Suikoden II , a character's power is largely determined by their Rune Slots and Speed rather than just raw Attack stats. Because you can "break" the game using powerful rune combinations like Fury + Double-Beat + Double Strike, characters with three open slots are almost always considered top-tier. S-Tier (The Game Breakers)
These characters have 3 open Rune slots (allowing for the ultimate physical or magic setups) and high Speed/Magic stats.
: Widely considered the best mage in the game due to a massive Magic stat and high speed.
: An elite mage who can attack from the backline and has 3 open rune slots, making her incredibly versatile.
: A late-game powerhouse with 3 slots and the highest magic potential, though limited by late availability.
: Top-tier physical attackers. Because they have 3 slots, they can equip the Fury/Double-Beat/Double-Strike combo to deal massive damage. A-Tier (Powerhouses & Core Members)
Highly effective characters that usually have 2-3 slots or unique strengths that make them staples.
Suikoden II , the "tier" of a character isn't just about raw stats; it’s about their Rune slots, speed, and range. With over 100 recruits and only six party slots, the competition is fierce. The best units typically have three open Rune slots and high magic or physical growth, allowing them to adapt to late-game bosses like the Beast Rune. S-Tier: The Game-Breakers
These characters are indispensable for any "ultimate" party. They possess incredible versatility and high damage output.
(Hero): The protagonist is a permanent fixture and earns his spot. The Bright Shield Rune provides some of the best healing and multi-target holy damage in the game. His stats are balanced, making him a reliable "Jack of all trades."
: Widely considered the best physical damage dealer. He has three Rune slots and high Speed and Technique. Equipping him with a combination of Fury, Double-Beat, and Shrike Runes turns him into a whirlwind of destruction.
: The undisputed king of magic. He joins late with massive Magic stats and three slots. While he is a "glass cannon," he can end boss fights in two turns with high-level Earth or Blue Drop spells.
: Another magical powerhouse. His high Magic and Speed ensure he moves first and hits hard. Since he is a True Rune bearer (Wind), his magical potential is nearly unmatched.
: Though often underestimated due to her early-game performance, she is incredibly fast. If you boost her power with Runes, her high Speed allows her to act as a primary healer or item-user before enemies can move. A-Tier: The Powerhouses suikoden+2+tier+list
These units are nearly as good as S-Tier but might lack a third Rune slot or have slightly lower Speed.
: A back-row specialist with exceptional Speed and damage. His gun, Storm, deals heavy damage from safety, though his physical defense is low.
: A literal tank with massive HP and Defense. He hits like a truck and can stay in the front row forever, though his lack of magical utility keeps him out of S-Tier.
: The iconic duo. Viktor is a physical beast with the Star Dragon Sword, while Flik is a highly capable "Magic Knight" with the Lightning Rune. Both are consistently strong throughout the entire game.
: Her Falcon Rune allows for 3x damage without any drawbacks (unlike the Boar Rune). She is one of the most efficient boss-killers in the mid-to-late game. B-Tier: The Specialists
Good characters who fulfill specific roles well but are outshined by the elite tiers.
: Great early-to-mid game back-row fighters with decent magic potential.
: As a vampire, she has unique sustain, but her fixed Rune can sometimes limit customization compared to three-slot units.
: Effective when used together due to their unite attack, but individually, they are overshadowed by more specialized fighters.
: Exceptional defense, but very slow. He is great for surviving long battles but won't help you end them quickly. C-Tier and Below: The Niche & The Weak
: Primarily a support/doctor character; his combat stats are minimal.
: Largely used for flavor or specific unite attacks; he lacks the growth to compete in the endgame. The "Comedy" Recruits: Characters like
or various townspeople are fun for completionists but generally shouldn't be taken into the final dungeon unless you are looking for a challenge. Key Considerations for Your List Suikoden II , a character's power is largely
Rune Slots are King: A character with three slots is almost always better than one with two, regardless of base stats, because Runes like Double-Beat and Fury provide exponential power boosts.
