Summons

[Mikayla]

Summons, Eidolons, GFs, whatever you call them.

I know we've had threads like this before, but I wanted to start a new one.

If you're a Final Fantasy fan you obviously know what I speak of. Got any favorites? Be it just looks, or status effects, power, whatever. Go ahead & tell me.


For me, I never really could pick one absolute favorite, but recently I've been very fond of Phoenix. Not even in a specific Final Fantasy, but the bird itself. I could go into great deal about it, but I'm sure a lot of us understand exactly why.

I've always loved Quetzalcoatl (FFVIII) too. It always had a powerful sound to it when it would attack.

I'd say Doomtrain, because it's nice for the status effects, but I think getting it was just a good feeling in itself. The accomplishment.

A few others, like Leviathan, Carbuncle (^_^) Etc, and of course I think just about everyone loves Bahamut (Neo - Zero) and Knights Of Round, but I think mostly it would be Phoenix for me. Honestly I really liked Phoenix when I played the games when I was younger, but someone I know really loved Phoenix, and seeing it through their eyes really made me think a lot about it, and I too love it a lot. (Again, won't go into great detail. 5am and all D: )


Anyway, good to see everyone's input, even if we're reading it over again, or if you're a new poster. Just want to see everyone's input because I really am interested. :)

[Shned]

The charm of VIII was that it had such a variety of weird and whimsical summons that you wouldn't really see again. Pandemona, Doomtrain, Eden. And a nice break from Ramuh as a Thunder summon was just superb.

I've always loved Alexander, and more so when he got his own backstory in IX. Something about some timeless, colossal construct exacting its own Holy Judgement. His design is so difficult to place, because it looks so modernistic and classical at the same time. Because it was only ever seen during the FMVs in IX, it was just this magnificent splendour. I remember the first time I watched that whole part, and I was just dying. The magnificent, pure, angelic wings. And then, a revamped design to fit in with the period of the game. Stunning. Just absolutely stunning. That, and it's VII's only source of Holy attack.

I think because I'm a sucker for steampunk, I also fell in love with Ark. That, and it's FF's first old-world Transformer, who looked epic as a ship, and incredible in robot form. The thing that always saddened me about him was that he just never did enough damage for the power he was capable of wielding.

I loved Kjata for the strength of his attack so early in the game, and the fact it's a tri-elemental summon. His attack looks awesome, but it's such a shame it's just a giant bull. Got an awesome name, but looks silly.

Others with visual appeal were Bahamut ZERO, Valefor, and Ixion, and that was about it. Odin just kind of threw me because Sleipnir is portrayed with six legs, and not eight. Norse inaccuracies fail.

[Aether]

Summons....down the road there has been many for me.

Alexander was always a top performer. Loved his cutscene in VIII, just seemed appropriate. A giant ancient machine raining down power from the heaven miles away from the battle. His influence in IX as Shned mentioned above, beautiful.

Griever holds a special place only because I named him Snuffles at the start and promptly forgot about it. 100 hours later on when I got to the end, I had a spit take because of it.

The Aeons in general from Final Fantasy X intrigued me. I loved the idea of the fayth and the war between summoners and gigantic war machines. With the back story added in by X-2, I really wanted to either read a book or play another game based back in the war.

Bahamut has always been interesting. I fear however (and I think it may be proven by XIII) that he is becoming less of a dragon and more machine as the series goes on. I honestly think he looked the best from VIII.

Gilgamesh finally appearing as a summon to replace Odin in VIII was incredible. I would honestly prefer to have Gilgamesh as a summon instead of Odin from now on.

[Kat]

I could never pick a favorite before either, but after playing through FFX again I'm convinced it's Shiva. She's just a strong ass woman. ;o And sure, she holds a default element, but whatever. She makes it look so badass. She's especially beautiful in X; I love her.

But as for other favorites and special mentions..

