Monk (job)



The Monk, also known as Black Belt, is a Job class that appears in many of the Final Fantasy games.

Profile
Monks are characterized by their affinity for fighting bare-handed. The few weapons they use consist of claws and knuckles that strap onto their hands. Despite their preference to fight without weapons, Monks can deal just as much damage in battle as any other physical class like Warriors or Dragoons, thanks to their massive physical strength. Monks wear light clothing consisting of robes and hats, and cannot equip heavy armor.

To make up for this lack of protection, Monks have a high amount of HP compared to other classes. Because of the minimal use of armor and weaponry, Monks are one of the cheapest classes to maintain and require little investment in new equipment. Monk abilities include Kick, which damages all enemies, Chakra, which heals the Monk and/or their allies, and they can increase their attack strength with the usage of Focus or Boost. Monks are also able to Counter physical attacks, and in later games have individual skillsets of various special techniques.

Final Fantasy
The Monk, also known as Black Belt, is a physical attacker available at the beginning at the game. Eventually, the class can be upgraded to Master. Final Fantasy is notable for allowing Monks to equip nunchaku, making it one of the few games where Monks use weapons besides claws and knuckles.

Final Fantasy II
Although not addressed as such, Josef has the trademark high strength and vitality of a monk, as well as high hand-to-hand combat skill.

Final Fantasy III
The Monk is a class obtained from the Wind Crystal and specializes in hand-to-hand combat, equipping gloves and claws for battle. A more powerful version, called the Black Belt, can be obtained from the Earth Crystal. The Black Belt is similar to the Master in the first Final Fantasy.

Final Fantasy IV
Yang Fang Leiden appears as the first named monk in the series, and hails from Fabul, a nation renown for their ranks of warrior monks. Several NPCs in Fabul appear as monks, and Yang is fought as a boss under the name "Monk" during the game.

In the Lunar Ruins, a dungeon exclusive to the Advance and  The Complete Collection release, three monk enemies are fought during Yang's trial: The Drillmasters, the Soldier Monks, and the Super Monks.

Final Fantasy IV -Interlude-
Yang returns as a Monk in the sequel of Final Fantasy IV, and he retains all of his skills from the previous game. Two other monks also joins the party as temporary party members and are labeled as Monk A and Monk B.

Final Fantasy IV: The After Years
Yang returns as a monk, and is joined by his daughter Ursula. Three other monks are also temporary party members. They are labeled as Monk A, Monk B, and Monk C and all share the same abilities.

Final Fantasy V
The Monk is a Job class obtained from a shard of the Wind Crystal. It specializes in barehanded combat and has high Attack power. Monks can attack twice for each selected Attack command.

Final Fantasy VI
Sabin Rene Figaro appears as a monk, and is a student to a martial arts master named Duncan, who also trained his son, Vargas. Sabin uses the Blitz skillset, which lets him perform various attacks if the player inputs the proper button commands.

Final Fantasy VII
Tifa Lockhart is a monk trained by Zangan. Her Limit Breaks consist of various physical attacks that increase in strength if the player properly stops a series of slot wheels.

Final Fantasy VIII
Zell Dincht uses his fists in battle, and his Limit Break, Duel, allows him to perform a sequence of attacks depending on which button combinations the player inputs within a time limit.

Final Fantasy IX
Amarant Coral is a combination of a monk and a ninja, and utilizes the Flair ability, which allows him to use special techniques at the cost of MP.

Final Fantasy XI
The Monk is a basic Job, and is given four ranks depending on the player's level, beginning with White Belt. All mandragora and some beastmen are classified as Monks.

Final Fantasy XII
Monks appear only in the International + Zodiac Job System version of the game. They are able to use bare-handed attacks as always, but also utilize poles and White Magick, as well as a number of Technicks. Their License Board has sixteen Battle Lores and twelve HP Lores, more than any other Job.

Final Fantasy XIII
Snow Villiers fights enemies bare-handed in the style of a monk. He does not equip claws or knuckles; instead, he equips coats with emblems that augment his strength.

Final Fantasy XIV
The Pugilist is a Discipline of War, which focuses on hand-to-hand combat. Pugilists fight using fists and gauntlets. Important characters who use this class include the Circle of Knowing member Yda. The Monk job can be unlocked by using this class.

Final Fantasy Type-0
Eight's fighting style is similar to that of a monk. He fights using knuckles. In addition, Class Fifth is attributed to the monk class. Ryid Uruk is a member of Class Fifth, and their class moogle also represents the class.

Final Fantasy Tactics
Monk is available as an off-shoot from a Level 3 Knight. They gain access to numerous abilities that range from healing and reviving to damaging and debuffing enemies.

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
The White Monk is a bangaa-exclusive class. It uses a combination of physical attacks and spiritual powers to battle.

Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift
The White Monk makes a second appearance in this game. A new Job called the Master Monk is also available, and is arguably the most powerful melee class in the game.

Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light


In The 4 Heroes of Light, the Fighter crown excels in bare-handed damage and holds the famous monk Chakra ability. However, a second job, properly named Monk, appears as a magical-based job focused on empowering dead allies and enable them to fight.

Bravely Default
The Monk is one of the basic jobs in Bravely Default. It is obtained alongside the White Mage by defeating Barras Lehr and Holly Whyte.

Final Fantasy Dimensions
Monk is a job class in Final Fantasy Dimensions.

Dissidia Final Fantasy
In the Duel Colosseum, when selected, the Monk Job Card will cause the next battle cards that arrive to the selection area to be weaker.

Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy
The Monk job card reappears in the new Labyrinth mode, and as before reduces the next batch of battle cards to be at minimum strength.

The Monk is also a job that can be selected for a character in the player's Party for Quick Battle, Friend Cards, or wireless matches. It grants +50% physical damage, and unlocks the advanced jobs Berserker and Ninja.

Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade


The Monk is a job in Final Fantasy: Airborne Brigade available from the start. The preferred weapons for the job are fists and staves. The job specializes in strength abilities. The job is involved in the requirements to unlock the Paladin and Ninja jobs.

The Black Belt also appears as a job available after obtaining a level five Berserker and a level five Dancer. The preferred weapons for the job are fists and throwing weapons. The job specializes in strength and agility abilities.

Final Fantasy Artniks
The Monk appears as a character card.

Final Fantasy All the Bravest
The Monk is a character available to the party, he uses the Iron Fist ability during battle. Unlocks at level 8.

Final Fantasy Explorers
Monks use physical attacks. They have low defense, but make up for it with high vitality and the ability to rush down enemies with waves of attacks.

Final Fantasy Trading Card Game
Monk appears in Final Fantasy Trading Card Game with Earth-elemental cards.

Final Fantasy Portal App
Monks from the series appear on a Triple Triad cards.

Square Enix Legend World
The Monk version from Final Fantasy XI appears as a card in the game.

Etymology
A is a person who practices religious asceticism, living either alone or with any number of other monks. A monk may be a person who decided to dedicate his life to serving all other living beings, or to be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live his life in prayer and contemplation. The concept is ancient and can be seen in many religions and in philosophy.