Suikoden II 2 108 Stars of Destiny recruit list

1/108 - Riou (Hero)

Notes - Genkaku's Kid, he's from Kyaro.  Starts off in the Highland Unicorn Youth Brigade with Jowy Atreides and then later is the leader of the City-State, ending the Dunan Unification War.

 He is a god in battle, with brilliant technique and a defensive, healing-based rune in the Bright Shield Rune.

2/108 - Leona

Notes - She tends to the tavern and allows you to form your party most of the time.  Joins automatically.

3/108 - Barbara

Notes - Joins automatically at the Viktor's Fortress.  She is like Rock in Suikoden I, as she takes care of the safe.

4/108 -  Gengen

Notes - Joins automatically when you have to go to Ryube with Tuta for some Flour.

5/108 - Mukumuku (optional)

Notes - This is one of the harder recruits in Suikoden II.  Or rather, one of the most easily missed.  When you first get to Kyaro, when you are by yourself, go west near your house and then north before you get there.  You'll come to a big tree.  Search it three times and Mukumuku follows you out and joins.  

 If you miss Mukumuku in Kyaro you can get it later in the game between Greenhill and the Greenhill/Muse Path (if you are just with Riou).  Really though, just get Mukumuku in the beginning and save yourself the trouble.

6/108 -  Nanami

Notes - She is Riou's Sister and is at Riou's side throughout the majority of the game after he comes back to save her in Kyaro.  Her Family Attack is a tremendous asset as a unite.  Nanami works best with a healing rune and a Spark Rune since she has such high agility.

7/108 - Rikimaru (optional)

Once Viktor tells you to go get some recruits, go to Ryube.  You'll see a passed out guy right away, this is Rikimaru.  He's hungry, so bring him to the Inn and get him fed.  It costs 3000 Potch, but pay it.  For the early part of the game, Rikimaru can be a powerful fighter.

8/108 - Millie (Optional)

Notes - Another character in Ryube during the initial recruitment drive.  Talk to her and she's lost her pet Bonaparte.  Go into the forest and then go east to find it.  You'll have to defeat it in battle, not the easiest task in the world, but she joins afterwards.  She is a mediocre mage but may prove useful for a Thor Shot or two against Luca.  

9/108 - Shiro (Optional)

Notes - A great character for early in the game, with ridiculous speed and attack.  If you get him in your party for the Sindar cave (your party is random) then that's a good thing.  To recruit him, go north before you go east in the Millie sidequest for Bonaparte.  Put the bird back in the nest and then go on and finish teh Millie Sidequest.  On the way back to Ryube go up and Kinnison and Shiro should be there, so recruit them.

10/108 - Kinnison (Optional)

Notes - A pretty generic archer, he does have a decent unite with Shiro.  Other than that you may find him not worth much.  To recruit him, read above as he joins with Shiro.

11/108 - Zamza (Optional)

Notes -  When you have Nanami in your party, bring her to Toto.  Zamza is in the Inn and he acts cocky to Nanami but eventually joins.  If you don't get him here, he'll be in South Window.  He may not look like much but he is actually a decent magician (use lightning rune) and his attack his okay, if not slow and poor technique along with it.  

12/108 - Hanna (Optional)

Notes -  She will join you if you talk to her after Toto burns down.  Hanna is about as generic as they come, so I'd use someone else in battle besides her (although her +2 in war battle is nice).  

13/108 - Apple

Notes - Apple joins after Toto is burned down, as she wants to meet with Flik and Viktor.  She is Mathiu's pupil in Suikoden I but is much more involved in Suikoden 2.  

14/108 -  Tsai

Notes - He is an automatic recruit as he is needed to use fire spears.   This is what he is good at - in battle he is not that effective as he is not a magician and has poor strength but good technique.

15/108 -  Anita (Optional

Notes - You are going to want to get her in Muse.  If you don't get her then, you'll have to wait until Banner Village.  At any rate, buy some Antitoxin before you meet with her.  Talk to her until she requests something and then do whatever she asks.  Then leave Muse (or Banner) and come back, and do it again.  You have to help her three or four times and then she'll join you.   She is a powerful fighter especially early, and especially when paired with her Unite partner Valeria. 

16/108 - Tuta (Optional)

Notes - You initially have Tuta with Gengen when you go to get Flour.   Tuta can be recruited in Muse, the building north of the Inn if you talk to Huan and then you'll see Tuta outside of this building.  He is a uselessly weak character so don't use him other than for entertainment purposes.

17/108 - Gilbert (optional) 

Notes - Gilbert is another character who can be missed easily.  When you fight him in battle with Solon Jhee, Flik will likely use the Fire Spear on him to do damage and get him to join.  If he can't though you'll have to attack his unit until damage is dealt and then Gilbert will join.  Save before this to make sure this happens, you wouldn't want to miss him.  You can't fight battles with him but he is a solid attacking unit.  

