Cid has become a vital and recurring character in the Final Fantasy franchise. Most often portrayed as an engineer, inventor, or mechanic, he serves as one of the series' most enduring archetypes. While certain traits remain consistent, each game gives Cid a unique personality and role.

GCML presents a ranking of every Cid in the Final Fantasy franchise, ranked by character depth, story impact, and memorability.

16) Cid - Final Fantasy

This is a character that players basically never meet. In the original Final Fantasy released on the Nintendo Entertainment System, players could locate a grave in the Elf Village.

Approaching this grave would show players the text, "Here lies Cid." However, this would only be the case for players in the West after the original Final Fantasy was ported to other systems.

This Cid is in the last spot because players don't even get to see the actual character.

15) Cid - Final Fantasy XI

The greatest issue with this Cid is that he just doesn't do much. He seemingly just exists to give quests to the players, and in expansions, he also tags along on some of these quests.

However, this is as far as Cid's role extends in the game. He could have had potential, but it was sidelined in FFXI, making him somewhat less memorable.

14) Cid Raines - Final Fantasy XIII

Cid Raines is a character that many may find difficult to like. He inadvertently ends up becoming a puppet of the fal'Cie, and his actions often appear misguided.

However, his desire to serve Cocoon is admirable. It gives his character some sense of validation. Ultimately, his character feels somewhat convoluted.

13) Cid Sophiar - Final Fantasy XV

Cid Sophiar from Final Fantasy XV did not play a big enough part in the game. He was a likable older man who was Cindy's grandfather. He's still the inventor/engineer archetype the character is known for; however, the real job is done by Cindy instead.

His reduced role in the gameplay makes him somewhat insignificant to the overall story, but he still fills the role well.

12) Cid Haze - Final Fantasy III

Cid Haze has a deep connection with the main characters. He rescued them as children and did not hesitate before giving them his airship.

He's the classic supportive character who perfectly plays into the Cid archetype. It's almost impossible to forget his story with his wife, which serves as an emotional reminder of the character's arc.

11) Cid - Final Fantasy II

A former knight and an expert when it comes to airships, this Cid was memorable in many ways. He gave Firion the airship, and that's how the team managed to reach Castle Palamecia, thereby playing a pivotal role in the game's story.

He also ended up rejoining the White Knights of Flynn, which adds to the honor of his character. He was a fleshed-out character who made a difference, and that makes him noteworthy in a vast franchise like Final Fantasy.

10) Cid Kramer - Final Fantasy VIII

Cid Kramer was perhaps leagues apart from all the other iterations of the character. Instead of being an engineer or a former knight, he was a teacher. While he wasn't the typical inventor, his deeds were still reminiscent of the archetype.

He is an admirable mentor, but the game's story takes him on a twisted path when his wife gets possessed by the villain. There's also time travel involved, and he makes some rough decisions.

This makes his character somewhat complicated.

9) Cid Del Norte Marguez - Final Fantasy VI

Cid Del Norte Marguez had a hand in the creation of the game's main villain, Kefka. In this way, he essentially aided in creating the difficult circumstances that trouble the main characters.

However, his character shows growth. He learns of the terror Magitek caused and even petitions to end the war to no avail. In the end, he meets a bitter end.

His character arc makes him one of the more interesting takes on Cid in the game's history.

8) Cid Previa - Final Fantasy V

Cid Previa is similar to Cid Del Norte Marguez because both of them unknowingly created or aided the main villain. When the team finds Previa, he is already in jail for trying to destroy his own creation.

By this time, it is too late, so Cid decides to help the team achieve their goals. Previa atones for his actions actively and shows a more humane and regretful side of the character than Del Norte Marguez.

7) Cid Pollendina - Final Fantasy IV

Cid Pollendina holds the title of being the first playable Cid in the Final Fantasy series. He saved vital characters during the game and was never afraid of laying down his life for his friends or the greater good.

Cid was perhaps the perfect playable character in the archetype, making him very memorable. He even helped take down the villains and save the Blue Planet.

6) Cid Garlond - Final Fantasy XIV

Cid Garlond in Final Fantasy XIV is one of the most fleshed-out characters in this archetype. He appears in the base game, and his story branches out into the game's expansions as well.

He does not feel secondary to the story. His character isn't exactly likable because of his original stance, siding with the Garlean Empire.

However, he eventually leaves them and helps the main characters.

5) Cid Fabool IX - Final Fantasy IX

Cid Fabool IX ruined his wife's life, influencing her transformation into an insect-like being known as an Oglop. He was eccentric, egotistical, and rather unlikable. However, he was still an interesting character.

He maintains the archetype's interest in and expertise with airships, and he was an excellent engineer. He even got the chance to be a playable character, but it wasn't entirely significant.

He was a character with a detailed story, making him memorable, even though he may not be remembered fondly.

4) Cid - Final Fantasy X

This Cid was the complete opposite of Cid Fabool. He was a headstrong character who drifted away from the quietly intelligent Cids of the past. He was also dedicated to fighting for his cause.

He was a strong leader and someone who was revered by his faction. His decisions made him very important to the game and gave him a place among the best Cids.

3) Cidolfus Demen Bunansa - Final Fantasy XII

Cidolfus Demen Bunansa was a villain. Unlike the other Cids, he was straightforwardly involved with the antagonistic faction. He even appears as a boss fight in the game.

What makes Cidolfus Demen Bunansa great is his brilliant role as a villain. He provides players with an entertaining fight and a memorable antagonist.

2) Cid Highwind - Final Fantasy VII

This Cid was also a playable character, and he was distinct from any other. He's a member of the core party and perhaps one of the most interesting ones. Cid Highwind was charming, interesting, and dedicated to the cause.

He still felt like a Cid due to his deep interest in airships and aviation. However, he added a charisma to the game that makes him incredibly popular among fans, even in 2026.

1) Cidolfus Telamon - Final Fantasy XVI

Cidolfus Telamon is the most memorable Cid in the Final Fantasy series, not only because he's the most recent. It's also because his character was iconic and relatable.

He was a likable character with deep intelligence. His aim to destroy the Mothercrystals and Eikons often guided his steps, and his intelligence was visible in his rich dialogue.

He plays a crucial role in Clive's journey in the game, and his larger role in the story makes him a beloved character.

From heroes and mentors to kings and villains, Cid has taken many forms throughout Final Fantasy. Each version is memorable in its own way, helping make Cid one of the franchise's most iconic recurring characters.

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Written by

Prit Chauhan

Edited by

Pulkit Prabhav