Looks:

FFX - Magus Sisters. Flowers, rainbows and ladybugs (ha) need I say more?
FFIX - Alexander. Absolutely graceful. Kuja described it perfectly; he defended the castle with his brilliant wings. That blue ray of light will always be embedded in my memory.
FFIX - Phoenix
FFVI - Does Terra count? She's pink, hey :P

Function:

FFIX - Carbuncle

She (is pretty, dainty and cute, therefore a female in my eyes :p) played a huge role in one of my early levelling strategies for Memoria and Grand Dragons (Carbuncle + Black Magic on everyone) so I'll always have a soft spot for her. Not to mention I was so excited when I found out she had three other tricks too. :D It was like seeing three more Carbuncles.

FFX - Anima

god damn ugly but soo powerful it's almost cheap to use her :o Oh, that 99999 never gets old.

And Doomtrain for the sheer comedy. :P I had a bit of a soft spot with Madeen, too. Never mind it cost more to summon her for less damage compared to Holy; it was Mog :') I'd summon her once in a while.

[Anty]

Since its my favourite FF I thought I'd start with FFX,

Anima - <3ed Anima so damn POWERFUL, plus I thought she looked cool as hell, She was the first "Hidden" Aeon I found, but the last I actually got =/

Magus Sisters - I liked them alot mainly because they are just so random if you don't know how to control them, "to start with I had no idea =S" the only reason they aren't my top anymore is they shitted me off so much as dark aoens =/

other then that of course Bahamut, Legend, until I got Anima anyway O_-

FFIV, as one of the only 3 FFs I've played, I'd have to say I liked

Bahamut the most, I borrowed the game off of a friend of mine who has had the game for years, and he could NEVER figure out how to get him, it clicked for me the second time I vsed him, And

Odin, He is just down right cool, IMO

FFXII, the other main FF I've played, my favourite would have to be,

Ultima - purely because she is just awsome, not that I actually used any of the summons in FFXII because frankly, the were crap to use. . . Ultima just stood out from the pack for me,

FFVIICC is more of a spin off but I thought Tonberry Deserved his moment, the first time I saw his "Limit Break" thing I nearly dropped my PSP, funny shit. . .

Thats about all for me,
Anty Out

[DreamersImperial]

I'm a huge fan of Yojimbo from Final Fantasy X, myself. Although the constant having to pay him to attack got annoying, I just found him to be a really cool Aeon. I just completely forgot about having to pay him every time he attacked and just enjoyed using him.

Then...hmm. I'd have to say the FFX rendition of Bahamut as well. It's by far the best looking Bahamut in the series, in my opinion, and he's saved my butt quite a few times. XD

Then FFIX's Alexander, just because I was totally irked that I never actually got to summon him.

And I have to agree with Shned about Ark from FFIX. Man, that was a cool Eidolon. And I've always been a fan of Transformers, ever since I was old enough to know what a Transformer was, so everything about Ark seemed to click with me. Except having to fight him... That was more or less annoying than anything else.

[Dr. Flux]

AND scions AND espers.

I think in general the summons in FFXII were the best effort made among all the games so far, just they didn't really implement them usefully into the battle system. They were mostly pure awesome with exception to Shemhazaiaisjdoiasjd or whatever it's name was. Zodiark, Ultima and Ex-death's limit breaks were just crazy good even though you had to be in a ridiculously unlikely situation for them to use their limit breaks.

My reasoning behind the best effort part was basically, they were well made, each had their own back story (albeit only a few pages of reading) and there were 13 of them and they were bad ass to fight.

I liked shiva in FF8 and FF10, Minimog in 8, Eden in 8, Diablo in 8 there's oh so many. Some from the older games that I've played but can't remember the names of; mustn't have been that memorable.

Still yet to play 9. But FF7's summons are lame just like the rest of the game. :P

[Sioux]

I've been caught with my pants down. I haven't played much beyond XII in a while so here goes...Great Spirit help me.

I had never really relied too much on Summons in my adventures through the Final Fantasy series outside of a couple occasions. In said occasions I usually said to "hell with it" to power leveling or complex fight planning and let those beautiful Summons/Eidolons/Scions/Guardian Forces do the work for me and work they did.

...and mind you these are in order of my choosing. So there.

