Randolf
Another guy you can choose at Creed's mansion. This handy-dandy dwarf is strong in both the attack and the defense. If you need sheer fighting power, you should choose him. He's not fast, but he is powerful. Randolf can be promoted to Baron (BRN) or Gladiator (GLDT). If you can promote him to Baron, I suggest you do so, because Barons are faster and can use swords (as I mentioned before). If you chose him at first, he'll make an excellent warrior that will not leave the battle party soon.
Quote: "Hey, are you crazy. Put me in battle!"
Tyrin
Your fourth choice is a mage. Canons and Lasers are nothing compared to his spell selction. Blaze, Freeze, Bolt. That should say enough. His fourth spell, Dispel, is a little disappointing, but I guess the Wizards and Necromancers are burnt down or frozen solid before they can even think of casting an offensive spell. He can be promoted to Wizard (WIZD) or Sorcerer (SORC). Since his spell selection rocks and he makes an ugly sorcerer, I say he should become a Wizard. When chosen, I never put him outside battle. His spells are just too useful for that.
Quote: "My magic should be a great help to you."
Tyrin casting Dao as sorcerer...
Janet
After a warm welcome and a nice chat in Granseal, you'll meet her when you leave. As Elric's girlfriend, she does not want to stop him, but she wants to join instead. Janet is also an Archer, so she too can be promoted to either Sniper(SNIP) or Brass Gunner (BRGN). She is not weak, but I found her unsuitable for the real slaughterings. If you want missile power, I suggest May or Rohde.
Quote: "I'm just happy to be with Elric!"
Higins
Higins is a noble soldier from Pacalon. He's very brave and intelligent, but not really tough. You'll meet him when he is talking to Gehsp. He gets posessed by a devil, but you (probably)manage to save him in time. He's an average Shining Force member. Not really strong, but he will not be the first casualty. A good character if you like centaurs...
Quote: "I can defend myself."
Skreech
Skreech is probably the character which is hardest to find. The exact details how to find him can be found at Moogie's page (www.classicgaming.com/shf2). In short, you save bay Skreech from a deadly fall in Bedoe and he joins in Tristan when he has grown up. Skreech is slightly better than Luke. He is fast, like all Bird Battlers and his defense is often better than Luke's. His offense is not so great, but giving him the Critical Sword in Mitula's shrine solves that problem, since his advancement is okay. Skreech is useful, but far from necessary.
Quote: "Excuse me, are you Bowie of Granseal?"
Taya
When you'll talk to the statue west of the big hall in Mitula's Shrine, you'll meet Taya. She is the funny-looking magic-user I've ever seen. Initially, Kazin is far better than her, but she slowly catches up with him. Her Dao spell is always useful (casting it on one Harpy Queen will inflict a whopping amount of 25 damage!) and she receives better spells pretty soon. She is good for the long run, but not if you need some quick reinforcements.
Quote: "Hey...the evil is gone."
Frayja
Frayja is a vicar from Pacalon. He's a important fellow, because Gehsp was waiting for him to leave the castle. In my opinion he's the ugliest character in the entire Force. Still, I feel forced to put him battle because his Aura spell is unimaginably powerful. He's probably the best healer out there, so I ...err... suggest you put him on the battlefield...
Quote: "Blast! This is so exciting!"
Jaro
Jaro used to be a bad guy, but when he meets your Force, he deserts and joins you instead. As a Pegasus Knight (PGNT), Jaro is very useful at times. Especially his attack is pretty good. Unfortunately, when he gets slapped himself, he seldom loses less than 30 hp. If you choose to include him in the combat party, he'll often be the first casualty. I suggest to put him on a nice spot in the Caravan.
Quote: "...I can't stand it anymore."
Gyan
Gyan can be found in Moun with a little searching, he comes from Ribble, but likes to join your party. His skills meet Jaha's in pure combat. It's somewhat like a toss to determine which is the best warrior, because it REALLY depends on the built-in randomizers. Like all dwarves, Gyan is not so fast, and that may be a reason for itself to exclude him from battle. However, he is a sturdy warrior with a lot of combative capabilities...
Quote: "Travel is my hobby!"
Zynk
Zynk tags along as soon as you win the battle of Moun, but he decides to join later on Grans Island. Zynk is a robot from the past. He is literally a combat-machine, but he's also very slow. That makes him the chosen man..errr..robot to give a Running Pimento or the Mobility Ring (If you were able to find that thing...). When Zynk scores a critical hit, he'll uses his mighty laser. A pretty spectacular attack...
Quote: "I have overridden my restrictions of fighting."
Sheela
Sheela can be found in the monastry on Grans Island. She is hard to find, so you'd better keep looking for a while. She is a relative of Astral and a crafty Master Monk. Her HEAL and BLAST spells are handy, but her MUDDLE level 2 really rocks. Isn't it fun to see a daydreaming Demon Master or a Pyrohydra who plays Shining Force GG (I wonder if it would work on a Prism Flower...)? Sheela's attack is good, her defense is BAD. 2 hits and she's unconsciouse. Lately, I've discovered something cool. We all know about Zynk's laser attack when he scores a critical. Master Monks also have a special attack when they hit really well. When they score a critical they punch and kick faster and more often than with a normal attack. I wonder if there are more guys with special attacks...
Quote: "Close your eyes..."
Sheela casting Boost...
Lemon
Lemon used to be the commander of the Galam Army, but when his king switched sides, so did he. He then became one of the most fearsome devils known as Red Baron. When you defeat him, he will become his old self again and after some suicidal attempts, he'll join your Force. Lemon is a Red Baron (Don't ask me the difference between the Baron and the Red Baron, because Randolf is also red as a baron, but he does not become a red baron) and a powerful warrior indeed. His fighting capabilities are equal to Jaha's and Gyan's, but his Dark Sword does give him a slight advantage over the other guys.
Quote: "Me? I'm almost a goner. A strange black cloud enveloped me (uch, uch)."
Chaz
Chaz comes form Yeel. His abilities are quite similar to Tyrin's except that he hasn't got that many spells at the start. His spell selection quickly grows, however, so he makes a fine mage after a few battles. Unfortunately, the game is finished a few battles after Chaz joins, so the fun doesn't last really long. -)-)-) Caravan, I'd say.
Quote: (none yet!)
Claude
Claude can be found in the magical tunnel between Grans Island and Parmecia. You'll need his arm to get him to join you. Claude is a golem. That should say enough. Both his attack and his defense are outstanding, but he has few hit points and a slow movement. I'll often put him in the battle for fun, but you'll have to decide for yourself...
Quote: "They say I'm dirty!"
more to come later...
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