Shining Force: The Legacy of Great Intention/Characters

Max
The main character. You can't take him out, but you shouldn't want to. He is one of the best characters in the game. He is a swordsman, with a strong attack and good defense. He has the egress spell used to leave any battle at any point, to return to the priest you last saved with. Don't let him die or you will lose half of your coin.

Luke
A warrior who will become one of the best characters. He has a strong attack and defense as well. He will join from the start and should be there at the end.

Gort
The other warrior. He is a lot like Luke with good attack and defense. Both lack substantial HP, but ample defense will make up for that. Just be careful around enemies with set attacks such as mages, or anything with a laser.

Ken
A knight. He has lots of HP, but that is only to compensate for his lack of defense. A fair attack level, and low defense means you can sit him once you fill up your party.

Mae
An excellent knight. She is more powerful then Ken with a better defense. Also has a nice amount of HP. She will continue to be of use throughout the game.

Pelle
There are a lot of mixed reviews on this knight. He will join after the Laser Eye battle, and should serve well from then on. He will at some points be head and shoulders above the team, but will eventually level off.

Arthur
An optional knight in Manarina Castle. He develops slowly! He will take until at least level 12-14 promoted to start to come into him own. Is he worth it, well, sort of. He will never have the largest attack, or a great defense, but he gets level 1 BLAZE, FREEZE, and BOLT, which can be nice. Never the best, but certainly unique.

Ernest
Another knight, who again falls in line with Ken. Not the best, but certainly not terrible. He has a nice attack, and good defense, so take him above Ken.

Vankar
Ok, this ends the knights. Similar to Ken and Ernest. He has a good attack, with ok defense.

Hans
Probably one of my least favorite characters in a class that is underdeveloped in this game. An archer who is slow to develop and not great when he does.

Diane
An archer who is better then Hans, but still not great. I recommend advancing one of the two for some range options, but both are best behind someone with a good defense.

Lyle
Not the typical archer, but the best of the range attackers in the game. You get him late(at the start of Chapter 6 in Rudo), so he will take some work and protection to level, but will soon come on strong. If you only develop one range fighter, make it him.

Tao
A mage who specializes in Blaze. She is a good assest to have. Her Blaze 4 is learned early after promotion, and only takes 8MP. Keep her in back as she lacks HP, but she should be with you in the end.

Anri
A mage who specializes in Freeze. She is similar to Tao, just with Freeze. Both are great at what the do, just be careful not to put them up front.

Domingo
An egg found in Manarina, hatched in Pao. He takes a bit to develop, but will be great once done. Does not promote, learns Freeze 4 along with Boost. He maintains a great defense, but will level out around level 25 of so. He is great because enemies will gravitate towards him, and with his defense he will be able to hold up taking the heat off others who are weaker.

Alef
You get her late, unpromoted, and really weak. She is worth it to develop because she is the only character to gain BOLT 4 (which have been seen doing stunning attacks of 104!) She will develop quickly if protected.

Gong
You will get this optional character at the house near the place where your first battle took place. He is the man chopping wood with an axe, talk to him and he is yours. He is a monk with both fighting and healing abilities. He is weak early on but the fact that he is a direct combat unit that is able to cast healing spells can be useful in a pinch.

Bleu
Bleu is the only dragon in the game that is on your side. He is average to start, so promote him or later he'll be really weak.