10 Best RPG Party Members Of All Time, Ranked

When it comes to party-based role-playing games, the success of your adventure often depends on the abilities of your team members. Choosing the right companions with complementary skills and personalities can mean the difference between victory and defeat.

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However, not all party members are built the same, as some excel at dealing damage, while others specialize in healing or support. You may meet stoic warriors or lovable rogues. Taking into account their combat abilities, utility, and overall likability, this list will introduce the best RPG party members.

10 Kingdom Hearts 2 – Riku

When Riku finally joins Sora’s party in Kingdom Hearts 2, it is legitimately one of the game’s best moments. As he is designed with the final boss in mind, Riku brings in some much-needed physical damage, making him almost as strong as Sora. He is also great at defense, thanks to his Limit Break, which protects his allies.

Nothing beats the feeling of fighting side by side ever since you got introduced to these two childhood friends. Their united team attack is also one of the best in the series, combining both light and darkness elements.

9 Persona 4 – Kanji Tatsumi

The Persona games are famous for their great and complex characters, and Persona 4 offers the most likeable party member. Kanji Tatsumi is a complex and misunderstood young man with a touching arc backed with phenomenal voice acting. He is surrounded by rumors, and instead of dispelling them he embraces them.

He keeps dying his hair, dressing like a ruffian, and getting into fights, while at the same time being interested in commonly seen feminine hobbies, such as crochet or cooking. His dungeon reveals his inner worries and more about his character. Plus he makes an irreplaceable member during one of the best RPG boss fights thanks to his combat power.

8 Mass Effect – Garrus Vakarian

Garrus Vakarian is by far the best companion in Mass Effect and is someone who always has your back. If you choose to interact with him, you can have one of the best friendships in gaming, or something even deeper. He is a loyal character with one of the best personal story arcs.

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Garrus makes for a valuable asset in combat and Shepard’s team thanks to his sharpshooting skills and unique personality. His snarky comments and deadpan jokes provide a welcome relief amid some intense moments.

7 Chrono Trigger – Frog

Chrono Trigger is an excellent RPG. It has it all, from great boss fights you are supposed to lose, to the most lovable protagonist. The main hero is not, though, the only likeable character, as he needs various companions to complete his quest. One of these party members is Frog.

Frog has the most elaborate backstory of the entire main cast; he used to be Glenn the Squire, but after witnessing his best friend’s death, he was cursed to live life as a giant frog. He shows great character development as he embraces his new form and strives to become stronger to defeat Magus.

Skyrim is one of the best open-world adventure games and it offers you a variety of great followers to choose from. J’zargo may not be the strongest out of all of them, but he is the favorite among the fans. His colorful personality and comical third-person dialogue make for some great moments in the game.

While he is not the strongest, he has immensely powerful destruction spells, which destroy enemies easily. Aside from the magical damage, he can also heal you if needed, making him a versatile follower.

5 Dragon Age: Origins – Alistair Theirin

Alistair Theirin is one of the best companions in Dragon Age, and also one of the first you will meet. He is a man who acts tougher than he is, yet has a charming personality and a unique backstory. His humor and wit provide a welcome relief from the game’s darker themes, while his personal journey and struggles make him quite a relatable character.

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It is not only his personality that is appreciated, as he is pretty valuable in combat as well. He works as an excellent tank drawing the enemies’ attention away from other party members.

4 Fallout – Dogmeat

Fallout games have you usually traveling alone around vast wastelands, fighting mutant monsters, and constantly facing danger. While some games may let you get a human companion, it is Dogmeat that makes the best party member. The way you meet the dog differs in the games, but in the end, he becomes an irreplaceable friend.

Dogmeat can sniff out enemies, find hidden items, or even alert you to potential threats. He offers undying loyalty, and his presence provides a sense of companionship and comfort in the harsh wasteland.

3 Pokémon – Arceus

Over one thousand Pokémon have been introduced, but the most powerful and best to have in your party is Arceus. It is a normal type Mythical Pokémon, and the creator of the universe, making it something close to a god. Time, space, and antimatter were all created when Arceus hatched from its egg.

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Arceus also has the special ability to change its type based on the crystal it is holding. Hyper Voice and Beam, as well as Judgment are its best attacks, and deal lots of damage in any battle.

2 Xeno – KOS-MOS

The Xeno series offers some great gameplay, immersive stories, and colorful characters. Among all the companions you can interact with, KOS-MOS is the best. She has built a huge and loyal fanbase, making her the poster girl of the franchise. That is understandable, as her design, personality, and character development make her stand out from the other characters.

Her sleek and futuristic appearance fits the game’s sci-fi setting, and her wide range of powerful abilities make her invaluable in combat. In terms of personality, she appears cold and distant in the beginning, as she is struggling to understand human emotions.

1 Final Fantasy IX – Vivi Ornitier

Vivi makes for the most iconic and beloved companion in the Final Fantasy series. Thanks to his great popularity, he has become something akin to a mascot of the franchise. His design, including his distinctive straw hat and cloak, make him stand out from the rest of the cast.

Vivi is a black mage and possesses invaluable combat magic abilities, that make him a valuable asset in the party. His personal journey sets him also apart as he grapples with existential questions, making him a relatable and sympathetic character.

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