Suikoden IV 4 Taking back Razril Middleport Obel

 

Before you go to Hermitage Island for Elenor to advance the story, use the Glowing Mirror to the Deserted Island to meet Lilen and she'll be recruited.  Teleport to Nest of Pirates and then sail to the Hermitage Island. 

 

As you sail in keep in mind that you are forced to use Hervey, Sigurd and Dario.  I only had Dario built up so that kind of annoyed me because you can't leave.  It's not a long trip to Elenor's House though.  Agnes greets you and poisons you with food, but Lazlo isn't effected.

Lazlo goes inside to speak further with Elenor and Elenor asks you to go to the cave behind her house and get some treasure for her.

 
Go outside first and get the Mega Medicine x 3 and then the Skunk Orb along with it.  Continue along and you'll be at the back road.   A few screens in and you'll be fighting a boss, the Horned Behemoth.  Just use Eternal Ordeal and I have the Water Rune on Lazlo also so I used that to heal, or just use items.  Not that tough really, and you get a Horn and Earth Rune Piece afterwards.

Limestone Cave
Go to the back of the cave and get the Green Bottle and Crest.  Search to the right for a treasure map.  This is all.

Elenor's House
Back here talk to Elenor and give the Green Bottle to Agnes and the Crest to Elenor.  Go to the other part of the house and rest if you want and get the Crab Bun steeming on the stove.  Agnes joins as you leave.  

Search the well right by you for an Earth Rune, and get the treasure on the opposite side for a Copper Hammer and another for a Treasure Map.   Leave to the Obel Ship and you'll get a weird scene with Lino en Kuldes.  

 

Save and then head for the War Room.  Elenor suggests a duel between Lazlo and Lino En Kuldes.  You can choose the first option and Lino will submit to you anyway, but choosing the duel is more fun.  He's not too tough to figure out and when he goes does he gives a speech, yielding his position as leader of Obel to you, Lazlo.  Lazlo gets the Golden Seal from lino at the end.  

Elenor will suggest you rename the ship, Chiepoo suggests Chicken while Tov says Dauntless.  You then rename the army, Desmond suggests Rush, Akaghi says "the Yuan Shu Army".  Launch the ship and you'll see another scene with Lino and Elenor as Elenor hints of her past with Cray.  

Nest of Pirates
Return to Katarina and after further talk about Commander Glen she will ask to join.  Allow Katarina to be recruited and then go to the War Room on the Obel Ship.  Elenor goes more in depth on your plan, which is to get Middleport to show your power so that the surrounding areas ally with you to take Razril.  For now you should roam around.

Talk to the pirate near the shore looking out towards the water.  He says he's seen a mermaid.  Well, get on your boat, sail around and then back into the harbor and a scene with Lilon will occur.  It's Big Sister Lilon evidently.

Iluya Island
Now that you have three mermaids, teleport here and take the stairs leading to no where.  You'll see a salmon colored mermaid hiding.  Liloon will join you here.   

Obel Ship
In your ship you should go to your room and Desmond will warn you of scary people.  Brec and Jango are inside, talk to them and they'll want to join you.  Teleport to the Hermitage Island now.

Hermitage Island
Go on in past Elenor's House and you'll see Aldo on your right.  Recruit Aldo and then return to rest at Elenor's.  Go to the forest area until you fight a random battle with Gau and four Demon Wolves.  Use spells that hit the group to eliminate those Demon Wolves as fast as possible.  Gau attacks for about 150 to anyone so be prepared to heal.  Again, spells are best on Gau and he has about 2000 hit points so it may be a longer battle.  After the battle choose to have him come along so that you recruit Gau.   

Nay Island / Nay Kobold Settlement
Bring Chiepoo along and a scene will occur as soon as you teleport to Nay.  Chiepoo will want to visit the trading post at Nay Kobold so go there.  If you haven't defeated Maxine at Stonecutter's Field then you should maybe give that a try along the way.  

