Triangle Strategy is the kind of strategy RPG that fans have been waiting for. It is not a direct 1:1 spiritual successor to Final Fantasy Tactics as some would have liked. For example, the characters cannot change Jobs which was a huge part of that game.
That might be a little disappointing at first. However, Triangle Strategy makes up for the lack of a Job system by making each character more unique on the battlefield. There are over twenty playable characters in the game, and they all have their place from brutally strong tanks to supportive healers. These ten characters are some of the best that players should focus on as soon as they enter the party.
Updated on September 24, 2022, by Patrick Armstrong: In a tactical RPG, the player faces an almost overwhelming number of choices. What gear to equip, where to move, which enemy to target, and when to heal are all factors to consider. Perhaps none is more important than which characters to recruit, since they will serve as the backbone for everything else the player does. Triangle Strategy includes many recruitable characters, each with distinct strengths and weaknesses, giving way to plenty of different combinations and strategies. While personal preference will always play a role in character selection, these characters stand out as some of the best party members in Triangle Strategy.
13 Benedict
In popular and underrated RPGs alike, no matter how good an individual character is, they’re going to need help eventually. No character in the game is the complete package, which is part of the reason that having a well-rounded team is essential in Triangle Strategy.
That’s where Benedict comes in. As a starting character, Benedict is available for the player’s entire journey, which is great news since he’s one of the best support characters. Boasting a variety of abilities that improve the physical and magical defenses of his teammates, Benedict makes sure no one goes down too early in a fight. He even has the ability to alter the turn order of allies and bestow an extra action, adding a layer of strategic potential.
12 Erador
The player has several tanks to choose from in Triangle Strategy, each of whom has unique strengths and weaknesses. Erador is a great generalist tank, lacking the truly standout abilities of others but succeeding where it counts: in his ability to keep himself and others alive, particularly when used as part of a combo.
This Shieldbearer might not be a dedicated DPS, but his counterattack can deal significant damage since he has the endurance to take a number of hits (and respond in kind) before he finally drops. With the help of a support character or healer to squeeze even more value out of his counterattacks, Erador can work wonders.
11 Geela
The unsung heroes of every RPG, healers might not be throwing magical spears at dragons or shrugging off the punches of giants, but there is arguably no more important character when it comes to leading the party to victory. After all, it’s pretty hard to reign triumphant when everyone is dead.
Geela is lousy at basically everything except for healing, which is fine since her healing abilities are exceptional. Her standout power is For Those in Need, because it improves her healing efficiency when the injured party has half health or less. Though Geela wilts in no time against sustained attacks, her ability to help keep the party going makes a huge difference throughout the game.
10 Hossabara
Hossabara is a combination between a healer and an armed horse rider. Her club is not that strong next to more melee-focused characters, but she certainly packs more of a punch than most healers in a strategy RPG.
Her Cleave ability allows her to strike at three foes in a horizontal line in front of her. Hossabara’s big healing spell, Be Brave, heals those around her in a plus formation. The horse also gives her good movement speed.
9 Flanagan
Flanagan will be a late addition to the party about halfway through Triangle Strategy. He is a shield user like Erador, but he is better because of his flexibility. Erador has the better raw strength but Flanagan rides atop a giant hawk just like Hughette.
This allows him to clear heights easier than most characters in a strategy RPG. The best move he has, Aerial Assault, allows him to transport a small distance to hit enemies in a plus formation. Players can use this move to get around quicker even if it doesn’t hit an enemy.
8 Corentin
Players will get Corentin after the first major choice in the game. This will happen if they decide to visit Hyzante over Aesfrost. Corentin then will be the second mage of the group. He is the polar opposite of Frederica‘s fire magic, literally.
Corentin uses ice magic which packs a punch. It can also be used to build ice walls. Building ice walls is a good strategy to reroute enemies away from the group, especially on a mission wherein players have to protect certain party members.
7 Hughette
Hughette is far from the best bow user in Triangle Strategy. She will be the first though and thus an irreplaceable core member of the party early on. What her arrows lack in power, Hughette more than makes up for with certain advantages since she rides a giant hawk.
There is a passive ability in the game that rewards players with using height. Striking down from atop a bell tower, for example, may improve accuracy and attack power.
6 Prince Roland
Prince Roland will be the first and only lance and horse rider for quite some time. As he is on a horse, this means he is weighed down by vertical movements. However, he can travel great distances on more flat surfaces.
Prince Roland’s lance allows him to strike enemies from two squares away thus negating potential counterattacks. He can even attack two enemies in a line with this normal attack. Two of his best special moves to improve that piercing technique are Rush and Flash of Steel.
5 Narve
Narve is a goofy name even by RPG standards. Odd name aside, this jack of all trades magic-user is one of the best in Triangle Strategy. He wears green, but he acts like a Red Mage from the Final Fantasy series except without the physical capabilities.
Narve can use wind, lightning, fire, and ice offensive magic along with healing magic. Upgrading him to the max as soon as possible will allow Narve to use magic on a more consistent basis. A better description might be a Sage class since Narve excels in both White Magic and Black Magic.
4 Trish
Trish will be one of the last potential characters players can recruit depending on the paths chosen. She begins as an adversary, popping up now and again, before settling with Serenoa and his mighty band of misfits. She has Yuffie vibes from Final Fantasy 7.
This means that Trish has an attitude problem, but she isn’t all talk. Her work with the bow is unmatched thanks to her Act Again and Leap abilities in the game. When the choice comes to save the Roselle village from bandits, take it.
3 Anna
Anna is the cold-blooded assassin of the group. Her attack strengths start low but if players keep up with her, she can become an unstoppable monster. Part of the reason why she is so special, other than her stealth and assassination skills, is her passive ability, Act Twice.
This allows Anna to take two actions within a single turn. She can strike at a foe with one hand and then use a healing potion with the other. This gives her a huge advantage in battle.
2 Serenoa
The main character of an RPG, be it action, turn-based, or strategical, should be one of the strongest characters. This holds true for Triangle Strategy as Serenoa is an unrivaled swordsman. His attack power, defense, and HP are perfectly balanced.
If players max out Serenoa's weapon then they can gain his ultimate attack called Under Conviction’s Banner. This skill will replenish TP to other party members within a decent radius around Serenoa. Keep him next to the mages to create an unbeatable troop.
1 Frederica
Frederica is Serenoa’s betrothed in the story. Both characters are almost equal in power. Serenoa has the better physical strength while Frederica’s fire magic can demolish units with the snap of her fingers.
Leveling up her class and weapon should make her the strongest mage in the game. It’s great to see a female character like Frederica in a strategy RPG with so much raw power. In the context of the story, it makes sense without spoiling things.
Triangle Strategy was released on March 4, 2022, and is available on Switch.