In the world of Final Fantasy, there exist powerful forces that seek to aid, and sometimes hinder, adventurers. These forces go by many names like Esper, Guardian Force, Aeon, Summon, and Eidolon in the world of Final Fantasy​​​​​​. No matter what they may be called, they can be powerful allies or enemies in the heroes' quest to save the world.

One such entity that has become a staple in the series is the goddess of snow and ice, Shiva. She is typically depicted as a voluptuous woman with gray or blue skin and long-flowing garments with cool colors to match her icy powers. Her signature attack is Diamond Dust, which typically encases foes in ice before shattering them. Along with Ifrit and Bahamut, Shiva is one of the few summons to appear in every main series game from Final Fantasy 3 through Final Fantasy 15.

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Final Fantasy 3

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Shiva first appeared in Final Fantasy 3 and could be summoned by evokers, summoners, and sages. Her aid could be acquired by purchasing the level 2 summon magic spell Icen. Dependent on the job that summoned her, Shiva could make use of different abilities.

Final Fantasy 4 Series

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Shiva comes with Rydia after she rejoins the adventuring party in the Underworld. Like many other eidolons, she also serves as a boss encounter in the 3D versions. Specifically, she serves as the boss for Rydia's trial in the Lunar Ruins. Shiva would make her return in the 2 spin-off titles: Final Fantasy 4 -Interlude- and Final Fantasy 4: The After Years.

Final Fantasy 5

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In Final Fantasy 5, the summoner class can call upon Shiva to aid the party in battle. In the original releases, this was the first entry where Shiva appeared as a boss. During the fight, she would summon 3 Ice Commanders that must also be defeated to clear the encounter. Once obtained, Shiva would be a level 2 summon.

Final Fantasy 6

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Shiva appeared in Final Fantasy 6 as an esper after the boss fight in the Magitek Research Facility. When used as a magicite, she can teach Blizzard, Blizzara, Osmose, Rasp, and Cure.

Final Fantasy 7 Series

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Shiva would return in Final Fantasy 7, Before Crisis -Final Fantasy 7-, and the Final Fantasy 7 Remake. This also marked the guardian's first rendering in 3D as she assisted Cloud and his allies in their fight against the villanous Sephiroth. Her materia could be obtained from Priscilla after defeating the boss Bottomswell.

Final Fantasy 8

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In Final Fantasy 8, Shiva is one of two Guardian Forces initially assigned to Squall at the start of the game. Her Diamond Dust ability would damage all foes on the field.

Final Fantasy 9

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Shiva can be summoned as an eidolon by Dagger after equipping an opal. Unlike previous versions of the guardian, some story was provided for Shiva in Final Fantasy 9. The summoners initially discovered Shiva as a small child. By the time Dagger finds her, she has grown into her familiar adult form.

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Final Fantasy 10 Series

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Shiva is a powerful aeon that is obtained by Yuna after visiting the fayth in Macalania Temple. As such, Shiva's fayth takes the form of a Macalanian priestess. Her special ability is Heavenly Strike and her Overdrive was the iconic Diamond Dust. Shiva would reprise her role as a boss in both Final Fantasy 10 and 10-2.

Final Fantasy 11

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In Final Fantasy 11, Shiva is one of the celestial Avatars and represents the ice element. The summoner class could unlock the Shiva spell after completing the quest "Trial by Ice".

Final Fantasy 13 Series

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The Twin Sisters of Shiva, Stiria and Nix, are the eidolon team for Snow Villiers. The pair appear as bosses that must be defeated by Snow at Lake Bresha in order to prove his strength to them. In combat, Stiria takes on the Medic and Ravager roles while Nix fills the role of a Commando. In Gestalt Mode, the sisters turn into a motorcycle that Snow can ride.

Final Fantasy 14

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Shiva takes the form of a primal in Final Fantasy 14. Unlike other primals, Shiva plays a fairly important part in the 2.4 patch "Dreams of Ice" and the Heavensward and Shadowbringers expansions. This version of Shiva has the most fleshed out story of all her incarnations and one of the best backing music tracks in the game.

Final Fantasy 15

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Shiva reprises her role as the Goddess of Ice in Final Fantasy 15. She is acquired as a summon in chapter 12 and is summoned randomly after that point, with the Final Fantasy character using her signature Diamond Dust ability.

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