Printable View
i'm still not sure which equip combinations go best for each char. so far i've been using heavy armor for basch, vaan and ashe, and light/mystic for balthier, penelo and fran.
vaan - sword/shield
balthier - bombs
fran - bow
penelo - xbow
ashe - sword/shield
basch - axe/shield
/
The beauty of the game is that you can make the equipment work for any of the characters, though it helps to make your decisions as to their roles early on so you can further develop each one to give your party some balance.
Take care all.
As far as weapons... Excalibur - Van, Ultima Weapon - Bash, and Ragnorak - Fran
Take bombs off, they suck tremendously.
I've never been a fan of variety, just pick what works the best and stack it.
For me everyone was heavy armor (light is better early in the game but eventually gets greatly outpaced) and sword and shield. The amount of damage thought most of the game (with the exception of ultimate weapons) between 2h and shield isn't all that noticeable, and the amount of damage mitigation is. I usually carried around a ranged weapon or two and had some magic to deal with any flying enemies, which are quite rare.
Before my Vaan would use a Sword and a Shield. Now I make him use Katanas and I will probably teach him how to use GreatSwords. As for my other characters, Balthier would use Daggers, Fran would use Bows, Penelo would use a Staff, Ashe would use a Sword and Shield, and Basch would use Axes and Hammers.
I have a lot of success with this type of party, especially since my Vaan is overleveled.
Vaan - Sword/Sword (2H) + Shield
Balthier - Crossbow, Bow, Gun + Ammunition
Fran - Spear, Staff, Mace
Basch - Axe/Hammer + Shield, Hand-bombs + Ammunition
Ashe - Rod, Pole, Measure
Penelo - Katana, Ninja Sword, Dagger + Shield
The one that is bolded is what I'm using currently. While the other one will probably be the one I will never use.
HANDBOMB AND MEASURE SUCKED IS WRONG:
Hand-bomb is in the same category as Axe, unlike, Axe, they're long-ranged. Hand-bomb act as the long-ranged version of Axe.
Measure is designated to attack your party for positive status and save some MP.
My party is all hit, I never bother with magic, I only use magic on Flying enemies or enemy that have a vital elemental weakpoint. That's the reason I never use Rod, Staff, Mace and Measure. I'm trying to get an Excalibur in Giruvegan!!