Final Fantasy II/Characters

Main characters
These three characters will be in your party for the whole duration of the game.

Firion
He is adopted by Leon's parents as a child and grows up with Leon and Maria as part of their family. They lose their parents when the imperial army of Palamecia attacks the kingdom of Fynn. Firion decides to avenge their deaths by joining the rebel movement against the empire.

Firion starts the game equipped with a sword and a shield. The final sword in Final Fantasy 2 can cast a black spell, but Maria is better suited for black magic: it's better to teach Firion a limited number of spells (four white and four black), and leave the rest to Maria and Guy, as outlined below here.


 * Starting attributes: well balanced
 * Starting weapon: sword
 * Corresponding class in Final Fantasy 1: Red Mage/Wizard (same attributes and weapon)

Maria
She worries constantly about her brother Leon since he disappeared. Even so, she remains steadfast in her fight against the empire.

Maria starts the game with the highest intelligence, the attribute that rules Black Magic proficiency; moreover, she starts equipped with a Bow, and the final bow in the game can cast a black spell. Therefore, she's suited to learn as many black spells as possible.


 * Starting attributes: high "black" intelligence
 * Starting weapon: bow
 * Corresponding class in Final Fantasy 1: Black Mage/Wizard (same attributes)

Guy
He possesses enormous discipline and physical strength. Despite appearances, he is very gentle and occasionally naive. He is also capable of communicating with animals.

Guy starts the game equipped with an axe, and the final axe in Final Fantasy 2 can cast a white spell, therefore he should be taught as much White Magic as possible.


 * Starting attributes: high strength, good dexterity
 * Starting weapon: axe
 * Corresponding class in Final Fantasy 1: Warrior/Knight (same attributes and unique weapon type)

Temporary characters
Each one of these characters will be in the party only in the specified missions.

Minwu
A powerful white mage.

He starts the game with 16 white spells and equipped with a staff. His great curative and protective abilities make for an easy game.
 * Missions: n.2 to Salamand, n.3 to Bafsk, Soul of Rebirth


 * Starting attributes: high "white" spirit
 * Starting weapon: staff
 * Corresponding class in Final Fantasy 1: White Mage/Wizard (same attributes and weapon)

Josef
A villager from the northern town of Salamand.

He starts the game with no weapons and with some proficiency in karate (Japanese for "bare hands"), and it's good not to have to worry about buying equipment for one of your characters.
 * Missions: n.4 to the Snow Cave, Soul of Rebirth


 * Starting attributes: high strength and dexterity
 * Starting weapon: karate (bare hands)
 * Corresponding class in Final Fantasy 1: Monk/Master (same attributes and weapon)

Gordon
The exiled prince of Kashuan.

He starts the game with low attributes and equipped with spear and shield. He will soon become very strong and fast.
 * Missions: n.5 to the Dreadnought, n.7 to the Colosseum


 * Starting attributes: balanced
 * Starting weapon: spear
 * Corresponding class in Final Fantasy 1: none

Leila
A female pirate.

She starts the game equipped with a Thunder spell, a sword and a dagger. Her spell is effective against sea enemies. Leave the swords to Firion and equip her with daggers only, because she's the only character proficient in that weapon type.
 * Missions: n.6 to Deist, n.8 to Fynn Castle, n.9 to Mysidia


 * Starting attributes: high dexterity, low "white" spirit
 * Starting weapon: dagger and sword
 * Corresponding class in Final Fantasy 1: Thief (same attributes and weapons), but not Ninja

Ricard
The last of the Dragoons.

He starts the game with a spear and a shield, like Gordon, but with better attributes. Although his wisdom suggests he could use white magic, teaching him some black magic will allow him to get the best from his final weapon, the Thunder Spear.
 * Missions: n.10 to the Mysidian Tower, n.11 to the Cyclone, n.12 to Palamecia, Soul of Rebirth


 * Starting attributes: high strength and dexterity
 * Starting weapon: spear
 * Corresponding class in Final Fantasy 1: none

Leon
He is Maria's brother, and Firion's adopted brother and best friend. Leon loses his parents when the empire attacks Fynn. He escapes with Firion, Maria, and Guy, but imperial soldiers soon catch up to them and attack. He has been missing ever since.

He's proficient with axes and swords, but at this point of the game you'll have some unused staves with magic properties, and you'll soon find a Holy Spear, too, so train him with these.
 * Missions: n.13 to the Pandaemonium


 * Starting attributes: high strength and dexterity, more "black" intelligence than "white" spirit
 * Starting weapon: proficient in all weapons (except karate)
 * Corresponding class in Final Fantasy 1: Ninja (same attributes and weapons), but not thief

Character class triangle diagram
This diagram summarizes the abilities of the characters, based on their starting attributes.


 * Top: characters with limited magic abilities;
 * Bottom: characters with great magic abilities;
 * Left: characters with healing (white) magic;
 * Right: characters with offensive (black) magic.