SSSSS FFFFFF IIIIIII S S F I S FFFF I S F I S F I SSSS F IIIIIII Game: Shining Force I System: Sega Genesis FAQ: Advanced Character FAQ Written By: NoWorries Allowed Website: www.gamefaqs.com www.neoseeker.com www.supercheats.com *If you have a website you would like to post this at just shoot me an email* **As always, the most up-to-date guide will always be found at gamefaqs** Version History: 1.0 Submitted 04 of January of 2012 1.5 Submitted 06 of January of 2012 2.0 Submitted 12 of January of 2012 2.2 Submitted 31 of January of 2012 3.0 Submitted 23 of May of 2016 Final Submitted 19 of January of 2017 Version Updates: 1.5 -fixed some mild appearance problems with initial upload to gamefaqs -added another [ctrl]+F command to find the character descriptions -added some extra detail to character descriptions -added some spaces to seperate and break of walls of text 2.0 -fixed the details on recruiting Gort {thanks ehow22} -fixed the details on recruiting Arthur {thanks again ehow22} -fixed the details on recruiting Diane {once again, thanks ehow22} -added some random details that were emailed to me -completely re-made III.F Promotion Debate (analysis of loss of stats) as it was brought to my attention someone had done it in much greater detail than I. A huge thanks and shout out goes to Trent at shiningforcecentral.com All credit in III.F goes to him. The link is of course: http://forums.shiningforcecentral.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4179 -similarly, completely redid III.G Promotion Debate on when to or not to. It is incredibly more in-depth and I hope it to be more accurate than before 2.2 -added some minor detail about 99 in a stat -added some extra detail about using the stat section 3.0 -many general tweaks and updates -added a section about stat-increasing items -revised several sections -likely the final version though I'll leave it open for updates Final -Gave it a complete read-through and updated a number of spots, especially concerning stats and level ups -Expanded on the promotion loss section to compare stats of level 10 versus level 20 promotions I say "Final" not because I'll never update it; but in terms of major game mechanics, this game has been thoroughly run through. We have a complete examination of characters; we understand better the spells and how the two interact, causing some to be better earlier versus later, and most importantly we really understand the differences between promoting early versus later. It's a huge scope for what I've done, and I can't think of anything else I would realistically need to add; but that being said, due to how knowledge works, there may be a time when things need to be improved and/or spellchecked so there you go. I'm streaming live on twitch! Give me a follow and catch me playing Shining Force related games (feel free to ask me questions, I get loads of em already) twitch.tv/tskisoccer ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A Forward As I may use symbols one may be unfamiliar with, I hope this short list makes sense of what I mean to say in the guide. **...** is used to bold something -...- is likewise used to bold <>...<> is used to bold (and all such symbols to grab your attention) 37> means a number less than 37 37>= means a number less than or equal to 37 37< means a number greater than 37 37=< means a number greater than or equal to 37 == means equal to = also means equal to (the above is a computer programming difference) That's about it. If something is confusing you, don't hesitate to ask me by shooting me an email (located at the end of the guide) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -Disclaimer- I am not responsible for any emotional, physical, etc etc damage caused by the misuse of this guide under any circumstances Also, when I use the term 'newb' it makes reference to a NEW PLAYer. A newb is someone who is unfamiliar with the game. A Noob is someone who sucks and ruins games. Know the difference. I. Introduction [1000] II. Detailed Stats [2000] A. Character Stats B. Restorative Magic C. Offensive Magic III. Detailed Stats Summary with Critical Analysis [3000] A. Weapon verse Non-Weapon debate B. Which Spell Caster C. Which Healer D. Bringing a Balanced Team (covering variance) E. Bringing a Balanced Team (team building) F. Promotion debate (analysis of loss of stats) G. Promotion debate (when to verse not) H. Numeral Analysis of Characters IV. A Few Uncharted Moogles [4000] A. Analysis of battles for optimal leveling B. By chapter, what to do to find Secret Charaters C. Funny notes about the game D. Rings, Consumables, oh my! V. Boring Crap [5000] -Hit [ctrl]+F then the number to skip quickly- ***It has been brought to my attention that most people using this will want the character descriptions, which is section III.H. If you want descriptions and numerical analysis of characters, hit [ctrl]+F then [9999] to be zoomed instantly to that section*** ---------------- | Introduction | ---------------- [1000] -Who should be reading this FAQ?- #The NoWorries Contract to Greatness I put this in every faq I've ever written, and it goes something along the lines like this. By writing this, I commit to you the reader that I will bring to you not only my vastness of knowledge but with a sense of humour. I understand it's easy to get bogged down in detail as well as a mush of opinion but I strive to bring you something more than just a guide to greatness. So who should be reading this? This guide is meant for new players and old men as well. As titled, it is an advanced character guide; going far more in depth than Ganalon's character faq which (nothing against him) is just a skating of opinion over the characters; which will hopefully now be done and completed in its entirity. Many people have said something along the lines of, "I hope to update this with more samples soon" but then the guide sits untouched since. I have completed everyone else's work. Also, you are probably reading the most comprehensive SFI character guide available, in the world. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NoWorries back, reliving a classic game with a -hopeful- attempt at best to try and settle decade old debates on the <>Best<> characters in the game. For anyone who has taken a statistics class; what I'm going to do an empirical study, where I hope to find trends in the characters stat gain to settle this discussion. Hopefully this example will show what I mean exactly: Dude A: What do you mean you don't use Bleu? He's seriously like the best character in the game? Person B: I've played a couple times and he just never gets any attack for me. Plus he takes far too long to level up and catch my other teammates. I prefer Arthur. Guy C: Arthur? God I don't even recruit him. First of all, he is the worst character on your team for 20 of the battles. Second, I've heard stories about his so called 'stat spiking' but in all honesty my Pelle generally stays better than him literally the entire time. Dude A: Pelle always starts good, that's a given. But mine never gets any better. You know who's really good? Adam. Everyone: -Laughter- The fact of the matter is; we still have those debates today. I've been speedrunning this game now for over 2 years and have handled NUMEROUS questions from people regarding different characters and levelups and the likes. When I set out nearly 5 years ago (this is December of 2016) on this mission of mine, I had no idea the path it would lead me down. For one thing, I have learned even more about this game and how it deals with stats. It is for that reason, that I am doing another update to this guide to then leave it in the final version, outside of minor corrections and updates of course. For you see, I initially began with a sampling effort to take averages. Those work, to some extent as you can see when people level. However, it is not exactly accurate. This game has random level ups, but they aren't as random as it might seem. What is happening, is the game has "goals" for where your character should be at by certain levels, with goals at 10/20 each. Your character at 10/20 should look pretty similar each playthrough; what is different and what is random is their journey to it. The basic premise (comparing to SF2) is rubberband levels versus linear levels and I'll try to explain the difference before then using some actual examples. In SF2, the game revolves around a linear leveling process. That is, each level matters less than the previous due to the percent increase being less each time. For instance, when Bowie has 12-6(3)-4-4 starting stats, his initial level of 1(2)-1-1-1 is a much larger increase in stats compared to later levels as going from 4 to 5 is a 20% increase in stats but later levels like going from 63 defense to 65 defense is a miniscule amount. The game cares less about your current level of stats and instead gives you a linear amount with some randomness in there. In SF1, the individual stats matter significantly less as we generally look at within the scope of 3 or 4 levels. Max growing from level 1 to 2 and gaining (0,1,2,3)-1-1-1 stats (up to 16 HP) doesn't matter that much (as the game can and often will round those odd numbers down reducing damage) as compared to his next level at 3, gaining again (0,1,2,3)-(1,2,3)-2-1 in stats. In two levels, we've had significant growth (+3 Defense, up to +4 attack, and of course up to +4 health as well) which is more significant. Similarly, you may have Luke not gain stats for several levels before he then gains 3 or 4 HP and defense and whatnot. Perhaps the best example is Hans who outside of gaining speed; he doesn't gain much in the way of stats as an archer outside of a few points of attack thrown in (we'll talk about that later). Anyway, the "rubberbanding" as I've come to call it, revolves around this idea of your character not being where the game thinks they should be. I have two classic examples below for you, but this is something that can work against you in a way. For instance, I just said Max at level 3 gains 2 defense: this happens basically everytime. I say basically, because if you use a DEF potion on Max before he levels to 3, he may not gain that defense, meaning you've hurt his overall growth by using the potion too early since the game sees his higher defense value and thinks he's fair off. I'll try to pinpoint to these as well, but that may end up being for an entirely different section. Anyway, moving onto rubberbanding. A perfect example is Tao, who at level 4 could have between 14 and 22 MP. She may have higher someday, I don't know for a fact, but what I do is that in my experience playing the game, this is the best and worst Tao I've seen, with the average being around 17 MP at that point. Now, at level 10, she tends to have around 25 MP give or take. So if you have a 14 MP Tao by level 4, and she gains only 2 or 3 at level 5, it is not uncommon to see her gain 5 or 6 MP at levels 6 or 7 to boost her up. This is representative of both forms, good and bad rubberbanding, as an 18 or 19 MP Tao may go another 2-3 levels without gaining magic (seemingly bad) but in reality that's OK because she's above the curve. On the flipside, if your Tao has 17 or less MP by level 5 or 6, you'll see her gain 7 or 8 MP by level 7 or 8 to get her to that 20+ MP value. While that seems "awesome" it's actually bad because it means your character (in this case Tao) was quite bad beforehand until she was rubberbanded. Another great example is Pelle, who traditionally joins with the strength of a brick shithouse. In a live race in May of 2016, my Pelle was so weak, that Lizardmen were hitting him for 4 damage, a number I've never seen before. The game recognized this and at level 9, Pelle then gained 7 Defense. Well now he takes no damage. This is another example of bad rubberbanding, since Pelle should take no damage from anything. The point I'm trying to illustrate, is that the stats below are relevant, but I'm going to try and go through and explain more so that you can more fully understand how these characters level and what to expect. There is also an expansion of the promotion section as well. I receive many questions during my streaming, and recently I was asked, "What is the difference between promoting at 10 and 20 in terms of the rubberband?" I didn't have an answer. I knew how characters grew, and I knew what stats you had upon promoting (which level) but I did not know the difference between a 10/20 and a 20/20 character outside of 20/20 is going to be better. So I sat back down and played through leveling up to do a 10/20 promotion for everyone (15/16 for Alef and Torasu) so we can have a frame of reference to better describe what happens. In some cases, my opinion changed very little; but in others, I may have softened or reversed my opinion entirely on when to promote because I can see that those extra stats kept by going to 20 before promoting aren't always necessary. Regardless, it was a fun project to take on, and probably a really good one to go out on as that wraps up this guide in its final form. Have a good read and hopefully we all learned something -NoWorries ------------------ | Detailed Stats | ------------------ [2000] Table of Contents for This Section I. Character Stats II. Restorative Magic III. Offensive Magic Section I ------------------- | Character Stats | ------------------- In this section, expect to find literally bare-boned stats. While there may be random snid bits about the character, the vast majority of the more 'detailed' analysis of stats comes in the next section. A few things to know before we begin - Characters in this section are grouped by order of appearance - Location of characters are included - Spells learned (with level) are included - Starting stats (without weapons) are included - TP stands for 'total points' so for each level you get the highest (not necessarily best) amount of stats gained - Noticable stat gains (like more than +5 in a category) will <>NOT<> be included in the average level up (as it is a massive outlier) but will be included for stat keeping purposes. They are truncuated (rounded down) to 5. So a level up of +7 would factor into the average by +5. - Everything in this section is <>factual<> no opinions yet. If you're looking for a generalized categorical analysis, go to the next section - It seems that a trend here is when casters learn a new spell, their level up is sensationally bad - For a few characters, there are extra levels past 20 to show just how little the stat gains are past 20. I have discovered that you can pretty much save state to gain at least 3 stats each level. However know that 0 stat gain far dominates the number of trials. ***You have to take my word on what is the 'best' total points level up. Generally, it is geared towards the stat of which they use to benefit them as well as the team. For example, a fighter, Luke for example, may have a TP of 5 (1 HP, 1 AT, 3 AG) but the TP I save and continue on with (for a run of what their 'ideal' stats could look like) may be only 4 TP (1 HP, 2 AT, 1 AG) with even some extreme cases being taking 1 HP and 2 AT over 1 HP and 4 AG. Agility is a somewhat useless stat; which often will outlier ones' TP stat. Another example would be a caster having a TP of 7 (3 AT, 3 DE, 1 MP). The attack and Defense, for practical purposes, are wasted, so they're only gaining 1 point that time. A better/picked level up may be 1 HP, 1 MP, 2 AG, which is only 4 stats. However, 4 stats the caster -will- use.*** I saved the best for last Characters in this game join "at level 0" but then are assigned level ups to their assigned level. This is why certain characters can have a rather large variance in their actual joining stats. I have tried to make note of these where I can ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Max Found at? Max is your starting character, you must get him Spells? Egress {starts} Interesting Tidbit? 1. Any magic points Max gets are a complete waste; he has no use for anything more than 8. At least Bowie from SFII gets Bolt to use those magic points. 2. Max can start with 14 HP and 9 MP thanks to variance 3. Using a Defense Potion on Max before he levels to 3 may result in less defense, as the game thinks he has higher defense. Instead, level him and then use the potion Starting Stats: HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - MV 12 - 08 - 06 - 04 - 04 - 06 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 02 - 1.4 - 0.0 - 1.0 - 1.0 - 1.0 - 06 - 10 03 - 1.4 - 0.0 - 2.3 - 2.0 - 1.0 - 08 - 10 04 - 0.9 - 0.1 - 1.1 - 1.3 - 1.9 - 08 - 10 05 - 1.9 - 0.5 - 0.0 - 1.3 - 0.0 - 07 - 10 06 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 1.1 - 0.2 - 02 - 10 07 - 0.6 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 04 - 10 08 - 0.9 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 1.1 - 0.2 - 05 - 10 09 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 01 - 10 10 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 0.5 - 1.1 - 04 - 10 11 - 0.4 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 02 - 10 12 - 0.5 - 0.0 - 0.4 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 03 - 10 13 - 1.9 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 04 - 10 14 - 0.3 - 0.0 - 0.6 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 03 - 10 15 - 1.1 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 0.9 - 05 - 10 16 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 1.0 - 03 - 10 17 - 1.2 - 0.4 - 0.5 - 0.1 - 1.2 - 06 - 10 18 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 0.4 - 0.9 - 04 - 10 19 - 0.6 - 0.0 - 0.6 - 0.0 - 1.6 - 07 - 10 20 - 1.7 - 1.5 - 0.5 - 0.9 - 1.1 - 10 - 10 TP = 5-3-0-0-2 #+4,5,5 HP Avg- 0.8 - 0.15- 0.4 - 0.6 - 0.69- 4.84 Avg Lvl 20 Stats w/o Wpn : 27 - 11 - 14 - 15 - 17 Level 20 Stats w/o Weapon : 38 - 11 - 25 - 22 - 17 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 02 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 3.1 - 07 - 10 #+5,7 AG 03 - 0.3 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 6.7 - 10 - 10 04 - 0.8 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 8.0 - 12 - 10 TP = 1-0-0-0-11 05 - 4.0 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 2.3 - 3.2 - 13 - 10 TP = 6-0-0-5-2 #+6,7 HP +6 AG 06 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 5.0 - 09 - 10 07 - 2.0 - 0.0 - 0.7 - 1.8 - 0.1 - 09 - 10 08 - 0.4 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 1.6 - 1.0 - 07 - 10 09 - 1.0 - 0.0 - 0.4 - 0.3 - 1.9 - 07 - 10 10 - 2.1 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 1.4 - 0.4 - 07 - 10 11 - 2.4 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 07 - 10 12 - 3.1 - 0.3 - 0.5 - 0.5 - 0.0 - 08 - 10 13 - 3.0 - 0.0 - 0.6 - 0.8 - 0.1 - 11 - 10 TP = 6-0-1-3-1 14 - 0.7 - 0.0 - 0.7 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 03 - 10 15 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 1.4 - 0.1 - 04 - 10 16 - 0.7 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 04 - 10 17 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 1.6 - 2.3 - 0.0 - 06 - 10 #+6 DE 18 - 0.6 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 2.4 - 0.0 - 06 - 10 19 - 3.2 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 1.1 - 0.0 - 10 - 10 TP = 4-0-0-6-0 #+6,6 HP +6 DE 20 - 1.4 - 0.3 - 0.7 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 06 - 10 Avg- 1.35- 0.04- 0.36- 0.89- 1.58- 7.52 Level 20 Promoted Stats: (With Best Weapon +40) 71 - 12 - 78 - 60 - 49 6 - 0 - 6 - 6 - 2 <--Stat Increases from Items 77 - 12 - 84 - 66 - 51 Level 20 Average Stats : (With/Without Best Weapon) 46 - 09 - 17/47 - 28 - 43 21 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 03 - 10 22 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 03 - 10 23 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 24 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 25 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 03 - 10 26 - 0.4 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 0.2 - 0.4 - 03 - 10 27 - 0.4 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 0.6 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 28 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 02 - 10 29 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 02 - 10 30 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.5 - 0.3 - 02 - 10 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lowe Found at? Lowe will join you after talking to the king. Spells? Heal (4) {starts, 7, 16, 22} Detox {4} Slow (2) {10, 19} Quick (2) {13, 25} Interesting Tidbit? 1. If you can trigger a glitch at the beginning of the game, you do not have to get any of the starting crew. 2. Notice how difficult and boring it becomes to level Lowe, due to him not learning Aura. Though Lowe can equip the White Ring, granting him access to Aura 2, something Gong cannot do 3. Lowe can have 12 HP and 11 MP thanks to variance. He may get 12, I'm not 100% sure on that though Starting Stats: HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - MV 11 - 10 - 04 - 05 - 05 - 05 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 02 - 0.2 - 1.3 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 04 - 10 03 - 0.1 - 4.0 - 1.0 - 1.0 - 1.0 - 07 - 10 04 - 0.5 - 0.8 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 04 - 10 05 - 1.1 - 0.1 - 0.7 - 1.0 - 1.0 - 06 - 10 06 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 0.9 - 02 - 10 07 - 0.2 - 0.5 - 1.0 - 1.4 - 0.9 - 06 - 10 08 - 000 - 000 - 000 - 000 - 000 - 00 - 10 # A level of zero gain in 10 trials 09 - 0.9 - 0.0 - 1.6 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 06 - 10 10 - 0.0 - 0.4 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.7 - 04 - 10 11 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 0.7 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 04 - 10 12 - 0.3 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.5 - 1.2 - 05 - 10 13 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 01 - 10 14 - 0.9 - 0.4 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 04 - 10 15 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.9 - 0.4 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 16 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.0 - 1.0 - 03 - 10 17 - 0.3 - 0.9 - 1.0 - 0.2 - 0.5 - 07 - 10 18 - 0.8 - 0.4 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.5 - 04 - 10 19 - 0.7 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 1.6 - 05 - 10 20 - 0.2 - 1.7 - 0.6 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 08 - 10 #+5,5 MP Avg- 0.37- 0.59- 0.47- 0.26- 0.54- 4.37 Avg lvl 20 Stats w/o Wpn : 18 - 21 - 13 - 10 - 15 Level 20 Stats w/o Weapon : 28 - 39 - 19 - 15 - 19 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 02 - 2.8 - 0.8 - 0.4 - 1.4 - 5.6 - 16 - 10 TP = 6-0-1-1-8 03 - 0.5 - 2.9 - 0.3 - 2.5 - 4.4 - 16 - 10 TP = 0-6-1-4-5 #+6,6 AG #+6,6,6 MP 04 - 0.9 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 6.9 - 12 - 10 TP = 2-0-0-0-10 05 - 0.1 - 0.6 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 4.3 - 10 - 10 TP = 0-4-0-0-6 #+6,6,6 AG 06 - 0.8 - 0.4 - 1.8 - 1.5 - 3.7 - 11 - 10 TP = 3-0-1-4-3 #+6,6,7 AG 07 - 3.0 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 2.8 - 0.1 - 10 - 10 TP = 5-0-2-3 08 - 0.5 - 0.7 - 0.0 - 2.5 - 1.4 - 11 - 10 TP = 1-3-0-3-4 09 - 0.4 - 0.7 - 0.3 - 1.0 - 0.4 - 08 - 10 10 - 2.0 - 0.2 - 0.6 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 05 - 10 11 - 3.5 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.4 - 0.2 - 07 - 10 #+6,7 HP 12 - 0.1 - 0.9 - 0.2 - 2.0 - 0.1 - 07 - 10 13 - 2.8 - 1.0 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.9 - 09 - 10 14 - 1.1 - 0.3 - 0.0 - 0.6 - 1.6 - 08 - 10 15 - 0.4 - 2.2 - 0.2 - 0.4 - 0.1 - 10 - 10 TP = 3-4-2-1-0 16 - 0.6 - 0.6 - 0.1 - 0.8 - 0.1 - 06 - 10 17 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 1.6 - 0.0 - 07 - 10 #+6 DE 18 - 1.0 - 0.6 - 0.8 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 05 - 10 19 - 0.7 - 0.6 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 04 - 10 20 - 0.4 - 2.5 - 0.1 - 0.9 - 0.3 - 09 - 10 #+7 MP Avg- 1.15- 0.79- 0.30- 0.99- 1.61- 9.00 Level 20 Promoted Stats: (With Best Weapon +25) 66 - 66 - 53 - 45 - 56 Level 20 Average Stats : (With/Without Best Weapon) 35 - 31 - 16/41 - 26 - 42 21 - 0.2 - 0.6 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 03 - 10 22 - 0.4 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 04 - 10 23 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 03 - 10 24 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 02 - 10 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tao Found at? Tao is part of the crew that joins after you talk to the king. Spells? Blaze (4) {starts, 4, 12, 20} Sleep {8} Boost {27} Dispell {16} Interesting Tidbit? 1. See Lowe 2. Tao has red hair and masters Blaze; coincidence? 3. A critical hit from Blaze 4 once did 74 damage. NICE 4. I personally sell of my mages weapons upon promotion, as they're not attacking anyway, and I think its cooler they wave their arms instead of waving a stick. 5. Tao can join with 11 HP. Fret not though as she'll gain it at 2 or 3 more often than not. Her MP situation can be sticky though, as explained above. She can gain 2, 3, or 4 MP at level 2, but should have around 20 MP by level 7 6. Interestingly, Tao is given a weapon at the start but she is so weak she cannot hurt any enemy until Snipers and enemy Mages appear in battle 4 Starting Stats: HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - MV 10 - 07 - 04 - 04 - 06 - 05 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 02 - 0.9 - 4.0 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 05 - 10 03 - 0.2 - 3.2 - 0.0 - 1.0 - 1.0 - 07 - 10 04 - 0.0 - 3.0 - 1.0 - 0.0 - 1.0 - 07 - 10 05 - 1.2 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 1.0 - 1.0 - 05 - 10 06 - 0.7 - 0.7 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 05 - 10 07 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 1.0 - 1.0 - 1.2 - 04 - 10 08 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.8 - 02 - 10 09 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 0.9 - 1.0 - 04 - 10 10 - 0.1 - 1.1 - 0.8 - 0.7 - 0.1 - 06 - 10 11 - 0.5 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 02 - 10 12 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 13 - 0.2 - 0.7 - 1.3 - 0.0 - 0.8 - 05 - 10 14 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 1.5 - 03 - 10 15 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.8 - 1.4 - 0.4 - 06 - 10 16 - 0.3 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.5 - 0.6 - 05 - 10 17 - 0.7 - 1.9 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 06 - 10 #+4,5 MP 18 - 0.0 - 1.6 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 04 - 10 19 - 0.0 - 1.8 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 05 - 10 #+5 MP 20 - 0.4 - 0.8 - 0.9 - 0.0 - 1.2 - 08 - 10 Avg- 0.29- 1.02- 0.33- 0.39- 0.59- 4.58 Avg lvl 20 Stats w/o Wpn : 16 - 26 - 10 - 11 - 17 Level 20 Stats w/o Weapon : 23 - 44 - 12 - 16 - 26 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 02 - 0.6 - 2.7 - 0.4 - 1.0 - 6.3 - 17 - 10 TP = 2-4-1-1-9 03 - 0.0 - 1.0 - 0.4 - 0.9 - 6.2 - 14 - 10 TP = 0-3-0-1-10 04 - 0.9 - 1.0 - 0.2 - 2.1 - 3.1 - 14 - 10 TP = 3-1-1-5-4 #+7,7 AG 05 - 0.1 - 1.9 - 0.2 - 0.4 - 3.3 - 10 - 10 TP = 0-3-1-1-5 06 - 0.7 - 2.6 - 1.0 - 0.1 - 5.8 - 13 - 10 TP = 2-2-1-0-8 07 - 0.1 - 1.6 - 0.4 - 0.1 - 0.8 - 06 - 10 08 - 0.4 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 2.3 - 1.5 - 08 - 10 09 - 0.0 - 2.6 - 0.2 - 0.6 - 1.2 - 07 - 10 10 - 0.1 - 0.6 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 3.5 - 08 - 10 #+6,7 AG 11 - 1.1 - 0.6 - 0.3 - 1.0 - 0.3 - 08 - 10 12 - 0.5 - 1.2 - 0.1 - 0.8 - 0.0 - 07 - 10 13 - 0.4 - 2.2 - 0.6 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 08 - 10 #+6 MP 14 - 1.4 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 1.1 - 0.1 - 06 - 10 15 - 3.2 - 2.1 - 0.1 - 0.6 - 0.3 - 10 - 10 TP = 3-3-0-2-2 #+7 HP +6 MP 16 - 2.7 - 0.6 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 06 - 10 #+6 HP 17 - 5.4 - 0.9 - 0.7 - 0.4 - 0.0 - 11 - 10 TP = 7-3-1-0-0 18 - 2.1 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 1.1 - 0.0 - 07 - 10 19 - 1.3 - 2.7 - 1.5 - 0.7 - 0.3 - 11 - 10 TP = 2-5-1-3-0 #+6 MP 20 - 5.0 - 0.5 - 0.9 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 13 - 10 TP = 8-1-4-0-0 Avg- 1.37- 1.33- 0.19- 0.72- 1.75- 9.68 Level 20 Promoted Stats: (With No Weapon) 60 - 82 - 24 - 42 - 67 Level 20 Average Stats : (With No Weapon) 38 - 45 - 15 - 22 - 46 21 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.6 - 03 - 10 22 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 23 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 03 - 10 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Luke Found at? Luke is another character received after talking to the king initially Spells? Luke is a fighter, no spells Interesting Tidbit? 1. See Lowe 2. Luke, like Gort, unlike the Knights, gets 2 of his best weapon, so there is no weapon disadvantage to having both gladiators in your team 3. Luke can start with 10 HP and an extra attack 4. Unlike SF2 warriors, Luke and Gort each have 6 move which makes them very useful Starting Stats: HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - MV 09 - 00 - 09 - 07 - 04 - 06 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 02 - 0.9 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 02 - 10 03 - 1.6 - 00 - 0.2 - 1.2 - 1.0 - 07 - 10 04 - 1.4 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 04 - 10 05 - 1.2 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 1.0 - 04 - 10 06 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.5 - 1.1 - 1.0 - 05 - 10 07 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 01 - 10 08 - 0.8 - 00 - 0.1 - 1.2 - 1.0 - 06 - 10 09 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 2.0 - 05 - 10 10 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 02 - 10 11 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.6 - 0.6 - 0.4 - 04 - 10 12 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.4 - 0.4 - 03 - 10 13 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.4 - 0.5 - 0.1 - 02 - 10 14 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.9 - 03 - 10 15 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.1 - 1.4 - 0.3 - 05 - 10 16 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 01 - 10 17 - 1.4 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.5 - 0.0 - 04 - 10 18 - 2.4 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 07 - 10 +5,5,6 HP 19 - 0.4 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.0 - 0.4 - 02 - 10 20 - 0.6 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.5 - 1.6 - 07 - 10 Avg- 0.62- 00 - 0.19- 0.45- 0.55- 3.89 Avg lvl 20 Stats w/o Wpn : 20 - 00 - 12 - 16 - 14 Level 20 Stats w/o Weapon : 25 - 00 - 26 - 25 - 19 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 02 - 1.9 - 00 - 1.3 - 2.3 - 2.5 - 13 - 10 TP = 1-0-4-3-5 +5 HP +6 DE +5 AG 03 - 2.6 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.7 - 6.6 - 15 - 10 TP = 6-0-0-2-7 04 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 3.4 - 06 - 10 #+6 AG 05 - 1.1 - 00 - 1.5 - 2.4 - 1.3 - 08 - 10 06 - 0.5 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.7 - 3.0 - 10 - 10 TP = 3-0-1-1-5 07 - 1.1 - 00 - 0.0 - 1.1 - 0.1 - 09 - 10 08 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.4 - 1.6 - 0.4 - 06 - 10 09 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.4 - 1.9 - 0.6 - 06 - 10 10 - 0.1 - 00 - 1.8 - 1.3 - 1.8 - 11 - 10 TP = 1-0-3-4-3 11 - 1.0 - 00 - 0.5 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 04 - 10 12 - 0.4 - 00 - 0.0 - 2.3 - 1.2 - 09 - 10 13 - 1.3 - 00 - 0.4 - 1.1 - 0.0 - 05 - 10 14 - 3.3 - 00 - 0.0 - 3.4 - 0.0 - 10 - 10 TP = 4-0-0-6-0 #+6,6 HP +6,6 DE 15 - 0.6 - 00 - 0.5 - 2.4 - 0.9 - 08 - 10 16 - 1.7 - 00 - 0.2 - 2.3 - 2.1 - 16 - 10 TP = 4-0-0-6-6 #+6 DE +6 AG 17 - 0.4 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.6 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 18 - 1.9 - 00 - 0.1 - 1.3 - 0.8 - 07 - 10 19 - 1.5 - 00 - 1.8 - 1.9 - 2.2 - 13 - 10 TP = 2-0-3-3-5 #+6 AG 20 - 1.8 - 00 - 1.0 - 2.3 - 1.6 - 15 - 10 TP = 4-0-3-4-4 #+6 DE Avg- 1.14- 00 - 0.54- 1.58- 1.51- 9.16 Level 20 Promoted Stats: (With Best Weapon +33) 63 - 00 - 81 - 77 - 52 Level 20 Average Stats : (Without/With Best Weapon) 37 - 00 - 19/43 - 42 - 39 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ken Found at? Ken is the first of 9000 knights you get, found after talking to the king Spells? You may be confused with Arthur Interesting Tidbit? 1. See Lowe 2. I'm trying to find a trend amongst the color of the horses and their faces. I believe their hair color matches the horse. 3. Having multiple knights in the endgame -may- be a disadvantage due to there only being 1 valkyrie and 2 halberds. 4. Ken can start with some extra HP, and at level 2, his best is 12 HP depending on the level Starting Stats: HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - MV 08 - 00 - 07 - 08 - 05 - 07 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 02 - 2.9 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 04 - 10 03 - 3.6 - 00 - 0.8 - 0.0 - 1.0 - 08 - 10 #+6,6 HP 04 - 2.8 - 00 - 1.3 - 0.0 - 1.0 - 08 - 10 05 - 0.4 - 00 - 0.0 - 1.0 - 0.0 - 03 - 10 06 - 0.6 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 0.6 - 04 - 10 07 - 0.4 - 00 - 0.9 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 02 - 10 08 - 1.1 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.9 - 1.3 - 05 - 10 09 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.0 - 1.2 - 0.0 - 02 - 10 10 - 0.6 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 1.2 - 04 - 10 11 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 1.6 - 06 - 10 12 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.7 - 0.0 - 03 - 10 13 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.2 - 1.1 - 0.3 - 03 - 10 14 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.1 - 1.2 - 0.8 - 05 - 10 15 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.6 - 0.9 - 0.2 - 05 - 10 16 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.0 - 2.2 - 0.4 - 06 - 10 17 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.4 - 0.4 - 02 - 10 18 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.3 - 1.2 - 0.5 - 06 - 10 19 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 02 - 10 20 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.5 - 0.3 - 04 - 10 Avg- 0.69- 00 - 0.31- 0.61- 0.52- 4.32 Avg lvl 20 Stats w/o Wpn : 21 - 00 - 13 - 20 - 15 Level 20 Stats w/o Weapon : 33 - 00 - 25 - 22 - 20 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 02 - 2.6 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.5 - 1.6 - 08 - 10 #+5 AG 03 - 1.2 - 00 - 0.3 - 1.1 - 1.5 - 08 - 10 04 - 0.4 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.4 - 0.5 - 04 - 10 05 - 1.2 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 1.2 - 06 - 10 06 - 0.7 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 2.3 - 07 - 10 07 - 0.8 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 0.9 - 04 - 10 08 - 0.4 - 00 - 0.3 - 1.0 - 2.5 - 08 - 10 09 - 1.8 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 1.0 - 07 - 10 10 - 0.7 - 00 - 0.5 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 03 - 10 11 - 2.7 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.8 - 0.8 - 09 - 10 12 - 0.8 - 00 - 0.3 - 1.3 - 0.5 - 06 - 10 13 - 2.7 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 2.7 - 09 - 10 14 - 0.9 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 0.2 - 07 - 10 15 - 0.1 - 00 - 2.3 - 2.0 - 1.3 - 10 - 10 TP = 0-0-4-4-2 16 - 1.4 - 00 - 0.2 - 2.1 - 0.9 - 10 - 10 TP = 1-0-0-5-4 17 - 0.8 - 00 - 0.5 - 0.7 - 1.5 - 09 - 10 18 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.2 - 3.9 - 2.2 - 09 - 10 #+7,7,8 DE 19 - 1.0 - 00 - 0.2 - 4.1 - 1.4 - 09 - 10 #+6,6,6 DE 20 - 1.6 - 00 - 1.0 - 2.3 - 4.6 - 15 - 10 TP = 3-0-0-6-6 #+6 DE Avg- 1.15- 00 - 0.34- 1.13- 1.46- 7.789 Level 20 Promoted Stats: (With Best Weapon +35) 69 - 00 - 75 - 54 - 59 Level 20 Average Stats : (Without/With Best Weapon) 38 - 00 - 16/51 - 36 - 39 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hans Found at? Hans is also found in the beginning after talking to the king Spells? While most Elves in mythology learn magic, Hans does not Interesting Tidbit? 1. See Lowe 2. Hans will only gain 1 agility for the first few levels no matter what you do. However, sometimes you are lucky enough to gain something else around levels 3-4. 3. Arrows are expensive as hell; luckily you never run out and you generally find the good ones before you can buy them 4. Look at Hans level 3 level; see his best TP was 2, yet his average agility gain was 0.6. Yeah; once he got 2 agility, then averaged 1 or nothing. 5. I've seen Hans start with 14 HP before, I don't know if he can manage 15 or not 6. Hans unfortunately will gain about 2 attack by the time he's level 10, meaning his damage boosts will come from getting a new Arrow in the Circus Battle. Unlike SF2 archers who have a better chance of hitting flying enemies, and unlike Gaiden archers who gain substantial attack, Hans and Diane are somewhat weaker and it's disappointing. They're not unplayable though Starting Stats: HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - MV 12 - 00 - 06 - 05 - 06 - 05 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 02 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 1.0 - 03 - 10 03 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.6 - 02 - 10 04 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.4 - 01 - 10 05 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.0 - 1.0 - 0.8 - 03 - 10 06 - 0.0 - 00 - 1.0 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 01 - 10 07 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 01 - 10 08 - 000 - 00 - 000 - 000 - 000 - 00 - 10 # A level of zero gain in 10 trials 09 - 0.4 - 00 - 1.2 - 1.0 - 0.0 - 05 - 10 10 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.5 - 02 - 10 11 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 01 - 10 12 - 0.7 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 0.0 - 03 - 10 13 - 0.9 - 00 - 0.3 - 1.1 - 0.0 - 05 - 10 14 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 01 - 10 15 - 2.0 - 00 - 1.3 - 0.7 - 0.0 - 07 - 10 16 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.1 - 2.4 - 0.2 - 04 - 10 17 - 1.0 - 00 - 0.0 - 2.4 - 0.1 - 06 - 10 18 - 0.8 - 00 - 0.7 - 1.0 - 0.6 - 07 - 10 19 - 0.7 - 00 - 0.4 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 05 - 10 20 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.7 - 0.6 - 05 - 10 Avg- 0.38- 00 - 0.29- 0.57- 0.29- 3.26 Avg lvl 20 Stats w/o Wpn : 19 - 00 - 12 - 16 - 12 Level 20 Stats w/o Weapon : 33 - 00 - 19 - 17 - 19 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 02 - 0.9 - 00 - 0.6 - 1.1 - 3.6 - 07 - 10 03 - 1.7 - 00 - 0.5 - 2.0 - 3.2 - 11 - 10 TP = 2-0-1-4-4 04 - 0.6 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 1.7 - 05 - 10 05 - 1.1 - 00 - 0.0 - 1.1 - 0.5 - 05 - 10 06 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.5 - 3.2 - 0.4 - 06 - 10 07 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.1 - 1.0 - 2.0 - 08 - 10 08 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.4 - 1.2 - 04 - 10 09 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 2.5 - 06 - 10 #+6 AG 10 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 2.5 - 06 - 10 11 - 1.4 - 00 - 0.0 - 1.9 - 0.3 - 08 - 10 #+6 DE 12 - 0.7 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 2.1 - 06 - 10 13 - 2.4 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.7 - 0.0 - 06 - 10 14 - 1.6 - 00 - 0.6 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 06 - 10 15 - 1.8 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 1.4 - 08 - 10 16 - 0.4 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.5 - 2.5 - 08 - 10 17 - 5.4 - 00 - 0.3 - 1.6 - 0.0 - 10 - 10 TP = 7-0-0-3-0 18 - 6.1 - 00 - 0.0 - 2.2 - 0.9 - 17 - 10 TP = 6-0-0-6-5 #+6 DE 19 - 3.2 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 07 - 10 #+6,7,7 HP 20 - 4.0 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.9 - 1.4 - 12 - 10 TP = 7-0-0-2-3 #+6,7,7 HP Avg- 1.67- 00 - 0.19- 0.93- 1.41- 7.68 Level 20 Promoted Stats: (With Best Weapon +35) 65 - 00 - 68 - 46 - 57 Level 20 Average Stats : (Without/With Best Weapon) 46 - 00 - 13/48 - 30 - 36 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gong Found at? Gong is found in the small cabin next to the first battle. He's chopping wood. You can elect to recruit him anytime in chapter I; although it is generally good to get him before completing the first battle. Spells? Heal (4) {starts, 8, 16, 24} Aura (1) {30} Interesting Tidbit? 1. Once promoted, Gong disregards his fists of fury to somehow make fire appear. One wonders 2. Gong is your first character who -suffers- from not getting a weapon. For more analysis on this -possible disadvantage- see the next section. 3. Maxing Gong stats are difficult; as you must choose to take levels of magic points over attack, or vice versa. Do you want him to attack stronger or have more points for healing? Starting Stats: HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - MV 11 - 08 - 11 - 04 - 06 - 05 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 02 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 1.5 - 1.0 - 1.0 - 05 - 10 03 - 0.8 - 1.0 - 0.2 - 2.0 - 0.5 - 06 - 10 04 - 1.3 - 1.9 - 0.3 - 1.2 - 0.2 - 06 - 10 05 - 2.1 - 1.7 - 0.4 - 0.0 - 0.5 - 09 - 10 06 - 0.1 - 0.8 - 0.0 - 0.6 - 0.2 - 04 - 10 07 - 0.6 - 0.0 - 0.6 - 1.1 - 0.0 - 05 - 10 08 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 2.5 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 06 - 10 #+5 AT 09 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 02 - 10 10 - 0.1 - 1.3 - 0.8 - 0.7 - 0.2 - 05 - 10 11 - 0.5 - 1.2 - 2.3 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 07 - 10 #+4,5,5,6 AT 12 - 0.3 - 0.0 - 1.2 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 05 - 10 13 - 0.5 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 0.4 - 04 - 10 14 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 0.6 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 05 - 10 15 - 0.0 - 0.7 - 0.2 - 0.9 - 0.3 - 04 - 10 16 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.5 - 03 - 10 17 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.4 - 0.8 - 0.0 - 04 - 10 18 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 1.5 - 1.8 - 0.9 - 09 - 10 #+4,5 AT +4,5 DE 19 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.5 - 0.2 - 1.0 - 05 - 10 20 - 0.4 - 0.6 - 0.1 - 2.6 - 1.8 - 10 - 10 #TP = 0-1-0-4-5 +5,5,5 AG +5 DE Avg- 0.44- 0.59- 0.71- 0.7 - 0.4 - 5.47 Avg lvl 20 Stats w/o Wpn : 19 - 19 - 24 - 17 - 14 Level 20 Stats w/o Weapon : 33 - 27 - 42 - 22 - 15 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 02 - 3.1 - 2.9 - 1.1 - 1.1 - 1.6 - 12 - 10 TP = 6-2-0-3-1 #+6 HP 03 - 2.8 - 1.8 - 0.0 - 2.3 - 2.2 - 13 - 10 TP = 3-4-0-5-1 #+6 HP 04 - 0.9 - 1.7 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 2.0 - 08 - 10 05 - 3.2 - 0.2 - 0.8 - 1.3 - 1.9 - 12 - 10 TP = 7-0-1-2-2 #+7 HP 06 - 0.8 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 1.2 - 2.9 - 09 - 10 #+6,7 AG 07 - 3.5 - 0.0 - 0.7 - 1.5 - 0.2 - 10 - 10 TP = 6-0-1-3-0 #+6,6,6 HP 08 - 0.2 - 0.5 - 0.9 - 0.5 - 0.7 - 05 - 10 09 - 0.5 - 0.4 - 0.4 - 2.2 - 2.1 - 11 - 10 TP = 0-3-0-5-3 10 - 1.8 - 0.0 - 1.1 - 0.1 - 0.4 - 09 - 10 #+6 HP 11 - 1.0 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 1.0 - 1.8 - 09 - 10 12 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 1.4 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 05 - 10 13 - 3.4 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 2.3 - 09 - 10 #+6,6 HP 14 - 2.0 - 0.1 - 0.8 - 0.0 - 2.0 - 08 - 10 15 - 2.8 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 0.7 - 2.1 - 09 - 10 16 - 3.6 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.5 - 0.7 - 12 - 10 TP = 8-0-0-1-0-3 #+6,6,7,8 HP 17 - 0.0 - 2.1 - 0.8 - 1.5 - 0.1 - 07 - 10 18 - 1.1 - 0.4 - 0.2 - 1.7 - 1.5 - 08 - 10 19 - 0.2 - 1.0 - 0.5 - 3.6 - 0.3 - 10 - 10 TP = 2-3-1-4-0 #+6,6,7 DE 20 - 1.3 - 1.5 - 1.5 - 0.4 - 3.1 - 13 - 10 TP = 1-4-2-0-6 #+6 AG Avg- 1.71- 0.70- 0.57- 1.06- 1.49- 9.42 Level 20 Promoted Stats: 67 - 51 - 61 - 47 - 57 Level 20 Average Stats : 46 - 27 - 29 - 33 - 39 21 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.4 - 03 - 10 22 - 0.5 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 03 - 10 23 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 24 - 0.4 - 0.5 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 25 - 0.5 - 0.1 - 0.4 - 0.4 - 0.2 - 03 - 10 26 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.4 - 02 - 10 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gort Found at? To recruit Gort, you simply have to talk to him after completing Battle II. Even if you don't talk to him before Battle I, his dialogue will still be the same, which is interesting enough. {Thanks to ehow22 for letting me know about that} Spells? Lolwut? Interesting Tidbit? 1. Like Luke, warriors can move 3 spaces in the bad walking areas as opposed to almost everyone elses 2. 