Penelo is alright in XII, however she's not as weak as Fran, and she has better magical capabilities, so she's definetly not that bad in X. Ashe is w/out a doubt the best female and surprising, Vaan is the best character in the game, but that's another time.

However, I've used a cheat to keep having Aeris even beyond her death, and that's the reason why she's placed where she is. She only has her limit break, outside of that, she's decent at best, also her final weapon not giving her a full group of slots is another small factor as well.

I probably most likely will, however, I don't know if I'll do one for IX, since although I did play it, and power lvl them all to max and obtained everything, I didn't do enough testing to decide who's the best, "but" I can do one for that.

As for X, believe me, I finished the entire sphere grid, infact I deleted it all and re-added it all so everyone could be 255 stats, I can definetly do a tier listing for that, and I'll do one for VIII as well, and maybe even the earlier ones like IV and stuff.

So, from a different perspective, each character initially has been judged on base stats and limit breaks, however in FF7 sadly, or in any of the FF's really doesn't depend on the base stats for that long, you just develop playing favorite with different characters. For instance, they all do 9999 damage near the end of the game. Lets just say, if you can be BOTHERED to max out barret to 9999 with the help of a couple of power sources, sure. he's the strongest. But how easy is it to just omnislash it up? there aren't many mobs or bosses even that can stand up to cloud's level 4 ulti at the best of times, and near the end of the game, not many can stand up to any of the characters ulti (even tifa's if you've got the trick of the slots). I agree with vincent though. He's not the strongest character, but if you're playing through the game trying to beat the 12 hour score for completion, a little bit of galian beast doesn't go awry. Cid's highwind is awesome. Give any of the characters a mystile at level 99 and they're virtually unhittable from most spells and attacks. I think aeris is honestly nearer the worst of the characters because by the time you're at temple of ancients, playing a reasonable game not going mad from just pure grinding, she's around level 30-40, with her princess guard and bolt 3 quake 2 regen and the like. she's got lower hp and needs to be played a lot more, but I don't get the point of some of her limit breaks. Breath of the earth? Fury Brand? which actually tops the frustration of barrets mindblow (personally).
Some good points, but overall its just how you play your game in FF, and regardless of how others do, you might not choose to just use limit breaks all the time, and could go for the classic fun of counter-mime on all slots, or even a 4-cut with tifa and a slash all-longrange with vincent. Cait Sith has got the hp to be quite a fun tank, but otherwise, yes, he might as well be quina from FF9. Goddamn quina. Just saying from a different perspective, that's all.

Why am I not surprised? Vincent's limit breaks were cool but it sucks to not have the chance to control him. Like there was this time when he keeps on using his fire attacks (I forgot what its called) but instead of beating the opponent he ends up healing him. I totally agree that Cloud and Yuffie share the same spot. There's no doubt that Yuffie and Cloud's limit breaks were awesome and useful.

I agree with this list!
Cid is my favorite character, and he was way stronger than Cloud. What's up with main characters being....average? Except Tidus in X...all he had was speed.

Oh, and in my first game I used Cait Sith. He really sucked.

Actually, Vincent has one saving point. His death penalty adds damage for every mob he kills right? seeing as how the game has a glitch of displaying more than 4 figures in damage, vincent can do more than 4 figures, even up to 6 figures, in one shot. Which means he could take any of the weapons, in 1 or 2 rounds, tops.
Try it out. If not, just youtube 'vincent emerald weapon'

Excellent list.

I've never really looked at it like that, not been much of a Yuffie fan so i havent really used her that much and took no notice of her limits. As for Vincent well..i totally agree, he was arguably the best character in the game although i didnt like Cloud too much. But his limit was pathetic, i healed that same monster. Didnt know about the glitch..need to try that someday.