Suikoden+2+tier+list -
Suikoden II , character strength is generally determined by a combination of base stats, the number of open rune slots (up to 3), and their unique fixed runes. The game’s "meta" often revolves around physical powerhouses who can equip high-damage rune combinations like Fury + Double-Beat + Double-Strike S-Tier: The Powerhouses
These characters are the absolute best for endgame content due to high damage potential and versatility.
: Often cited as the strongest physical attacker when equipped with the Fury/Double-Beat/Double-Strike combo due to his three open rune slots and high stats.
: The premier mage of the game. Despite low defense, his massive Magic stat and high-level spell slots make him a boss-melting machine. Georg Prime
: Boasts the highest base attack power in the game. Even without complex rune setups, his raw physical strength and speed make him a top-tier recruit.
: A versatile fighter with three open rune slots, allowing him to match the damage output of with the right setup : A late-game powerhouse mage who rivals in magical destruction, often used for final boss battles A-Tier: High Utility & Reliable Damage
These characters are excellent additions to any team and often provide unique utility or strong consistent damage. Riou (Hero) : While his strength is balanced, his unique Bright Shield Rune provides indispensable healing and high-damage AOE spells.
: A reliable "tanky" physical hitter with high HP and base attack. He is a mainstay for much of the game. : Similar to
but with better magical capability, often specializing in Thunder magic
: While not the strongest in combat, his presence in the party allows for double movement speed on the world map, making him a "utility S-tier" for many players.
: A top-tier long-range mage/fighter hybrid with three rune slots, providing great flexibility from the backline. B-Tier: Solid but Specialized
These characters are effective but may be outclassed by the tiers above or require specific setups to shine.
Suikoden II characters with three Rune slots, such as Killey and Mazus, dominate the S-tier due to high damage output, while high-HP units like Viktor and versatile mages like Luc provide top-tier utility. Optimal party building emphasizes equipping characters with Fury and Double-Beat runes for maximum damage. For more detailed character, skill, and recruitment information, explore the discussions on GameFAQs and the Suikoden Wiki.
Suikoden II , the "best" characters are generally those with three open rune slots , as this allows for the devastating Fury/Double-Strike/Double-Beat
rune combination that provides the highest damage output in the game. S-Tier: The Powerhouses
These characters are considered top-tier because they possess three open rune slots and exceptional base stats for late-game combat.
: Often cited as the best physical attacker due to three open slots and high base strength.
: Another top-tier physical attacker with three slots and high "Maximum Potential Damage". Georg Prime
: Boasts the highest base attack in the game. While he has fewer rune slots, his raw power makes him an "S-tier" force.
: The definitive "support mage" and offensive powerhouse. His massive magic stat and three rune slots (one fixed) can effectively "break" the game. : Similar to suikoden+2+tier+list
, a late-game magical titan with three slots for high-level elemental runes McDohl (Tir)
: The protagonist of the first game (transferable save only). His Soul Eater
rune and versatile stats make him one of the strongest available units. A-Tier: High Utility & Strength
These characters are extremely strong and often mandatory or highly accessible during the story. Who is Best in Suikoden II (Tier List)
Selecting the best party in Suikoden II often comes down to balancing raw physical power, magical utility, and Rune slot availability. While almost any character can be viable with the right setup, a few stand out as "game-breakers" due to their multi-rune potential and high stats. S-Tier: The Powerhouses
These characters are universally considered the best in the game due to having three open Rune slots or unique abilities that trivializing boss fights.
: Widely cited as the strongest physical attacker. With three open Rune slots, he can equip the Fury, Double-Beat, and Double-Strike Runes simultaneously, resulting in massive damage output. : Similar to
, his three open Rune slots and high technical stats make him a top-tier damage dealer. Riou (Hero)
: Your protagonist remains top-tier throughout the game thanks to his Bright Shield Rune, which provides both powerful healing and decent offense.
: The premier mage in the game. While fragile, his incredibly high Magic stat and three Rune slots allow him to devastate groups of enemies with high-level elemental magic.
