Do you use the 4th characters?

[Mustachious]

I've watched a few streams of this game and everyone just lets the 4th character die and plays the game with just Firion, Maria, and Guy. Personally I like leveling them up a little, giving them a couple spells... they can really help out with just a little effort. Leveling up their shield a few levels usually helps them stay alive despite their low HP. Plus they make nice extra healers. Their MP raises super fast, so those starting low MP rates aren't too big of a problem.

[Skoops]

Back when I played FFII for the first time on the GBA, I did actually invest time into grinding the rotating slot of the party, but after that? Never really felt the need to. Most of them are only in your party for a dungeon or two at a time, and anything you invest into them will be lost forever when they inevitably leave your party. The final party member is technically worth boosting and such, but by the time I'm there, my main 3 are strong enough to hold their own even without a fourth slot at all.

There's definitely nothing wrong with setting up the other characters, but it's not something I really have the time to sink into anymore.

[Pack 4 Potatoes]

Spoilers: Yes, I think a lot of people just let the 4th person die, since they will leave your party permanently anyway. It's just a waste of time to try and level them up. However, the GBA and PSP versions of this game included a bonus chapter at the end of the game where your fallen teammates all meet up in the afterlife and go through a dungeon together. They retain the levels and equipment they had when they left your party, so it actually encourages you to level them up during game.

[Mustachious]

Yeah, I loved (and hated) that about GBA version. Was a very cool idea but my party was way too weak to survive in it XD

[Paratech2008]

I'm using the 4th character for a backup mage. I want to use him as a healer so my female character can spam ultima.

[Mustachious]

Ultima is pretty rad when you power it up. Backup healer is a great role for the 4th character IMO

[Paratech2008]

Thanks, Can it (Ultima) be leveled over 9? So far that, cure, and the on spell that makes attacks more powerful seems capped at 9 for my characters.

[Mustachious]

You should be able to level them to 16

[Paratech2008]

I guess I'm doing something wrong. Using the spells over and over isn't leveling them up for some reason.

[Mustachious]

It should continue to level up just like it always did?

[Mustachious]

I had my Ultima at level 11 endgame and Cure was 16

[Paratech2008]

One characters Ultima is 9 and her cure is 12 but the other hero isn't very high on his cure yet.

[PorkChip]

Usually dead weight.

The only two that join in a semi-useful state are Leila and Leon.

[Mustachious]

Originally posted by NinthNei:

Usually dead weight.

The only two that join in a semi-useful state are Leila and Leon.

IDK, I'd say Minwu is pretty helpful in the beginning. Leon is usually awful by the time you get him IMO, he's just nice because you know he won't go away.

[PorkChip]

Originally posted by Mustachious:

IDK, I'd say Minwu is pretty helpful in the beginning. Leon is usually awful by the time you get him IMO, he's just nice because you know he won't go away.

Fair point.

Okay, this would be fun to elaborate on.

Minwu - Good for healing bad status since he likely has stronger Basuna/Esuna spells than anyone in the main party. Not good for attacking and MP needs to be spared for curing status in dungeons.

Josef - Potential in him to be great given tender loving care but in the party for MUCH too short of a time to merit investing any time building him up.

Gordon - Beginning of the game stats and already 20-25% into a tough game. IMO the worst of the 'guest' characters.

Leila - She flits in and out of the group, so worthwhile investing a little building up. Although her stats will be low when she joins, she is more useful than the others.

Richard - He would likely have become awesome given time but again, more of a cameo role and not worth investing any time in.

Leon - Extremely meagre stats for endgame but he has the potential to catch up with the others somewhat and he is there 'til the bitter end.

[Mustachious]

I like Leila because she comes with Thunder already leveled up a little and that's really helpful against all the sea enemies you have to fight shortly after getting her :P