Suikoden+2+tier+list May 2026

| Character | Why | |-----------|-----| | Mondo / Sasuke (ninjas) | Low stats across the board. | | Tuta | Lowest HP in game. Dies in one hit. | | Pilika | Child character. Joke fighter. | | Gantetsu | High HP but zero damage. | | Rokux | Terrible accuracy. | | Maximillian (Knight) | Slow, weak, no redeeming qualities. | | Hanna | Low STR, low SPD. | | L.C. Chan (Bruce Lee parody) | All bark, no bite. | | Miklotov | Great in S1, terrible here. | | Camille | Wasted potential. |

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)?

Before we dive into the characters, here is the criteria:

The beauty of Suikoden II is that the difficulty curve is forgiving enough that you can beat the game with a C-Tier team if you manage your runes and armor correctly. The "best" team is subjective, but if you want to trivialize the Luca Blight fight or breeze through the final dungeon, stick to the S and A tiers.

Who is in your Suikoden II dream team? Do you defend Viktor's honor against the S-Tiers, or do you keep the Squirrels in your party for the vibes? Let me know in the comments below!

Tags: Suikoden II, JRPG, Retro Gaming, Tier List, Konami, RPG Strategy

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. suikoden+2+tier+list

: 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.

In Suikoden II, character effectiveness is often defined by Rune slots, Speed (SPD), and Magic (MAG) stats. While the game's difficulty allows you to win with almost anyone, certain "Stars of Destiny" stand out for their ability to end boss fights in a single turn.  S-Tier: The Game Breakers 

These characters possess three open Rune slots or unique permanent Runes that allow for astronomical damage output. 

Riou (Hero): Essential due to his unique Bright Shield Rune, which provides top-tier healing and decent offense. Late-game, his stats make him one of the best physical and magical hybrid attackers. | Character | Why | |-----------|-----| | Mondo

Luc: The undisputed king of magic. With nearly 400 MAG at Level 60, high SPD, and three Rune slots, he can wipe out entire enemy groups or bosses before they take a turn.

Mazus: Joins late but matches Luc in raw power. He comes with massive MAG and multiple slots for high-level elemental magic like the Rage or Thunder runes.

Killey: Often cited as the best physical attacker. He has three Rune slots and high versatility, allowing him to stack damage-boosting runes like Fury, Double-Beat, and Shrike.

Pesmerga: A physical tank with high HP and massive ATK. While he has limited rune slots compared to Killey, his sheer base stats and defense make him an immovable force.  A-Tier: High-Utility Powerhouses 

Strong characters that are either slightly slower than S-tiers or have one less Rune slot. 

Flik & Viktor: The iconic duo. Flik is a reliable magic/physical hybrid with the Thunder Rune, while Viktor is a physical powerhouse who excels when equipped with a Fury Rune.

Clive: A long-range specialist with exceptional SPD. His gun, Storm, deals high damage from the back row, though he is physically fragile.

Nanami: Extremely fast. Her Flower Rune is useful early on, and her high SPD ensures she always acts first for healing or items. No tier list is absolute — Suikoden 2

Humphrey: A pure defensive wall. His heavy armor and high HP make him perfect for the front row, though his low magic defense is a liability.  B-Tier: Niche & Reliable  Solid choices that require specific setups to shine. 

Zamza: A well-rounded fighter with high HP. His Fire Dragon Rune is strong but causes self-damage, requiring specific equipment or healing to manage.

Tengaar: A back-row mage with high MAG. She is excellent for support roles using Flowing or Mother Earth runes.

Sheena: Very similar to Flik; a solid hybrid with three Rune slots, though his base stats are slightly lower.  C-Tier & Below: The Underperformers 

Characters generally used only for completionism or specific "Unite" attacks. 

Gengen & Gabocha: Their Kobold Attack is decent early but falls off quickly.

Tuta: Primarily a healer, but outclassed by Riou or specialized mages.

Gilbert: While a great war general, his individual combat stats are mediocre.  Key Build Recommendation 

To maximize any character's tier, look for the Fury Rune (found as a special item in Muse's Rune shop) which increases ATK by 1.5x.