Go to the Traders Shop and talk to everyone in there and around and then leave town.   When you get to the bridge you'll have an odd exchange with some other cats.  Turns out you've been robbed of the Golden Seal.  Go back to town by the warehouse and you'll see another scene of Nalkul and Champo.   

You end up losing the Seal into the warehouse but once Nalkul and Champo are recruited you get to do a mini game to get the seal back.  Run around with Champo and catch the three mice, read the directions first but it's not too hard at all.    

Mordo Island
Go straight to the Hot Spring in front of you.  You'll get a great deal on your bath, only 10,000 potch.  Disagree to pay and a battle ensues versus Lo Fong, Lo Hak and Lo Seng.  Either gang up on them or use spells on all of them.  They generally counter with low level fire and lightning spells.  After the battle you recruit Lo Seng, Lo Fong and Lo Hak.  Leave Mordo Island and come back and you'll see Igor outside and you will be able to recruit him. 

Middleport Island
Again to continue you must sail to Middleport.  Have some spell casters or long range weapon users along with.  When you get to Middleport Chiepoo will be surprised by the Moving Isle monster and it's four Tentacles.  Have a fast Water rune user to use the third level spell to heal your party.  Lightning Rune is especially effective as the fourth level and the Thunder God spell (two Lightning Runes are needed) can devastate this beast.  You get an Ocean Rune Piece and a lot of potch for this battle.  

Ramada will come along and you should bring Sigurd too.  As you go inside you'll meet Reinbach III and Micky.  They're a couple of characters, choose the top option and they'll join for now.  Go to the town and talk to Keen in this area, who will threaten Sigurd since you brought him with.  Further into town and you can shop for some new armor if you'd like but rest at the inn.  Talk to the two lady's near you notably Deborah who will see the light in Lazlo.  She will join you but not Oskar right now. 

Talk to the lady outside the inn for an Interior Design Book.  Now go up the stairs to meet Schtolteheim Reinbach II.  Seems like a nice guy but is reluctant to join with you as the Orark Maritime Trade is important to his business and it is ran by Cray Trading Company of course.  Accept his proposal and then go to the harbor.  Reinbach III and Micky will offer to join you, so ask him to join.  Unfortunately when you do he'll offer to join only if you bring him the Rose Crest.  

Leave the area and teleport to Nay Island.  Go to the Inn, the second door on the left.  You'll see Gareth and he'll know of the Rose Crest.  Tell him you know Reinbach III and he'll give it to you since Reinbach already paid.  Take Sigurd out of your party and then return to Middleport with the Rose Crest in hand and talk to Reinbach III and he'll join along with Micky.  Now talk to Keen where you talked to him before but since you don't have Sigurd this time he'll offer to join for a mere 10000 Potch.  It's expensive but recruit Keen.  

Come back to Nay Island with Reinbach III in your party.  Go to the Inn where you met Gareth and now that you have Reinbach III with you can recruit Gareth.  The room next to his is a guy who talks about a powerful lady outside the Middleport Inn.  

Teleport back to Middleport again and make sure you still have Reinbach with.  Go up to the Inn and try to recruit Helga twice and then Charlemagne comes up.  After a little talk Helga joins but not Charlemagne.  Go up the stairs nearby and talk to Etienne and he'll be easy to convince to join with Reinbach here.  Now you have to leave the harbor and re-enter Middleport several times and talk to Charlemagne each time and after 3 or 4 times he'll finally join you.  

Fog Ship
Are you ready for this tough miniquest?  You can get Ted from Suikoden I if you choose to do the Fog Ship.  You will only be able to use Lino En Kuldes and another character, so only three characters.  Go to the war room and a scene will occur with a ship hitting yours.  Strange, Lino will go out to investigate and will prompt the character choosing. 

Take Jeane or a powerful rune user.  You'll have a really straight forward path to follow but some of the monsters you fight are difficult around here most notably the Prophet.   Hopefully you have some mushrooms along with to replenish your runes.  When you get to the end of the long path you'll reach the Fog Ship Guide.  Choose the first answer and you'll be in a grueling battle.