18/108 - Rina

Notes - What a magician Rina is.  She joins with the other circus people for a while through North Sparrow Pass but leaves until you recruit them for good in Coronet.  Rina is the most valuable of them all with magic that rivals just about anyone other than Luc and Mazus.  

19/108 - Eilie

 Notes - Compared to Rina, she doesn't match up.  Sure, her attack is a little higher and she is more capable physically than Rina, but she just doesn't match up in terms of magic.  She can be a decent healer and fighter early on but will fall towards the wayside as more statistically dominant characters come in later.

20/108 - Bolgan 

Notes -  I'm not a fan of this guy.  Poor speed, poor technique, decent attack but his weapon sucks?  His unite with the girls can be helpful against the North Sparrow Pass boss but I can't see Bolgan being used after this with so many other able front line fighters available.  

21/108 - Viktor

Notes -  You see him early on but he doesn't really join you until the North Window stuff.  In case you didn't know, Viktor is one of those front line characters who can handle just about anything.  Viktor with a Warrior Rune, Double-Beat Rune, or Fury Rune (any 2 of them) makes him a monster.  His magic sucks surely but his power puts him at the top, not to mention the fact that you have to use him all the time anyway.

22/108 - Flik

Notes - A versatile character, just like he was in Suikoden I.  He, like Viktor, joins you later on but he'll be involved in the plot the entire game.  He is a skilled physical attacker but his true value is in that he can be a competent magician with the lightning rune.   

23/108 - Freed Y

Notes - A representative from South Window, he joins you as you go to North Window.  Unfortunately for you he'll be involved in a few storyline things, forcing you to use him.  He can equip heavy armor but is a weak front line fighter and really has nothing special about him that warrants use.  He's even worthless in war.

24/108 -  Shu

Notes - Shu is a Radat resident.  It is forced that you get him as Apple will make that happen.  Is a pain to get, but is well worth it.  As an advisor he is generally insightful and in war he is an absolute juggernaut, if you pair him with a top unit like Ridley's or Luc's he'll make that unit extremely dangerous.

25/108 - Huan

Notes - Huan is an automatic recruit as he comes in when Riou accepts leadership of the City State.  Huan is a great addition as he can heal 3 times in war battles, from a good distance away.  

26/108 - Luc

Notes - Luc joins when Leknaat appears and orders him to do so.  Now, Luc is the best character in the game in my opinion.  First of all he is going to be the best magician you get for the entire game (unless you consider Mazus better, but even then he's one of the last recruits).  Take off that Wind Rune and that Pixie Rune, and affix a Blue Gate Rune on his head, and Wizard / Lightning runes on his hands.  You can use whatever for the Lightning spot, a Cyclone Rune would be nice also. 

 Okay, and then there is Luc in war battles.  He has the highest attack and if you put Shu and a +2 attack character (Tai Ho / Hanna) then he'll have about 15 or 16 for attack.  Luc is suddenly your main offensive unit as he can damage others from 3 spaces away while the enemy cannot counterattack.  Luc's defense will suck but again when will an enemy unit be attacking him?  Not often.  His Wind Rune isn't that great but it doesn't hurt to have in War Battles.  Do remember though that his unit is not in battle during the war battle against Luca where you have to do damage to Luca...so take Shu and the other character out and put them in another unit for that battle.    

27/108 -  Templton (optional)

Notes -  To recruit Templton, go through Radat and then the Mercenary Fortress.  Now go to Toto and she'll be on your left and will join you.  She gives you the Suiko Map.  This is about the extent of Templton's usefulness.

28/108 - Alex (optional)

Notes - After Riou becomes leader of North window, go to South Window and then head to the Inn, and you can recruit Alex and Hilda.  He is the Item Shop owner and sells everything you've seen in Item Shops so far.  

29/108 - Hilda (Optional) 

Notes -  She comes with Alex.  Hilda runs the Inn, and you'll be seeing her and saving with he a lot.

30/108 - Richmond (Optional)

Notes - He'll help you get Shu in Radat.  When you return he'll offer to join if you win the coin toss.  Well, you'll never win.  Go to the tavern and talk to the guy directly to your west and he'll give you another coin.  Return to Richmond and he joins you now.  Richmond doesn't do much other than do background checks on your characters.  

31/108 -  Yoshino (optional)

Notes - Hey, it's Freed Y's wife.   She joins when you bring Freed Y to her.  They have a unite together, that isn't really impressive.  Yoshino seems like a decent magician, but never really gets past that mediocre stage and really only has a level 3 spell until much later on.

