This article provides some of the recommended runes that can be used in Suikoden II.
Single Runes[]
- Fury Rune A simple yet powerful effect that puts the bearer in a constant state of fury, increasing attack power by 1.5 times. It sometimes appears as a special item from the rune master in Muse, so make sure to obtain at least one before the city's fall.
- Down Rune A straightforward and convenient effect with a 30% chance to knock down enemies during normal attacks. It works on some bosses as well. The fact that it can be purchased regularly is another advantage. If your weapon slot is free for a rune, this is an excellent choice to equip.
Combinations[]
- Long Range + Double-Beat Rune A combination that eliminates the downside of the Double-Beat Rune. If the character has multiple rune slots on their body and long-range attacks, this is a must-have. Double-Beat Runes can be acquired as drops from Cut Bunnies in North Sparrow Pass or White Tigers near Muse. It's ideal to farm at least three in North Sparrow Pass.
- Hero + Magic Drain Rune This allows the Hero to use the party-wide healing spell "Great Blessing" more frequently, enhancing sustainability in battle. This combination is especially effective during long dungeons or grinding sessions. The Magic Drain Rune orb can be acquired in the Sindar Ruins.
- Hero/Nanami + Spark Rune Equipping this rune on either the Hero or Nanami, who both have high Speed stats and frequent participation, ensures the party consistently acts faster. Initially, it’s best to let Nanami handle it, then switch to the Hero once their left hand slot becomes available. Combining it with the Gale Rune is another good option, though it may not be necessary for these two characters. The Spark Rune orb can also be obtained in the Sindar Ruins.
- Fire Lizard Rune / Zamza + Fire Sealing Rune A classic combination that nullifies the self-damage drawback of the Fire Lizard Rune. This is particularly effective against enemies that use fire-elemental attacks. However, if you’re not using Zamza, this setup may see little use.
- Oulan + Fury Rune A combination that allows Oulan’s Angry Dragon Rune to be used without restrictions. She is one of the best candidates for the Fury Rune. Be sure to acquire it in Muse before its fall.
- Unbalanced Characters + Balance Rune While not strictly a recommendation, this is the primary purpose of the Balance Rune. It makes unique runes or cooperative attacks that would typically require alternating turns usable every turn, which is extremely convenient. Balance Rune orbs can be farmed at any time from the Spikebeak enemies near Two River.
- Long Range + Double-Beat Rune + Double-Strike Rune Expanding on the Long Range + Double-Beat combination, this adds the Double-Strike Rune for an aggressive setup, with minimal drawbacks for back-row characters. The Double-Strike Rune is dropped by Eagle Men in the Kobold Forest. During mid-game, this setup is especially powerful for Eilie, Rina, and Kinnison. Additionally, you could equip Rina with a Fury Rune for even greater effectiveness.