Class/Skill/Node build recommendations

[vtbots]

I've seen two different recommendations when it comes to upgrading the characters, and they're opposite of each other. Mostly in the form of 'choice nodes' (the blank ones where you must choose between two stats).

On one hand,
http://crystal-story-ii.wikia.com/wiki/Character_Building,_Optimization_and_Strategies
recommends that you focus on ATK/MAG/SPD nodes over HP/MP nodes, and not to pick MP unless it's an HP/MP choice. The guide claims that you'll have plenty enough HP and MP for all bosses except maybe supers.

On the other hand,
http://bchantech.blogspot.com/2013/11/crystal-story-2-skill-guide.html
recommends that when you come upon choice nodes, always go for HP/MP because the other stats are easier to increase via equipment. Also it suggests focusing more on skills than stat gains.

I don't know. Both sound, well, sound. I've been doing the former strategy this playthrough since that's the one I remembered, but I've seen the second strategy for the first time today. Fortunately I'm still on Chapter 1 so I can start over if I feel I'm not satisfied.

What do you guys suggest? Do you have your own builds? My current ones (fourth character hasn't joined as of this post):

D - Any classes that focuses on being a melee fighter/tank, so I'll try and get the Slayer and Guardian classes.

Lina - Thief (obviously) and Trickster mostly. On my first try at the game, her second class was Healer. However, it turns out she's the only character that has an Item Plus weapon obtained without alchemy, so Healer probably isn't the best for her since heal potions are affected by Item Plus. Also her MAG isn't too high.

Mari - Elementalist and Healer. She seems to have naturally high MAG stats so those may be good for her. On my first try at the game, her second class was Trickster. On my current playthrough I changed it to Healer instead.

Fourth Character - Don't know where I'll go with him, especially since he doesn't have a starting class.

[Lan]

I'm pretty interested with this as well. One thing to note is these guides were written pre-Steam update. Goggles was a new armor that was added which increases HP/MP.

[TotalBlank]

I don't have anything particularly in depth about my strategy but I usually decide what character is going to do what and choose two primary stats to focus on with the nodes and then I choose equipment based on whatever I deem necessary to boost that characters performance.

Lina (Thief/Trickster) is the fastest character with low end damage even near end game, so for me it's important to select as much SPD as possible.I reached mid game with low tier spells and not a whole lot of great armor because I avoided the grind early on so it was important for me to have her as fast as possible for use of recovery items. I can get like 3+ turns out of Lina before an enemy or ally even gets their turn so this is extremely important for end game content. Lina also does everything else on the low end, her magic isn't very strong and her health is average but she can manage with buffs for herself and the party, so in that case I might boost her MP a bit every now and then when I get HP/MP choice or STR/MP choice.

D (Slayer/Guardian) is mose simple and effective, I will always go STR over anything else and then SPD over anything else after that and then HP over MP most of the time until mid game where you'll be unlocking more higher level attacks that require more MP and deal various amounts of Elemental Damage which is important later on especially in a few tough solo battles you can do with him.

Kaz (Slayer/Elemantalist) is a great all around guy who can wallop offensively whether you make him a melee character or mage, in which case I went for both. I went for STR/MP build for him and occasionally a bit of SPD so he doesn't struggle too much. So I can freely choose to elemental based melee attacks like D or I can pummel groups with several high level spells at my disposal.

Mari is purely focused on being a mage. Both mage classes Healer and Elementalist are best suited for her and it's pretty obvious by her weapon bonuses that this is the most effective build for her. Combine the Healer class with a few of weapons that gives extra healing and you're all set.

[Maxor4411]

go into everything once you have the sp

[lightninglord2.71828183]

My character building is by ranking the different stats for each and choosing what roles to fulfill:

D - Physical damage dealer. Primarily picking Slayer and whatever has the most ATK/SPD nodes.
On choice nodes: SPD>ATK>MP>HP>MAG

Lina - Item user. Mostly classing Thief and abusing the super-fast healing through Item Plus. Also does physical damage by dipping into Slayer for Cleave.
On choice nodes: SPD>ATK>HP>MP>MAG

Mari - Damage caster. Mostly focused on magical firepower. Picks up healing as well due to favorable stat distribution.
On choice nodes: SPD>MAG>MP>HP>ATK

Kaz - Supporter. Carries most of the buffing. Dips into spellcasting to provide healing as well.
On choice nodes: SPD>HP>MAG>MP>ATK

Speed is the #1 stat because more speed = more turns. Doing 2k instead of 3k damage per hit is pretty irrelevant if your team gets ~10 actions before the enemies can do anything. This is the main reason to use Trickster - virtually every skill in that class is useless, but it has a lot of magic and speed nodes to boost your characters with.

[Enlocke]

For the main game you'll need a team with jobs for each character, konw beforehand what you want to do with them, the tips here are all good. For post game content it's a no brainer , everyone is pretty much equal in skills (exept some specials skills), post game with a maxed it's equipment who will matter.