Grueling because of the 7000 HP the Fog Ship Guide possesses.  This is why Jeane is here, to use the Lightning Rune to trounce him.  Ted has the Water Rune so use that to heal and for the second level attack for him.  As for the Fog Ship Guide he has an attack that hits the entire party but it's a bit more rare.  More likely is a drain attack for about 100 HP on one of your characters.  He has a high agility so he'll likely go before you all the time.  Again you may wish to use Mushrooms to replenish your MP if this battle of attrition runs you dry.  Silk, Diamond and a bunch of Potch are your rewards.

After the battle some crazy shit goes down and Ted acquires the Soul Eater Rune.  Leknaat even shows up for a bit.  When you regain control grab the Pirate King Vest ahead of you, that's some great armor.  Now it's time for the long walk back.  Lazlo and Lino will save Ted on the way across the bridge, and then Ted will join when you ask.  

Na-Nal Island
To continue your story you'll want to go to Na Nal.  When you get there Lino will force himself into the party and then you choose two others, preferably powerful characters but not especially important.  Go through to the kooluk guardsmen and a battle will ensue.  Eventually you'll meet Axel and will be taken into custody to meet the Na-Nal Island Chief.  He wants you to get Elven Remedy in the Great Elven Tree for him.  

Actually you'll be thrown in jail, and get the Old Book Volume 4 near you and then rest.  Take the path near you to go towards the elves.  It's a short way until you get the Elven Remedy, and then return with it for a scene.  You are to be escorted out now by Axel but Selma throws you in the elven jail.  

You'll see some scenes with the elder elf and then Selma will run by and cut you out.  Run out of here and as you return to town you'll figure out what's going on.  Elite Kooluk Forces will be bitching about being poisoned so the elves must have left the potion there on purpose knowing whoever using it would be poisoned.  At any rate you'll have three somewhat hard battles to do and after them the Na Nal Chief finally will put his trust into you.  Accept his proposal and Axel will join you.

Leave Na Nal and talk to Gunter on the way out.  Play a few games of dice and leave for the harbor.  Talk to Selma before you leave and since she's been banished from the elven village you may as well have her join.  

Nay Island
Go here and talk to the Nay Island Village Chief.  Show him your Golden Seal and then choose the first option the next two times and he'll lend you his aid.  Return to your ship and come back to the Nay Island Chief's house and he'll have Kevin and Pam there.  They are the Iluya residents that washed up on shore but survived.  

Na-Nal Island
Put Reinbach III in your party, along with Ted and Lazlo.  Ted's Black Shadow spell on the Soul Eater will devour the Kooluk soldiers on the beach of Na Nal.  Take the first right when you get into the second area and you'll meet Eugene and his mom.  His mom wants him to grow up and fight, so if you allow him Eugene will join.  

Leave Na Nal and teleport to Middleport.  Talk to the brown clad guy on the beach and he'll tell of Millay, Reinbach's lady friend.  With Reinbach along you should go back to Na Nal and you'll see Millay being hounded by two scoundrel's.  Pick the top choice and a battle against them ensues, not a hard one.  Afterwards pick the first option again and Millay will join you.  

Razril
Walk into the war room at any time to illicit the trip to Razril.  Are you ready for the upcoming naval battle?  Choose either option in the war room and the trip to Razril will be the plan.  You are to sail there (from Middleport is easiest of course).  Before you go equip your magicians with different variations of Fire Rune, Earth Rune, and a few Water Rune's if you want.  The best magicians can have multiple, making it easier when it comes time to choose the runes for each ship.  Make sure you have about 8 solid level 40 fighters for your ship decks, shouldn't be too hard to do that.  The Na Nal Harbor is probably the best place for you to build up, and if you have a top magician like Ted or Jeane built up you can easily have them use all-enemy spells on the Kooluk's so that low level characters can skyrocket in level by doing nothing.  

