The Ultimate Suikoden 2 Tier List: Ranking the Best Characters in the Game

Suikoden 2, released in 1999 for the PlayStation, is a tactical role-playing game that has become a cult classic among gamers. The game is known for its engaging storyline, memorable characters, and addictive gameplay. With a large cast of characters to recruit and battle with, it's essential to know which ones are the most powerful and useful. In this article, we'll provide a comprehensive Suikoden 2 tier list, ranking the best characters in the game.

Understanding the Tier List System

Before we dive into the tier list, let's explain the system we'll be using. We'll be ranking characters based on their stats, skills, and overall usefulness in battle. The tiers will be divided into five categories:

  • S-Tier: The best of the best, characters that excel in multiple areas and are essential to any team.
  • A-Tier: Strong characters that have some limitations but are still incredibly useful.
  • B-Tier: Average characters that have some strengths but also weaknesses.
  • C-Tier: Weaker characters that may still have some niche uses but are generally not recommended.
  • D-Tier: The weakest characters in the game, best avoided unless you have a specific strategy in mind.

Suikoden 2 Tier List

Here's our Suikoden 2 tier list, ranking the best characters in the game:

D-Tier: The Benchwarmers

Do not invest time here. Use them as convoy slaves or castle guards.

  • Mukumuku – The wild squirrel. Cute, but does 20 damage at level 60. Hard pass.
  • Connell – Recruited from the dance competition. He plays a flute. It does nothing.
  • Gantetsu – High strength, but his accuracy is so low he misses stationary walls.
  • Yam Koo – Two swords, no damage. His unique rune is bugged in some versions. Leave him in Tinto.

11-13. The "Unite Squads" (Freed, Yoshino, Amada, etc.)

  • There are several characters who are mediocre alone but become powerhouses when paired. Freed and Yoshino are a prime example. Their unite attack deals massive damage, making them viable for boss fights, but individually, their stats are forgettable.

The Ultimate Suikoden II Tier List: Ranking the 108 Stars (and Then Some)

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Suikoden II is not just a JRPG; it is a cultural touchstone. For many of us, it represents the pinnacle of the 32-bit era—a game with a political story that hit hard, a castle that felt like a living home, and a roster of 108 recruitable characters that ranged from washouts to gods of war.

But let’s be honest: recruiting all 108 Stars is a pain, and leveling them all up is impossible in a single playthrough. If you are planning a playthrough—whether it’s your first or your twentieth—you want to know who is worth the inventory space and who is destined to sit on the bench in Toran Castle.

I have spent far too many hours optimizing runes, testing unite attacks, and analyzing speed stats. I have categorized the Stars based on their utility in PvE (Standard Play), Boss Killing, and Availability.

Here is the definitive Suikoden II Tier List.

D-Tier

  • Horacio: A very weak fighter with extremely low HP and defense, Horacio is best avoided.
  • Baldo: A character with very low HP and defense, Baldo is not useful in battle.

Honorable Mentions

  • Eike: A character with good HP and defense but low attack power, Eike has some niche uses but is generally not recommended.
  • Kara: A character with good attack power but low defense, Kara is a bit of a glass cannon.

Tips for Building a Strong Team

When building a team in Suikoden 2, it's essential to consider a few things:

  • Balance: Make sure your team has a good balance of physical and magical attackers, as well as defenders.
  • Support: Consider characters with support abilities, such as healing or buffing.
  • Type: Consider the types of enemies you'll be facing and build a team that can counter them.

Conclusion

Suikoden 2 is a classic game with a large cast of characters to recruit and battle with. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each character, you can build a strong team and conquer the game. Our Suikoden 2 tier list provides a comprehensive ranking of the best characters in the game, from the incredibly powerful S-Tier characters to the weaker D-Tier characters. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the game, this tier list will help you make informed decisions about which characters to recruit and which to leave behind.

FAQs

  • Q: What is the best character in Suikoden 2? A: Lloyd, Alberich, and Rex are generally considered to be among the strongest characters in the game.
  • Q: How do I recruit characters in Suikoden 2? A: Characters can be recruited by talking to them, completing quests, or defeating them in battle.
  • Q: What is the most challenging part of Suikoden 2? A: The most challenging part of Suikoden 2 is often considered to be the late-game battles against the game's toughest enemies.

Beyond the 108: The Definitive Suikoden II Combat Tier List Building a party in Suikoden II isn't just about collecting all 108 Stars of Destiny—it's about optimizing rune slots, weapon ranges, and stat growth to turn your team into a boss-shredding machine. Whether you’re preparing for the final showdown at L'Renouille or just want to breeze through the Dunan Unification War, understanding which characters truly shine is essential. The S-Tier: The Gods of Dunan

These characters are undisputed powerhouses. Their primary advantage is having three open rune slots, allowing for the "broken" physical setup: a Fury Rune, Double-Beat Rune, and Double-Strike Rune.