2. Not everybody gets to play with a 'Gord' instead of Gort 3. Gort can start with as much as +2 HP, +1 AT, and +3 DE (having 14 HP, dealing 7 damage consistently to Dark Dwarves, and taking 1 damage from them as well). Again fret not as his level 3 or 4 will balance out otherwise usually if he starts weaker Starting Stats: HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - MV 12 - 00 - 09 - 07 - 04 - 06 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 03 - 0.7 - 00 - 0.4 - 2.6 - 1.0 - 07 - 10 04 - 1.1 - 00 - 0.2 - 2.3 - 0.0 - 06 - 10 05 - 0.6 - 00 - 1.1 - 0.1 - 1.0 - 05 - 10 06 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.4 - 0.5 - 1.0 - 04 - 10 07 - 0.4 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.0 - 1.1 - 04 - 10 08 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 03 - 10 09 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.5 - 0.1 - 1.0 - 03 - 10 10 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 1.1 - 02 - 10 11 - 1.8 - 00 - 0.4 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 05 - 10 12 - 0.7 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 0.8 - 04 - 10 13 - 0.4 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 1.4 - 04 - 10 14 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 02 - 10 15 - 0.5 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 0.7 - 02 - 10 16 - 0.8 - 00 - 0.7 - 0.0 - 1.6 - 05 - 10 17 - 1.5 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.5 - 0.1 - 05 - 10 18 - 0.9 - 00 - 0.0 - 1.1 - 0.1 - 05 - 10 19 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.4 - 0.1 - 02 - 10 20 - 0.8 - 00 - 0.0 - 1.0 - 0.4 - 05 - 10 Avg- 0.61- 00 - 0.28- 0.52- 0.66- 4.05 Avg lvl 20 Stats w/o Wpn : 23 - 00 - 14 - 16 - 16 Level 20 Stats w/o Weapon : 29 - 00 - 27 - 28 - 17 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 02 - 1.5 - 00 - 0.4 - 2.0 - 3.3 - 13 - 10 TP = 3-0-0-4-6 +5 DE +6 AG 03 - 4.0 - 00 - 0.3 - 3.1 - 2.1 - 13 - 10 TP = 7-0-0-6-0 +6,6 HP +6,7 DE +5 AG 04 - 1.1 - 00 - 0.0 - 2.9 - 5.8 - 16 - 10 TP = 3-0-0-5-8 (twice) 05 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.3 - 1.1 - 0.4 - 05 - 10 06 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 1.0 - 05 - 10 07 - 3.2 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.9 - 08 - 10 08 - 1.0 - 00 - 0.0 - 3.0 - 1.1 - 09 - 10 09 - 1.9 - 00 - 0.3 - 1.8 - 0.4 - 09 - 10 #+6 HP 10 - 1.7 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 05 - 10 11 - 1.1 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.8 - 0.4 - 05 - 10 12 - 2.5 - 00 - 0.4 - 0.9 - 0.6 - 09 - 10 #+6 HP 13 - 1.4 - 00 - 1.0 - 0.9 - 0.1 - 05 - 10 14 - 2.8 - 00 - 0.1 - 2.0 - 0.1 - 07 - 10 15 - 1.5 - 00 - 0.3 - 1.7 - 0.5 - 07 - 10 16 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.1 - 1.3 - 3.5 - 10 - 10 TP = 0-0-0-6-4 #+6 DE +6 AG 17 - 1.5 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 2.1 - 07 - 10 18 - 2.2 - 00 - 0.2 - 2.6 - 3.5 - 13 - 10 TP = 6-0-0-3-4 #+6 HP +6,6 DE +7 AG 19 - 2.8 - 00 - 0.1 - 1.5 - 0.8 - 09 - 10 20 - 2.4 - 00 - 0.2 - 3.5 - 2.7 - 14 - 10 TP = 2-0-0-6-6 #+6,7 DE +6 AG Avg- 1.74- 00 - 0.25- 1.56- 1.50- 8.95 Level 20 Promoted Stats: (With Best Weapon +33) 65 - 00 - 77 - 69 - 48 Level 20 Average Stats : (Without/With Best Weapon) 50 - 00 - 16/49 - 42 - 40 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mae Found at? Mae joins after Kane/Cain kills the King and Varios Spells? See Ken Interesting Tidbit? 1. Mae is the first actual required character to join (excluding Max) 2. Mae joins with a better weapon than Ken but attacks for less than him :( 3. Mae can start with 12 HP Starting Stats: HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - MV 11 - 00 - 05 - 07 - 07 - 07 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 03 - 0.0 - 00 - 1.0 - 2.0 - 1.5 - 06 - 10 04 - 0.2 - 00 - 1.0 - 2.3 - 0.1 - 06 - 10 05 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.9 - 1.5 - 0.0 - 04 - 10 06 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.6 - 0.3 - 03 - 10 07 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.4 - 1.2 - 1.2 - 06 - 10 08 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 01 - 10 09 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 0.6 - 03 - 10 10 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.4 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 03 - 10 11 - 1.2 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.4 - 0.5 - 04 - 10 12 - 1.4 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 04 - 10 13 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 02 - 10 14 - 1.1 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 1.1 - 07 - 10 #+5 HP 15 - 0.8 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 1.9 - 06 - 10 #+5 AG 16 - 1.6 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 05 - 10 17 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 18 - 0.5 - 00 - 0.7 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 04 - 10 19 - 2.4 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 0.7 - 05 - 10 #+5 HP 20 - 1.7 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 04 - 10 Avg- 0.62- 00 - 0.33- 0.46- 0.49- 4.22 Avg lvl 20 Stats w/o Wpn : 23 - 00 - 11 - 15 - 16 Level 20 Stats w/o Weapon : 35 - 00 - 24 - 22 - 22 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 02 - 5.3 - 00 - 0.3 - 1.2 - 1.9 - 12 - 10 TP = 6-0-2-1-3 +5 AG 03 - 8.3 - 00 - 0.4 - 1.1 - 1.6 - 20 - 10 TP = 8-0-2-6-4 +6 DE, +5 AG 04 - 7.6 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 11 - 10 TP = 10-0-0-1-0 05 - 3.1 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.4 - 2.2 - 11 - 10 TP = 7-0-0-0-4 06 - 3.6 - 00 - 0.6 - 1.0 - 1.6 - 14 - 10 TP = 7-0-2-3-2 #+6,6,7 HP 07 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 1.8 - 05 - 10 08 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.4 - 1.9 - 0.5 - 06 - 10 09 - 1.7 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.8 - 1.8 - 09 - 10 10 - 1.8 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.0 - 2.0 - 07 - 10 11 - 2.1 - 00 - 0.3 - 1.7 - 0.4 - 08 - 10 12 - 0.9 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 1.3 - 05 - 10 13 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.5 - 1.4 - 2.1 - 07 - 10 14 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 3.2 - 08 - 10 #+7,7 AG 15 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.5 - 2.4 - 05 - 10 16 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.9 - 0.8 - 1.3 - 06 - 10 17 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 2.4 - 04 - 10 18 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.0 - 1.3 - 5.2 - 08 - 10 19 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.0 - 1.5 - 1.7 - 07 - 10 20 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.4 - 3.0 - 0.2 - 07 - 10 #+6,7 DE Avg- 1.86- 00 - 0.25- 0.92- 1.78- 8.42 Level 20 Promoted Stats: (With Best Weapon +35) 74 - 00 - 74 - 52 - 62 Level 20 Average Stats : (Without/With Best Weapon) 53 - 00 - 13/48 - 29 - 48 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Khris Found at? Khris joins after freeing you from jail Spells? Heal (4) {starts, 5, 16, 21} Aura (2) {20, 28} Slow {8} Quick {12} Interesting Tidbit? 1. The version ROM I'm playing on has Khris named 'Chip' for some reason. Apparently there is some translation error. 2. Khris is the second required character to join 3. An interesting but helpful tidbit; Aura 1 can replace Heal 3 as a long ranged but cheaper alternative if you're healing 15> life 4. Khris defaults to 8 MP but can start with as much as 10 from what I've seen as well has 11 HP Starting Stats: HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - MV 10 - 08 - 06 - 05 - 04 - 05 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 03 - 0.3 - 2.2 - 1.0 - 1.0 - 1.0 - 07 - 10 04 - 0.9 - 0.3 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 03 - 10 05 - 1.8 - 0.1 - 0.5 - 1.0 - 1.0 - 07 - 10 06 - 0.0 - 1.8 - 0.4 - 0.0 - 1.0 - 05 - 10 07 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 1.1 - 1.2 - 1.0 - 06 - 10 08 - 0.3 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 01 - 10 09 - 0.5 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.4 - 0.4 - 04 - 10 10 - 0.2 - 0.4 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 03 - 10 11 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 02 - 10 12 - 0.8 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 0.8 - 0.2 - 03 - 10 13 - 0.4 - 0.5 - 0.7 - 0.4 - 1.4 - 06 - 10 14 - 0.4 - 0.0 - 0.4 - 0.9 - 0.0 - 04 - 10 15 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 0.8 - 0.7 - 0.3 - 05 - 10 16 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.5 - 0.2 - 03 - 10 17 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 0.7 - 0.0 - 02 - 10 18 - 0.2 - 1.3 - 0.4 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 04 - 10 19 - 1.7 - 0.1 - 1.6 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 07 - 10 20 - 0.1 - 1.2 - 0.2 - 0.6 - 0.8 - 06 - 10 +5 MP Avg- 0.43- 0.46- 0.45- 0.47- 0.44- 4.3 Avg lvl 20 Stats w/o Wpn : 19 - 18 - 14 - 13 - 12 Level 20 Stats w/o Weapon : 27 - 36 - 17 - 16 - 17 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 02 - 1.1 - 1.2 - 0.6 - 3.2 - 0.9 - 11 - 10 TP = 3-4-0-4-0 #+5,6,7 DE 03 - 1.1 - 0.4 - 0.8 - 5.4 - 2.2 - 15 - 10 TP = 2-1-2-7-3 04 - 0.4 - 1.5 - 2.0 - 6.4 - 1.6 - 19 - 10 TP = 0-5-3-8-3 05 - 1.3 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 1.0 - 1.6 - 09 - 10 #+5 AG 06 - 3.8 - 0.8 - 1.1 - 0.7 - 0.3 - 09 - 10 #+5,6 HP 07 - 2.8 - 1.6 - 0.5 - 0.8 - 0.0 - 11 - 10 TP = 4-5-2-0-0 #+5 HP/MP 08 - 0.8 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 2.2 - 0.7 - 06 - 10 09 - 0.4 - 1.4 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 05 - 10 10 - 0.1 - 0.6 - 0.5 - 1.0 - 3.0 - 09 - 10 #+5,5,6 AG 11 - 1.6 - 1.5 - 0.7 - 0.5 - 0.3 - 10 - 10 TP = 3-3-2-2-0 12 - 0.2 - 1.0 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 1.9 - 06 - 10 13 - 1.9 - 0.5 - 0.4 - 0.3 - 1.2 - 12 - 10 TP = 4-3-1-0-4 14 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 02 - 10 15 - 0.9 - 1.0 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 1.9 - 09 - 10 16 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.0 - 2.1 - 08 - 10 #+8 AG 17 - 1.7 - 0.4 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 1.7 - 05 - 10 18 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 2.2 - 06 - 10 19 - 0.8 - 3.0 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.5 - 08 - 10 20 - 1.6 - 1.6 - 1.2 - 0.4 - 1.4 - 11 - 10 TP = 0-3-4-2-2 #+6 MP Avg- 1.09- 0.91- 0.47- 1.21- 1.27- 9.00 Level 20 Promoted Stats: (With Best Weapon +25) 57 - 66 - 57 - 48 - 55 Level 20 Average Stats : (With/Without Best Weapon) 35 - 30 - 19/45 - 33 - 33 21 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 0.4 - 0.2 - 0.5 - 03 - 10 22 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 23 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 0.4 - 03 - 10 24 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 0.0 - 0.5 - 02 - 10 25 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 0.4 - 03 - 10 26 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 02 - 10 27 - 0.4 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 03 - 10 28 - 0.5 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 29 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 02 - 10 30 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.6 - 0.5 - 04 - 10 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Anri Found at? After telling Anri the bad news, go find her in the tower and she joins Spells? Blaze (2) {starts, 8} Freeze (4) {5, 13, 16, 23} Bolt (2) {19, 26} Muddle {10} Interesting Tidbit? 1. Although it seems like she's required, you can continue fighting and advance to the next chapter without getting her. *shrug* 2. White hair? Master of Freeze? 3. A critical from Freeze IV once did 88 damage. That's substantial 4. Anri can start with up to 10 HP from what I can tell, as well as 14 MP 5. Try to get Anri to level 5 before leaving the Cave of Darkness; as Freeze is way more useful in the Circus Tent (duh) but allows for Freeze+Blaze 2 to defeat the purple dolls which have 16 HP Starting Stats: HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - MV 08 - 12 - 04 - 04 - 09 - 05 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 04 - 0.2 - 4.0 - 1.0 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 07 - 10 05 - 0.2 - 1.1 - 0.0 - 1.0 - 0.0 - 04 - 10 06 - 0.1 - 0.6 - 1.0 - 1.0 - 0.7 - 05 - 10 07 - 1.0 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.7 - 03 - 10 08 - 0.0 - 0.5 - 1.0 - 1.0 - 0.2 - 05 - 10 09 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.8 - 1.2 - 04 - 10 10 - 0.6 - 0.0 - 1.0 - 0.0 - 0.7 - 04 - 10 11 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 12 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 01 - 10 13 - 0.5 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 0.3 - 06 - 10 14 - 0.0 - 1.4 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 04 - 10 15 - 0.1 - 0.7 - 0.4 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 06 - 10 16 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 17 - 0.3 - 0.6 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.0 - 03 - 10 18 - 0.0 - 1.5 - 1.1 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 05 - 10 19 - 0.1 - 1.1 - 0.6 - 0.0 - 0.5 - 04 - 10 20 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.9 - 0.5 - 1.9 - 10 - 10 TP = 1-3-1-1-4 Avg- 0.24- 0.73- 0.49- 0.34- 0.41- 4.53 Avg lvl 20 Stats w/o Wpn : 12 - 24 - 12 - 10 - 16 Level 20 Stats w/o Weapon : 20 - 44 - 13 - 15 - 23 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 02 - 0.7 - 1.9 - 0.7 - 3.9 - 3.7 - 16 - 10 TP = 2-2-0-5-7 03 - 1.0 - 2.1 - 1.7 - 3.7 - 2.6 - 15 - 10 TP = 0-5-4-4-2 #+5,6,6 DE +5 AG 04 - 1.4 - 1.3 - 3.1 - 2.7 - 2.9 - 18 - 10 TP = 2-2-4-6-4 #+6,6 DE +5 AG 05 - 2.3 - 2.1 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 1.5 - 11 - 10 TP = 4-4-0-0-3 #+6 HP 06 - 1.1 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 2.2 - 0.8 - 11 - 10 TP = 3-1-0-6-1 07 - 0.0 - 1.1 - 0.5 - 0.2 - 1.2 - 07 - 10 08 - 0.8 - 1.2 - 0.0 - 1.0 - 0.0 - 07 - 10 09 - 0.9 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 0.7 - 05 - 10 10 - 1.0 - 0.7 - 0.3 - 1.0 - 0.6 - 08 - 10 11 - 3.2 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.7 - 0.1 - 07 - 10 #+6 HP 12 - 0.4 - 1.4 - 0.3 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 05 - 10 13 - 0.3 - 1.0 - 0.3 - 0.0 - 0.9 - 06 - 10 14 - 1.2 - 0.6 - 0.5 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 05 - 10 15 - 0.3 - 1.9 - 1.6 - 0.0 - 0.7 - 07 - 10 16 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 1.5 - 0.0 - 2.8 - 08 - 10 17 - 1.3 - 0.4 - 1.6 - 0.4 - 1.5 - 12 - 10 TP = 5-2-2-0-3 18 - 0.0 - 0.5 - 2.1 - 0.2 - 0.9 - 08 - 10 19 - 1.1 - 0.4 - 0.8 - 0.6 - 3.0 - 09 - 10 20 - 0.4 - 2.5 - 1.3 - 0.1 - 2.8 - 14 - 10 TP = 3-5-2-0-4 #+6 MP Avg- 0.93- 1.04- 0.91- 0.93- 1.41- 9.47 Level 20 Promoted Stats: 53 - 81 - 23 - 42 - 61 Level 20 Average Stats : 27 - 38 - 26 - 26 - 39 21 - 0.4 - 0.1 - 0.4 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 22 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 02 - 10 23 - 0.2 - 0.4 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 02 - 10 24 - 0.2 - 0.6 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 03 - 10 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Arthur Found at? To find Arthur, talk to him after completing the cave battle in chapter II Spells? Blaze {15} Freeze {20} Bolt {25} Interesting Tidbit? 1. Arthur will join your party and be worse than your healers 2. Level 1 Ken has a little less Defense and agility, otherwise, level 1 Ken is the same as level 4 Arthur. -Sigh- 3. Arthur, like some other characters, are defined as "late bloomers" which is one who has substantial growth later in their career. This is extremely obvious when you look at their stats below Starting Stats: HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - MV 08 - 00 - 06 - 06 - 07 - 07 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 05 - 1.9 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 1.0 - 0.0 - 04 - 10 06 - 0.6 - 1.0 - 1.0 - 0.0 - 1.3 - 05 - 10 07 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 1.4 - 0.0 - 02 - 10 08 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 1.0 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 01 - 10 09 - 0.6 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 02 - 10 10 - 1.2 - 0.9 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 04 - 10 11 - 2.2 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 0.7 - 0.0 - 04 - 10 12 - 2.1 - 1.0 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.7 - 07 - 10 13 - 0.8 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 0.7 - 0.5 - 04 - 10 14 - 0.2 - 1.0 - 0.3 - 1.1 - 1.1 - 06 - 10 15 - 1.5 - 1.0 - 0.5 - 2.1 - 2.2 - 10 - 10 TP = 3-1-2-2-2 16 - 1.5 - 1.0 - 1.2 - 2.4 - 2.5 - 14 - 10 TP = 5-1-3-2-3 17 - 0.9 - 1.0 - 0.5 - 2.1 - 1.5 - 10 - 10 TP = 4-1-0-3-2 18 - 0.2 - 1.3 - 2.3 - 1.2 - 1.5 - 11 - 10 TP = 0-2-4-3-2 19 - 2.1 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 0.2 - 1.0 - 07 - 10 20 - 4.5 - 0.8 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 3.2 - 13 - 10 TP = 5-0-0-1-7 #+5,6,7 AG Avg- 1.25- 0.58- 0.49- 0.85- 0.99- 6.5 Avg lvl 20 Stats w/o Wpn : 28 - 09 - 14 - 20 - 23 Level 20 Stats w/o Weapon : 41 - 10 - 26 - 24 - 25 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 02 - 0.2 - 1.0 - 0.4 - 0.7 - 1.0 - 08 - 10 03 - 0.5 - 0.2 - 1.7 - 0.0 - 0.5 - 05 - 10 04 - 0.6 - 0.8 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.9 - 06 - 10 05 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 0.4 - 1.2 - 06 - 10 06 - 0.4 - 0.3 - 0.0 - 0.4 - 2.7 - 09 - 10 #+6 AG 07 - 0.4 - 0.5 - 0.0 - 0.8 - 0.3 - 05 - 10 08 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 1.4 - 04 - 10 09 - 0.4 - 1.0 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 0.0 - 05 - 10 10 - 0.5 - 0.3 - 0.0 - 0.4 - 0.7 - 06 - 10 11 - 0.6 - 0.5 - 1.0 - 0.1 - 0.6 - 07 - 10 12 - 2.2 - 0.5 - 0.1 - 1.0 - 3.4 - 14 - 10 TP = 3-2-0-3-6 #+6,6,7 AG 13 - 1.3 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 1.8 - 0.1 - 08 - 10 14 - 2.0 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 1.1 - 09 - 10 15 - 1.8 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 2.7 - 3.9 - 13 - 10 TP = 4-0-1-3-5 #+6 AG 16 - 1.9 - 0.5 - 0.5 - 3.4 - 3.4 - 16 - 10 TP = 2-3-1-5-5 #+7,8 DE +6 AG 17 - 3.7 - 0.1 - 1.2 - 3.6 - 3.0 - 16 - 10 TP = 3-1-3-3-6 #+6,6,7,8 HP +6,7 AG 18 - 5.0 - 0.0 - 0.5 - 3.7 - 2.1 - 15 - 10 TP = 7-0-1-4-3 #+6,8 DE 19 - 7.5 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 3.6 - 3.5 - 21 - 10 TP = 7-0-2-6-6 #+6,6 DE +7,7,7 AG 20 - 6.4 - 1.2 - 0.4 - 3.7 - 3.0 - 20 - 10 TP = 8-2-0-5-5 #+7 DE Avg- 1.88- 0.42- 0.37- 1.42- 1.72- 10.16 Level 20 Promoted Stats: (With Best Weapon +35) 78 - 32 - 78 - 64 - 67 Level 20 Average Stats : (With/Without Best Weapon) 57 - 15 - 17/52 - 42 - 50 21 - 0.4 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.5 - 0.3 - 03 - 10 22 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.4 - 0.1 - 02 - 10 23 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 0.1 - 02 - 10 24 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 0.6 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 25 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 03 - 10 26 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 02 - 10 27 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 03 - 10 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Balbaroy Found at? Balbs will join at the conclusion of chapter II. Spells? A flying caster would be cool... Interesting Tidbit? 1. Balbs can use the unique swords (not the Sword of Light) if you feel like not giving them to Max. Amon shares this as well 2. How do you pronounce his name? Bahl-ba-roy or bahl-ba-ree Starting Stats: HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - MV 11 - 00 - 10 - 10 - 10 - 07 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 06 - 1.4 - 00 - 0.3 - 1.8 - 1.7 - 08 - 10 07 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.5 - 0.0 - 1.4 - 04 - 10 08 - 0.4 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 03 - 10 09 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 01 - 10 10 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.8 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 02 - 10 11 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 0.5 - 03 - 10 12 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 02 - 10 13 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 01 - 10 14 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 15 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 02 - 10 16 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.5 - 0.0 - 03 - 10 17 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.5 - 0.5 - 0.0 - 04 - 10 18 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.4 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 03 - 10 19 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.6 - 0.0 - 0.6 - 03 - 10 20 - 1.4 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.5 - 2.3 - 08 - 10 #+5 HP +5 AG Avg- 0.3 - 00 - 0.24- 0.26- 0.49- 3.33 Avg lvl 20 Stats w/o Wpn : 16 - 00 - 14 - 14 - 17 Level 20 Stats w/o Weapon : 29 - 00 - 19 - 21 - 22 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 02 - 1.7 - 00 - 1.3 - 1.5 - 2.1 - 11 - 10 TP = 4-0-1-4-2 03 - 1.9 - 00 - 0.0 - 1.5 - 1.6 - 11 - 10 TP = 2-0-0-4-5 04 - 2.3 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.6 - 07 - 10 #+5 HP 05 - 0.8 - 00 - 0.1 - 2.2 - 2.0 - 12 - 10 TP = 2-0-0-5-5 06 - 0.8 - 00 - 0.6 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 04 - 10 07 - 0.8 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.5 - 0.9 - 07 - 10 08 - 0.9 - 00 - 0.6 - 1.0 - 0.1 - 07 - 10 09 - 0.4 - 00 - 0.0 - 1.4 - 1.7 - 06 - 10 10 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.7 - 06 - 10 11 - 0.6 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.7 - 1.9 - 07 - 10 12 - 3.2 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 0.2 - 08 - 10 13 - 0.6 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 3.0 - 08 - 10 #+6 AG 14 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.7 - 0.6 - 04 - 10 15 - 1.5 - 00 - 0.3 - 3.2 - 0.7 - 10 - 10 TP = 5-0-0-5-0 16 - 0.9 - 00 - 0.0 - 1.6 - 1.3 - 08 - 10 17 - 1.5 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.9 - 1.3 - 09 - 10 #+6 HP 18 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.5 - 2.3 - 2.1 - 08 - 10 19 - 0.4 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.5 - 4.1 - 10 - 10 TP = 2-0-0-2-6 #+6,6,7,8 AG 20 - 0.7 - 00 - 1.0 - 0.4 - 2.1 - 09 - 10 Avg- 1.03- 00 - 0.31- 1.04- 1.43- 8.00 Level 20 Promoted Stats: (With Best Weapon +30) 63 - 00 - 68 - 51 - 60 Level 20 Average Stats : (Without/With Best Weapon) 31 - 00 - 16/46 - 30 - 40 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Amon Found at? Amon also joins at the end of chapter II Spells? Huh? Interesting Tidbit? 1. As one might guess, Balbs is Amon's husband 2. If you've gotten all the characters up to this point, Amon and Balbs will start at headquarters 3. Is it Ay-mon or Ay-men or Ah-mon or Ah-men? 4. Amon can start with several more HP Starting Stats: HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - MV 11 - 00 - 07 - 08 - 11 - 07 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 06 - 2.2 - 00 - 1.0 - 0.8 - 0.4 - 07 - 10 07 - 0.0 - 00 - 1.1 - 0.0 - 0.9 - 05 - 10 08 - 0.4 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 03 - 10 09 - 0.8 - 00 - 0.3 - 1.1 - 0.8 - 05 - 10 10 - 2.3 - 00 - 1.0 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 07 - 10 11 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.4 - 0.1 - 02 - 10 12 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 0.5 - 04 - 10 13 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 02 - 10 14 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.7 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 02 - 10 15 - 0.8 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 0.6 - 05 - 10 16 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.4 - 0.8 - 0.8 - 05 - 10 17 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.0 - 1.0 - 0.4 - 03 - 10 18 - 1.3 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.8 - 07 - 10 19 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.4 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 01 - 10 20 - 0.4 - 00 - 0.6 - 0.0 - 0.4 - 05 - 10 Avg- 0.63- 00 - 0.41- 0.31- 0.41- 4.2 Avg lvl 20 Stats w/o Wpn : 20 - 00 - 13 - 13 - 17 Level 20 Stats w/o Weapon : 33 - 00 - 22 - 19 - 27 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 02 - 1.3 - 00 - 0.5 - 1.1 - 2.9 - 09 - 10 #+5,5,5,6 AG 03 - 0.1 - 00 - 1.0 - 2.4 - 2.1 - 08 - 10 #+5 DE 04 - 1.0 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.8 - 3.6 - 09 - 10 #+5,6 AG 05 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.6 - 1.2 - 1.4 - 07 - 10 #+5 AG 06 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.1 - 1.3 - 0.9 - 06 - 10 07 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.9 - 0.2 - 1.9 - 08 - 10 08 - 0.6 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 0.6 - 04 - 10 09 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.4 - 1.3 - 1.0 - 06 - 10 10 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 3.5 - 07 - 10 #+6 AG 11 - 0.7 - 00 - 0.0 - 2.2 - 1.1 - 08 - 10 12 - 2.0 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 3.0 - 09 - 10 #+7 AG 13 - 1.0 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.8 - 1.8 - 07 - 10 14 - 1.3 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.8 - 0.6 - 08 - 10 15 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 2.5 - 06 - 10 #+6 AG 16 - 0.8 - 00 - 0.7 - 0.6 - 2.8 - 14 - 10 TP = 5-0-1-2-6 #+6,7,7 AG 17 - 1.3 - 00 - 0.6 - 1.1 - 0.2 - 06 - 10 18 - 4.0 - 00 - 0.4 - 2.2 - 1.8 - 12 - 10 TP = 8-0-0-2-2 #+7,8 HP +6 DE 19 - 5.1 - 00 - 0.0 - 3.3 - 1.3 - 15 - 10 TP = 6-0-0-5-4 #+6 DE 20 - 3.7 - 00 - 0.4 - 0.7 - 0.9 - 10 - 10 TP = 6-0-2-2-0 #+6,6,7 HP Avg- 1.26- 00 - 0.33- 1.09- 1.78- 8.37 Level 20 Promoted Stats: (With Best Weapon +30) 68 - 00 - 66 - 50 - 64 Level 20 Average Stats : (With/Without Best Weapon) 39 - 00 - 16/46 - 31 - 47 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Diane Found at? Talk to her mother then Diane Spells? Another fail Elf in my opinion as she doesn't get magic Interesting Tidbit? 1. Diane is actually not required, you must talk to her to get her 2. Even though we know where the quarry is, we 'must' have Diane to lead us there. Wait, what? 3. Where are all the men in this quarry? 4. Many people see Diane and assume she's better than Hans. Like many trends in SF, Diane is better than Hans initially but if leveled equally, Hans tends to be slightly better in the end Starting Stats: HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - MV 11 - 00 - 08 - 07 - 11 - 05 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 07 - 0.3 - 00 - 1.1 - 0.6 - 0.2 - 04 - 10 08 - 1.1 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 09 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 0.8 - 04 - 10 10 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.2 - 1.8 - 0.0 - 04 - 10 11 - 1.7 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 04 - 10 12 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.6 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 02 - 10 13 - 0.5 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.9 - 0.2 - 06 - 10 14 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 01 - 10 15 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 02 - 10 16 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.9 - 0.2 - 03 - 10 17 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.6 - 0.6 - 03 - 10 18 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.8 - 0.1 - 04 - 10 19 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.0 - 1.7 - 0.6 - 04 - 10 20 - 0.6 - 00 - 0.5 - 0.0 - 1.4 - 08 - 10 Avg- 0.35- 00 - 0.22- 0.61- 0.33- 3.71 Avg lvl 20 Stats w/o Wpn : 16 - 00 - 11 - 15 - 16 Level 20 Stats w/o Weapon : 29 - 00 - 20 - 19 - 20 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 02 - 1.1 - 00 - 0.8 - 0.8 - 2.0 - 08 - 10 03 - 0.4 - 00 - 0.1 - 2.2 - 2.7 - 09 - 10 #+5,6 DE 04 - 2.2 - 00 - 0.0 - 2.3 - 2.0 - 08 - 10 #+5 AG 05 - 1.2 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 2.0 - 07 - 10 #+5,6 AG 06 - 0.5 - 00 - 0.9 - 0.8 - 0.1 - 06 - 10 07 - 2.2 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 1.7 - 07 - 10 08 - 1.8 - 00 - 0.1 - 1.7 - 0.6 - 09 - 10 09 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.3 - 3.0 - 0.2 - 06 - 10 #+6,6 DE 10 - 1.8 - 00 - 0.0 - 1.4 - 1.3 - 09 - 10 #+6 DE 11 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 3.4 - 08 - 10 #+6,7 AG 12 - 0.9 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.4 - 0.1 - 05 - 10 13 - 1.1 - 00 - 0.4 - 0.5 - 0.8 - 07 - 10 14 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.1 - 2.5 - 0.5 - 07 - 10 15 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 1.9 - 05 - 10 16 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.4 - 1.5 - 0.6 - 08 - 10 17 - 1.7 - 00 - 0.0 - 1.0 - 3.6 - 11 - 10 TP = 4-0-0-3-4 #+6 HP +7 AG 18 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.6 - 1.6 - 05 - 10 19 - 1.4 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.5 - 0.8 - 05 - 10 20 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.0 - 2.8 - 3.3 - 10 - 10 TP = 0-0-0-3-7 #+6,6,7 AG Avg- 0.92- 00 - 0.19- 1.18- 1.54- 7.37 Level 20 Promoted Stats: (With Best Weapon +35) 61 - 00 - 63 - 44 - 58 Level 20 Average Stats : (Without/With Best Weapon) 30 - 00 - 12/47 - 34 - 41 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Zylo Found at? After getting the Moonstone, go to the nearby house to make Lunar Dew, then go feed it to Zylo. You only must stand in front of him and pour it in his mouth Spells? A spell-wielding wolfman, sounds cool Interesting Tidbit? 1. Zylo is actually not required 2. Zylo is your second character who may suffer from lack of a weapon 3. Zylo's promoted form throws wolfheads. I don't understand. But from a speed run perspective, it's actually bad since it is such a long animation 4. Be jealous, I have 'Zappa' instead of Zylo Starting Stats: HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - MV 24 - 00 - 26 - 16 - 13 - 07 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 10 - 0.1 - 00 - 1.1 - 0.0 - 1.0 - 06 - 10 11 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.4 - 02 - 10 12 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.6 - 0.9 - 04 - 10 13 - 0.5 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 1.3 - 05 - 10 14 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 03 - 10 15 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.4 - 0.3 - 02 - 10 16 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.5 - 02 - 10 17 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.7 - 0.1 - 0.8 - 04 - 10 18 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.5 - 0.2 - 0.5 - 03 - 10 19 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.5 - 1.9 - 1.2 - 08 - 10 #+5 AG 20 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 02 - 10 Avg- 0.16- 00 - 0.33- 0.35- 0.68- 3.72 Avg lvl 20 Stats w/o Wpn : 26 - 00 - 30 - 20 - 20 Level 20 Stats w/o Weapon : 27 - 00 - 43 - 25 - 24 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 02 - 2.5 - 00 - 3.0 - 0.7 - 2.9 - 14 - 10 TP = 3-0-5-1-5 03 - 1.8 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.8 - 3.5 - 10 - 10 TP = 0-0-0-3-7 #+5,5,7 AG 04 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.8 - 0.3 - 2.8 - 10 - 10 TP = 1-0-2-0-7 #+5,7,7 AG 05 - 2.1 - 00 - 2.3 - 2.3 - 0.5 - 11 - 10 TP = 3-0-5-3-0 06 - 0.7 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.8 - 1.4 - 06 - 10 07 - 2.7 - 00 - 1.5 - 1.0 - 3.4 - 14 - 10 TP = 4-0-4-1-5 08 - 0.7 - 00 - 0.0 - 1.9 - 0.2 - 07 - 10 #+6 DE 09 - 2.8 - 00 - 1.4 - 0.1 - 0.9 - 10 - 10 TP = 6-0-4-0-0 #+6 AT 10 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.6 - 1.0 - 2.8 - 09 - 10 11 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.2 - 1.4 - 4.0 - 09 - 10 #+7,8,8 AG 12 - 0.7 - 00 - 2.4 - 0.5 - 0.9 - 10 - 10 TP = 1-0-4-1-4 13 - 2.2 - 00 - 0.6 - 0.6 - 0.5 - 09 - 10 14 - 4.2 - 00 - 0.4 - 1.1 - 2.1 - 15 - 10 TP = 6-0-1-4-4 #+6,7,7,8 HP 15 - 0.4 - 00 - 0.8 - 0.1 - 0.8 - 05 - 10 16 - 2.0 - 00 - 0.3 - 1.0 - 2.1 - 11 - 10 TP = 4-0-0-3-4 17 - 1.5 - 00 - 1.6 - 0.6 - 1.8 - 09 - 10 18 - 3.0 - 00 - 0.1 - 1.1 - 0.4 - 09 - 10 #+6,6,7 HP 19 - 0.1 - 00 - 1.9 - 1.3 - 1.9 - 11 - 10 TP = 0-0-4-2-5 20 - 1.3 - 00 - 1.0 - 1.3 - 0.3 - 09 - 10 Avg- 1.55- 00 - 1.02- 0.94- 1.75- 9.89 Level 20 Promoted Stats: 68 - 00 - 82 - 59 - 61 Level 20 Average Stats : 49 - 00 - 42 - 33 - 48 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pelle Found at? The merc Pelle crawls back from a certain death to join your team Spells? See previous knights not named Arthur Interesting Tidbit? 1. Pelle joins even if you don't want him 2. Is it Pay-lay or Pel-lee? 3. The centaur manages to crawl up a cliff? WTF? 4. Even though Pelle is better than silver knights, one still manages to push him over the edge. WTF? 5. Pelle can have some crazy variance. The lowest attack with Power Spear that I've seen is 29 (highest is 34) and Defense from taking 1 point of damage from Lizardmen to taking 4 points of damage (these are starting stats of course). That one particular run, Pelle gained +7 Defense at level 9. I pooped myself a bit when I saw that 6. Compared to Arthur, Pelle is the best example of an "early bloomer" that is to say he starts out strong and grows very little as compared to someone who is garbage but grows heavily later on Starting Stats: HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - MV 17 - 00 - 17 - 21 - 15 - 07 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 09 - 1.0 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.9 - 0.0 - 05 - 10 10 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.1 - 1.2 - 0.7 - 05 - 10 11 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 0.4 - 02 - 10 12 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.4 - 02 - 10 13 - 0.8 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 04 - 10 14 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 01 - 10 15 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.4 - 02 - 10 16 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.5 - 02 - 10 17 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.8 - 03 - 10 18 - 0.8 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 03 - 10 19 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.7 - 03 - 10 20 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 01 - 10 Avg- 0.32- 00 - 0.05- 0.18- 0.36- 2.583 Avg lvl 20 Stats w/o Wpn : 21 - 00 - 17 - 22 - 19 Level 20 Stats w/o Weapon : 30 - 00 - 21 - 26 - 23 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 02 - 3.3 - 00 - 1.7 - 1.6 - 0.5 - 11 - 10 TP = 2-0-3-3-3 #+6,7 to HP 03 - 5.5 - 00 - 0.5 - 0.7 - 0.3 - 10 - 10 TP = 8-0-1-1-0 04 - 1.4 - 00 - 0.9 - 1.5 - 0.5 - 07 - 10 05 - 1.8 - 00 - 0.2 - 1.7 - 0.3 - 08 - 10 06 - 0.7 - 00 - 0.4 - 1.2 - 0.8 - 07 - 10 07 - 1.0 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 1.0 - 05 - 10 08 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.6 - 1.4 - 0.5 - 06 - 10 09 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.0 - 1.5 - 0.3 - 04 - 10 10 - 0.4 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.6 - 1.9 - 05 - 10 11 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.0 - 1.8 - 3.4 - 11 - 10 TP = 0-0-0-5-6 #+6,7,7,8 AG 12 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 1.3 - 04 - 10 13 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.5 - 0.4 - 1.1 - 05 - 10 14 - 1.3 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.6 - 2.2 - 07 - 10 15 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 6.7 - 09 - 10 16 - 0.9 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 2.8 - 09 - 10 #+6,7 AG 17 - 3.9 - 00 - 0.2 - 1.2 - 6.4 - 15 - 10 TP = 5-0-0-3-7 #+6,6 HP 18 - 1.0 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 2.3 - 09 - 10 19 - 1.8 - 00 - 0.3 - 1.0 - 3.2 - 12 - 10 TP = 3-0-0-4-5 #+7,7 AG 20 - 2.4 - 00 - 0.6 - 0.0 - 3.2 - 10 - 10 TP = 6-0-4-0-0 #+6 HP +6 AG Avg- 1.37- 00 - 0.35- 0.79- 2.04- 8.11 Level 20 Promoted Stats: (With Best Weapon +35) 69 - 00 - 72 - 57 - 62 Level 20 Average Stats : (Without/With Best Weapon) 42 - 00 - 20/55 - 31 - 53 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jogurt Found at? In chapter IV now BEFORE Pao leaves, you must walk around near the Priest in the top left. He will then join without any kind of notice. It's quite annoying, as he is Spells? Please give him something to make him useful Interesting Tidbit? 1. The worst character in any game goes to Jogurt. He's seriously weaker than the Silver Surfer from NES 2. As everyone knows, finishing off a monster earns you a Yogurt ring, to turn someone into a Gerbil as well 3. I didn't bother to level him. It's a waste of time as he can't increase past level 1 4. Another name typo, now it's Joghurt 5. You can promote Jogurt as much as you would like. Nothing changes Starting Stats: HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - MV 01 - 00 - 01 - 01 - 01 - 07 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples Lolwut? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kokichi Found at? After beating 3-1, go search his machine and then talk to him. Follow the story and then he'll join at the beginning of Chapter 4 once Pao leaves Spells? He can build a flying machine but can't cast spells Interesting Tidbit? 1. It's a bird, it's a plane, it's an old spear wielding geezer! 2. Kokichi is the 3rd of 4 characters that all join your party before you fight your next battle 3. Kokichi is what some would call a Pegasus Knight; but instead he's a Sky Lord. Because of that, he is more closely aligned with your birds than with your traditional knights Starting Stats: HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - MV 14 - 00 - 11 - 10 - 11 - 06 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 08 - 2.3 - 00 - 1.1 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 07 - 10 09 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 1.1 - 03 - 10 10 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.4 - 0.3 - 03 - 10 11 - 0.4 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 0.4 - 06 - 10 12 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 02 - 10 13 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 01 - 10 #A level where he gained 1 AG once 14 - 0.4 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.4 - 0.0 - 02 - 10 15 - 0.7 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.5 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 16 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.0 - 1.0 - 0.3 - 03 - 10 17 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.4 - 0.2 - 1.6 - 04 - 10 18 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.4 - 0.9 - 05 - 10 19 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.0 - 1.2 - 0.9 - 07 - 10 20 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.4 - 0.5 - 0.4 - 04 - 10 Avg- 0.39- 00 - 0.19- 0.38- 0.50- 3.486 Avg lvl 20 Stats w/o Wpn : 19 - 00 - 14 - 15 - 17 Level 20 Stats w/o Weapon : 29 - 00 - 22 - 17 - 21 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 02 - 2.5 - 00 - 0.7 - 1.3 - 1.4 - 10 - 10 TP = 4-0-1-2-3 03 - 2.5 - 00 - 0.5 - 1.0 - 1.3 - 14 - 10 TP = 5-0-2-3-4 #+5,5,5 HP 04 - 0.5 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 0.8 - 04 - 10 05 - 0.8 - 00 - 0.3 - 1.0 - 0.6 - 05 - 10 06 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.2 - 2.5 - 1.0 - 07 - 10 #+5 DE 07 - 1.3 - 00 - 0.0 - 2.0 - 1.6 - 10 - 10 TP = 3-0-0-4-3 08 - 0.9 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 0.9 - 09 - 10 09 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.5 - 06 - 10 10 - 0.4 - 00 - 0.5 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 03 - 10 11 - 2.7 - 00 - 0.4 - 1.6 - 1.1 - 09 - 10 12 - 2.6 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 2.1 - 08 - 10 #+6 AG 13 - 0.9 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 1.8 - 07 - 10 #+5 AG 14 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.2 - 3.0 - 0.3 - 07 - 10 #+6 DE 15 - 0.9 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.4 - 1.3 - 07 - 10 16 - 1.9 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 3.8 - 09 - 10 #+6 AG 17 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 3.4 - 08 - 10 #+6,7 AG 18 - 1.5 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.5 - 04 - 10 19 - 2.9 - 00 - 0.0 - 2.5 - 1.0 - 12 - 10 TP = 5-0-0-2-5 #+6 HP 20 - 0.4 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.0 - 2.0 - 06 - 10 Avg- 1.20- 00 - 0.20- 0.91- 1.34- 7.63 Level 20 Promoted Stats: (With Best Weapon +35) 63 - 00 - 72 - 49 - 58 Level 20 Average Stats : (Without/With Best Weapon) 37 - 00 - 14/49 - 28 - 38 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Vankar Found at? Once Pao leaves, walk around the middle and he's standing there bored Spells? See Pelle Interesting Tidbit? 1. Vankar's named sounds suspiciously dirty if you swap the V for a W 2. Does he have cancer? Look at his nose 3. My game calls him 'Vann' Starting Stats: HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - MV 30 - 00 - 12 - 11 - 11 - 07 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 09 - 0.7 - 00 - 0.8 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 05 - 10 10 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 02 - 10 11 - 0.5 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.9 - 1.5 - 07 - 10 12 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 02 - 10 13 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 01 - 10 14 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.5 - 0.6 - 04 - 10 15 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 01 - 10 16 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.5 - 0.0 - 03 - 10 17 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.0 - 0.4 - 02 - 10 18 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 02 - 10 19 - 0.5 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.9 - 1.1 - 05 - 10 20 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.6 - 05 - 10 Avg- 0.22- 00 - 0.18- 0.30- 0.48- 3.25 Avg lvl 20 Stats w/o Wpn : 33 - 00 - 14 - 15 - 17 Level 20 Stats w/o Weapon : 35 - 00 - 24 - 24 - 23 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 02 - 1.7 - 00 - 0.5 - 3.5 - 2.0 - 12 - 10 TP = 6-0-0-5-1 03 - 4.0 - 00 - 1.1 - 2.4 - 1.8 - 18 - 10 TP = 7-0-3-4-4 #+6 DE 04 - 0.3 - 00 - 1.0 - 2.4 - 0.5 - 07 - 10 05 - 1.0 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.7 - 3.1 - 07 - 10 #+6 AG 06 - 2.6 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.4 - 2.6 - 10 - 10 TP = 4-0-0-3-3 #+6,6 HP 07 - 1.9 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 1.6 - 07 - 10 08 - 1.3 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 0.8 - 05 - 10 09 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 1.8 - 05 - 10 10 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.9 - 3.7 - 07 - 10 #+7 AG 11 - 0.6 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 2.1 - 05 - 10 12 - 0.5 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 1.4 - 05 - 10 13 - 1.1 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.8 - 3.4 - 09 - 10 #+6 AG 14 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 02 - 10 15 - 0.9 - 00 - 0.0 - 2.7 - 1.8 - 09 - 10 16 - 1.8 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 1.0 - 05 - 10 17 - 0.7 - 00 - 0.6 - 1.2 - 1.9 - 10 - 10 TP = 4-0-1-0-5 18 - 1.6 - 00 - 0.0 - 2.1 - 0.9 - 12 - 10 TP = 4-0-0-3-5 19 - 1.0 - 00 - 0.7 - 2.9 - 0.0 - 07 - 10 20 - 3.1 - 00 - 0.1 - 1.7 - 1.5 - 10 - 10 TP = 5-0-0-3-2 Avg- 1.31- 00 - 0.25- 1.17- 1.69- 8.00 Level 20 Promoted Stats: (With Best Weapon +35) 71 - 00 - 70 - 50 - 61 Level 20 Average Stats : (With/Without Best Weapon) 50 - 00 - 15/50 - 33 - 45 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Domingo Found at? In chapter II get the Domingo Egg from the monster thing in the magic city. Now in Pao II, there's a man who will 'cook' the egg and Domingo joins. Spells? Freeze (4) {starts, 4, 13, 26} Muddle {7} Boost {20} Desoul {17} Interesting Tidbit? 1. Domingo is your first character to come promoted already 1a. There has been some questions raised about Domingo, since he gains experience like an unpromoted character. My answer is this: since he cannot be promoted, he is obviously then promoted already 2. White shell? Freeze Master? 3. When Domingo attacks, I feel like it should do no damage as he's like farting on his opponent 4. Domingo is the second highest priority target for enemies. No really. I feel as if this is unintentional as the enemies likely classify him as both a "Mage" and a "Flying Unit" which trumps traditional classifications in terms of how the enemy aggro towards you 5. Domingo can start with as much as +3 HP I've noticed. Simiarly his DE can be higher as well 6. Domingo is great, but will likely never learn Freeze 4 unless you excessively grind him out Starting Stats: HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - MV 15 - 15 - 10 - 16 - 18 - 05 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 02 - 1.7 - 1.5 - 1.2 - 1.4 - 1.2 - 13 - 10 TP = 3-3-2-2-3 #+5 HP 03 - 1.7 - 0.8 - 0.7 - 1.0 - 0.2 - 10 - 10 TP = 4-3-0-1-2 04 - 0.4 - 0.1 - 0.9 - 0.5 - 0.2 - 04 - 10 05 - 0.7 - 1.9 - 0.4 - 1.8 - 0.1 - 08 - 10 #+5,5 DE 06 - 2.0 - 1.2 - 1.5 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 09 - 10 #+5,6 HP 07 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 2.5 - 0.8 - 1.3 - 06 - 10 #+5 AG 08 - 0.7 - 0.1 - 2.1 - 0.1 - 2.0 - 09 - 10 #+5 AG 09 - 0.2 - 2.7 - 0.3 - 0.6 - 0.2 - 07 - 10 #+5,5,5,5 MP 10 - 0.5 - 0.4 - 1.9 - 0.5 - 0.8 - 08 - 10 11 - 3.5 - 1.6 - 0.0 - 1.4 - 0.2 - 13 - 10 TP = 5-4-0-3-1 #+5,5,5 HP 12 - 0.6 - 0.1 - 0.9 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 04 - 10 13 - 0.8 - 0.9 - 0.8 - 0.2 - 0.4 - 08 - 10 #+5 MP 14 - 0.5 - 1.9 - 0.7 - 0.5 - 0.3 - 09 - 10 15 - 0.9 - 2.1 - 0.4 - 0.1 - 0.6 - 08 - 10 #+6 MP 16 - 0.5 - 0.3 - 1.4 - 0.8 - 0.5 - 08 - 10 17 - 2.1 - 1.0 - 1.1 - 0.9 - 0.8 - 09 - 10 18 - 1.5 - 2.3 - 0.2 - 0.6 - 0.1 - 09 - 10 #+6 MP 19 - 0.3 - 1.2 - 0.6 - 1.0 - 1.3 - 08 - 10 #+5 AG 20 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 2.8 - 0.3 - 3.3 - 15 - 10 TP = 2-3-7-0-3 #+5,7,7 AT +5,6 AG Avg- 0.99- 1.08- 1.07- 0.66- 0.73- 8.68 Level 20 Promoted Stats: 56 - 54 - 34 - 49 - 40 Level 20 Average Stats: 34 - 36 - 30 - 28 - 32 21 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 03 - 10 22 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 23 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.4 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 02 - 10 24 - 0.5 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 0.4 - 03 - 10 25 - 0.4 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 03 - 10 26 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 02 - 10 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Guntz Found at? In Chapter 4 in Pao 2, go to the Sheep Pen, Guntz is there waiting for you Spells? Hmmm Interesting Tidbit? 