 

Regaining Razril

As you sail up to Razril, Elenor will prompt you to begin the Regaining Razril battle.  They have three ships to your two, but let's not worry about that for now.  If you do not attack the Gaien Ship but instead attack the Kooluk Ship B, the Gaien Ship will switch to your side.  If you attack the Gaien Ship youll be forced to fight all three and it's tough to match up with all of those different runes.  For the Kooluk A Ship you'll want the Fire Rune to neutralize or be strong against.  The Kooluk B Ship is best suited for an Earth Rune attack.  If you want to be risky and also have a Wind Rune for B and Water Rune for A you can do that.  And for the deck members, remember it's only physical specialists as you cannot use runes.  

The enemy will rush you at the beginning.  Stick to the left side and put your ships to the side so that you can prepare to match up with the Kooluk B Ship.  Have your best Earth Rune user ready for an attack, and after that the Gaien Ship will switch over, having had faith that Lazlo would return to save Razril all this time.   Anyway, take both of your ships and destroy that Kooluk B Ship as fast as possible and then rush up to aid the Gaien Ship with Helmut and the Kooluk A Ship.  Assuming you have your runes properly prepared and that you succeed in getting the Gaien Ship to aid you, this battle should be no problem.  

Afterwards choose the first option to Recruit Helmut.  Next thing you know, Tal and Jewel (or whichever two Razril Knights that you didn't take at the beginning of the game) will run up to you.  You're given a prompt so answer it with the first answer and then those two will join you and you can go on.  

Search the treasure to the west of you and you can grab Platinum X5.  Check out the Rune shop, there are some expensive goodies like the Violence Rune and Warrior Rune especially.  Counter Rune is at 5000 and is useful for your fighters as well.  At the equipment shop is a valuable Power Ring (albeit for 20,000) and Frederica who will not join yet.  Just next door is the Armor Shop and again you'll be seeing newer equipment that will prove useful once you attain the cash for it.  

Continue on to the Hall of Knights and to the Courtyard and then Training Hall.  You make a speech in here when it's evening but not now, instead go talk to the dad and girl and allow them to come on the ship. 

Go to the Square and talk to Basil to recreat him easily.  Enter the Inn and talk to Maxine and choose the second option to recruit her.  This is assuming you defeating her in Na Nal and Nay Island first.  Konrad is here also but you need Katarina to recruit Konrad.  On Main Street you can find a Window Setting 9  and more people to send to the training hall.  

When you are ready go to the training hall again for a scene.  Choose the top choice of course and Snowe Vingerhut's dad will come out after you with Gaien Soldiers.  An easy battle, and then they retreat afterwards.  A scene with Cray, Colton and Troy afterwards, with the latter two having suspicions regarding Cray and the Governor.  

It's night time now in Razril and there are exclusive treasures available now.  Go to the Training Hall and check the northwest area for a Hero's Shield.  The Hero Shield is likely one of the best options you'll have.   Go outside and then into the Hallway, where your old room is and the kitchen also.  Save and then talk to Funghi twice to recruit her.  Funghi is a good cook.  Go to the Spire and eventually the roof of this place.  You'll see a Guardian Bracelet and treasure map chest to the southwest.  

If you try to enter the audience chamber you will be blocked by a Silver Hammer for forging your weapons to level 14.  Go towards the port area, where you entered, and a scene with the original knights occurs.  Talk to the cat next to you and you can recruit it.  Enter the equipment shop and talk to Frederica again and you can recruit him.  

Return to your room to rest when you are ready, but make sure you found the above items as they'll disappear after you rest.  Now that it's a new day, go to the rooftop and talk to Ameria and recruit her.  Go to the armor shop and Gretchen will be outside, and agree to recruit her also.  Take the back street and talk to Karl who will join as well.   This should be about it for Razril.

Battle Once More (if you executed Snowe, this battle doesn't happen)
As you leave Razril, Nico will scream of some pirate attacking us.  It's Pirate Snowe and Pirate Snowe's Ship has only a fire rune.  Load up on Water Rune users and surround him with your three ships and maul him.  After the battle you'll get another choice with Snowe, and I choose to recruit him (but he won't join, you just set him free again).  Of course if you execute him then you won't see him again.  