32/108 -  Oulan (optional)

Notes - Oulan is an easily missed character.  First, you have to have an entirely female party with Riou.  Now go to Kuskus and talk to the old lady you see to your left when you walk in.  Leave Kuskus and go back in, then go west across the bridge and you'll get ambushed.  Oulan saves you and joins as your bodyguard.   She is a decent character that a lot of people don't use, but really isn't at that upper echelon level for front line fighters.

33/108 - Adlai (optional)

Notes - Like Sergei in Suikoden I, he's the elevator guy and nothing else.   When you go to recruit him, he asks for a Sacrificial Jizo.  Well, you can buy one at an item shop around here (not South Window though) or you can take one off Bolgan or Clive.  After you give him one of these he asks for a Wooden Shield.  Buy one from the Armor Shop just south of here and then he asks for a Wind Crystal.  Buy a Wind Crystal at the rune shop in South Window and then Throw it at Adlai instead of giving it to him, and this will allow you to recruit him.  If you don't do this he'll continue to ask for the same things until you throw them at him.  He puts an elevator up at your castle.

34/108 - Tai Ho

Notes - When you are discussing going to Two Rivers, you'll need a boat captain.  Remember Tai Ho?  He's in Kuskus with Yam Koo and joins if you win 5000 potch in Chinchirorin.  Tai Ho starts with a Killer Rune but really isn't as useful as he is in Suikoden I.  Most of this is because Yam Koo doesn't fight anymore and thus their 3x damage unite is gone.  Still, Tai Ho has nice stats himself and is a great addition for war (+2 attack +1 defense).  

35/108 - Yam Koo

Notes - Joins with Tai Ho (see above).  Doesn't fight in this game, one of my few complaints.  Instead he just fishes all day, you can fish with him.  Still a pretty useful character in war.   

36/108 - Amada

Notes - He's the other boat guy that you can get instead of Tai Ho (or, get them both!).  You'll have to duel him twice, once for the sluice gate and the other to recruit him.  Neither time is really hard, and he's not that great of a character to have despite his HP.  There are better characters, and he shouldn't he even considered in the Luca battle.  

37/108 -  Clive(optional)

Notes - Okay, first, when you are in Muse be sure to go to the northeast area, where you get the scene with Elza.  Take her guns and then leave Muse and give them back to her.  She rewards you with a sound set but more importantly you meet Clive and Elza.  When you are able to get to Lakewest (you have to go there first) return to South Window and talk to Clive west of the Item Shop.  You can recruit him and then go along with the Clive Sidequest.  Keep in mind this sidequest with Clive is time sensitive.  

Clive is a fine character to use anyway.  Unlike in Suikoden I you actually should be using Clive early and often.  His gun is great and with a Warrior or Double Beat rune, even better.  

38/108 -  Taki (optional)

Notes - Taki is in Lakewest.  Just talk to her a bunch of times and you can recruit her.   She tells you about recruits, that's it. 

39/108 -  Hans(optional)

Notes - Hans is in the Two River Inn, second floor.  Now you can recruit him immediately or you can send him off to get you tons of potch (like 100,000 potch if you want).  The more you ask for the longer it'll take for him to come back.  Just ask for the 100,000 Potch and come back later to get him and the cash, it's worth the wait.  He is the Armor Shop guy and sells all the armor you've seen. 

40/108 - Fitcher

Notes - You meet this Fitcher guy early on at Muse.  Then he's working for Two Rivers and is at the entrance to your castle.  After all the Two Rivers crap he'll join at the very end.  He does nothing in battle but is heavily involved in the main plot.   

41/108 - Chaco

Notes - Chaco is recruited automatically after Two Rivers.  This guy will be annoying.   Not really worth your time in battle either, although maybe he is useful for the Greenhill Academy.  In war though he can fly which is a good addition, and he has a unite with Sid that you'll probably never see.

 42/108 - Ridley

Notes - Ridley is a damn fine general and should be a 108 that you can fight battles with too.  Alas you'll have to enjoy his great stats as a war general.  Not quite as strong as Luc but with the right characters he can become the best attacking unit you have until later when Georg joins.  Ridley can die if you run away at Tinto with Nanami and then his son Boris joins, who is worse.   

43/108 -  Hai Yo (optional)

Notes - After Two Rivers, go to the east part of the first floor of your castle and then go south.  You'll meet Hai Yo, who will join and be your cook.  Give him all the recipes and ingredients you find.

44/108 - Sid (optional)

Notes - Once the Two Rivers stuff is done, put Chaco in your party and get Sid in the sewers.  From where you enter, continue along until you can go west through a tunnel and into a room.  Sid starts off every battle sleeping because of the Waking Rune and really isn't that good anyway despite his unite with Chaco.   

