Perhaps one of the most popular titles in the entire Final Fantasy franchise, Final Fantasy VII features a diverse cast of immensely powerful and engaging characters who make up one of the most iconic parties. Their adventures have spanned multiple games and titles, even going so far as being featured in a movie.
In a way that replicates the average Dungeons & Dragons campaign, the original Final Fantasy VII game follows this group of adventurers who use their collective and related goals to drive the narrative of the game's story. Putting this comparison into context brings to mind the idea of how these iconic characters would fit into the D&D world as their own adventuring party.
10 Cloud Strife: Eldritch Knight Fighter
The party's leader, Cloud, is famously known as a swordsman, always paired with his trademark Buster Sword. Naturally, he would be a Fighter, a class that capitalizes on his high strength stat. As a Fighter, Cloud would assume the Great Weapon Fighting style due to its emphasis on two-handed weapon wielding. With Action Surge, he could replicate his multi-hit Limit Breaks, gaining more attack opportunities at higher levels.
The Ex-SOLDIER's background would unmistakably be Soldier, and he could utilize the Great Weapon Master feat to capitalize his proficiency with heavy weapons. Additionally, because of Cloud's affinity for simultaneous swordsmanship and magic (having the second-highest magic stat), he would adopt the Eldritch Knight archetype, which enables him spell (Materia) slots at 3rd level.
9 Tifa Lockhart: Way Of The Open Hand Monk
Hand-to-hand combat has always been Tifa's specialty. Therefore, the Monk class would best accentuate her martial arts prowess. Not to mention, Tifa already reflects the Final Fantasy Monk job class, so translating that to D&D isn't difficult. She could obtain the Martial Adept feat to further develop her skillset, using it to receive Battle Master Maneuvers to represent her extensive martial arts training.
While Tifa might fit a Drunken Master Monk due to her bartending experience, this may be better represented with the Tavern Brawler feat. Plus, abilities from Way of the Open Hand parallel her gameplay mechanics more accurately: Open Hand Technique would reflect her Limit Breaks' added damage, and Wholeness of Body would replicate her ability to cast healing magic through Materia.
8 Barret Wallace: Hunter Ranger
As a long-range expert, Barret would perfectly fit a Ranger — except instead of crossbows, he would wield his gun-arm. Though not a typical D&D enemy, his Favored Enemy would be Shinra given his knowledge and past with them. Barret would have the Gunner feat, with his expertise in firearms, but could also take Inspiring Leader for his in-game motivational dialogue moments.
His specific conclave would be Hunter as it best represents his desire to protect civilization; further, any chosen Defensive Tactics or Superior Hunter's Defense would align with Barret's usefulness as a tank. In terms of background, Barret could be a Faction Agent due to his leadership and work with AVALANCHE.
7 Aerith Gainsborough: Life Domain Cleric
Holding the party's highest magic stat, Aerith has always been suited for magic — particularly curative. As such, it would make sense to direct her toward a Cleric since the class would situate stronger with her healing properties. With her Lifestream connection, she would logically be a Life Domain Cleric. Unconventionally, her power would not come from a deity, but from the Lifestream itself.
A descendant from an ancient race with powerful magic, she could take the Sage background with the Ritual Caster feat. With access to spells like Healing Word and Revivify, her curative arsenal would rival her Limit Breaks, and access to rituals like Commune with Nature and Augury would narratively demonstrate her relationship to the Lifestream.
6 Red XIII: Circle Of The Moon Druid
Red XIII is a unique party member, being the only quadruped. With his wolf/lion-like appearance and nature bond, it seems fitting to make him a Druid. The duality of his animalistic and human natures lean into the Druid's Wild Shape, which reflects Red XIII's transformative abilities to go from feral to intelligent and honorable.
In terms of Druid Circle, the most accurate would be Circle of the Moon. His moon connection is highlighted in several instances throughout the first game: he howls at the moon upon discovering the truth of his father's sacrifice, and his Limit Breaks display moon/earthly symbolism (Howling Moon being a clear example).
5 Cait Sith: Wild Magic Sorcerer
Bringing gambling to this party with his megaphones and animatronic Moogle is none other than Cait Sith. As a strong magic user (tied with Vincent for third-highest magic), Cait Sith would thrive in a spellcaster class. With the Spy background to start, this could organically turn into Gambler to show his development from Shinra spy to chance-based combatant.
Although narratively, Cait South would work as a Warlock (Reeve as his patron), his fighting style fits better under the Sorcerer class. His build already models the Final Fantasy Gambler class, which would mirror the unpredictability of Wild Magic. This would also display his Limit Breaks, Dice, and Slots, quite accurately.
4 Cid Highwind: Champion Fighter
A Renowned pilot with a temper and an overall fantastic fighter, Cid is a character that maximizes damage. While no D&D class perfectly replicates Final Fantasy's Dragoon, a Fighter is still fitting for Cid since it emphasizes his strong suits: strength and melee attacks. Unlike Cloud, Cid doesn't use swords, favoring weapons like spears instead. Therefore, it would make sense for him to gain the Polearm Master feat in order to highlight his weapon choice.
Although there are no backgrounds pertaining to planes, Cid could fit the Marine or Caravan Specialist backgrounds to demonstrate his vehicle proficiency. His Champion archetype would demonstrate his overall skill, proven by his leadership position in Cloud and Tifa's absence.
3 Yuffie Kisaragi: Thief Rogue
No class could perfectly encapsulate the rashness, speed, and unpredictability of this Materia lover more than the Rogue. In the game, Yuffie is seen using giant long-range weapons and has a solid dexterity stat, which both translate well to Rogue-like builds. As a Rogue, she would gain access to Sneak Attack, which is reminiscent of the Materia with the same name.
Because of Yuffie's stealing habits throughout the game, in which she steals items after a defeat and, at one point, steals the party's Materia, Thief is the clear archetype for her. Her proficiency in Sleight of Hand and access to Fast Hands at 3rd level would represent the Steal Materia, another Materia that fits Yuffie's in-game personality.
2 Vincent Valentine: Path Of The Beast Barbarian
A man with a mysterious past, Vincent is an overall compelling member of this party. As a result of past experimentation, Vincent's Limit Breaks feature him transforming into different chaotic beasts — this transformation synonymous with the Barbarian's rage. While not one to ever show a conventional "rage" outside of his berserk-like state, the brooding anger beneath the gun-wielder's demeanor fits well into this class, especially when considering the remarkable power boost gained from his transformations.
With his past always in mind, Vincent could have the Haunted One background and could acquire the Sharpshooter feat to emphasize his gun-wielding skills. While unable to cast magic while raging, picking up the Magic Initiate feat would coincide with his statistically strong magic abilities that he could utilize when not raging.
1 Sephiroth: Oathbreaker Paladin
Even though he's not an actual party member, this list would be incomplete without the iconic Final Fantasy villain. Sephiroth would fall under the Paladin class, a class all about divine power and devotion to a deity. In this context, his deity would be JENOVA, the one responsible for pushing him towards insanity. As a Paladin, Sephiroth's fighting style would mirror Cloud's (Great Weapon Fighting), since both use oversized two-handed swords.
Unlike regular Paladins, however, Sephiroth's oath would be one of evil, contextualizing his dark ambitions. Being an Oathbreaker, his spells would stray from the thematically holy and divine spells of a typical Paladin, instead pertaining to the undead, darkness, and curses. At 15th level he would gain Supernatural Resistance, a reflection of his abilities as the final boss.