Jumping into Suikoden 1 HD for the first time? This classic RPG from Konami lets you lead a rebel army, recruit 108 Stars of Destiny, and uncover the secrets of the Soul Eater Rune. But if you want to get the most out of your adventure, there are some key things to keep in mind. Here’s a beginner’s guide to help you get started the right way!
1. Pay Attention to Party Formation
Suikoden lets you roll with six characters in battle, but where you put them really matters. Your squad is split into two rows—Front (3) and Back (3)—and positioning is based on their attack range:
| Range | Front Row | Back Row |
| S (Short) | Can hit enemies in the Front Row | Can’t attack |
| M (Medium) | Can hit Front & Back Row | Can hit Front Row |
| L (Long) | Can hit Front & Back Row | Can hit Front & Back Row |
Key takeaway:
- S-range fighters need to be in the front row.
- L-range characters can stay in the back row and still attack fine.
- M-range (like the protagonist) can go wherever fits best.
2. Make Multiple Saves & Talk to EVERYONE
With 108 characters to recruit, some will be missable forever if you mess up. There are only five permanently missable recruits, but it’s still smart to use multiple save slots in case you need to backtrack.
Pro tip:
- Always choose mercy when given the option. Dead people can’t join your army!
- If you want to recruit everyone, consider using a guide to track them all down.
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3. Use Your Rune Pieces Wisely!
Throughout the game, you’ll find Rune Pieces—these are super useful for upgrading your weapons and stats.
Two Types of Rune Pieces:
- Elemental Rune Pieces – Changes your weapon’s element & boosts damage (you can stack up to nine).
- Stat Rune Pieces – Gives permanent stat boosts to characters.
Important:
- If you apply a different elemental piece to a weapon, the stack resets back to 1, so be careful!
- Don’t forget to equip Runes to characters so they can use special attacks & magic.
4. Get the Fortune or Prosperity Orb ASAP!
At the start of the game, you can grab one of two super useful Orbs—but you’ll have to brave some tough enemies to get them.
How to Get the Fortune Orb (XP Doubler)
- Right after you return home from meeting the Emperor, ignore the game’s prompts and go back outside.
- Go to the Inn and save your game (you might need a few tries).
- Exit town through the south gate and head southeast to find a bridge.
- Cross it and climb Mt. Tigerwolf (avoid fights or bribe enemies to escape).
- Exit the mountain and head north to Sarady.
- Enter the building in the top right and talk to the NPC inside—he’ll give you the Fortune Orb.
The Fortune Orb doubles EXP, making it great for leveling up faster early on.
How to Get the Prosperity Orb (Money Doubler)
If you bring Ted (by going upstairs first to talk to him), then go to Sarady, the NPC will give you the Prosperity Orb instead.
The Prosperity Orb doubles money earned, which is super useful later in the game.
5. Farm Blade Bunnies for Early Armor
If you’re already in Mt. Tigerwolf, you can grind Blade Bunnies for the Martial Arts Robe, a solid defensive boost early on. They drop it randomly, but if you don’t get one, don’t worry—it’s sold later for 3,000 Potch.
6. Always Save Before Army Battles!
Unlike regular fights, Army Battles can cause characters to die permanently if their units get wiped out. Since some of these are Stars of Destiny, losing them means you can’t get the true ending.
Tip:
- ALWAYS save before Army Battles so you can reload if you lose someone important.
With these tips in mind, you’ll have an easier time navigating Suikoden 1 HD. Whether you’re optimizing your party, hunting for rare loot, or avoiding permadeath, these strategies will help you build the best Liberation Army possible.
Good luck, and enjoy your adventure!
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