45/108 - Gabocha (optional)

Notes - Bring Gengen to the Kobold district in Two Rivers.   Talk to Gabocha and he'll follow you, which means you recruited him.  I don't know why you'd use him or Gengen in a serious battle but they do have an interesting unite attack.  

46/108 - Tetsu (optional)

notes - He's the bath guy, residing in the north part of Lakewest.  To get him though, go to the Kobold district and buy some Fried Tacos.  Use these on Riou in battle until he starts smoking, or becomes Toasty.  Now take Riou to Tetsu and he's impressed and he joins.   Again, he's the bath guy, he does nothing else.

47/108 - Shilo (optional)

Notes - This is Shilo, not Shiro the dog.  Shilo is in the Inn of Lakewest and after a certain amount of recruits (or maybe a certain point in the story) he'll challenge you to Chinchirorin and ya gotta win 5000 potch.  Save before you do this of course.  He is the Chinchirorin guy at your base, and you can use him in battle.  However he is generic, has no magical ability or strength, but is long ranged and that's it.  

48/108 - Stallion (optional)

notes - To recruit Stallion you need to run or Let go from 50 different battles.  At this point you probably don't have that much so fight weaker creatures and get a bunch of Let Go's.  You can then recruit Stallion.  He's not that good in this game but does have the True Holy Rune for running around the map at a blazing speed.  In battle though he's generic but usable.  

49/108 - Meg (optional)

Notes - Meg is at the Greenhill / Muse border, a place you'd probably never check.  She is with Gadget and joins after a bit of talking.  She seems a bit more competent in battle compared to Suikoden I when she was an 8 year old girl.  Her unite with Gadget is impressive and you may wind up using her again Luca as a mediocre healer.  

50/108 - Gadget (optional)

 Notes - Joins with Meg.  Can be used in battle as a tank to absorb attacks, and for this purpose you may be using him against Luca.  However he is slow and his attack isn't that good, and isn't really suitable to be used without Meg and their Unite.  However then you have to use Meg which is a problem, so just don't use either of them unless you want Gadget as a meatshield for Luca.

51/108 - Hix (optional)

Notes - Hix has an annoying sidequest that you can to go through to get him.  I'd advise against doing this until you get the Blinking Mirror, especially if you're trying to get all 108 Stars in 20 hours.  Hix is a poor character and the time it takes to get him will undoubtedly bother you because of this.  Here is how to recruit Tengaar and Hix.

Okay, to recruit Hix you have to talk to them in Lakewest a few times until they go off to Kobold Village.  Now go south to Kobold Village and talk to them by the elder.  Hix is to go on a quest the next day to cure Tengaar.  It's all a ruse but alas you have to go through with it.  First you'll need a Blue Stone at the South Window Item Shop, then a Red Flower at the Cave of Wind, and finally a Green Bell in the Two Rivers Sewers.  After collecting these one by one and returning to Kobold Village (I told you to have the blinking mirror) then you'll find Tengaar is gone.  You have to go into the north forest of Kobold Village.  Take the west path when you go inn, then go north and east and continually working your way east you'll reach everyone.  After the scene Hix and Tengaar both join.  

52/108 - Tengaar (optional)

Notes - see above for how to recruit Tengaar.  Unlike her boyfriend Hix she is actually worth something in battle with her magical prowess.  She really is up there as one of the top magicians to choose from, although probably not quite where Luc and Rina and Mazus are.  Still, if there's any silver lining to all that damn running around you did it's Tengaar.

53/108 - Tony (optional)

Notes - More characters to get after two rivers.  Tony is in Forest Village, northwest of Two Rivers and northwest of Greenhill.  He is in the northeast building and will join if you talk to him a few times and ask him.  He is the fat farm guy around your castle and you can play whack a mole with him (and give him tomato's and shit).  

54/108 - Wakaba (optional)

Notes - Wakaba will join you early on if you go to the Forest Village.  Have Riou impress her with his awesomeness and Wakaba will join you.   She is a solid front line fighter and her martial arts abilities are furthered when you get LC Chan in your party.  

55/108 - Yuzu (optional)

Notes - After the Hix and Tengaar quest, go back into Kobold Village to see Yuzu along the main route.  Talk to her and help her find her three sheep.  Once this is done she joins you.  Give her the animals you find along your journey. 

56/108 - Emilia (optional)

Notes - Talk to Emilia a few times when you first get to Greenhill.  Inquire about Shin and explain your situation.  She'll join you informally here.   Emilia runs your library, so give her your old book vol's. 

 57/108 - Jeane (optional)

Notes - On your way back from Greenhill, go to Two Rivers rune shop and recruit Jeane.  She doesn't fight in this game but is in war battles and her lightning magic is purely devastating.   This can do damage on the toughest of enemies, Luca Blight, Yuber, etc.  Jeane also runs the rune shop!

