Bowie Sarah Chester Jaha Kazin Slade Kiwi Peter May Gerhalt Luke Rick Elric Rhode Karna Tyrin Randolf Eric Janet Higins Skreech Taya Frayja Jaro Gyan Sheela Zynk Claude Chaz Lemon

Bowie Bowie is the character you play as and leaderof the Shining Force. You can name him what you like, as Bowie is just his default name. Since he's the leader you lose if he gets defeated. It's very important to make him an active member in battles so that his grows strong - and he does grow quite strong, indeed! At first, Bowie looks like a pipsqueak with two sticks shoved up his ass. When promoted he looks more like a cool swordsman. His arsenal of magic is limited; he starts out with Egress (the retreat spell) and eventually learns some lightning spells. Back to top

Sarah Sarah is one of Bowie's school friends from the town of Granseal. She's a Priest and therefore uses healing spells, with one exception - Blast. Her weapons are not very powerful for attacking, which can lead to her becoming weak. But you must keep her because she kicks major ass after using the Vigor Ball, which promotes her to Master Monk! Master Monk makes her like some kind of kung fu fighter, yet still retain her healing abilities. She looks sexy when she's a Master Monk, heheh. You'll get urges to smack her tight ass each time she attacks. *smack* Who's yo dadde! Back to top

Chester Chester is one of Bowie's school friends from the town of Granseal. He's a centaur and cannot use any Magic. He's an average character. For the beginning of the game he's good to have around. Later he can be promoted with the Pegasus Wing to a Pegasus Knight. And I highly recommend you do this, because Chester becomes pretty useless without it. Back to top

Jaha Jaha is one of Bowie's school friends from the town of Granseal. He's strong! And his defense is good too. He becomes even better when promoted with the Warrior Pride to Baron. His only drawback is his small movement span. As a Baron he can use swords as well as axes, making him more versatile; he will also gain a +1 to his movement span. Back to top

Kazin Kazin! When you first go to Yeel, Kazin the Mage takes you to see his master, Hawel, but on arrival at his house the Force finds Hawel near death, muttering to himself about the Tower. When his master dies Kazin decides to join your group to avenge the Hawel's death. Kazin kicks ass with his Blaze spells. Later in the game you get to choose how you want him to kick ass. With the Secret Book you can promote him to a Sorcerer. Sorcerer spells are quite strong and its nice eye candy, but all spells remain within the small span as with Blaze level 2. If you let Kazin promote to Wizard then he learns Blaze level 3 (has a large damage span) and Blaze level 4 (devastating, single target damage). In my opinion, I think you're better off with Kazin as a Sorcerer because those spells are just too cool! Back to top

Slade Slade the Thief is the rat who started all the problems with which Rune is now faced. We learn that he always steals from the rich to give to the poor, in the style of the legendary Robin Hood, and when he found the Jewels of Light and Evil he took them with good intent, unaware of the trouble he'd cause. He helps you to escape from Galam Jail after you've been captured and then decides to join in order to attempt to put the wrong things right. Slade is an alright character at first. When promoted to Ninja he learns very powerful spells! His only drawback is that his defense is always TERRIBLE. Throughout the whole game he will always die after like 2 hits. Back to top

Kiwi Kiwi can be found in Old Granseal when the animals have been released from the pet shop. He's all alone and hungry in a little house when you find him, so comfort him and give him a name and he'll join you. His default name is Kiwi. His defense is very high but his HP is very low. Because of this it's crucial that you keep him away from enemies which use attack magic, because any blow from them is a devastating one. He's useful for the first half of the game. He becomes somewhat of a weakling later on. After promotion, he can "fly" and execute a random flame breath attack. Back to top

Peter Peter is a Phoenix who visits the town of New Granseal, only to be mocked by the inhabitants. After speaking with the King he tags along with the Force and is computer-controlled until you have traveled to Bedoe and spoken with the God Volcanon. Peter is definitely the strongest character in the game - plus he flies! And since he's a Phoenix, he revives after a battle if he is defeated. Back to top

May After you've landed on Parmecia and fought the battle at North Cliff, you will be sent out to make allies and trading partners. You'll find yourself in the Town of Ribble, and once the people there realize you're not going to hurt them, they'll all come out of hiding and you'll be free to go around the town. Just south of the church you'll find May the Ranger who is willing to join the Force. She's the first archer to join the force so her abilities are useful for a while. She's not a strong character so I recommend ditching her any chance you get. Back to top

Gerhalt Gerhalt kicks major ass! He's a Beast Man for crying out loud! Gerhalt is from Polca Village; he joins at the start of a battle in his home town after realizing that the townspeople had been deceived. His movement range (5) is what limits his progress, so I recommend that if you plan to use him until the end of the game you should use a Running Pimento to increase it. After he is promoted he becomes a full Wolf, leaving his human form behind forever. Back to top

