Final Fantasy is well known for bringing back certain characters in sequels. Cid, for example, has appeared, or been mentioned, in almost all Final Fantasy related media. These characters make the franchise lovable and unique. One of these is the powerful fire summon, Ifrit.
Over the years, there have been different versions and reiterations of the fire elemental summon, much like Shiva, who is often seen as Ifrit's ice themed rival. So, which version of Ifrit can be seen as the strongest? Which encapsulates the awesome and devastating powers of the fiery summon?
Final Fantasy III and Final Fantasy V
Ifrit's first appearance in the Final Fantasy universe happens in Final Fantasy III, and this is the weakest version of the character. A level four spell, Ifrit is summoned to either heal the player's party, do decent fire damage to an enemy or do massive fire damage to the enemy party. He was definitely useful during fights, but in these earlier games where summons were first introduced, he was really nothing except a cool fire spell to use.
In FFV, he is no longer a purchasable spell and is instead a summon boss to battle. He had 3000 health points and weaknesses to ice attacks. Once defeated, he is a usable spell like in FFIII, but he can no longer heal the party and only uses his Hellfire ability to summon pillars of flames to burn the enemy party. He is also a level two summon worth 11 MP and has 45 power.
Final Fantasy VIII
Ifrit is the third available Guardian Force in FFVIII. He learns multiple support abilities, as well as elemental attacks and defense junctions. To get Ifrit, you'll have to defeat him in a boss battle before time runs out. Because his summon animation is 13 seconds long, it gives the player ample time to boost his Hellfire damage by 180 percent. Otherwise, its base power is 45.
Ifrit has the potential to grow stronger as the game progresses. But because he is one of the initial summons that can be acquired, he is rather basic and can be seen as not worth the grind to level up.
Final Fantasy IV
Ifrit can be summoned when Rydia rejoins the party, and this time he deals some massive fire damage to the enemy party with his signature move Hellfire. This unleashes a large amount of fire damage to the enemies as Ifirit dashes through them. He also will cost 30 MP and has a casting time of four.
In the early games, summons do not stay for the duration of battle, but only for the duration of their spell. He also becomes an easy boss to fight in the Final Fantasy IV spin-offs.
Final Fantasy VI
It is hard to tell Ifirit's power in this game's boss battle, as he is battled alongside Shiva. An esper, he costs 26 MP, has a Spell Power of 51 and cannot be blocked. He also levels up to give a small boost to strength and teaches Fire(x10), Fira (x5), and Drain (x1).
Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VII Remake
As summoning materia that can be found in the game, Ifrit costs 34 MP, and his Hellfire can't be reflected. Even though it's costly, summoning him is very powerful early in the game. As you go on, though, the cost become less significant, but the damage is outclassed by other summons and high tier Fire spells.
In FFVII Remake, summons like Ifrit stay during battle to help support the team with powerful basic and special attacks. His Hellfire still remains his most devastating attack, but, again, it will eventually be outclassed by stronger fire attacks. In the spin-offs, Ifrit appears as a boss and enemy.
Final Fantasy XIII
Ifrit serves as the Eidolon for a Pulse l'Cie, who leads the invasion of Cocoon. Players will not be allowed to summon Ifrit along with many of the classic summons in the game, and he instead makes a cameo during a CG scene. Still, he appears pretty powerful, as multiple other summons are used to battle him.
Final Fantasy IX
As an eidolon, Ifrit's summon attack is now named Flames of Hell. His spell power is equal to 42 plus the total number of Topazes in the party's inventory. Before Dagger has her eidolons extracted, summoning Ifrit costs 104 MP, but it will only cost 26 MP later.
Because of this, Ifrit becomes close to impossible to use early on without level grinding. His damage will also only be devastating with a good amount of Topazes. Still, he has much potential to be a powerful force to reckon with.
Final Fantasy XIV
Ifrit is fought as a boss in The Bowl of Embers. He is worshiped as a primal of fire and fury by the Amalj'aa beast tribe, who plans to summon him to fight the Garlean Empire. His signature Hellfire attack is now influenced by the presences of nails that he scatters around the field. The more nails left standing within the time limit, the stronger the Hellfire will get. This even gives him the chance to perform a one-hit-KO. His difficulty increases the lower his health percentage gets.
Known for his terrible temper, a breathe that ignites the air, claws that can melt the strongest steel and horns that set the heavens ablaze, Ifrit has evolved far beyond being just a glorified fire spell.
Final Fantasy XI
Ifrit's strength really shows in this game, as he is known for dealing large damage. He can make players capable of dealing over 9999 damage. Summoners can deal over 10,000 damage with Ifrit's Flaming Crush ability against Moshdahn, though, a resist or partial miss is still possible. As one of the six sleeping gods, Ifrit also has lore worthy of his strength in FFXI.
Final Fantasy X
Now a fire-elemental aeon, Ifrit's unique ability in FFX is called Meteor Strike. This conjures a ball of fiery rock and throws it at a single target to penetrate their Protect status. With Hellfire, Ifrit places the enemy party in a ball of rising flame, then throws a large chunk of earth to cause Fire damage. He has high defense and, with Wakka's fully upgraded World Champion weapon, can break the game's damage limit and deal 99,999 damage.
Final Fantasy XV
Now known as Ifrit the Infernian, he is the Astral God of Fire who gave humanity the power of fire. He appears as a horned humanoid on a flaming throne and is said to despise humans. This is his most human-like form, which contrasts with his beast-like appearance and behavior from previous games. The last of the six Astral gods to beat, he makes for a difficult and potentially humiliating boss battle as he picks players up with his hands to toss them aside.
Because of his hate towards humanity, Ifirit is the only of the six Astrals that does not lend aid to the player. After defeating him, he can not be summoned and will not be seen again, leaving behind the impression of a powerful and intelligent god that will serve under no man.