58/108 - Teresa

Notes - Teresa is saved along with the Greenhill scenario.  Doesn't do much besides her plot involvement and her poor war archer unit.  Bombard is nice but what does it matter when your attack is 6?  Make her a healing unit or something

59/108 -  Shin

Notes -  He seems to be a good swordsman with his Spider Slay rune (although it can only be used once).  Unfortunately his defense is rather poor for an S fighter so you may not wish to have a character who dies so often up there.  

60/108 - Nina

Notes - Quite possibly more useful than Shin?  Physically she is pretty weak, but I find myself using her for some Lightning Magic when it comes time to battle Luca Blight.  Still though, she's a little above the mediocrity line for magicians so you won't be too impressed.

61/108 -  Viki (optional)

Notes - Viki is an optional recruit but you'll run right into her as you make your way to Matilda from Greenhill.  If you choose to go with her when you recruit her, she'll end up teleporting you back to North Window HQ.   Viki teleportts you to places you've been (unless you can't go there, like when highland has control of them) so you'll be talking to Viki a lot.  In battle Viki is actually a powerful magician, despite her weak Blinking Rune.  Give her a lightning Rune and use that magic power for something good.  

62/108 -  Futch (optionaly)

Notes - Futch is at the Highway Village.  You normally get here when you make your trip to Matilda, but you can get Futch early through a glitch that allows you to push the guards north at the Muse/Matilda border.  Anyway, go to the Highway Village and through the Inn, talking to Humphrey and doing that sidequest that involves Rakutei Mountain.   Bring some good characters, the Rakutei Mountain and the Harpy at the top aren't easy.  He's not that bad but doesn't really have anything impressive about his ability.  Not really a strong fighter, not a good magician.  

63/108 - Humphrey (optional)

Notes - To recruit Humphrey read above or look at the walkthrough.  Humphrey is a beast at the front line. Not the best attacker, he's slow and has no magic value, but is an absolute wall defensively.  Useful in war for this purpose as well.

64/108 -  Miklotov

Notes - Miklotov joins automatically after the Muse incident.   He is a knight like Camus but one that is less adept at magic but moreso into attack power and defense.  Thus they are good when used together and Miklotov can equip the best armor around.  You might find a spot for him on the front line against Luca.

65/108 - Camus

Notes - Starts with the powerful Rage Rune and is a weaker, more magician-like version of Miklotov.  Think of Flik minus the physical ability.   Still not that great of a magician though.

66/108 - Kiba

Notes - After capturing Kiba and Klaus in war battle you'll have the option of killing them or asking them to join.  Ask them to join three times and they eventually will.  Kiba is a great war general, the most defensive minded general around these parts.  Alas he dies before the game ends but is a valiant figher until then.

67/108 - Klaus

Notes - Klaus joins with his dad Kiba.  He is also more into defense than offense and is one of your lesser used advisors.   Klaus shines in war battles.

68/108 - Simone  (optional)

Notes - When you get to Banner Village, constantly check the Rarities at the item shop for a Rose Brooch.  You need to buy one here and then go to the Radat dock and to the southwest part of this area.  Simone is here and he wants it, so give it to him and he joins.  Don't overlook him in battle, he can use magic at a decent clip and isn't totally worthless when used in the back row for this purpose. 

69/108 - Valeria or Kasumi

Notes - When you get to Gregminster in the Toran Republic, you meet Lepant.  He is the king here and he gives you one of his generals.  You get to choose.  Now I like Valeria personally because of her unite attack with Anita, and that seems to be useful against Luca for me.  Having Kasumi though means you can recruit the Rokkaku Ninjas earlier.  Still, Kasumi and Valeria both need to be in the front line and Valeria is much more capable in that role, so I generally choose her.

70/108 - Lebrante (optional)

Notes - Try to get a Celadon Urn if you find one at a trade shop.  I generally buy one at the Gregminster one.  Give it to Lebrante in Radat and he will join your cause.  He is the appraisal guy and little else.

71/108 -  Sheena

Notes - Lepant forces you to take his son Sheena along.  Sheena seems to have more of a personality than he did in Suikoden I.  He's still annoying, and should have a Lightning Rune instead of Earth Rune.  You might find yourself using him against Luca for a few Lightning Rune blows but he's not worth your time after that probably.   

72/108 - Lorelai (optional)

Notes -  Don't overlook Lorelai.  It may be a pain to get her, as you'll need just about every character you can get in order to recruit her by the time you fight Luca (about 70), but she may be worth it.  Her abilities are a little above average across the board and her magic might prove useful over some of the fodder you would otherwise have to choose from.