Luke You'll meet Luke for the first time when you go to speak with King Bedoe and Volcanon. He's a friend of Peter's. When you return to Polca and get the raft, Luke will leave the town with you and then ask to join. Keep Luke only if you really really want another flying character. His strength is okay, but like most bird men in Shining Force titles his defense is terrible. Back to top

Rick When you've fought the Taros and found the Caravan, return to Hassan and you'll meet this unlikely looking soldier, who rushes at you and asks to join with great enthusiasm. Rick is an average centaur, but I don't think he's worth it. He arrives at a point in the game when there are already better characters available. He can be promoted to a Pegasus Knight too, via the Pegasus Wing. Back to top

Elric On your way to Creed's Mansion, you'll stop by the Elven Town. Here you'll hear that a young elf, Elric is missing. When you reach the passage to Creed's Mansion, Oddler will say he hears someone crying for help, you follow him into a small area where there is a pool. In this pool you'll find Elric, however saving him isn't as easy as you might think, as the pool belongs to the Harpy and she's not gonna let her meal go without a fight! Once you've defeated the monsters Elric will join up in gratitude. His special promotion item is the Silver Tank. Elric's okay to have around if you really want another archer. However he's a not a very strong character and not worth keeping for long. Back to top

Rhode Dr. Rohde is a historian, living in the town of Hassan, and only he can help you get the caravan. But what does a boy like Bowie have that would interest a historian? The Achilles Sword! When you have the Achilles Sword, take it to Rohde and he'll tag along with the Force. Without him you can't progress and fight the Taros. He'll join up as a member of the Force when you clear the rocks at North Cliff. He'll use the Cannon as a weapon and become a Brass Gunner. He's one of the stronger long distance attackers in the game. Back to top

Karna Karna is one of the four characters you can choose from at Creed's Mansion, however if you don't choose her, you can return when you have the Sky Orb to get her and the others you turned down. I highly recommend that you pick Karna. She has an excellent arsenal of spells! Her Boost spell (boots defense & agility) will save you time after time later in the game when everyone seems to have crappy defense. Using the Boost spell on 4 or more characters gives Karna 49 experience points! So that'll make it so easy for you to eventually make her the character with the strongest defense and most HP. She also learns the multi-healing Aura spell, and up to level 4 too! Back to top

Tyrin Tyrin is one of the four characters you can choose from at Creed's Mansion. Choose Tyrin if you prefer to have a well-rounded spell caster. He can even be promoted to summoner. (Yuck, do you really want to see an old man in the rather feminine summoner outfit?) But I don't think his spells are very effective towards the end of the game when the challenge and enemy HP is rather high. However if you don't choose him, you can return when you have the Sky Orb to get him and the others you turned down. Back to top

Randolf Randolf is one of the four characters you can choose from at Creed's Mansion. However if you don't choose him, you can return when you have the Sky Orb to get him and the others you turned down. Randolf is SO not worth it. You don't need another slow-moving warrior. Back to top

Eric This handsome centaur is Eric, one of the four characters you can choose from at Creed's Mansion. However if you don't choose him, you can return when you have the Sky Orb to get him and the others you turned down. He can turn out to be a strong centaur, but you SO do not need him. At this point in the game you already have enough well-rounded attackers. Back to top

Janet When you return to Granseal to get the Dynamite to unblock the tunnel to the north, Janet will see you as you leave. She'll tell you that she knows her love, Elric, is with the Force. Astral at first thinks that she wants to take Elric away, but she asks to join so that she can be with him again and makes a useful addition to the Force. Janet is an average archer, but she's SO not worth it. Back to top

Higins Higins is a Paladin from Pacalon, who left to find help for his city. He ran into trouble with the Greater Devil Geshp and was almost possessed by another gizmo, just like King Granseal and King Galam were. You'll see him when you leave the town of Ketto, shortly after you arrive in North Parmecia. He'll be knocked unconscious and when you complete battle 26, he'll join out of gratitude for your saving his life. I think he's pretty good. Toss him in if you want another centaur. Back to top

Skreech You'll first meet Skreech at Bedoe, when he is just a chick, and it seems you make quite an impression on him there. Once you've spoken with King Bedoe and God Volcanon, make sure you speak to the chick on the ledge outside the 3rd floor. Then, when you are about to leave, wander around the bushes on the left of the screen, stand in-between two of them and a small bird will fall on you. That's Skreech. His mother will thank you and he'll join later in the game, at the town of Tristan, when you've spoken with Mitula and go to leave the town. Remember, he will *only* join if you saved his life back at Bedoe. I think he's pretty good! His low defense is typical of a bird man but it's not too bad. Back to top

