Appendix A: Characters The sheer number of playable characters in Chrono Cross can be overwhelming. Don't feel compelled to collect every character in your first playthrough (in fact, it's impossible to do so). This game encourages repeat play with branching paths and alternate events that help flesh out the game's story. Your characters will perform best in battle - and seem more of an essential aspect of the story - if you stick to a small group of favorites each time. If you find a different crew that works for you each time you play and explore the varied strategies each team offers, you'll likely find the game a deeper and more rewarding experience. Of course, this is merely a suggestion; one of the greatest strengths of Chrono Cross is the enormous amount of freedom the game offers - there's no "right" way to play. You will find character alliances shift as you travel through the game; fearsome enemies become staunch allies, and trusted friends become deadly foes. To prevent spoiling the twists and turns of the story, all characters are listed in the following section, whether friend or foe. It's up to you to discover which they are and, if possible, to change their minds. Serge (Silent Protagonist) Serge is the hero of this story. An unassuming - and quiet - young man, he lives a peaceful life in Arni Village with his mother Marge and sweetheart Leena. But his idyll is shattered when he finds himself suddenly drawn into an unfamiliar world where he has been dead for ten years. As he tries to unravel the truth, he finds himself increasingly intertwined in a complex chain of events that spans time and reality. Serge has top-level stats in almost every category. This is good, considering how much he sees combat. But at times, he can be so powerful that other characters seem weak in comparison - even if they should be more powerful. Weapon: Swallow Innate: White Origin: Arni Village (Home) Build: Average Age: 17 Gender: M Dexterity: Right-handed Level 3 tech: Dash&Slash - Serge runs and swipes his foe with the swallow. Level 5 tech: Luminaire - Serge rises into the air and strikes all enemies with a radiant blast of chi. Level 7 tech: FlyingArrow - Serge's weapon channels his fighting spirit and directs it at a single enemy. Level 7 found: Innate Location: Serge is the hero and doesn't need to be recruited, of course. Recruit: Automatic Kid (Mysterious Traveler) Kid is an enigmatic young lady who saves Serge's bacon when he's cornered by the Acacian army. She seems to have ulterior motives where Serge is concerned and will pop up from time to time, even if Serge turns her away. She also harbors some sort of deep hatred for Lynx. Kid isn't very strong unless you really work on her stats, but she has moderate magical skill and - more importantly - her level 3 pilfer tech skill lets her steal valuable items from enemies, which is a great aid in building up a decent selection of equipment and skills early in the game. Weapon: Dagger Innate: Red Origin: Unknown (Another) Build: Slender Age: 16 Gender: F Dexterity: Ambidextrous Level 3 tech: Pilfer - Steal an item from a foe. Level 5 tech: RedPin - Kid tosses a handful of fiery needles at the entire enemy party. Level 7 tech: Hotshot - Kid uses one of her "big sister's" contraptions to attack an enemy. Level 7 found: Use the code L, A, R, A, X on the machine on the first floor of the burning house. Location: Cape howl (Another) Recruit: Accept her into your party after fighting Karsh and the Shaker brothers. If you refuse her offer to join you at Cape Howl, she'll track you down at General Viper's statue in Termina. If you turn her away there, she'll continue to follow you; in short, you have numerous opportunities to recruit her.     Characters (cont.)»