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Bowie
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Initial class: Swordsman (SDMN)
Promoted class: Hero (HERO)
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Leader of the Shining Force. Has very decent stats overall and the second highest movement range. He is the only character that can equip the Levander and the Force Sword. Overall, a great character but most be protected at all times: if he is killed, you will loss half of your gold and will have to start the mission again.
Magic spells
Spell
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Level Acquired
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1
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2
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3
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4
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Egress
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Initially learned
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—
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—
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—
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Bolt
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Level 22
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Level 31
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Level 42
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Level 51
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Sarah
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Initial class: Priest (PRST)
Promoted class: Vicar (VICR)
Optional promoted class: Master Monk (MMNK)
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Avaiable from start, Sarah is your first healer and will be one of the most useful members of the force. In the first few battles, Sarah can hit as hard as your fighters and healing spell can still allow you to gain experience. Keep her in your roster and keep leveling her up. It is recommended to promote her to Master Monk, which is one of the best classes in the game. As a Master Monk, (in addition to the cool looking chinese dress) Sarah will be a powerful frontline fighter and a potent healer. Item necessary for Master Monk promotion is Vigor Ball. You can find one in Secret Elven Village and another one in Sheela's dojo.
Magic spells
Spell
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Level Acquired
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1
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2
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3
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4
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Heal
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Initially learned
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Level 7
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Level 22
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Level 40
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Detox
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Level 4
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Level 13
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Level 33
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Level 45
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Blast
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Level 10
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Level 16
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Level 25
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Level 36
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Slow
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Level 19
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Level 29
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—
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—
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Chester
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Initial class: Knight (KNTE)
Promoted class: Paladin (PLDN)
Optional promoted class: Pegasus Knight (PGNT)
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One of Bowie's classmates, Chester is your first knight. Knights are not much different from their SF I incarnates: High movement, decent stats but nothing else. Chester will be your first knight and will be useful for the first part of the game. Chester can be promoted to the Pegasus Knight but the item necessary for the promotion, Pegasus Wing is found very late in the game and promoting Chester to Knight will be a better choice.
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Jaha
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Initial class: Warrior (WARR)
Promoted class: Gladiator (GLDT)
Optional promoted class: Baron (BRN)
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One of Bowie's classmates, Jaha will join you after you leave Granseal for the first time. This likeable goof will be a potent force in your squad. His movement is a bit low but giving him the Running Pimento or equipping him with the Running Ring might help. Jaha can be promoted to either Gladiator or Baron. Baron would be a better choice since it allows Jaha to equip Swords, which are better than Axes and increases his movement by 1. Item necessary for promotion can be found in New Granseal base just behind the shield.
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Kazin
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Initial class: Mage (MAGE)
Promoted class: Wizard (WIZ)
Optional promoted class: Sorcerer (SORC)
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Pupil of Hawel, a character from SF: The Final Conflict, Kazin is your first magic user. Just like all mages, he is weak physically and must be defended from enemy fighters. It is recommended to promote Kazin to Sorcerer instead of Wizard as his regular spells are rather poor. His only direct attack spell is Blaze. Item for Sorcerer promotion is Secret Book, which can be found in Elven Village.
Mage/Wizard
Spell
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Level Acquired
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1
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2
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3
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4
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Blaze
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Initially learned
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Level 5
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Level 22
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Level 35
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Muddle
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Level 9
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Level 25
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—
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—
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Dispel
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Level 13
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—
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—
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—
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Desoul
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Level 18
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Level 29
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—
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—
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Sorcerer
Spell
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Level Acquired
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1
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2
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3
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4
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Dao
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Initially learned
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Level 12
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—
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—
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Apollo
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Level 4
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Level 17
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—
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—
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Neptun
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Level 7
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Level 26
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—
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—
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Atlas
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Level 21
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Level 32
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—
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—
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Slade
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Initial class: Thief (THIF)
Promoted class: Ninja (NINJ)
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Slade is somewhat responsible for the mess you are in right now. Willing to make up for his mistake, he will join you in the Dungeons of the Galam Castle. Initially can only be equipped with knives, you are encouraged to keep Slade in your party and level him up. Because once he is promoted to Ninja, he will start using swords and he will become one of the best characters in the game. With very high movement speed and excellent stats, Slade will also learn two unique magic spells. If you can get the Gisarme, a sword only he can equip, he will start inflicting random one hit kills. A must have in your team.
Magic spells
Spell
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Level Acquired
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1
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2
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3
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4
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Katon
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Level 24
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Level 29
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Level 45
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—
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Raijin
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Level 34
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Level 39
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Level 52
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—
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Kiwi
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Initial class: Tortoise (TORT)
Promoted class: Monster (MNST)
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Kiwi is a adorable dragon-turtle hybrid you can recruit before you escape from Granseal Island. As a combatant, Kiwi is a mixed bag. While his high defence will defend him from most physical attacks, his very low health means that he will be an easy target for magic users. If you are patient with him and eventually promote him to Monster, he will be able to fly, his stats will greatly increase and he will get a randomly activated fire breath special attack. His HP will still remain low however, making him still an easy picking for magic users and enemies with special attacks.