Obel Ship
Now you are free to do what you want again.  To advance the story, you can look on the map and see the blinker on Nest of Pirates and that will be when you decide to invade Obel.  For now, let's save and talk to Pablo near the rune cannons in the fifth deck.  He'll tell of you Warlock, a guy responsible for creating rune cannons.  He suggests you seek his ability in Middleport, so bring a tough party with Wind Runes preferably (this boss is weak against that and strong versus Thunder).  Maxine and her Cyclone Rune are especially effective here.    

When you are prepared go to the Inn in Middleport to rest and save.  Now take the nearby street to the empty house, and when you search the empty treasure you'll get an option.  If you have 51 potch and spent 24 potch, how much potch would you have?  Obviously the answer is 27 but choose the wrong answer as Pablo mentioned to you and you'll be banished into the secret under ground path of middleport.  

Get the Ocean Rune Piece and Treasure Map and continue on to the next area.  Take the second right path available to you for a Great Earth Armor.  Further along and take the westmost path for a Sliding Door antique and then go two paths east for the exit.  

Go north past the bridge in this new area and then take the path that veers northeast.  This leads to an Ivory Robe, great for your magic casters like Ted or Konrad.  The path to advance was the immediate left path as you entered, so go back across the bridge and then take a right for the exit since you're coming from the opposite way that you started.

In the third area there is a boss at your first right path.  So, do not take this right away but instead go north for a while and stick to the west for a Canvas 2.  Now if you are ready and still somewhat rested, go after the boss.  

With two Wind Rune users (Jeane and Maxine (Cyclone)) Fierce Wind Fangs was available.  Since this boss is weak against Wind, that's a good way to start.  Remember, he's strong against Lightning magic so refrain from using that although it's generally a favorite among most.  Ted can cast Judgment to take off the same amount that Maxine and Jeane do combined, wow.  The Land Dragon however has a ton of HP and some devastating attacks himself.  He has a lightning type attack that puts an ally to sleep and also a powerful attack to take off around 150-250 depending on the character.  This is a tough battle but Dragon Scale and 16000 Potch are your rewards for victory.

Go right in and be a respectful visitor by searching the bookshelf to your left for an Old Book Volume 8.  Talk to the old fellow, he is the legendary Warlock.  To recruit Warlock choose the top option twice and he will then join you.  He has a Mother Earth and Flowing Rune so he's another great magician for you.  

 

Obel Ship
Go to the Deck Corridor 4 and talk to Deborah in her room.  She'll tell of an interior design guru, so teleport to Razril, get on the ship and sail to Middleport.  Go to that same empty house in the alley that you were just at for Warlock and you'll see Pecola inside.  Since you probably already acquired the Interior Design Book a long time ago from one of the lady's outside the Inn you will be able to recruit Pecola here.  

By my count that's 93 stars.  Teleport to the Hermitage Island and sail to the Nest of Pirates and talk to Tanya out front.  If you choose the first option three times she'll join you and you can give her your Old Book Volume Set.  

Go inside and Elenor will have you give back the Golden Seal to Lino En Kuldes.  After you will see a scene with the Governor of Kooluk and Ramada, and then someone will sneak up on Ramada but the scene will fade out.   

Recapturing Obel
Load up on Wind and Lightning Runes for this upcoming battle.  Of course having several solid fighters available for the deck.  Teleport to Mordo Island, save, and then travel by ship to Obel.  

You'll see some scenes of the Obel people and Lino En Kuldes.  Eventually you get to a prompt from Elenor about which way to send the Gaien Ship.  I tend to send it with the Grishend and have the Obel Ship be by itself.  

For Obel's Freedom

You'll have to set your runes up before the battle begins so you won't see the enemy's beforehand, but again load up on Lightning and Wind and you should be fine.  The 2nd Kooluk Fleet is comprised of Colton and some others, and you'll get another chance to change your runes for at least your main ship.

After a turn your ambush will spring out.  You'll seemingly get an extra turn or two for your ships so you should be able to knock out that near ship especially if you had both of your other ships be in the ambush.  Rush Colton's and attack him with Lightning from both sides and this battle will be mopped up shortly.   

