Spoiler Alert: Minor spoilers for the different characters and their roles in the game.
While traveling around Valisthea, Clive partners with a lot of characters. Unfortunately, many of these characters are only in Clive's party temporarily. They will only be there for a quest or two. For instance, the characters Clive starts the game with are only with him for a small amount of time. You'll come across quite a few characters like this during your time playing the game.
However, there are three characters that repeatedly stay in Clive's party and help him throughout the game. These three characters are Cid, Jill, and Torgal. Out of those three, you may be wondering which is the best. All three of them are solid choices as companions. They're strong, cannot die, and work hard to keep Clive safe. This list ranks those three characters that are always by Clive's side.
Updated by Erin Rice on July 6, 2023: The longer Final Fantasy 16 is out, the more players will learn about the game. This update added additional party members that were not known at the time of writing. It also added some in-text links to help players navigate the guide.
You cannot pick your party. The game will decide which characters go with you during which quests in the game. Torgal is the only one who goes with you for most (if not all) of the quests after you find him in the present.
10 Sir Tyler
Sir Tyler is one of the first characters you will run into during your time in Valisthea. He is one of the soldiers from Rosaria (along with Sir Wade) tasked with heading out to kill the Beastmen with Clive. Along the way, you will get to travel with the two characters and learn a little bit about them. Sir Tyler is an excellent companion for Clive. The only reason he is so low on the list is that you don't get to know him for very long.
During the events at Phoenix Gate, Sir Tyler is severely wounded. Thankfully, Joshua is able to use his powers as the Dominant of the Phoenix to heal Sir Tyler. Unfortunately, Sir Tyler is present during the ending events at Phoenix Gate when Phoenix and Ifrit, the two Eikons of Fire, duel. This means that Sir Tyler doesn't survive the night.
9 Tarja
Tarja is another character you'll meet pretty early on in your time adventuring in Valisthea. She is the nurse and healer for Cid's Hideout. You will first meet her when you bring Jill into the Hideout, and she forces you to leave her alone while she heals. At first, it may seem that Tarja is cold or standoffish. In reality, once Clive gets to know her, she is an extremely caring person who wants what is best for everyone. The only reason she isn't higher on the list is that, just like Sir Tyler, players don't get to see her much.
She is an option to have as a party member during the later part of the game. In the quest "Letting Off Steam," you will be able to pick between Tarja and Jill as a party member. In this quest, you will need to go fetch something from the market. While there, if you pick Tarja to accompany you, you will get to have a sweet conversation with her about the old Cid. She will tell you that the two of you are just alike.
8 Otto
Otto is another character you will meet as soon as you make it to Cid's Hideout. However, he is certainly one of them that comes off as rather cold to begin with. He will boss Clive around and act like Clive won't be around long enough to even get to know him. However, once Otto gets to know Clive, he opens up more. By the time you complete Drake's Head, Otto will become Clive's right-hand man.
Otto is another character that joins you for a short amount of time. During the quest "Letting Off Steam," before you get to pick between Jill and Tarja, you get to pick between Gav and Otto. If you pick Otto, the two of you will need to gather sand together. Once this is done, Otto will tell Clive that he was one of the first ones in the Hideout to suggest that Clive takes on Cid's name and role as their leader. This fact is what puts him at this spot on the list.
7 Uncle Byron
Uncle Byron is someone that you will meet once Jill and Clive return to Rosaria. Byron is the brother of Clive's father, Elwin. When the Holy Empire of Sanbreque took over Rosaria, Byron pretended to be for their cause so he could continue to help those who still had faith in Rosaria. When Clive first meets him in the present day, Byron refuses to believe it is him. After all, Clive supposedly died at Phoenix Gate.
After meeting Byron, he will work to help Clive as much as he can. He even visits the Hideout later on, to visit Clive and work with him. There are several missions that you can explore Valisthea with Byron. For example, while you are hunting down Hugo (the first time) Byron will join you. While he needs to keep a low profile around Clive, he still helps when he can. Considering he's Clive's uncle and still wants to support him after all these years, Byron is the perfect addition to the list.
6 Sir Wade
You will meet Sir Wade at the same time that you meet Sir Tyler. He will be tasked with following Clive and Sir Tyler into the Beastmen's lair and destroying it. His loyalty to Clive and to the realm of Rosaria makes him one of the best in the game. Sir Wade, just like Sir Tyler, is one of the soldiers present during Phoenix Gate, and it is thought that he died. During the battle, he ran to Joshua's room to save him from the invasion.