: A late-game recruitment, but arguably the strongest pure caster alongside , boasting elite Magic stats. A-Tier: Elite Reliability
These characters are exceptionally strong and can easily carry you through the endgame with minimal effort.
In Suikoden II, character effectiveness is often defined by Rune slots, Speed (SPD), and Magic (MAG) stats. While the game's difficulty allows you to win with almost anyone, certain "Stars of Destiny" stand out for their ability to end boss fights in a single turn. S-Tier: The Game Breakers
These characters possess three open Rune slots or unique permanent Runes that allow for astronomical damage output.
Riou (Hero): Essential due to his unique Bright Shield Rune, which provides top-tier healing and decent offense. Late-game, his stats make him one of the best physical and magical hybrid attackers.
Luc: The undisputed king of magic. With nearly 400 MAG at Level 60, high SPD, and three Rune slots, he can wipe out entire enemy groups or bosses before they take a turn.
Mazus: Joins late but matches Luc in raw power. He comes with massive MAG and multiple slots for high-level elemental magic like the Rage or Thunder runes.
Killey: Often cited as the best physical attacker. He has three Rune slots and high versatility, allowing him to stack damage-boosting runes like Fury, Double-Beat, and Shrike.
Pesmerga: A physical tank with high HP and massive ATK. While he has limited rune slots compared to Killey, his sheer base stats and defense make him an immovable force. A-Tier: High-Utility Powerhouses Suikoden II , character strength is generally determined
Strong characters that are either slightly slower than S-tiers or have one less Rune slot.
Flik & Viktor: The iconic duo. Flik is a reliable magic/physical hybrid with the Thunder Rune, while Viktor is a physical powerhouse who excels when equipped with a Fury Rune.
Clive: A long-range specialist with exceptional SPD. His gun, Storm, deals high damage from the back row, though he is physically fragile.
Nanami: Extremely fast. Her Flower Rune is useful early on, and her high SPD ensures she always acts first for healing or items.
Humphrey: A pure defensive wall. His heavy armor and high HP make him perfect for the front row, though his low magic defense is a liability. B-Tier: Niche & Reliable Solid choices that require specific setups to shine.
Zamza: A well-rounded fighter with high HP. His Fire Dragon Rune is strong but causes self-damage, requiring specific equipment or healing to manage.
Tengaar: A back-row mage with high MAG. She is excellent for support roles using Flowing or Mother Earth runes.
Sheena: Very similar to Flik; a solid hybrid with three Rune slots, though his base stats are slightly lower. C-Tier & Below: The Underperformers
Characters generally used only for completionism or specific "Unite" attacks.
Gengen & Gabocha: Their Kobold Attack is decent early but falls off quickly.
Tuta: Primarily a healer, but outclassed by Riou or specialized mages.
Gilbert: While a great war general, his individual combat stats are mediocre. Key Build Recommendation
To maximize any character's tier, look for the Fury Rune (found as a special item in Muse's Rune shop) which increases ATK by 1.5x.
The old war table in the hidden chamber of North Window Castle was littered with painted stones, each one bearing a name. Riou, now a quiet young man with a scarred past, watched as his strategist, Shu, paced the cracked flagstones.
“The Beast Rune is not a foe of sentiment,” Shu said, flicking a stone. “It is a foe of efficiency.” He placed three stones in a row at the top of a dusty wooden board. Riou. Nanami. Viktor.
“The Unavoidables,” Shu declared. “Riou’s Bright Shield Rune heals the army. Nanami’s evasion keeps her alive when others fall. Viktor… well, the man swings a cursed sword the size of a small boat. They go in every battle.”
A younger soldier, a fresh recruit from the Muse border, pointed at the bottom of the board where a cluster of stones lay in a neglected pile. “And those?”
Shu’s lip curled. Tuta. Gengen. Hix. “The ‘Why are you here?’ tier,” he said. “Tuta has the constitution of wet parchment. One fire spell from a Highland mage and he’s a cautionary tale. Gengen… a kobold who thinks ‘tanking’ means barking at the moon. And Hix. Poor, earnest Hix. He couldn’t hit a Death Angel with a siege weapon.”
