These characters are objectively weak but have one specific use case.
This tier list provides a general overview and should serve as a guideline rather than a strict ranking. Suikoden 2's depth comes from its characters' abilities and how well your team works together, making the game rich with strategic possibilities. Experiment with different characters and find the team that works best for you.
The beauty of Suikoden II is that the difficulty curve is forgiving enough that you can beat the game with a C-Tier team if you manage your runes and armor correctly. The "best" team is subjective, but if you want to trivialize the Luca Blight fight or breeze through the final dungeon, stick to the S and A tiers.
Who is in your Suikoden II dream team? Do you defend Viktor's honor against the S-Tiers, or do you keep the Squirrels in your party for the vibes? Let me know in the comments below!
Tags: Suikoden II, JRPG, Retro Gaming, Tier List, Konami, RPG Strategy
With over 100 recruitable characters, building the "ultimate" party in Suikoden 2 can be overwhelming. While the game is beatable with almost any team, certain characters possess stat growths, rune slot potential, and unique abilities that place them in a league of their own.
This tier list ranks the 108 Stars of Destiny based on their endgame viability, rune flexibility, and overall combat utility. S Tier: The Game-Breakers
These characters are the gold standard. They typically possess three open rune slots, allowing for the "broken" combo of Fury, Double Beat, and Double Strike runes.
Killey: Widely considered the strongest character in the game. His three rune slots and high attack stats allow him to dish out tens of thousands of damage when properly equipped.
Sheena: A close second to Killey. He also boasts three open rune slots and excellent magic stats, making him a versatile powerhouse for both physical and magical offense.
Luc: The undisputed master of magic. With the highest magic stat and three rune slots (including his unique True Wind Rune), he can wipe out entire enemy groups in a single turn.
Tir McDohl (Hero of Suikoden I): Accessible only via save data transfer. He is an all-around titan with one of the best runes in the series (Soul Eater) and a powerful unite attack with Riou.
Hai Yo: Don’t let the chef outfit fool you; at level 65, he unlocks a third rune slot. Combined with his high technique and speed, he becomes an auto-attacking monster. A Tier: Elite Specialists
These characters are top-tier but often have one minor limitation, such as a locked rune or slightly lower stat growth.
The Ultimate Suikoden 2 Tier List: Ranking the 108 Stars of Destiny
With over 100 recruitable characters and 72 playable party members, Suikoden 2 offers unparalleled strategic depth. Whether you are preparing for the legendary battle against Luca Blight or optimizing your end-game squad for Rockaxe, choosing the right companions is vital. According to data from Gensopedia , players must navigate a massive roster of 108 Stars to find the perfect six-person party.
This tier list ranks the most prominent combatants based on their damage output, magic affinity, and unique utility. S-Tier: The Gods of the Battlefield
These characters possess game-breaking stats or unique abilities that make them essential for any "perfect" run.
Riou (Hero): As the protagonist, Riou is the most balanced character in the game. His Bright Shield Rune provides the best group healing and powerful holy damage, keeping him viable from the prologue to the credits.
Killey: Often cited by veteran players on forums like GameFAQs as one of the best physical attackers. With three open rune slots, he can be customized with Double-Beat, Fury, and Shrike runes to deal astronomical damage. suikoden+2+tier+list
Mazus: The undisputed king of magic. His high Magic stat and natural affinity for high-level spells make him a walking nuclear option for boss fights.
Pesmerga: A physical powerhouse with massive defense and HP. While he lacks magic, his raw strength ensures he can solo many late-game encounters. A-Tier: Elite Specialists
High-tier characters that excel in specific roles but may have minor limitations in other areas.
Valeria: Known for her Falcon Rune, which deals 3x damage without any drawbacks. She is arguably the most efficient boss-killer for mid-to-late game.
Luc: While physically fragile, Luc has the highest magic speed and power. He is the best candidate for the Blue Gate or Cyclone runes.
Viktor: A fan favorite who boasts incredible strength and high HP. His unique Star Dragon Sword provides consistent high-tier physical damage.
Nanami: Often underrated, her high speed and unique "Unite Attacks" with Riou make her an excellent support character. B-Tier: Reliable Workhorses
Solid characters that perform well but are eventually outclassed by the specialized power of S and A tiers.