Later in the game, right before you meet Byron, you will meet Sir Wade. Turns out, he survived Phoenix Gate and works to keep Rosaria safe. He and a few other Shields of Rosaria are hiding out, waiting for the chance to take back their homeland. During this time, Sir Wade will join your party again and work with Clive to rid the area of the invading Holy Empire soldiers who are killing everyone in their path. Due to his loyalty and love of his home, he lands this spot on the list.
5 Dion
Dion is the Crown Prince of the Holy Empire of Sanbreque. He is also the Dominant of Bahamut, the King of Dragons, and Eikon of Light. Throughout his time in the game, many believe he is evil due to being the next in line for the throne of the Holy Empire. However, he proves his goodness by rejecting the Empire and trying to convince his father to get rid of Anabella, Clive's mother, who is now the Empress of the Holy Empire.
After killing his father, Dion breaks down and turns into Bahamut. Once Clive and Joshua subdue him, they take him with them. From there, Dion does whatever he can to help the brothers get rid of the evil that is plaguing the land of Valisthea. His determination to rid the Holy Empire of corruption and his willingness to help Clive and Joshua after what happens only solidifies him as an amazing person. He certainly earns his spot on the list.
4 Gav
Gav is another person you will meet during your time in Cide's Hideout. He is Cid's scout, and you will meet him while you are looking for the second Eikon of Fire. He will continue to work for Clive, looking for the Eikon, even after they part ways. His willingness to help Clive out, even though he didn't know him, shows his true character. Once Cid dies, he becomes Clive's scout and works with him on anything he needs.
You will get to partner up with Gav a few times throughout the game. There are quests scattered throughout the game that will require Gav to join you. One such quest is the "Letting Off Steam" quest that allows you to pick between Gav and Otto. If you pick Gav, he will talk to Clive about how things have changed so drastically since they first met. This is a pretty touching scene if you pick him. His selflessness and character growth give him such a high spot on the list.
3 Cid
Cid is one of the first characters players will meet during the present day. While Clive is trying to destroy the Dominant that the Ironbloods have, Cid comes in and tries to rescue her. Once Clive realizes who the Dominant is, the two team up. He quickly takes Clive under his wing and becomes a mentor to him. He works to create a safe space for Dominants and Bearers to live and die on their own terms. He is the leader of the hideout that sits deep in the Deadlands where Bearers and Dominates can hide from those who use and persecute them. His desire to help those who, like him, are looked down upon in society truly makes him stand out among the characters in the game.
He is the Dominant of Eikon Ramuh and is able to control lightning. Cid is an extremely powerful ally and is certainly an amazing addition to Clive's party. His lightning is extremely powerful, and he saves Clive multiple times throughout the game. Cid isn't afraid to tell Clive when he needs to quit feeling sorry for himself and get his act together. He is one of the best characters, and players will be able to get that feeling early on after meeting him.
2 Jill
Jill has a long history with Clive, and that is the main reason she ranks above Cid. Jill was a ward of Rosaria after her own kingdom fell. Clive's father insisted that she grow up with Clive and Joshua and become one of their best friends growing up. After the events at Phoenix Gate, Jill, and Clive were separated. Thankfully, the two reunite, and Jill becomes an important ally. When they first meet in the present day, Jill is the Dominant being held by the Ironbloods. Once Cid rescues her and helps her heal, Jill joins Clive in his chase after the ghosts from his past that still haunt him.
Jill is the Dominant of the Eikon Shiva, and she can use ice magic on enemies. When paired with Clive's fire magic, the duo is unstoppable. She becomes a main party member early on and helps Clive through a lot. The two spend most of the game together. Being his best friend from childhood puts her above Cid; however, no one can beat the one in the number one spot.
1 Torgal
Torgal is the best party member by far. This lovable pooch was Clive's back when he was younger. Unfortunately, just like Jill, Torgal was separated from Clive during Phoenix Gate. Somehow, years later, he ended up in the company of Cid. Following Cid's home, he spent his time in Cid's hideout with the Bearers and Branded. While there, he becomes a beloved pet; however, those in the hideout are more than happy to see him reunited with Clive, his rightful owner. Their reunion is a sweet one, and seeing how Torgal has wanted to protect Clive ever since he was a pup, it is a fitting reunion.
Torgal is the only party member that you can control as the player. He has three moves, Sic, Heal, and Ravage. These are great moves that are extremely useful. Thankfully, if you have Story Mode on, Torgal can be controlled automatically by using the Ring of Timely Assistance. He can do some massive damage and will attack whatever Clive is attacking. This means you can kill anything much quicker with Torgal at your side. His attack, coupled with the fact that he helps save Clive time and time again, puts Torgal at the top of this list.