...Oh and when I don't mention a summon it probably means I didn't care enough about them to talk about them or I didn't like them. I'm quite selective with my summon based destruction.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b284/SiouxMoonArtist/FinalFantasyVIII.png


I think my first real encounter with these beautiful things was in Final Fantasy VIII. I had played few RPGs before this, Final Fantasy VII was my true first experience but I had no memory card the first time I played and only got half way through the Midgar story arc before having to turn the system off to return the damn thing to Blockbuster, and most of them usually had you attacking or using the occasional magical spell or item or team attack to win your battles no matter the difficulty.

In Final Fantasy VIII I saw the immediate bonus of using these great Squaresoft creations(It feels so weird typing that out these days...). They, of course, allowed one to use basic functions like Magic, Items, etc but, they did so much more for you that it was almost unfair. They boosted your stats, allowed for the crafting of powerful items, allowed you to create items from the game's cards, gave you awesome additional abilities in battle, and allowed you to junction magic to your stats and elements to your weapons(like I said, almost unfair).

They did all of this while also attacking your enemies for you. It was sick and made the game all the better and not only were they just powerful allies they had a place in the plot. It wasn't that strong a place in the plot but, hey, it was there. I also loved the fact that you had to fight several of them to get them on your side in the first place and you even made one out of spare parts which I found awesome at the time and still do because Doomtrain deserves your respect, damn it! I still can't believe some of you people voted against him in the Summon Survivor, for shame.

I also really enjoyed several of the animations for the summons. Not all of them were that memorable or warranted due to random bits of silliness but, they were appreciated.

Shiva's was not that memorable although, I enjoyed the fact she was nearly naked unlike her Tactics counterpart who is topless and this Shiva really brought the ice storm.

I wasn't too partial to Ifrit's design in this game as it has the monstrous growl going on but, I didn't feel they pushed the envelope enough creature wise. He looked more like Beast from Disney then the creature like Ifrit from say Tactics not to say that doesn't have some merit but, I enjoy the dark creature of Fire Ifrit then the fully visible one that growls at you. If that makes sense.

Siren for the fact that she was nearly naked. What? I was in puberty at the time.

Diablos. I loved his summoning animation as he hurled an orb of darkness at you. Reminded me very much of Lich from Tactics only cooler as he actually helped you in this game especially when trying to attain Tonberry King.

Carbuncle. Easily the cutest summon in the series and I say that even comparing to Moogle from Tactics.

Alexander I like for the fact that it didn't bring some holy light in this game. He wasn't a part of the plot by any definition. He just walked in and shot the enemy with rockets infused with holy power. If only we could do that with the middle east. :P

Doomtrain. Easily one of my favorite summons ever. He did the job Hades did but, with a Industrial Revolution nightmarish flare that only the Japanese could make up.

Bahamut. This is one bad ass Bahamut let me tell you. He isn't as scrawny as the IX version and is a step up from the VII version. He is literally the King of the Dragons here sailing through the heavens ready to rain down hell.

Eden. He? She? It fucking kills things. End of Story.


http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b284/SiouxMoonArtist/FinalFantasyVII.png


Now moving on to Final Fantasy VII.

But FF7's summons are lame just like the rest of the game.

This is true for the most part.

Instead of having its own system for its summons you instead had to level the Summon Materia as well which was beyond a pain in the ass to simply use them more then once. Further more, most of the normal ones did crap damage even if they had the elemental advantage. The only summons in the game that were worth it were the Bahamuts' and Knights of the Round mainly for their strength against such fiends as the Weapons, Added American Monsters and maybe Sephiroth if you even had to use such things by then. Most of the other summons were crap in terms of strength in the long run anyways considering if you trained correctly, had the right amounts of materia and weapons, you could literally push Sephiroth over in the end anyways. Plus, you got some of the summons at such random plot moments that you probably would never use said materia at all considering what Materia you do get in the game and what you would end up using more and what was more affordable MP wise normally. Fire or Ifrit? Ice or Shiva? Life or Phoenix? I think the case rests. Yes, some summons have a place but, most of the pantheon probably goes unused in the standard FF player's hands who just wants to play rather then experiment especially these days when they are fresher and simply better Final Fantasy titles out there.

The only reason I address the FF VII summons list in this thread being the fact that some of them were rather aesthetically pleasing.

