My top three from 1st place would be Zack, Biggs and Dyne. My explainations are reasonable.

1. Zack - This guy molded Cloud into the bad-ass mercenary, big sword wielding jerk that everyone hates. Who can't respect that? He was also Aeris's boyfriend before his death and after her's. (Just sayin. It's a possibility.) He even took the trouble to save Cloud from that vegetative state he was in during Nibelhiem's escape. Also, he confronted Sephiroth first, so he deserves additional props. Overall, I sincerely wish he WAS a playable, just to see him fight. (But where would Cloud go without the sword?)

2. Biggs - He was that tough guy who dreams of usurping Barret's position in AVALANCHE. He even stood against Shinra by providing key codes for certain doors in a certain mission... Also, he was right there at the bottom of the tower. (You know which one...) I never really liked the other two, but if Barret took the fall and Biggs was still alive, he'd be AVALANCHE's leader. That's all I have to say.

3. Dyne - Is it me or do I have a thing for dead characters. Damn you, Square. Why do you kill the cool characters. Dyne could've been a playable character in place of Barret. (like Zack to Cloud) I particularily like his "Limit Breaks", Needle Gun, S-Mine and Cocktail Molotov. Give him Barret's more powerful Catastrophe and Ungermax and we WOULD have a substitute. Anyhow, props to Biggs and Dyne, dispite their contribution to the game.