Win Battles
The Magical Destroyer: Black Mage + Arithmetician
This combination creates map-wide devastation. Black Mages have the highest Magic Attack growth in the game, making them perfect for Arithmeticks - abilities that target multiple enemies based on mathematical properties like level or height.
Setup Strategy:
- Level Black Mage to maximize Magic Attack
- Learn Arithmeticks from Arithmetician
- Cast spells like Fire or Lightning that hit every enemy whose level is divisible by 3
The Equipment Destroyer: Chemist + Knight
Chemists with Arts of War abilities become long-range saboteurs. Their gun access lets them use Rend abilities from 8 spaces away, breaking enemy weapons and armor before those foes can even approach your front lines.
Combat Application:
- Open battles by breaking enemy weapons with Rend Weapon
- Use Rend Armor to expose heavily armored foes
- Switch to healing items when your team needs support
The Theft Master: Monk + Thief
Monks make the best thieves because their Brawler ability stacks with Attack Boost to dramatically increase steal success rates. This combination lets you acquire rare equipment while dealing massive unarmed damage.
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Special Jobs: Unique Character Classes
Beyond the 20 generic jobs, Final Fantasy Tactics features 18 special classes exclusive to story characters. Ramza's unique Squire class evolves into Gallant Knight, while Agrias brings Holy Knight abilities that combine sword skills with white magic.
Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy VII appears as a Soldier with his iconic Limit abilities, including the devastating Omnislash. Orlandeau dominates as a Sword Saint with access to multiple exclusive skillsets.
important
Special job characters often outclass generic units, but you can only recruit them at specific story points. Plan your party composition around these powerful additions.
Stat Growth and Character Development
Each job influences how your character's stats increase when leveling up. Monks provide the best physical attack growth, while Black Mages maximize Magic Attack gains. Smart players cycle through multiple jobs to create well-rounded powerhouses.
Optimal Leveling Strategy
- Early Game: Focus on Squire for JP Boost, then Monk for physical stats
- Mid Game: Diversify through Black Mage, White Mage, and Thief for balanced growth
- Late Game: Specialize in your preferred combat role with advanced combinations
The key insight? Every level gained in a job provides permanent benefits, even when you switch classes later. A character who spent 10 levels as a Monk will always hit harder than one who rushed straight to Ninja.
Best Jobs In FFT: The Ivalice Chronicles
Faith and Bravery: Choosing the Right Jobs
Your character's Faith and Bravery stats determine which jobs suit them best. High Bravery characters excel as physical fighters like Knights and Monks, while high Faith units become powerful mages.
Quick Decision Matrix:
- High Bravery, Low Faith: Physical jobs (Monk, Knight, Ninja)
- Low Bravery, High Faith: Magical jobs (Black Mage, Summoner, Time Mage)
- Balanced Stats: Hybrid jobs (Samurai, Geomancer, Mystic)
Advanced Tactics: Mastering Job Synergy
The most effective Final Fantasy Tactics strategies combine multiple job abilities on single characters. A Ninja with Arts of War can break equipment with dual weapons, while a Black Mage with Iaido gains instant-cast area magic.
Pro Combinations:
- Summoner + Arithmeticks: Area magic without friendly fire risk
- Archer + Martial Arts: Long-range physical attacks with monk damage scaling
- Time Mage + White Magic: Ultimate support caster with haste and healing
tip
Don't overlook reaction and support abilities from other jobs. Counter Attack from Knight or Move-HP Up from Monk can transform any character into a battlefield survivor.
The job system in Final Fantasy Tactics rewards experimentation and long-term planning. Start with solid foundations like Monk and Chemist, branch into specialized roles that match your playstyle, and don't be afraid to spend time mastering seemingly basic classes. Every job point invested makes your characters stronger, and the most devastating combinations often come from unexpected pairings.
Remember: the best job is the one that fits your strategy and keeps your army alive. Whether you prefer the raw power of Monks, the magical devastation of Summoners, or the tactical flexibility of Chemists, Final Fantasy Tactics gives you the tools to build your perfect squad. Master the system, and Ivalice will bow before your strategic brilliance.
For more Final Fantasy Tactics, check out our Job Tier List.