How do I know if I recruited Gilbert in Suikoden II?

[gamblingpoet]

I know I have to attack him, but is there more to that? Flik said something to him about changing sides, but I'm not sure if he actually did change sides. I just got my castle and I don't have the Star list, nor can I select him from my roster. Do I have to restart?

[hopefuldeath]

You have to damage him, not attack him. It's pretty obvious when he joins because he has a speech about switching sides, his unit changes side, and then the enemy starts attacking him too.

If Flik's initial Flame Spear misses(50%) then recruiting him can be a real crap shoot. Gilbert was the reason I missed the true end my very first time because I didn't know that was the only time to recruit him and most of the units are AI controlled so there's not much you can do

[Action-Bastard]

Probably the biggest BS recruit the franchise has ever thrown at us.

[Captain Steve]

I think I've only ever missed getting him once in all my playthroughs. I honestly didn't know you could miss getting him until the AI units managed to not damage him once. I'm not sure the game even gives enough time to get the units you control to him to damage him.

[hopefuldeath]

You can get your units to attack him as long as you move straight towards him. Problem is that he has 8 defense and your strongest unit has 6 attack so you only have a 10% chance of damaging him per attack with the strongest unit you control. You really want to cross your fingers that the fire spear hits. Flik's attacks have a 30% chance to damage him but there's actually no guarantee he'll even attack him after the first fire spear. Viktor doesn't move and the Matilda Knights probably won't get over there.