[Σ Righan]

If you have post-game in mind, go for this build for your playthrough:

D Slayer & Thief > Healer > Guardian > Trickster > Elementalist
ATK > SPD > HP > MAG > MP
Heatblade (Evil Cave or Shop) or Materialauncher (Alchemy)
Assists with Kaz in Bash & Barriage for days. Auto-Revive via Healer V for early post-game. Second best ATK stat. Use Materialauncher if you want to use Grenades & Rockets via Burst for more damage output during such instances (best used for last boss in post-game since immune to stun tactic).

Lina Thief I > Trickster & Healer > Thief > Guardian > Elementalist > Slayer
SPD > MAG > HP > ATK > MP
Light (Default, cannot re-obtain if sold)
Stat SPDs
Best SPD stat. Primary Buff & Debuff user for Slow, DEF Down, etc, except for Spirit All (Kaz covers this), and best Poison user (Until Mari learns it). Back-up Healer without the need of D using Item+ Materialauncher. Second best MAG stat (or close enough to D either way). Strongest Holy Light which makes up for her lower MAG stat between Mari. SPD gives a better edge on using skills like Cure and Raise.

Mari Elementalist & Healer > Trickster > Guardian > Thief > Slayer
MAG > SPD > HP > ATK > MP
Rune Shifter (Default, cannot re-obtain if sold)
Stat MAGs
Best MAG stat. Magic attacks for when necessary. Best Healer outside of Holy Light. Strongest Poison user. Additional buff & debuff support along with Spirit All. Only Regen All user (Heals more per turn depending on MAG stat, hence priority over MP for all characters).

Kaz Slayer & Guardian > Thief > Trickster > Healer > Elementalist
ATK > SPD > HP > MAG > HP
Deathscythe (Default, cannot re-obtain if sold)
Stat ATKs
Best ATK stat, so Bash & Barriage for days. Has access to Guardian skills like Spirit Up All that Lina otherwise wouldn't.

Stat HPs & MPs until all Max'd characters have an even amount of Max HP to Kaz and Max MP to Lina; go wild after that.

---

Prior to the Steam release, back on Desura when it was the Deluxe Edition and not the Sword of the Fallen Dragon update, MAG buffs gave double ATK buffs gave, while SPD buffs were far more potent. This means you could with enough SPD pretty much have a very reliable stun-lock against all bosses besides Koohii. So Mari could hit way more then any other party member, while also providing full heals with Heal All, while two other party members can stun-lock via Barriage, along with the support of a third party member who specialised in debuffing and buffing as a priority. This is why SPD was the most valuable stat, since even Mari didn't require as much focus with MAG for the same that you have to now.

The Sword of the Fallen Dragon update changed that with the nerfing of these buffs and debuffs. Since ATK deals just as much damage with Barriage, has a chance to stun, less MP cost and shorter periods between actions compared to X Magic III, you need to rely more on hitting hard with ATK, while still of course having enough SPD to react to changes in battle, such as curing status effects and healing.

Therefore including that to be taken into account, speed is not a priority to D, Mari and Kaz because ATK and MAG buffs depend on the number of actions they have, not the number of turns that pass, unlike SPD, DEF and MDEF buffs. Ergo it saves time re-casting buffs. D and Kaz can hit 8k per Barriage easily, while Mari can hit a lower but still respectable amount with Earth III. They also have limited support roles which Lina and Mari can easily fulfil. Mari's support roles require her to have high MAG for Heal All and Regen All.

The reason MP is also the least important stat is because items are so common, it's better just to restore MP via an item in the long run. This is because it's the easiest to raise with Stat+ items. The same 40 of them that would increase all characters HP by 100 each, increases it by 50 instead, when most characters MP hits around the 200 range max, which HP hits a much higher amount. You need HP to survive, so it's better then extra healing for D and Kaz via Start Regen/Agility/All.

[Broso]

Can you change node choices at a later point?

[Lan]

Originally posted by Virsalus:

Can you change node choices at a later point?

Nope. It does loop though

[Broso]

Originally posted by Lan:

Originally posted by Virsalus:

Can you change node choices at a later point?

Nope. It does loop though

But you only get so many loops right? I take it no respeccing either?

[Lan]

youll eventually learn everything.

[Broso]

Originally posted by Lan:

youll eventually learn everything.

I understand that, but after you learn everything, you will have end stats depending on your choices at the nodes with multiple possible gains, right? And what I want to know is if there is any way to change that after you have learned everything.

[Σ Righan]

Yes, there are multiple possible final stats for each character, depending on the choices made where you can select two different stats to increase. You cannot change these choices, period.

You can however use Stat Up items scattered through the game via quest rewards, monster drops and Steal/Plifer to increase stats beyond the stat nodes, which can balance out character stats or spec out certain stats for particular characters.

None of this is necessary, as it is possible to complete the game regardless of what choices you make, but in an optimal run of the game you should plan ahead before you are given the first multiple choice nodes.

[Broso]

I see, thanks.