FINAL FANTASY JOB CONVERSION GUIDE (D&D 5.5E)

This guide translates iconic Final Fantasy Jobs into D&D 5.5e subclasses, official expansions, and approved third-party options, organized alphabetically for easy player reference. This list is only a suggestion.

This is not a final or full list. Players are encouraged to come up with your own builds in DND beyond and re-flavor them to a job.

ASTROLOGIAN

• Primary Build: Circle of the Stars Druid (5.5e)

• Alternative Build: Divination Wizard (5.5e)

• Core Fantasy: Diviner reading celestial constellations and drawing fate-altering cards ("Star Map" / "Portent") to alter outcomes for allies and enemies.

BARD / SONGSTRESS

• Primary Build: College of Glamour Bard (5.5e)

• Alternative Build: College of Valor Bard (5.5e)

• Core Fantasy: Backline tactical support manipulating emotions, buffing allies, and charming foes with instruments and vocal songs ("Minuet", "Paean", "Lullaby").

BEASTMASTER

• Primary Build: Beast Master Ranger (5.5e)

• Alternative Build: Circle of the Shepherd Druid (5.5e)

• Core Fantasy: Taming, commanding, and fighting alongside a loyal monster companion ("Capture" / "Control") to execute coordinated tandem strikes.

BLACK MAGE

• Primary Build: Evocation Wizard (5.5e)

• Alternative Build: Draconic Sorcerer (5.5e)

• Core Fantasy: Pure elemental devastation, commanding fire, ice, and lightning tiers, culminating in apocalyptic spells like "Flare" and "Meteor."

BLUE MAGE

• Primary Build: College of Lore Bard (5.5e)

• Alternative Build: Monster Hunter [Devourer Guild] (Grim Hollow)

• Core Fantasy: Studies and absorbs fiend abilities. Cutting Words mimics "Bad Breath", while Magical Secrets represents learning monster actions directly in combat.

DANCER

• Primary Build: College of Dance Bard (5.5e)

• Alternative Build: College of Swords Bard (5.5e)

• Core Fantasy: Unarmored, rhythmic skirmisher who weaves through melee to buff party damage and inspire allies through synchronized steps.

DARK KNIGHT

• Primary Build: The Illrigger (Revised) (MCDM)

• Alternative Build: Oath of Vengeance Paladin (5.5e)

• Core Fantasy: Sacrifices health and defense to fuel devastating dark strikes. Baleful Interdict or necrotic-flavored Divine Smites represent iconic abilities like "Darkside" and "Souleater."

DRAGOON

• Primary Build: Steal Hawk

• Alternative Build: Eldritch Knight Fighter (5.5e)

• Core Fantasy: Polearm specialist executing vertical "Jump" dive attacks using Step of the Wind, high-jump mechanics, and elemental bursts upon landing.

GEOMANCER

• Primary Build: Circle of the Land Druid (5.5e)

• Alternative Build: Warrior of the Elements Monk (5.5e)

• Core Fantasy: Direct conduit for regional land spirits, pulling offensive and defensive terrain magic based on the active biome ("Terrain", "Earthquake").

GREEN MAGE

• Primary Build: Abjuration Wizard (5.5e)

• Alternative Build: College of Glamour Bard (5.5e)

• Core Fantasy: Defensive barrier and crowd-control specialist. Employs "Protect", "Shell", "Blind", "Silence", and "Sleep" while safeguarding allies via Arcane Ward.

GUNBREAKER

• Primary Build: Eldritch Knight Fighter (5.5e)

• Alternative Build: Battle Smith Artificer (Eberron)

• Core Fantasy: Heavy-blade vanguard equipped with a cylinder trigger. Spell slots represent loading, charging, and detonating explosive ammunition during melee swings.

MACHINIST / GUNNER

• Primary Build: The Gunslinger (Valda’s Spire of Secrets)

• Alternative Build: Artillerist Artificer (Eberron)

• Core Fantasy: Magitech firearm expert using specialized elemental cartridges, trick shots, and deployable gadgets or automated turrets.

