Ultima and Meteor...

[Peter_20]

It's generally believed that Ultima holds the title as "ultimate magic" in the FF series; and rightly so, because its strength often surpasses that of anything else big-time.
However, there have been different occasions when this magic seems heavily inferior to that of another magic, and in this case I'm talking about the legendary Meteor.
Both these magics made their debut in FF2 for the NES, and back then Meteor was apparently considered the stronger.
Sure, Ultima played the role of the "great magic", but its strength was disappointing: METEO1 actually dealt more damage than ULTM12.
In FF3, Ultima was nowhere to be seen, and Meteor was again one of the ultimate black magics, along with Flare and the superior Bahamut.
In FF4, Ultima still hadn't come back, and Meteor, now named Meteo because of lack of space, was stronger than ever, constantly dealing 9999 DMG to all enemies on-screen.
Ultima was absent in FF5 as well, but this time, Meteor sucked, and was honestly just a flashy version of an ordinary Sshot! attack.

However, in FF6, Ultima finally made come-back, and this time it put Meteor to shame.
Both of these magics advanced to FF7, but this time Meteor became a plot magic: the Ultimate Magic (!) that Sephiroth tried using for his evil plans; Ultima was once again an ordinary attack magic, although a very powerful one.
In FF8, magic usually sucked, but Junction-wise, one can't deny that Ultima rocked everything else, including Meteor.
In FF9 it was suddenly Ultima that became the plot magic, Kuja's Magic of Destruction, that could whip away anything; Meteor had become an ordinary attack magic: a powerful one, but very unreliable, usually missing its targets.

From my personal Final Fantasy experience, it seems like Ultima and Meteor are very tide.
Ultima can't just be considered the ultimate magic just like that: Meteor indeed seems a heavy rival.

So, what are your opinions?
What magic should be considered "ultimate"?
State your opinions!

[Captain Maxx Power]

Ultima, because it's only "te" away from Ultimate. Meteor's missing "u" "l" "i" "a" "t" and needs an "e" "o" and "r" removing.

[Ya Boy Alex]

Meteor is better because it is Meatier.

[Nick Schovitz]

I really think it's Doomsday.

[NeoCracker]

I gotta go with Sleep. Nothin beats sleep.

[Ya Boy Alex]

Meteor is better because it is Meatier.

[DarkLadyNyara]

Sure, Ultima played the role of the "great magic", but its strength was disappointing: METEO1 actually dealt more damage than ULTM12.

That's actually due to the odd damage system for Ultima. It draws it's power from your other weapon and spell levels. I have it doing at least 4000 a hit, against enimies in pandaemonium.

It depends on the game, but in general, I'd say Ultima. Plus, it looks cool.

[Zeromus_X]

Ultima, of course. But not that I dislike Meteor.

[DeathKnight]

Meteor, comes from space

HOLY beats all though

[Crossblades]

Ultima

[rubah]

meteor is much more useful with a low damage limit, but ultima is usually prettier 8)

[Dell]

In FFVII, Meteor
In FFIX, Ultima
I love Kuja's Ultima!!
Ultima is my favourite magic and that's why my name is vivi_ultima....I love Ultima and Vivi is my favourite character.

So, Ultima.

[Ichimonji]

Meteor. Go go multi-hit magic.

[starseeker]

Ultima all the way

[DJZen]

Meteo is pretty much always stronger than Ultima. In FFIV it was so powerful it killed Tellah just to cast it. In FFVII it nearly ended the world. In FFII, Ultima was a piece of suck that did maybe 800 damage while your Fire spell was probably doing around 1500. :P