The Crystals - Recommended Starting Levels

[Zerro0713]

Greetings,

So the PSP version of this game has a level cap of 40 (I think) going into the Crystals Tale which gives you a benchmark for leveling.
The Steam version doesn't have a level capp.

1. I was curious, what is the recommended level for all characters going into the Crystals Tale? (My levels range from mid 20s to 40s)
2. Recommended level for True Moon? (Start)
3. Recommended level for Planet Eater? (Start)

Since I have access to so many characters now, should I only focus on using 5-7characters or should I try using all characters?

Thanks

[Cadence]

I think I was upper 20s to lvl 30 at the start and I didn't have any major problems. If you stick with the same 5 through the end and don't run from battles you will be fine. I only had to grind once in true moon, and just for like 2 levels, because I needed Blizzaga for a boss (my Rydia was L39 and the spell was L41).

If you want to use Cecil you might wait for a certain event, because his stats are stuck at 10 until then and he'll be mostly dead weight. Afterwards he goes back to normal. Or you could just drag him along anyway to keep him leveled.

If you're going for achievements you'll have to level up everyone to 70 anyway, but if you do this I recommend waiting to use 5 exp bands in the last dungeon. It'll go super quick that way. You just want to make sure you have 1 or 2 higher levels in the party that can survive those fights.

[Zerro0713]

What are your recommended parties for True Moon and onward?

[Cadence]

Lots of setups can work. You'll prob want at least 1 WHM and 1 BLM.

Rosa/Porom/Leonora for WHM - Rosa is pretty solid. If you give dualcast to a healer then Porom outclasses Rosa by quite a lot. If you are playing super completionist with like full best in slot gear (pink armor, etc), then a dualcast Leonora becomes the best mage in the game.

Rydia/Palom - Rydia has summons. Palom is better as a pure BLM and can be given dualcast. This is preference.

Then you probably want 3 attacker types.

Cecil/Ceodore/Golbez - Cecil is a little better as a raw fighter I think and provides cover if you want it. Ceodore has a bigger WHM spell selection. You don't really need either unless you want them. Golbez is a more offensive version of Cecil and Ceodore. Wouldn't hurt to bring one of these three if only to have someone that can use the best sword.

Yang+Golbez or Yang+Taunt Ring - Yang is a powerhouse with an awesome ability called cover counter. Pair him with a taunting golbez or someone with a taunt ring and you will mow down anything that physically attacks you, because Yang can cover the taunter and counter every single hit. Just gotta keep him healed.

Edge/Kain - Both solid choices with good stats and weapon, really can't go wrong with either. They are both IMO stronger than they were in the base FF4 game. I personally like Edge better for raw offense, but Kain has haste and blink which are super nice for bosses.

Ursula - A faster Yang without cover counter but with some healing. She can work but can't be abused as easily as Yang.

I don't really find any of the others worthwhile unless you really want them. Cid and Luca are too slow, the other ninjas are just weaker versions of Edge, Edward is better than FF4 but still kind of meh, Harley's elemental weakness thing is neat but she is weak overall. The dolls are weak as well.

My ideal would be...

Regular playthrough:
Golbez, Kain, Yang, Porom(dualcast), Rydia

Perfectionist playthrough:
Golbez, Edge, Yang, Leonora(dualcast), Rydia

[Zerro0713]

Right now I am using:

Porom, Ceodore, Rydia, Kain, Edge

[dracosian]

level cap for me was 99 in steam version.