Bowie
Bowie is the big hero of the game. He starts as a swordsman, but can be promoted to hero when he's level 20. He makes a good fighter but you'd better not put him in the front ranks as his defense is not always that high and he is essential for the party. He can use the Egress spell from the beginning and he learns the Bolt spell soon after promotion. This Bolt spell is rather handy as this enables him to inflict a fixed amount of damage. His movement is pretty average, ganing no special benefits or hindrances in certain terrains.
Quote:"I'm not sure."
Sarah
You'll find her when you go to school. Be careful with her, because she will be the only priest until you're half the game. She is rather slow, like all priests, but she is not bad in combat (for a priest, that is). Her Heal spell is essential to the party and her Detox and Blast spells are also useful at times. She can also get a slow spell, which is not really useful since it doesn't often work on the really tough guys. She can be promoted to Vicar, but I suggest you find that vicor ball and promote her to a Master Monk.
Quote: "Sir Astral is waiting for you downstairs."
Chester
Chester can also be found at school in Granseal. He often has a good attack and many hit points. Also don't forget that he is able to attack from two squares away. His weak points are his defense and -odd enough- his movement. Don't let the movement rating of 7 fool you, because he suffers double land effect in desert, dense forest and hill settings. Overall, he makes a reasonable fighter that is best put just behind the melee guys (such as Jaha). Chester can be promoted to paladin (PLDN) or pegasus knight (PGNT) with the pegasus wing. Although I prefer the pegasus knight to the paladin, I suggest that you should promote Chester to paladin anyway, since the only known pegasus wing is hidden pretty far in the game.
Quote: "What does he mean? I don't understand."
Chester as Pegasus Knight...
Jaha
When you leave the town of Granseal for the search of Sir Hawel, you'll meet Jaha. Jaha is not very intelligent and he likes to be a little taller. This dwarf is the pretty strong. His defense is above average and his attack ... well, you don't want him to be your enemy. His slow movement and low hit points are well compensated by his formidable combat abilities. Jaha can be promoted to gladiator(GLDR) or baron (BRN) with the warrior pride. I'd say that he's better off as a baron, because barons can use both axes and swords. Jaha is a splendid warrior that should not be dumped into the Caravan.
Quote: "Heeave Heeave, come on..."
Kazin
Kazin is the assistant of Sir Hawel, who dies early in the game. When he joins, you hear a slightly different tune compared to the normal "X joins the party" tune. His Blaze spell is very useful in the beginning (especially against Zombies, Evil Clouds and Golems), but his other spells are weak at best. Kazin is a REALLY poor fighter, but he posesses so many magic points that he shouldn't be used for combat at all. Kazin can be promoted to wizard (WIZD) or to sorcerer (SORC) with the secret book. I suggest the second choice, though he won't be that bad as Wizard either. Eventually he'll be very versatile with Muddle level 2(good for a laugh or two), Desoul level 2(try any non-boss beast that's damaged and it should generally work) and of course Blaze level 4. As a sorcerer, however, Kazin can summon various monsters which do a heck of a lot of damage. He'll be less subtle than when he becomes a wizard, but he will inflict more damage... Like Jaha, Kazin is a character who is born to stay out of the Caravan. There are 30 characters in SHF2. I can't describe them all yet but here are a few of them already:
Quote:"It was Sir Hawel's last wish..."
Slade
Slade is the only mouse in the game. He's the guy who stole the two jewels in the intro. He's fast, but his defense is low and so are his hit points. Combined with a seemingly mediocre attack value he is often put in the Caravan. However, if you have a little patience with him and train him well, then you'll get a very neat party member who has not only got a reasonable attack (Especially with the Ninja Katana or the Guisarme at the end of the game. These are both not easy to get, though.) but also an impressive arsenal of spells, an "oriental Blaze" called Katon (actually it's even stronger than the ordinary blaze..) and an "oriental Bolt" called Raijin. Both of these spells are very helpful, though I should mention that Slade could never exceed any wizard in magical power, since his amount of magic points is rather low. Still, Slade is a character worth paying some attention..
Quote: "I didn't mean to..."
Kiwi
This funny little fellow can be found in a small house in Granseal after you've escaped from jail (but before the big earthquake). His helmet looks somewhat similar to Yoghurt's in SHF1. His defense is very high, but he has got only a few hit points. Although his movement of 5 isn't something to be proud of, he often turns out to be faster than the spellcasters. This is because he suffers NO land effect in any forest setting. Unfortunately, his attack is not so good. I have to admit; if you want a strong party quick, don't put him in. But if you train him well (like Slade) you certainly get something in return. What might that be? Well, if you promote Kiwi he gains hit points quicker (about 1 per level), uses his firebreathing attack of +/- 30 damage on a lucky day and his movement rate increases to 7. Besides that, he suffers NO land effect in any forest, desert or water setting. He can even fly (although the mountains are too high for him)
"Shiver"
Peter (also known as Ash)
Peter is one of the strongest (if not the strongest) characters in the game. He starts as an average bird, but he'll quickly improve. Increases of +3 are very common and even increases of +4 have been witnessed (that is the highest possible in SHF2). Besides that, he's got the advantage of flying (movement 5 before, 7 after promotion) and he can raise himself (expect nothing less from a phoenix). And as if that wasn't enough, he has also got an increased resistance versus Blaze-spells. All in all, he's a legendary bird with legendary powers and someone you'd NEVER put into the Caravan. Unless you're not playing to win, of course.
