Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition is hitting shelves in April, and with over forty characters to choose from, only the essentials will do. With any great RPG, magic, physical attacks, and other base stats help build the archetypes of party . Chrono Cross has a couple of unique elements that set it apart by introducing an element grid, stamina recovery system, and a unique battle system gambling with one's stamina for weak or strong attacks.
With all these mechanics in mind, there are ten characters that are the standouts. Some are the best of their innate, while some are the best of the best.
Norris
Unfortunately, most of the yellow innates in this game are competing to be the worst stat-wise. Although powerhouses like Zoah or Funguy can bring physical damage, they leave other stats with something to be desired. Eventually, one will need some yellow innate to tackle green enemies, and the spy from Porre is the best there is to offer... eventually. If one can stick with Norris's stuffy nature and average stats, he starts to round out as the game chugs along with the best accuracy in the game.
On top of that, Norris comes with an amazing stamina recovery in the game and is one of the few characters with a hit-all technique, launching himself to being the best yellow innate in the game. Combining those three factors makes Norris a reliable workhorse that the other yellow innates just cannot bring. His double tech with Grobyc makes the journey worth it, as well. Just like Chrono Cross itself, comebacks in this game are rewarded.
Greco
"All gas and no brakes" seems to be the exorcist luchador's philosophy as he delivers crushing clotheslines and pile drivers. Pure physical stats make him a great ally to pile on attacks while one's magic s defend to recover their stamina. A red innate, his fire attacks make him a good choice going into locations like Water Dragon Isle and the S.S. Invincible, which rival some of the most scenic locations in many movies.
Greco will mostly be used for his strength, which is reasonable because he is the strongest red innate physically. As a bonus, Greco is in the top five attackers, so he is more than situational; he is always ready to rumble.
Pip
What players put into Pip is what they get. Much like Digimon, Pip changes according to the player's choices of elements they allocate to him and use. Pip has six forms he can evolve to, each of varying strengths and weaknesses.
The beauty of Pip is that one can shape him how they wish to fit their team. Utility is welcome in a game that already encourages exploration in the element grid. Green, White, and Blue elements lead to his magic-friendly Angel forms. Yellow, Black, and Red elements will lead to the physically apt Devil forms. Whether one doubles up on strengths or fulfills stats the party lacks, Pip is great to experiment with.
Draggy
Draggy is a cute little tank with enough HP and defense to hold off some of the strongest attacks, even if his agility is slow. That is not what makes him such an incredible get, though. Early on, the party can steal an egg, and with enough patience, Serge can eventually hatch it for the red innate superstar.
What sets Draggy apart from the rest of the recruits? He is the sole character to have a stamina recovery of 13! This means he can make more moves than anyone; more stamina creates opportunities that can quickly change the tide of battle, making this another boon in Chrono Cross for exercising patience.
Guile
Chrono Trigger fans longing for connection with the sequel gravitate to Guile for his former canon status as Magus. However, Cross fans can rejoice as well, as he is not the typical glass cannon most RPGs turn magic s into. Once again, there is a caveat, but with patience, it pays off.
The inverted element grid poses a problem early game that pays off with the more bosses Serge defeats. His higher-level slots eventually open up, giving players a wide array of powerful elements to drop. Add being the second-best caster in the game with the best magic defense, and his advantage starts to amp up.
Leena
Refusing Kid's initial offer to the party leads to the recruitment of Leena and her dog Poshul, arguably one of the best dogs in video games. Half of that deal is worth it, as Leena is not only one of the best casters in the game but the best blue innate, as well.
What makes Leena so necessary, aside from her magic stats, are her techs. Not only are they some of the most powerful in the game, but "MaidenFaith" is also overpowered. Not only does it increase her attack and accuracy, but it also sets an auto-revive to prevent death. That is one extra chance to prevent a game over. "MaidenHeart" can also recharge her element grid, which means she can do it all again. Very clutch.
Riddel
From Final Fantasy to Xenogears, Square Enix loves its white mage healers. Riddel squeaks by Leena on utility, making her one of the few dedicated party to keeping the team alive. Mix that with having the highest magic stat in the game, and she jumps ahead with grace. In addition, there is one more special thing about Riddel.
She helps unlock the hardest boss in the game, which, in turn, unlocks one of the best weapons in the game. Not counting the protagonist, she is the best white innate in the game, making her a dominant force against shadow element-based enemies.
Harle
Statistically speaking, Harle is the best in the game. She does not have a weak point, her stamina recovery is better than the average, and her technique "MoonShine" cuts all magical damage in half. Finally, she has the best element grid in the game, which means she has access to more spell slots than anyone.
So, why is someone so useful not the absolute best? Unfortunately, she leaves the party halfway through the game. As a bonus, though, she vicariously lets the audience embarrass the worst character in the game, Korcha.
Kid
With high accuracy and the second-best stamina recovery rate, Kid inherits a dangerous chain combo for setting up elemental damage. Pair that with a neat element grid, and it is plain to see why SquareSoft made her the secondary protagonist.
It is her "Pilfer" tech that makes her among the best of the best, though. Without it, some items cannot be obtained otherwise, and even if Fargo and Mel have a similar tech, their stats do not compare. These items are the difference between life and death, so it is best not to ignore her... except for a certain case.
Glenn
If one refuses to help Kid at a point in the game, it may seem scummy, but it leads to a path. That path has a fan favorite and the best character in the game, Glenn. Named after Frog from Chrono Trigger, Glenn bursts out the gate with amazing offense and defense, living up to the legendary swordsman's legacy.
Helping Riddel defeat the secret boss, as well as fighting Garai, catapults Glenn into the strongest physical attack category. These fights equip him with two Einlanzers, the strongest weapons in the game, making him a force to reckon with. With amazing stamina recovery and high accuracy, he can pound on enemies all day. The final cherry on top is his dual tech with the protagonist Serge, dealing amazing damage and paying homage to Crono and Frog's same tech "X-Strike." He is one of the few characters with a fleshed-out story, making him not only useful statistically but story-wise, as well.
