Kinu's Guide to Recruiting in Star Ocean 2

KINU'S GUIDE TO RECRUITABLE CHARACTERS IN STAR OCEAN 2

Primary Note: While many characters will temporarily join to let you try them out, you can only permanently recruit six characters to accompany Claude and Rena.

Celine: It's impossible to miss Celine. Agree to let her accompany you as a guest to Krosse Cave, and you can permanently recruit her after the dungeon. Celine is one of the game's two primary offensive spellcasters.

Ashton: When you reach Harley, you can learn about a quest ongoing at Salva. Complete the mines dungeon and, after the boss fight, choose to "Take Responsibility" to recruit Ashton. Ashton is a melee fighter who uses twin blades and a bit of draconic influence. He's also pathetic. Please note you cannot recruit Opera or Ernest if you get Ashton.

Opera: In Krosse, view a Private Action between Claude and a three-eyed man. Then, after the Lacuer Armory Contest, visit the bar in Hilton to meet Opera. Follow her questline and meet her in the Mountain Palace dungeon to recruit her. Opera uses a sniper rifle in combat, and can do good at healing, too. Note you cannot recruit Ashton if you recruit Opera.

Welch: After the Lacuer Armory Contest, once you've obtained two extra party members (see: have 4 total, counting Claude and Rena), a Private Action in Lacuer City will allow you to recruit Welch. Welch has very fast basic attacks, and also pokes people with finger sticks??? Weird shit.

Precis: In the town of Linga, you can see some events and do some Private Actions, and you'll recruit Precis. Precis is an inventor with the fastest access to the Machinery specialty. She uses hammers, and can get skills through using Machinery. Note you cannot recruit Bowman if you recruit Precis.

Bowman: When the plot takes you to Linga, you'll have to do the Sacred Grounds of Linga dungeon. After this dungeon, Bowman will offer to join the party—you can't miss him. Bowman is the game's primary fistfighter, being much more proficient in melee than Rena. Note you cannot recruit Precis if you recruit Bowman.

Leon: You'll meet Leon before the Hoffman Ruins dungeon, and can add him as a guest in that dungeon. You'll get the option to bring him along permanently, but only if you selected Claude as your protagonist. Leon is the game's other primary offensive spellcaster, and uses books.

Ernest: After recruiting Opera, visit her ship in the Sacred Forest of Arlia for a Private Action. I think this is required. Anyway, if you do that, you'll later encounter Ernest in the Hoffman Ruins dungeon, and can recruit him. Note that you must agree to keep Ernest to keep Opera as well—they're a package deal. Ernest, since he's Indiana Jones, uses whips in combat.

Dias: You'll get Dias for a bit as a guest earlier in the game, but you can get him to permanently join later in the Lacuer Front Lines segment. However, he's only available to Rena. Dias is a swordfighter who specializes in single-strike attacks. He has a true Air Slash.

Noel: Noel will join the party as a guest for the Cave of Crimson Crystals dungeon, but can be recruited afterwards. You can't miss him. Noel is basically Rena 2, being the other support-based fistfighter mage.

Chisato: Encounter Chisato in Centropolis, and follow her to North City. IF you do, she'll appear in the Cave of Crimson Crystals and drop her ID Card. Pick it up, and after the dungeon, return it to her to get her in the party. Chisato is practiced in gunkata and has a number of tactical implements... like tear gas.