73/108 - Mondo (optional)

Notes - Mondo can only be recruited early on if you chose Kasumi.  Otherwise Mondo and Sasuke will join much later, when your castle is at full level and you have roughly 100 characters.   You must go to Rokkaku.  Rokkaku can be reached through Banner Village and through that path.  Go up the far east ladder and then continue east.  As you are done so, hold south against the trees and eventually you'll find a tree that has a hole that you can walk through.  Just keep going east and hold south and you'll find it.  Continue south and you'll be at Rokkaku.  Mondo isn't that great but he's probably the top ninja at your disposal, a little more powerful than Kasumi. 

74/108 - Sasuke (optional)

Notes - Sasuke is a weak ninja and probably won't be fighting for you too often.  To recruit him, read Mondo's entry above and he joins with him.  It'll either be after Kasumi or late in the game.

75/108 - Badeaux (optional)

Notes - You'll see Badeaux before you can recruit him.  Later on (like after Toran) go to the Forest Path to Matilda and bring Shiro.  Shiro the dog will catch Badeaux's attention and Badeaux can be recruited.   He is an odd character, one that shouldn't be fighting on the front line.  He has some unites with monsters that you can use.  Most importantly, he gives you two Listening Crystals so that you can recruit Monsters.

76/108 - Sigfried (optional)

Notes - Now that you have Listening Crystals, bring a 'maiden' (girl like Tengaar) to the kobold forest, where Hix and Tengaar met a unicorn.  Well, a unicorn will appear if you have a maiden and a listening crystal.  Tell the maiden to give herself up to it and you will then recruit Sigfried.   He's not that great but is generally one of the two monsters I get since he seems easy to recruit.  He takes up two slots in battle, remember.

77/108 - Feather (optional)

Notes - Teleport to the Forest Village and at the north part (if you have listening crystals) is a griffon being attacked.  Save it and kill the bad griffons.  Use the listening crystal and recruit Feather.   Is it that useful?  It takes up two slots and can really just attack so let it protect your castle.  This isn't Fubar.  

78/108 - Ayda (optional)

Notes - Ayda joins with Feather after the griffon battle.   If you don't choose to use the listening crystal and recruit feather, then you can't recruit Ayda.  So do it.  Ayda is a poor archer and somehow leads his own unit in wars (another weak, teresa-like archer unit).  Not worth your time.

79/108 -  Gordon(optional)

Notes - The worst character in the game.  You have to talk to his ass all the way in Gregminster to start up his 50,000 potch trading challenge.  If you do this early you'll only have a few trading centers to choose from.  I do this when Crom opens up so I can between that town, Kobold Village and Forest Village.  Ancient Texts are the best to find and they need to be sold at Forest Village.  Buy Wide Urns from Forest Village and Kobold Village, and sell them to Crom.  Or buy some crystal balls from Forest Village or Crom and then sell them at Kobold Village.  This should put you over the top.  He is the single biggest problem with the 20 hour 108 stars of destiny challenges so try to be as efficient as possible.  

80/108 - Tomo (optional)

Notes - Before the Luca battle, Tsai will come up to you before you have to rest.  He wants to get his weapons from his Ryube house.  So, put him in the party and go there.  Tomo is here and she is recruited.  Despite the fact that she is a little girl she seems fairly capable for her type of character (spear using, low magic).  You still probably won't find much value with her.

81/108 - Hoi (optional)

Notes - Hoi is in Radat after the Luca battle.  Go to the Inn and go up to him and his plot will be foiled.  Stick up for him and you two will get beat up, and he will join.  Go back to the HQ and he joins.  

82/108 - Karen (optional)

Notes - Karen can be found in Kuskus dancing at the Inn.  Recruit her but you need to dance with her - basically just memorize her 8 button dance, it's pretty simple.   She can be a decent magician in the back but there are others who are better in that area and aren't as inept physically.  

83/108 - Maximillian (Optional)

Notes - At South Window after Luca, he will come running in just as you walk in.  If this doesn't happen, try it later.  As a general in war he is weak both in attack and defense so he's best used as a healer or just away from combat period.

84/108 - Annallee (optional)

Notes - Okay, she can be hard to find but you need her for two other stars of destiny.  Go to South Window after the Luca war and she'll be in the Inn.  Go through that scene until she leaves, and then go to the northeast part of town by Granmeyer's hall.  She is on the grass on the east end.  Talk to her and say you want to hear her sing and she joins.   

85/108 - Killey (optional)

Notes - Killey is in South Window near the trade shop.  Talk to him here and then go to Alex at HQ.  Killey is here and a scene occurs.  Return to South Window and keep talking to Killey until he joins.  He is actually a pretty versatile character that you may choose to use, although he doesn't really excel in any one area. 