1. What does his face look like? 2. How does he go pee? 3. Despite having a spear, promoted or unpromoted, he will attack the target at melee range in the animation 4. Ha, I have a 'Gantz' 5. Guntz, despite using Knight weapons, is classified as a Misc. Warrior character as he is more similar to them in nearly every way Starting Stats: HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - MV 16 - 00 - 17 - 17 - 14 - 04 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 09 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.1 - 1.1 - 1.0 - 05 - 10 10 - 0.9 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.4 - 0.3 - 04 - 10 11 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.5 - 0.0 - 02 - 10 12 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.7 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 13 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.7 - 0.7 - 0.2 - 06 - 10 14 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 02 - 10 15 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 02 - 10 16 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.4 - 0.0 - 03 - 10 17 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 02 - 10 18 - 0.7 - 00 - 0.6 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 03 - 10 19 - 0.4 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 02 - 10 20 - 0.7 - 00 - 0.2 - 1.9 - 0.4 - 07 - 10 Avg- 0.33- 00 - 0.22- 0.49- 0.19- 3.42 Avg lvl 20 Stats w/o Wpn : 20 - 00 - 19 - 23 - 16 Level 20 Stats w/o Weapon : 27 - 00 - 26 - 33 - 15 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 02 - 4.0 - 00 - 0.4 - 3.4 - 3.6 - 16 - 10 TP = 7-0-1-3-5 03 - 1.1 - 00 - 0.2 - 5.6 - 2.2 - 14 - 10 TP = 2-0-0-9-3 04 - 3.1 - 00 - 0.4 - 0.1 - 3.2 - 11 - 10 TP = 6-0-0-0-5 05 - 2.7 - 00 - 0.1 - 2.4 - 2.6 - 12 - 10 TP = 5-0-0-2-5 06 - 0.5 - 00 - 0.5 - 2.4 - 0.1 - 07 - 10 07 - 0.5 - 00 - 0.2 - 2.3 - 0.7 - 08 - 10 08 - 1.5 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.9 - 0.0 - 05 - 10 09 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.8 - 2.3 - 0.2 - 07 - 10 10 - 1.3 - 00 - 0.0 - 1.2 - 0.1 - 07 - 10 11 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.6 - 0.7 - 0.3 - 04 - 10 12 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.0 - 1.1 - 1.1 - 07 - 10 13 - 0.7 - 00 - 0.3 - 1.3 - 0.3 - 06 - 10 14 - 1.3 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.5 - 0.7 - 07 - 10 15 - 0.7 - 00 - 0.0 - 1.9 - 0.7 - 07 - 10 16 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.1 - 1.7 - 1.4 - 07 - 10 17 - 1.6 - 00 - 0.7 - 1.8 - 0.8 - 13 - 10 TP = 4-0-2-6-1 #+6 DE 18 - 1.1 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 1.3 - 10 - 10 TP = 4-0-0-2-4 19 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.6 - 0.6 - 0.2 - 03 - 10 20 - 2.6 - 00 - 0.1 - 5.6 - 1.3 - 14 - 10 TP = 5-0-1-6-2 #+1 DE Avg- 1.22- 00 - 0.26- 1.90- 1.11- 8.68 Level 20 Promoted Stats: (With Best Weapon +35) 61 - 00 - 77 - 87 - 45 Level 20 Average Stats : (With/Without Best Weapon) 38 - 00 - 20/55 - 53 - 33 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Earnest Found at? The -legendary- Ernst joins after slaying a dog to assist in the battle against Balbazak Spells? See Ken Interesting Tidbit? 1. I call him Ernst. Don't ask 2. After all these optional characters, Ernst must join you. Damn Starting Stats: HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - MV 22 - 00 - 12 - 11 - 13 - 07 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 09 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.4 - 0.3 - 04 - 10 10 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.4 - 0.5 - 04 - 10 11 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.4 - 0.1 - 02 - 10 12 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 0.5 - 02 - 10 13 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.4 - 02 - 10 14 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.5 - 02 - 10 15 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 02 - 10 16 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 02 - 10 17 - 0.5 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 0.4 - 03 - 10 18 - 0.9 - 00 - 0.5 - 0.4 - 1.1 - 06 - 10 19 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.8 - 0.9 - 04 - 10 20 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.1 - 1.0 - 1.6 - 06 - 10 Avg- 0.2 - 00 - 0.11- 0.33- 0.55- 3.25 Avg lvl 20 Stats w/o Wpn : 24 - 00 - 13 - 15 - 20 Level 20 Stats w/o Weapon : 31 - 00 - 20 - 19 - 25 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 02 - 1.1 - 00 - 1.7 - 2.9 - 3.7 - 14 - 10 TP = 3-0-2-3-6 #+5 AT +6 AG 03 - 4.2 - 00 - 0.2 - 4.1 - 2.2 - 16 - 10 TP = 5-0-0-5-6 #+5,5,5,8HP 5,5,5,6DE 04 - 0.0 - 00 - 1.1 - 2.4 - 2.0 - 08 - 10 05 - 0.8 - 00 - 0.1 - 3.4 - 2.2 - 12 - 10 TP = 3-0-1-6-2 #+6,6 DE 06 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 3.0 - 05 - 10 07 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.5 - 5.1 - 07 - 10 08 - 1.1 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.7 - 0.7 - 05 - 10 09 - 1.4 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.5 - 4.0 - 11 - 10 TP = 4-0-0-0-7 10 - 0.6 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.6 - 2.2 - 07 - 10 11 - 0.8 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 4.0 - 10 - 10 TP = 2-0-0-0-8 #+6,7,8 AG 12 - 1.4 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 05 - 10 13 - 0.6 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.4 - 02 - 10 14 - 2.8 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.6 - 3.7 - 13 - 10 TP = 6-0-0-0-7 #+6 HP +6,7 AG 15 - 1.2 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 1.8 - 09 - 10 16 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.4 - 0.5 - 0.3 - 04 - 10 17 - 0.5 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.9 - 1.2 - 09 - 10 18 - 0.8 - 00 - 1.0 - 0.0 - 0.6 - 05 - 10 19 - 3.6 - 00 - 0.9 - 1.7 - 1.9 - 14 - 10 TP = 5-0-3-2-4 20 - 1.8 - 00 - 0.1 - 2.2 - 0.7 - 08 - 10 Avg- 1.23- 00 - 0.33- 1.14- 1.98- 8.63 Level 20 Promoted Stats: (With Best Weapon +35) 68 - 00 - 74 - 50 - 64 Level 20 Average Stats : (With/Without Best Weapon) 41 - 00 - 16/51 - 33 - 53 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lyle Found at? After this long break, Lyle join in chapter VI when you find him hidden in the Bell Tower of Notre Dame Spells? I think the gun (bow?) is cool enough Interesting Tidbit? 1. Unlike most other archers, Lyle is equipped with some sort of cannon 2. A misnomer, that he is found in the 'village of kids, Rudo' but he is an adult as well as there are a few other adults (the shopkeepers for example) 3. Lyle is a well-welcomed member of the force as he can hurt the tougher enemies at this point, especially after a few levels Starting Stats: HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - MV 15 - 00 - 14 - 09 - 10 - 07 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 09 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.6 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 03 - 10 10 - 0.8 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 11 - 0.7 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.8 - 1.1 - 04 - 10 12 - 0.7 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 04 - 10 13 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.5 - 1.1 - 03 - 10 14 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.1 - 1.6 - 1.8 - 05 - 10 15 - 0.4 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.9 - 0.4 - 04 - 10 16 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.8 - 0.8 - 03 - 10 17 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.1 - 1.2 - 0.2 - 03 - 10 18 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.6 - 0.0 - 02 - 10 19 - 2.5 - 00 - 0.2 - 1.4 - 0.0 - 07 - 10 20 - 1.0 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.9 - 0.8 - 07 - 10 Avg- 0.56- 00 - 0.18- 0.76- 0.56- 4.00 Avg lvl 20 Stats w/o Wpn : 22 - 00 - 16 - 18 - 17 Level 20 Stats w/o Weapon : 28 - 00 - 25 - 18 - 18 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 02 - 1.5 - 00 - 0.9 - 1.2 - 1.9 - 07 - 10 03 - 0.8 - 00 - 0.1 - 1.0 - 2.4 - 07 - 10 04 - 2.2 - 00 - 0.9 - 1.6 - 2.2 - 11 - 10 TP = 4-0-2-2-3 05 - 1.3 - 00 - 0.0 - 1.8 - 0.1 - 08 - 10 06 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.4 - 0.8 - 2.9 - 09 - 10 07 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 2.6 - 07 - 10 #+6,6 AG 08 - 1.2 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.9 - 1.4 - 08 - 10 09 - 0.8 - 00 - 0.1 - 1.8 - 0.2 - 05 - 10 10 - 2.0 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 08 - 10 11 - 0.8 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.5 - 2.9 - 11 - 10 TP = 0-0-1-3-6 #+6 AG 12 - 2.2 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 05 - 10 13 - 0.3 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 2.1 - 07 - 10 14 - 0.4 - 00 - 0.1 - 1.0 - 0.3 - 07 - 10 15 - 0.4 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.6 - 0.0 - 03 - 10 16 - 0.4 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 0.9 - 05 - 10 17 - 2.3 - 00 - 0.6 - 1.6 - 0.2 - 08 - 10 #+5,5 DE 18 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.1 - 1.8 - 1.0 - 07 - 10 19 - 0.6 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.8 - 1.8 - 06 - 10 20 - 4.6 - 00 - 0.0 - 1.8 - 3.2 - 15 - 10 TP = 8-0-0-2-5 #+6 AG Avg- 1.16- 00 - 0.22- 0.94- 1.38- 7.58 Level 20 Promoted Stats: (With Best Weapon +35) 61 - 00 - 73 - 41 - 56 Level 20 Average Stats : (With/Without Best Weapon) 38 - 00 - 16/51 - 31 - 39 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bleu Found at? Bleu, the Dragon, is found at (spoiler!) in Dragonia in chapter VI. You can't miss him. Spells? Breathe fire does not count Interesting Tidbit? 1. Bleu is required despite your best efforts to evade him 2. Isn't it spelled, B-L-U-E? or is it pronouned BL-EE-YOU 2a. "Bleu is french for blue and is pronounced accordingly" {ehow22} 3. When promoted, Bleu has two different attacks, his breath of fire, or is it lightning? But if he crits he like Zylo throws stuff. I do not understand 4. My ROM data is 'Bariou' wat? 5. Despite flying, Bleu has just 5 movement and that can prove quite hindersome to his ability to participate. Consider a movement item if you want to use him Starting Stats: HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - MV 18 - 00 - 26 - 17 - 10 - 05 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 10 - 2.0 - 00 - 0.6 - 1.3 - 0.1 - 09 - 10 11 - 0.4 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 05 - 10 12 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.3 - 0.7 - 0.3 - 03 - 10 13 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.4 - 1.2 - 04 - 10 14 - 1.5 - 00 - 1.0 - 1.2 - 0.0 - 06 - 10 15 - 1.3 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.4 - 0.3 - 05 - 10 16 - 0.3 - 00 - 1.7 - 0.1 - 0.8 - 06 - 10 #+5 AT 17 - 0.9 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.4 - 04 - 10 18 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.8 - 0.6 - 1.2 - 07 - 10 19 - 0.0 - 00 - 1.0 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 04 - 10 20 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.6 - 0.3 - 1.9 - 06 - 10 Avg- 0.61- 00 - 0.59- 0.45- 0.61- 5.36 Avg lvl 20 Stats w/o Wpn : 25 - 00 - 33 - 22 - 17 Level 20 Stats w/o Weapon : 32 - 00 - 47 - 30 - 20 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 02 - 1.4 - 00 - 1.6 - 2.0 - 1.4 - 12 - 10 TP = 1-0-5-5-1 03 - 2.7 - 00 - 0.4 - 0.5 - 1.9 - 11 - 10 TP = 5-0-0-3-3 +5,5,6 HP +5 AG 04 - 2.3 - 00 - 1.1 - 1.0 - 0.8 - 09 - 10 05 - 2.2 - 00 - 0.3 - 3.0 - 1.8 - 11 - 10 TP = 4-0-0-5-2 +5 HP +5,6 DE +5 AG 06 - 1.1 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 1.3 - 05 - 10 07 - 4.0 - 00 - 0.9 - 4.2 - 1.3 - 16 - 10 TP = 5-0-4-7-0 08 - 2.2 - 00 - 0.1 - 1.0 - 2.0 - 07 - 10 09 - 2.5 - 00 - 1.6 - 1.5 - 2.8 - 12 - 10 TP = 4-0-4-4-0 10 - 1.4 - 00 - 0.1 - 2.5 - 1.7 - 10 - 10 TP = 4-0-0-4-2 #+6,6 DE 11 - 1.2 - 00 - 0.1 - 2.1 - 2.3 - 09 - 10 12 - 3.3 - 00 - 1.3 - 4.0 - 0.9 - 17 - 10 TP = 6-0-2-6-3 #+6,7,7 HP +6,6,7 DE 13 - 0.5 - 00 - 1.1 - 1.3 - 0.6 - 06 - 10 14 - 1.8 - 00 - 1.2 - 2.8 - 0.3 - 09 - 10 #+6 DE 15 - 0.0 - 00 - 1.9 - 1.9 - 3.0 - 09 - 10 16 - 2.7 - 00 - 0.9 - 0.0 - 2.8 - 11 - 10 TP = 5-0-0-0-6 #+6,7 AG 17 - 2.6 - 00 - 0.5 - 2.8 - 3.1 - 13 - 10 TP = 0-0-1-7-5 #+7 DE +6,6 AG 18 - 4.1 - 00 - 0.6 - 0.0 - 0.5 - 07 - 10 #+6 HP 19 - 2.1 - 00 - 0.4 - 1.6 - 2.3 - 11 - 10 TP = 0-0-0-5-6 #+6 HP +6,6 AG 20 - 6.6 - 00 - 0.5 - 4.1 - 0.4 - 15 - 10 TP = 9-0-0-5-1 #+6,7,7 DE Avg- 2.35- 00 - 0.77- 1.92- 1.64- 10.42 Level 20 Promoted Stats: 83 - 00 - 78 - 78 - 53 Level 20 Average Stats : 63 - 00 - 39 - 53 - 44 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Musashi Found at? In chapter VII, there's a white sign on a building you read after being thrown in jail Spells? The attack is cool but no magic Interesting Tidbit? 1. He uses a sword but blue firey stuff attacks the enemies 2. He will probably have the most attack of any character unless you power level. He's strong 3. He comes promoted too 4. Musashi brings your only copy of the Katana. Too bad it's multiple people's best weapon of choice instead of the Doom Blade >.> 5. Musashi has some variance with his starting attack. We want it close to 60 though sometimes it will be closer 55. Similarly, his HP can be higher and his DE can be pretty swingy Starting Stats: HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - MV 56 - 00 - 26 - 40 - 27 - 05 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 11 - 0.5 - 00 - 2.9 - 3.0 - 1.1 - 12 - 10 TP = 1-0-7-2-2 #+6,7,7 AT, +6,7 DE 12 - 0.6 - 00 - 0.0 - 3.7 - 0.8 - 10 - 10 TP = 0-0-0-6-4 #+6,6,7,8 DE 13 - 1.0 - 00 - 0.2 - 2.4 - 1.0 - 10 - 10 TP = 2-0-0-5-3 14 - 2.4 - 00 - 0.5 - 1.0 - 0.1 - 08 - 10 15 - 0.1 - 00 - 1.0 - 0.7 - 0.7 - 09 - 10 16 - 1.9 - 00 - 0.4 - 0.9 - 0.0 - 06 - 10 17 - 3.3 - 00 - 0.0 - 2.5 - 0.5 - 11 - 10 TP = 4-0-0-6-1 #+6,6 HP +6 DE 18 - 2.2 - 00 - 0.1 - 1.0 - 0.1 - 06 - 10 19 - 2.8 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 2.6 - 10 - 10 TP = 4-0-0-1-5 20 - 3.2 - 00 - 1.2 - 1.8 - 0.8 - 12 - 10 TP = 6-0-3-3-0 #+6 HP Avg- 1.80- 00 - 0.63- 1.71- 0.77- 9.40 Level 20 Promoted Stats: (With Best Weapon +30) 83 - 00 - 73 - 71 - 41 Level 20 Average Stats : (With/Without Best Weapon) 74 - 00 - 32/62 - 57 - 35 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Alef Found at? This chick is found with a dude (hmm) in the Tower of Ancients Spells? Blaze (2) {starts} Freeze (2) {starts} Bolt (4) {starts, 19, 22, 30} Desoul {26} Interesting Tidbit? 1. Amazing, she's required too! 2. Green dress? Stormy weather? Bolt master? 3. My ROM calls her Aleffe 4. She can start with well over 30 MP Starting Stats: HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - MV 16 - 28 - 09 - 11 - 17 - 05 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 16 - 1.0 - 2.1 - 0.8 - 0.3 - 0.7 - 09 - 10 17 - 1.1 - 1.8 - 0.4 - 0.3 - 1.4 - 08 - 10 18 - 0.7 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.7 - 04 - 10 19 - 0.5 - 1.9 - 0.2 - 0.4 - 0.3 - 07 - 10 20 - 1.4 - 0.8 - 1.2 - 0.0 - 1.1 - 12 - 10 TP = 2-4-3-0-3 Avg- 0.94- 1.32- 0.56- 0.22- 0.84- 8.00 Avg lvl 20 Stats w/o Wpn : 21 - 35 - 11 - 12 - 21 Level 20 Stats w/o Weapon : 21 - 46 - 14 - 15 - 25 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 02 - 1.1 - 1.9 - 0.2 - 1.0 - 1.4 - 07 - 10 03 - 1.8 - 1.0 - 0.8 - 0.0 - 3.5 - 12 - 10 TP = 3-1-1-0-7 #+7 AG 04 - 1.4 - 2.8 - 0.6 - 0.5 - 0.2 - 10 - 10 TP = 1-7-0-2-0 #+6,6,7 MP 05 - 2.0 - 0.7 - 1.0 - 0.5 - 1.6 - 13 - 10 TP = 5-3-2-0-3 06 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 0.0 - 1.7 - 1.0 - 05 - 10 07 - 1.7 - 0.5 - 0.4 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 09 - 10 08 - 0.4 - 0.0 - 0.8 - 2.1 - 1.5 - 10 - 10 TP = 0-0-2-5-3 09 - 1.6 - 0.5 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 1.8 - 12 - 10 TP = 5-2-0-0-5 10 - 0.0 - 1.9 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 0.7 - 06 - 10 11 - 1.2 - 0.7 - 0.6 - 1.2 - 0.1 - 06 - 10 12 - 0.4 - 0.7 - 0.6 - 0.7 - 2.0 - 11 - 10 TP = 0-2-1-3-5 13 - 1.0 - 0.5 - 0.5 - 0.5 - 1.4 - 08 - 10 14 - 3.5 - 1.6 - 0.0 - 0.7 - 0.0 - 12 - 10 TP = 7-4-0-1-0 #+6,7 HP 15 - 0.0 - 0.9 - 1.1 - 0.7 - 1.4 - 09 - 10 16 - 1.4 - 0.3 - 0.6 - 0.5 - 0.5 - 08 - 10 17 - 0.1 - 2.2 - 1.4 - 0.2 - 1.6 - 09 - 10 18 - 0.2 - 0.9 - 1.2 - 0.8 - 0.3 - 07 - 10 19 - 0.2 - 0.5 - 1.5 - 0.2 - 1.0 - 06 - 10 20 - 2.7 - 2.7 - 1.0 - 0.5 - 1.2 - 13 - 10 TP = 3-5-0-3-2 #+7 HP Avg- 1.09- 1.08- 0.65- 0.64- 1.31- 9.11 Level 20 Promoted Stats: (With No Weapon) 57 - 84 - 19 - 40 - 62 Level 20 Average Stats : (With No Weapon) 37 - 47 - 21 - 21 - 37 21 - 0.3 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 03 - 10 22 - 0.3 - 0.6 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 04 - 10 23 - 0.5 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.5 - 03 - 10 24 - 0.4 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 0.6 - 03 - 10 25 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.4 - 0.4 - 0.2 - 03 - 10 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Torasu Found at? See Alef Spells? Heal (2) {starts} Aura (4) {starts, 20, 24, 28} Shield {starts} Detox {starts} Interesting Tidbit? 1. Can't just get Alef, he joins too 2. Is it just coincidence that he masters Aura (the best heal spell) and Alef masters bolt (the strongest element) and they are both found in this 'magic' tower? 3. Another translation error, I have Torre 4. Torasu is one of the easiest characters to level in the game as Aura 1 can net you 48 EXP by healing people for just a few health points. Consider taking advantage of this 5. Unfortunately, Torasu knows the Detox spell which is quite useless at this stage as the last enemy that can poison you existed 2 chapters ago. Oh well Starting Stats: HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - MV 24 - 22 - 12 - 14 - 14 - 05 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 17 - 0.5 - 5.1 - 0.7 - 0.4 - 1.1 - 10 - 10 TP = 2-8-1-1-1 18 - 0.0 - 0.5 - 0.5 - 0.1 - 0.4 - 03 - 10 19 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 0.5 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 03 - 10 20 - 1.0 - 0.9 - 1.8 - 0.4 - 0.6 - 10 - 10 TP = 3-4-3-0-0 Avg- 0.4 - 1.63- 0.88- 0.26- 0.62- 6.5 Avg lvl 20 Stats w/o Wpn : 26 - 28 - 16 - 15 - 16 Level 20 Stats w/o Weapon : 30 - 36 - 14 - 19 - 18 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 02 - 1.4 - 1.5 - 0.6 - 0.9 - 2.0 - 11 - 10 TP = 1-3-1-2-4 03 - 1.7 - 1.5 - 0.8 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 06 - 10 04 - 2.5 - 0.5 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 1.9 - 09 - 10 #+6 HP 05 - 2.5 - 0.5 - 0.6 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 06 - 10 #+6 HP 06 - 1.6 - 1.2 - 1.7 - 0.4 - 0.5 - 09 - 10 07 - 1.0 - 0.3 - 0.0 - 0.8 - 2.1 - 07 - 10 08 - 1.0 - 1.1 - 0.5 - 0.0 - 2.6 - 10 - 10 TP = 2-2-2-0-4 #+7 AG 09 - 1.1 - 1.1 - 0.1 - 0.4 - 1.5 - 09 - 10 10 - 0.0 - 4.0 - 0.0 - 1.6 - 0.3 - 09 - 10 #+6,6,6 MP 11 - 1.0 - 2.4 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 07 - 10 #+6 MP 12 - 1.0 - 0.8 - 0.1 - 0.7 - 1.8 - 07 - 10 13 - 3.1 - 0.2 - 0.8 - 1.6 - 0.5 - 11 - 10 TP = 6-2-1-0-2 14 - 0.8 - 0.1 - 1.0 - 3.6 - 0.2 - 09 - 10 #+6,7 DE 15 - 0.2 - 0.7 - 1.4 - 0.6 - 1.0 - 07 - 10 16 - 1.6 - 0.5 - 0.3 - 1.4 - 1.9 - 08 - 10 17 - 3.2 - 0.8 - 0.9 - 3.3 - 0.0 - 15 - 10 TP = 6-3-3-3-0 #+6,6,7 HP +6,6 DE 18 - 1.0 - 0.9 - 0.1 - 2.6 - 0.6 - 07 - 10 19 - 0.4 - 0.7 - 0.2 - 5.4 - 3.5 - 16 - 10 TP = 0-2-0-8-6 #+6 AG 20 - 1.4 - 0.6 - 0.3 - 1.1 - 0.8 - 07 - 10 Avg- 1.39- 1.02- 0.52- 1.32- 1.15- 8.95 Level 20 Promoted Stats: (With Best Weapon +26) 59 - 72 - 51 - 47 - 56 Level 20 Average Stats : (With/Without Best Weapon) 46 - 40 - 22/48 - 36 - 34 21 - 0.5 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 03 - 10 22 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 23 - 0.5 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 04 - 10 24 - 0.4 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 0.5 - 0.4 - 04 - 10 25 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 02 - 10 26 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 02 - 10 27 - 0.3 - 0.5 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 03 - 10 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Adam Found at? Adam is found before and after the battle with Chaos and joins at level 10. Spells? He needs something to not suck for the next 15 levels Interesting Tidbit? 1. Despite what others say, Adam is a required character. You just don't get any fanfare, that's all 2. You probably want to try and level Adam in the robot battle before Ramladu if you want to use him. He will be doing 1 damage for a long time otherwise and will probably not find home in your party otherwise Starting Stats: HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - MV 31 - 00 - 20 - 24 - 12 - 04 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 11 - 1.9 - 00 - 3.6 - 0.7 - 0.6 - 11 - 10 TP = 1-0-7-1-2 #+6,6,7,7 AT 12 - 0.2 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.7 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 13 - 0.4 - 00 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 03 - 10 14 - 0.5 - 00 - 0.2 - 1.6 - 0.8 - 06 - 10 15 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 0.5 - 03 - 10 16 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.1 - 1.9 - 0.7 - 06 - 10 17 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.1 - 0.9 - 0.8 - 05 - 10 18 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.2 - 2.0 - 1.3 - 06 - 10 19 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.1 - 1.5 - 1.1 - 05 - 10 20 - 0.0 - 00 - 0.5 - 2.0 - 0.2 - 10 - 10 TP = 0-0-3-5-2 Avg- 0.31- 00 - 0.51- 1.18- 0.63- 5.8 Avg lvl 20 Stats w/o Wpn : 34 - 00 - 25 - 36 - 18 Level 20 Stats w/o Weapon : 35 - 00 - 39 - 39 - 23 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 02 - 1.4 - 00 - 2.2 - 2.0 - 1.4 - 12 - 10 TP = 2-0-2-6-2 #+6 DE 03 - 1.2 - 00 - 1.6 - 0.4 - 1.5 - 07 - 10 04 - 4.6 - 00 - 1.3 - 0.5 - 1.3 - 13 - 10 TP = 4-0-3-0-5 05 - 0.6 - 00 - 0.9 - 1.6 - 3.0 - 11 - 10 TP = 2-0-3-1-5 #+6 AG 06 - 0.1 - 00 - 0.3 - 2.7 - 1.2 - 10 - 10 TP = 0-0-0-6-4 #+6 DE 07 - 2.8 - 00 - 2.3 - 1.3 - 0.1 - 12 - 10 TP = 5-0-3-4-0 08 - 0.8 - 00 - 1.2 - 0.2 - 1.0 - 04 - 10 09 - 2.3 - 00 - 0.7 - 4.2 - 2.1 - 14 - 10 TP = 7-0-1-5-1 #+7 HP +6,6 DE 10 - 1.3 - 00 - 1.1 - 0.2 - 1.6 - 07 - 10 11 - 3.5 - 00 - 0.4 - 4.3 - 0.6 - 13 - 10 TP = 6-0-0-6-1 #+6,6 HP +6,6,7 DE 12 - 2.1 - 00 - 0.1 - 2.2 - 0.7 - 10 - 10 TP = 4-0-0-4-2 #+6 HP 13 - 1.7 - 00 - 1.2 - 1.4 - 1.4 - 10 - 10 TP = 3-0-1-4-2 14 - 3.3 - 00 - 1.1 - 1.2 - 0.7 - 11 - 10 TP = 3-0-4-3-1 #+6 HP 15 - 2.6 - 00 - 0.0 - 0.4 - 1.9 - 10 - 10 TP = 6-0-0-0-4 #+6,6,6 HP 16 - 0.6 - 00 - 0.4 - 1.6 - 0.0 - 06 - 10 #+6 DE 17 - 1.1 - 00 - 0.8 - 2.5 - 2.3 - 11 - 10 TP = 3-0-0-5-3 18 - 0.8 - 00 - 2.2 - 0.6 - 0.4 - 07 - 10 19 - 2.7 - 00 - 0.6 - 2.7 - 2.2 - 13 - 10 TP = 6-0-0-4-3 #+6 HP 20 - 1.2 - 00 - 0.1 - 2.7 - 1.9 - 10 - 10 TP = 0-0-1-4-5 #+6 DE Avg- 1.82- 00 - 0.97- 1.72- 1.33- 10.05 Level 20 Promoted Stats: 70 - 00 - 72 - 83 - 58 Level 20 Average Stats : 60 - 00 - 37 - 60 - 39 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hanzou Found at? In chapter 8, search the nearby bush at the entrance with a ninja star to find him Spells? Sleep {starts} Shield {15} Desoul {starts} Dispell {starts} Interesting Tidbit? 1. I like Ninjas. Too bad Slade from Shining Force II gets far better magic in my opinion, and more damage. That being said, Hanzou could reasonably make a nice support hero with Shield against Dark Dragon as well as having the Power Ring and boosting your allies 2. He is cool nonetheless 3. Hanzou can have 39 (lowest I've seen) and 44 HP when he joins Starting Stats: HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - MV 41 - 21 - 26 - 38 - 37 - 07 Stats Gained: Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 11 - 3.2 - 2.5 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 2.9 - 20 - 10 TP = 5-5-3-2-5 #+7 MP +6 AG 12 - 0.2 - 1.4 - 0.0 - 1.0 - 0.6 - 06 - 10 13 - 2.7 - 0.0 - 0.0 - 2.1 - 1.4 - 09 - 10 #+6 HP 14 - 1.5 - 0.2 - 1.0 - 1.2 - 2.0 - 12 - 10 TP = 3-0-3-2-4 15 - 0.9 - 0.9 - 0.0 - 1.2 - 0.8 - 07 - 10 16 - 0.1 - 1.9 - 0.2 - 1.7 - 2.5 - 11 - 10 TP = 0-5-0-1-5 #+6,6 AG 17 - 1.4 - 3.5 - 0.0 - 2.7 - 0.2 - 13 - 10 TP = 2-6-0-5-0 #+6,6 MP +6 DE 18 - 1.3 - 0.1 - 0.6 - 0.7 - 0.6 - 06 - 10 19 - 1.3 - 1.1 - 0.0 - 1.1 - 3.2 - 11 - 10 TP = 3-5-0-0-3 #+7 AG 20 - 1.8 - 3.0 - 0.4 - 2.2 - 0.6 - 15 - 10 TP = 4-6-0-4-1 #+6 MP Avg- 1.41- 1.46- 0.25- 1.43- 1.48- 8.00 Level 20 Promoted Stats: (With Best Weapon +30) 64 - 38 - 69 - 60 - 59 Level 20 Average Stats : (With/Without Best Weapon) 55 - 36 - 29/59 - 52 - 52 21 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.4 - 03 - 10 22 - 0.5 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 04 - 10 23 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 03 - 10 24 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.4 - 0.3 - 03 - 10 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Section II ------------------ | Curative Magic | ------------------ The purpose of this section is to provide descriptions of the different spells whose primary purpose is 'defensive' or 'restorative' magic -------- | Heal | -------- Heal I : heals at 1 range approximately 13 health [03 mp] Heal II : heals at 2 range approximately 13 health [05 mp] Heal III : heals at 3 range approximately 30 health [10 mp] Heal IV : heals at 1 range to full health [20 mp] -------- | Aura | -------- Aura I : heals at 3 range to 5 targets approximately 13 health [07 mp] Aura II : heals at 3 range to 13 targets approximately 13 health [11 mp] Aura III : heals at 3 range to 13 targets approximately 25 health [15 mp] Aura IV : heals your team approximately 40 health [18 mp] --------- | Detox | --------- Detox : cures poison at 1 range to 1 target [3 mp] ---------- | Egress | ---------- Egress : exits the battle and brings you to the nearest Priest [8 mp] *Unlike SF2, you can only cast Egress in battle to return to the Priest --------- | Quick | --------- Quick I : raises defense and agility at 1 range to 1 target by 10 [05 mp] Quick II : raises defense and agility at 2 range to 5 targets by 10 [16 mp] *Unlike SF2, Quick doesn't net you EXP the way Boost does in SF2 ---------- | Shield | ---------- Shield : negates all magic to an ally for 2-3 turns [5 mp] *This doesn't work against piercing attacks that seem magical, such as fire, ice, or demon breath -------- | Slow | -------- Slow I : lowers 1 targets defense and agility at 2 range by 10 [05 mp] Slow II : lowers 5 targets defense and agility at 2 range by 10 [20 mp] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Section III ------------------- | Offensive Magic | ------------------- The purpose of this section is to provide description of the different spells which damage or provide 'offensive' advantage. In general, offensive magic does approximately 1/2 to 3/4 against bosses. --------- | Blaze | --------- Blaze does approximately 1.5x extra against 'undead' targets and approximately 0.5x against those that are 'absorbant' to fire Blaze I : damages 1 target at 2 range by 5-7 damage (2-4 for bosses) [2 mp] Blaze II : damages 5 targets at 2 range by 8-10 damage (4-8 for bosses) [5 mp] Blaze III : damages 5 targets at 2 range by 12-14 damage (8-10 for bosses) [8 mp] Blaze IV : damages 1 target at 2 range by 30-36 damage (20-30 for bosses) [8 mp] As a minor reference point, Blaze 4 is capable of one shotting nearly every enemy (nonboss) in the game. The small list of nots include 2 chapter 8 and 2 chapter 7 enemies, Chimaera, Dragons, Jets, and Wyvern. Chimaera take about 25 damage (roughly half) due to their resistance (similar to both Jets and Wyvern though she can take those down with a good roll). Dragons are nearly defeated but simply have too much health as they survive at just a few HP ---------- | Freeze | ---------- Freeze does approximately 1.5 against fire elements and does a little less against the Undead Freeze I : damages 1 target at 2 range by 7-10 damage (4-7 for bosses) [03 mp] Freeze II : damages 5 targets at 2 range by 10-13 damage (7-10 for bosses) [07 mp] Freeze III : damages 5 targets at 3 range by 13-18 damage (11-14 for bosses) [10 mp] Freeze IV : damages 1 target at 3 range by 40-50 damage (30-36 for bosses) [10 mp] Freeze 4 is an extremely potent spell that one shots every enemy except for Dragons (as a reference) -------- | Bolt | -------- Bolt is somewhat a piercing spell and does not seem to be affected by the element of the opponent Bolt I : damages 5 targets at 2 range by 12-15 damage (9 for bosses) [08 mp] Bolt II : damages 13 targets at 3 range by 12-15 damage (9 for bosses) [15 mp] Bolt III : damages 13 targets at 3 range by 19-25 damage (15-16 for bosses) [20 mp] Bolt IV : damages 1 target at 3 range by 48-52 damage (36-43 for bosses) [20 mp] Bolt 4 is the most potent spell as it destroys everything --------- | Boost | --------- Boost : raises the attack of an ally at 3 range by 15 [15 mp] *There is an interesting Boost glitch. The message box for "boost has ended" can appear from 1 to 3 turns after casting it. However, the spell only truly ends once that message appears and one of the following has been done: 1) Level up 2) Taken enemy damage 3) Re-equipped Meaning that someone could be boosted for 4 or 5 turns if they don't level or take any enemy damage ---------- | Desoul | ---------- Desoul : automatically defeats the opponent [15 mp] (100% failure against bosses) ---------- | Dispel | ---------- Dispel : inflicts silence upon a caster, rendering them unable to cast spells (100% failure against bosses) [5 mp] ---------- | Muddle | ---------- Muddle : inflicts a fog upon the target (100% failure against bosses) [6 mp] --------- | Sleep | --------- Sleep : inflicts sleep upon a enemy, rendering them unable to act for a few turns (100% failure against bosses) [6 mp] **When I say 100% failure, I mean it has never happened for me** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------- | Detailed Stats part Two | --------------------------- [3000] Table of Contents for This Section I. Weapon verse Non-Weapon debate II. Which Spell Caster III. Which Healer IV. Bringing a Balanced Team (covering Variance) V. Bringing a Balanced Team (team building) VI. Promotion debate (analysis of loss of stats) VII. Promotion debate (when to verse not) VIII. Numeral Analysis of Characters Section I --------------------------- | Weapon verse Non-Weapon | --------------------------- The history behind this was spawned due to the range of potential level ups. See, with weapon users, they at least get decent weapon boosts occasionly to offset bad levels. Non-weapon users do not get this advantage, which is something to consider. What we hope to discover is if it is truly in one's best interest to use non-weapon users due to the fact some bad levels can leave them desiring desperately for some attack power. Below is a table comparing all fighters, by grouping, so we can see some actual hard data. **Note, I'm only comparing them against Melee weapon users and Knight weapon users for a more balanced comparison. Birdmen and Ranged attackers have a noticable hit on their stats due to them either flying or being ranged. As such, it is only fair to compare them against those who are most similar in attack style, being up close in the dirt.** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | Categorical Grouping | Avg Lvl U | Avg Lvl P | Avg Final Stat | Final Stat | |----------------------|-----------|-----------|----------------|------------| | Non Weapon Users | | | | | | Zylo | 0.33 | 1.02 | 42 | 82 | | Adam | 0.51 | 0.97 | 37 | 72 | | Bleu | 0.59 | 0.77 | 39 | 78 | | Gong | 0.59 | 0.57 | 29 | 61 | |----------------------|-----------|-----------|----------------|------------| | Averages | 0.505 | 0.8325 | 36.75 | 73.25 | |----------------------|-----------|-----------|----------------|------------| | Knight Weapon Users | | | | | | Ken | 0.31 | 0.34 | 51 | 75 | | Mae | 0.33 | 0.25 | 48 | 74 | | Arthur | 0.49 | 0.37 | 52 | 78 | | Pelle | 0.05 | 0.35 | 55 | 72 | | Vankar | 0.18 | 0.25 | 50 | 70 | | Ernest | 0.11 | 0.33 | 51 | 74 | | Guntz | 0.22 | 0.26 | 55 | 77 | |----------------------|-----------|-----------|----------------|------------| | Averages | 0.24 | 0.31 | 52 | 74 | |----------------------|-----------|-----------|----------------|------------| | Melee Weapon Users | | | | | | Max | 0.40 | 0.36 | 47 | 78 | | Luke | 0.19 | 0.54 | 43 | 81 | | Gort | 0.28 | 0.25 | 49 | 77 | | Musashi | N/A | 0.63 | 62 | 73 | | Hanzou | N/A | 0.25 | 59 | 69 | |----------------------|-----------|-----------|----------------|------------| | Averages | 0.29 | 0.406 | 52 | 75.6 | |----------------------|-----------|-----------|----------------|------------| | Total Average | 0.265 | 0.358 | 52 | 74.8 | |----------------------|-----------|-----------|----------------|------------| The data is clear. Weapon users are better than non-weapon users. One may argue that using Gong's data skew their statistics. However, we see that only increases their final stats to 39 / 77. Which is only slightly better in the latter case of chosen stats. While they gain a significant amount more attack, this does not offset the difference getting a new weapon makes. Does this mean we completely disregard the non-weapon users? Absolutely not. One thing this chart favors is that the Knight Users cannot all use the Valkyrie (the Halberd and the Chrome Lance are significantly weaker). No, what this chart shows is that the non-weapon users bring something unique to your party which is why you should consider them. Gong is a healer in addition to fighting, being a Monk. Zylo is unaffected by woods and joins at literally his most favorable time/battle in the entire game. Bleu is a flying tank as opposed to your squishier flying units. Adam is mostly just bad and takes too long to be viable in any real run so we ignore him. It is interesting though, that non-weapon users on average gain almost 3x more attack power than weapon users. This however, is moot as the weapon plus is more significant. Another way to really describe it is thinking in terms of getting new weapons. For instance, Pelle at 10 promotes to 14 attack. With the Power Spear, he has 29. Later, he'll get some nice boosts, +25 from the Halberd and the beasts being +35 towards the end. That means Pelle will at a minimum, level 1 promoted hero, deal 49, which is enough to at least inflict harm on most enemies. If you promote Pelle right away, he's capable at 29 attack to hurt everything you might fight except Golems and Dullahans, but those aren't for a few levels/chapters at which point Pelle is likely your only knight capable of hurting them with the Power Spear. Compare that to Zylo, who promotes at 10 to 22 attack. Already, Zylo is 7 attack short of what Pelle just has. Pelle has to gain just a few points of attack and he's capable of hurting everything in the game (he's actually capable of hurting the strongest enemies but let's not cross hairs here). Zylo has to gain at a minimum, 7 attack to catch Pelle, another 5 attack to inflict any damage onto Golems or Dullahans, another 5 more to hurt Robots and Jets (really, 10 more to actually hurt them) and at that point he's at 43 attack which deals 1-2 damage to Dark Dragon, meaning Zylo has to gain yet another 6 attack just to catch what Pelle has naturally. This is a HUGE obstacle for your non-weapon users to overcome, but they often do and like I said, they bring unique properties to your team. It's just really interesting to look at and examine ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Section II ----------------- | Spell Casters | ----------------- How does one rank spell casters effectively? For the most part, since they do not attack physically as well as they should not be absorbing any amount of damage; it is difficult then to figure out which are the better casters. The obvious thing then is to examine the 3 things that matter to them, agility, enough magic points, and their selection of spells. Let us then, examine the four different offensive mages Tao Tao is the first mage you get; an incredible advantage, as she will often have better stats than your other mages as she will be over-leveled (with little effort). Tao also learns all of her spells much quicker than most; as in, by level 20 unpromoted, she already has her best spell blaze 4. Which means, she has peaked in her spell selection but continues to expand as she gains significant stats as well as Boost in the near future. Blaze (4) Blaze is sadly the weakest of the 3 elemental spells. That being said though, she masters her spell very quickly (by 20 which is 3 levels faster than Anri) as well she upgrades into that necessary Blaze 3 just when enemies are starting to get a bit tougher. The point being, she's capable of OHKOing every enemy in the game except for 4 once she gets Blaze 4 so not a huge knock Sleep Sleep, is essentially a trash spell. While not as useless as muddle; the circumstances in which trying to use Sleep will be few and far between (as blazing would be sufficient enough). This also does not consider the overall problem that our Sleep spell sucks and will miss more often than not. Boost Boost is the ace in the hole; as Blaze 4 is still quite strong, her advantage to pre-emptively boost heroes before enemies approach and then still have MP to cast Blaze 4 (remember, at 8 MP it is the cheapest rank 4 spell) is a huge advantage Dispel The number of spell casters in the game that are not bosses can be counted on one hand. This spell blows Anri Anri is the second mage you get, and you will find her frustrating for a few levels. However, once she gains some important levels and gains some important magic points, she will grow very nicely, (maybe better than Tao!) She, like Tao will gain all her spells much more quickly than the other two, as in by level 6 promoted she's done learning spells. Her lack of support spells could prove problematic, but Freeze 4 with the great AOE of Bolt 2 will find her appealing in most parties. Blaze (2) Blaze is the weaker elements, but Anri does get to a second level meaning she can deal decent damage to undead. The biggest strike against Anri and Blaze is that it takes her 5 levels to learn it while Tao takes 3 levels. In general, Tao just learns her upgrades faster than Anri. Freeze (4) Freeze is the second best single target damage spell hitting for some serious damage. It even hits for decent damage against bosses despite their immense reductions. It also has a serious advantage over Blaze due to its 3 range as opposed to Blaze's 2. She also learns this much faster than Domingo. Bolt (2) A very large aoe spell hitting for minor damage to all enemies, very helpful for the majority of the game. The fact she is the only other person than Alef to learn it and she will learn it several battles before you get Alef means you will enjoy close encounters. Muddle In other games, Muddle actually does something. Here however, it is essentially worthless Domingo Domingo is your only mage to come promoted, a slight disadvantage in stats, but quite the disadvantage in that he cannot be leveled to 20 to reduce when he learns his spells. When it says he learns a spell at 26, that means you must level him 6 levels past when you actually gain stats to get him to his best spell. Something to consider as it proves to be a MASSIVE disadvantage. Freeze (4) Domingo shares this masterful spell with Anri. The only problem is it takes him quite a while to learn the stronger levels of freeze, leaving him somewhat weak for a few levels having only freeze two. On that note, he learns freeze 3 at level 13. It takes 12 levels for him to become a 'terror'. It also takes FOREVER to learn Freeze 4, so to be completely honest, you will probably hit Dark Sol way before Domingo knows his best spell. Even in a power game, you must spend several battles re-doing them to get Domingo 6 unnecessary levels past growth to master his best spell. Muddle See Anri Boost He shares this with Tao, and will often be using it more than Freeze for bosses as he will probably never learn Freeze 4. Desoul Desoul is arguably worse than Muddle due to its ability to miss everything Alef Unless you are willing to go the extra mile with her, you won't want her. In a speedy run-through, she will never make it. She, arguably is one of the best characters in the game due to having Bolt 3/4 which is simply massive damage. The only issue being it takes her some tedious leveling to get her there. Blaze (2) Alef starts with blaze 2, which at this point in the game, is worthless Freeze (2) Alef starts with freeze 2, which at this point in the game, is very 'meh' Bolt (4) Alef is the only master of Bolt, which is truly amazing. Bolt 3 covers 9 squares and hits for some serious damage. Bolt 4 is the best single target spell hitting for 50+ damage. Seriously, that's better than some fighters output, some, -boosted- fighters output. With a critical!! The slight downside is that Bolt requires twice as many magic points as Freeze and can be somewhat magic demanding. Desoul See Domingo's description ------------ | Analysis | ------------ There's not much to be said for analysis; the mages in this game are fantastic and that's that. The enemy never gain that much health (only breaking above that 30 barrier into chapter 7, and really breaking over that into chapter 8. Magic never misses, and the enemy naturally clump up in this game way more than in other SF titles. If you are doing a power run, you should bring all four mages with you because they are hitting for more damage than your best attackers, even Tao with just Blaze 4. Imagine that an 80 attack Arthur (about as good as it gets) deals about 30 damage to bosses towards the end of the game, and even with reductions, Tao still hits bosses for that much. Long story short, the mages are one of the BEST reason to play Shining Force. That being said... Anri is easily the best Mage. The reason is simple, her MP to damage ratio is the best. Alef has the best spell, but at 20 MP a cast, she is limited to just four uses of Bolt 4 at best whereas Anri can cast 8 or even 9 times. In a casual playthrough, that matters as Alef will undoubtedly run out of magic. That being said, Alef is the second best Mage. While Domingo would seemingly be better, he does not gain a vastly larger mana pool over Alef, meaning he might cast 1 or 2 times more than Alef. Not the most impressive. Combined then with how LONG it takes for Domingo to gain Freeze 4 and... You have Tao as the third best Mage. She can cast Blaze 4 until the cows come home and she knows Boost (though, +15 to your attackers really isn't as good as just casting your rank 4 magic. Although you can *prepare* with Boost at the very least). Domingo is fourth best. You might say, "Don't you mean worst?" and the answer is "No." Fourth best. Mages in this game are simply incredible. Their damage is insane, they can't miss, and they have AOE. The only reason not to use them is for a challenge (oh and a challenge it is). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Section III ----------- | Healers | ----------- Comparing healers is not like that of Mages. Their strengths are entirely in their spells which vary very little between healer to healer. Also, their stats mean almost less than that of mages as mages demand many magic points to constantly use their best spells, whereas healers for the most part can get away with a heal 1 for the most part, only opting for stronger spells in desperate times. Lowe Lowe... is the worst healer in the game. Ok I said it, but some positive notes about this guy. He is a great friend to Max... just kidding. Seriously, his lack of Aura just makes him so unappealing. He does learn Slow/Quick 2, but comparing that to the lack of Aura still just is frustrating. Heal (4) Lowe does master Heal, which is essential for any guy calling themselves a healer. It's growth is nothing special, range, more power, than a full heal. In fact, the only real description detail of any notice is Torasu's LACK of mastering Heal. Lowe does learn this rather quickly (22) Detox In SFII, Detox actually serves a purpose as there a various cripple effects more than just poison. In SFI, Detox is replaced with an antidote. Also know that there is like 3 enemies than 'might' poison you. Detox is on the level of Sleep. Very situational and will hardly be used. Actually, the last enemies that poison are in chapter 5, so really quite useless. Oh, and an absolute strike against Torasu who literally has not a single thing he could ever Detox. What a joke Slow (2) Lowe gets a full 2 levels of Slow. It's not terrible, if it hits it can be similar to a group power plus for your team as the monsters are weakened and slowed. The problem there in lies its ability to hit the monsters. Quick (2) Quick is pretty worthless; bonus agility matters for nothing as characters can often go twice for no apparent reason. Defense is helpful, but the trend we see is the monsters will either use magic, hit for 1 damage, or do so much that we would need +35 Defense to be noticeable. Quick can be handy in a few parts during the mid-game however. Gong Gong is an improvement over Lowe (see Aura) but has some major disadvantages to the other 2 healers. Gong learns Aura very slowly compared to the other 2, level 30, which puts him in a category with Lowe for some time. He will power level more quickly than Lowe though bare in mind. The last thing to note is he lacks learning support spells. This in of itself doesn't matter a whole lot to me as I'm not a big support spell guy, but it can make a difference to some Heal (4) See Lowe's description, save it comes somewhat slowly as he doesn't learn other spells to compensate for how long it seems to take. He still maxes it out by 24. Aura (1) Gong gets a single level of aura. A clear advantage from Lowe that the other healers have, is their ability to restore health to several targets at once; which we will find very helpful in the end. The problem with Gong is he what I mentioned earlier, it takes a bit long to learn it. Another problem I have realized is that Gong cannot equip the White Ring (Lowe can). So while you cannot objetively grade Lowe against Gong because of that, it is something subjetively to consider that Lowe technically could have access to Aura 2 Khris Khris I find can be quite the challenge. She simply starts awful, grows slowly and proves annoying. However, she becomes very very good at healing as by level 20 she gets Aura. Which means, getting through her promoted levels comes incredibly easy as she can level very quickly every time regardless of enemy level. Heal (4) See previous healers Aura (2) Halla! Her only disadvantage here is she doesn't learn Aura 4 like Torasu. Slow See Lowe, minus second level Quick See Lowe, minus second level Torasu Torasu, unlike Alef, is not at a massive disadvantage as he comes knowing Aura already which means he can catch up on levels pretty well. Heal (2) Torasu is a massive disadvantage here, heal 2 is complete trash here. Sure it works for small healing, but there is no single life-saving spell here; again a clear-cut disadvantage since Aura 4 does not heal to full and it is not uncommon to see people like Max, Arthur, Bleu, or Musashi missing 60+ HP and desperately wanting that Heal 4 Aura (4) Aura 3 is nice, the ideal spell. Aura 4 is kinda overkill; but finds a home in certain situations Shield Shield is largely the reason to use Torasu as it completely negates magic for a few turns. As the Dark Dragon heads can use Bolt 4 or Desoul, this spell is your only real Defense against that outside of trying to have 60+ HP which is hard for some characters to do Detox Literally the worst spell, there isn't even an enemy that can poison at this point! ------------ | Analysis | ------------ Unlike the Mages, there is no real reason to use all the Healers. They are not nearly as powerful, and unlike other SF games, they don't learn Blast so their damage is quite limited. That being said, I evaluate them based on two criteria: Supporting and Healing, with Offense as a distant third. The best healer in the game is Torasu. While Heal 4 is a clear cut disadvantage from the others, what he offers in Aura 4 and Shield is unmatched by the other healers. Aura 4, while not as good against bosses, is way more useful in "clear all" type battles where damage can be spread over several targets. As stated earlier, Shield is godlike against Dark Dragon and even useful against Colossus. The second best healer is Khris; and that's not knocking her. If Torasu is the best healer at say, 90 points, Khris is probably sitting at 85, her disadvantage being no Aura 4 and weaker support spells. That being said though, she does learn Aura, and 2 ranks of it! That puts her above the others since it is super handy to have. Wrap all that together, and you have Khris who can fully heal someone, restore health to a large group of allies, or potentially help out weaker units with Quick (I must admit that I find Quick 2 to be somewhat overkill as it doesn't feel nearly as good as SF 2's Boost effect). The third best healer has to go to Lowe. While Gong does learn Aura, it is stuck at rank 1 and takes a loooong time for him to learn it. Lowe also learns rank 2 of Quick which again, can serve some use in the midgame. Gong cannot be used as your only healer due to limited MP and only Aura 1, so don't bother. That being said, Lowe doesn't make a great solo healer either since he can heal but one target at a time ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Section IV --------------------------------------- | Building a Balanced Team (variance) | --------------------------------------- Remember the statistical analysis I mentioned that I would do earlier back at the beginning? This is where this happens. One thing to notice about the level ups is the level of variance. What is variance? Variance is the amount of discrepency or change from level up to level up. By taking many many samples, we can lower the variance. However, as the number of samples approaches infinity, (limit as n --> infinity) we can see where the number converges upon. Obviously, I am not taking such a number of samples; but am working with a large enough sample that we can see clearly where numbers converge to an agreeable level up or diverge to a decimal that suggests one cannot depend to gain that stat per a level up. That is quite a mouthful; but what does it mean? Let's examine 2 different level ups from the same hero. Max 02 - 1.4 - 0.0 - 1.0 - 1.0 - 1.0 - 06 - 10 05 - 1.9 - 0.5 - 0.0 - 1.3 - 0.0 - 07 - 10 It is obvious, that his best TP gained for each of these levels is very close; but what's statistically significant is the variance in the numbers. Observe that for his level 2 level up, the number that varied the most was his HP gain where he average 1.4 per level. This indicates that he most likely averaged at least 1 per level, but had some times where he gained 2. All his other stats though, indicate that it is statistically probable that he should gain on level 2, 1 in each attack, Defense, and agility. His TP of 6 though, however indicates that his best level up was probably 3 HP, 1 of each AT, DE, and AG. Now examine his level 5 up. For starters, notice that his best TP is 7, yet the sum of the averages of his stats gained is nearly less than half of that. This is an example of a level up with so much variance it is hard to confidently include these numbers for his level up. See we can safely say that on average, Max should gain 1 in each life and Defense; however the TP of 7 says that Max probably on a level up, earned 1 MP, 2 Defense, and 4 HP. But for the averages to be so low there had to of been several levels where he failed to gain a stat -at all- for that level. Let's take a look at another level of variance Mae 04 - 0.2 - 00 - 1.0 - 2.3 - 0.1 - 06 - 10 This is a great example of 'good' and 'bad'. She has two very consistent stat levels, 1 to attack and 2 to Defense. However, look at some of these other numbers. An average of 0.2 to HP?! It is safe to assume she probably managed to gain 1 HP twice amongst 10 levels. If you're trying to max out your heros' level ups, that is good information to have; but if you're trying to build a consistent team, as in, you're teaching someone new how to play and want them to have a very 'safe' team, this is terrible. Mae, on average, will gain 1 attack and 2 Defense. The other numbers just are statistically insignificant due to their variance. She managed to gain 1 agility 1 time; betting to gain that stat again is a losing scenario. The upside to having a variance like 2.3 means that she has decent potential to gain upwards of 3 or 4 Defense, but on average in the long run should get about 2; which is good again for someone who is trying to build a consistent team. But what does this all mean? What's the difference between average stats, level 20 stats, and 'typical' stats (see section VIII)? My friend, the reason for calculating average stats so that one can calculate the typical stats, which is exactly what it sounds like. Typical stats are what one can expect on any given run. Average stats are, the average stat gain; while enlightening absolutely, they must be taken with a grain of salt as they do not include any of the games random massive boosts in stat gain, but rather, the average. I think the best example of this would be to look at Anri. Level 20 Promoted Stats: 53 - 81 - 23 - 42 - 61 Level 20 Average Stats : 27 - 38 - 26 - 26 - 39 Level 20 "Typical" : 40 - 60 - 25 - 34 - 50 Her level 20 stats are not shabby. A good amount of health for soaking up a spell or two, and more than enough magic to cast her powerful freeze spells. Note also she has satisfactory Defense. Now look at her average stats. Has anybody ever had an Anri with only 27 life and 26 Defense? I sure haven't. No, rather the average stats is a basis for ground zero, as in the absolute worst you can do. That's then what the typical stats are, something along the lines of what you can generally expect in a 20/20 game without save stating for perfect stats. In conclusion, the game level ups have quite a bit of variance in the numbers. Unfortunately for you the reader, I will not review the some 1000+ trials of level ups I did to explain in great detail the variance of each level. However, for the character reviews, there is a stat called Consistency where the hero will receive a score from 0-10 based essentially on their stat variance. It's not precise, but it is the only reasonable means to do achieve. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Section V -------------------------------------------- | Building a Balanced Team (team building) | -------------------------------------------- Let's assume the most basic team. Max, is a given spot in the 12, another goes to our absolute necessary healer. Two more spots to our casters to help balance our miss efforts against the high evasion monsters in the endgame. That leaves just 8 spots to fill with the remaining ~20 characters (exlude Max Jogurt and the 8 casters). Who to pick? Well it seems as though picking those with the best attack would be ideal right? Generally, it would. There are a number of factors though to consider before just throwing the flashiest heroes out there and hope for the best, such as -Am I bringing more knights than I have best weapons for them? -Are my heroes going to all be able to contribute effectively? -Are my heroes glass cannons? ie they won't live to be healed? -Can my heroes move effectively without getting in each others way? -Am I picking too many characters that require too much leveling? -Does my team come together to late? As you can see, simply bringing the 8 beastiest characters may not be the best team afterall. No, rather this section will delve into multiple sub-sections involving discussion ranging from the 'strongest team' to the 'easiest team' with everything in between. Note this section will not include walkthrough data (for example, in covering a speed run), but will cover speciality teams which will be discussed more below. Without further ado... Table of Contents A. Strongest Team B. Easiest Team C. Speed Team D. Required Team E. Hidden Team F. Unique Team G. Casters H. Knights of Rohan ------------------- A. Strongest Team ------------------- The strongest team is of course the team with the most damage potential. This involves a balance of Knights, with the other strongest damage dealers on your team. 1. Max 2. Arthur 3. Gort 4. Luke 5. Anri 6. Alef 7. Tao 8. Domingo 9. Torasu 10. Lyle 11. Kokichi 12. Zylo Justification: When I want to just "have fun" and load up my super farmed team and beat the last 4 battles, this is my line up I grab. Allow me to explain. Max, we have to have. This leaves 11 other spots; well, 7 other spots, as I'm using ALL the Mages. Their damage is unmatched and they destroy the battlefield with the greatest of ease. While my strongest characters hit Dark Dragon for roughly 30-35 damage, even Tao hits for that amount while Freeze 4 is doing 45+ and Bolt 4 is doing 55+ Arthur is the single best late-game hero who gains a monster amount of stats. Gort and Luke, while slower and less HP than others, don't suffer the knight problem, and can each wield an Atlas. Their 6 movement is also a plus over folks like Bleu or Musashi. Hanzou, while strong, isn't THE strongest either. I want an Archer so that I can boost easily, and Lyle is the best option. While Hans and Diane do alright for themselves, Lyle is the best. That leaves just a few more spots: I enjoy Kokichi. While he's weaker than some other options, I slap him with the Valkyrie and now I have a second Archer that flies. Ken or Earnest, or even Guntz would be viable options (we have the Valkyrie and Devil Lance for that +35 attack) I can't have too many melee on my team. That being said, Zylo is a hefty attacker, hands down. He's not as tanky as say Musashi, Adam, or as mobile as Balbaroy or Amon, but he hits very hard and he compliments the team well. That leaves the healer, whom I have selected as Torasu. I personally enjoy Khris more; but Torasu is simply put: the best healer in Shining Force 1 And that's my powerhouse team. That's not to say other characters don't work, but this is what I enjoy the most. It has a nice balance of damage, ranged attacks, and movement. I have tanky heroes to get in front, and of course, a full range of supportive skills. Close considerations: Hans and Diane, while not the best damage dealers, do hit fairly hard with around 65 attack at range The other knights, essentially outclassed by all the Mages and the sheer fact we have limited best weapons for them Adam, Bleu, and Musashi have limited movement. While they become truly powerful, their movement is a concern, and rather than fix it, I can just bolster my line up for greater success Balbaroy and Amon are super helpful; but in a strictly power run, they are not going to match up against other people ----------------- B. Easiest Team ----------------- The easiest team of course a team that any new player would be able to do rather well with. The team involves a balance of damage, magic, ranged, and healing. There are only 2 true 'hidden' characters, which is also a factor. 1. Max 2. Hans 3. Pelle 4. Ken 5. Khris 6. Tao 7. Diane 8. Luke 9. Anri 10. Zylo 11. Balbaroy {Replace with Musashi} 12. Gort Justification: For a newb to play the game, they need characters that come strong and able to hold their own. Characters that are easy to find are also a huge plus. Consistent stats don't hurt either. The above team I feel fits the mold of a newb friendly team, possibly bringing in Hanzou in place of Luke, Gort, or Zylo if they get bad level ups or the player is really behind in level. --------------- C. Speed Team --------------- As I've done this, please defer to my other guide on gamefaqs where I detail an entire guide dedicated to speedrunning SF1 ------------------ D. Required Team ------------------ This is a team where you only use required heroes. However, bare in mind that there are 2 ways one can do this: either picking 12 from the list of 16, or follow KenpoCoyote's "Minimum Party" challenge which requires you skip Lowe through Hans. For practical purposes, both are included. Kenpo's Team Required Team 1. Max 1. Max 2. Khris 2. Khris/Torasu 3. Mae 3. Tao 4. Pelle 4. Pelle/Mae 5. Ernest 5. Ken 6. Alef 6. Alef 7. Bleu 7. Bleu/Mae/Ernst 8. Diane* 8. Hans 9. Balbaroy 9. Mae/Ernst 10. Amon 10. Luke 11. Torasu 11. Balbaroy/Amon 12. Adam* 12. Ernest/Adam *He still doesn't use Adam *Diane is actually not required Justification: As far as Khris/Torasu is concerned, it's entirely up to your preference. However, both are not needed. The remaining picks 3-10 are easily justified when looking at are pool to choose from, which is quite limited. I feel that Ken/Pelle are stronger choices than Mae/Ernest due to their consistent stats. Ernst grows slowly and comes rather late in the game and Mae suffers that awkward no-attack stage. While Mae ends up stronger later, Pelle finishes the game sooner. Alef, Tao, Luke, Hans are all strong in their right. Bleu requires some leveling, in some cases Ernst may prove better than Bleu since both require some time. Balbaroy/Amon is entirely up to the player. If one feels up to it, Adam makes a strong late game, however he requires so much effort to get there. As such, my team would consist of all first choices. Sidenote, if a hero is not listed here (Lowe for example) it's because he's terrible. ---------------- E. Hidden Team ---------------- The hidden team involves any characters traditionally not required to advance the story. There is very little to choose from here as there are only 12 of them excluding Jogurt. This team actually is quite a challenge as your only healer is Gong and about half your team joins chapter IV or later. 1. Max 2. Gong 3. Gort 4. Anri 5. Arthur/Diane 6. Zylo 7. Vankar 8. Kokichi {replace with Hanzou} 9. Domingo 10. Guntz 11. Lyle 12. Musashi Justification: We actually will use most hidden characters. The strongest team however will be the one that replaces Kokichi with Hanzou. If Kokichi somehow is sensationally stronger than one of your other Knight-Weapon users, by all means replace them instead (we only want 3 Knight-Weapon users). Just be prepared to see your winged knight bite the dust. Diane can be used as well it pretty much depends on your playstyle (as in are you planning on maxing out characters or playing through more quickly) ---------------- F. Unique Team ---------------- This is a team designed around uniqueness in character classes. There is just 12 of them, so instead of justifying anything, I simply explain what makes the character unique. This team might be harder than the Hidden team due to your lack of numbers for some time. 1. Max - The only Swordman/Hero in the game 2. Gong - The only Monk/Master Monk, seperates him from his Vicar friends 3. Arthur - The only magic using Knight/Paladin in the game 4. Zylo - The only Werewolf/Wolf Baron in the game 5. Kokichi - The only Winged Knight/Sky Lord in the game* 6. Domingo - The only Magic Creature in the game (SFII also!)** 7. Guntz - The only Steam Knight/Baron in the game (SFII also!) 8. Lyle - The only Assault/Strike Knight in the game (SFII also!)*** 9. Bleu - The only Dragon/Great Dragon in the game (SFII also!) 10. Adam - The only Robot/Cyborg in the game 11. Musashi - The only Samurai in the game (SFII also!) 12. Hanzou - The only Ninja in the game *While SFII has Jaro a Pegasus Knight, Kokichi's wings are unique **Kiwi from SFII is indeed a creature of sorts, but he is a Tortoise/Monster ***May from SFII is a centaur archer, however she is a Ranger/Bow Knight ------------ G. Casters ------------ This is a team based around all the magic users. A rather fun but somewhat challenging due to the fact bosses have magic resistance as well as magic is very limited early. 1. Max 2. Lowe 3. Tao 4. Gong 5. Khris 6. Anri 7. Arthur 8. Domingo 9. Alef 10. Torasu 11. Hanzou 12. Bleu (Optional) Justification: Since there are only 11 casters in the game, I elect to use Bleu, the most 'ancient' of all creatures, the sacred Dragonia. That's about it. --------------------- H. Knights of Rohan --------------------- The Knights are very difficult. The limited number of better Paladin weapons means the vast majority of your team will be wielding Chrome Lance/Power Spear against enemies that are very much tougher than your current situation. If you are to do the extreme only Centaur route, be prepared to reset alot. 1. Max 2. Ken 3. Mae 4. Arthur 5. Pelle 6. Vankar 7. Ernest 8. Lyle 9. Kokichi {optional} 10. Guntz {optional} 11. Gong {optional} 12. Domingo {optional} Justification of optionals: Guntz is a steam knight, no brainer there on letting him ride with the riders. Gong seems like a traveler of sorts, which fits in the theme of the riders. Kokichi likewise uses knight weapons and can be thought of as a messenger (similarly with Domingo). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Section VI ------------------------------------------------ | Promotion debate (analysis of loss of stats) | ------------------------------------------------ So this section has had quite a make-over. I recently acquired a link in which someone has done just what I was hoping to do, except in much greater detail. So, a big, incredible shout out and huge thank you, to Trent at shiningforcecentral.com, this entire section is credit to him. If, you are uninterested in the long boring detail of this section (it literally is just numbers), then hit [ctrl]+F and type "Section VII" to see the analysis of this section. His original work is available at the following link: http://forums.shiningforcecentral.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4179 What you see below is his work; transformed to be more gentle on the eyes and a little more reader friendly. Thanks again Trent Oh, and just a side-note before we get to this, what I understand, and I think is the case, is that when you promote (anytime from 10-20) each heroes stats are then set to the following. So "Lv" means the level at which you promote, and the following stats then are your level 1 promoted stats ----- Max - ----- Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG ------------------------------------ 10 - 18 - 08 - 11 - 10 - 09 11 - 19 - 08 - 11 - 10 - 09 12 - 21 - 08 - 12 - 10 - 09 13 - 22 - 08 - 12 - 11 - 09 14 - 22 - 08 - 13 - 11 - 10 15 - 23 - 08 - 14 - 11 - 11 16 - 24 - 08 - 14 - 12 - 11 17 - 26 - 09 - 16 - 13 - 11 18 - 27 - 09 - 17 - 14 - 12 19 - 28 - 09 - 17 - 15 - 13 20 - 29 - 10 - 19 - 17 - 15 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Knights/Paladins ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- Mae - ----- Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG ------------------------------------ 10 - 12 - 00 - 10 - 15 - 11 11 - 14 - 00 - 10 - 15 - 11 12 - 15 - 00 - 11 - 15 - 11 13 - 16 - 00 - 11 - 15 - 12 14 - 17 - 00 - 12 - 16 - 13 15 - 19 - 00 - 12 - 16 - 14 16 - 21 - 00 - 13 - 16 - 14 17 - 22 - 00 - 14 - 16 - 15 18 - 25 - 00 - 15 - 16 - 16 19 - 27 - 00 - 16 - 16 - 17 20 - 29 - 00 - 17 - 17 - 17 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------- Pelle - ------- Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG ------------------------------------ 10 - 16 - 00 - 14 - 17 - 12 11 - 16 - 00 - 14 - 17 - 12 12 - 16 - 00 - 14 - 17 - 12 13 - 17 - 00 - 15 - 17 - 13 14 - 17 - 00 - 15 - 18 - 13 15 - 17 - 00 - 15 - 18 - 14 16 - 18 - 00 - 15 - 18 - 15 17 - 19 - 00 - 15 - 18 - 16 18 - 21 - 00 - 15 - 18 - 17 19 - 22 - 00 - 15 - 18 - 17 20 - 23 - 00 - 16 - 19 - 19 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- Vankar - -------- Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG ------------------------------------ 10 - 26 - 00 - 10 - 10 - 10 11 - 26 - 00 - 10 - 11 - 11 12 - 27 - 00 - 11 - 11 - 11 13 - 27 - 00 - 11 - 11 - 11 14 - 27 - 00 - 11 - 12 - 12 15 - 27 - 00 - 11 - 13 - 13 16 - 28 - 00 - 11 - 13 - 13 17 - 28 - 00 - 12 - 14 - 14 18 - 28 - 00 - 13 - 15 - 15 19 - 28 - 00 - 14 - 16 - 16 20 - 28 - 00 - 15 - 17 - 17 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- Ernest - -------- Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG ------------------------------------ 10 - 17 - 00 - 11 - 10 - 11 11 - 17 - 00 - 11 - 10 - 11 12 - 17 - 00 - 11 - 11 - 12 13 - 17 - 00 - 11 - 11 - 13 14 - 18 - 00 - 11 - 11 - 14 15 - 19 - 00 - 11 - 11 - 14 16 - 20 - 00 - 12 - 11 - 15 17 - 21 - 00 - 13 - 12 - 16 18 - 22 - 00 - 14 - 13 - 17 19 - 23 - 00 - 15 - 14 - 17 20 - 25 - 00 - 16 - 15 - 18 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- Arthur - -------- Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG ------------------------------------ 10 - 11 - 01 - 07 - 07 - 07 11 - 12 - 01 - 08 - 08 - 08 12 - 13 - 02 - 09 - 08 - 09 13 - 15 - 02 - 10 - 09 - 10 14 - 16 - 03 - 11 - 10 - 11 15 - 18 - 04 - 12 - 11 - 12 16 - 21 - 05 - 14 - 12 - 14 16 - 21 - 05 - 14 - 12 - 14 17 - 23 - 05 - 16 - 14 - 16 18 - 26 - 06 - 17 - 15 - 17 19 - 28 - 07 - 19 - 17 - 19 20 - 31 - 07 - 21 - 18 - 21 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- Ken - ----- Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG ------------------------------------ 10 - 23 - 00 - 11 - 07 - 09 11 - 23 - 00 - 11 - 07 - 10 12 - 24 - 00 - 11 - 08 - 10 13 - 24 - 00 - 12 - 09 - 11 14 - 24 - 00 - 13 - 10 - 11 15 - 24 - 00 - 14 - 11 - 12 16 - 25 - 00 - 14 - 12 - 12 17 - 25 - 00 - 15 - 13 - 13 18 - 25 - 00 - 16 - 15 - 14 19 - 25 - 00 - 17 - 16 - 14 20 - 26 - 00 - 17 - 17 - 16 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Steam Knight/Steam Baron ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------- Guntz - ------- Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG ------------------------------------ 10 - 13 - 00 - 14 - 16 - 11 11 - 13 - 00 - 14 - 17 - 11 12 - 14 - 00 - 15 - 17 - 11 13 - 15 - 00 - 16 - 18 - 11 14 - 16 - 00 - 17 - 19 - 11 15 - 16 - 00 - 17 - 20 - 11 16 - 17 - 00 - 17 - 21 - 11 17 - 17 - 00 - 18 - 22 - 11 18 - 18 - 00 - 19 - 22 - 11 19 - 19 - 00 - 20 - 23 - 11 20 - 20 - 00 - 21 - 25 - 12 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Warriors/Gladiators ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------ Gort - ------ Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG ------------------------------------ 10 - 16 - 00 - 12 - 13 - 08 11 - 17 - 00 - 13 - 13 - 08 12 - 17 - 00 - 14 - 13 - 09 13 - 18 - 00 - 15 - 14 - 10 14 - 18 - 00 - 16 - 14 - 10 15 - 19 - 00 - 17 - 15 - 11 16 - 20 - 00 - 17 - 16 - 11 17 - 21 - 00 - 18 - 17 - 11 18 - 22 - 00 - 19 - 18 - 12 19 - 22 - 00 - 19 - 19 - 13 20 - 23 - 00 - 21 - 21 - 14 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------ Luke - ------ Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG ------------------------------------ 10 - 14 - 00 - 12 - 12 - 07 11 - 14 - 00 - 13 - 13 - 08 12 - 14 - 00 - 13 - 14 - 08 13 - 15 - 00 - 14 - 15 - 09 14 - 15 - 00 - 15 - 16 - 10 15 - 16 - 00 - 16 - 17 - 10 16 - 17 - 00 - 16 - 17 - 11 17 - 17 - 00 - 17 - 18 - 11 18 - 18 - 00 - 17 - 19 - 11 19 - 19 - 00 - 18 - 20 - 12 20 - 21 - 00 - 19 - 22 - 13 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Magicians/Wizards ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------ Anri - ------ Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG ------------------------------------ 10 - 10 - 19 - 06 - 06 - 11 11 - 11 - 19 - 06 - 07 - 11 12 - 11 - 20 - 07 - 07 - 11 13 - 11 - 21 - 07 - 08 - 12 14 - 11 - 22 - 08 - 09 - 12 15 - 12 - 23 - 08 - 09 - 13 16 - 12 - 24 - 09 - 10 - 14 17 - 13 - 27 - 09 - 11 - 14 18 - 13 - 28 - 10 - 11 - 15 19 - 14 - 31 - 10 - 11 - 16 20 - 15 - 34 - 11 - 11 - 17 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------ Alef - ------ Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG ------------------------------------ 10 - 11 - 20 - 05 - 06 - 11 11 - 11 - 20 - 06 - 07 - 11 12 - 11 - 21 - 06 - 07 - 12 13 - 12 - 22 - 07 - 08 - 13 14 - 13 - 22 - 07 - 08 - 14 15 - 13 - 24 - 07 - 09 - 14 16 - 14 - 26 - 08 - 09 - 14 17 - 15 - 28 - 08 - 10 - 16 18 - 15 - 30 - 09 - 10 - 17 19 - 16 - 33 - 09 - 11 - 17 20 - 17 - 35 - 10 - 11 - 18 **How does one promote Alef at 10? Or 11? Using a hack of course. For the purpose of keeping Trent's data whole, I'll leave this information in tack** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- Tao - ----- Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG ------------------------------------ 10 - 12 - 20 - 05 - 07 - 11 11 - 13 - 20 - 05 - 07 - 12 12 - 13 - 21 - 05 - 08 - 13 13 - 14 - 22 - 06 - 08 - 14 14 - 15 - 22 - 06 - 09 - 15 15 - 15 - 24 - 07 - 10 - 16 16 - 16 - 25 - 07 - 10 - 17 17 - 17 - 28 - 07 - 11 - 17 18 - 17 - 29 - 08 - 11 - 18 19 - 17 - 32 - 08 - 11 - 18 20 - 18 - 34 - 09 - 12 - 20 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Priests/Vicars ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------ Lowe - ------ Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG ------------------------------------ 10 - 15 - 18 - 08 - 07 - 09 11 - 15 - 19 - 09 - 08 - 09 12 - 16 - 19 - 09 - 08 - 10 13 - 17 - 20 - 10 - 09 - 11 14 - 17 - 21 - 10 - 09 - 11 15 - 17 - 22 - 11 - 10 - 11 16 - 18 - 22 - 11 - 10 - 12 17 - 19 - 24 - 11 - 11 - 12 18 - 20 - 26 - 11 - 11 - 13 19 - 21 - 28 - 12 - 11 - 14 20 - 22 - 29 - 13 - 12 - 15 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------- Khris - ------- Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG ------------------------------------ 10 - 14 - 16 - 08 - 08 - 08 11 - 14 - 17 - 09 - 08 - 08 12 - 15 - 17 - 09 - 09 - 09 13 - 16 - 17 - 10 - 09 - 10 14 - 17 - 18 - 10 - 10 - 10 15 - 17 - 19 - 11 - 11 - 11 16 - 17 - 20 - 11 - 11 - 11 17 - 18 - 22 - 11 - 11 - 11 18 - 19 - 23 - 11 - 11 - 12 19 - 20 - 25 - 12 - 12 - 13 20 - 21 - 27 - 13 - 13 - 14 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- Torasu - -------- Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG ------------------------------------ 10 - 14 - 17 - 08 - 08 - 08 11 - 14 - 17 - 08 - 08 - 09 12 - 16 - 17 - 09 - 09 - 09 13 - 17 - 17 - 09 - 09 - 10 14 - 17 - 17 - 10 - 10 - 11 15 - 17 - 19 - 10 - 11 - 11 16 - 18 - 21 - 11 - 11 - 11 17 - 19 - 22 - 11 - 11 - 12 18 - 20 - 24 - 11 - 11 - 13 19 - 21 - 25 - 11 - 12 - 14 20 - 22 - 28 - 12 - 13 - 15 **How does one promote Torasu at 10? Or 11? Using a hack of course. For the purpose of keeping Trent's data whole, I'll leave this information in tack** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Monk/Master Monk ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------ Gong - ------ Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG ------------------------------------ 10 - 16 - 12 - 20 - 10 - 09 11 - 17 - 13 - 22 - 10 - 09 12 - 17 - 14 - 22 - 10 - 10 13 - 18 - 15 - 24 - 11 - 10 14 - 19 - 15 - 25 - 11 - 10 15 - 20 - 16 - 27 - 11 - 11 16 - 21 - 17 - 27 - 11 - 11 17 - 22 - 17 - 29 - 13 - 11 18 - 22 - 18 - 30 - 14 - 12 19 - 23 - 19 - 32 - 15 - 13 20 - 25 - 20 - 34 - 17 - 14 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Archer/Bow Master ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------- Diane - ------- Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG ------------------------------------ 10 - 14 - 00 - 09 - 08 - 10 11 - 15 - 00 - 09 - 08 - 10 12 - 16 - 00 - 10 - 09 - 11 13 - 17 - 00 - 10 - 10 - 11 14 - 17 - 00 - 11 - 10 - 11 15 - 17 - 00 - 11 - 11 - 11 16 - 18 - 00 - 11 - 11 - 12 17 - 19 - 00 - 12 - 11 - 13 18 - 20 - 00 - 12 - 12 - 14 19 - 21 - 00 - 13 - 13 - 14 20 - 22 - 00 - 14 - 14 - 16 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------ Hans - ------ Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG ------------------------------------ 10 - 12 - 00 - 06 - 05 - 10 11 - 13 - 00 - 07 - 06 - 10 12 - 14 - 00 - 07 - 06 - 10 13 - 15 - 00 - 08 - 07 - 10 14 - 16 - 00 - 08 - 08 - 11 15 - 17 - 00 - 10 - 09 - 11 16 - 18 - 00 - 11 - 10 - 11 17 - 20 - 00 - 11 - 11 - 12 18 - 22 - 00 - 12 - 12 - 13 19 - 23 - 00 - 13 - 13 - 14 20 - 25 - 00 - 15 - 15 - 15 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Assault Knight/Strike Knight ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------ Lyle - ------ Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG ------------------------------------ 10 - 13 - 00 - 12 - 07 - 08 11 - 13 - 00 - 12 - 08 - 09 12 - 14 - 00 - 13 - 08 - 09 13 - 15 - 00 - 14 - 09 - 10 14 - 16 - 00 - 15 - 10 - 11 15 - 16 - 00 - 15 - 10 - 11 16 - 17 - 00 - 16 - 11 - 11 17 - 17 - 00 - 17 - 11 - 12 18 - 18 - 00 - 17 - 11 - 12 19 - 19 - 00 - 18 - 12 - 13 20 - 20 - 00 - 19 - 13 - 14 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Birdmen/Sky Warriors ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------ Amon - ------ Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG ------------------------------------ 10 - 17 - 00 - 10 - 09 - 11 11 - 17 - 00 - 10 - 10 - 12 12 - 18 - 00 - 11 - 10 - 13 13 - 19 - 00 - 11 - 11 - 14 14 - 20 - 00 - 12 - 11 - 15 15 - 21 - 00 - 12 - 11 - 16 16 - 22 - 00 - 13 - 12 - 17 17 - 22 - 00 - 14 - 13 - 17 18 - 23 - 00 - 15 - 13 - 18 19 - 23 - 00 - 16 - 14 - 18 20 - 25 - 00 - 17 - 15 - 20 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------- Balbaroy - ---------- Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG ------------------------------------ 10 - 15 - 00 - 10 - 11 - 11 11 - 15 - 00 - 10 - 11 - 11 12 - 15 - 00 - 10 - 11 - 11 13 - 16 - 00 - 10 - 11 - 11 14 - 16 - 00 - 11 - 11 - 12 15 - 17 - 00 - 11 - 12 - 13 16 - 17 - 00 - 11 - 13 - 13 17 - 18 - 00 - 12 - 14 - 14 18 - 18 - 00 - 13 - 15 - 15 19 - 20 - 00 - 14 - 15 - 16 20 - 22 - 00 - 15 - 17 - 17 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Winged Knight/Sky Lord ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------- Kokichi - --------- Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG ------------------------------------ 10 - 15 - 00 - 11 - 09 - 10 11 - 16 - 00 - 11 - 09 - 10 12 - 17 - 00 - 11 - 09 - 11 13 - 17 - 00 - 11 - 09 - 11 14 - 18 - 00 - 11 - 10 - 11 15 - 19 - 00 - 11 - 10 - 11 16 - 20 - 00 - 12 - 10 - 12 17 - 21 - 00 - 13 - 11 - 13 18 - 21 - 00 - 13 - 11 - 13 19 - 22 - 00 - 15 - 13 - 14 20 - 23 - 00 - 16 - 14 - 16 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dragon/Great Dragon ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------ Bleu - ------ Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG ------------------------------------ 10 - 17 - 00 - 22 - 15 - 08 11 - 17 - 00 - 23 - 16 - 08 12 - 18 - 00 - 24 - 17 - 09 13 - 19 - 00 - 27 - 17 - 10 14 - 20 - 00 - 28 - 18 - 10 15 - 21 - 00 - 29 - 20 - 11 16 - 22 - 00 - 31 - 21 - 11 17 - 22 - 00 - 33 - 22 - 11 18 - 23 - 00 - 34 - 22 - 12 19 - 23 - 00 - 35 - 23 - 13 20 - 25 - 00 - 38 - 25 - 14 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Robot/Cyborg ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------ Adam - ------ Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG ------------------------------------ 10 - 26 - 00 - 17 - 19 - 10 11 - 26 - 00 - 19 - 20 - 10 12 - 26 - 00 - 20 - 21 - 11 13 - 26 - 00 - 21 - 22 - 11 14 - 27 - 00 - 22 - 23 - 12 15 - 27 - 00 - 23 - 24 - 12 16 - 27 - 00 - 24 - 25 - 13 17 - 27 - 00 - 26 - 26 - 14 18 - 27 - 00 - 27 - 27 - 15 19 - 27 - 00 - 28 - 28 - 16 20 - 28 - 00 - 29 - 29 - 17 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Werewolf/Wolf Baron ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------ Zylo - ------ Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG ------------------------------------ 10 - 19 - 00 - 22 - 11 - 11 11 - 19 - 00 - 22 - 12 - 12 12 - 19 - 00 - 23 - 13 - 13 13 - 19 - 00 - 23 - 14 - 14 14 - 20 - 00 - 24 - 15 - 14 15 - 20 - 00 - 25 - 16 - 15 16 - 20 - 00 - 27 - 17 - 16 17 - 20 - 00 - 28 - 17 - 17 18 - 20 - 00 - 30 - 18 - 17 19 - 20 - 00 - 31 - 18 - 18 20 - 21 - 00 - 34 - 20 - 19 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Section VII ---------------------------------------- | Promotion debate (when to verse not) | ---------------------------------------- With the new knowledge brought to me concerning Section VI, this section likewise has had an incredible make-over. My previous section was based on stat growth and the likes, with some general guidelines on what to do. However with the new knowledge about how exactly the promotions in this game work, what you will read below is a character by character description of what I believe to be the right time to promote each character. That being said, with respect to what I said earlier, someone asked me the difference in a level 20 hero if promoted at 10 versus 20. As I didn't really know, having not done that for some heroes in some cases, I had to go back and find out for myself. The result is, a relaxing of criticism on certain heroes in this section. Those will be detailed below within each individuals section. Table of Contents 0.General Guideline 1. Max [001] 2. Mae [002] 3. Pelle [003] 4. Vankar [004] 5. Ernest [005] 6. Arthur [006] 7. Ken [007] 8. Guntz [008] 9. Gort [009] 10. Luke [010] 11. Anri [011] 12. Alef [012] 13. Tao [013] 14. Lowe [014] 15. Khris [015] 16. Torasu [016] 17. Gong [017] 18. Diane [018] 19. Hans [019] 20. Lyle [020] 21. Amon [021] 22. Balbaroy [022] 23. Kokichi [023] 24. Bleu [024] 25. Adam [025] 26. Zylo [026] **As per usual, hit [ctrl]+F then the number to skip to a specific character** ---------------------- - General Guidelines - ---------------------- ----------- - Casters - ----------- Generally speaking, casters are better if promoted at 20 since it doesn't punish their learning curve and gives them better MP to work with later on which only benefits them more. Some people though are fair candidates to promote early and those I've detailed below ----------------------------------- - Character - Suggested Promotion - ----------------------------------- - Lowe - 11 OR 20 - - Khris - 10 OR 20 - - Torasu - 16 OR 20 (lean) - - Gong - ONLY 20 - - Tao - 10 OR 20 - - Anri - 11 OR 20 - - Alef - 15 OR 20 - ----------------------------------- -------------------- - Non-Weapon Users - -------------------- Across the board your non-weapon users need to be promoted at 20 less they lack the power they need later in the game to reliably fight back. This has been updated to reflect that Zylo no longer is a viable early candidate, and too should be a 20/20 character for maximum impact. For in-depth explanations that might surprise you, read about them below ------------------------ - Little Attack Growth - ------------------------ These are archers and birdmen, folks who don't gain loads of attack. In Balbs and Amon's case, they don't get a plethora of best weapons to use and Kokichi may lose out on getting a substantial weapon due to other better characters wanting those weapons. There wasn't much of a change, but the explanations below are intriguing, especially since Hans swapped from 10/20 to only 20 due to reasons, and Diane was extended from 11 to whenever you get the Elven Arrow or 20. Similarly, Amon was swapped to 10 instead of Steel Sword again for reasons. ----------------------------------- - Character - Suggested Promotion - ----------------------------------- - Hans - 20 - - Diane - Elven Arrow OR 20 - - Lyle - 10, 14, OR 20 - - Balbaroy - 10 OR 20 - - Amon - 10 OR 20 (leaning) - - Kokichi - 10 OR 20 - ----------------------------------- ----------------- - Everyone Else - ----------------- The last category of warriors and knights. They are as unique as you might suspect, no joke, but one trend that we then see often is that there is a pairing of an early bloomer versus late. For instance, Ken is only 20, but his similar hero, Vankar, is reasonable at 10. Gort, likewise, reasonable at 10, but Luke strongly benefits from the 20. I should note, that ALL characters benefit from leveling to 20; the ones I've called out as reasonable early promotions are those who fall into 2 categories (their stats aren't insanely better) or (uniquely better), such as Gort isn't insanely better being 20/20 versus 10/20, or in Pelle's case, when you promote doesn't make his start that much better or worse (as compared to Arthur or Zylo). ----------------------------------- - Character - Suggested Promotion - ----------------------------------- - Max - 10, 12, 13, 20 - - Gort - 10 OR 20 - - Luke - 11 OR 20 (lean) - - Mae - 14 OR 20 - - Ken - 20 - - Pelle - 10 OR 20 - - Arthur - ONLY 20 - - Vankar - 10 OR 20 - - Ernest - 10 OR 20 (lean) - - Guntz - 20 - ----------------------------------- ----------- Max [001] - ----------- Stats at 10 62-10-74-57-46 Stats at 20 71-12-78-60-49 Remarks: A truly eye-opening experience, as Max really proved to be nearly as strong despite being promoted at 10 (the only huge differing factor being his hit points. Because of this, Max actually shoots to the top of our list to potentially promote at 10 due to 2 reasons (1) he doesn't get that much stronger and (2) he's our leader so he would prefer getting tankier and staying that way. That being said, promoting him at 12 or 13 IS more favorable since Max will have better stats than if promoted at 10. Summary: 10, 12-13, 20 ----------- Mae [002] - ----------- Stats at 10 56-62-54-58 Stats at 20 74-74-52-62 Remarks: I find it odd that my 20/20 Mae has less Defense than her 10/20 counterpart, but as this is just 1 sample, that is something I will have to deal with on occasion. The point is, Mae is a great contrast to Max in that, Mae is quite a bit better if you 20/20 her instead of 10/20 her as she gains in the ballpark of 20 more health and 12 more attack, a rather hefty amount. That being said, not much has changed regarding what I had said previously, if you must promote Mae early for whatever reason, that promote her at 14 as that is her most optimal growth point pre-20 Summary: 14 or 20 ------------- Pelle [003] - ------------- Stats at 10 56-66-52-58 Stats at 20 69-72-57-62 Remarks: Unsurprisingly, Pelle is better at 20/20 but again, not that much better. Because he is an "early bloomer" Pelle is a real candidate for promoting early. For my speedrun, I promote him at 10, but in a casual, you could promote him at 13 for that 1 extra attack point (or just at 10 for 14, it's not a huge difference). So really, my opinion has changed, as you can always take him to 20, but he can be promoted at 10 with little loss Summary: 10 or 20 -------------- Vankar [004] - -------------- Stats at 10 71-66-44-53 Stats at 20 71-70-50-61 Remarks: My opinion on Vankar has completely switched, as evident above. Vankar contrary to what I previously thought, isn't really a late bloomer: he is more like Pelle, and as such, should probably be promoted at 10 right away alongside Pelle. The benefit from struggling him to 20 is mediocre at best and he grows very little from 10 to 20 as evident by some of the numbers I've selected from above Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG 10 - 26 - 00 - 10 - 10 - 10 11 - 26 - 00 - 10 - 11 - 11 12 - 27 - 00 - 11 - 11 - 11 13 - 27 - 00 - 11 - 11 - 11 14 - 27 - 00 - 11 - 12 - 12 15 - 27 - 00 - 11 - 13 - 13 Summary: 10 or 20 -------------- Ernest [005] - -------------- Stats at 10 60-70-45-58 Stats at 20 68-74-50-64 Remarks: I'm torn on Ernst. His playthrough here showed him in a different light, a much more favorable one to promote early. On the other hand, he does still have some noticeable improvements up to 20 (unpromoted as well) so because of that, I'm inclined to leave him in the "leaning towards 20" category though he like some of the others, is OK at 10 Summary: 10 or 20 (leaning) -------------- Arthur [006] - -------------- Stats at 10 61-23-61-49-55 Stats at 20 78-32-78-64-67 Remarks: Nothing changed with regards to Arthur. His stats spike late and the data is clear: Arthur is absolute garbage if you promote him at 10, being weaker across the board compared to his fellow knights; but what isn't tracked is simply how AWFUL Arthur was prior to. Upon promotion at 10, Arthur has the following: 11-1-7(15)-7-7 Let's compare briefly. In chapter 1 at level 1, Max has 12 HP at a minimum as well 14 attack. But by the end of chapter 1, Max generally has around 18 health, 20-22 attack, 8-12 Defense, and 8-10 speed. That's a CHAPTER ONE Max with better stats that the freshly promoted Arthur, in other words, holy crap. And furthermore, Arthur stayed this way long into his promoted career (not leaving the dump until about level 12 promoted). In other words, if you're going to use Arthur (and yes, he's the best knight in the game if you 20/20) take him to 20, otherwise leave him because he's trash-tier Summary: 20 ----------- Ken [007] - ----------- Stats at 10 65-66-44-53 Stats at 20 69-75-54-59 Remarks: Something I realized by about Ken's level 4 was that he sucked quite a bit and I figured things wouldn't change much and lo behold, they didn't. Ken really is better off promoting at 20 as he is substantially better at fighting, gaining upwards of 10 more attack and Defense. Something else to think about is Ken's growth in his early promoted levels is quite bad, meaning that he could really benefit from that "maximum" growth offered by 20 instead Summary: 20 ------------- Guntz [008] - ------------- Stats at 10 53-68-76-43 Stats at 20 61-77-87-45 Remarks: So really, I've decided to switch Gunt'z placement because I have learned more about the game and I realize now that while Kokichi is more a bird than a Knight, Guntz too is more a warrior than a Knight. Looking at the stats is really the biggest factor, as Guntz is extremely tanky and deals tons of damage, but with lower speed and HP; a trend we see in Luke and Gort. Regardless! Guntz was tricky for me to evaluate but at the end of the day, he should promote at 20 basically always. While the extra Defense is completely pointless (only Ramladu hurts him anyway) the much better attack and HP is the deciding factor as HP in the 50s is dangerous (dies to Bolt 4, can't survive 2 Demon Breaths potentially) so the extra HP to push him up over that amount is quite key to his success. In addition, his low movement which cries for some boosting doesn't come until later anyway, so probably just do that Summary: 20 ------------ Gort [009] - ------------ Stats at 10 59-64-64-43 Stats at 20 65-77-69-48 Remarks: Gort can go really either way. You can see that 10/20 he is quite strong, and the only real change is his attack which does get substantially better. Is that worth taking that extra time? At the end of the day, it is your call Summary: 10, 20 ------------ Luke [010] - ------------ Stats at 10 54-71-66-42 Stats at 20 63-81-77-52 Remarks: Luke on the other hand (continuing the trend of early verse late bloomers coming in pairs) is really better off being a 20/20 character. He too is very powerful regardless of when you promote him (seriously, 71 attack is a TON). On the flipside though, his stats do have noticeable growth compared to how Gort's change from 10/20 to 20/20. Because of that, I'll leave Luke as a 11/20 suggestion, but I'll lean him towards 20 because increasing nearly all your stats by 10 across the board is pretty cool Summary: 11, 20 (leaning) ------------ Anri [011] - ------------ Stats at 10 48-62-xx-37-52 Stats at 20 53-81-xx-42-61 Remarks: Not much has changed, but I will further elaborate now on the differences between promoting