FINAL FANTASY: A celebration of Cids
We take a loving look at characters called Cid throughout the FINAL FANTASY series. Which is your favorite?
What would FINAL FANTASY be without its Cids?
Almost every game in the series features a character with the name âCidâ. From cynical engineers to affable educators, each one is as distinct and memorable as the game he appears in.
Itâs an important part of the series, so we thought it was long overdue to take a tour through the series to celebrate these fantastic FINAL FANTASY fellows.
So, without further ado, letâs take a loving look at some of the Ciddiest Cids who ever Cidded.
âŠno, we donât really know what that means either.
The OG Cid - FINAL FANTASY II pixel remaster
This Cid was the first character in the series to have the name - and heâs more than worthy of it. He was the first to have an airship, beginning the series-spanning love affair between Cids and flight.
Initially, he operates his craft as a simple transport service, but as heâs drawn into the gameâs central conflict, that airship becomes pivotal for the main heroesâ adventure.
Cid Haze - FINAL FANTASY III pixel remaster
Cid Haze is an eccentric inventor from the town of Canaan, whose mechanical skills are only matched by his impressively bushy beard.
He faces many hardships over the course of FINAL FANTASY III, from incorporeal curses to the illness of his beloved wife. Despite this, he remains a positive, jovial figure whoâs ready to help our heroes when they need it most.
Cid Pollendina - FINAL FANTASY IV pixel remaster
The next Cid didnât just make airships - he made history.
Burly, boisterous and brilliantly-bearded, Cid Pollendina also has the distinction of being the first playable Cid in the series!
Heâs the master engineer for the Red Wings - the air force of the mighty kingdom of Baron, and his unrivalled mechanical knowhow has turned the group into something to be reckoned with. Despite this job, he has a strong moral compass, and is unafraid to stand up for whatâs right - even at the risk of his own liberty.
This Cid can also be somewhat brash, possessed of a level of self-belief that could be considered arrogance⊠if he didnât have the skills to back it up. Despite his sometimes prickly personality, heâs a good friend to hero Cecil and a beloved character in his own right.
Plus, his eventual role as a party member raised the profiles of Cids for the entire series. In our book, that makes him a V.I.C: Very Important Cid.
Professor Cid Previa - FINAL FANTASY V pixel remaster
FINAL FANTASY Vâs Cid swapped engineering for academia - though his penchant for tinkering remains intact.
Professor Cid Previa is a researcher, who has devoted his life to the study of elemental crystals that are fundamental to his worldâs existence. He was responsible for crystal amplification devices, which brought prosperity to the areas that used them⊠until they didnât.
Flaws with the design caused severe damage to the crystals, and the professor is riddled with guilt as a result. But this noble-hearted Cid isnât one to stand around feeling sorry for himself and throws himself into more projects, determined to make amends for his mistake.
Cid Del Norte Marguez - FINAL FANTASY VI pixel remaster
Cid Del Norte Marguez is a prime example of âjust because you can, doesnât mean you should.â
As the chief scientist for the evil Gestahlian Empire, Cidâs made some mistakes. His genius created the Magitek that gives the Emperorâs forces such power. He pushed his surrogate daughter Celes into armed service. And perhaps worst of all, heâs directly responsible for Kefkaâs power and⊠unpredictable mental state.
Itâs not exactly a glowing resume, is it?
Even so, this Cid is a surprisingly gentle man, who favors peace and diplomacy over violence. When he realises the dark truth behind his technology - and the darker intentions of those who use it - he takes action to try to put things right.
Plus, his relationship with Celes leads to some of the most powerful moments in the gameâŠ
Cid Highwind - FINAL FANTASY VII
Arguably the most famous Cid of all, the high-flying Mr. Highwind has a very prominent role in FINAL FANTASY VII.
When we first meet Cid, heâs a broken man. Once he was to be the first person to travel into space, but an aborted launch and the shuttering of Shinraâs space program have left his dreams in ruins.
But when heâs drawn into Cloud and companyâs conflict with Shinra, he finds renewed purpose. His skills with a spear make him a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield, and heâs the natural choice of captain for the teamâs airship. He even has a brief stint as leader when Cloud is otherwise indisposed.
In short, heâs an essential member of the team, and a Cid to be reckoned with.
Cid Kramer - FINAL FANTASY VIII Remastered
This unconventional Cid wears a lot of (metaphorical) hats. Heâs the founder of the mercenary group SeeD and acts as headmaster of Balamb Garden, one of its training schools.