Taya Taya the Sorceress is at Mitula's Shrine. When you've beaten Zalbard and spoken with Goddess Mitula, go through the doorway on the right and you should see a statue. Search it and Taya will be restored to her normal form and will tell you that Mitula wants her to go with you. You must use her! The more Sorcerers you have the better. Sorcerers kick so much ass!! The only drawback is that Taya is like the most weakest character in the game! After 1-2 hits she's gone! I suggest you save all of your defense-boosting items for her. Back to top

Frayja Frayja the Vicar is in Pacalon Castle the first time you meet him. He's feeling terribly guilty about something he's done. It turns out that a small town on the north-west coast of Parmecia is the only thing blocking the Devil Army from invading the mainland, and Frayja was the one who had to make the choice to lock it's gate, and it's people inside to prevent a massive loss of life. It was the lesser of two evils, but evil none-the less, and all he can do is feel sorry for his sin. When you return to Pacalon after having been to see Mitula, he'll go with you to Moun, to see if there are any survivors. Once he has opened the gate and you go inside the town he insists on joining the Force and fighting the battle in the town. If you didn't recruit Karna at Kreed's Mansion, then I recommend recruiting Frayja. You really need a healer that learns Aura! (Heals multiple characters at once.) Back to top

Jaro Jaro the Pegasus Knight will join you half way through battle 32, when you are fighting your way to reach the village of Moun. When you first meet him he is fighting against you on the side of the devils. But he decides he no longer wishes to work for them and starts fighting alongside your warriors (although he is controlled by the computer for the duration of this battle). He's an alright character. If you already have Chester promoted into a Pegasus Knight, then don't bother with Jaro. Back to top

Gyan You'll meet Gyan the Gladiator in Moun, after Frayja has helped you get in and you have fought off the monsters. When you tell him that the tunnel has been cleared and he can return home he decides that his family can wait and that your cause is more important. He's strong! Use him if you don't mind adding someone with a small movement span. Back to top

Sheela Sheela is the third Master Monk in the game and can be found near the Monastery/Dojo on Grans. The Monastery is South-west of where the Nazca Ship crash-lands. On the left side of the Monastery are a lot of trees. Find your way through these trees, heading upwards and you'll come to a waterfall, where you'll see he swimming and diving. It turns out that she's one of Sir Astral's old pupils and is training to be a fighting machine rather than becoming a priest, because the Evil Red Baron murdered her fiancé. She agrees to join the force, in the hope that she might be able to avenge the death of her love. Back to top

Zynk Zynk is a Robot from the past, one of the inventions of the Ancients. He is met in Moun, protecting the townspeople and tags along with the Force once you leave Moun. He flies the Nazca Ship for you and when you go to Roft and Petro dies he'll join. He can be really strong, but his movement span is 4! Freakin 4!! That's terrible. Hack into your save state and make it a 7! Back to top

Claude Claude is one of the special characters, you need the Arm of Golem from Moun to make him join. Pictures of it's location and his location are linked to in the pictures section of this page. South of Roft there is a small path along the coast, which can be followed. It leads to a series of bridges linking a number of small islands. On one of these there is a cave, go in it and inside of it you'll meet Claude. If you don't have his arm he'll just complain and won't join. In this cave you'll also find a way back to Parmecia. At the bottom you'll see some dark panels on the floor, one on the left opens up a path which leads back to the Magic Tunnel below Ribble. I think Claude is even better than Zynk, but his movement span is also 4!! Dammit! You should just hack into your save state and make it a 7. Seriously. Back to top

Chaz It's Jesus! =P When you return to Yeel you'll find the town is deserted... or is it? Play the piano in the tavern and a doorway will open up inside the church. Much as the Priest tries to force you to go away you succeed in the end and find the townsfolk living in tunnels under Yeel. You'll find Chaz here and he'll offer to join you and your comrades. Since Chaz joins when you're close to the end of the game he learns his strongest spells somewhat quickly. Back to top

Lemon When you defeat Red Baron on the battlefield, Lemon snaps out of his trance and realizes all the evil things he has done. He decides that he should take his own life to atone for what he has done, however, Astral will tell you that Lemon is now an immortal vampire and cannot die that easily. You'll find traces of his attempted suicides all over the south of Grans as you go from town to town and you'll eventually find him in Yeel. If you talk to him there, he'll offer to join. You can pass him by here, but he'll meet up with you at the Devil's Head Statue and join there. When he joins you'll get the Dark Sword, which, while cursed, has a useful Desoul spell. You should use him - he's strong! *Note: If you're using the Gens Genesis emulator to play Shining Force 2, there's a bug that prevents you from equipping Lemon with weapons. But you can work around this through save state hacking. However, the Kega Fusion Genesis emulator does not have this bug. Back to top

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