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Peter
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Initial class: Phoenik (PHNK)
Promoted class: Phoenix (PHNX)
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Peter will be avaiable as an uncontrollable character from Parmecia to your visit to Volcanon. After that he will permamently join you. Peter is a flying powerhouse and arguably the most powerful character in the game. Always keep him in the roster and level him up. His attack grows rapidly and when promoted he gains fire resistance. Even though his movement is not as high as Slade or Chester, he can fly and hit enemies with his powerful attacks. As a nice side bonus, Peter does not need to be revived after being knocked out in combat. A must have.
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May
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Initial class: Ranger (RNGR)
Promoted class: Bow Knight (BWNT)
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Recruited in Ribble. Similar to Lyle from SFI, May is a very mobile ranged attacker. While her attack power is average, her high mobility and long range will allow you to pick off weakened enemies, especially flying ones. Out of all the ranged attackers, she has the best mobility and probably only archer worth keeping.
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Gerhalt
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Initial class: Wolf Man (WFMN)
Promoted class: Wolf Baron (WFBR)
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Gerhalt is wolfman from Polca who will join you during the battle in the streets of his hometown. Gerhalt uses no weapons but still hits quite hard. His only weakness is his slow speed so considering his high attack, giving him a Running Pimento or Running Ring and keeping him in the roster might be benefical.
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Luke
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Initial class: Birdman (BDMN)
Promoted class: Bird Battler (BDBT)
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Prince of Bedoe, Luke will join you after Polca. In addition to flying, Luke has somewhat decent attack but weak defence so either give him Protect Milk or Defence Ring and protect him.
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Rohde
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Promoted class: Brass Gunner (BRGN)
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Rohde will temporarily join you as the Caravan's driver and then join up as a member when you clear the way to North Paramecia. Brass Gunners are basicly tanks who use arrows and later cannons as weapons. Rohde's stats are nothing special and being a Brass Gunner, his movement will be very limited. Most of the battles will be over way before he is in position. Not recommended.
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Rick
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Initial class: Knight (KNTE)
Promoted class: Paladin (PLDN)
Optional promoted class: Pegasus Knight (PGNT)
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Rick can be recruited after defeat of Talos. Another Knight, Rick is just like other Knights in the force. Fast and quick but nothing else. His defence seems to be bit lower than Chester though.
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Elric
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Initial class: Archer (ACHR)
Promoted class: Sniper (SNPR)
Optional promoted class: Brass Gunner (BRGN)
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Elric will be recruited after saving him from the Harpies. Being an archer, Elric has long range and decent attack but his defence is lower than your frontline fighters. Promote him to Sniper, as Brass Gunners are pretty much useless. If you insist on making him a Brass Gunner, promotion item Silver Tank can be found in the Cave of Darkness, inside a chest.
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Eric
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Initial class: Knight (KNTE)
Promoted class: Paladin (PLDN)
Optional promoted class: Pegasus Knight (PGNT)
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This overconfident Knight will be one of the four people you can pick when you complete the Creed's mansion, although you can recruit the other three when you return the mansion later in the game. Eric is a Knight with quite high HP but his attack and defence is disappointingly low. Karna is the better pick of the four so it is recommended that you skip others and pick Karna instead for the time being.
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Karna
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Initial class: Priest (PRST)
Promoted class: Vicar (VICR)
Optional promoted class: Master Monk (MMNK)
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This cute, slightly immature elf will be your second healer if you do the smart thing and pick her when Creed offers you one of his four "guests". Karna is somewhat better healer than Sarah as she can learn AURA and BOOST, which will also help her level up faster. Make sure to promote her to Master Monk. Vicars are useless compared to the powerhouses that are the Master Monks. Keep her in the party and level her up and she will become one of your most useful party members.
Magic spells
Spell
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Level Acquired
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1
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2
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3
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4
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Heal
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Initially learned
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Level 5
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Level 22
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—
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Blast
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Level 8
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Level 16
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Level 26
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Level 37
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Boost
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Level 12
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Level 30
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—
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—
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Aura
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Level 33
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Level 41
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Level 55
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Level 60
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Randolf
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Initial class: Warrior (WARR)
Promoted class: Gladiator (GLDT)
Optional promoted class: Baron (BRN)
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Besides Karna, Randolf is the second best choice but not enough to pick him over Karna. He has quite decent attack but his defence is somewhat lower than Jaha. Since Jaha has been around longer, it is better to keep him over Randolf.
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Tyrin
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Initial class: Mage (MAGE)
Promoted class: Wizard (WIZ)
Optional promoted class: Sorcerer (SORC)
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Tyrin is the last choice offered by Creed. If you pick him over Karna the first time, (which you really shouldn't) don't promote him to Sorcerer and keep him as a wizard as unlike Kazin's anemic attack spell repertoire, Tyrin learns all attack spells. Keep him in your team if you use magic users a lot. Still not a better choice than Karna though.