MONK / BLACK BELT

• Primary Build: Warrior of the Open Hand Monk (5.5e)

• Alternative Build: The Pugilist (2024) (Benjamin Huffman)

• Core Fantasy: Bare-knuckle master. The Monk provides agile, mystical Ki/Focus strikes; the Pugilist delivers brute-force tavern brawling, grappling, and Moxie combos.

NINJA

• Primary Build: Warrior of Shadow Monk (5.5e)

• Alternative Build: Assassin or Thief Rogue (5.5e)

• Core Fantasy: Dual-wielding scout, stealth infiltrator, thrown shurikens, and short-range Ninjutsu (casting darkness, silence, and elemental effects via Focus).

PALADIN / KNIGHT

• Primary Build: Oath of Devotion Paladin (5.5e)

• Alternative Build: Battle Master Fighter (5.5e)

• Core Fantasy: Heavy armor frontline defender, protective radiant auras, and the classic "Cover" reaction using the Protection or Interception Fighting Style.

RANGER / HUNTER

• Primary Build: Hunter Ranger (5.5e)

• Alternative Build: Monster Hunter (Grim Hollow)

• Core Fantasy: Master archer and tracker. Grim Hollow’s Monster Hunter adds the "Monster Grimoire" to exploit fiend weaknesses in the field.

RED MAGE

• Primary Build: College of Swords Bard (5.5e)

• Alternative Build: Bladesinger Wizard (5.5e)

• Core Fantasy: Versatile rapier fencer combining martial agility with both restorative and offensive magic. The Metamagic Adept feat unlocks the iconic "Dualcast."

SAMURAI

• Primary Build: Battle Master Fighter (5.5e)

• Alternative Build: Way of the Kensei Monk

• Core Fantasy: High-precision swordplay ("Iaijutsu"), defensive stances ("Third Eye"), and explosive weapon arts driven by superiority dice.

SCHOLAR

• Primary Build: Order of Scribes Wizard (5.5e)

• Alternative Build: Circle of Dreams Druid (5.5e)

• Core Fantasy: Battlefield strategist commanding an arcane familiar (Fairy or Carbuncle) to deploy defensive barriers and tactical support via an awakened military grimoire.

SUMMONER

• Primary Build: Custom Homebrew Subclass (Completed)

• Alternative Build: —

• Core Fantasy: Conjures massive Eidolons and Espers to turn the tide of battle with catastrophic elemental strikes.

THE MORPHER

• Primary Build: Circle of the Moon Druid (5.5e)

• Alternative Build: Path of the Beast Barbarian (5.5e)

• Core Fantasy: Equips captured "Monster Souls" (Wild Shape) to physically transform into setting fiends such as Coeurls, Chocobos, and Behemoth-kin.

THIEF

• Primary Build: Thief Rogue (5.5e)

• Alternative Build: Arcane Trickster Rogue (5.5e)

• Core Fantasy: Maximum agility, backstabs, and Fast Hands for rapid "Steal" attempts or deploying items and potions as a Bonus Action.

TIME MAGE

• Primary Build: Chronurgy Wizard (Explorer's Guide to Wildemount)

• Alternative Build: Clockwork Soul Sorcerer (5.5e)

• Core Fantasy: Master of reality, gravity, and initiative. Commands temporal magic like "Haste", "Slow", "Stop", and "Gravity."

WARRIOR / BERSERKER

• Primary Build: Path of the Berserker Barbarian (5.5e)

• Alternative Build: Champion Fighter (5.5e)

• Core Fantasy: Pure physical aggression, wielding colossal greataxes or greatswords, relentless melee attacks, and crushing critical strikes.

WHITE MAGE

• Primary Build: Life Cleric (5.5e)

• Alternative Build: Divine Soul Sorcerer (5.5e)

• Core Fantasy: The quintessential healer specializing in reactive restoration ("Cure", "Cura", "Curaga"), cleansing debuffs ("Esuna"), and revivals ("Raise").