mages at 10 versus 20. The biggest factor, is that SF1 remembers your level constantly, meaning you have no spell gap in your learning (something that exists in all other SF games). Because of that, you can continue leveling your mages as enemies give EXP without any real punishment to them. They then explode in stats upon promotion (huge levels in those first 3-5 levels) which further keeps them from suffering. Combined then with their ease of leveling (gaining boosted EXP from AOE effects) it really is nice then to take em to 20 before promoting. Now with all that being said, Anri is a reasonable candidate to promote at 10 or 11 (emphasis 11 for bonus stats) due to 1 reason, she managed to get to 62 MP. If she had not (and I wasn't saving for stats) then I would say Anri MUST be taken to 20. The reason is simply this: Anri is granted that extra Freeze 4 by getting to 60 MP. I'm not saying that 50 isn't enough, because it is, but it can get tight on her MP otherwise. Summary: 11, 20 ------------ Alef [012] - ------------ Stats at 10 49-69-xx-37-61 Stats at 20 57-84-xx-40-62 Remarks: Really, Alef can be promoted as soon as you get her. She gets over 60 MP which allows for 3 casts of Bolt 3/4 and her stats actually look better than Anri's (how about that people who say Anri is "godlike tanky"). Now with that being said, leveling her 5 times which at this point; isn't hard, expands her initial magic pool by about 50% and then gets her up and over that 80 MP total which gives her a fourth cast. As she comes so late in the game, it is up to you to decide how much effort you want to put into her Summary: 20 ----------- Tao [013] - ----------- Stats at 10 49-67-xx-38-59 Stats at 20 60-82-xx-42-67 Remarks: I had already stated that Tao is reasonable to promote at 10 just to explode into extra stats (basically making her the fastest unit for a long while) but she does get better like most folks the later she goes. So not much of a change then for her rating, as she should be 20 or 10. As Boost costs 15, getting multiples of 15 (15,30,45,60) is nice to allow for more boosts, but also overlapping with Blaze 4 can help as well. So really, more MP is better, but again, it depends on your level of effort you want to put into it. Summary: 10, 20 ------------ Lowe [014] - ------------ Stats at 10 55-55-46-38-52 Stats at 20 66-66-53-45-56 Remarks: Here's the deal. Lowe benefits a lot from 20/20 (just look at the difference) but on the flipside, Lowe gets very fast very early so promoting him sooner means he always can be going first. This is a rather important feature in SF games that I should touch on; and that is you want your healers to go first, or last. This way you can control damage and know when your heals are coming. If your healers go in the middle, they can get double turned meaning someone could get attacked twice before a healer gets a go and whoops their dead. Because of that, and because Lowe isn't going to be your only healer ever I hope, he's a reasonable candidate to promote early despite keeping quite a bit more stats doing 20/20 Summary: 11, 20 ------------- Khris [015] - ------------- Stats at 10 53-55-49-40-45 Stats at 20 57-66-57-48-55 Remarks: Khris should a 20/20 character. If you must, then promote her at 10 to get into promoted levels, otherwise, just drag it out. The biggest reason is you literally learn heal 4 for free (others, like Tao getting promoted at 11, do not learn Blaze 3 until you level once) but Khris literally just gets it. She also gets Aura which makes it easier to level and her attack gets decent with the Power Staff which further makes it easier to net her EXP. As Khris is my personal favorite, I would suggest you 20/20 her Summary: 10, 20 -------------- Torasu [016] - -------------- Stats at 10 54-63-50-40-48 Stats at 20 59-72-51-47-56 Remarks: You can chooce to level him 4 times to 20 or just promote him. It's up to you. He's one of the easiest characters to level in the game as Aura just gets tons of free EXP for you and Torasu does need every last drop of MP he can stomach. As Aura 4 costs 18 MP (18,36,54,72) you can see that by 20/20ing him, you can manage to get to that fourth Aura 4 which is helpful but possible unnecessary. So really, it's up to you. I'd level him to 20, but he's reasonable to promote right away to get going on his promoted levels Summary: Asap or 20 (leaning) ------------ Gong [017] - ------------ Stats at 10 58-42-45-42-44 Stats at 20 67-51-61-47-57 Remarks: Something that changed very little in my opinion, Gong's experience here showed just how terrible he is if you promote early at 10. First off, his attack suffers too hard and his MP is very low which really makes it hard for him to catch up at all, but second, he'll never learn Aura in a reasonable amount of time (he really won't anyway) but he'll crack it at 20 if you promote at 10 (instead of at 10 if you promote at 20). Lastly, just look at the stat changes, with the exception of defense, his stats are CRAZY better across the board so if anything changed, only promote him at 20 Summary: 20 ------------- Diane [018] - ------------- Stats at 10 54-57-38-53 Stats at 20 61-63-44-58 Remarks: Archers are noticeably better if you promote them at 20 instead of 10. This isn't so much because their end stats are so different (they aren't) but it's because their time starting off will be quite a bit better for them. That being said, as they gain so little in the way of attack, an argument could be made for promoting them at the Eleven Arrow acquiring since it's both a nice damage boost and range boost. Summary: Elven Arrow or 20 ------------ Hans [019] - ------------ Stats at 10 48-56-35-49 Stats at 20 65-68-46-57 Remarks: Hans on the otherhand really should only be taken to 20. He keeps the trend of one early versus one late bloomer alive and it's clear that Diane is better early but leveled equally Hans gets better. It is hard to say though, should either be used over Lyle but that is for a different section Summary: 20 ------------ Lyle [020] - ------------ Stats at 10 49-65-35-48 Stats at 20 61-73-41-56 Remarks: Not much has changed from earlier with regards to Lyle. He was the best before and is still the best after but what has changed is how much better. You can see that if leveled equally, Lyle is only marginally better than Hans or Diane by a few points as compared to if 10/20, you can see how much stronger Lyle really is. That being said, it is better to wait to 14 if you can manage because that maximizes his attack you'll be starting with upon promotion but it's not a huge deal Summary: 10, 14, 20 ------------ Amon [021] - ------------ Stats at 10 61-25-44-52 Stats at 20 68-36-50-64 *Both Amon and Balbaroy can use the Chaos Breaker, meaning their best Sword is technically +40. On the other hand, their likely best weapon is either Doom Blade at +25, or the Katana at +30. Remarks: The data is clear and hasn't changed much; Amon is better if you 20/20 her than if you 10/20 her. Maybe not an insane amount, but seeing as her best weapon is likely +25, she really benefits from every attack she can get so getting to 20 is pretty helpful. That being said, you're likely better off promoting her sooner rather than later. I originally said "Steel Sword" but a quick glance of her stats shows she keeps an extra attack each even level (10,11,12 at 10, 12, 14) and keeps 17 attack if promoted at 20 so keep that in mind. Summary: 10, 20 (strongly leaning) ---------------- Balbaroy [022] - ---------------- Stats at 10 51-29-44-53 Stats at 20 63-38-51-60 Remarks: Balbaroy is an interesting character for levels so let me try to go through this the best I can. For starters, either promote Balbs at 10 or at 20: and promoting between 10 and 12 makes literally no difference in his stats Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG 10 - 15 - 00 - 10 - 11 - 11 11 - 15 - 00 - 10 - 11 - 11 12 - 15 - 00 - 10 - 11 - 11 13 - 16 - 00 - 10 - 11 - 11 14 - 16 - 00 - 11 - 11 - 12 Like Amon, Balbs is better (by quite a bit) doing 20/20. But due to the nature of how he keeps stats, he really needs to be a 10 or 20, not somewhere in the middle. Balbs does ramp in attack rather quickly (for reference, by level 7 or so, Balbs can with the Chaos Breaker, OHKO the Skeleton in 7-4 to easily snipe that battle) but Amon could not. She did catch Balbs, but that is for another section. At the end of the day, not much changed, but it did make a stronger case for getting him to 20 I suppose Summary: 10, 20 --------------- Kokichi [023] - --------------- Stats at 10 56-65-42-51 Stats at 20 63-72-49-58 Remarks: Kokichi fits right in the middle of this in the sense of, he's better, but is he better enough to take him to 20. What can be said though, is you do not want to promote him at any time in between, as his stats kept are increasingly awful (I think worst in the game) so you want to do him right at 10 or take him to 20. He's better at 20, not insanely better, but better. Hard to say Summary: 10, 20 ------------ Bleu [024] - ------------ Stats at 10 72-59-73-42 Stats at 20 83-78-78-53 Remarks: Bleu joins so late in the game, unpromoted of course, you'd expect his stats to be insane but they really aren't that much better compared to other similarly leveled characters. That being said though, the data is clear. Bleu needs to be leveled 20/20 if he is to be relevant otherwise his attack just won't get to where you need it. The best way to summarize is a 10/20 Bleu is a stone wall, but a 20/20 Bleu is a tank. Like, seriously, he gains nearly 20 more attack if 20/20'd so really, don't promote him at 10 Summary: 20 ------------ Adam [025] - ------------ Stats at 10 70-59-71-46 Stats at 20 70-72-83-58 Remarks: Surprise surprise, if you 10/20 Adam, he still sucks. He actually sucks harder than Bleu since he has less move and can't fly. As said before, if you 20/20 Adam, yeah he's strong (damn strong actually) but it just took forever to get there and he needs some movement item to benefit him. So really, promote him at 20 and only if you're a fan of beast characters Summary: 20 ------------ Zylo [026] - ------------ Stats at 10 63-67-50-54 Stats at 20 68-82-59-61 Remarks: Continuing this trend as we wrap up this section, Zylo as one would suspect should be taken to 20 before promotion. The main difference though might surprise you and it's not because he gets quite a bit more attack. No, the biggest reason is what he starts with upon promotion. Allow me to show the differences Lv | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 --------------------------------------------------------- Att| 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 30 | 31 | 34 Do you see it? Zylo starts off promoted with 50% more attack (roughly the same difference he ends up with if promoted at 20 versus 10). This is critical not just because Zylo then hits harder later, but it really comes down to him hitting harder earlier. At 22 attack, depending on when you promote him, Zylo is simply CRIPPLED beyond belief in his ability to damage anything; and it doesn't get much better until late late late and by that point, +3 attack by getting to 20. Enemies such as Golems and Dullahans are so strong, that Zylo can't hurt them until he has 30 attack, a value that he doesn't get until 20 promoted or has gained upwards of 10 attack upon promotion. So, why not just delay his promotion and not worry about it? It really makes no sense otherwise since you could force his promotion and then force 10 attack ups from levels just to pinch against strong enemies, or you can just level him naturally and easily and not worry about it. The answer, seems obvious. Summary: 20 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Section VIII ---------------------------------- | Numeral Analysis of Characters | ---------------------------------- ********************************** This is also the *Description of Character Section* ********************************** [9999] This section is going to hold a description for each character. As much detail as I can offer is going to go into the following section; in addition to the dreaded 'numerical' analysis. Each character will receive individual scores (up to 10) for 10 different categories with one broad score out of 100 [to be ranked against each other for no reason, well, maybe some reason :) ] Also, at the conclusion of this section, you will see an explanation for some suggestions of teams for the characters to be used in Here is a quick table showing damage and defensive amounts across the chapters HP | Def Range | Phys Att | Magic Att Chapter 1 | 12 | 6 - 8 | 11 - 16 | Blaze 2 (8-10) Chapter 2 | 15 | 8 - 15 | 16 - 21 | Blaze 2 (8-10) Freeze 1 (8-9) Chapter 3 | 18 | 11 - 16 | 21 - 26 | None really Chapter 4 | 18 | 11 - 16 | 21 - 24 | Flame 1 (12-13) Chapter 5 | 22 | 14 - 17 | 20 - 24 | None really Chapter 6 | 22 | 13 - 28 | 26 - 40 | Bolt 1 (10ish) Freeze 2 (10-12) Chapter 7 | 30 | 20 - 32* | 38 - 46 | Low End 13-15 High End 18-22* Chapter 8 | ** | 30 - 40 | 60 - 65 | Low End 15-18 High End 25-30** *In Chapter 7, there is a stark difference in defense ratings due to the type of unit (similar to 6) in that anything that isn't squishy like a Mage has around 30 defense versus the lower units having 20ish. Similarly, the Magic is getting extreme, with Ice from Worms, Flame from Wyvern, and the infamous beams that are super balanced **In Chapter 8, we have such a wide variance that it feels necessary to break down certain aspects as this it the "late game" and what most people are getting compared against when we look at those figures. Most enemies have 25-36 health (capping with Armed Skeletons) but the most dangerous enemies have closer to 50 with Dragons and Chimaera. Similarly, we have some super low Defense things in Horsemen, Priests, and even Cerberus for 1 battle, but most things are sitting around the 30s, with Dark Dragon sitting at the hefty 40 amount that we focus in on in terms of finishing the game (Dark Sol has 35) Similarly, we have Flame 2 and Ice 2 from Chimaera and Dragons, hitting for upwards for 25 damage (all these piercing attacks can double or critical which isn't factored in here) leaving Demon Breath 1 and 2 to hit for upwards for a good 30ish damage roll from Dark Dragon. If you want to be technical, there is also the chance for Bolt 4 from Dark Dragon but I've largely ignored boss magic up to this point IE Freeze 3 and Bolt 2 from Marionette and Mishaela This is to give a good reference point to things like "early" and "middle" game with respect to each character, knowing how much damage they deal as well how much abuse they can put up with before being slain. Magic/piercing is factored as well since that hurts tankier but lower HP heroes more The 10 categories are as follow... Attack Defense Hit Points Agility Movement Early Game (as in, when you get the character) Medium Game (as in, somewhere in between these two) Late Game (as in, when fighting in Chapter 8 trying to win) Leveling (as in, how difficult it is) Consistency (how consistent are their stats as well as how newb friendly) <>Casters will have a slightly different categories<> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Max (79.5) {Swordsman --> Hero} Level 20 Promoted Stats: (With Best Weapon +40) 71 - 12 - 78 - 60 - 49 6 - 0 - 6 - 6 - 2 <--Stat Increases from Items 77 - 12 - 84 - 66 - 51 Level 20 Average Stats : (With/Without Best Weapon) 46 - 09 - 17/47 - 28 - 43 Level 20 "Typical" : 58 - 10 - 62 - 44 - 46 10/20 Stats: 62 - 10 - 74 - 57 - 46 Max is the hero of the story; no matter the challenge its rather required you have him in your team. When the game begin, you will have to take care of him as he can be defeated in a few blows from well-aimed enemy attacks. I find often that Max is exceedingly powerful through chapter I, and then slacks off more towards the end of chapter II as he then completely sucks until you get him a new weapon in chapter IV. From then on, he will often be capable of dealing quite a bit of damage. As he depends on your teams survival, you must treat with him with care though. Once you get the Sword of Light, Max will turn into quite the powerhouse, now being able to use bolt 2. Again though, he may seem powerful but goes down quickly as enemies tend to focus him over other characters. He is best equipped with the Chaos Breaker and White Ring although there is an argument to be made for giving him the Doom Blade and giving the Chaos Breaker over to someone more expendable, like Balbaroy. Attack (8) Max scores very high for attack, losing points for 2 reasons. The first, being that he is not meant to be in the front-line as your battle is over (along with half your gold) when he dies. The second being that his lack of a new weapon for several battles (in fact, three chapters) means he will go from powerhouse to craphouse literally in a battle. Once promoted however and he is weilding promoted weapons, he will deal an incredible amount of damage (even with bad level ups) Defense (6) Max scores just above average for defense, losing points for similar reasons in the attack category. Early on (when leveling is very important) he is far too fragile, taking multiple points of damage from everything, resulting him in dying too quickly. It will not improve for much of the game either. Once promoted, he -tends to- gain a decent amount of Defense so that he can withstand physical onslaught. However, this is overshadowed again as most enemies use magical or Defense piercing attacks in the end Hit Points (8) Max scores high again for life; which for most of the game will help offset his lower Defense. On average, he will have in the ballpark of 50 HP or so, which can withstand at worst, 2 magical shots (or 3 torch eye lasers) which is pretty good. However, considering a Max with customed stats has well over 70 HP, helps to raise his health rating up Agility (9) Not much to say here, there are only a few characters on your team that will be faster than Max in the end. He will not be the fastest for the entire game which is why he loses a point Movement (9) A score slightly better than Centaurs, Max's Movement of 6 is very nice. In regular battle scenarios he can move well, as you will experience 5 move is not enough and 6 will satisfy you. However, what is so nice about Max is he can move in harsh terrain (forest, sand, mountain, etc) 3 spaces at a time. Which is better than most other characters. The only reason he doesn't score a 10 is because his movement is 6 and not 7 Early Game (8) A great score as most characters come to your team and require several levels to be a contender. Max comes to your team and really only needs about +2 defense to be a contender. The reason for his loss of points is due to his dilemma from Chapter 2 on until he gets the Long Sword, he will suck Medium Game (8) Another good solid score; Max, once he acquires his new weapon in Chapter 4 (which is right at halfway) can once again resume doing damage. The reason for his lost points is due to his promotion. Regardless of when you promote him (unless you use all the stat items on him) things will feel reminiscent of Max dying in 1-3 attacks again Late Game (9.5) Max only loses a point here simply because his death results in a loss for you. His attack power with the Chaos Breaker is incredible, he's fast, and can tank a few hits before feeling panicky. As an added bonus, Freeze 3 can be used infinitely with the Chaos Breaker Leveling (4) Max ranks on the lower end of the scale here with a sad rating of 4. Why does he lose over half his points? Let's examine this. (1) He lacks an easy to use move to guarantee experience (any non caster will suffer this loss of point) (2) His speed will often make him go first and attack fresh monsters as opposed to weakened ones, causing him to attack 5-7 times before leveling as opposed to a good couple kill shots. (3) His vulnerability to death still makes an appearance, even here (4/5) Anyone who has played with him in Chapter 3 will feel the pain of whacking skeletons for 1, lizardmen for 2, and missing dark priests (6) Once promoted, most enemies use spells. As such, this combines with (2) to make you even more wary to venture him forth into territory where 2-3 monsters can swoop down next turn and pummel him for 60 damage, ending the battle Consistency (10) Max is one of the most consistent characters in the game. He has some variance in levels, but from game to game, will change very slightly. Despite 'having' to use him, he is very newby-friendly Overall (79.5) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ {Knights --> Paladins} -Recall their best weapons gives +35 attack- Ken Level 20 Promoted Stats: 69 - 00 - 75 - 54 - 59 Level 20 Average Stats : 38 - 00 - 51 - 36 - 39 Mae Level 20 Promoted Stats: 74 - 00 - 74 - 52 - 62 Level 20 Average Stats : 53 - 00 - 48 - 29 - 48 Arthur Level 20 Promoted Stats: 78 - 32 - 78 - 64 - 67 Level 20 Average Stats : 57 - 15 - 52 - 42 - 50 Pelle Level 20 Promoted Stats: 69 - 00 - 72 - 57 - 62 Level 20 Average Stats : 42 - 00 - 55 - 31 - 53 Vankar Level 20 Promoted Stats: 71 - 00 - 70 - 50 - 61 Level 20 Average Stats : 50 - 00 - 50 - 33 - 45 Ernest Level 20 Promoted Stats: 68 - 00 - 74 - 50 - 64 Level 20 Average Stats : 41 - 00 - 51 - 33 - 53 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ken (77.5) Level 20 Promoted Stats: 69 - 00 - 75 - 54 - 59 Level 20 Average Stats : 38 - 00 - 51 - 36 - 39 Level 20 "Typical" : 53 - 00 - 63 - 45 - 49 10/20 Stats: 65 - 00 - 66 - 44 - 53 Ken is the first knight you get, and we will get a lot of them. With the massive variance in level ups, it will often be hard to predict which knights you should go with; as well as their ratings are going to be somewhat similar to each others. One advantage of Ken over other Knights is that you have him from the beginning (this is something commonly seen for all starting characters) is that you will gain them and they won't be 2-5 levels under yours (and the enemies) level. Ken is uniquely known as the super fragile Knight who gains loads of health but not much defense, but as you can see, he stacks up nicely in the end finishing with a healthy 40+ defense (another myth busted!) A nice trick, is to keep a spear on your knight, even when you have the better lance, so that in the event they cannot reach the enemy, they can still attack for some damage. Also, is very helpful when fighting bosses as you kinda have to bumrush the enemy. Attack (7) All Knights, on principle, lose one point for they only have one of their best weapon. That being said, Ken will have great attack for most of the game, being able to dish damage similarly to Max. Defense (7) Once promoted, Ken will gain enough defense to make anyone happy. However, his unpromoted years will scare newbies forever. His defense starts low, and grows slow so that even when he does get Defense, the new enemies can now lay a hurting on him... which is why he loses 3 points. Hit Points (8.5) Ken is known for gaining loads of health (like on average, doubling from 8 to 16 health in his first 3 level ups). As time goes on, his growth slows down which is why he loses a point. He will end the game with a fair amount of hit points consistently though. Agility (6) As Knights go, Ken is not amongst the faster ones. He gains a decent amount though so that he will be somewhere in the middle of your line-up with speed Movement (7) Knights move great! However, -1 for deserts, -1 for forests, and -1 for mountains. Nothing sets a mood like watching 7 spaces turn into 2 Early Game (8) Early on, Ken is going to be a power-house. He gains new weapons at a steady rate and gains good damage so that when Chapter 2 rolls around and you fight your first boss, Ken will be in there doing dirty work. He loses a few points due to again his weak defense and the fact the Power Staff makes most casters do about the same as everyone else. Ken can avoid this tragic fate but not always Medium Game (8.5) Ken comes out better than most with promotions as he will acquire new better weapons again at a steady rate. Not to mention he levels very nicely with promoted levels, means he can hold his own against other members of your team. This is especially true if you delay his promotion, otherwise, he does hurt a bit worse in the "midgame" Late Game (8.5) Ken certainly isn't the best character in the game, nor is he probably going to make the cut for the best 12 attackers on your team. He however, fairs rather well with a solid score which is nice to see Leveling (8) Knights are just easier to level than most. Being able to switch between range and melee is a plus, as well as being to switch attack powers means you won't be frustrated with killing something when you just meant to attack it for that little bit of needed exp. Consistency (9) Ken is consistent, just like Max. However, his stats can vary just enough for him to lose a point in my opinion. He is also a newb friendly hero Overall (77.5) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mae (71.5) Level 20 Promoted Stats: 74 - 00 - 74 - 52 - 62 Level 20 Average Stats : 53 - 00 - 48 - 29 - 48 Level 20 "Typical" : 63 - 00 - 61 - 40 - 55 10/20 Stats: 56 - 00 - 62 - 54 - 58 Mae is the second knight we acquire. She fits the mold of the 'terrible joiner' which simply means she will come and be somewhat disappointing. This however does not mean you should never use a terrible joiner, just let them catch up in level and gain some stats then decide. We would expect the daughter of Varios to be much better atuned at fighting than this wouldn't we? She starts off some-what tanky, but as the game progresses you will find her strong in both life/defense, with her attack somewhat lower than desired. It is for those reasons I would not suggest having her in your final party nor in your power team Attack (6) Mae, for the large part of the game, is going to be a lower-end attacker on your team. She ranks above average however as her late-game makes her a formidable ally Defense (7.5) If Mae kept her outstanding defense she joins with, she would have an easy 10 stat. However, like Ken's health, her defense growth will slow that in the endgame, she will simply be average and not Guntz-like Hit Points (8) Mae starts with a pitiful amount of health (especially at a time when your first spell casters are introduced) which is quite scary. However, given some time, her health becomes quite high (obscene in some cases) making her quite useful to get in there Agility (8) Nothing truly outstanding, Mae's speed for the most part will be quite similar to most. She will be above-average for taking her turn (on paper) but nothing is guaranteed with the SFI engine Movement (7) See description for Ken Early Game (7) Mae's early game is not quite that of Ken's. She can tank quite well but her lower attack is going to prove to be a burden at times. Once she has the Power Spear, like most others, her problem is solved. But that Chapel Battle at the conclusion of Chapter II will leave frightening memories of her being rather useless Medium Game (7) Again, around the middle of the game Mae is not exceedingly stellar but can prove useful, again. Her attack and health is coming around, it's at this point however we begin to notice her Defense growth is slowing Late Game (8) Mae has essentially the same description here that Ken does. She is not super, but can prove useful Leveling (7) Mae loses an extra point compared to Ken due to her early game dilemmas with a lack of attack power. Other than that, Knights will score about the same here Consistency (6) Mae has an issue with consistency. Such variance in her levels could have her in the top 3 for knights, while she could like-wise round out the bottom Overall (71.5) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Arthur (61.5) Level 20 Promoted Stats: 78 - 32 - 78 - 64 - 67 Level 20 Average Stats : 57 - 15 - 52 - 42 - 50 Level 20 "Typical" : 67 - 23 - 65 - 53 - 58 10/20 Stats: 61 - 23 - 61 - 49 - 55 There's not much to be said for Arthur. He epitomizes the grinding aspect of these games and because of that, he should only be used in that case. You can see just how terrible he is if promoted at 10 and it doesn't improve by much unless you give him that dedicated time. If you do, he's the best knight by a rather large margin, having better stats in just about every category. The question ultimately comes down to if you want to grind him out (keeping in mind that it is tough to grind him out). Again, it's worth it, but you do have to put in the work. He also learns magic, but the only thing that's really good for is potentially letting him deal damage when he otherwise might not since he sucks pretty hard until the lategame. Attack (6) Arthur loses 4 points because it is extremely frustrating to get him to level 15 unpromoted of which he starts to become decent. His damage output when you find him is awful, and even with the power spear will stay crummy. He will often require the Power Ring to be able to contribute anything at all Defense (6) Likewise for defense, Arthur will die for a large amount of the game uncontested (as in very quickly). The fact you have to play him like Max so he won't need constant reviving is a massive deterrent Hit Points (7) Arthur does gain slightly better HP than his other 2 primary stats which is why it is a slightly better scoring Agility (7.5) Arthur becomes quite fast in the end, despite being exceedingly slow in the beginning Movement (7) See other Knights description Early Game (3) Arthur is simply atrocious for the vast majority of his unpromoted days. The only reason he gains 3 points as opposed to being a 0 is that levels 16-20 are generally generous to him with good stats Medium Game (6) Those memories of 16-20 are vanquished by not nearly as good level ups. While he is useful now, there are other characters who are still much better than he at this stage in the game. Oh sure, he can use magic at this point now, but his only really useful spell Bolt comes at level 30 which is 10 promoted. Not very appealing. Sure Blaze and Freeze could have uses but even a bad Arthur can still attack for about 6 points Late Game (9) Late game, Arthur can be one of the best characters in the game. Easily a top 3 Knight when powering, Arthur can be awesome. WARNING, I have seen run throughs where Arthus literally leveled you know, 35 times and was still the worst Knight on my team. But this affects consistency, not late game Leveling (4) Arthur is one of the hardest heroes to level (see, no damage!!) He does learn magic eventually which can make it nice for doing precise damage for those needed points, and Bolt can score 48 points without having to kill anyone. It's just getting him up those 10 levels to where he becomes good that is a problem Consistency (6) My hatred towards Arthur (despite having great runs with him) is his inconsistent stats. Who wants to invest so much time into someone that never gets good! Arthur is not a newby hero nor should he be used on a speed run Overall (61.5) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pelle (86) Level 20 Promoted Stats: 69 - 00 - 72 - 57 - 62 Level 20 Average Stats : 42 - 00 - 55 - 31 - 53 Level 20 "Typical" : 55 - 00 - 63 - 44 - 57 10/20 Stats: 56 - 00 - 66 - 52 - 58 Pelle is a mercenary who quit fighting for Runefaust at the wrong time (word to the wise, don't insult your employer when standing near a cliff). Somehow he survives and climbs back seeking revenge on the army that tried to rid him when he decided he didn't want to fight for them anymore. Once he recovers from that ordeal, he will become a true asset contributing to your team. It is also fitting I review Pelle right after Arthur as you cannot have two more constrasting characters in the game. While Arthur gains nearly 15 stats across the board if 20/20'd, Pelle only modestly improves. That being said, you can still see how Pelle stacks up in a 10/20 case compared against other knights and other people on your team. In otherwords, we have the first real example of what I've kept referring to as an "early bloomer" that is to say a character who benefits from 20/20 (who doesn't) but their REAL power is doing a promoted at 10 (or not grinding) playthrough since that's where they excel. But don't let that scare you, as Pelle is still strong enough to potentially slide into your final 12 if you don't want to worry about overly grinding yet another Adam, Bleu, or Arthur Attack (9) Really, Pelle is like the ideal character. He joins and is obscenely strong, and even upon promotion he's still insanely strong (he's the only Knight who can actively hurt Golems upon promotion with just a level or two) and really that applies to nearly every character in the game, not just knights. He doesn't score a perfect 10 because there's only 2 best weapons (Valkyrie and Devil Lance) and his attack isn't the bestest at the very end. But dang, Pelle is a beast and that needs to be said Defense (9) Similarly, Pelle will likely take 1-2 damage for literally the entire game, only capping off at the literal strongest enemies in the game Hit Points (7) His HP takes a slight hit, mostly due to the fact Vankar joins with more of it and Pelle doesn't gain loads of it like Ken did or Mae does Agility (7) Pelle like most units will be somewhere in the middle of the road with speed and in taking his turns though he is much faster when he joins Movement (7) See other Knights description Early Game (10) Pelle is the second best character that joins your team good (see Musashi). His stats are simply incredible and despite the fact he will be underleveled he will probably still hit harder than almost everyone else on your team Medium Game (9.5) Pelle receives a minor knock as his transition to the late game isn't as great as other characters, but he is an elite club of those who aren't destroyed upon promotion. How can you argue against that!? Late Game (9) I had to adjust his score, as continued playthroughs really reminded me of just how good Pelle is. Don't let people fool you with their comments of "He doesn't grow" or "starts strong but ends crappy" because Pelle is just good across all stages of the game. He only falls flat when compared against the grindiest of grinding heroes, and that's not even like falling flat (again, using the mages reference, not last, just fourth best, you get the idea I hope!) Leveling (8.5) As he starts so strong, it is very easy to catch him up on levels. His loss of a couple points is due to not being a caster and that he is somewhat slow in the beginning which can be frustrating Consistency (10) Pelle is one of the most consistent characters in the game; he consistently grows slowly. However, even with slow growth he is still quite strong in the end and therefore is very newb friendly Overall (86) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Vankar (69.5) Level 20 Promoted Stats: 71 - 00 - 70 - 50 - 61 Level 20 Average Stats : 50 - 00 - 50 - 33 - 45 Level 20 "Typical" : 65 - 00 - 60 - 41 - 53 10/20 Stats: 71 - 00 - 66 - 44 - 53 Just compare Vankar and Pelle with their 10/20 stats. What's the difference? Vankar gains more health in the end? Is that what people actually gripe about when it comes towards Pelle "falling off lategame"? Whichever, you're reading my guide and I want you to get the best information possible. Again, just to reiterate this information for the umpteenth time :P Vankar is actually quite funny. If you tell him that you heard about him in Pao, he tells you that he was fired for sleeping too much. If you say no that you did not hear about him, he tells you that he was a bit of a hero to them. Knowing that, it should concern you when it comes to his participation :D Actually, Vankar is a great knight. He won't stun you with his stats and he certainly won't make your final 12 for a power team, but he's a solid knight and like Pelle, he shines when promoted at 10 and is used in a more casual grindless playthrough. Attack (6.5) Why does Vankar score so low compared to others? He was the only Knight other than Ernst that consistently needed the Power Ring when doing the vast majority of leveling Defense (6.5) His defense in the end can and should get pretty good. However, it's the other 80% of the time you have him that knocks off some points Hit Points (8) Vankar joins with an incredible amount of hit points and you can see that in my recent 10/20 playthrough, he still broke 70 which is daaaang. It just took a minute to get there which is why his score isn't perfect Agility (8) Vankar does seem to grab quite a bit of speed and does alright for himself, going near the top of your team Movement (7) See other Knights description Early Game (6.5) Seeing as how you get Pelle who's awesome, then Vankar who's kinda a two shot meat shield; we would hope before promotion to see some change. It doesn't. That being said, he's still decent to use at this point Medium Game (6.5) Not much changes here. He has some nice level ups (as do most) but then they slow again, kinda to a frustrating crawl Late Game (7) With handpicked stats, Vankar proves to be formidable. Despite this, as I said in his "bio" he's a great knight but he's not going to overwhelm you in really any way. He's no Arthur and he's certainly not Pelle. All that aside though, I did raise his scores a bit because of this most recent playthrough so consider that will ya? Leveling (7) Leveling Vankar is about the same as Mae. He probably could have an extra half point, but the lack of stats seen after leveling him as probably clouded my judgement :P Consistency (6.5) Vankar is consistent when unpromoted, not much changes. However, his promoted levels tend to be scary, as in he could prove to be a great fighter, he could also not be able to hurt dark dragon much at all. I would not advice a newb to use Vankar Overall (69.5) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Earnest (70.5) Level 20 Promoted Stats: 68 - 00 - 74 - 50 - 64 Level 20 Average Stats : 41 - 00 - 51 - 33 - 53 Level 20 "Typical" : 54 - 00 - 62 - 41 - 58 10/20 Stats: 60 - 00 - 70 - 45 - 58 I'm extremely torn on Ernst because he's growing on me! Ergh. Regardless, he's another hero you pick up in Chapter 4 and the last of a half a million Knights that join your team. Who's the best? Who's the worst? Depends on your playstyle but one thing that can be said is this: Ernst is a much better hero now that I realize how his stats stack up at 10/20 versus 20/20. Regardless, let's talk about him. (Also, no bonus points for having one of the coolest portraits in the game!) Attack (7) Ernst could rank much better here, as his 10/20 stats show that he is very strong, actually having the highest attack of all the knights, and that's saying something! That being said, he joins with a modest attack value and it does take some time to get there so he loses a few points Defense (6) Ernst never really gets all that tanky. Towards the end of the game, he gets into that 40s amount which is good, but he will basically take damage throughou the entire game, giving him a modest score Hit Points (7.5) Ernst gains with a decent amount of life and does pretty good for himself, for the most part. He's no Mae, but does alright Agility (8.5) Ernst gains a rather large amount of Speed and will often be top notch amongst Knights to go first Movement (7) See other Knights description Early Game (5) Ernst takes a massive hit on early game. You just don't want to use him. It proves hard to level him as he dies too quickly or can't land a decent hit for experience. With the Power Spear (which you must bring him) he starts with 27 damage which is barely respectable at this point, but again nothing outstanding. His unpromoted growth is likewise on par with Vankar/Pelle which makes him even more unappealing as Pelle is twice as good as him Medium Game (9) He begins (and really) peaks here in the midgame. The reason is simply this: he's not beating out your strongest characters, especially Arthur, but if you 10/20 him alongside Pelle, you'll have a rather strong duo that can knock on Dark Dragon's walls rather well. Like I said, he's got to 70 attack and was the only knight to do so in my 10/20 playthrough so that really stands out as something worth noting Late Game (8) His late game score suffers as he won't be the best late game knight. Much of what was said about his midgame stands true here. The sooner you beat the game, the better Ernst will be. The longer you delay and grind, you might want to pick up somebody else instead Leveling (6.5) A similar ranking with other knights except his weaker(ness) lowers him slightly Consistency (6) He is just about average with his stat consistency. Given his atrocity of joining your team, I would not suggest him for a newb learning the game. Overall (70.5) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ {Priest --> Vicar} Lowe Level 20 Promoted Stats: 66 - 66 - 53 - 45 - 56 Level 20 Average Stats : 35 - 31 - 41 - 26 - 42 Khris Level 20 Promoted Stats: 57 - 66 - 57 - 48 - 55 Level 20 Average Stats : 35 - 30 - 45 - 33 - 33 Torasu Level 20 Promoted Stats: 59 - 72 - 51 - 47 - 56 Level 20 Average Stats : 46 - 40 - 48 - 36 - 34 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lowe (54) Level 20 Promoted Stats: 66 - 66 - 53 - 45 - 56 Level 20 Average Stats : 35 - 31 - 41 - 26 - 42 Level 20 "Typical" : 51 - 48 - 47 - 35 - 49 10/20 Stats: 55 - 55 - 46 - 38 - 52 Lowe is your friend at the start and he makes an OK healer for a few battles, but unlike SF2, you'll soon find yourself flooded with healers as options with Gong being optional and Khris being forced onto your team AND THEN Torasu being forced onto your team as well later in the game. That being said, you often need just 1 healer and sadly that won't be Lowe. He lacks across the board in nearly every category from spell selection to offering something unique so TBH, I wouldn't bother with Lowe. I'll say this though: If you want to do a quick casual grindless playthrough, then having Lowe and Khris can work as Lowe gets good quickly upon promotion. He just never learns Aura and isn't a substantial fighter either Magic Points (8) I removed points due to his 10/20 playthrough stranding him from 60 MP. Similarly to how Anri gains favor by hitting that 60 MP mark, Lowe missing on 60 by a fat 5 magic points is huge as the whole point in having Lowe is access to many Heal 3 and 4 quickly and you can see that he doesn't really outperform in that category Spell Selection (3) So Lowe has a slightly better spell selection than Gong since he at least offers something besides Healing, but really, Lowe has a pretty terrible thing going on here. Detox is a worthless spell (less worthless than when Torasu gets it but either way) not to mention Slow while cool if it lands, doesn't seem to work that well for me not to mention you have to expose a fragile healer to cast Slow, kinda weird. That leaves Quick which he does gain 2 ranks of, but as mentioned earlier, I find it to be overkill as I generally only need to improve 1 character (whoever is in front). That being said, he learns Heal 4 which Torasu cannot claim so there's 3 points HP/AT/DE (5) As far as your healers go, these stats are virtually the same in all categories. None of them will have enough defense to tank a hit and their HP... well I mean their healers, they don't need life. Attack will vary amongst them, and for the most part, Lowe will have decent attack in the end, but for the rest of the game, not so much Agility (7) Lowe ranks pretty well amongst healers for his speed, as well as even amongst the team. It's his early game speed that leaves something to be desired Movement (6) His movement is subpar to everyone else (like all the healers, they all will receive a 6) Early Game (4.5) Early on, Lowe doesn't have enough MP to heal enough, and not enough attack to be worth anything. The power staff will help until Skeletons are introduced (sometimes even Zombies) so he like most healers sucks early Medium Game (6) A slight improvement for Lowe, as upon promotion is easily his best time to try and excel, as Khris doesn't have Aura yet (which basically craps Lowe out of the picture) and Torasu doesn't exist yet. Lowe also gains a ton of speed here which I mentioned above, is helpful. That being said, he falls off hard as the late game introduces more dangerous and AOE monsters and Lowe just doesn't really help then Late Game (3.5) While most characters get their best rating late-game, Lowe's lack of Aura is not too big to ignore. These battles are causing massive damage on all sides and Lowe cannot keep up the heals quick enough. His attack is getting better thanks to the Holy Staff, but he's not a fighter, so don't worry yourself Leveling (2) The only reason he gains any points at all is because he's a healer and those are generally easier to level than most because you gain a consistent amount of exp. There in lies the problem that it takes 10 turns of 10 heals to go up a level. UGH it sucks; his last few levels can be helped by kill- stealing, but that's not how your healers should be leveling Consistency (9) His stats are consistent which is always a plus Overall (54) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Khris (79.5) Level 20 Promoted Stats: 57 - 66 - 57 - 48 - 55 Level 20 Average Stats : 35 - 30 - 45 - 33 - 33 Level 20 "Typical" : 46 - 48 - 51 - 40 - 44 10/20 Stats: 53 - 55 - 49 - 40 - 45 Not much is known about Khris but again there isn't much to be said about her either. She's going to be your best healer until you get Torasu, and then she may keep that spot unless you want to put some time into Torasu to get him up to that Aura 4 