86/108 - Bob (optional)

 Notes - Bob looks cool but he's not good in battle.  You need about 80 stars to recruit him and although he has some unique moves with his rune, he's not that great and you probably won't use him.

87/108 - Connell (optional)

Notes - Bring a Sound Set to this guy in the second house on the left in the forest village.  He will join you and take care of your sound sets on the third floor (just go south).

88/108 - Tenkou (optional)

Notes - Tenkou is in a building in the northeast part of Crom.  Bring a Window Setting to him and he will join your cause.  This is all he does and he does it well.

89/108 - Long Chan Chan (optional)

Notes - Bring Wakaba to Crom near the bar area.  Long Chan Chan will run out and then follow him out and behind the Inn.  From here he will face off with Riou and be impressed by him, and then join you.  He is also in Matilda if you don't get him here.

90/108 - Raura (optional)

Notes - As soon as you get in Tinto, go near their city base and you'll see her walking around.  She is easy to convince to join.   I don't know how worthwhile the scrolls are since I never use them.

91/108 - Kahn 

Notes -  Kahn is one of my favorites in Suikoden II.  He joins for a time early on with Neclord and then re-joins when you fight Neclord again.  His Resurrection Rune is very useful when you have him early on and later against the Bone Dragon as well.  In general he is near the top for magicians and has some attacking ability as well.  

92/108 - Sierra

Notes - Another character I find myself using after the Neclord quest.   The Darkness Rune is pretty useful but she might be better with a different rune in that slot.  The downside is that she has to be in the front row, and really isn't a good enough magician to warrant keeping in the back row.  Still, she's an effective magician and should probably be used against Neclord.  

93/108 - Jess

Notes -  This guy is a joke.  You meet him early on and he sends you and Jowy in as kids to find out the enemies ration level.  Later he follows a bad lead in Tinto.  After the Neclord quest he joins, and contributes a +2 attack in war and that's about it.

94/108 - Hauser

Notes - An ex-muse captain who joins with Jess.   He seems a little better than most of the knights you've acquired, but you get him so late that he may not be able to distinguish himself when better characters are available.  His war unit is pretty good though.

95/108 - Marlowe

Notes - A cool guy.  He joins automatically after the Tinto stuff and does nothing for you.   

96/108 - Koyu

Notes - You meet Koyu the bandit before you go to Tinto, as he is at the entrance of your HQ.  He joins with the other bandits after the Neclord quest in Tinto.  Koyu is a very fast character yet he is weak and average as a magician.  You may find some use for him but there are better characters around.

97/108 - Lo Wen

Notes - She is captured by Neclord and is the reason why Koyu went to your HQ.   When she joins, you'll see a long range attacker with some power.  That's about all she has but it is a unique ability and might warrant some use.

98/108 - Gijimu 

Notes - Definitely the best bandit around.  He is powerful yet inaccurate.  When he connects, it's impressive.  In war he has a ridiculous strength level so put him in one of your top units.  

99/108 - Georg (optional)

Notes - Georg Prime is nearly invisible in this game compared to his role in Suikoden V.  You can recruit Georg after Tinto, take the southeastern route to see a cliff and Georg.  If you promise him that you will see the war through he will join your cause, at about 10 levels higher than you are at.  Georg is a beast on the front line and his war unit is one of the best in the entire game.  A force to be reckoned with, and certainly one of the top characters in the game.

100/108 - Gantetsu (optional)

Notes - You saw him in South Window for a long while I'm sure.  After about Tinto, bring your strongest characters to Gantetsu and talk to him.  If you have enough strength you'll push him and he'll join.  He starts off severely underleveled and his magic isn't that great for a magician.  He must be in the front line but his attack and defense aren't bad for his type.  Still, you probably won't use him much.

101/108 - Pico (optional)

Notes - You need to have Annallee first.  When you retake Greenhill, go to the Inn and talk to Pico to your left.  He joins easily.

102/108 - Alberto (optional)

Notes - You need Annallee and Pico first.  Go to Alberto in the Armor Shop of Tinto to recruit him.  These three do the music for Suikoden II.  

103/108 - Jude (optional)

Notes - Talk to Jude in the northeast part of the Greenhill Academy after retaking the town.  He needs some Clay.  Go to the Forest Village, and to the northeast part where a green robed guy is.  He knows where some Clay is, and he gets you it.  Bring this to Jude and he joins.  Remember all those Unicorn Plans, Dragon Plans, etc?  Give these to him and he will build a logo of sorts for your army.  You might want to wait until the end when you have more of the Plans as you can get certain crystals for different combinations.

