Uploaded March 2023 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago

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For details on the canon fighters' stats and hitboxes, check out Ultimate Frame Data: ultimateframedata.com/stats.php
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Welcome to another episode of Challenger Approaching! In this series, we cover characters who might be invited to a future entry of Super Smash Bros, then go into deep into detail on how they could be designed if they joined the roster for real!

Our Challenger this time is someone too often overlooked. Square-Enix may have four guest fighters in Smash already, but the company's storied history offers opportunities for plenty more. And while several of its biggest starts are mainstays in newcomer speculation, one of Final Fantasy's very first mascots is only rarely among them. Yet not only is the Black Mage emblematic of a legendary franchise's beginnings, the class--and its instantly recognizable design--codified so much of what makes magic users in Eastern RPGs who they are!

But how could we combine the Black Mage's many designs and from throughout Final Fantasy into a fighter that embodies the series' best? And how exactly can we carry the spirit of RPG spellcasters into a moveset like none other? Watch and see!
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Support via Patreon at: patreon.com/Delzethin
Graphic design by Voyager: twitter.com/Fire_Voyager
Post-production assistance by Neoxon: twitter.com/Neoxon619
Challenger Key Art by Ed Mendoza: twitter.com/edmendozaart
Footage for the down special provided by Spazzy: twitter.com/8bit_snazzy

Additional Sources:
FF1 Party Stats: finalfantasy.fandom.com/wiki/Final_Fantasy_stats
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Final Fantasy (NES) – Black Mage Solo Run (HalDanGhor): youtube.com/watch?v=UyaXKiIvqaQ
Final Fantasy (NES) – Walkthrough, Part 1 (Jerupitus): youtube.com/watch?v=K0Lyu5IGq_w
Final Fantasy (PSP) – Longplay, Part 1 (LordCloudStrife): youtube.com/watch?v=aXb3q62X7Us
Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls – FFI Let’s Play, Episode 14 (Cendril89): youtube.com/watch?v=snQ5ZSeUyAM
Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls – FFII Black Magic Exhibition (Xenomic): youtube.com/watch?v=DAYx9nSlHXo
Final Fantasy III (NES) – Black Magic Exhibition (Xenomic): youtube.com/watch?v=UcUdsuPiYDw
Final Fantasy III (3D) – Longplay, Part 1 (World of Longplays): youtube.com/watch?v=CJ0EztQ4apM
Final Fantasy IV Advance – Black Magic Exhibition (Xenomic): youtube.com/watch?v=oDG7itTp1vY
Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection – Black Magic Exhibition (Xenomic): youtube.com/watch?v=wyqhkVDHioM
Final Fantasy V (Pixel Remaster) – All Black Mage Run (Recommended Playing): youtube.com/watch?v=hXaUXSEKyrk
Final Fantasy V Advance – Black Magic Exhibition (Xenomic): youtube.com/watch?v=yCTNOjKwwjQ
Final Fantasy VI Advance – Attack Magic Exhibition (Xenomic): youtube.com/watch?v=77wIwu-Qj1k
Final Fantasy IX (HD) – All Black Magic (Eze_Leonhart): youtube.com/watch?v=uYTs2ePF0OY
Final Fantasy IX – All Cutscenes (Stoney Woney): youtube.com/watch?v=okkYd7s06jU
Final Fantasy IX – Gameplay, Part 1 (Shirrako): youtube.com/watch?v=VjEchWx-ZaA
Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles – Spell Fusion Exhibition (FoxyAreku): youtube.com/watch?v=iKTukH9yUBw
Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters – Black Magic Exhibition (DNKA): youtube.com/watch?v=tVJVwEgnaSc
Super Smash Flash 2 – Black Mage Classic Mode (Aaronitmar): youtube.com/watch?v=z9gEZncMKmY
Super Smash Flash 2/Super Smash Bros. Crusade – Black Mage Moveset Comparison (Max QS): youtube.com/watch?v=dXonbk4rQxg