spell. She's weak and fragile early on, she gets rather tanky upon promotion and keeps pretty good stats throughout the rest of the game as well. Her biggest fault is not learning the Shield spell. Oh well Magic Points (8.5) Khris actually scores a bit better here over Lowe for 1 reason: Aura is efficient healing. And that's basically all that needs to be said. Fine, want an example? It takes Lowe 5 turns and 5 casts to restore 50 hit points (10 to each) of 5 heroes, costing him 15 magic points. Khris spends 1 turn and 1 cast to restore 50 hit points (10 to each) of 5 heroes costing her 7 magic points. Do you see now? Lul Spell Selection (8.75) Her lack of gaining Slow and Quick 2 is but a minor speed bump. Not mastering Aura is worthy of a point lost HP/AT/DE (8) While most of what was said for Lowe holds true here, her attack is often quite higher than Lowe's enabling her to do some damage. Tie in that she learns Aura rather quickly and can begin over-leveling like crazy, makes her stats that much better as well Agility (7.5) She has above average agility in the end, the problem here is she starts out quite slow (about as slow as Gort) and will be fighting for that Speed Ring for some time Movement (6) See Lowe's description Early Game (5) Her early game is nearly identical to Lowe's. Her slightly better attack makes her a little easier to level up though Medium Game (10) Upon promotion, she gets really good. Upon learning Aura (which btw is level 20), she explodes into extra levels, making Gong and Lowe quite jealous. In fact, if you're doing a power level game, she can easily be level 10 promoted by the end of Chapter VI falling off a log (which really makes her scary) Late Game (8.5) Not nearly as formidable as before, given everyone has had a chance to catch her in levels; but she still rocks. Heal III/IV is what every healer needs but her knowledge of Aura makes her very appealing. A very newb friendly hero, as well as good for a speed run (at least until you get Torasu) as well as for a power run Leveling (9) Her only fault here is that half the game she doesn't know Aura. That doesn't make it harder to level her, just not as awesome once she is promoted. Consistency (9) Her stats are very consistent and if for some reason they aren't over- leveling her is all too easy thanks to Aura Overall (79.5) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Torasu (78.5) Level 20 Promoted Stats: 59 - 72 - 51 - 47 - 56 Level 20 Average Stats : 46 - 40 - 48 - 36 - 34 Level 20 "Typical" : 53 - 56 - 50 - 41 - 45 10/20 Stats: 54 - 63 - 50 - 40 - 48 Torasu is found near the end of the game just 7 battles from the end and in typical SF fashion he's pretty darn good if you put in the time and the energy even though he doesn't take THAT much effort compared to Adam whom you pick up at the same time. Yes, Torasu is the best healer in the game as he not only knows the most MP efficient spell in the game with Aura 4 (40 health to everyone for just 18 MP is pretty darn good) but he also gets the best support spell in Shield, something that if you've never tried, I suggest you do, because it makes the Colossus and Dark Dragon fight way easier when you can protect your team from magic attacks. That being said, I've always favored Khris because I'm not always looking to put a ton of time into grinding out levels and even though Torasu is one of the easiest characters to level in the game, he still requires that you put some time into him otherwise his MP won't get to the levels you desire to be able to cast Aura 4 repeatedly. Magic Points (10) Torasu gets a perfect score for 2 reasons, (1) his growth is great, just compare his 10/20 towards Khris's and Lowe's 10/20 MP numbers as well as the 20/20 numbers and (2) Aura is so efficient. While Heal 4 is a big heal, there aren't THAT many times when you need to heal someone for more than 40 health. Yes, it happens, but while Khris gets a nice bonus over Lowe, Torasu does even better as he can restore a lot more health to a lot more targets for an even better rate Spell Selection (8) I gave Khris an 8.75 here so why does Torasu receive an 8 if I just raved about how good Aura 4 and Shield are? Well, he's a 2 trick pony. He's stuck at heal 2 which is super worthless at this stage (like heal 1 would be less insulting since there's no real benefit when you know Aura) and he gets Detox which is a literally useless spell since nothing in chapter 7 or 8 can poison you. So while Khris loses out over not mastering some spells that aren't a huge deal and she doesn't learn Shield, Torasu doesn't learn the biggest Heal 4 and Detox is pointless. It's a minor difference though. Did I mention Shield is good? Go try it! HP/AT/DE (7) His other stats rank somewhere in between Khris and Lowe. Given the random number generator here, it would not be uncommon to see them slightly different than how I have it here Agility (7) His agility (when you get him) is pretty bad like most everything else. He gains a good amount though once you promote him which puts him firmly average Movement (6) See other Healers description Early Game (7) His early game doesn't last long, but even so he's pretty good for being so far behind. He's slow, fragile, and cannot hurt anything, but he can rapidly start leveling thanks to Aura Medium Game (8.5) Similar to Khris (although not as explosive as he's so late in the game) makes him pretty powerful during this stage of the game Late Game (9.5) As I can continue to split hairs here, I'll award an extra point to Torasu just because a 20/20 Torasu is more valuable than a 20/20 Khris as my 20/20 Torasu was able to tap into that extra Aura 4 which is super unnecessary but awesome all the same Leveling (10) Easiest character in the game to level. He comes to you knowing Aura Consistency (5.5) His stats are quite inconsistent (the levels are literally all over the place!) making it quite hard to predict where he'll be at when level 20 promoted comes around Overall (78.5) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Misc. Healer Character Gong (62) {Monk --> Master Monk} Level 20 Promoted Stats: 67 - 51 - 61 - 47 - 57 Level 20 Average Stats : 46 - 27 - 29 - 33 - 39 Level 20 "Typical" : 56 - 40 - 45 - 40 - 48 10/20 Stats: 58 - 42 - 45 - 43 - 44 The best way to summarize Gong is the way you normally summarize Monks in games: good at most, great at nothing. And that sums up Gong. You find him chopping wood at the start outside battle 1 and being a non-weapon user, he becomes hard to level initially during his very low attack values though he can become stronger later on. The only real thing to add here regarding Gong is how utterly bad he is if you promote him at 10 (and really, that affects his late game score negatively as well) as you really only want to use Gong if you 20/20 him and if you're doing that, there are better options, like Khris or Torasu. Oh well, he looks cool especially promoted. Magic Points (6) Like most Monks, his MP is lacking rather severely throughout the game. He did crack 40 MP in the 10/20 run (another huge landmark) which prevented additional loss of points if he hadn't. That being said, Gong can't really be your only healer since he doesn't get that much MP and Aura comes very late in his career Spell Selection (5) As I awarded Lowe a 3 for getting Heal 4, let's give that to Gong as well. I guess I could grant him 3 for learning Aura, but he gets just a single rank and it takes a long time compared to other healers. He also has no other spells, despite some of those spells being worthless, they're still better than nothing as they are at least options (except Torasu knowing Detox, but whichever) HP/AT/DE (8.5) As his other stats go, they are average-above average compared to his healer friends. His attack will for most of the game be much better than theirs. Just remember that he is a healer first and a fighter second...thirdish Agility (5.5) His speed is somewhat lacking for the large part of the game. He's not the slowest, but he will be moving near the rear Movement (6) See other healers description. I feel like marking off as he looks like a traveler but still moves slowly like them Early Game (7.5) Gong actually has quite the good early game. He often will get pretty good attack early, compensating for his lack of magic. Given he has magic as well to fall back on to help him level up, he scores quite well in the early game Medium Game (4) A reduction of 2 points from his prior score; this most recent 10/20 play gave me insight into just how bad Gong is if promoted at 10 Late Game (7.5) He is no Khris or Torasu, but he still is pretty stellar in the end. He could just use some support spells. Remember that I'm keeping this rather strict in approach of a 20/20 Gong as opposed to a 10/20 Gong since a 10/20 is pretty weaksauce Leveling (7) He ranks about average when it comes to leveling. Aura would put him at the top, but learning it so late doesn't really help as much as it should Consistency (5) Gong's stats are very inconsistent. Sometimes he gains loads of attack, others not at all. Very difficult to customize Overall (62) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ {Magician --> Wizard} Tao Level 20 Promoted Stats: 60 - 82 - 24 - 42 - 67 Level 20 Average Stats : 38 - 45 - 15 - 22 - 46 Anri Level 20 Promoted Stats: 53 - 81 - 23 - 42 - 61 Level 20 Average Stats : 27 - 38 - 26 - 26 - 39 Alef Level 20 Promoted Stats: 57 - 84 - 19 - 40 - 62 Level 20 Average Stats : 37 - 47 - 21 - 21 - 37 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tao (83.5) Level 20 Promoted Stats: 60 - 82 - 24 - 42 - 67 Level 20 Average Stats : 38 - 45 - 15 - 22 - 46 Level 20 "Typical" : 49 - 64 - 20 - 32 - 56 10/20 Stats: 49 - 67 - 17 - 38 - 59 Tao joins just as mysteriously as the other groupies who join you at the beginning of the game. With no background, I can make up some, or just get to the description. Tao is clearly the daughter of the Otrant, the mysterious Man who we know nothing about but is so important to the story. Otrant bore Tao out of wed-lock, naming her Tao in honor of "fire" as Tao means in some languages. She masters Fire (Otrants' preferred spell as he wears red robes) as well as the best support spell in the game, Boost. Otrant wanted his daughter to be used in the final fight of the game, which is another reason she learns Blaze as Dark Dragon is undead. There's not much else to be added really. Tao is an absolutely fantastic Mage and a great addition to any party. Yes, I am a bit of a magic fanboy, but my recent speedrunning efforts have only made me realize what I always suspected all along, Mages dominate this game and you should take advantage of that unless you are seeking some kind of challenge because they make the game loads easier. Magic Points (10) Her MP gets out of this world, with more than enough to Boost/Blaze IV literally every turn if need be. Note it does help that Blaze III/IV only cost 8 MP Spell Selection (8) Tao has a great spell selection like 3/4 casters on this list. What Blaze lacks in damage, Tao makes up for by mastering it so quickly; so you never really feel the loss in damage from that. Combined then with her learning Boost, she transitions even better into the lategame as she can begin boosting your fighters a turn or two out before engaging bosses, making them even easier. Her only downside is that Sleep and Dispel are both worthless and I can't say I've ever cast them ever HP/AT/DE (2.5) Most mages have pretty poor stats, but Tao gets off worse than the others because her HP total really doesn't get into that "safe" 25+ zone until fairly late and her defense even leveled remains quite low Agility (10) Tao gains an incredible amount of speed and almost always will be going first Movement (6.5) Slightly better than Healers as they are ranged offensively, but Tao is stuck to 1 range as opposed to 2 Early Game (9) Tao is essentially your best character early on. Magic never misses, magic does consistent damage, and magic has AOE. The only reason she loses a point is 1/2 a point for bosses, and 1/2 point for limited magic early on Medium Game (9) Tao is still peaking at this time. She's learned her best offensive move yet still needs to learn Boost. Her magic is rather high now she can safely cast every turn at this juncture Late Game (9) An update to her score, while Blaze 4 doesn't pack as large a punch, it still gets the job done all the way into the last battle and she knows Boost so yeah, Tao is still awesome! Leveling (9.5) Casters rank pretty well as even when they are way over-leveled, as even blaze II on 3 enemies will net 48 experience Consistency (10) Her only real fault of consistency is what she might have for MP around 4 and that is but a minor bump and concerns more with speedrunning than casual players so full points Overall (83.5) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Anri (81.5) Level 20 Promoted Stats: 53 - 81 - 23 - 42 - 61 Level 20 Average Stats : 27 - 38 - 26 - 26 - 39 Level 20 "Typical" : 40 - 60 - 25 - 34 - 50 10/20 Stats: 48 - 62 - 18 - 37 - 52 Anri has been up and down and all around and at the end of day Princess Anri is easily a candidate for best character in the game because she is simply a powerful addition to any team if you're willing to protect a fragile mage for a few levels Magic Points (9.5) Same story for her as for Tao, except her spells cost a bit more and she does not get a proportionate amount more than Tao. That being said, and I've mentioned this a couple of times, the fact she managed 62 MP in my 10/20 play keeps that number at 9.5 instead of dropping down since that extra Freeze 4 is basically 50 damage on an enemy, huge! Spell Selection (8) Anri has a somewhat disappointing spell selection compared to Tao, but fear not, let's go through it. She only gets 2 ranks of Blaze, which while crappy isn't something that's a huge negative. I mean, Tao gets 2 worthless spells and Anri has basically 1 worthless spell in Muddle. Blaze 2 is worthless lategame but that's not really a fair evaluation. Regardless, Freeze 4 is a huge amount of damage and Bolt 2, while not Bolt 3, is a super handy spell in a number of battles, especially late in the game, so it's hard to mark that down. Since no mage in this game masters but 1 element, I have to award Anri more points from my previous rating since I was too harsh. I gave Tao an 8 since she has 2 worthless spells, it seems fair to give Anri an 8 as well, since Anri has 1 worthless spell and it does take longer to learn the more powerful magic HP/AT/DE (6) While Anri is no front liner, her score of 6 is fair in my opinion. She's super fragile while a Mage, but once you promote her to a Wizard, she's near untouchable until about chapter 7 or 8 depending on when you promoted her. Granted her Def never really gets above 40, but if she's sitting around the 30 mark by chapter 7, there isn't much she has to fear so that's pretty awesome! She also gets more HP than Tao quicker, which is a huge deal since you don't have to fear magical related deaths to Anri whereas Tao does until much later Agility (7.5) Similar to Tao but not quite as fast Movement (7) Like Tao but some 2 range spells as opposed to 1 gives her an edge Early Game (7.5) Anri starts just like Tao. Except you get her like 6 battles afterwards which makes bringing her up to speed a bit of a pain Medium Game (10) Anri's true shining, she is pretty much the ideal Caster at this point Late Game (10) A much needed update; Anri is one of the best characters in the lategame as she can score massive amounts of damage repeatedly throughout the battle. Sure, she has no support spell, but Boost for 15 damage isn't as good as Freezing for 45+ damage, for less MP! Leveling (8) Anri scores slightly lower as you get her at an awkward stage where her spell selection is minimal and she lacks the MP Consistency (8) She is not nearly as consistent with her stats as Tao is. She should get enough MP (but Freeze/Bolt cost way more than Blaze) also her defense stat is quite crazy Overall (81.5) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Alef (70) Level 20 Promoted Stats: 57 - 84 - 19 - 40 - 62 Level 20 Average Stats : 37 - 47 - 21 - 21 - 37 Level 20 "Typical" : 47 - 66 - 20 - 30 - 50 10/20 Stats: 49 - 69 - 16 - 37 - 61 Alef is similar in nature to Torasu; except she's a wolf. Raised by Fenrir, the Great Wolf of Legend, Alef learned quickly she was not like the other wolves of her pack as she had an upward gait and could speak quite well the human tongue. She was quickly cast off and left for dead. The people of Prompt gave her prompt treatment and began testing to see what it is they discovered. They soon learned that this wolf had human intelligence much greater than most humans, and was learned in the magical arts, with her speciality being the calling down of thunderbolts from the sky, somewhat similar to a moon beam (see the relation?) and thus they called it 'Bolt' and she is the only master of it. Their attempts to teach her stronger spells failed though as she feared fire and cold due to her young days as a wolf. Her last spell came as no surprise as a wolf could strike down an enemy with simply looking into their soul... Anyways, what else is there to say? Alef takes some work but she becomes one of the best casters in the game as Bolt 3 is a huge area of effect spell that does major damage even in chapter 8 and on the flipside you have Bolt 4 which is like bonkers. There's not an enemy that isn't a boss in the game she can't kill with Bolt 4. That's pretty unique and powerful to have on your side. But she joins at level 15 without Bolt 2 even and just 7 battles from the end of the game so yeah, it does take some work Magic Points (8) She gets great MP like the others, but the fact her spells will set you back 8/15/20 MP means she needs a much larger proportion of MP that isn't available to her Spell Selection (8) Another rather needed update to Alef's ranking that I gave to Anri as well. Alef has a single useless spell in Desoul, another spell that is pretty flunky in SF1 (works much better in SF2) not to mention, who cares about a chance of instant death when Bolt 4 is instant death? Makes no sense. Anyways, like Anri, Alef only really has 1 bread and butter skill, in Bolt 3/4, she has no Boost like Tao or Domingo, but the biggest strike is that at Blaze and Freeze 2, she's somewhat limited and can often explode out of magic in a matter of turns. This isn't necessarily bad as 3 or 4 Bolt 3 spells basically clear the battlefield or casting a couple Bolt 4's will bring down even Dark Sol. So really, I'm giving Alef back another point, up to 8, because Desoul is bad and her starting spells aren't great HP/AT/DE (4) I'm giving her a slight bump just because her stats are generally better Tao's at the end. It can't really be higher because her entire existence is warped around being insta-gibbed until she's level 10+ promoted Agility (9) Another point boost that is well deserved I feel. Alef is consistently very fast, it just takes a good grind to get her up there Movement (7) See Anri's description Early Game (3) Alef is AWFUL. Why would you ever use her!? Medium Game (6) Alef is still slow, spells are coming along but not nearly fast enough, if you had her when Tao/Anri were at this stage she would probably be a 10 Late Game (9.5) If there's a mage to be had for the end-game, it's Alef. Bolt III is your best friend against Blue Dragons and Chimaeras as they are hard to hit and Bolt II just doesn't quite do the damage. If she could somehow gain 100 or more MP, then she would be a 10 and surpass Anri. As it is, she's limited to at best 4 uses of her powerful magic compared to Anri potentially casting hers 9 times. That's tough to beat Leveling (7.5) She levels SO easily at the Robot battle. Other than that, it proves quite hard to catch her up due to her being so behind Consistency (8) Her stats are consistent (much more than Anri's) but not as good as Tao, as such she is in the middle Overall (70) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Misc. Mage Character Domingo (52) {Magic Creature --> No Promotion} Level 20 Promoted Stats: 56 - 54 - 34 - 49 - 40 Level 20 Average Stats: 34 - 36 - 30 - 28 - 32 Level 20 "Typical" : 45 - 45 - 32 - 39 - 36 It is safe to assume the Monster thing in Manarina is a sealed prehistoric creature that gave birth to Domingo. That eventful day when you elected to search it an unknowningly discovered this egg changes your life forever as you wonder what on earth to do with this thing? Make an omelet? What is a Domingo Egg look like exactly anyway? Anywho, enter this guy in Pao II with this bizarre machine that hatches it for you and out crawls a floating squid. My earth has just been shattered. Magic Points (5) The biggest problem with Domingo is that even leveled to 20, he has a hard time cracking over 50 MP. Anri managed to break 60 so yeah, plus Domingo's main saving grace is Boost which is even more expensive. He often will then have Freeze 2 but barely enough MP to cast it twice, much less a third or fourth time. Later on, as he approaches Freeze 3, he'll get up to around that mid to late 30s, maybe even crack 40, but like I said, it can drain his small pool quickly especially if you start boosting. So really, his score needs to be lowered slightly because of that Spell Selection (7) Alright so Domingo learns 2 completely worthless spells like Tao. Again, a grinded out level 26 Domingo has a pretty nasty spell selection with Boost and Freeze 4, but that takes a loong time to get to which is why Domingo scores lower than the other mages with a 7 HP/AT/DE (7) I'm torn on Domingo. The reason is that his HP and DEF are better than Anri's most of the time. However, that middle leveling portion leaves something to be desired, where Domingo seems to take about 15 damage from Jets but Anri is stuck taking about 10. Maybe Domingo needs to stay excessively overleveled, but again, that's a strike against him. That being said though, he quickly (and I do mean quickly) ramps up his stats to be tanky and ends the game often with the highest defense of your mages Agility (4.5) Domingo is slow! Agility is not his strong suit. I mean, early on he generally will be moving quickly, but as the game progresses into chapter 7 and again into chapter 8, you find him going later and later in the turn order and frankly that's not good for someone who is supposed to be leading the way Movement (8) Ranged spells plus the fact he can fly would be a 10, but his low movement of 5 like the other casters is frustrating Early Game (2) Domingo is one of the most worthless early game characters. From the time you get him to about level 6-7 (which is now mid game) he only knows Freeze 1 and can't attack anything. You get him at the end of chapter IV, and he is essentially a Tao level 1 (yes the Tao you start the game with) Medium Game (8.5) This is where Domingo shines. He now has up to Freeze III and is a flying freezing terror for the other team Late Game (8) A much better score for Domingo I feel, while he receives strikes due to how long it takes to get Freeze 4 and his somewhat limited statline, he does fly, cast Freeze 4, and learn Boost. He's a valuable asset to your team. I could potentially buff him up to a 9 contingent on leveling him to 26 but I already awarded more points on his HP/DEF score so let's leave this here Leveling (8) He does level very well, despite only knowing Freeze. This is due entirely to the fact he's promoted and the game registers that he is very underleveled when fighting a monster, so often Freeze I will net 20 exp at least, with kills being 48 until he is way over the top Consistency (4) His stats are some of the most inconsistent in the game. With his 10 trials for each level, I would sometimes forget I was leveling a caster, I mean really, which is a better level for a caster? 3-3-0-0-2 OR 1-0-6-4-4 Like wow, that 6 attack is really going to be helpful Overall (52) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ {Birdman --> Sky Warrior} A forward about the next 3 heroes. There is a most definite pattern to be seen amongst these 3, as well as the other 3 fliers from SFII. Giving up legs for wings, most definitely has a negative effect on your stats. The 2 exceptions are the legendary characters, Bleu the Dragon and Peter the Phoenix. But they are legends; the other 6, Balbs, Amon, Luke, and Skreech the Birdmen, and Kokichi and Jaro the pegasus knights, are amongst the worst characters in the games save the one fact the exemplifies them from others; they can fly... That being said, it is important to keep that in mind when you look at these stats because when you compare Balbs or Amon to someone like Arthur or Zylo, there is literally no contest, the latter are much better in terms of HP, Attack, and Defense. However, the fliers are so mobile, that is why you use them, and there are cases as to why we would want to use them, a speed run for example would most definitely want as many fliers as possible to avoid the terrible terrain of many of the maps in SFI. But I digress... Balbaroy Level 20 Promoted Stats: 63 - 00 - 68 - 51 - 60 Level 20 Average Stats : 31 - 00 - 46 - 30 - 40 Amon Level 20 Promoted Stats: 68 - 00 - 66 - 50 - 64 Level 20 Average Stats : 39 - 00 - 46 - 31 - 47 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Balbaroy (65.5) Level 20 Promoted Stats: 63 - 00 - 38*- 51 - 60 Level 20 Average Stats : 31 - 00 - 46 - 30 - 40 Level 20 "Typical" : 47 - 00 - 57 - 40 - 50 10/20 Stats: 51 - 00 - 29*- 44 - 53 *Keep in mind, technically birds get the Chaos Breaker. But they usually get the Doom Blade or Katana if you want, which is 25, 30, and 40 attack each Ah... a true case of love lost. Clearly Balbs was the stronger one (look at the starting stats) but his imprisonment by Dark Sol changed him. He grew afraid to face people head on, and feeling compelled to give up his sword forever... level by level, Max trained Balbs not seeing any growth, until finally it was time and the Priest bestowed upon Balbs a new class, capable of truly being known as a Sky Warrior. Balbs then gave up his peaceful retirement to come back to the battlefield and become a decent fighter once more... Attack (5.5) For most of the game, Balbs does an unimpressive amount of damage. For the longest time, his only means of doing damage/leveling up will be from attacking mages/archers/clerics from the enemies. But this makes sense doesn't it? Think about Lord of the Rings, when Sauron is attacking Minas Tirith. The Naz Gul go in and take out as many archers/catapaults as they can, so the melee fighters can close the gap and finish them off Defense (5) I had to give Balbs more points here. Yes, he's a squishy birdman, but he's not THAT squishy to get a 3. In fact, Balbs often is tankier than Max by chapter 4 so consider that Hit Points (5) He gains a decent amount but nothing spectacular Agility (7.5) The bird guys are genuinely quick(er) for the most part Movement (10) There is no one in the game more mobile than the Birdmen Early Game (7) Balbs is tricky to evaluate (as is Amon, and the Archers as well). If you run him into Skeletons and Pegasus Knights expecting results, then yeah, he will probably suck hard. But if use his advantage of flight and take down those squishier targets that are often protected, they can be quite useful. Balbs benefits from seeing him actually take some hits in Elliot's battle for Max after just a few levels Medium Game (8) From Chapter VI-VII, there are 4 horrible battles for terrain. Balbs will make this easier for you and really, that is the shining moment for him Late Game (7) Evaluating a birdman in the lategame is a bit unfair since the castle setting rather neutralizes his flying abilities since Knights now move without problem. He's also not the bruntiest of brunts and there aren't an overabundance of squishy enemies. That being said, he's still strong, and getting an extra attacker in against something like Dark Dragon can't be overrated. The biggest factor though, is that Balbs (like Amon), can use the Chaos Breaker, which while hurting Max, isn't the biggest deal since you don't worry if Balbs dies, but Max does. That alone is a huge plus since the Chaos Breaker is the best weapon in the game, so might as well slap it on someone who can really use it, right!? Leveling (4) When you're forced to attack only low-armored units to go up levels, we usually define that has hard to level Consistency (6.5) While his stats are rather consistent, but there is some variance (especially in his unpromoted days) Overall (65.5) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Amon (61.5) Level 20 Promoted Stats: 68 - 00 - 36*- 50 - 64 Level 20 Average Stats : 39 - 00 - 46 - 31 - 47 Level 20 "Typical" : 54 - 00 - 56 - 40 - 55 10/20 Stats: 61 - 00 - 25*- 44 - 52 *See same footnote for Balbs Amon, when you first get her, seems like a clingy ex-girlfriend and you just don't want anything to do with her. She starts (at level 5) with 1 more attack than Max does at level 1, and she has the same weapon. She just sucks. Clearly though, watching her husband nearly die at the hands of Dark Sol had the exact opposite reaction than Balbs portrayed; she wanted revenge. She wanted to be a part of the team that kills the man who nearly killed off her hubby. As you play with Amon, you will often find she becomes better than Balbs in almost every caregory. However, as Balbs comes with 3 more attack than her, be prepared if she goes up several levels and does not get the stats she needs, to pull the plug. Because of this, she generally scores slightly worse across the board over Balbs Attack (4.5) While her attack nearly matches Balbs in the end, she starts off worse Defense (4) Again, her defense gets about the same as Balbs in the end, but she starts off worse Hit Points (6.5) One thing Amon does do better is HP and she actually does pretty well even when compared to other units Agility (8) Amon usually becomes pretty quick, going somewhere near the top Movement (10) Birdmen! Early Game (5.5) I gave her an extra point, but much of what can be said about Balbs is true here. If you run Amon into Skeletons and Pegasus Knights, she's gonna suck hard and you won't want to use her. Try fighting smart though and see what she offers, she's not nearly as bad as you might expect Medium Game (9) Her growth here in the middle part is much more spectacular, allowing her to be even more useful than Balbs Late Game (5.5) Unfortunately, despite her best efforts, Amon just isn't going to be as useful as Balbs. She neither does more damage or gains as much defense; yes her HP gets a little higher but that's not a real important thing since the difference is rather small. Because of that, she suffers even harder since Balbs is more deserving of the Chaos Breaker than she is, meaning her damage will be somewhere between 50 and 60 most of the time, which is fair, but even Archers hit harder than that, so yeah, Amon just ain't great, which is sad since she does grow nicely after promotion Leveling (4) See Balbs description Consistency (4.5) She is so inconsistent in stats, it's hard to be generous with a 4.5 Overall (61.5) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Misc. Birdmen Characters Kokichi (58.5) {Winged Knight --> Skylord} Level 20 Promoted Stats: 63 - 00 - 72 - 49 - 58 Level 20 Average Stats : 37 - 00 - 49 - 28 - 38 Level 20 "Typical" : 50 - 00 - 60 - 38 - 48 10/20 Stats: 56 - 00 - 65 - 42 - 51 If you put Kokichi in with the same category as Knights, SHAME ON YOU! For starters, the game places him below the Birdmen which should be a HUGE clue that they don't view him as a knight, in fact, the only thing knight-like about him is that he uses Knight weapons. He simply does not gain stats like a Knight does, this is because he is a Winged Knight/Skylord, which is a SFI version of a Pegasus Knight! I suppose Pegasus Knight would seem to be more Knight-like than Birdman, but the lack of Knight-like growth seems to support my belief he should be grouped with the Birdmen. I can't keep copy-pasting my openings, so here's something different. It's hard to describe Kokichi accurately to casual observers. He's neither a Knight since he cannot tank nor is he a high DPS hero for most of the game. He's a birdman, kinda, but lacks in both speed and that extra movement to really be a bird. No, the best way to rationalize Kokichi is a flying Archer and instead slap him with the Valkyrie. The Devil Lance also gives 35 attack, so pair him with another strong Paladin (Pelle or Arthur) and let the good times roll Attack (7) I raised his score slightly, since he is stronger than birdmen, but weaker than most knights. He scores better than someone like Ernst but that's because of joining. When Kokichi joins, you slap him a Power Spear and are happy to let him destroy Lizardmen. Ernst has no such luxury Defense (4.5) It is often a race to the bottom to see who has worse defense, Kokichi or the birds. Regardless, Kokichi is always taking loads of damage from getting attacked Hit Points (5.5) His HP is about average for most of the game Agility (4.5) His speed leaves something to be desired for most of the game Movement (9.5) He can't score a perfect 10, because the true Birdmen can move 7 as opposed to 6 Early Game (4.5) If Kokichi joined in chapter 3 instead of 4, he might receive a 9 score, no joke, since his flight would greatly aid that chapter. Instead he joins in chapter 4, where flying is minimally useful and he dies quickly. That being said, he does decent damage from a distance so it's not the worst early game score Medium Game (5.5) Upon promotion (even around them) things improve but only slightly for Kokichi, his attack growth is just sub-par to Knights. His usefulness you will soon see is that he can be a ranged flier, something unique to him and Jaro from SFII. Late Game (8.5) He probably won't be your strongest damage dealer even with the Valkyrie, but since at that point he's basically a flying archer, it makes him rather valuable since you can only have so many people surrounding enemies and attacking them. Kokichi might make your final 12 because of this Leveling (4.5) His leveling is only slightly easier than Amon/Balbs Consistency (4.5) Very inconsistent stats, with the biggest problem being that on the rare level he would gain attack power, that would be it, (as in, +1 to Attack!) Overall (58.5) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bleu (66) {Dragon --> Great Dragon} Level 20 Promoted Stats: 83 - 00 - 78 - 78 - 53 Level 20 Average Stats : 63 - 00 - 39 - 53 - 44 Level 20 "Typical" : 73 - 00 - 58 - 66 - 49 10/20 Stats: 72 - 00 - 59 - 73 - 42 When you compare Bleu to Peter (the other Legend from SFII) there are for sure some similarities and differences. For starters, both have a negative (Bleu sucks for a while, Peter you don't get to control him for a while) but both do become quite strong and are shoe-ins for almost any party. The difference between them is Bleu is -not- a newby hero and Peter is. Why is this? Peter, even if you don't grant him any levels, will still be strong once you can finally control him. Bleu takes tedious leveling and attention for about 10 levels. Sucks doesn't it? Really, Bleu could have the same description from Arthur, in that, only 20/20 him. His 10/20 stats show exactly what the problem is, in that he just doesn't get that attack value to become a real threat unless you put the time in. That being said, a 20/20 Bleu is an extremely powerful ally that easily fits onto your team, pending a movement item because his small movement of 5 is pretty bad for a melee hero. Attack (8) I want to lower his attack score, but I just can't. Yes, he sucks early, but the fact of the matter is Bleu becomes an absolute beast later on if you're willing to grind him up Defense (9) Again, a loss of point due to his baby form Hit Points (10) Bleu never really suffers HP shortage. Even early, he has enough HP that it is not an issue as you bring him up to speed Agility (5.5) Bleu is slow, a minor downside for having a Dragon on your team Movement (7) The fact he can fly is greatly overshadowed by the face he is at 5 Move. If you are not using Adam/Musashi/Guntz (or even just one of them) I greatly suggest giving him a movement boost Early Game (1) The only reason it's not a zero is because Adam deserves that Honor Medium Game (7) Ah, much better now that he's caught up to the team. Still, his lack of mobility and speed is rather apparent Late Game (9.5) Once Bleu makes it to the front-lines, he is unstoppable. In fact, he fulfills Kokichi's role at attacking Dark Dragon from behind even better than Kokichi does Leveling (4) Bleu scores very low here, due to the crazy amount of baby-sitting he needs to be brought up to speed, not to mention he lacks a weapon to influence his damage needs, meaning you will often waste valuable experience having him one-shot somebody when he already has 96 experience Consistency (5) He consistently will have life/defense. What's terrifying is his lack of weapon and sometimes lack of attack, making your dragon a great initiator that cannot command threat of the enemy Overall (66) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ {Archer --> Bowmaster} Hans Level 20 Promoted Stats: 65 - 00 - 68 - 46 - 57 Level 20 Average Stats : 46 - 00 - 48 - 30 - 36 Diane Level 20 Promoted Stats: 61 - 00 - 63 - 44 - 58 Level 20 Average Stats : 30 - 00 - 47 - 34 - 41 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hans (60) Level 20 Promoted Stats: 65 - 00 - 68 - 46 - 57 Level 20 Average Stats : 46 - 00 - 48 - 30 - 36 Level 20 "Typical" : 55 - 00 - 58 - 38 - 46 10/20 Stats: 48 - 00 - 56 - 35 - 49 Hans tells you at the beginning of the game, don't put me in the front-lines ok? Listen to him! He's an archer, and like the birdmen, archers sacrifice life/Defense for range of weapon. The good thing about Archers, is that their best weapon, the Buster Shot, gives +35 attack, so even if someone like Hans gains literally zero attack the entire game (which won't happen) he still can whack on most enemies in the end; plus the Buster Shot can be purchased! Nice! Attack (7) Really, Hans is a double edge sword. His attack growth as an Archer is pretty empty, only gaining a few points the entire time, making is growth entirely reliant on new arrows of which there are 2 upgrades available along the way for him, so that helps. The downside is Hans likely needs a 20/20 trip otherwise his damage just isn't going to make it there, as you can see, a difference of more than 10 attack is huge, since 68 is great! 56 not so... Anyway, he loses 2 points for being an Archer and 1 for needing to 20/20 Defense (2) Hans, after Goblins and Dark Dwarves, will probably die in 1, maybe 2 hits for about the rest of the game. Yeah, he gets up to the upper 30s by the end, but that's level 20, and that's long past even the 40 damage dealers, and instead are up against the 50+ dealers. Problems Hit Points (4) Really, Hans struggles throughout the game with HP until the late late game much like Tao. Because of that, he gets a nice low score Agility (6) Hans is (notice how most of his early level ups are (+1 Agility!)) rather fast and usually will be going near the top of your team. However, his growth slows quite a bit and he will end just above average Movement (7) He has only 5 move, but he can move through woods (did you know that?) so he and Diane will each receive a small boost since there are many woods that they can more easily romp around in Early Game (5) Hans seems great "in the beginning" but after the fourth or fifth battle and Hans maybe has gained an attack by level 6, you are starting to wonder what is the point? He sucks! Well, the new arrow at the end of chapter 2 helps out and then at that point, again, if you run him at Skeletons and Pegasus Knights, he's gonna suck. But let him move through the woods (see that transition?) and take out the annoying backliners. Works very well in 3-2, the same battle where Zylo first makes his appearance and does basically the same thing Medium Game (6) Things just don't change much, he is still helpful but until he gets the Elven Arrow, your Mages will honestly do more and be more helpful than Hans Late Game (8) Getting Hans to the late-game is where he shines. The Buster Shot, combined with some attack growth, will make him hit for about 55+ nearly every run, which is respectable. My game with perfected stats has him with 68 to give you a reference Leveling (5) Because a weak Hans can be protected by range, he gets a small bonus here but his lack of damage for several important battles becomes an obvious problem Consistency (10) One of the most consistent characters in any game, he is probably the single most newb friendly hero out there as he can just shoot arrows from afar regardless of stats and still contribute (especially in the endgame) Since the only inconsistent stat I see in him is sometimes he will gain lots of attack (see 68 > 55) I fail to see that as a problem Overall (60) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Diane (61.5) Level 20 Promoted Stats: 61 - 00 - 63 - 44 - 58 Level 20 Average Stats : 30 - 00 - 47 - 34 - 41 Level 20 "Typical" : 45 - 00 - 55 - 39 - 50 10/20 Stats: 53 - 00 - 57 - 38 - 53 Most people see Diane and just ditch Hans within a battle or two. Shame on you for doing that. As the game progresses, they will literally have about the same growth, with their final stats being just a few +/- off each other. Diane is the daughter of the Queen of Bustoke (Queen or Maiden, don't matter) as such she had only the best training offered by the small bustling cliff- side town in the game. This is where Diane began to show her proficiency in Archery, not the magical arts. Being Half-Human Half-Elf, her Mother assumed she would pick up a wand and begin her magical training. Diane never showed any interest with the wood unless she was firing at a target. There is a local legend of how Diane killed several important leaders in the Runefaust Army by firing a volley of arrows from the nearby forest from which they could not find or capture her. Upon the arrival of the Shining Force, she was all to eager to join up and slay many more warriors of evil. Storytime aside, Diane is an interesting character as she joins and is seemingly "teh archer!!!" you've been waiting for. But as I alluded to, abandoning Hans for her isn't the best depending on your strategy. If you are casually playing a non-grindless game, then yeah, abandon Hans for Diane. But any amount of grinding will yield better results with Hans, so keep that in mind will ya? She's a decent 10/20 hero (actually, really good) since her 20/20 stats aren't insanely better Attack (7.5) Diane gets an extra slight advantage over Hans as she does not have 2 awkward suck stages fighting monsters Defense (3) Her defense is better than Hans, but that ain't saying much. It's like saying two layers of plastic will stop that sword better than one. You're still stabbed bro! Hit Points (4) Essentially the same when it comes to having hit points Agility (6) Unusual, but she is not the fastest person on the battlefield Movement (7) See Hans description Early Game (7) Much better than Hans initally, like I said, you would think to keep her over him Medium Game (7) Diane just doesn't grow very much, leaving her slightly above average for most of the game Late Game (8) Her late-game is about Hans' late-game. The buster shot turns everyone into monsters Leveling (5) All archers level about the same, just shoot and pray Consistency (8) Consistent, but not nearly as much as Hans. Sometimes the game wants to give her tons of useless Defense which doesn't help (having 25 Defense or 33 Defense in the end is -not- saving anyones life) Overall (61.5) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Misc. Archer Characters Lyle (68) {Assault Knight --> Strike Knight Level 20 Promoted Stats: 61 - 00 - 73 - 41 - 56 Level 20 Average Stats : 38 - 00 - 51 - 31 - 39 Level 20 "Typical" : 50 - 00 - 62 - 36 - 48 10/20 Stats: 49 - 00 - 65 - 35 - 48 When Lyle joins your team, you'll probably ditch Hans and Diane for him. To be honest, I wouldn't blame you. Lyle's the best archer in the game by a wide margin. That being said, Archers can buy Buster Shots which are great weapons and Archers can always surround bosses while you have a limited number of melee fighters in there. Something else though that needs to be said: Lyle is the best archer, there's no denying that. But his real power comes from the 10/20 (casual grindless run) because that's his most growth. While a 20/20 Lyle is better (who isn't) when stacked against a 20/20 Diane or Hans, Lyle is better, but only slightly, as compared to 10/20 versions. Because of this, if you are grinding your team out, then you could consider skipping Lyle unless Hans and Diane are both very far behind because the difference in attack is going to be minimal towards the lategame. Just, something to consider. Lyle's still awesome, don't let me confuse you! Attack (9) It takes a few levels to OHKO things as a SKNT, but he joins your team at a meager level 8 and reminds you of Pelle with his damage Defense (2) Sadly, I'm deducting a point from Lyle because his defense is even worse than both Hans and Diane. But hey you know what? He's a glass cannon so whatever Hit Points (4) It would seem that he should gain more hit points but there's not a huge difference Agility (6) He is not an elf, and therefore suffers in the speed category Movement (8) He is a centaur and therefore moves much better. However he is still trashed by terrible terrain. The