Below are my personal setups for all the playable characters in Suikoden II along with any notes I may have. While nothing can
truly be considered the "best" due to varying play-styles, I try to set
my characters up to strike a balance between offense and defense and
address their weaknesses while magnifying their strengths. More
importantly, I use a character's traits and personality as a base to
what I believe they would use along with preferring a variety so it doesn't seem like every character is a carbon-copy of one other. One final note, I prefer not to use Fury Runes. If you would like to include them, I would recommend replacing all the Killer Runes I have on my characters with Fury ones. On three rune slot characters, obviously Fury, Double-Beat, and Double-strike cannot be matched for offense; it's just not my preference to use this setup, but making your own decisions is the beauty of RPGs. If at anything, let this be a template
for your own decisions and have fun with it. See Chapter 22 of my guide
to acquire any of the items used below.
Riou. Might consider a Fire Emblem over the Water Amulet, but not necessary due to his high magic defense. Kindness Rune can also be applied well to Riou since he can never be removed from the party.
Flik
Nanami. Spark or Balanced recommended over the Flowing Rune she doesn't have the affinity for, but I prefer it from using her as a Water Rune bearer from early in the game. Might consider Resurrection over Mother Earth as well. See chapter 19 if you'd like to add her back to the party after the events at Rockaxe Castle.
Hanna. Excellent user for a Double-strike Rune, but prefer Killer due to using the Exertion Rune for power.
Stallion. Potential Spark Rune bearer, but has highest affinity for Wind other than Luc. Power Gloves preferred over Fire Emblem due to added defense and above average magic defense.
Tir. Completely overpowered.
Sierra
Jowy. On-par with Tir for being overpowered. See chapter 7 if you'd like to add him back to your party.
Genshu
Viktor
Killey. Doubt many will like this setup as Killey makes one of the best characters in the game with the 3 runes mentioned at the beginning of the chapter. I prefer to use Killey as a mage with his high affinity for most runes and the Alert Rune will significantly boost his magic power, which he innately only has average of. Poison Rune isn't very good, but I prefer a variety with my characters and Killey doesn't really need any of the other runes on his weapon to balance him.
Badeaux
Sasuke
Oulan. Violence gives her eventual berserk status and the following turn you can use Angry Dragon for 3x damage which is incredible. Of course berserk also allows you to infinitely use the rune as well. Good candidate for a Double-strike or Firefly Rune.
Yoshino
Viki. Why Wind instead of Thunder? Because she uses wind as her attack element in Suikoden V war battles. Yes, I am a stickler for those kind of things. Why didn't she get another rune slot though?
Mondo
Freed. No idea why they locked Lightning on his weapon. Killer works well for him over the Wind Rune if you'd prefer not to use any magic.
Mazus. Goldlet instead of Power Gloves since you're going to want to hide him in the back row.
Gabocha. Hard character to balance offensive usefulness and defense.
Sheena. Like with Killey, no setup can compare to the 3 rune setup mentioned at the beginning of the chapter. Since he already has the Star Earrings locked, I decide to move Sheena in the direction of HP regen; minus the Sunbeam Rune for Counter.
Tomo
Wakaba. Equipping the Master Robe instead of Robe of Mist leaves her vulnerable physically, which is why I included the Hazy Rune. Rage Rune on weapon helps make up for no offensive rune.
Ayda
Shin. Needs to be treated with kid gloves defensively as he is a black hole in both areas.
Mukumuku
Georg. Most options are filled trying to make up for his abysmal magic defense.
Kasumi. If you don't want to use Spark, Double-Beat fits her well.
Kinnison. Very underrated character.
Lo Wen
Valeria. May consider a Mole Shield; perhaps over Futch.
Gengen
Clive
Makumaku. Don't have to worry about his Flowing Rune backfiring.
Hoi. Has to reach level 80 to obtain his second rune slot.
Pesmerga. All his equipment is locked, so not many options here. Also, why so much magic defense?
Rina
Millie
Feather. Can use a Wind Rune effectively, but prefer to use as a physical attacker.
Camus
Mokumoku
Gijimu
Sigfried. Needs to reach level 70 to obtain third rune slot. Can use Thunder Rune very well too.
Hauser
Tengaar
Hix
Gantetsu. Underrated character.
Sid. Why do wingers get three rune slots?
Bolgan
L.C. Chan.
Mikumiku. Very little you can do to make her useful in battle...Will have to settle for casting Healing Wind and The Shredding (But watch out for it backfiring).
Lorelai
Miklotov
Zamza. Some may prefer to add a Fire Sealing Rune to negate the effects of the Fire Dragon Rune, but if you equip a Fire Emblem, this actually lowers the damage he takes from it. In the case you choose that setup for Zamza, make sure to give him a Robe of Mist or a Water Amulet to make up for the weakness to water damage cause by the Fire Sealing Rune.
Meg. Also makes good of a Thunder Rune.
Gadget. No options at all available here. They should have at least let you equip the Lubricating Oil to him.
Chuchara. Yeah...so, Chuchara's strength is so low a Double-strike or Fury Rune will not help him at all. Firefly can work well with his incredibly high defense, but a Flowing Rune is almost all you can do to make him useful. With his low HP and magic defense, he is going to be falling often in battle from magic. An interesting tidbit is Chuchara actually gains more HP per level after 60.
Rulodia. Her Flowing Rune is odd. When she casts Kindness Rain it only has a power of 100 instead of the normal 300 every other character has. It's best to use outside of battle where it will restore the typical 300.
Abizboah. Will die quick deaths from magic attacks. Also, misses frequently due to low TECH and slow as molasses. Not a worthwhile character to use at all.
Humphrey. Will have Knight Armor equipped if you didn't covert your Suikoden I data over to II with Windspun Armor equipped to him. Also, consider Wind on weapon rune slot.
Nina. Great mage. Might consider farming Stone of Magics from the rope-climbing game to get her magic over 160 if you use her frequently.
Kahn. Why a Water Rune? To make use of his Magic Drain Rune he has permanently attached. This way he can theoretically cast Kindness Drops infinitely. Kahn also has a special animation for critical hits; so why not a Killer Rune too?
Luc. Should get the Cyclone Rune over Stallion if you prefer him. Can make ridiculously good use of the Barrier Rune too.
Mekumeku. Watch out for his Thunder Rune backfiring on you.
Vincent. Too bad the Rose Brooch is locked and he has no affinity for any magic element or even a second rune slot. Lots of potential in him otherwise.
Simone. Pretty much the same as Vincent. Could make a great mage but no affinities.
Tsai
Anita. Another highly-underrated character.
Chaco
Futch. Defense is a little low for the Double-strike Rune but being a back row fighter helps protect him.
Karen. At least they didn't lock her armor and Toe Shoes like they did Mina in the original.
Rikimaru. Kind of like Futch with the defense and Double-strike, but his high HP helps with this. Needs extra help with protecting from magic attacks.
Eilie
Amada
Koyu
Hai Yo. Gets his third rune slot at level 65. Lots of rune setups you can use with him.
Shilo
Tai Ho
Tuta. Needs Mega Medicine to use his Medicine Rune. Extremely fragile in both defenses and HP and low strength, so hard to get use out of him.
Bob. After using a Tinto Specialty to berserk him and then Rabid Fang, he becomes a incredible damage dealer with Double-Beat.
Shiro. Good doggie!