I enjoyed the Choco/Mog idea and loved the fact that it became Fat Chocobo after so many uses which was a good throw back.

This was probably one of the most animal like of the Ifrits' and I adored him for it. The epic roar and the become a raging fire ball flying into the opponent(s) with rings of fire blazing behind him. Though, he is a bit plain in the way of his physical design not that I fault Square on that point. Modeling in this time period wasn't hell anymore but nonetheless still rudimentary and probably hard when crafting human shapes.

I liked the Titan throw back in this as well. A large man made from rock literally flips the earth the enemy stands on. Fantastic. When I begrudgingly first trained my Materia, Titan was one of the first ones I got done. Thank God.

Bahamut for the mere fact that he is King of the Dragons but, also, he put on a good show with the mouth laser.

Bahamut Zero as I rather liked his Summon Animation and still do. Simple but, to the point. He fuckin' destroys his enemies from space with a giant laser. Beautiful.

And of course, lastly, Knights of the Round. I still want a storyline explanation for these fools. They just come out of nowhere and open a truck sized case of whoop ass on everything in sight and kill anything in the game. Anything.

I think Final Fantasy VII did have a great arrangement of Summons. Sadly,for the most part it suffers from the Materia system holding them back and sometimes making them unneeded due to the plethora of various kinds of Materia available that just end up killing any enemy anyways in the right combinations.

The amount of Magic, Support, Command, and Independent Materias and Items, and basic attacks plus limit breaks pretty much play the game for you without having to rely too hard on Summons outside of again, maybe, the Weapons, added American Monsters, and Sephiroth.

And If you're one of those strategy types who can make your materia do godly things in mind blowing combinations, you don't really need your summons anyways. They're simply trendy. They're a victim of an unfair system sadly. :/


http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b284/SiouxMoonArtist/FinalFantasyIX.png


The next point in time I ran into summons was around the time I played Final Fantasy IX.

I really liked the summons in this game or rather, Eidolons. They did their duty well be it as plot devices or battle devices. They worked great...although, there weren't that many and I didn't enjoy all of their designs but, they were great no matter their place.

Ifrit has a fabulous design in this. A throw back look to this original Ifrit like monster aspect with the hair and creature-esque features being more prominent much like the Tactics version that I also adore. I love the way his concept art is drawn as well.

Alexander has a mention as well for the sheer fact that it has an awesome moment, much like Bahamut, in an FMV doing some pivotal to the plot. In this case its literally protecting the castle from destructive power of Bahamut. I absolutley love the the Angelic Wing Dynamic for the summon and the energy bolts that fired from the feathers to dispense of Bahamut. It almost beats out the Bahamut FMV scene for me...almost. And the way Alexander dies is a touch heart breaking being burned alive by that giant airship Garland wields like a toy. :(

I thought it was clever for Bahamut's to have a place in the plot as a terrible weapon and his beautiful rendering in the FMV where he slaughters that whale of a queen I forgot the name of was awesome. Truly an epic moment. He wasn't too bad in a fight either but, I never really used him all that much to be honest.

Arc is easily the best of the summons in this game. I rather enjoyed his place in the plot being the guard system for a dead society on a Forgotten Continent. Terrible but, cool. I also enjoyed the fact that, yes, he is the Final Fantasy transformer as Ed has said and both his flight form or transformed look like they fit perfectly as designs.

Odin I love more for the fact that he is a part of the plot. He not only almost kills an entire race of rat like humanoids but, does it with a terrible style and uses a throwback weapon from Final Fantasy VII to do it. Grandeur incarnate really. He is useless for the most part in battle being undependable as far as the instant killing stroke goes but, I also enjoy his in fight animation because he is galloping at the enemy to kill. Maybe not as dramatic as his giant VIII counter part's animation but, at least this one doesn't go out like a bitch.


http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b284/SiouxMoonArtist/FinalFantasyTactics.png


As a year went by in the time period of my gaming life I remember finally getting my hands on my own copy of Final Fantasy Tactics. :D

Now for the most part I enjoyed the summons within the world of Final Fantasy Tactics. They were apart of the Summoner's job and they did their own job well especially when you have the little advantage of height on your side in a battle and just take pot shots at an enemy who is at a helpless position below you.