reason he scores an 8 instead of a 7 like other centaurs is due to his ranged attacks granting that extra mobility Early Game (9) Considering he joins and can hold his own being 5-7 levels below, I'd say he should fit in your team Medium Game (8) Lyle slows as the game progresses, but still remains a solid ally for you, sending fear into the enemy from afar. His scores aren't 9-9-9 throughout just because chapter 7 is rough on Lyle, with 2 bad terrain battles and he probably dies instantly to most things here. He hits hard though Late Game (9) Lyle is a shoe-in for your late-game, being a destructive powerhouse Leveling (7) Lyle doesn't have that awkward suck stage like the others, making it far easier to level him up Consistency (6) Of the ranged arrow users, his stats are the most inconsistent. While he will be consistently good (usually) his inconsistencies can actually allow him to be the best archer by only a point or two of attack Overall (68) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Misc. Frontline Characters With the exception of Gort and Luke, all these guys promote differently (save a few). However the case may be, their goal is to be in the front, taking and receiving the brunt of the force. Knights are similar to this, but have their own category due to the large amount of them. Some use weapons, others rely on raw power to do their damage. One thing is certain, if they cannot take/deal damage well, their score will reflect that Luke Level 20 Promoted Stats: 63 - 00 - 81 - 77 - 52 Level 20 Average Stats : 37 - 00 - 43 - 42 - 39 Gort Level 20 Promoted Stats: 65 - 00 - 77 - 69 - 48 Level 20 Average Stats : 50 - 00 - 49 - 42 - 40 Guntz Level 20 Promoted Stats: 61 - 00 - 77 - 87 - 45 Level 20 Average Stats : 38 - 00 - 55 - 53 - 33 Zylo Level 20 Promoted Stats: 68 - 00 - 82 - 59 - 61 Level 20 Average Stats : 49 - 00 - 42 - 33 - 48 Musashi Level 20 Promoted Stats: 83 - 00 - 73 - 71 - 41 Level 20 Average Stats : 74 - 00 - 62 - 57 - 35 Adam Level 20 Promoted Stats: 70 - 00 - 72 - 83 - 58 Level 20 Average Stats : 60 - 00 - 37 - 60 - 39 Hanzou Level 20 Promoted Stats: 64 - 38 - 69 - 60 - 59 Level 20 Average Stats : 55 - 36 - 59 - 52 - 52 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Luke (80) {Warrior --> Gladiator} Level 20 Promoted Stats: 63 - 00 - 81 - 77 - 52 Level 20 Average Stats : 37 - 00 - 43 - 42 - 39 Level 20 "Typical" : 50 - 00 - 62 - 60 - 45 10/20 Stats: 54 - 00 - 71 - 66 - 42 Not much is known about the small warrior. One thing is certain, the advantage to being a warrior is three-fold. They can use axes or swords, meaning they benefit from upgrades to their attack ALOT. Second, they receive 2 Atlases, which is a very powerful +33 Axe that can Blaze III, making them even more versatile. Lastly, their movement is only slightly impaired in terrible terrain. They are newb friendly heroes and good to use in just about every sort of run. Attack (9.5) I'm awarding Luke an extra half point because his attack is incredible. It really is, even 10/20 Luke still breaks the 70 barrier and that's just a lot of damage and you have to respect that. He doesn't score a perfect 10 because chapter 2, like for most fighters, is rough Defense (8) In the beginning, Luke will be able to cope with several attacks before requiring the healing sort. In the end, Luke will be able to sustain hits from just about any character. It is in the middle part of the game where he is vulnerable and as such, loses a few points Hit Points (7) In the end, Luke will have enough hip points to remain afloat for a few turns being bombarded by spells. However, in the earlier part of the game he will not have an outstanding amount Agility (4) Most fighters/heavy damage dealers are slightly slower. Luke is no exception Movement (8.5) Luke as previously stated is excellent at moving around the battlefield as well as a solid move of 6 can get from A to B quickly Early Game (8.5) Luke will be a solid hero for the majority of the game and the beginning is no exception Medium Game (9) Luke doesn't slow down as he continues to be amongst the best characters on your team, hitting the frontline hard Late Game (9.5) Luke will be in the best of the best and is solid for almost any line-up Leveling (7) His damage output is constant meaning he has no trouble leveling. He just lacks constistent experience or free 48 aoe attacks Consistency (9) His stats are rather consistent. While individual level ups may be somewhat random, his end result will have him being a force. For newbs, Luke starts on your team and will always be there to help out Overall (80) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gort (76.5) {Warrior --> Gladiator} Level 20 Promoted Stats: 65 - 00 - 77 - 69 - 48 Level 20 Average Stats : 50 - 00 - 49 - 42 - 40 Level 20 "Typical" : 57 - 00 - 63 - 55 - 44 10/20 Stats: 59 - 00 - 64 - 64 - 43 Gort is a retired hero who breaks his retirement to rejoin the ranks as a simple private because he is so angry at Runefaust nothing will stop him from slaying as many enemies as he can. Gort shares all the similarities previously stated for Luke, and there stats are essentially near images of each other, although I find Luke to be just a smidgen better in the end. The major difference between the two is something I alluded to earlier, in that Luke is a super candidate for 20/20 whereas Gort doesn't benefit nearly as much. Luke is a powerhouse even at 10/20, but grinding to 20/20 is like wowzers; Gort on the other hand doesn't quite have that same explosion, and the result is Gort tending better in a shorter run whereas Luke prefers the longer one. Yeah, Luke looks better, but again, the journey there is a bit different, as Luke takes a few more levels to vault whereas Gort stays steady. In the end, they're both powerhouses that could easily be in your final 12 but it is your call. Attack (9) Gort's attack, like Luke, will always be tip top of your line-up Defense (8) Gort generally has better defense for most of the game over Luke, although in my customing stats, Luke did end up slightly higher than Gort Hit Points (7) Gort essentially mirrors Luke here for hit points Agility (3.5) For most of the game, Gort will be going last in your line-up. He is an old retired man for god's sake! He will consistently end up in the 40s though Movement (8.5) See Luke's description Early Game (8) Gort, like Luke, will be an excellent addition when you pick him up after battle II; and I mean like Luke in the sense he's an excellent pick Medium Game (8.5) As most enemies become stronger faster than your heroes defense picks up, Gort will still remain a top tier defensive turtle Late Game (9) As Luke is slightly better than Gort, he gets the edge, but Gort is still a fantastic choice for the showdown Leveling (7) See Luke's description Consistency (8) Likewise with Luke, Gort is a solid choice for any team, with solid consistent stats, there's just much else to say Overall (76.5) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Misc. Warrior Character Guntz (76) {Steam Knight --> Steam Baron} Level 20 Promoted Stats: 61 - 00 - 77 - 87 - 45 Level 20 Average Stats : 38 - 00 - 55 - 53 - 33 Level 20 "Typical" : 49 - 00 - 66 - 70 - 39 10/20 Stats: 53 - 00 - 68 - 76 - 43 Guntz is one of those characters just is good enough to have an adjective named after him. Characters with a Guntz-like stat is what is described as over the top. There is not much to say about him, as his story is nothing more than a war machine built by Dr. Crock to wage against Runefaust. I have to assume Dr. Crock lost a love one or something due to Runefaust, which is why he hired Guntz as an assistant to become this war machine that does incredible damage and is virtually impervious. He uses some of the best weapons (Knight lances/spears) and rains chaos upon those who praise Dark Sol! Regardless, I moved Guntz from Misc. Knights to Misc. Warrior because closer evaluation reveals that Guntz really is more a warrior than a knight. Right down to each stat puts him similar to a warrior, so he's been moved! Does that change his ranking? Let's find out Attack (9) Guntz is very much like Pelle as he provides sheer power. However, he lacks a bit after promotion which is why he gets a 9 instead of a 10 Defense (9) Not everyone has their own term, Guntz-like, but even so, Guntz doesn't score a perfect 10 again because his freshly promoted form is weaker Hit Points (6.5) A slight reduction, and mostly because his fresh promoted self just lacks. Later on, he'll do fine though Agility (4.5) Dr. Crock forgot to install light-speed on this guy. He is slow! Despite this setback, he gains enough agility, just not more than most on your team Movement (6) So... Guntz can move unobstructedly through terrain which is great. The downside here is his starting movement of 4. Hmmm... So here's the thing, it is bad, but maybe not as bad as you might think. Here's why: from the moment you get him, there are only a few battles that are really "bad" for him in the sense that 4 movement is detrimental. They are: 4-2 (the first one), 5-2 (right after mobility ring), 6-2 (Kane), and 6-4 (Mishaela). My reasoning here is that in 4-3, 5-1, 5-3, 6-1, 6-3, and 7-1, Guntz, despite moving 4, still can make it to enemies (because clustered battles) or still moves better than your other people (because of no reduction). By chapter 7, you've decided if you really want to use him so it becomes even less an issue. That leaves Guntz, Musashi, and Bleu as your real candidates for improving their move though, and someone is going to lose. Even at 4 move though, Guntz isn't that impeded until chapter 8 and even then, it doesn't matter again Ramladu or Dark Dragon so really, I'm giving him back 2 points because he moves better than Knights through many of those battles and that's with 4 movement. If you increase it, he gets real dumb then Early Game (7.5) That long explanation above justifies many of these newer scores. Movement aside, Guntz is an absolute powerhouse early, missing only because of his movement Medium Game (7.5) So movement increasing aside, Guntz doesn't improve a whole lot in the mid portion since he promotes pretty badly. Like I said, he benefits a lot from a 20/20 game and that would help his score Late Game (9.5) He is Guntz-like in the end assuming we used a movement enhancing item. Otherwise he can polish weapons/armor at headquarters, and no I'm not kidding. Four move means he will constantly be behind your team when he needs to be in front Leveling (8) Regardless of movement, Guntz levels fairly easily since he has a multitude of weapons to use and he hits hard Consistency (8.5) His stats are consistently Guntz-like. A newb friendly hero as well as a contender for top Knights as well as best character (movement boosting being a granted) Overall (76) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Zylo (77.5) {Werewolf --> Wolf Baron} Level 20 Promoted Stats: 68 - 00 - 82 - 59 - 61 Level 20 Average Stats : 49 - 00 - 42 - 33 - 48 Level 20 "Typical" : 58 - 00 - 62 - 45 - 55 10/20 Stats: 63 - 00 - 67 - 50 - 54 Zylo the wolf was raised by Diane from while she was still just a young girl. As she became truer and truer the Archer she is, she adopted a teenage abandon Zylo and began to humble him up and turn him more human than wolf. As Zylo began his quest for understanding his power, he grew attached and protective of Diane. When he was around her, he felt more human than ever before. Trouble has a way of finding you though, and trouble found Zylo. The Runefaust army invaded the small defenseless town of Bustoke in search of some ancient weapon. Diane's mother, fearing too many deaths, gave into their demands and allowed their men to become slaves. Diane was hidden from the Army and it drove Zylo insane. He fought and clawed his way through the Runefaust Army, but even his strength could not match the numbers of Runefaust and he was subdued. Then, forced to drink a poison, Zylo went insane, at which point Runefaust released Zylo back at the people of Bustoke in the hopes he would slaughter the entire town. Diane rescued Zylo and inprisoned him hoping that he may regain his sanity... which is the point the Shining Force shows up and feeds him Lunar Dew and he joins up to be with Diane. Hopefully you enjoyed that. Zylo is a great warrior and a great addition to your team. His biggest bonus is that when he joins, your team is hampered by bad terrain and he probably hits harder than most of your team as well. While he has an awkward stage in the middle (we'll talk about it) that doesn't stop Zylo from being a great addition to any party, new or experienced. Attack (8) Zylo will join your team and be extremely powerful. Even in an attempt to be overleveled, you will find that Zylo will join and be very capable of keeping up with your team. Being without a weapon, Zylo suffers far worse upon promotion unlike weapon users which is why he loses a few points This is especially true if you try to casual play grindless, as promoting Zylo prior to about level 17 really cripples him, and as stated, he needs that 20 almost more than other heroes because of not what it gives him later but what it gives him right away Defense (8) For most of the game, Zylo will have enough defense. Nothing Guntz-like, but absolutely better than Archers Hit Points (6.5) For being a wolf and having to scavenge for himself, his hit points are surprisingly unimpressive Agility (7) Zylo shares similarities with other front-line type brutes as his speed takes a hit. However, he is generally faster than them Movement (9) Zylo has GREAT movement for not being able to fly. However, it's not birdmen movement since mountains mess him up and there are still plenty of those to worry about Early Game (9) Zylo, like Tao, will join your team and be one of the better characters on your team with little effort; in otherwords, he has a great early game Medium Game (7.5) Zylo suffers slightly in the middle part of the game, as I've said before, due to him losing far more with promotional losses Late Game (9) After several nice promotion levels, Zylo will easily fit into just about line-up imagineable, hitting hard and moving well Leveling (6) Without a weapon, range, or easy reliable experience, Zylo takes a hit. The fact he stays generally strong means he lacks having that awkward not being able to hurt anybody stage Consistency (7.5) Zylo's stats are relatively consistent when compared to most. However, as his attack can range from mediocre to superb (with no weapon to guarantee some power) he takes a hit. Overall though, a consistent newb friendly hero Overall (77.5) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Musashi (87.5) {Samurai --> No Promotion} Level 20 Promoted Stats: 83 - 00 - 73 - 71 - 41 Level 20 Average Stats : 74 - 00 - 62 - 57 - 35 Level 20 "Typical" : 78 - 00 - 67 - 64 - 38 Little is known about the man they call Musashi. He is a Samurai, evidently from a town nearby Prompt called 'Kuryshatou'. When the Runefaust army invaded the nearby Tower of Ancients, they came through the town of Kuryshatou and leveled it, they missed one man. This man, is Musashi, the most powerful Samurai in all the game. Enraged by their slaughter, Musashi sought revenge and attempted an invasion upon Runefaust itself. Alas, the army of Runefaust proved too powerful, forcing Musashi to retreat and bide his time for when he could join forces with another, and avenge his friends and family. When he sees the Shining Force get thrown in jail in Prompt, he realizes this is who he has been waiting for. However, due to his previous failure, he is restricted by the law of the Samurai to wait for them to find him. By finding his note against the wall, it met his requirements for joining with someone else and he will have his revenge on Runefaust. Attack (10) When it comes to hitting hard, you will be hard pressed to find a character in this game that does it better than Musashi. He joins your team hitting hard, and will nearly always end with the highest amount on your team. And yes, admittedly you'll probably have people that hit harder than Musashi at some point, but at no time will his attack every be an issue Defense (10) Again, his defense is simply outstanding. While he may not quite be at the 60+ range in time when you are facing those dire threat enemies, he still greatly reduces that damage and (will soon) take no damage at all. Because of that, I've given him a half a point more Hit Points (10) Again, Musashi suffers absolutely no penalty here. Even a lower HP Musashi will join with 50ish HP and quickly get up over 60. That's better than most powered characters, and yet Musashi continues to grow into the high 70s and even cracking the 80s Agility (3) Musashi is pretty slow, there's no denying it. I've awarded him an extra point just because the other slower heroes didn't score a 2 here (3 is still the worst among them though I think) Movement (5) His movement of 5 and lack of range is a problem that requires fixing Early Game (9) It's hard to evaluate such a late joiner like this, but since Musashi has poor movement and is slower, he can't receive a perfect score here because only Pelle is truly the 10 of the instant joiners Medium Game (9.5) I'm tempted to bump up his score to a flat 10, but I cannot because of the 9 battles you get him for (if you break them down like that) he's less useful during battles 4 and 5 of that middle section due to terrain and the first battle in chapter 8 is somewhat dominated by range and specifically mages Late Game (10) I've gone ahead and given him a 10 for late game because re-evaluating all of these characters as I've gained more experience and knowledge over the past years playing this game more, do I now realize what a gift Musashi is to you. Even at 5 movement, he easily is one of the best characters in the game. If he's given a movement item, then there's nothing stopping him from getting to the front lines and destroying the enemy Story time: In my speedrunning, I've been pushing the game really hard. I finally (on December 31 of 2016) broke 5 hours in beating the game. Yes, that was a huge accomplishment, but it really spoke to how utterly strong Musashi is. My strategy (without too much detail) involves a final party of 2 strong mages (Tao and Anri) paired with Balbaroy, Pelle, and Musashi as my core. The rest of my team is rounded out with Torasu and Shield, Domingo for support, and then Max. My team is only 8 people. In this particular run, I had the absolute worst Dark Dragon fight ever. Within 2 rounds, Dark Dragon had Bolt 4'd 2 different heroes, eliminating them instantly, and cast Desoul killing Tao before I could Shield her by sheer dumb luck. I literally was moments from losing the first ever sub 5 hour run of the game. One character stood in Dark Dragon's way though. That man was Musashi. No joke, Musashi solo'd about 150 damage or so of Dark Dragon since Anri was out of magic and everybody else was dead. I had barely any healing left and certainly not much left to offer. But he's so strong, so tanky... that he pulled it out and wham the game was beat in 4 hours 57 minutes. So maybe I'm slightly biased, but that wasn't even a grinded up Musashi doing that, so that speaks to how powerful this warrior is. Respect him, love him, and allow him to destroy Runefaust!! Leveling (8) Musashi levels rather easily, mowing down opponents and gaining loads of experience. He takes a small hit due to not having reliable experience gain as well as a lower movement/speed Consistency (10) Another of one of the most consistent characters and newb friendly heroes available in the game, Musashi easily fits onto every team. His only downfall is that you get him later in the game, but it's a small downside as he will fit onto your team regardless of your teams level Overall (87.5) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Adam (35) {Robot --> Cyborg} Level 20 Promoted Stats: 70 - 00 - 72 - 83 - 58 Level 20 Average Stats : 60 - 00 - 37 - 60 - 39 Level 20 "Typical" : 65 - 00 - 55 - 72 - 48 10/20 Stats: 70 - 00 - 59 - 71 - 46 Adam easily falls into the category of worst character in any RPG ever. Unlike Zynk from SFII who joins and only suffers from small movement (literally, Zynk is like the Musashi of SFII) Adam joins your team and you vomit slightly in the back of your throat. He joins at level 10 unpromoted. Yes, the level people were joining your team at 3 or 4 chapters ago in some cases. One might think that despite him being such a low level, maybe he has great stats. Actually, no, his stats are slightly above average for a level 10 unpromoted character, but at this point the game it's awful. One still might think that it will be easy to level him as monsters typically have low Defense ratings. The answer would still sadly be no, he will be doing one single point of damage for a long time. While he (when given 20 battles to redo) has gone up about 20 levels, he can finally start to hold his own (possibly even better than some others. But wait! There's still another massive downside to him, and that's his super unreliable stat gain. Still not convinced? Seeing as you got a far superior Musashi right before him and a far easier to level Guntz way before that (both have small move) there's only 2 movement enhancing items in the game which means of these three people, only 2 will be helped out (this is of course assuming we're doing a power team and all three of these compete for this elite team) Adam will still get the bone. That long convoluted sentence essentially means that Adam should/can only be used if you are doing a power team and are not using Guntz or Musashi. Yes, it's painful Attack (5) Adam scores a 5 because it takes about 10 levels before he can (even boosted) start hurting enemies (that's promoted at 10) otherwise it may take 15 or 16 if promoted at 20. Since you can level him up to 30 times, makes sense. Also, if you're gonna use him, grind him out. Otherwise, you have a worse Bleu, sounds awful Defense (3) Adam scores a 3 because while he does get incredibly tanky, by the time he gets there (in terms of grinding and whatnot) nearly all threats of physical damage have subsided making his impressive defense rather pointless Hit Points (6) I'll give credit to Adam for one thing, he starts strong enough to tank 2 Torch Eyes to the face and most people can't say that Agility (2) Adam not only comes slow, but will stay slow for the entire game Movement (4) Adam suffers from small movement just like Guntz and Musashi Early Game (0) It is possible to score a 0 and the only 0 in the game goes to Adam for his early game. He is simply the WORST and things won't get much better any time soon Medium Game (3) If you were to have gotten Adam a chapter or two ago, Adam would score much better with his medium game (early promotion to a few levels) but as it is, his medium game is still very crappy compared to where you are at in the game Late Game (8) Once you've finally got him over level 10 promoted (and approaching 20) he finally is a force to be reckoned worth despite still having small movement and slower agility. Now you have to ask yourself was it worth it Leveling (0) Adam is the single hardest character to level in the game, requiring very special attention be put on him to weaken enemies down to 1 HP. For a few levels, boosting him won't matter as he will still only do 1-3 damage until he gains some attack (which he must gain because he doesn't use a weapon) Consistency (4) The only consistent stat about Adam is he will be slow(er). His defense generally gets very strong (the question is how strong) and if he can sustain multiple blows, his life generally gets high (but high enough?), but it's his attack that is the most concerning, that he may be literally a tank but be incapable of attacking for more than 10-15 points of damage, which is simply not enough Overall (35) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hanzou (86) {Ninja --> No Promotion} Level 20 Promoted Stats: 64 - 38 - 64 - 60 - 59 Level 20 Average Stats : 55 - 36 - 54 - 52 - 52 Level 20 "Typical" : 60 - 37 - 59 - 56 - 55 The last 'real' character review, Hanzou does make an incredible appearance despite it in the final chapter 5 battles from the end of the game. Like I've said already, I prefer Slade from SFII as you get him longer (more chance for growth) and his magic is superior (Katon/Raijon >>> Shield). Anyway, Hanzou will join and be quite similar to Musashi, although not nearly as powerful. Nevertheless, Hanzou moves fast and hits hard. He learns 4 spells (3 of which are virtually worthless) but can still contribute more even if he has some bad levels. He has very consistent levels though, just take a look. Attack (8.5) He hits hard, but not "as hard" as others nor will he top the chart, which is why he gets penalty'd a bit Defense (8.5) He's tanky when he joins, at least enough to facetank some damage, but it's nearly on Musashi's level which is why he loses a few points Hit Points (8.5) As the worst Hanzou's I've seen join with about 39 HP, that's not bad, and after a few levels (well, 10 in fact) you can see that he adds about another 15-20 HP to that which is nice Agility (8.5) His agility his quite for being a front-liner, surprising and very nice Movement (10) We don't know how he fairs in rough terrain as he never sees it, but as such a movement of 7 is perfect. Should I mark him down because he can't fly over things? Naahhh... Early Game (7) Similar to Musashi, Hanzou has a very skewed early-middle-late game. However there is one clear cut difference between the two. Since you get Hanzou and promptly fight Chimaeras and Blue Dragons followed by Robots, his starting starts are high but not quite high enough to be a true 'front-liner' Medium Game (8) It is difficult to really justify, but with 7 as a starting point, and knowing that he will only get better from 10-20, he simply gets a little better... Late Game (9) ...and will be powerful in the end, although not the most powerful on your team Leveling (8) His leveling score is quite similar to Musashi, losing points for not having reliable experience gain as well as you gain him so late in the game that to 'level' him requires you to redo battles a few times Consistency (10) A very consistent character, never really lacking in any stat ever Overall (86) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jogurt Jogurt, I feel compelled to put him in here for no other purpose than to share some mythology I wrote about him. Back in the days of knights and squires, these warriors would coat their animals in armor, not only for protection, but for intimidation means. This is how the legend of the Black Knight came to be; a fearless warrior and his noble stead dressed as dark as the moon on a moonless knight would strike fear into the uneducated opponent. People, for the most part, were not educated very well in the 13th-18th centuries. Those with money could afford to be educated in a simple liberal arts education, reading, writing and arithmatic, but those who could were learned in the ways of fighting, as that was the law of the land. Those who told the stories that we now repeat today, often did not cross swords with those who did the fighting, only a whisper of the legend would reach the knights ear. So now, the brave knight, sword and shield bore in its entirity, gripping the reins of his horse tightly, feels the cold silent whisper of the wind whip about him. He feels confident, his training has prepared him for this moment. Suddenly, he feels dread. Nothing has changed, but now his stomach is tightening with an unflinching fear and now, he hesitates. His throat goes dry; his armor clanks noiselessly as though it wants nothing more than to run. Then he hears it... a slow pitter patter of hooves coming from the clearing. He looks up, only to see the grim outline of his opponent. His opponent, dark as the nights shadows, stared down to him. All the brave knight could see were the red eyes of his opponents horse; it was as though his opponent had come riding Cerebrus straight from hell. As the seconds tick, the knight sizes up his opponent... when his opponent rears back on his horse and the horse lets out not just a whinney, but more of a gargled cry; as though the horse was speaking through the fires of hell to him. It's more than he can take, and the brave knight retreats and the kingdom will eventually fall peacefully rather than fall repeatedly to duels with the opposing kingdom. With a bit of intelligent masking of black armor, and some debris in his horses' mouth, the Black Knight was able to portray the worst fear of mankind, and as result, win battles without a showdown of sword skills. This is how Jogurt was meant to be. He is wearing armor and speaks with a definite tone which is not pleasant to the ears. Jogurt, is the Black Knight. History reveals to us that the Black Knight was not a skilled warrior, rather, he was a master of the Art of War. Jogurt likewise, cannot fight at all, but fights to intimidate the opponent in laying down their weapons. Obviously, there was some sort of error the programmers made as he does not have a taunt ability. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ And now, some comparisons with those numbers ------------------------------- | Chart I : Everyone Compared | ------------------------------- 1. Musashi 87.5 2. Hanzou 86 2. Pelle 86 4. Tao 83.5 5. Anri 81.5 6. Luke 80 7. Max 79.5 7. Khris 79.5 9. Torasu 78.5 10. Ken 77.5 10. Zylo 77.5 12. Gort 76.5 13. Guntz 76 14. Mae 71.5 15. Earnest 70.5 16. Alef 70 17. Vankar 69.5 18. Lyle 68 19. Bleu 66 20. Balbaroy 65.5 21. Gong 62 22. Arthur 61.5 22. Amon 61.5 22. Diane 61.5 25. Hans 60 26. Kokichi 58.5 27. Lowe 54 28. Domingo 52 29. Adam 35 30. Jogurt 00 Remarks: I've gone ahead and fixed the graph with the corresponding scores as many people have jumped several places while a few (Lyle being the biggest) dropped in number. They feel much more accurate now, especially as the descriptions have been updated and are much more thorough and I think you'll agree. Now, as I've said before, these numbers do not reflect a "who's the best" list nor do they suggest who you should or should not use. These are simply a way to categorically list the heroes in some form or another. I've said it once, and I'll say it again, nearly every hero in this game is viable in one way or another. Some may take more time, some may be more challenging for some reason (still can be fun though) but at the end of the day, these numbers simply reflect the accumulative score of grading them on everything that may matter to you, the player. Often, people who score very poorly (75 or less) is due to them having some huge issue that you are probably already aware of. For instance, Mae has consistency and attack issues. Ernst is that last of many horses to join and doesn't provide any real reason to put energy into him. Alef is awesome but takes time and energy. Vankar, like Ernst, doesn't do anything outstanding to outshine some of the people above him. Lyle scores great but is super fragile. Bleu, like Arthur and Adam, require a ton of time to become great. Balbs, Amon and the Archers don't stack up to other characters, they shouldn't! What sense would it make to have an Archer be tankier than a Knight? Maybe more damage, but that's the thing, they actually do towards the end! It's the other parts where they score lower. Gong is a Monk, someone who is good at a lot, great at nothing, so his score reflects that. Kokichi is an awkward character who doesn't do anything great, but still finds his way onto teams because he more or less switches classes into a flying archer and that's handy. Lowe is just terrible. And that rounds out Domingo as we know, who is great, but his overall score is low because of a number of strikes against him including limited magic and taking a long time to get to Freeze 4. Really, this list does more to show the strengths and weaknesses of not just characters, but the classes themselves. The Mages all score very well! Most Knights are the upper half. Nearly all the warrior types are in the top 10. It's because their downsides are small to pointless arguments. But you can't have 11 warriors on your team with Max, because you'll have no healing and you may just miss until the cows come home. The point is, it's formal to have a list, and I hope this helps you understand that. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I've removed several charts mostly because they were redundant. If you want to compare specific classes, then just focus on that one big singular list, it's a lot easier, and de-clutters this guide a lot. However, I do want to add something new that is different from the previous updates, and that's who scores a 10 in each category so that you can see why and what defines receiving a perfect score regarding some aspect of their performance. That way, a 7 makes more sense compared against a 10. Attack - Musashi It's straight forward: how much damage do you deal. I look at a few things here: weapon availability (both upgrades and endgame), ability to damage at each major point throughout the game, and consistency to perform that damage. The reason there is only 1 perfect score is because there is only 1 hero who fits that description, Musashi. He always hits hard, always has his weapon, and doesn't have limited availability of it. While he may not hit hardest, that isn't necessarily a requirement since doing 70 or 75 is still doing a rather large amount of damage. Defense - Musashi Defense is a simple stat: how much damage do you receive. However, this is a bit harder to evaluate compared to attack due to the ranges of damage as well as the proportion of damage that is feasibly dealt. While 8 seems like a weak amount of defense, when Max has 8 defense in chapter 2, it serves its purpose so no real punishment there. When a few chapters later and enemies deal 22 and he still has, 8, or maybe 10 defense, the amount of damage receiving is far higher than before. So it's not always about the straight number. Similarly, Adam receives a lower score than expected because (well he gains a lot!) but WHEN he gains it is a huge issue since those enemies have long since stopped appearing. Again, Musashi is the only person who fits the perfect score model here. He takes damage, sure, most people do until the very end of their leveling, even the almighty Guntz with his legendary 85+ defense in a 20/20 game. The problem is timing and that's where Musashi succeeds. He joins with ample defense to greatly reduce the damage from enemies like Jets and Minotaurs, and by the time you've moved into Horsemen, Chimaera, Dragons, and Skeletons of the machine variety, his defense has grown to resist the damage. Even the almighty Pelle with great stats doesn't quite fit the perfection model. Hit Points - Musashi and Bleu Hit points aren't tricky to evaluate but there is a lot to consider as defense somewhat plays a role here but in general, we want more hit points. How many though? The reason for the chart right before the evaluations was to really pinpoint what damage is going to be thrown at us and because of that, we can see the goals that we really want. People like Tao suffer on this score DESPITE ending with basically the same HP as many others, like Anri, because it takes her much longer to get to those amounts. How long does it take to get to 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60? Those are important thresholds and that can really impact decisions moving forward especially given the type of character we're dealing with. Lyle scores low, sure, but he'd score a lot lower if he weren't an Archer, that's for sure. Because of this, Musashi and Bleu share this title as they have great health pools. Musashi joins at the 50 barrier and can easily surpass 70 towards the end of his career. It's pretty straight forward. Bleu, is more tricky, but you can see that despite many of his shortcomings during his leveling and catching up to the rest of your team, one thing is never an issue, health. Compare to other people like Luke, Gort, or even Pelle. They get good amounts towards the end, but dang don't they die quickly to lasers for a while? And that's the point. Agility - Tao Faster characters tend to go sooner rather than later. That's all we know about agility. And when it comes to fitting that mold, Tao is the only character who will always be at the top throughout the entire game. She's easily not the faster character on your team, look at Arthur! But look at how she stacks up through the entire game. Isn't it nice having a powerful magic attack to start off each round to set up weaker people? Or use it to clear dangerous enemies that survived or could become a problem? She starts fast, and stays fast, and it really, really, helps. Movement - Balbaroy, Amon, Hanzou Kinda silly but regardless: grading move is based on raw movement, reductions, and your attack range. Knights have 8 range with spears, but only moving 2 spaces in roughly 40% of the game is pretty crappy. Birds can easily move about and focus certain areas, something that's very technical and battlesmart but Hanzou cannot fly, yeah but when he joins he can always move 7 spaces. As I said, I could give him a 9.5 but for real, it's not a huge deal. Really what it shows is what the Knights could score if their placement in the game was better suited for them, and that's something else to consider regarding specific grading IE Kokichi getting a better attack score over Ernst, and it's because Kokichi joins with easier enemies to fight despite being weaker, but Ernst does not. That changes everything, same with each other stat. MP - Tao and Torasu A small pool for sure to evaluate, but it's rather straightforward. How effective can you be as a caster throughout the game but as well, throughout each battle regardless of length. Even though her MP growth isn't as good as Alef, it's her cheaper spells that allow her to go the distance. That may seem unfair to grade it that way, but it's the harsh truth. Tao with 80 MP can do 10 Blaze 4's, basically dealing upwards of 400 damage. Anri with 80 MP can do 8 Freeze 4's, around 330-350 damage. Alef with 80 MP can only cast 4 times dealing a whopping 200+ damage, but there ya go. Tao has the distance to go. And it's the same regarding healers, which is why Tao ultimately takes the cake over all of them. And sure, it seems cliche to have one Healer and one Mage chosen, but Torasu really does fit the mold as well. His MP gets to a point to where you can cast Aura 4 multiple times, and that's as good as it gets. Khris, despite her advantages, doesn't have the same super impact for raw power, and Gong and Lowe just don't even begin to compare. Early Game - Pelle Early changes pending on when someone joins but regardless, it's approximated for each character and we see that Pelle easily has the best joining experience in the entire game, even surpassing Musashi as proportionally, what Pelle brings when he joins is simply, the best. There are many people who are very very good, but sometimes lack just a little somewhere and that's why you see many 9's awarded. But Pelle, he defines what you really want from someone when they freshly join your team. Mid Game - Anri and Khris It's hard to really be fair here since so many people could easily get 10s, like Pelle and Musashi, maybe even Tao and perhaps Ernst. However, in order to really categorically show what makes a perfect 10 for midgame, we turn to 2 of my favorite ladies in this game, Anri and Khris. And keep in mind (and this is probably the why behind just these 2) this description works ragardless of a level 10 or 20 promotion. Khris first. Her best spells come online right at this time. She's gotten Heal 3, her stats are getting good, and then BAM Aura and then BAM Heal 4 right there after. Her transitional period is one of the easiest in the game and this is where she shines more than most, as she does everything you would hope, and more. Torasu does do the late game better, but Khris does what Gong and Lowe together cannot, and that really shows why she is one of those best mid game characters, and really shows what it takes to be critical to your team at that period. Similarly, though leaning more towards a 20 promotion, Anri's first couple levels of a Wizard are so much better than as a Mage, it's night and day. Her first few levels net her enough defense to overtake Domingo, Pelle, and even Guntz! Sure it stops later on, but dang. She also accelerates her learning of spells to a level that is really unmatched. Tao takes 3 levels for Blaze 2, then 8 more for Blaze 3, and another 8 for Blaze 4 (and yes, these are totally fine) but Anri (as a Mage) learns Freeze after 2 levels and Blaze 2 after another 3. It's somewhat disappointing as her damage hasn't improved, just the AOE has. However, after promotion, she gets Freeze 2 in just 2 levels, and then Freeze 3 after just 3 levels, and that's a huge upgrade. If you promote her later towards 20, then you just get all these spells that transition over which makes it even better! Late Game - Anri and Musashi It's hard to evaluate, again, since there are so many factors and bias that need to be accounted for, but again, I'm forcing myself to just 2 perfect scores. There are a lot of 9 and 9.5 characters, but the two "best" that showcase a late game power, are Anri and Musashi. For Musashi, there isn't much that needs to be repeated from my description above. For Anri, there isn't much either. The only time you don't want Anri is if you are challenging yourself. Like, straight up. She fits onto any team and it will benefit a lot from it. That could be said for many characters, but Anri provides this strange utility that other characters don't really grasp, and that's her ability to destroy anything from 3 range, or severely weaken a large group, or tank up for a weaker character, or... the list goes on. Anri fulfills so many roles lategame, she absolutely deserves a 10 Leveling - Torasu Pretty easy and straightforward, how easy is it to level someone? I gave the ratings above, but basically it revolves around consistently leveling and general ease of leveling. It doesn't get much easier to level someone over Torasu. The Holy Staff lets him ding enemies for kills, and Aura nets a bunch of experience each cast (basically free EXP) and because of that, he ramps up his EXP very quickly and can catch up despite being a meager level 16 when he joins. Others come close, but no one is Torasu when it comes to leveling Consistency - Many More than I can list. How consistent are they? This is more than just from playthrough to playthrough, but also details during the playthrough. Most people end up in similar areas at similar times from each playthrough to each playthrough, but not everyone has that consistent approach that we see when this group that gets their 10 score. Anyway, I hope this helps to further explain what the scores mean and how they stack up against one another. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------- | Chart VII: Newby Characters Compared | ---------------------------------------- Chart Description: Below is the easiest characters to play in the game for someone (recall that a Newb is a new player). The scores are factored in several ways. First, their consistency score (remember that is the consistency of stats) is the base of their number. Next, is a +/- 1 depending on location of character. For example required characters get +1 to their score due to them being impossible to miss, hidden characters, no matter how easy they might actually be, will receive -1. Lastly, the score of the character will be adjusted for when you receive the character. For example, a chapter 7 or 8 character, for the most part, will join too late and require to much effort to be used in a newby team. On to the chart. 1. Max 10+1+1 = 12 14. Gort 8-1+1 = 8 1. Hans 10+1+1 = 12 14. Mae 6+1+1 = 8 1. Pelle 10+1+1 = 12 18. Guntz 8.5-1-1 = 6.5 1. Tao 10+1+1 = 12 18. Amon 4.5+1+1 = 6.5 5. Lowe 9+1+1 = 11 20. Vankar 6.5-1+1 = 6.5 5. Khris 9+1+1 = 11 20. Ernest 6+1-1 = 6 5. Ken 9+1+1 = 11 20. Arthur 6-1+1 = 6 5. Luke 9+1+1 = 11 23. Torasu 5.5+1-1 = 5.5 9. Diane 8+1+1 = 10 24. Gong 5-1+1 = 5 10. Musashi 10-1+0 = 9 24. Bleu 5+1-1 = 5 10. Anri 8+0+1 = 9 26. Kokichi 4.5-1+1 = 4.5 12. Zylo 7.5+0+1 = 8.5 27. Lyle 6-1-1 = 4 12. Balbaroy 6.5+1+1 = 8.5 27. Adam 4+1-1 = 4 14. Hanzou 10-1-1 = 8 29. Domingo 4-1-1 = 2 14. Alef 8+1-1 = 8 30. Jogurt 00 Remarks: Note that Musashi received a +0 bonus due to him being late in the game but he is so insanely strong it does not matter. Anri and Zylo received +0 on being hidden due to them being found almost on purpose as the story dictates. Guntz received a -1 due to his low move and the lack of move increasing items untill later in the game. Ernest, Lyle, Bleu, and Domingo all received a -1 due to them joining rather late and being such a low level (as described above in their review). Below however, is the suggested team for any new player. The Easy Dozen 1. Max 2. Hans 3. Pelle 4. Ken 5. Khris 6. Tao 7. Diane 8. Luke 9. Anri 10. Zylo 11. Balbaroy {Replace with Musashi} 12. Gort Remarks: The above team ranks very high in easiness to use, as well as all are required characters except for Anri/Zylo (who are very easy to find) and Gort and Musashi (who are more complex but barely so). There is balance in casting and fighting. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The following section contains some charts comparing stats Note, I'm leaving these in, but these are largely useless due a better understanding of the game and how level up mechanics work ------------------------------ A. Unpromoted Average Growth | ------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------- Character - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP ---------------------------------------------------- Max - 0.8 - 0.15 - 0.4 - 0.6 - 0.69 - 4.84 Ken - 0.69 - 00 - 0.31 - 0.61 - 0.52 - 4.32 Mae - 0.62 - 00 - 0.33 - 0.46 - 0.49 - 4.22 Arthur - 1.25 - 0.58 - 0.49 - 0.85 - 0.99 - 6.5 Pelle - 0.32 - 00 - 0.05 - 0.18 - 0.36 - 2.583 Vankar - 0.22 - 00 - 0.18 - 0.30 - 0.48 - 3.25 Ernest - 0.2 - 00 - 0.11 - 0.33 - 0.55 - 3.25 Guntz - 0.33 - 00 - 0.22 - 0.49 - 0.19 - 3.42 Luke - 0.62 - 00 - 0.19 - 0.45 - 0.55 - 3.89 Gort - 0.61 - 00 - 0.28 - 0.52 - 0.66 - 4.05 Tao - 0.29 - 1.02 - 0.33 - 0.39 - 0.59 - 4.58 Anri - 0.24 - 0.73 - 0.49 - 0.34 - 0.41 - 4.53 Alef - 0.94 - 1.32 - 0.56 - 0.22 - 0.84 - 8.00 Lowe - 0.37 - 0.59 - 0.47 - 0.26 - 0.54 - 4.37 Khris - 0.43 - 0.46 - 0.45 - 0.47 - 0.44 - 4.3 Torasu - 0.4 - 1.63 - 0.88 - 0.26 - 0.62 - 6.5 Gong - 0.44 - 0.59 - 0.71 - 0.7 - 0.4 - 5.47 Hans - 0.38 - 00 - 0.29 - 0.57 - 0.29 - 3.26 Diane - 0.35 - 00 - 0.22 - 0.61 - 0.33 - 3.71 Lyle - 0.56 - 00 - 0.18 - 0.76 - 0.56 - 4.00 Balbaroy - 0.3 - 00 - 0.24 - 0.26 - 0.49 - 3.33 Amon - 0.63 - 00 - 0.41 - 0.31 - 0.41 - 4.2 Kokichi - 0.39 - 00 - 0.19 - 0.38 - 0.50 - 3.486 Bleu - 0.61 - 00 - 0.59 - 0.45 - 0.61 - 5.36 Zylo - 0.16 - 00 - 0.33 - 0.35 - 0.68 - 3.72 Adam - 0.31 - 00 - 0.51 - 1.18 - 0.63 - 5.8 ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- B. Average Promoted Growth | ---------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------- Character - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP ---------------------------------------------------- Max - 1.35 - 0.04 - 0.36 - 0.89 - 1.58 - 7.52 Ken - 1.15 - 00 - 0.34 - 1.13 - 1.46 - 7.789 Mae - 1.86 - 00 - 0.25 - 0.92 - 1.78 - 8.42 Arthur - 1.88 - 0.42 - 0.37 - 1.42 - 1.72 - 10.16 Pelle - 1.37 - 00 - 0.35 - 0.79 - 2.04 - 8.11 Vankar - 1.31 - 00 - 0.25 - 1.17 - 1.69 - 8.00 Ernest - 1.23 - 00 - 0.33 - 1.14 - 1.98 - 8.63 Guntz - 1.22 - 00 - 0.26 - 1.90 - 1.11 - 8.68 Luke - 1.14 - 00 - 0.54 - 1.58 - 1.51 - 9.16 Gort - 1.74 - 00 - 0.25 - 1.56 - 1.50 - 8.95 Tao - 1.37 - 1.33 - 0.19 - 0.72 - 1.75 - 9.68 Anri - 0.93 - 1.04 - 0.91 - 0.93 - 1.41 - 9.47 Alef - 1.09 - 1.08 - 0.65 - 0.64 - 1.31 - 9.11 Domingo - 0.99 - 1.08 - 1.07 - 0.66 - 0.73 - 8.68 Lowe - 1.15 - 0.79 - 0.30 - 0.99 - 1.61 - 9.00 Khris - 1.09 - 0.91 - 0.47 - 1.21 - 1.27 - 9.00 Torasu - 1.39 - 1.02 - 0.52 - 1.32 - 1.15 - 8.95 Gong - 1.71 - 0.70 - 0.57 - 1.06 - 1.49 - 9.42 Hans - 1.67 - 00 - 0.19 - 0.93 - 1.41 - 7.68 Diane - 0.92 - 00 - 0.19 - 1.18 - 1.54 - 7.37 Lyle - 1.16 - 00 - 0.22 - 0.94 - 1.38 - 7.58 Balbaroy - 1.03 - 00 - 0.31 - 1.04 - 1.43 - 8.00 Amon - 1.26 - 00 - 0.33 - 1.09 - 1.78 - 8.37 Kokichi - 1.20 - 00 - 0.20 - 0.91 - 1.34 - 7.63 Bleu - 2.35 - 00 - 0.77 - 1.92 - 1.64 - 10.42 Zylo - 1.55 - 00 - 1.02 - 0.94 - 1.75 - 9.89 Musashi - 1.80 - 00 - 0.63 - 1.71 - 0.77 - 9.40 Adam - 1.82 - 00 - 0.97 - 1.72 - 1.33 - 10.05 Hanzou - 1.41 - 1.46 - 0.25 - 1.43 - 1.48 - 8.00 ---------------------------------------------------- --------------------- C. Level 20+ Growth | --------------------- Remarks: I was curious as to how the number generator worked for the beyond level 20 levels ups (as well as get Domingo to 26). So I leveled up the casters (to see if they learned more spells later) and recorded the stats below. However, due to a virus and my computer crashing, I lost that Save State. This document was thankfully backed up. Oh, and so far I can tell nobody save Domingo learns anything that late. Max Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 21 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 03 - 10 22 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 03 - 10 23 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 24 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 25 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 03 - 10 26 - 0.4 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 0.2 - 0.4 - 03 - 10 27 - 0.4 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 0.6 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 28 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 02 - 10 29 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 02 - 10 30 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.5 - 0.3 - 02 - 10 Avg- 0.22- 0.22- 0.21- 0.26- 0.22- 2.7 Lowe Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 21 - 0.2 - 0.6 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 03 - 10 22 - 0.4 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 04 - 10 23 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 03 - 10 24 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 02 - 10 Avg- 0.3 - 0.25- 0.18- 0.25- 0.22- 3.0 Tao Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 21 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.6 - 03 - 10 22 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 23 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 03 - 10 Avg- 0.16- 0.2 - 0.26- 0.26- 0.33- 3.0 Gong Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 21 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.4 - 03 - 10 22 - 0.5 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 03 - 10 23 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 24 - 0.4 - 0.5 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 25 - 0.5 - 0.1 - 0.4 - 0.4 - 0.2 - 03 - 10 26 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.4 - 02 - 10 Avg- 0.32- 0.23- 0.3 - 0.46- 0.46- 2.83 Khris Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 21 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 0.4 - 0.2 - 0.5 - 03 - 10 22 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 23 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 0.4 - 03 - 10 24 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 0.0 - 0.5 - 02 - 10 25 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 0.4 - 03 - 10 26 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 02 - 10 27 - 0.4 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 03 - 10 28 - 0.5 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 29 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 0.2 - 02 - 10 30 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.6 - 0.5 - 04 - 10 Avg- 0.21- 0.14- 0.25- 0.2 - 0.31- 2.8 Anri Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 21 - 0.4 - 0.1 - 0.4 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 22 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 02 - 10 23 - 0.2 - 0.4 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 02 - 10 24 - 0.2 - 0.6 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 03 - 10 Avg- 0.22- 0.32- 0.3 - 0.25- 0.1 - 2.5 Arthur Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 21 - 0.4 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.5 - 0.3 - 03 - 10 22 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.4 - 0.1 - 02 - 10 23 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 0.1 - 02 - 10 24 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 0.6 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 25 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 03 - 10 26 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 02 - 10 27 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 03 - 10 Avg- 0.21- 0.14- 0.28- 0.31- 0.17- 2.57 Domingo Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 21 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 03 - 10 22 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 23 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.4 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 02 - 10 24 - 0.5 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 0.4 - 03 - 10 25 - 0.4 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 03 - 10 26 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 02 - 10 Avg- 0.32- 0.28- 0.22- 0.16- 0.22- 2.67 Alef Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 21 - 0.3 - 0.0 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 03 - 10 22 - 0.3 - 0.6 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 04 - 10 23 - 0.5 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.5 - 03 - 10 24 - 0.4 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 0.6 - 03 - 10 25 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.4 - 0.4 - 0.2 - 03 - 10 Avg- 0.34- 0.24- 0.26- 0.32- 0.34- 3.2 Torasu Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 21 - 0.5 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 03 - 10 22 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 0.4 - 0.1 - 03 - 10 23 - 0.5 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 04 - 10 24 - 0.4 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 0.5 - 0.4 - 04 - 10 25 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 02 - 10 26 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 02 - 10 27 - 0.3 - 0.5 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.0 - 03 - 10 Avg- 0.36- 0.26- 0.22- 0.24- 0.14- 3.0 Hanzou Lv - HP - MP - AT - DE - AG - TP - Samples 21 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.4 - 03 - 10 22 - 0.5 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.3 - 04 - 10 23 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 03 - 10 24 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.4 - 0.3 - 03 - 10 Avg- 0.28- 0.22- 0.22- 0.22- 0.32- 3.2 Remarks: It is obvious that playing further than level 20 on a genesis is an absolute waste of time, that the vast majority of level ups will be nothing gained. However, using save stats, it is clear that more often than not, one can still increase their stats marginally better. Let the record should show I never managed to get +2 in a stat, all the stat gains were simply +1. It would be (and was my goal) to see how the game would react once a particular stat (attack for example) reached 100. Life we know is given as question marks but no stat in the game other than that (besides the infinite magic of bosses) is over 100. At the time, Max had about 92 attack before my computer (and save stated file) crashed. Alas a dream lost. UPDATE: Having played the solo Max challenge, I have 2 interesting updates. (1) The game doesn't know how to handle more than 99 of a stat. Max had about 102 attack with the Chaos Breaker but the game read 99 attack Notice then that there is no point in having over 99 of a stat, the game truncuates it down to 99. My boosted Max (99+15) hit for the same as just regular 99 Max (2) It seems (no way to prove it) that when one hits level 40 promoted, they have almost an obnoxious amount of crits and double attacks. I mean my Max 3 shot the center head of Dark Dragon having done some 200 damage with a double attack and a critical hit ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------- | A Few Moogles | ----------------- [4000] Table of Contents for <>This<> Section I. Where oh where to level up II. Where to find Secret Characters III. Funny notes about the game IV. Rings, Consumables, oh my! Section I ----------------------------------------------------------------- | Elaborate discussion on the exuberance of leveling per battle | ----------------------------------------------------------------- This section can be used for nearly any run-through of the game minus a speed run. Chapter I Battle I Battle I is a good place to get everyone to around level 3, so that you can speed through to Chapter III without having to redo the next battles as they are much more a pain. Let it be known that there is little point to "overleveling" here though since Goblins start to give poor experience right away and Dark Dwarves cap pretty hard at 4. Battle II Thanks to the mountains, we will be not leveling here. Also Goblins give piss poor exp now. Battle III Could be a decent leveling battle, but as noted in Battle I; we get so many characters in these first few battles that it was wiser to get further before we 'choose' to redo a battle for exp. Battle IV See description for Battle III. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chapter II Battle V Desert =/= friendly, avoid redoing this battle at all costs Battle VI Half the monsters here are not netting us much exp; do this once Battle VII The puppets give decent experience to anyone who is lower than 5 (not likely) so it is wise to advance forth. Battle VIII Most of our weapons are rather bad at this point, making skeletons a pain to kill unless you are a mage. I suggest getting new weapons in the next chapter. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chapter III Battle IX This is a fairly good battle to level, but it has a longer set up and is a bit tedious. If you can wait until the end of chapter IV, I'd suggest that because that is one of the best battles to level Battle X The forest makes for a rough transition; as well as the previous battle put everyone to level 9 (at least). Plus we are getting 6 new characters literally in three battles. Move along Battle XI Silver Knights give good exp, too bad there's 2 of them and one is the boss. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chapter IV Battle XII This would seem to be a good battle for leveling, however; I dislike it as it takes several minutes to march across the field to meet Elliot's troops. As it is, we also get 2 more heroes after this and 1 more after the next battle, two of whom are joining at level 8 and will absolutely need some leveling. Battle XIII Again, this battle shares too many similarities with Battle XII to be 'worth' redoing. Battle XIV This is the ideal battle to redo until everyone is level 15. Close proximities to monsters means quick combat and the newly introduced Seabat offers us much exp; as well as Hellhounds/Silver Knights go down quickly yet give great exp for some reason. Considering as well the poorness of the next few battles, I suggest staying here. Consider that at level 13 they gain ~30 exp for killing Artillery. At 13, send them to fight sea bats, as they still get 48 at level 14 for killing them. Once everyone is around 15 or you have everyone at 14 and there aren't enough bats to go around anymore, move along. I got nearly everyone to 16; leaving a few randoms (to be used in the next few battles) at 15. Note this is also a great spot to level up Domingo at least until he learns Freeze II to make him more viable. Freeze III if you really feel like sitting around longer. On that same coin, if you aren't looking to 20/20 your team, this is a good spot to promote your team and get them up to around 3 (too high and the next chapter is a waste of space) but getting those few early levels can really smooth things out ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chapter V Battle XV Having maxed out our experience in the previous battle; and this battle having less than desired in the amount of units available for slaughter, and the length of time it takes them to come to us, don't repeat this Battle XVI This battle is slightly better than XV, however given that we get no new heroes this chapter and again; the maxing we just did, do this once Battle XVII At least this is the last battle in this horrid chapter. Make a note of these Gargoyles; as these will be what we promote off of. However, there's one now, more coming up, as well as 2 very low level people will be joining. Make quick work of this and move along ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chapter VI Battle XVIII See mountains and trees: what do? Like everything before, SKIP FORWARD Battle XIX This is the perfect battle to bring Lyle/Bleu from their pathetic levels up near yours. I find this is the best place to promote. Everyone is looking to new weapons; and golems give good experience right up to about level 19; at which point they need to kill 3 golems and they're level 20. Once promoted everything gives gobs of experience. Once everyone is level 8 promoted, I was good to go. Note that Durahans/Dullahans give 48 exp on death, however there are only 2 of them, they have crazy Defense, and Kane/Cain will engage you if you fight them. Battle XX Holy hell. This is probably the single most annoying battle in the game; like the desert on steroids. I would suggest using fliers for this battle Battle XXI This is not a bad area to level. However, given the fact we recently promoted and it takes a considerable amount of time to get back to this place, I would do this only once. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chapter VII Battle XXII Another rough area, with terribad movement; note you pick up Musashi here, although he will probably hardly need 'leveling' Battle XXIII Not a bad place to level; however it takes a bit of time to manuever about as well as Alef/Torasu join right after this so I would discourage doing it too many times Battle XXIV Not a bad place to try and level; except you will be bumrushed by Chaos who is simply impossible to ignore. Battle XXV A possible battle to redo; except in 2 battles we have the single best battle to level ever. Also, Adam sucks balls at this point, don't try to do anything with him until Battle XXVII ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chapter VIII Battle XXVI Obviously don't forget to grab the treasure first; but then beat the enemies with a vengeance. The next battle is the best place to level in nearly any game. Battle XXVII THIS is the best place to level in the entire game. You are face with rows of Torch Eyes and Steel Claws. 'But but, these things can deal 20 unblockable damage and kill us very quickly!!' Yes my son, but these Robots give 48 experience upon death until you hit ~level 40 promoted. This is the absolute best place to level people up (Adam) until you are at your desired level; and then you can battle the next 3 battles without having to redo them. For the purpose of THIS faq; this is the ideal battle to get people to even levels for comparison purposes. Battle XXVIII This battle; if you somehow missed it's predecessor, you should focus on winning the game as opposed to dingl-ing around trying to level up more Battle XXIX This is the second to last battle in the game, not ideal for 'leveling' Battle XXX This is against Dark Dragon and the last battle in the game. Why oh why Section II ------------------------------ | Finding all the Characters | ------------------------------ If you're here, then you have not played the game enough to know where all the characters are in need of guidance. Never fear; this is a straight-forward section to say when people should join and how many people you should have before/after each battle. I know there is currently a guide on gamefaqs that is a "hidden character guide" but in my opinion it hurts my eyes as well as some of the information is flat-wrong. So hopefully this helps out Note that characters marked # you cannot miss ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chapter I -Game Starts : Battle I- #Max - you gain automatically #Lowe, Tao, Luke, Hans, Ken - all join after talking to the king (which the story dicates so no worries about accidently triggering the glitch) I call it a glitch, it's more of a sequence-break. There's a blonde-haired guy near the gate to leave town who wanders. You can block him with Max and try to get him to wander down and actually block the guards from blocking Max, allowing you to leave town early -Battle I : Battle II- Gong - Egress, go to the small cabin on the side and talk to him -joins -Battle II : Battle III- Gort - Talk to him after completing Battle II - joins #Mae - Watch Kain/Cain kill Varios -Battle III : Battle IV- #Khris - Joins after you get thrown in jail ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chapter II -Battle V : Battle VI- Anri - After talking to her, you must find her in the tower later otherwise it is possible to miss her - joins Domingo - There's a weird monster looking thing on the first floor, search it to receive Domingo egg -Battle VI : Battle VII- Arthur - Talk to him before doing Battle VII - joins -Battle VII : Battle VIII- Nothing! -Battle VIII : Battle IX- #Amon and Balbaroy join at the conclusion of the chapter *Note, many people think you have to talk to Guntz here. Similar to Gort, that check was never put into place. Guntz is waiting for you in chapter 4 regardless if you went to see him or not! The only person you actively have to do things for to recruit later is Kokichi (search his machine then talk) less he doesn't show up. Technically, Zylo requires Lunar Dew and Domingo requires the Egg, but those are easy enough ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chapter III -Battle VIII : Battle IX- Diane - talk to her Mom, then her, she joins and leads you to Battle IX -Battle IX : Battle X- Zylo - stand in front of him and use Lunar Dew which you make from the Moon Stone that you get in Battle VIII - joins Kokichi - find him in his house (main level of Bustoke, most left house), search his machine, then talk to him. He'll ask to show it off and you just have to go outside and watch him crash it -Battle XI : Battle XII- #Pelle will join at the conclusion of Chapter III ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chapter IV -Battle XI : Battle XII- Jogurt - Before Pao leaves, go to the Priest in the northwest corner; there's a slight space betweeen the table and the wall, walk through and up to see Jogurt sit up. Once he's done that you have acquired him - joins Kokichi - As soon as Pao leaves Kokichi flies to you - joins Vankar - Walk around the area after Pao leaves and he's standing there - joins -Battle XII : Battle XIII- Domingo - There's a man near the weapon shop guy who will warm up 'weird' eggs for you - joins Guntz - Is in the sheeps pen - joins -Battle XIII : Battle XIV- #Ernest will join you as you walk forward to progress the story -Battle XIV : Battle XV- Nothing! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From here on out, there's nothing 'huge' to do to find a character; they are straight forward. Chapter V Nothing! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chapter VI Lyle - find him in the tower in Rudo on the western side of town -joins #Bleu will join before you fight Cain/Kane ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chapter VII Musashi - after getting thrown in jail, search/read the small card and he will join with little notice #Alef and Torasu cannot be missed #Adam - prior to the battle with Chaos, talk to him, then talk to the fountain and he will lead you to Chaos. At this point, you don't see him again but he has joined. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chapter VIII Hanzou - near the entrance of the town (east side) there is something sticking in a bush; search it to find the ninja Section III ------------------------------ | Funny Notes about the game | ------------------------------ This section is meant entirely for comic relief before I get to the boring stuff hardly anyone reads. It in fact, will have some funny tid bits about characters, but other random things I found amusing that other guides may or may not include here. But as this is an 'advanced' character guide, I feel the need to include them as they pertain to the characters (be it alot or hardly). Frequently Asked Questions will also be included at the end ----------------------- | Funny Spell Effects | ----------------------- Cast Quick on a character; however if you are seizure-prone I advise you avoid doing this as the result not only gives the target bonus stats, but causes their in-battle sprite to move at about 10x frames per second (assuming that their battle sprite moves) Muddle is worthless Desoul, Dispell, Sleep, and Slow almost always miss Bats can sleep someone who's sleeping already Despite the fact it's called 'Agility' characters gain 'Speed' Spells can critical, but it seems to be a random number from 1.25 to 2 times in strength. There is also no seeming pattern. In SFII, casting status enhancing spells would net 10 exp per target for the caster (allowing those with boost to reach obscenely high levels) but in SFI, Shield/Boost/Quick only nets 1 exp For any challenge that lacks a good healer, the White Ring (with save states) can be used almost indefinitely as Aura II --------------------------- | Funny Character Effects | --------------------------- Max is the primary target of the enemy. As such, you can abuse this and laugh in the face of the enemy by putting an overleveled full-health Max near the enemy to have them attack him instead of the near-death target that would have been destroyed. Domingo likewise shares this attribute with Max. Tao can be quite the scarlet-women. In Chapter III, in the cave in which you find the moonstone, you can find a dress that will affect her map sprite Anri likewise has a swim-suit hidden in the game. In Chapter III against the Laser Eye, it is hidden in the area near where the archers are held up. Know that this is 100x harder to find due to the fact you must in-battle search as the battle ends when you defeat the Silver Knight. Mae, at least for me, is the 'miss' champion. I doubt there is actually any way to prove this, but I swear she missed at least 50% more than any other character, -ever- Lowe, in general, is the 'zero' champion; meaning that in each of his 10 trials of levels per level, he wins as he had the most times where "Lowe gains a level!" but does not actually gain any stats. It is a near tie though with Ernest and Vankar. Cain/Kane has some sort of identity crisis. In battle he is Cain, but is referred to everywhere else as Kain. Most bosses, save Darksol and Dark Dragon, have magic resistance (see the spell section of this guide). For some reason, the end-game bosses are completely vulnerable to spells. Again with bosses; they give reduced experience unless you kill them. A normal hit against a normal unit may net 25 experience, but against a boss it would net 7 experience. It's like an experience resistance although this is likely due to bosses having elevated HP totals meaning you do proportionally less damage and thus gain less EXP The boat you are on in chapter 5, doesn't it look awfully similar to the one that is burned down in chapter 2? High Priests come with a holy staff. However, often times they will not have it equipped. Similarly, Demon Masters don't have weapons in Chaos The shop keepers are incredibly odd. Whenever you sell something to them, they say something along the lines of "it's mine, all mine" even though you generally are selling them back worse items, or at least items they already sell The dragon-head in Alterone; is unsearchable until you finish battle IV, which suggests that while you're defeating Cain/Kane's army, the King had this secret tunnel built What's the game's obsession with Barons? You have a Wolf Baron, Steam Baron and then there's Bow Masters, Sky Lords, very odd Similarly, the game gives Dark Priests more magic points than they are capable of using. Heal I costs 3 but they don't have a multiple of 3 For a funny glitch, move someone with the move ring. Then, once at max distance, unequip it and try to move more. You'll notice that not only can you not move, but you can't access the selection screen again. It doesn't crash or anything, but it does require you hit 'B' to reset your move as you cannot re-equip it once you've cleared your selection screen. ----------------- | Item Glitches | ----------------- I am not going to touch on any of the useless items thought to exist in the game. As of June 1, 2011, there has been no use to date known for any of the items ranging from a gun to a pistol to some sort of box known to exist in code-breakers only found in the games data. As I have neither found nor desire to waste my time experimenting with what on earth the creators were thinking when they put them in here; they are excluded from here. Along those lines, refrain from asking me about them. ------------------------------------------- Section IV, Rings and Stat increasing items ------------------------------------------- I've received a number of requests regarding this so here goes, an addition of a new section to talk about these. First, let's do a quick rundown of WHERE these things are. RINGS Quick Ring | In Chapter 2 at Ribble, the most right house in the second row of houses in the chest Power Ring | In the lower right treasure chest in battle 6 (2-2), the cave under Manarina Mobility | In Chapter 5 in Waral, it's the most left chest of 5 behind the shops White Ring | In Chapter 6 in Demon Castle, it's in the topright chest Black Ring | In Chapter 6 in Demon Castle, it's in the topleft chest Evil Ring | In Chapter 6 in Demon Castle, it's in the most-left chest Yogurt Ring is found if Jogurt defeats an enemy STAT ITEMS Power Potion (3) After 1-2, it's the top chest on the left side in the treasury After 1-3, push the cart into the woman and get knocked in the water In Chapter 6 in Demon Castle, it's the lower right chest Defense Potion (4) After 1-2, it's the top chest on the right side in the treasury After 1-3, it's the bottom chest on the left side in the treasury In the Circus Tent, it's the top right chest In Chapter 5, it's in the chests on the right side by the King in Waral Bread of Life (3) After 1-3, it's the top chest on the left side in the treasury In Pao 1, it's in the chest near the weapon seller In Chapter 5, it's in the chests on the right side by the King in Waral Legs of Haste (1) In Pao 2, it's the rightmost chest near Queen Koron Turbo Pepper (1) After 7-1, it's in the chest right before 7-2 WHAT do these things do? RINGS Quick Ring grants +4 speed when equipped and uses Egress as an item Power Ring grants +4 attack when equipped and casts Boost as an item Mobility Ring grants +2 movement when equipped White Ring grants +6 Defense when equipped and casts Aura 2 as an item Black Ring grants +6 attack when equipped and casts Blaze 2 as an item Evil Ring grants +8 attack when equipped and casts Bolt 3 as an item Yogurt Ring turns the characters sprite into Jogurt *Both the Black and Evil Rings are cursed. While cursed, the hero cannot un-equip the Ring and may take damage after they've performed an action. NOTE! The Black Ring has a chance to stun as well, meaning the hero misses their action instead. The Evil Ring (and Lance) will not stun STAT ITEMS Power Potion grants 1-2 attack Defense Potion grants 1-2 defense Bread of Life grants 1-2 hit points Quick Chicken grants 1-2 speed Turbo Pepper grants 1-2 movement *None of these upgrades stay once promoted. All characters promote to a set stat amount, meaning that regardless of their stats before promotion, they are now a set amount based on the level they were promoted at. This holds true for movement as well, despite no class changing their movement after promotion (like Peter gaining +1 movement with his promotion in SF2), they would lose the benefits of the Turbo Pepper WHO should be using these? RINGS The QUICK Ring is an interesting Ring. Regarded by many as garbage, it's actually very powerful and allows for some of the higher-level abuses in the game, the double turn. Now, in its essence, the Quick Ring allows a slower hero to take their turns more quickly by having +4 Speed. Often, people like Khris, Gort, and Luke would require this item, whereas later people like Bleu, Musashi, or Adam would need it. The double turn is something we see more practical earlier in the game though it still holds up later on. The idea is that by moving and EQUIPPING the Ring yields a higher location in the turn order (which is determined by the last character to move) they can move again before nearby enemies get to move, thus bypassing their effect completely. At the end of the game, giving it to your fastest character means you can almost always have access to Egress to escape sticky situations. The POWER Ring is the best Ring for most of the game. It's +4 attack can elevate someone to dealing better damage, or now OHKOing the enemy. Early, it allows weaker people like Arthur or Hans to deal extra damage, helping them gain more EXP. However, its TRUE power comes from the active, casting Attack on someone for +15 attack. This amount early often means for a OHKO and netting tons of EXP. This lets you defeat strong enemies much more easily. Be warned as it can crack and that would be bad if it was destroyed too early. Later, it's outclassed by the Evil Ring and having Tao or Domingo cast Attack The MOBILITY Ring will become the most useful Ring once you have it. As MOVE is a resource not easily modified; it's clear that there are only 2 items in the game that do so. It can give a Birdman or Knight 9 movement which is basically the entire television screen. It allows Guntz or Adam to not be stuck at 4 movement. Other people like Musashi or Bleu can feel more useful. It should go on whomever you think needs it most. The WHITE Ring is our first restricted Ring as only the HERO and VICARS can equip it. The +6 Defense makes it unique as the only defense boosting Ring in SF1. Generally people have it on Max but there is nothing wrong with giving it to a Healer instead (the Healer gains EXP from using it whereas Max does not). The active component is very nice as well. If given to Lowe, he becomes a viable healer as he now has access to Aura 2. You get it before Torasu knows Aura 2 as well, and you may not have Khris, meaning you now have that increased healing range when you really start to need it as well: dealing with BOLT 2 from Mishaela. The BLACK Ring like the EVIL Ring are restricted as well. You need to use what I call "heavy duty" weapons in order to equip/use them. No bows or staves here, these are for swords and knights, but not even Birdmen! Basically these are for Max, Gladiators, Knights, Musashi, and Hanzou. I don't believe I left anyone off that list. The Black Ring is not as good. The chance to be stunned makes equipping it pointless. However, the active is nice as it can provide a ranged attack option to someone like Musashi. AOE spells are also handy. The Evil Ring is the best Ring in the game until Alef learns Bolt 3 basically. Bolt 3 is VERY powerful, hitting a HUGE AOE for 20+ damage. In SF1, the enemy health totals never get that bad until Chimaera and Dragons, meaning that 20+ damage more or less kills its targets. Combined then with the HUGE +8 attack bonus, this is a great item to throw on a frontliner. A Knight, Gladiator, or even Musashi can use this to very much success. I like to put it on Kokichi myself as he can fly and use it, making another useful flying caster. STAT ITEMS As is the case with all stat items in SF1, waiting until after promotion is ideal. However, sometimes we need to use them early. Let's look at when we might want to be using these. Chapter 1, we have access to two Def, one Pow, and one Bread. The Power Water at this point is pointless to use, as even +2 attack isn't going to make or break anybody. The defensive items though, could easily go to Max, who is very vulnerable and prone to dying. Even worst case rolls for +2 Def and +1 HP makes him significantly stronger. I do try to hand onto my Bread though to use on Anri in Chapter 2, as she may start with just 8 or 9 HP and die to a single Blaze 2. We do pick up a second Power Potion here towards the end, again though I would likely hang onto it unless you think using them would boost someone into OHKOing Bats as there are a lot of Bats in Chapter 2. Chapter 2, we gain only one Def potion. If Max is feeling weak, use it before Shade Abbey, otherwise wait. Chapter 3, we gain nothing new here. Some use their Power Potions on Balbs though I would save Power Potions until after promotion. Chapter 4, we gain our only Legs of Haste as well another Bread of Life. At this point, bonus speed is kinda pointless so I would save it until Chapter 7 to see whom you could boost above Torch Eyes speed. The extra Bread of Life, just like in Chapter 5, I would save as well to push people into thresholds more favorable for Torch Eyes (22, 44, 66, etc) as the Torch Eyes tend to do between 18-20 damage, having above those thresholds means you will almost always take 2 hits instead of 1 Chapter 5, we gain the last Def and Bread. The Defense Potion is best to go to Max or Domingo at this point, though again, after promotion. Ideally, waiting until Chapter 7 is pretty good as well (Jets) Chapter 6, we get the last Power Potion at the end here. Along with our other 2 now, these are best to use after promotion and around level 10 on someone who needs it. The reason to wait to use them is that using them early could affect their growth. Chapter 7, we get our only Turbo Pepper. This one above all others, you must save for as we want the +2. I use it on Musashi, though, using it on any person you want to move further (I listed some earlier) really helps. I realize these aren't Characters, but they are things that involve them so hopefully this answers any questions you may have OTHER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS THAT I'VE RANDOMLY ACCUMULATED Q. Why are the Archers so bad in this game (and in SF2?) A. It all depends on how you're using them. Admittedly, Archers are not as strong nor are they able to receive as much punishment as other characters such as Knights or Warriors, but that doesn't make them worthless. We often overlook other features of characters such as movement and range, and that's where Archers specialize in, specifically once you acquire Elven Arrows and they gain that extra range for their attack. Their damage isn't meant to break the toughest enemies (until later) but they can get in the back and hurt the weak and annoying enemies that you otherwise can't reach until you defeat the stronger enemies. In some cases, those enemies can be really bad news. Archers also can move well through woods unlike other classes, and furthermore, there is no real limit on how many Archers can attack an enemy, but at most 4 melee people can. You just have to think a little more about battle strategy and not always brute forcing things. Q. Can you explain the level ups? A. I already have, but this is a very common question so here's the short version. In SF1, characters are reaching a mountain top that is rather pre-determined by the programmers already. Their journey to the top will differ most of the time though. That's why you may get no stats but then turn around and get +5 or even +10 in a stat. Q. Doesn't that make it a worse game than SF2? A. Both games have different leveling systems and neither is better or worse. As explained earlier, SF2 has an interesting dynamic of early levels versus later levels as each additional level means so much less since those points are adding very little to the bigger pool. On the flipside, 1 level in SF1 rarely means that much, but looking at 3 levels often provides huge results. Even going off that idea, 3 levels later in SF2 still really aren't a huge deal since again, that pool keeps getting bigger and even adding 10 to it doesn't really provide a huge influx. Q. Which game is better? A. From a technical standpoint, SF2 is a better game. It has better and more colorful graphics, alongside a richer and deeper storyline with overall better mechanics across the board that "fit" how most adventure games work. Things like Archers reducing evasion of flying enemies both make sense thematically but also provide an additional use for them. However, I find that I prefer SF1 for repeated playthroughs. Here are some of my reasons: -I find the music to be better, in general. SF2 has some great music and themes but SF1 has some of the best battle music that never really gets old -I enjoy that you get a large team quickly. It allows for better diversifying as you can choose your team more easily. In SF2, your team slowly adds up and it punishes later joiners as any repeating you've done has put them at a disadvantage. Plus, your second healer is a long way after you start the game (actually the same time you get another mage but you only get one) and that to me is annoying -I find SF1 to have memorable characters. Sure, SF2 has some interesting folks but usually for the wrong reasons. Many people can't even name them all since most are so forgettable. Who uses Janet, Higins, Rick, or Skreech? Who knows who Taya is? Why bother with Claude? Is Zynk worth it? Is there any point to grabbing Eric or Randolf over Karna or Tyrin? The game offers much less flex in your gameplay since you have such a smaller pool until way later into the game. SF1 on the otherhand, has characters that are easily and readily identifiable. Maybe they aren't all good, but you know who Ken or Lowe is. The birds are easy to recognize. Jogurt is a meme. Musashi is strong. Like, it's hard to explain, but it just feels better. -Lastly, and this is from a speedrunning perspective, SF1 is a lot easier to play on repeat due to less story. I can play and reset 4 or 5 times in SF1 and only have wasted an hour. For SF2, it's a lot more tedious. The front half of the game is loaded with cutscenes and story, and while it makes for a good time, it gets tedious when you're watching Astral battle the Gizmo for the 700th time in a row. If I reset 4 or 5 times in SF2, I've either not gotten past the Gizmo battle, or my day is pretty much drained since most resets happen in 7 minutes, or 2 hours, versus SF1 having most resets within the first 20 minutes (more often, the first 5 or 6). Q. Can you explain turn order and speed? A. I'll try. Faster characters get their turns sooner. But having a higher speed doesn't guarantee anything unless you are noticeably faster. We don't know the exact formula, but we know a 22 speed Max can outturn Mishaela if you tweak the circumstances and she's super fast, so yeah. In SF2, your speed can be modified by 12.5% positively or negatively, allowing for randomness in turn order. In SF1, we don't know the number, but it's likely 25 or 30%, it's pretty high. Anyway, the last character that goes is when the next turns order is calculated. Everybody's speed is plugged into their formula and a new "seed" is spit out and that's what the game uses to calculate the turn order. For instance, in battle 1, who goes first more often? The Rune Knight, Hans, and Tao, right? Who often goes last? Luke, Max, and Dark Dwarves. They can go sooner, but again, faster people tend to go sooner. If you're ever in a bad spot trying to "get good turn order" you have to save the game on your last character's turn, then you can reset until you get what you want. It's something we do in the speedrun at certain points. Q. Why is it so hard to hit ____? A. Really, I don't know. Flying units have about a 25% dodge rate I think, again, in SF2 we know the number for fliers is 1 in 8, or 12.5% (Archers lower that number to 1 in 32 when attacking, the base evasion for all units). Some people have said 50%, I don't believe it's that high, but it seems more than 1 in 8. At the same time, bosses have elevated evasion except Dark Dragon who just has tons of life. This is likely due to how they programmed most things in general. Since bosses regenerate and have high evasion, it's very hard to "cheese" them with ranged attacks, and against Mishaela and her puppet, it's impossible since they have magic. Colossus moves and chases you! But in the end, it's a difficulty curve. Things don't get much life in this game, so certain aspects were made harder to give you a harder time, is my best guess If you think of anything else, hit me up on here or on twitch. Even though this is the "finaler" version, I'm not abandoning it ever. Too much time has been put into this to not keep it looking nice. --------------- | Boring Crap | --------------- [5000] This section is where I do acknowledgements/copyright/stuff everyone skips over but if you do not have it Gamefaqs scowls at you *.* -------------- | Copyrights | -------------- This is copyright me, Todd Lesinski AKA NoWorries. As such, you cannot use copy any part of this guide and claim it as your own. I'm not a stickler so long you make a reference somewhere saying that this guide was so helpful for whatever purpose you are using this for that would be great. If you are a cheat bastard then may a ball-eating plague be struck upon you and all consequent men in your family until you right this wrong. ----------- | Contact | ----------- If you feel the need to contact me about ANYTHING pertaining to THIS guide; you may contact me at (AT) [.] tskisoccer@yahoo.com PLEASE PLEASE in the title of the e-mail put SFI GUIDE; where then in the body of your email you can put your praises/concerns/blasphemy. If it does not follow that format it will probably get deleted and your e-mail blocked. Cool? -------------------- | Acknowledgements | -------------------- GameFaqs - for hosting this guide so that others may use it unflinchingly Myself - for doing writing this as well as doing all the tests myself My brother - for listening to me on end talk about this guide for hours upon end ehow22 - for small corrections and sending me the link to Trent's work Trent - for his work at shiningforcecentral.com, I was able to make this guide even better than before. I doubt he'll ever see this, but whoever you are, thank you You the reader - For reading this guide and making it through this Camelot Software Planning and Sega - obviously, for making the game TTTTTTTTT H H EEEEE EEEEE N N DD !! !! !! T H H E E NN N D D !! !! !! T HHHHH EEE EEE N N N D D !! !! !! T H H E E N NN D D !! !! !! T H H EEEEE EEEEE N N DD oo oo oo Thanks for reading, hope you learned something! If you've made it this far, you've read 8212 lines and some 378740 characters! End Text