Quote:"I don't know if we are legendary or not..."
May
Give Mae (from Shining Force 1) a makeover, a bow and reduce her defense to peasant-level and you've got...May. Well, actually she's just a wandering centaur longing for adventure. She is an optional character, but only the biggest klutzes can't find her. She is the only centaur with a bow (she's also the only female centaur) and arrow. Like all centaurs, she too has trouble moving through the dense forest and the desert. May is on of the weaker characters, but I find her fun to play, so she seldom lands into my Caravan. If you want a strong party, go for the brass gunner(s) instead, because she hardly improves as she gains levels.
Quote:"would you mind if I join you?"
May attacks...
Gerhalt
Gerhalt used to be a citizen of Polca. Then the devils came to take control. Luke wanted to destroy the devils. Gerhalt wanted to help. But Luck was knocked unconscious and Gerhalt joined the force instead. And he is a strong fellow, I say. In the beginning, that is. After promotion he slowly becomes one of the average guys in the Force. He has got one advantage over the other melee guys. He does not suffer ANY land effect in forest settings. The chosen guy to defeat that annoying gargoyle just north of you in the battle west of the secret elven village. I'd say, keep him in your party until you'll find a good replacement (Gyan, maybe).
Quote:"I'm not hairy enough though."
Luke
Luke used to be one of King Bedoe's servants. When you save him from the devils, he'll join you, however. Luke is one of the weaker guys you'll met. Although he has the advantage of flying, both his attack and his defense are below average. He makes a good guy to put in the back of the Caravan, unless you like him much. He can be promoted to bird battler. Except for the nice dives, it doesn't have much advantages over his old class. Btw. Luke is the only character that can fly over mountains when not promoted. A minor advantage that partially compensates his dramatic combat ability.
Quote: "Don't forget me..."
Luke's dive attack...
Rohde
This grumpy scientist is a real mechanic freak. He is also a fine Brass Gunner. Although he's rather slow, his range (and later) his defense are certainly an advantage. All in all he is a bit above the average.
Quote: "I'm busy."
Rick
Rick is the third centaur you'll meet. Compared to Chester he has less hit points and a slightly lower attack, but his defense is a lot better than Chester's. He too, can be promoted to either Paladin (PLDN) or Pegasus Knight (PGNT). My advice depends one thing. Somewhat further in the game, you'll be able to choose between a dwarf, a priest, a mage or a centaur. If you'll choose the centaur, you'd better promote Rick to Paladin. But if you don't choose the centaur, Rick will be the proper candidate to be promoted to Pegasus Knight. It'll take while (since the wing is hidden somewhere in Pacalon), but it's worth the waiting.
Quote: "What's that thing outside?"
Elric
Elric is the elf who got stuck in the harpies pond. When you have saved him, he'll be very thankful and joins you. When you find him, you can immediately promote him if you want to. You then have two choices. You make him Brass Gunner (which has a high defense) or you make him Sniper (which has a high movement). Whatever you choose, Elric will stay an average Force member. I prefer him in the battle party, but my friends always stash him in the back of the Caravan.
Quote: "Enemies in the sky are mine. My arrows will get them!"
Eric
After the encounter with the Evil Spirit (or Evil Spilit, what you like most), four potential party members await. Choose one to tag along ( you can get the others by visiting Creed's Mansion after you've defeated Cameela). If you choose Eric, you choose a centaur with a lot of initial hit points and a superior attack skill. His defense is not too good, but heck, he's got dozens of hit points anyway. Eric can be promoted to either Paladin (PLDN) or Pegasus Knight (PGNT). I advice you choose for the second option (unless you haven't got a Pegasus Wing of course).
Quote: "Style is more important than strength."
Karna
She is also one of the four choices. I disrecommend choosing her at first, because the second Vigor Ball (needed to promote her to Master Monk) lies on Grans Island (waaaaay ahead) and she gains levels very quickly, she she will also be useful when you find her later. Besides that, she becomes rude when you decline her offer (see Quote). Karna is equipped with all the spells a priest needs. Heal is necessary 'til she gains Aura (this spell rocks!), Boost not only makes people stronger, but it's also an easy way to gain much exp. (a well-placed Boost level2 grants 49 or 50 exp.) and Blast is handy for doing a fixed amount of damage. Anyway, putting Karna in the Caravan is like putting caviar on a plastic plate. A big no no.
Quote: "You…snot nose!"