Most of the Summons definitely has a place in battle when your enemy was of a certain element. There were also several that deserve naming here for their aid they gave in battle due to the simple brute strength they gave to your cause especially if things were getting a bit hairy in a fight. Also, there are several that deserve recognition for the mere fact they look cool.

Shiva. Not really strong and is one of your first summons next to the likes of...Moogle. I only really enjoyed her for the fact that she is topless and a topless female summon is simply appealing.

Ifrit. I,again, adored this Ifrit for the same reason I like the VII Ifrit. He had the animal theme down perfect. No voice other then a slight sound clipping growl but, the look is pure Ifrit with his face mostly in the dark, only his eyes showing and his trade mark horns standing tall and proud. A truly great design.

Bahamut. This seems to be a trend. In most of the games it just makes sense to have a Dragon King in your arsenal or on your person in some capacity. He takes a while to summon but, once he's on the field he rains hell down in slow framed glory. Hes never done me wrong and I enjoy the art work for him.

Salamander. Its just as its named. A giant firey Salamander that covers the battlefield in fire. Stronger then Ifrit and costs more MP but, its worth it and again, an awesome way to potshot one's enemies. He's not particularly eye appealing but, he gets the job done.

Cyclops. A powerful summon in the spirit of Titan only without the earth element. He just shows up and opens a case of whoop ass. Another case of lacking aesthetics but, again, he makes up for it by being not only a dependable summon in a hairy situation but also, is able to do damage to most if not all enemies no matter their level or element.

...alas, I never actually played the game long enough to get Zodiac. I'm working on that. <_<


http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b284/SiouxMoonArtist/FinalFantasyX.png

Eventually, this Injun got his red little hands on a copy of Final Fantasy X and absolutely loved the Summon system. It was such a fresh take on the whole thing. They weren't some name in a menu system anymore you simply chose when things were convenient and not only that they had a place in the storyline again and a greater place in battle. They had their own menus, their own skills, their own attacks and even their own, gasp, limit breaks.

What's next? The right to vote? Lawl.

Anywho,

I really, really like this Ifrit. Its like the VIII version but, not as Disney beast, like it got an infusion of Tactics or VII Ifrit and turned into an utter monster. The face screams creature as does the horns, claws and body hair and tattoos even. The summon animation is just a wicked example of Ifrit's power and grace when being commanded by its summoner.

I love the limit attack it uses which is just a testament to Ifrit's power and strength as a summon. I can also not think of a better basic attack then leaping forward and cutting an enemy with its claws. A good summon and a better old school choice. It almost makes me wish this was your first summon...not Valefor. Ugh.

Shiva, another wily veteran, is another one I enjoyed commanding in this game. She is beautiful especially in this one with her blanket of ice and braided hair and I love how she appears. Her attacks are especially elegant in the way they hit the enemy and end with a simple finger snap. Even her stance in battle screams confidence in the face of danger. A truly great summon that'll never get old.

The Bahamut in this game is the direct evolution from the VIII version in my eyes. The IX one although cool and pivotal to the plot doesn't even compute to the size and power of the X version.

This thing not only has the power but knows it. It comes from the depths of the sky and lands and roars for all to know it is here. A king of all Dragons if I've ever seen one.

Not only does its arrival mean business but, his simple stance is one of absolute assuredness in its power. The limit break only adds to this with the spinning disc of death on its back showing the conductive power charge and release in the age old sign of Bahamut. A big fucking laser. I love this lizard.

Anima. Explosive power in a nightmarish female embodiment of pain and enslavement. That's all that needs to be said really. Plus, I always enjoyed the basic attack animation with a single blast of painful light exploding from the eye with a shower of metaphorical blood in there somewhere.

The Magus Sisters. Just when you thought the game was going to be a lot of terrible newbies and some old veterans to keep you company, they commit to a throw back that works. I love the Magus Sisters in this game. They compliment each other so well so much so they have a freaking Tri attack to use against enemies. Awesome.


http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b284/SiouxMoonArtist/FinalFantasyXII.png

...I've never actually beaten XII and never got all the summons as of yet so yeah...no, descriptions yet. I'll probably detail that in another thread in the future on summons.

