main characters stats

[F.O.A.M]

will they always stay the same? as in you get a bit shoehorned into using dex weapons over str?

[Chester]

Yes. Other than equipment that slightly boost certain stats (which you'll want to give to characters that are high in those stats already), a character's stats will stay the same and not change on level up or otherwise. There is some stat variability between the generations, but a class that is high in one stat will generally stay high in later generations. Rangers, for example, will always have a higher Dex than Strength stat and will always be better served by using Dex weapons (Bows or Shortswords). Mercenaries will always have a higher Strength stat. You will occasionally get some units that are good in both Strength and Dex, with a later generation slightly stronger in one category, but generally it's one or the other.

This also plays into their "spark type" and what weapons they'll spark more techniques for. A Ranger is going to spark more techs for Bows than for any other weapon (it's a somewhat hidden mechanic, though the game does a pretty good job hinting to you what weapon they'll do best in).

[Ultima546]

To clarify, your Emperor’s stats will remain the same throughout their generation, but you can always choose a character with high Mag, Str, etc. for your Emperor.

At endgame your Emperor will be relatively equally good at everything.

[Chester]

(I saw from your profile that you're still pretty early in the game. Early on your party options are limited - and at the very start you can't change your party. As you explore the world more, you'll recruit new classes and your party building possibilities will increase. So if you want to build a party will no Dex weapons, an all Magic party, or a party of nothing but Bow users, you will eventually be able to play around with who's in your group to a much greater degree).