I cannot, in good conscience, tier Jowy. He is only playable for a very short window early in the game and briefly in flashbacks.
Viktor (S), Flik (S), Kahn (S) or Georg (S)
Riou, Georg, Viktor, Flik , Valeria, Humphrey (High damage output and massive tankiness). suikoden+2+tier+list
Ultimately, the best party is the one you have the most fun with. While this tier list highlights the most statistically powerful characters, Suikoden 2 is a game that encourages experimentation. There's joy in discovering hidden synergies, building a team of your personal favorites, and taking on the Highland Army your own way. That said, a well-optimized team can make those challenging moments a little less stressful, allowing you to sit back and enjoy the masterpiece of storytelling and world-building that this game is known for. With the right party, the freedom of the New State Army is yours to command!
The core of the S+ Tier is the ability to equip three runes that synergize perfectly. By equipping the (2x physical damage), Double-Beat Rune (attack twice per turn), and Double-Strike Rune (1.5x damage received and given), a character's physical damage output skyrockets in a way that no other setup can match. To put this into perspective, while Georg Prime's raw stats are phenomenal, a well-runed Killey or Sheena will completely out-damage him by the endgame. I cannot, in good conscience, tier Jowy
: While a great war general, his individual combat stats are mediocre. Key Build Recommendation
This definitive, mechanically detailed Suikoden 2 combat tier list breaks down which characters maximize physical destruction, magic nuking, or utility, and which ones belong in the castle kitchens. Tier List Summary at a Glance Primary Combat Role Core Characters 3-Slot Physical Gods & True Rune Mages Killey, Sheena, Chaco , Sid , Luc , Tir McDohl A Tier High-Utility Powerhouses & Top Mages Riou , Hai Yo , Rina, Sierra , Georg Prime , Mazus B Tier Reliable Mid-Game Carries & Bruisers Flik , Viktor , Tengaar , Kahn Marley, Clive , Valeria C Tier Niche, Balanced, or Stat-Locked Units Humphrey, Oulan , Wakaba , L.C. Chan , Zamza , Shiro D Tier Extremely Weak or Hindered Units Bolgan , Viki , Tuta , Gadget, The Squirrels S-Tier: The Overpowered Metagame Deities Ultimately, the best party is the one you
The characters in this tier represent the mechanical ceiling of Suikoden II . By unlocking three completely free rune slots at higher levels, physical fighters here can simultaneously equip the , Double Beat , and Double Strike runes. This specific combo multiplies physical outputs to defeat final bosses in just two to three auto-attack turns. Killey & Sheena Role : Physical Overlords
Clive is the premier long-range sniper in the game. Utilizing his gun, he can sit safely in the back row and pick off targets with incredibly high accuracy and critical hit rates. His high Technique stat means he rarely misses, making him a reliable, safe damage dealer.
The following tiers are ranked from highest (most powerful) to lowest:
These characters fall just short of the absolute top tier, usually because their third Rune slot unlocks very late, or because they have a single permanent Rune slot that limits customization.