The following contains spoilers for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Final Fantasy 16.
Summary
Known to some as the Lord of Levin, Ramuh is the Lightning Summon ofFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthand has been a mainstay throughout theFinal Fantasyseries. However, his two most recent appearances in bothFinal Fantasy 7 RebirthandFinal Fantasy 16show how each incarnation can differ in power, plot relevance, and even personality.
First appearing inFinal Fantasy 3as a magic entity that Evokers and Summoners can call upon, Ramuh has long been associated with the lightning and thunder elements. With a name inspired by various Hindu myths, Ramuh is depicted as a wise, elderly wizard with a long pale beard, wearing a dark purple robe and wielding a spiked staff that he uses to conjure lightning bolts to electrocute his enemies. His signature attack, Judgment Bolt, deals devastating damage to aquatic and robotic foes alike. As an early-level Summon in the originalFinal Fantasy 7, Ramuh was outclassed by otherSummons such as Bahamut. Though his appearances have been sporadic in theFinal Fantasyfranchise, the wizardly Ramuh would make a prominent return in bothFinal Fantasy 16andFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth, with each game having its spin on him.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Offers A Simple and Traditional Take On Ramuh
Though Ramuh appeared inFinal Fantasy 7 Remake’s Intermission DLC as an unlockable Summon that Yuffie could face in Chadley’s combat simulator, the Lightning entity was not in the base version of the game. But inFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth,Ramuh returned to serving a traditional Summon role. Unlike otherSummon Materia that players can find and upgrade inFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth, obtaining Ramuh’s Materia requires some preparation.
By having saved data from theFF7 RemakeIntermission DLC on the same PS5 console, players can claim Ramuh’s Summon Materiaafter clearing Fall of a Hero, the game’s first chapter. In battle, Ramuh is shown with a stiff expression on his face, as he lets his attacks such as Voltic Lance and Judgment Bolt do the talking for him. While he has no distinct personality traits to speak of, Ramuh is useful for taking on monsters and machines that are weak to the Lightning element, making him a viable entity to call upon throughout the majority ofFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
Final Fantasy 16: The Eikonic Cidolfus Telamon, Dominant of Ramuh
As the Dominant of Ramuh, Cidolfus Telamon ofFinal Fantasy 16is not like other incarnations of either Cid or Ramuh that have been prominent throughoutFinal Fantasy. The gruff, 44-year-old Cid was a rebellious man who wanted to change Valisthea in a way that would be felt by everyone across the realm. Following a battle that ensued during the shattering of the Drake’s Head Mothercystal, Cid would unfortunately not live to see his plans come to fruition. With his dying breath, Cid entrusted Clive with carrying on his name and legacy and entrusted the Dominant of Ifrit to wield the Thunder that Ramuh once did. Carrying on as “Cid the Outlaw” in honor of his fallen mentor and friend,Clive made good use of Ramuh’s Eikonic abilities,including the fabled Judgment Bolt.
When Cid used a “semi-prime” transformation in the early parts ofFinal Fantasy 16, he retained his human form, but his hair turned white as his body pulsed with electricity. While his appearances were brief, Cid only fully became Ramuh as a last resort, since the crystal’s curse took its toll on his body, as evidenced by the gradual petrification of his left arm. Nevertheless, Cid’s blunt but relatable personality, on top of his thunderous magic, made him one ofthe best video game characters of 2023.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
WHERE TO PLAY
Discover a vibrant and vast world in this standalone entry in the Final Fantasy VII remake project. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the second entry in the Final Fantasy VII remake project, which retells the story of the genre-redefining RPG across three distinct games. Iconic heroes Cloud, Barret, Tifa, Aerith and Red XIII have escaped from the dystopian city Midgar and are now in pursuit of Sephiroth, the vengeful swordsman from Cloud’s past who was thought to be dead. This new adventure can be enjoyed by all players, even those who have yet to play Final Fantasy VII Remake or the PlayStation original. Expect a new standard of cinematic storytelling, fast-paced combat and rich exploration across a vast world.
