PvP Job Series: Ninja

As we continue going through each generic job in Final Fantasy Tactics, we will cover the competitive viability of the Ninja job as the main role in PvP.

PvP Performance Statcard

Based on the ratings, Ninja is one of the top-tier jobs for PvP. Let’s focus on more of why that is the case below.

For more information on this job, visit the job link: Ninja

Abilities

Ninja’s Throw ability allows you to propel weapons, shurikens, and bombs from a distance for instant damage. The item thrown is consumed from your inventory so you do want to make sure you have a decent quantity at the ready. Throw’s damage scales up with the weapon’s Power and your character’s Speed which is fitting with Ninja’s innately high Speed which we will cover in the Stats section. Since there are multiple properties with Throw we will cover them first before going over abilities:

● Is considered a physical attack (can be mitigated via Protect and Defense Boost).
● Throw’s element becomes the thrown weapon’s element (if any).
● The range is based on your Move stat.
● Throw cannot be reflected but can be evaded, stopped via Shirahadori, or caught via Sticky Fingers.
● Throw does not benefit from Attack Boost or Vehemence.
● Weapons only obtainable in multiplayer modes can never be thrown.

Now with that being said, let’s look at their job abilities:

Throw (action, high weapon power) – Throw, coupled with weapons with high power such as Chaos Blade or Chirijiraden, can deal quite a bit of damage instantly.

Reflexes (reaction) – This always-on reaction ability doubles all of your physical and magic evasion rates. This paired with cloaks enables you to be quite evasive even from behind, a specific issue with using shields.

Dual-Wield (support) – This passive enables you to equip two one-handed weapons, allowing you to strike twice with a basic attack as well as providing an extra slot for weapons that have stat bonuses. This also gives you a second chance at rending via Arts of War. Ninjas innately have this ability.

Stats

Stats as a primary job: HP: 70% | MP: 50% | SP: 120% | PA: 122% | MA: 75%
C-EV: 30 | Move: 4 | Jump: 4

Can equip: Knives, Ninja Blades, Flails, Hats, Clothing

Ninjas are the fastest generic job with their 120% Speed (tied only to Mime), have an excellent starting Move and Jump of 4 and 30% evasion, and fairly high Physical Attack. Because of their Speed, they are also good options for opening plays with support Iaido skills, like Kiyomori (protect and shell) to quickly get vital buffs out to the party. On the downside, they aren’t bulky and are not keen on magicks, but their versatility is what makes them such an enticing primary job in PvP.

Conclusion

Ninja is easily one of the top PvP job options because of their ability to make fast plays happen quickly, which in formats like Starter, is very vital towards success. They synergize very well with other physical skillsets and Throw is an all-round good ability even as a secondary for instant damage. Their innate Dual-Wield opens up a variety of different stat optimizations. Ultimately, Ninjas are a great asset for any team.