Colton will be in your custody afterwards but two enemy ships will be on your tail from where your old Obel Ship busted out of.  It's Flare and Setsu, but shortly after there are two enemy fleets on your ass again.

Mysterious Fleet
The Governor's Fleet, and there is one ship where you will want lots of Wind Runes and one where you will be using Water or Fire Runes. You should have plenty of magicians to match up with.  Youre supposed to win though as the ships are set on fire and force Lazlo to use the rune to destroy them.  More scenes and eventually you'll get to another Rune of Punishment scene where Lazlo is running through and fighting Glen's Shadow.  Go through this and you'll end up in your room, but with the level 4 Rune of Punishment spell, Everlasting Mercy. 

Obel Ship
Out on the deck Akaghi and Mizuki will be involved in a scene with Ramada's bird.  Now you'll have some time to get stars, a lot of them actually.  In fact, you can get the rest of the 108 stars right now. 

Bring Cedric along.  Assuming you've talked to Nico on your ship deck at some point you'll be able to recruit Wendel on the obel harbor.  Go to the appraiser in the next screen and recruit him, he's Nabokov.  

Take the east route and talk to one of the laundry lady's for Wave Wallpaper.  In the next screen will be Carrie, an assistant to Yu.  With him along she'll join.  Up a set of stairs and you meet Trishtan, another easy recruit.  With Yu along he mentions something about selling him special flour...seems a little inappropriate to me.  Nearby is Gunter and if you played his card game at Middleport and Na Nal then you can recruit him now.  Gary and Ema will join near the top.  Enter the palace and go to the very back and search behind the chair to find Noah.  Choose the second option three times and she will be recruited.  Since you brought Cedric along, go to the cave where your headquarters used to be.  Rachel can be recruited if you have Cedric in your party.  

Bring an Escape Talisman to the end of the Obel Ruins.  Along the way you can fight the Angel Hairball that you skipped long ago.  They should be a lot easier for you now.  This one yields the Golden Hammer and you can now upgrade your weapons to level 16. 

At the end you'll see a huge, Killer Golem standing in front of you by the save point.  Needless to say it is advised you walk around him for now as that isn't why you came here.  He is possibly tougher than the main boss, so continue past him to talk to Travis.  He wants you to use an escape talisman so do so.  Return back to him to recruit him.  

 

Now that you've taken Razril back over you can recruit Jeremy in the Na Nal Gathering Square.  You must have Mitsuba with though.  He has the Flowing Strike Sword.  

If you have been following this walkthrough, there should be one recruit left to complete the 108 Stars of Destiny guide.  Teleport to Mordo Island and talk to the guy outside the hot spring in front.  He'll tell of a person floating around.  Get back in your ship and sail west.

 You'll get some scenes with Snowe.  How sad.  If you choose the second option he'll join you and you'll have all 108 Stars of Destiny. 

Final Sidequests and Optional Bosses for Suikoden IV 4
As you've seen at the Deserted Island and Obel Ruins, new monsters are running around in these areas and new bosses have emerged.  The Ancient Crab is at the top of the forest area at the Deserted Island and the Killer Golem is at the end of the Obel Ruins.  More of them later though.

Limestone Shelves
Go a little south of the Nest of Pirates and then travel west.  You will run into the Lime Shelf Island.  Rene will take over and give you the option to dig around here.  First, talk to her at the obel ship about the treasure maps.  Before you leave, go to the top of the Lime shelves and you'll get a Treasure Map.  You can now teleport to the Limestone Shelves when you wish.

Mountain Mass Island
Like the Limestone Shelves you can travel directly north of Razril or directly west of Iluya to find an island that Rene can dig at.  There are some treasures if you follow along the path including one guarded by a Golden Hairball.  A Prosperity Rune is the only real treasure of note.