Fitcher: Surprisingly decent stats for a "jester" character, though mostly used for his involvement in the story.
Clive: His long-range gun attacks are powerful and accurate, but his lack of rune versatility holds him back from higher tiers.
Humphrey: A literal tank. He has the highest defense in the game but moves slowly and has negligible magic resistance.
Sierra: A strong magic user with unique vampire-themed abilities, though she joins late in the game. C-Tier: Situational & Niche
These characters are useful for specific Unite Attacks or early-game filler but should be replaced as the roster expands.
Gengen: Useful in the very early game due to his availability, but his stats plateau quickly.
Zamza: His Fire Dragon Rune deals great damage but also hurts him, making him a liability without specific equipment.
Tuta: Primarily a healer, but Riou’s Bright Shield Rune renders her medical skills largely redundant. D-Tier: The Benchwarmers
These characters are best left at the castle to manage shops or mini-games. Gabocha: Poor stats and limited weapon range.
Mukumuku: While cute, the squirrels lack the stat growth necessary to survive late-game boss AOE attacks. Tips for Building Your Party
Balance Ranges: Ensure you have a mix of Short (S), Medium (M), and Long (L) range attackers so everyone can reach the enemy. These characters are objectively weak but have one
Rune Slots are King: Characters with three open rune slots (like Killey or Sheena) are always superior in the end-game because they can stack damage multipliers.
Don't Ignore Unites: Some "average" characters become elite when paired together, such as the Buddy Attack between Riou and Jowy.
Are you planning to complete the 108 Stars of Destiny on your next playthrough? Check out the Suikoden II Recruitment Guide to ensure you don't miss a single ally!
Which character do you think is underrated in the current Suikoden 2 meta?
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 2: A Timeless Classic - A Tier List Review
Released in 1999 for the PlayStation, Suikoden 2 is a tactical RPG masterpiece that has stood the test of time. Developed by Konami, this sequel to the original Suikoden builds upon its predecessor's success, offering an engaging story, memorable characters, and addictive gameplay. In this review, we'll dive into the game's strengths and weaknesses, and provide a comprehensive tier list to help you navigate its extensive cast of characters.
Story and Setting
The game takes place three years after the events of the first Suikoden. The story follows a young protagonist, Riot, as he attends a prestigious military academy, only to find himself embroiled in a conflict between rival nations. The narrative is well-developed, with a complex web of characters, plot twists, and themes that explore the consequences of war and the importance of friendship.
Gameplay
Suikoden 2's gameplay is where it truly shines. The battle system, a turn-based strategy mechanic, requires careful planning and execution. The game features an impressive cast of over 100 characters, each with their unique abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. This allows for a high degree of customization and flexibility when building your team.
Tier List
To help you navigate the game's extensive cast, we've compiled a tier list, ranking characters based on their overall effectiveness in battle.
Tier 1: The Elite
Tier 2: The Strong
Tier 3: The Average
Tier 4: The Weak
Conclusion
Suikoden 2 is a timeless classic that still captivates gamers today. Its engaging story, memorable characters, and addictive gameplay make it a must-play for fans of tactical RPGs. While some characters may not be as powerful as others, the game's depth and replay value more than make up for its minor shortcomings. Tags: Suikoden II, JRPG, Retro Gaming, Tier List,
Final Verdict: 9.5/10
If you're a fan of Suikoden or tactical RPGs in general, Suikoden 2 is an absolute must-play. Even if you're new to the series, the game's intuitive mechanics and gentle learning curve make it easy to jump in.
Recommendation:
Overall, Suikoden 2 remains a phenomenal gaming experience that continues to entertain and challenge players to this day. If you haven't already, join the fight and experience it for yourself!
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
, 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)
Title: Suikoden 2 Tier List: The Best Characters (and the Ones to Bench)
Meta Description: Recruiting all 108 Stars of Destiny is tough. This Suikoden 2 tier list breaks down who dominates, who supports, and who belongs in the castle kitchen.
Let’s be honest: Suikoden 2 has one of the deepest rosters in JRPG history. With 108 characters, you’re bound to waste time leveling up a “cool looking” warrior who gets one-shot by a Highland soldier.
After replaying the 2025 remaster (and several roms before that), I’ve put together a definitive Suikoden 2 Tier List based on:
Let’s sort the Liberation Army from the kitchen duty.