[Dr. Flux]

Let the doctor help you, you should fall in love by the animations alone. That's my only reason for loving them so much for I've conceded their uselessness a long time ago. I too am a sucker for shiny crisp animations.

To attempt to match your epic post Sioux I am going to reply with a seminary (of sorts) about FFXII and the interweaving back stories of the espers. There are probably spoilers so beware. I have included clan primer excerpts, images and footage of the FFXII espers.


Age of Gods
"Many thousand years ago, all-powerful beings looked down upon the land, and their rule was absolute. They commanded all things on the earth. All was done according to their will. Then one day they withdrew behind the walls of a great city of their own making, disappearing from history's stage. In the vacuum left behind, Ivalice fell into chaos, until the march towards a new age finally began."

While there is no specific distinction made between the gods and the beings of Ivalice known as the Occuria, I'm inclined to believe these are the Gods the clan primer refers to. So, the espers of FFXII are Occurrian forged, former demi-gods who let the power corrupt their ways and as a result were bound to glyphs after a failed coup d'etat. :cookie:

The Espers
"Beings of strange form and appearance made by the gods in ancient times. Favored with great strength and intellect, the Espers knew power far beyond that of men, but their power made them proud, and at length they sought to challenge the gods. Seeing this, the gods were angered and struck down their blessed children, and binding their souls and flesh with the Glyph of the Beast, they stole their freedom for all eternity. Now they are bound to live only when summoned by their Glyph, to serve whosoever called them forth."

Belias the Gigas (Aries)

http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/finalfantasy/images/thumb/b/b7/Ffxii_espers_belias.jpg/300px-Ffxii_espers_belias.jpg

"Scion of darkness and guardian of the Holy Realm, made by the gods in opposition to Loghrif the Transcendent, scion of light. Called the Gigas for his appearance: man and monster fused as one. Considered a mistake upon his making, and receiving not his intended role, the Gigas challenged the gods and lost. Scorned by his masters, he found another: the Dynast-King, whose tomb he swore to protect for eternity."

Deathblow: Hellfire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2r6lHRAxjw)

Pretty standard I think. :cookie:

Mateus the Corrupt (Pisces)

http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/finalfantasy/images/thumb/1/18/Mateus.jpg/300px-Mateus.jpg

"Scion of darkness ruling and protecting those who live in the underworld, in opposition to Lahabrea the Abyssal Celebrant and scion of light. In the course of his rule, he submitted to avarice, and the darkness took his heart, transforming him until he was both evil and corrupt. Then in his cowardice did he bind a Goddess of the Demesne of Ice, and using her as a living shield, he challenged the gods. Defeated before their might, he fell screaming into the depths of hell, there to be imprisoned for eternity."

Deathblow: Frostwave (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi_pFSjf2Zs)

Poor Shiva. I wonder if she's the bondaged lass trapped by Mateus...

Adrammelech the Wroth (Capricorn)

http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/finalfantasy/images/thumb/7/7a/Adrammelech.jpg/300px-Adrammelech.jpg

"Emperor among the scions, able to reduce to nothing aught he strikes with a single vengeful blow of his fist, created in opposition to Deudalephon the Benevolent, scion of light. Though he was made by the gods to quell the fiends that raged in the Otherworld, his immense strength and fearsome visage drew the fiends to his side, and turned him against his creators. Adrammelech rose to prominence in the Otherworld, whence he led a fiendish horde against the gods, but in the end, he was defeated."

Deathblow: Judgment Bold (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r_FTMvkxbU)

Zelera the Death Seraph (Gemini)

http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/finalfantasy/images/thumb/c/cc/Zalera.jpg/300px-Zalera.jpg

"Heretic scion who wrapped the world in dark energies, seeking to take the souls of all living things unto himself. Created in opposition to Emet-Selch, Angel of Truth, and scion of light. Originally tasked with the judging of men upon their deaths, his soul was tainted by the curses of those who raged against the heavens, and seizing one of the gods' servants, a shamaness, as a hostage, he rebelled against his creators. Even now, in defeat, he clutches the shamaness to him in his right arm, and with the aid of her death-wail does he summon the soul of darkness to do his bidding."