Magic spells
Spell
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Level Acquired
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1
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2
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3
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4
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Blaze
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Initially learned
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Level 11
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Level 51
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Level 56
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Freeze
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Level 5
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Level 22
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Level 31
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Level 38
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Sleep
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Level 25
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—
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—
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—
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Bolt
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Level 28
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Level 35
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Level 54
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Level 60
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Janet
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Initial class: Archer (ACHR)
Promoted class: Sniper (SNIP)
Optional promoted class: Brass Gunner (BRGN)
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Elric's girlfriend, Janet will join when you acquire the dynamite and leave Granseal for the second time. Her attack is lower than Elric but her defence and agility is better. Promote her to Sniper as Brass Gunners are useless. If you want to keep more than one archer in your team keep her with May. Otherwise, May is the only ranged attacker choice.
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Higins
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Promoted class: Paladin (PLDN)
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Higins is an promoted Paladin with strangely lower stats than your other Knights. Not a good character to use because you probably have better Paladins in your roster by the time you get him.
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Taya
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Promoted class: Sorcerer (SORC)
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Taya will join you in the Shrine of Mitula if you speak to her statue(?). She is already a Sorceress, which is okay but by this time, Sorcerer Kazin would be better than her. Still, having a second sorcerer in your team might be useful. Recommended, but her defence might use some work.
Magic spells
Spell
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Level Acquired
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1
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2
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3
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4
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Dao
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Initially learned
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Level 15
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—
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—
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Apollo
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Level 12
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Level 19
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—
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—
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Neptun
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Level 22
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Level 29
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—
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—
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Atlas
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Level 25
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Level 34
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—
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—
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Skreech
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Promoted class: Bird Battler (BDBT)
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Screech is a secret character, who will join you if you saved him in Bedoe during your first visit. He is pretty much identical to Luke on almost every aspect.
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Frayja
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Promoted class: Vicar (VICR)
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Frayja is already promoted and will join your team in Moun. Even though he can learn AURA and ATTACK, he is not really that useful as both Sarah and Karna will be better healers by the time you get him. Keep him in the bench and let your scantily clad master monk beauties do the healing. (and fighting and pretty much everything else)
Magic spells
Spell
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Level Acquired
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1
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2
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3
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4
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Heal
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Initially learned
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Level 13
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Level 56
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Level 60
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Detox
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Level 5
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Level 17
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Level 37
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Level 43
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Aura
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Level 34
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Level 40
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Level 46
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Level 52
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Attack
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Level 49
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—
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—
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—
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Jaro
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Promoted class: Pegasus Knight (PGNT)
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Jaro will appear as an enemy but defect to your side during the battle in Northern Pacalon. Already promoted, his stats are not that great and you probably have better flying units in your roster by then.
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Gyan
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Promoted class: Gladiator (GLDT)
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Gyan will join you after the battle in Moun. His stats are quite decent but his movement needs fixing if you want him to become a useful member of the force.
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Sheela
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Promoted class: Master Monk (MMNK)
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Seeking the Red Baron for the murder of her fiancee, Shella is the final Master Monk you can add to your team. You can find her cottage in the southwest of the Nazca ship crash site. Just like other Master Monks, she is very strong and can heal. Recruit her and keep her in your team.
Magic spells
Spell
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Level Acquired
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1
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2
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3
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4
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Heal
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Initially learned
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Level 5
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Level 41
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Level 51
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Blast
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Level 7
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Level 18
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Level 38
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Level 47
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Muddle
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Level 11
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Level 36
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—
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—
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Boost
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Level 20
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Level 44
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—
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—
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Zynk
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Promoted class: Robot (RBT)
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Similar to Adam from SF I, Zynk is a robot who does not use any weapons. This likeable bucket of bolts will join up once you reach Roft. His stats are quite decent but you will have to have to fix his poor movement range if you want him to be useful.
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Claude
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Promoted class: Golem (GLM)
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Claude is a golem who will join you if you find his missing arm in Moun and take it to him in the ancient tunnel. His attack and defence are pretty high but his movement is painfully low. Just like Brass Gunners, battles will be over by the time he reaches his targets.
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Chaz
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Promoted class: Wizard (WIZ)
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Chaz is Hawel's son and will join you once you reach Yeel during the final quarter of the game. He learns all attack spells and therefore a very good wizard.
Magic spells
Spell
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Level Acquired
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1
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2
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3
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4
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Blaze
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Initially learned
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Level 11
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Level 56
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Level 60
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Freeze
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Level 6
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Level 17
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Level 25
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Level 46
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Bolt
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Level 40
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Level 44
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Level 49
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Level 53
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Dispel
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Level 41
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—
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—
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—
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Lemon
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Promoted class: Red Baron (RDBN)
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Lemon will be the final character who will join you and will be potent force in the battle indeed. His stats are great and he maintains the high mobility rate of the Baron class. You also don't need to revive him if he is killed in battle. Recommended for the final battles of the game.
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