Deserted Island
That Ancient Crab is a tough one at 11,000 HP so it is suggested that only your best magicians come along for this battle.  Have one user ready to have Clay Guardian up to reduce damage.  Ted should be along for use of Judgment, and if he has two level four spells than that makes it even better.  Speed Rings help in general although his speed is low and you'll likely go before him assuming you're levelled up a bit past level 50.  Things might be a bit sluggish towards the end as you run out of magic to cast but his attacks aren't that devastating, so stay rested up relatively and keep Clay Guardian up.  A very long battle, but rest assured the Killer Golem in Obel Ruins is even tougher.   Your rewards here are a Fire Rune Piece and 25,000 potch!  If you return a little later...it'll be back!

Obel - Obel Ruins Revisited yet again
Time to go after that Killer Golem.  I'm going to assume you've already been here as recruiting Travis necessitates that.  This boss is a little harder than the Ancient Crab, as it takes off a bit more and has a bit more HP.  The general idea is the same as Clay Guardian comes in useful, as do your best Fire / Lightning spells.  Ted's Judgment is the best and if you have a mushroom or two to allow him to get 3 or 4 hits with it then even better.  Towards the end of the line for the killer golem he will bust out a healing spell that does around 1000-1200 for himself.   Killer Golem seems a bit more susceptible to lightning than the previous boss.  Really, this battle isn't much more difficult although he can bust out a physical attack that takes off about 400 and will likely knock out a magician of yours.  Use a Jizo Clock or just keep plugging away and you'll acquire 30,000 potch for your victory.  Congratulations on beating the toughest battle this game has to offer to you.  Remember, you can continue to fight this battle after you leave Obel Ruins and come back. 

 

Suikoden IV End of Game
You are nearing the end of the game.  Tough battles loom and you'll have to extend your roster more than you ever have.  That's not saying much but it's a good idea to have 6-8 fighter / tank types built up and 6-8 capable magicians built up also.  You won't need to pick them all but having options is nice.  It's not too hard of a process if you take Lazlo and Ted, and bring any two characters along that you want to build up.  Bring this party of four to Obel Ruins and fight up to level 50-51.  Hopefully you gave Ted Lo Seng's Prosperity Rune so that you can get extra potch to build up weapons and armor that much faster.   Rest assured it'll still take a while as weapons are way too expensive to build up in this game.  

As for characters to consider, try to build Snowe up well and get his True Friendship Unite attack with Lazlo, it's the best in the game.  Other good tanks include obvious ones like Lino and Dario, while if you dig a little deeper you'll find that Bartholomew and Karl are diamonds in the rough and Gau is quite possibly the best physical specimen of them all.  Magicians start with Ted of course, and include Konrad, Katarina, Jeane, Viki, Wendel, Kate, Maxine, and so on.  Since you'll be matching up against multiple runes, you should construct a group of magicians with multiple runes yourself.  

When you are ready to continue walk into the war room.  Elenor will go over the plans and you'll have the option to go on with the plans or wait.  Go through a few times and you'll have to talk to Elenor to form your parties.  For this Separate Task Force you'll want a solid group that is ready to rescue Ramada.  I have Gau and Konrad to start things off with a top magician and fighter, and then Ramada's friends Mizuki and Akaghi.  Bring Ted and Snowe along with Lazlo, along with a rune user of your choice (I took Maxine).  

Talk to Elenor again and she'll say to rest.  Do so and then save and return to War room.  More scenes and then you'll be on the deck at night time.  You can go around and see scenes with Kika, Hervey, Rita and so on, or you can continue on by going to your room.  Snowe will greet you and then Leknaat will show up if you have gained all 108 Stars of Destiny.  

Afterwards save and then go out on the deck for a talk with Lino en Kuldes.  More scenes and you'll have control of Elenor and the detachment party.  Take them to where they need to be and you'll have a scene with Troy preparing for battle.  Theyll use the rune cannon to destroy some decoy ships and then it's time.

 

Final Engagement
The Final Engagement in Suikoden 4 is against Troy and the First Kooluk Fleet.  Now, this battle will be hard, despite your four ships.  There is a reason you trained all of these characters.  Try to vary your runes as best as you can and hopefully you can have effective rune users in each slot.  Brec and Jango should be commanding two of your ships that Kika and Lazlo aren't taking care of.  