Deathblow: Condemnation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zJxCdemC0s)

Shemhazai the Whisperer (Sagittarius)

http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/finalfantasy/images/thumb/8/86/Shemhazai.jpg/300px-Shemhazai.jpg

"Scion that is both horse and woman, wielding utter control over the souls that wander the underworld, in opposition to Igeyorlm the Martyr, scion of light. Though she once served the gods as a guardian, when Ultima announced her rebellion, Shemhazai went to her, whispering of the gods' hidden weaknesses. She then descended upon the land without leave of the gods, and taught men of destruction and evil. For this was she stricken down and bound."

Deathblow: Soul Purge (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_gkb3VvDVw)

Shemhazai looks ridiculous and is the worst esper of them all.

Hashmal, Bringer of Order (Leo)

http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/finalfantasy/images/thumb/1/1f/Hashmal.jpg/300px-Hashmal.jpg

"Scion set by the gods to wield and manipulate the laws of this world, and with holy power lead mankind to order. Created in opposition to Fandaniel the Protector, scion of light. Desiring to bring order to all things, he joined with Ultima in her battle against the gods. He gave his body to the Thousand-Years War, and when his strength was spent, down into the burning inferno he fell."

Deathblow: Gaia's Wrath (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1sIotJYDjY)

Zeromus the Condemner (Cancer)

http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/finalfantasy/images/thumb/c/cb/Zeromus.jpg/300px-Zeromus.jpg

"Honoring the law more than any other, a scion of holy order and condemner of criminals. Created in opposition to Knight-Star Pashtarot, scion of light. He turns his deep, abiding hatred for those who break the law into living darkness, therein to plunge the guilty in fell judgment. Over time, he came to care less for upholding the law and more for condemnation, and so tainted by hate, he sought to condemn the gods themselves to death. Thus, did he earn the title "The Condemner", and thus did he fall from grace."

Deathblow: Big Bang (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvRQ_1-XRLo)

Exodus the Judge-Sal (Libra)

http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/finalfantasy/images/thumb/3/3a/Exodus.jpg/300px-Exodus.jpg

"Most ancient of the scions, created in opposition to Halmarut the Arbiter, and scion of light. Tasked with keeping watch over the world, with the authority to judge the value of all things. As he watched, unseen, unknown, his attachment to the world dwindled, and faded until it was as nothing. Fitting that he would desire to make the world, too, as nothing. Yet he fell in the war against the gods, and was thwarted, imprisoned in punishment for his heresy."

Deathblow: Meteor (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gCXQnXbVMM)

Some believe this Esper is a re-interpretation of Ex-death from FFV. In any case, he is one of the cooler Espers IMHO.

Cúchulainn the Impure (Scorpio)

http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/finalfantasy/images/thumb/f/f2/Cuch.jpg/300px-Cuch.jpg

"Scion created to rid the world of its impurities by swallowing them within himself, in opposition to Nabriales the Majestic, scion of light. The world, however, was more filled with impurity and corruption than even the gods dared imagine, and having swallowed it all, the once beautiful Cúchulainn was transformed into a hideous thing, a deity of filth, and so did he turn against his creators. Wherever his feet should fall, there all life withers to dust."

Deathblow: Blight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljzacLnsEHc)

Famfrit the Darkening Cloud (Aquarius)

http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/finalfantasy/images/thumb/4/47/Ffxii_espers_famfrit.jpg/300px-Ffxii_espers_famfrit.jpg

"The hideous, darkly clouded form of Famfrit, scion in opposition to Holy Queen Emmerololth, scion of light, was anathema even to his creators. Thus, after a great battle, was he broken and sealed within armor laced with wards. The confines of his armor are void of light, and so is he called the Darkening Cloud. Men fear the rain that falls from the black clouds that ooze from that giant ewer as a herald of chaos and waste."

