Suikoden II , the "best" characters are often defined by their Rune Slots and Rune Affinities rather than just base stats. Characters with three open rune slots are generally superior because they can equip powerful combinations like the Fury, Double-Beat, and Double-Strike runes to maximize physical damage. S-Tier: The Powerhouses
These characters possess the highest damage potential due to multiple rune slots or unique, high-tier abilities.
(Tenkan Star): Widely considered the best mage in the game. He has incredible Magic and Speed stats and can equip three runes, making him a devastating force with the Cyclone or Flowing runes.
(Tenbi Star): A "min-max" favourite. He has three open rune slots and strong offensive stats. Equipping him with Fury and Double-Beat runes makes him one of the highest physical damage dealers. (Tenfu Star): Similar to
boasts three open rune slots and excellent stat growth, allowing for extreme customization and damage output. Georg Prime
(Teni Star): Though he only has one rune slot, his base Attack and Defense are massive. He is often used for his raw "pummeling" power and reliability as a front-line tank. (Chikai Star): A late-game mage that rivals
in power. He comes with high-level MP and excellent affinities for elemental magic. A-Tier: Versatile Elites
Reliable characters that often form the backbone of a strong mid-to-late game party. Who is Best in Suikoden II (Tier List)
In Suikoden II , the "best" characters are often defined by their rune slots and late-game scaling rather than just their base stats. While many of the 108 Stars of Destiny are viable for the main story, a clear hierarchy emerges when optimizing for the final dungeon. S-Tier: The Powerhouses suikoden 2 tier list
These characters are considered the absolute best due to high magic stats or the ability to equip the Fury/Double-Beat/Double-Strike rune combination for massive physical damage. Luc
: Widely regarded as the best mage in the game. His enormous MP pool and speed allow him to end most battles in a single turn. & Sheena
: These are the physical damage kings because they unlock three open rune slots. When equipped with damage-multiplying runes, their damage output is mathematically the highest in the game. Mazus : Similar to Luc
, he is a top-tier mage with elite magic stats, though he joins very late in the game. Georg Prime
: Boasts the highest base attack power. While he lacks rune versatility (only one open slot), his raw strength and critical hit rate make him a monster. Show more A-Tier: Reliable Elites
These characters are top-tier for most of the game and remain highly effective in the endgame with proper setups.
Suikoden II , a character's effectiveness is primarily determined by their rune slots (up to three), and rune affinities
. While the game is flexible enough to allow for many viable teams, certain characters stand out as elite based on their damage potential and versatility. God Tier: The Game-Breakers Suikoden II , the "best" characters are often
These characters possess exceptional stats and access to three rune slots, allowing for the most powerful combinations (such as Double-Beat Double-Strike Tir McDohl
: As the protagonist of the first game, he has arguably the best stats and the powerful Soul Eater
rune. He remains a top-tier physical and magical powerhouse.
: Widely considered the best mage in the game due to his massive magic stat and speed. He is highly effective with : Both are elite physical attackers because they gain three open rune slots
early and have high speed and power, making them the best candidates for pure damage setups.
: Joins late but arrives with incredibly high magic stats and multiple rune slots, rivaling for magical dominance S-Tier: Top-Tier Combatants
Highly reliable characters that often anchor most endgame parties. Georg Prime
: Boasts some of the highest physical stats in the game. Although he lacks a third rune slot, his innate power and rune make him a monster on the front lines. : Similar to Role: Slow Death Why F-Tier: He has the
, he has massive defense and attack power. He is a "tank" who can dish out heavy damage without much setup
: A powerful mage and fighter with a unique rune that provides high sustainability. Riou (Hero) : While forced into the party, his Bright Shield Rune makes him the best healer and a solid all-around combatant. A-Tier: Strong & Versatile
Characters that are consistently strong but may be slightly outclassed by the God/S-tiers in raw output. Who is Best in Suikoden II (Tier List) 7 Jul 2021 —
Role: Slow Death Why F-Tier: He has the lowest Speed in the game. By the time his turn comes, the battle is either over or your party is dead. He will also miss 50% of his swings because his Skill is zero. Avoid.
Use them if you love the character, but know you are nerfing yourself.
Suikoden 2 is often hailed as one of the greatest JRPGs of all time, not just for its emotionally gripping story about war, friendship, and betrayal, but for its massive roster. With 108 playable characters (the "Stars of Destiny"), building the perfect six-person party can be overwhelming.
Unlike many RPGs where endgame characters are statistically superior, Suikoden 2 features unique Runes, unite attacks, and swing speeds that create a surprising depth of strategy. A character with a high Strength stat might be useless if their swing speed is abysmal, while a mage with one powerful spell can break the game in half.
This Suikoden 2 Tier List ranks every viable character from the god-like S-Tier (game breakers) down to the F-Tier (benchwarmers). We will evaluate based on:
Let’s dive into the definitive ranking.
These characters define the "meta" of Suikoden II. They either join early enough to carry the early game or possess skill sets that break the game's mechanics entirely.