As for the battle, Troy moves a bit slower than his two friends so try to take them out as fast as possible.  Troy is a very tough out as he has four runes and can attack from 4 spots away, which often results in you not having a counterattack at all!  Surrounding him and getting side shots on him with your best rune users like Maxine, Jeane, Warlock etc.  He might knock a ship or two down but you should pull through if you've built up sufficiently.

Fort El-Eal

Soon you will take control of Elenor and your detachment party.  Conserve your MP throughout this and make your way downstairs.  As it winds to the left a bit you'll see a Hero's Helmet in a treasure chest, and then you can go to the end for a Cape of Darkness.

Return and go up the stairs to floor one, and then go up the stairs to floor 2.  Nothing to do here so go up the stairs to floor three.  Go to the end of the area (take the other side instead of towards the door) and you'll find a Goddess Robe).  Back to the floor 3 entrance and take the stairs up to floor four.  

Take the path to the end but go right for a Mega Medicine, Mixed Herbs and a Fortune Orb.  Enter the Control Room of El-Eal when you are ready.  Cray will shoot down Ramada and then it'll be time to do battle with him yourself!  

Graham Cray is a tricky boss fight.  He'll use a shield his first turn so get your best magic spells in then.  It'll disappear after about three or four turns and then he'll put it right back up.  By this time though he should be about dead depending on who you have with.  

After some bickering it'll be time for Lazlo and his party to make their way through.  Go to the second floor and then the very opposite end of the room.  A treasure chest will be there, with an Angel Hairball.  Try to conserve your MP and just use the True Friendship attack.  You get 20,000 Potch and the Chaos Shield.  

Okay, go to the fourth floor and to the rune control room.  Then, to the nearby officer.  Get the Stair Room Key on the desk and go to the floor 2 stair room. Before going up the stairs here grab the Magic Canceller just under it and then go up.  You'll notice the Kooluk Soldiers are a notch harder here, or maybe you don't.  

Continue up the stairs past two screens and then on the third you'll run into a chest.  It's Mixed Herbs and then you can continue on until you see a save point.  Save and go in the Top Floor Hall, if you're ready of course.

Giant Tree and Seeds of Light
As you notice the Giant Tree and Seeds are glowing certain colors.  They pertain to magic elements.  The Giant Tree will change it's occassionally and the Seeds will regenerate as you kill them and they come as different elements when they reappear.  

Red - Fire.  Green - Earth.  Blue - Water.  Orange - Wind.  Yellow - Lightning.  White - Boss near death.  The elemental strengths / weaknesses are the same as in Rune battle, with Fire > Wind > Earth > Lightning > Water > Fire.  

The wind seeds are bitches and put you to sleep.  That's really the only seed you should kill, if it's orange.  Otherwise, focus on the Giant Tree.  It has 12500 HP, which is quite a small amount considering the Killer Golem and Ancient Crab are right around that.  The Giant Tree is best near death when it is flashing White, it'll unleash a multi party attack that will take off a few hundred on each character.  Other than that it's pretty simple attacks that you'll have to deal with.  If you have Ted and his two Judgments available, along with Snowe / True Friendship attack with Lazlo, this battle should last no more than 5 turns.  Just be prepared to heal with Shining Wind or Everlasting Mercy or Kindness Drops if you get low. 

Cray, Graham will give a speech about the Rune of Punishment and then the fortress will begin to collapse.  Elenor shouts to Lazlo to run so do so.  Leave Fort Et-Eal and head for the dock where Rakgi is. 

Lazlo and Troy will be in the middle of a duel as you are leaving.  This isn't as hard as you may think.  Just listen to what he says and be cautious, but if you have a built up Lazlo (how could you not?) Troy should be an easy challenger.  After the battle you'll realize how the tides have turned as it is Troy being banished and Lazlo watches on as Troy's ship sinks. 

More scenes with Elenor and Graham Cray and then it'll look like El-Eal is blowing up.  Use the rune and it'll be more destruction.  Run to the flash and then the ending will begin.  Enjoy, you deserve it.