104/108 - Tessai (optional)

Notes - Bring Viktor to him in the Kuskus Blacksmith after Greenhill.  He joins you.  You should probably then get the Silver Hammer in the Greenhill Academy by where Jude was and then Tessai can sharpen weapons to level 15.  After taking L'Renouille over in the war battle, go west to Sajah for the Golden Hammer for level 16 weapons.

105/108 - Pesmerga (optional)

Notes - Pesmerga is at the top of the Cave of Wind.  He has to be one of the last characters recruited, after your castle is at full strength.  If you thought Georg was a beast then take a look at Pesmerga, both in war and in regular battles.  He is slower but more powerful, probably the strongest guy in the game.  You get him late but if you want a top front line fighter, look no further.

106/108 - Vincent de Boule (optional)

Notes - What a treat this guy is.  Those who played Suikoden I remember him.  Bring Simone to the Radat left bank, where you found Simone.  Vincent will be here, and he'll join since he loves Simone.  Well, our old friend Vincent actually fights in this one and has some potential magically but still, at this point in the game he won't match up with your top choices.

107/108 - Genshu (optional)

Notes - You need Tessai and at least a Silver Hammer to recruit Genshu.  Sharpen Riou's weapon to level 15 and go to the Coronet port.  Genshu is here, and he will join you.  He has a unique rune, the Swallow Rune, but it really isn't that useful.  He is a decent swordsman but has no magic ability, so will have to rely on his attack alone.  He looks cool and might be used a few times but certainly can't be considered one of the best options.

108/108 - Mazus (optional)

Notes - At this point you probably didn't think you'd find a character better than Luc, but you just might have.  Mazus' magic ability is better than just about anyone's.  Like Luc he can dominate in War battles, although you'll only have him for one real one.  If you take him and Luc through L'Renouille you can get to the boss without breaking a sweat.

 Other Characters

Jowy Blight - Jowy is Riou's best friend early on.  The two have a Buddy Attack that works through just about anyone.  Riou has great overall ability but Jowy might have him beat in some key areas, notably magic power.  Jowy's Black Sword Rune is dangerous early on and can carry you through the Sindar part.  

Makumaku, Mikumiku, Mekumeku, Mokumoku - Four squirrels that join around Greenhill if you have Riou and Mukumuku.  Each has a unique stat that is better than the others, but really doesn't make them that good.  

McDohl - Yep, this is the same McDohl from Suikoden I.  The main character.  If you loaded Suikoden I data it'll be ScDohl, or BcDohl, or whatever the first letter of your Suik I character was.

 To recruit McDohl, even though he is not a real star, you need to do a few things.  After Luca is defeated go to the Inn and talk to everyone to hear about McDohl, and then try to go east past the Inn but Gremio will block you.  Back to Koh who will distract Gremio so you can go past and talk to McDohl.  Go back and at the Inn you'll hear Koh actually is in trouble.  McDohl joins you and you'll see he is pretty awesome.  As you go along the path to Gregminster you'll see the bandits that have Ko.  You'll have to fight a Worm and if you lose you'll see a combo of level 4 spells that demolishes it anyway.  But you shouldn't lose, and after Ko will be in Gregminster being treated.  Now you can go to Gregminster and get McDohl to join you at any time.  

Abizboah -  This is an optional character that you can get with a Listening Crystal if you don't wish to get Sigfried.  Since Abizboah is the strongest thing in the game it isn't a bad trade off, except you have to wait a little longer to recruit abizboah.  The crystal will be triggered near a large lake far in the tinto mines.  

Ruloidia - Another huge character and if you saved both of your listening crystals you can use one to get Abizboah, and then come back against to get Ruloidia.  Keep in mind this means you can't get Feather and essentially screws up your chance to get all 108 characters.  

Chuchara - Go to the docks of your castle if you have the above two monsters.  He has a high defense but getting him means you got Ruloidia which means you screwed your 108 stars of destiny game up, so don't worry about getting them unless for novelty purposes.  

Top Battle Characters

So who are the best choices you have?  Well, it depends what you are looking for.  Riou is one of the best overall characters in the game if not the best, and he's always in your party so that's a good start.  McDohl is right up there also but more of a novelty character.   The best brutes around probably include Viktor, Pesmerga, Georg, Valeria and then there are the magician type S's like Flik and Sierra.  Any grouping of these would be best towards the end of the game for your front line.  The best magicians are usually what deliver the most damage and even though they are S type they should be in the back row.  Luc and Mazus are 1 and 2 in some order, and are probably the best two overall.  Rina, Viki, Tengaar, and Kahn are just some of the lower tier magicians that work well in the back row.  Suikoden II isn't a very difficult game so you don't have to use the best characters all the time, there are plenty of mediocre ones that get the job done and may be more appealing.  However the main boss is pretty tough so you probably should have a formidable party for that.