Deathblow: Tsunami (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEehianUvNY)

Chaos, Walker of the Wheel (Taurus)

http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/finalfantasy/images/thumb/3/3e/Chaos.jpg/300px-Chaos.jpg

"Tutelary deity of the sacred crystals fashioned by the gods at the time of the Great Making. Created in opposition to Mitron the Chasiter, scion of light. Upon entering the world of Man, he was enveloped in the turmoil rampant there. Lost, he died and was reborn countless times, a walker of life's wheel, eventually to rage against the gods that had so failed him. By sitting in meditation upon the Unrh Pedestal does he clear heart and mind until all that has order and reason and thought is made as nothing."

Deathblow: Tornado (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pySXfT4lpGo)
Additional Footage: Here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sb8JWYNTL6s)

Ultima the High Seraph (Virgo)

http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/finalfantasy/images/thumb/4/4d/Ffxii_espers_ultima.jpg/300px-Ffxii_espers_ultima.jpg

"Masterpiece among the scions created by the gods, and the mastermind of the plot to rise against them. Prior to her betrayal, she was tasked with guiding souls to heaven and aiding in their reincarnation. Called the High Seraph for her angelic wings of glimmering gold, yet it was on wings of deepest black that the tainted angel Ultima rose against the gods. Since her fall, her heart is without light, and impossible to know."

Deathblow: Eschaton (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMVnUMgQod4&feature=related)
Additional Footage: Here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7K8n2fidpQ)

Zodiark, Keeper of Precepts (Ophiuchus)

http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/finalfantasy/images/thumb/d/d7/Zodiark.jpg/300px-Zodiark.jpg

"Strongest of the scions created by the gods, they feared his growth, and so kept him a child. So indomitable is his strength that all things are by him twisted and pressed into oblivion. He alone fashions the laws governing all things, and administers punishment in place of the gods. So is he Keeper of Precepts, and his authority is absolute."

Deathblow: Eclipse (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kH61aqsPSE&feature=related)

For those of you who are curious, Ophiuchus is actually a zodiac constellation depicting a man holding a serpent. Very relevant don't you think?

To me, Zodiark's deathblow is the mother of all firecrackers.
_______________________

Some of the esper designs are a little ungainly, but I think they're unique overall. And plus, they're supposed to be fallen angels of sorts or demons, thus you'd expect them to look ugly and malicious.

I know, I cheated by pasting most of it from outside sources and filling in the length with images. I did know deep down that I could not truly match your post. On an unrelated note, I must also show you how awesome the Occuria are by linking you to this cut scene (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSPbEBZSNI4).

Perhaps this long-winded info session might invigorate some people to re-investigate the land of Ivalice.
____
Sources:
http://www.finalfantasy.wikia.com/
http://www.youtube.com/

[Anty]

Dr Flux's Post
Didn't quote it cause its so dame long O_o


Here I am thinking I had them all XO
I actually still don't know till I load up the game again, But there were 1 or 2 I wasn't sure about. And why did I read ALL of Sioux's AND Dr Flux's posts? there goes half an hour X_X

[DreamersImperial]

wow. This turned into a "What's your favorite summon" a thread to "List them all for reference" thread. Haha. Still, I think it's cool that Flux and Sioux would go on typing so much. I type a lot sometimes but ...ah whatever.

I gotta say though, while the FFXII summons LOOK cool, as Flux said, they weren't implemented into the battle system well enough so, frankly, I don't really care for them. To me it seems they tried to re-create FFX's Aeon system, but re-work it into the new battle system. It worked okay for the most part but if I need to get out of a rut I'd much rather have ALL THREE characters use their MP on Quickenings as opposed to ONE using MP on an Esper and still being vulnerable to attack. Seems logical to me...

[Anty]

I gotta say though, while the FFXII summons LOOK cool, as Flux said, they weren't implemented into the battle system well enough so, frankly, I don't really care for them. To me it seems they tried to re-create FFX's Aeon system, but re-work it into the new battle system. It worked okay for the most part but if I need to get out of a rut I'd much rather have ALL THREE characters use their MP on Quickenings as opposed to ONE using MP on an Esper and still being vulnerable to attack. Seems logical to me...

Ya have a point O-o
But I still want them all XD