The recruit frowned. “But Hix has Tengaar’s amulet. Surely that—” The old war table in the hidden chamber
“Love does not block a 50-damage AoE,” Shu interrupted. He picked up a single, beautiful jade stone engraved with a flowing rune. Luc.
“Now this,” Shu said, holding it to the lantern light, “is the problem child. The ‘S-Tier in theory, trash in practice’ pick. True Wind Rune. Devastating magic. Also, the personality of a feral cat. He’ll nuke your own front line for fun. You never, ever bring Luc to the final battle unless you want a ‘total party kill’ instead of a victory.”
Riou finally spoke. “And what about the quiet ones? The ones who don’t shine?”
Shu smiled for the first time that evening. He moved two stones from the middle cluster to a special column marked “The Glue.” Rina. Eilie.
“The Support tier,” Shu said. “No one writes songs about them. But Rina’s ‘Charm’ spell turns the Beast Rune’s minions against each other. Eilie’s arrow volleys pick off the healers. You don’t win the war with Viktor’s brawn. You win it because Rina made the enemy general trip over his own shoelaces.”
He then pointed to the very top, above even Riou’s stone. A single, dusty stone with a cracked edge. Hanna.
The recruit squinted. “The… circus strongwoman? She’s better than Viktor?”
Shu leaned in. “Watch your mouth. Hanna has the highest natural Strength growth in the game. Give her a Fury Rune and a Double-Beat Rune? She doesn’t fight the Beast Rune. She farms it. She’s the secret boss the game forgot to warn you about.”
As the war council broke up, the recruit pocketed the stone marked Futch. Everyone laughed. Futch was two tiers below the “Meme Pick” line, right next to Kinnison (the squirrel who missed 90% of his attacks but looked adorable doing it).
Later that night, under the glow of a pale moon, the real battle began. And when the Beast Rune rose, a creature of living shadow and screaming metal, Shu’s tier list proved tragically true. Tuta fell in the first wave. Gengen ran. Viktor roared and held the line, but it was Hanna—silent, stoic Hanna—who stepped forward, cracked her knuckles, and punched the ancient evil so hard that its rune cracked.
Riou looked at Shu. Shu shrugged.
“Told you,” the strategist said. “Never ignore the S-Tier. Or the circus.”
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:
4. Georg Prime
A living legend in the Suikoden world, and his stats back it up.
- Why he’s S-Tier: He has the highest STR growth in the game. He hits like a truck. While his defense can be a bit shaky, he kills enemies before they can hit back. He comes with a permanent Double Beat Rune (attacks twice), which is arguably the best physical rune in the game.
10. Khan
The vampire hunter.
- The Good: He has a unique "Resurrection Rune" which deals massive damage to the undead enemies late in the game. His stats are surprisingly balanced and he fits well in the front or back row.
War Battle Tier (Quick note)
- S: Riou, Viktor, Flik, Shu (tactics)
- A: Nanami, Teresa, Klaus, Kiba
- B: Hauser, Camus, Miklotov (yes, better in war than combat)
- Avoid: Tuta, Pilika, Gengen (they die instantly)
S-Tier: The God Squad
These characters never leave my active party. They break the game or make it trivial.
- Riou (Hero) – Mandatory, but also amazing. His Bright Shield Rune heals, revives, and is free. Give him a Double-Beat or Double-Strike rune and watch him counter everything.
- Viktor – The Star Dragon Sword hits like a truck. His physical defense is insane. Give him a Rage Rune for late-game fire nukes. "Bear" never fails.
- Flik – The fastest character early on. Give him the Thunder Rune (or Cyclone). His Flik & Viktor Unite Attack does 2x damage to bosses. Always relevant.
- Luc – Best pure mage in the game. Huge MP, high magic stat. Give him the Mother Earth Rune or a Flowing Rune. He solos random encounters.
- Clive – The gun ignores defense. Give him a Double-Beat Rune and the Rage Rune for his weapon. He kills enemy mages before they get a turn.