I first played FFIV when I was very young, so some of my preferences on characters stem from the imaginary dialogue I made up while wandering around the map. Just wanted to clear that up beforehand.

1. Rosa: I am probably one of the few people that think she's the best, especially over Rydia, but she's actually one of my favorite video game characters in general. I always thought she was the perfect combination of elegance and strength. I've always loved archery and women archers in particular, and Rosa dealt pretty decent damage when properly outfitted. I am a big fan of healers and white magic in general, so Rosa is a must have. The love triangle, her devotion to Cecil, even the little bit of back story we get from her interactions with her mother in Baron... love love.

2. Rydia: Her friggin hair is green. I'm a sucker for green hair (Terra!) and I loved her adult sprite so much. I remember gasping out loud when Rydia came back from the dead and saved everyone from Golbez. Rydia has a great story, amazing black magic and I love the summons. When I was young I really liked the name the original script gave her class: Caller. I'm also very fond of the Land of Summons and the dungeon leading up to it, as well as the challenge of getting more summons for Rydia by defeating them.

3. Kain: I think Kain's story was the first time I had ever been betrayed by a party member in a video game. Previously the good guys were good and the bad ones were all bad... but what about Kain (and Golbez, for that matter)? Also he's an amazing party member and I am a big fan of Jump. Loved seeing him sans helmet at the end of credits, definitely spent a lot of time wondering what happened after, where he would go next, etc.

4. Tellah: I was very fond of the old guy. I cried when he died, and not just the first time either. He was very endearing and he always yelled the best stuff. Took you long enough to remember Meteo, old fart.

5. Cid: He's got a big hammer, a wiry beard, and zero f****s to give when it comes to offending folks. I like frank, straight forward characters. Plus he treats those 2 apprentices like crap. What more could one want?

6. Cecil: Great in battle and he gets all the best stuff... and that's it. His story is good and I understand the inner conflict and the symbolism there, but sometimes I wish to punch him for it nonetheless. I really liked him as a Dark Knight, less so as a Paladin.

7. Yang: His wife beats him! This is excellent. The claw combo he gets near the end there is really great, and he sacrifices himself for the Dwarfs, a species he has only been aware of for a few days (weeks?), so it's kind of beautiful when you think about it, man.

8. Porom/Palom: Rather interchangeable for me, really. The only good part was the Twin ability. Also, thanks for saving everyone from being crushed, guys. You done good.

9. FuSoYa: So when he dies he looks like a mop. I enjoy this.

10. Edge: I feel the same annoyance that this guy gets put in my team for the final battle. His damage is crap unless he's throwing, so for me he's just an Ether mule for the mages.

11. Edward: STOP HIDING. Seriously, come out now or I will strangle you with your own harp.