★ Playing the sequel? Suikoden II wiki here!
☆ How to Equip and Level Up Runes
★ Farming Guides: Money and EXP
☆ Castle Headquarters Guide
★ Army Battle Guide
☆ All Endings and Branching Paths
This is a list of the best party members and team composition for all chapters in Suikoden 1 HD Remaster. Read on to learn which characters and equipment are recommended for your party as you progress through the game!
| Front Row | ||
|---|---|---|
 Hero
|
 Gremio
|
 Viktor
|
| Back Row | ||
 Cleo
|
 Camille
(Required) |
 Tai Ho
(Required) |
Viktor's normal attacks are close ranged, so it is recommended that he's placed in the front row of the party comp. In this way, his attacks will reach enemies. Viktor can also act as a tank for your party, enabling you to endure enemy attacks when needed and making him an ideal front row character.
Viktor How to Recruit and Stats
| Recommded Runes to Equip to Certain Characters | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fire Rune
( Cleo ) |
Water Rune
( Camille ) |
Water Rune
( Gremio ) |
|||
Zombie Dragon in Chapter 2 is weak to Fire, so it is recommended to equip your party member with the Fire Rune to unleash as much Fire damage as possible against the Zombie Dragon boss.
Zombie Dragon Boss Guide and How to Beat
Likewise, it is recommended to use Water Rune in the Zombie Dragon boss battle in Chapter 2. Zombie Dragon is weak to Fire, so it's best to exploit its weakness by equipping the Fire Rune to Cleo, who has the highest Magic stat among all recruitable character during this portion of the game. You can also equip the Water Rune to Gremio or Camille so they can act as healers for your party and effectively recover from Zombie Dragon's high damage attacks.
Zombie Dragon is one of the most difficult boss battles in the game, so it is recommended that you reach at least Level 16 and equip the proper gear before taking on Zombie Dragon in Chapter 2.
Zombie Dragon Boss Guide and How to Beat
| Front Row | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Viktor
|
 Pahn
|
Cleo
|
| Back Row | ||
|
Gremio
(Required) |
Hero
|
 Kirkis
(Required) |
It is recommended to recruit Kai after Chapter 3, as he can perform a cooperative attack that deals damage unto all enemies. Kai's cooperative attack can also help quickly kill smaller enemies in battle. If you're planning a farming party setup, use Pahn to execute single-target attacks.
List of All Characters and Recruit Conditions
Valeria will join your party after you depart from the Village of the Elves. It is recommended to replace Pahn or Viktor with Valeria as she has a unique Rune attack.
Valeria's unique Rune attack deals thrice the amount of damage of a normal attack, making her an ideal party member during boss fights. In line with this, leveling up Valeria is highly recommended to do from Chapter 3 onwards.
Valeria How to Recruit and Stats
Kuromimi will be joining the party when you head to Kobold Village during the end of Chapter 3, which will forced Valeria to temporarily leave the team.
Kuromimi is a required party member until you reach the story boss in Chapter 3, so make sure you have the proper equipment beforehand.
Kuromimi How to Recruit and Stats
| Rune | Effects & Abilities |
|---|---|
| Wind Rune | Allows the bearer to use Wind magic. |
Gigantes and Dragon are both weak against Wind, so it is best to equip the Wind Rune to party members that have high Magic. It is recommended to use Luc or Kirkis when equipping the Wind Rune.
Runes Guide: How to Equip and Level Up Runes
| Front Row | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Viktor
(Required) |
 Flik
(Required) |
Gremio
(Required) |
| Back Row | ||
|
Cleo
|
Hero
|
 Kai
|
There are no boss battles in Chapter 4, so it is recommended that you experiment with your roster of party members and test out each member's proficiency in battle.
How to Change Party and Formation Strategy
You can juggle between Kai who can attack all enemies using his cooperative attack with the Hero, or use either Luc or Cleo to utilize their magic abilities.
Once you've reached the part where you'll ask a ship from Teien in Chapter 4, Gen will join as a required member of your party. From there, Kamandol will also join during the next sequence of events.
When you return to Headquarters, Gen and Kamandol will no longer be required to join your party so you can freely organize your party with your intended preference.
| Front Row | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Viktor
|
Flik
|
 Valeria
|
| Back Row | ||
|
Tai Ho
(Required) |
Hero
|
Kai
|
Kasumi will be joining the party during the events in Chapter 5, which is ideal given his high speed stat and ability to take the initiative from the enemy during turns in battle.
Pahn will be facing Teo during a one-on-one battle during Chapter 5, so it is recommended that you level up Pahn and equip him with the necessary gear in order to beat Teo.
The story will progress even if Pahn loses the battle against Teo, but do note that the ending will play out different if Pahn loses to Teo.
During the events of Chapter 5, you will be able to talk to Anji. If you choose to talk to Anji with Yam Koo in your party, a battle will initiate.
The battle will require you to win within 10 turns for you to recruit Anji, Leonardo, and Kanak in your party. Make sure to level up Yam Koo to win during this battle.