As befits an educator, heâs a kind and nurturing man, who wants his students to achieve their best - and to keep thinking for themselves. He takes every opportunity to push the closed-off Squall into embracing his potential as a leader.
Having an administrative role, rather than an engineering or piloting one, makes him something of an anomaly among his other Cids. He doesnât even have an airship.
âŠor does he?
Cid Fabool IX - FINAL FANTASY IX
Cid Fabool IX is the Regent of Lindblum, and a mechanical genius, responsible for inventing many airships, including the revolutionary Hilda Garde II.
At least⊠he was. By the time we meet him in FINAL FANTASY IX, Cidâs suffered an unfortunate transformation into an oglop, a condition that affects both his physical appearance and mental capacities.
Before you feel too sorry for him, he did bring it on himself - itâs his wifeâs Hildaâs punishment for his infidelity.
Despite his flaws, this Cid is a wise man (or oglop) who has the best intentions in mind for his city and Princess Garnet and goes above and beyond to help the team throughout the game.
Oglop or not, heâs a Cid through and through.
Cid - FINAL FANTASY X HD
This surname-less Cid is the leader of the Al Bhed tribe, and - in true Cid-style - the captain of an airship.
While bossy and tactless, heâs a strong leader who is well-liked by his people. That may be because this Cid isnât just technically adept - heâs also a man of action. If he has a plan in mind, heâll follow through, no matter the consequences.
He has a close familial connection to members of the party - heâs the father of Rikku and uncle of Yuna and will do anything to protect his family. Even if it can be a little⊠extreme at times.
Cid - FINAL FANTASY XI
Cid is the most accomplished engineer in FINAL FANTASY XIâs world of Vana'diel. His inventive genius isnât unrecognised either as his work has brought wealth to Bastok and turned him into a person of influence within the Republic.
Typically found in his workshop in the Metalworks, Cid has plenty to keep budding adventurers busy, and has a major role in the Chains of Promathia expansion.
Yes, it involves airships.
Doctor Cid - FINAL FANTASY XII THE ZODIAC AGE
This genius scientist is the head of the Archadian Empireâs Draklor Laboratory.
A brilliant and insightful man, he believes his research and development of Manufactured Nethicite as a way to give humanity control of its own destiny. Of course, passion can give way to obsessionâŠ
Without wishing to give too much away, the doctorâs a very different type of Cid compared to previous games â and one of the most memorable. If youâve played the game, you know what we mean. And if you havenât⊠go play FINAL FANTASY XII THE ZODIAC AGE and find out. You wonât regret it!
Cid Raines - FINAL FANTASY XIII
The youngest Cid in the series is also one of the most complex and elusive.
Cid Raines is a commander in Sanctumâs Guardian Corps, and captains the gargantuan airship the Lindblum (the series does love a callback!).
Despite working for the organisation pursuing our heroes, Cidâs a polite and friendly face, offering hospitality and co-operation to a captured Snow, and helping the party out on future occasions.
Of course, thereâs more going on than his cultured demeanour would suggest, and the dashing young commander has complex motives and a few secrets of his ownâŠ
Cid Garlond - FINAL FANTASY XIV Online
Is this the hunkiest Cid in FINAL FANTASY? We couldnât possibly comment butâŠ
*looks at social media*
âŠapparently you can.
FINAL FANTASY XIV Onlineâs Cid Garlond is a defector from the warmongering Garlean Empire, who tries to use his powerful magitek creations to improve lives rather than take them.
Despite his complex past, including an inconvenient case of amnesia, heâs a warm, optimistic, and important ally for the Warrior of Light. His technical assistance, advice, and airship get the adventurer out of more than one scrape over the course of A Realm Reborn and its expansions.
Cid Sophiar - FINAL FANTASY XV
Once a close companion of King Regis Lucis Caelum, Cid now runs a mechanics in Hammerhead, along with his granddaughter Cindy.
Heâs more hands-off than other Cids, preferring to let Cindy take care of the nuts and bolts of the work, but heâs still an important figure in the game, providing technical support and even a boat to Noctis and his entourage.
Despite his gruff, curmudgeonly demeanour, Cid has a big heart and looks out for Noctis in various ways. Not only does he improve their weapons throughout the adventure, heâs also ready to deliver some brutal home truths that prepare the pampered prince for the trials ahead.
As you can see, the name Cid spreads far and wide across the FINAL FANTASY series. And of course, this is just the numbered entries - the spin-offs have plenty of Cids of their own too!
But this is long enough already, so weâll end it here. Thanks for joining us on this celebration of Cids⊠but which is your favorite? Let us know on social media:
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