Unite Attacks: If you use the Star Dragon Sword and Lightning Rune users frequently, their synergy can elevate them a full tier.
Recruitment Timing: Characters like Mazus are S-Tier in power but C-Tier in "availability" since you only get them for the very end of the game.
In Suikoden II Tuta has a girl-like appearance. But he is now a grown up man, a doctor.
Suikoden II tier list is more than just a ranking of stats; it is an exploration of how 108 different characters intersect with a combat system that rewards both raw physical power and specialized utility. While every character is viable, the truly "S-Tier" units are those that can abuse the game's mechanics—specifically the interaction between Rune slots multi-hit capabilities The S-Tier: The Overpowered Elite Suikoden II
, a character’s worth is often determined by their Rune slots. Those with three open slots at high levels allow for the devastating "Fury + Double-Beat + Double-Strike" combination, which can triple or quadruple a character's damage output.
Widely considered the game's premier mage. His massive Magic stat and high-level spell slots allow him to vaporize entire boss encounters with a single
Both are physical powerhouses because they possess three open Rune slots and high speed. With the right setup, they can attack multiple times per turn, consistently hitting for maximum damage. Georg Prime
Though he lacks three Rune slots, his base stats—specifically his
—are so high that he remains one of the most reliable damage dealers in the game.
A late-game recruitment, but arguably the strongest pure caster alongside , coming pre-equipped with high-level elemental affinities The A-Tier: Reliable Workhorses
These characters are the backbone of most playthroughs, offering high reliability and accessibility throughout the mid-to-late game. Who is Best in Suikoden II (Tier List)
Beyond the 108: The Definitive Suikoden II Combat Tier List Building a party in Suikoden II isn't just about collecting all 108 Stars of Destiny—it's about optimizing rune slots, weapon ranges, and stat growth to turn your team into a boss-shredding machine. Whether you’re preparing for the final showdown at L'Renouille or just want to breeze through the Dunan Unification War, understanding which characters truly shine is essential. The S-Tier: The Gods of Dunan Title: Suikoden 2 Tier List: The Best Characters
These characters are undisputed powerhouses. Their primary advantage is having three open rune slots, allowing for the "broken" physical setup: a Fury Rune, Double-Beat Rune, and Double-Strike Rune.
Title: Suikoden 2 Tier List: The Best Characters (and the Ones to Bench)
Meta Description: Recruiting all 108 Stars of Destiny is tough. This Suikoden 2 tier list breaks down who dominates, who supports, and who belongs in the castle kitchen.
Let’s be honest: Suikoden 2 has one of the deepest rosters in JRPG history. With 108 characters, you’re bound to waste time leveling up a “cool looking” warrior who gets one-shot by a Highland soldier.
After replaying the 2025 remaster (and several roms before that), I’ve put together a definitive Suikoden 2 Tier List based on:
Let’s sort the Liberation Army from the kitchen duty.
These characters exist to farm, cook, or run your bathhouse. Keep them at HQ.
Good characters that require a little love or suffer from availability issues.
Why D Tier: He is cute. He is hidden in a bush in Kyaro Town. He does 10 damage per hit. He is a mascot. Do not bring a squirrel to a war.
Why B Tier: The gunman. Clive is extremely fast and has a unique ranged attack (no counter-attacks). However, his damage doesn't scale well into the late game because guns ignore the Strength stat. He is amazing for the mid-game "Neclord" fight, but falls off hard in the final dungeon's high-defense enemies.
No tier list is absolute — Suikoden 2 is easy enough that you can beat the game with any party. This list is for optimal boss killing (Beast Rune, Luca Blight) and speed runs. If you like a C-tier character, use them. The game rewards favorite Stars, not just power.
Would you like a printable version, or a breakdown of how to get the S-tier rune setups (Double-Beat, Fury, Violence)?