EXP Farming Guide: How to Level Up Fast
| Front Row | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Viktor
(Required) |
Flik
|
Valeria
|
| Back Row | ||
|
Cleo
|
Hero
|
Kai
|
Once you've reached the end of Chapter 6, a cutscene will initiate wherein Hix will be required to join the party before entering Neclord's Castle.
It is recommended to replace Flik with Hix at this point in the game.
| Rune | Effects & Abilities |
|---|---|
| Water Rune | Allows the bearer to use Water magic. |
During the boss battle against Neclord, there will be certain instances where he will attack all party members in battle. It is recommended to use recovery spells that can help maintain your party members' HP to a moderate amount.
Water Rune can help greatly during this battle when equipped to someone with a high magic stat such as Cleo.
Neclord Boss Guide and How to Beat
| Rune | Effects & Abilities |
|---|---|
| Cyclone Rune |
・The Shredding —
Deals around 400 Wind damage to 1 enemy.
・Healing Wind — Restores 1 ally's HP to full. ・Storm — Restores 1 ally's HP to full. ・Shining Wind — Restores 1 ally's HP to full. |
Tengaar is a party member that will join you after the boss battle with Neclord. Tengaar has excellent magic stat that can make him flexible in battle, enabling you to choose his designation as either an attacker or support in your party.
The Cyclone Rune can help you greatly during the final boss battle when equipped to Tengaar, so it is recommended to prioritize levelling him up.
| Front Row | ||
|---|---|---|
 Humphrey
(Required) |
Flik
(Required) |
Valeria
|
| Back Row | ||
 Tengaar
|
Hero
|
Kai
|
Both Flik and Humphrey will be required to join your party during Chapter 7, so make sure they are levelled up and equipped with the proper gear as with the rest of your party.
You can only examine the sleeping dragon in the Dragon's Den if you have Liukan in your party. Once the event is finished, Milia will be required to join the party so it is recommended to remove Liukan and replace him with Milia.
Millia will be joining the party until the boss battle that will occur during Chapter 7, so it is recommended to level her up and equip her with proper gear as with the rest of your party.
EXP Farming Guide: How to Level Up Fast
| Rune | Effects & Abilities |
|---|---|
| Water Rune | Allows the bearer to use Water magic. |
| Earth Rune | Allows the bearer to use Earth magic. |
| Flowing Rune |
・Fog of Deception —
Reduces enemy accuracy by 20%.
・Rain of Kindness — Restores about 300 HP to all allies. ・Water of Kindness — Restores about 300 HP to all allies. ・Mother Ocean — Restores about 300 HP to all allies. |
| Mother Earth Rune |
・Gaia's Voice —
・Iron Body — ・Earthquake — ・Guardian Earth — |
Crystal Core is weak against Water and Earth, so it is recommended to equip either Water Rune or Earth Rune to your party members with high magic stats. Earth Spells are effective, but you may also want to have a healer in your party who will use Water spells.
Crystal Core Boss Guide and How to Beat
| Front Row | ||
|---|---|---|
 Milia
|
Flik
|
Valeria
|
| Back Row | ||
 Kasumi
(Required) |
Hero
|
 Krin
(Required) |
Kasumi and Krin will join your party during the start of Chapter 8. They are required to join until your party rescues Viktor from Moravia Castle.
Leveling up Krin is not recommended since he is ineffective in battle.
Viktor can join your party after he is rescued from Moravia Castle. You can replace Milia to accommodate Viktor in your party.
Additionally, Krin is recommended to be replaced with a healer such as Cleo or Tengaar in preparation for the final boss.
Sonya can join the party after the events that lead up to Moravia Castle. She has balanced stats that can help provide versatility in combat, enabling her to deal both physical and magical attacks.
Sonya Shulen How to Recruit and Stats
Flik will be required to join the party during the final battle.
| Rune | Effects & Abilities |
|---|---|
| Flowing Rune |
・Fog of Deception —
Reduces enemy accuracy by 20%.
・Rain of Kindness — Restores about 300 HP to all allies. ・Water of Kindness — Restores about 300 HP to all allies. ・Mother Ocean — Restores about 300 HP to all allies. |
It is recommended to equip the Flowing Rune on Flik so he can be the designated healer of the party during the battle.
There will be multiple enemies that will target your party during the final battle, but it is important to direct your attacks toward one target. It is recommended to use either Alen and Grenseal with Flik to perform Unite attacks against multiple enemies to whittle down their health and numbers.
Best Party Members and Team Composition
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Eileen + flowing rune + two pairs of winged boots = unkillable party. She has one of the highest mag stats in the game, tons of spell slots, and with the boots she’ll always be he first to move, ensuring you can always heal before the enemy attacks. Pair her with Crowley, who can also assist with healing. Tengaar is another great magic user - give her the rage rune. Give the thunder rune to Flik. Have Tir and Kai as your remaining characters. Unbeatable.