Celes. I equipped her with some awesome equipment, mind you, but I had her reach the point of almost never getting hit (literally) around level 70, I think. I can't remember what all she was decked out in, but it probably consisted of the Paladin shield, Gem Box, Beads (Exchangable with, Charm Bangle, Hero Ring, Black Belt, Ribbon, Hyper Wrist, Zephyr Cape, or White Cape), Offering, or Genji glove, Illumina, Ragnorak, or Scimitar (Depending on if the enemy regenerates after an instant kill), Force Armor, Mystery Veil.

She had all of the most-needed spells, and with Quick+Genji (For mass Scimitar kills), Genji+Offering+Quick (Same idea), or Quick+Gem box+Ultima (Self-explanatory), she was awesome.

Celes starts off with very even stats, and begins with a few stats hgiher than Terra's (Though Vigor and Stamina don't make much difference in minor numbers, and she loses 3 magic points..). As http://www.ffextreme.com/site/ff6/fa...y_iii_char.txt points out, Celes's Magic Block is actually the biggest stat advantage she has over the other characters, enabling her to use less Mblock items to gain perfect results. (Which isn't a huge thing.) Personally, I see Celes as geared more toward a fighter than Terra, but maybe I'm just biased or continuing the Fire/Ice, Phsyical/Magical plan.

With my basic combination above (using the Gem Box and Hero Ring, Black Belt, or Hyper Wrist), Celes would be as follows, NOT including points gained during levels.


Stats: + () Sword, + (() Head, + ([) Sheild, + ({}) Armor
Extra HP: 44 (51)
Extra MP: 15
Vigor: 34
Speed: 34 (41) (42()
Stamina: 31 (38)
Magic Power: 36 (43) (46()
Battle Power: 16 (271) [Max 255]
Defense: 44 (103[) (127() (196{})
Evade: 7% (57) (97[)
Magic Defense: 31 (90[) (115() (183{})
M. Block: 9% (59) (99[) (109() (139{}) [Max 128]
+ Random Pearl. Consumes MP to cause a critical hit.
+Absorbs holy, lit, ice, fire. No effect: water, Earth, wind, poison.
+50% Damage Earth, wind, lit, ice, fire

Obviously, any character would be extremely powerful wearing this combination, but I didn't have it on her all the time. As canbe seen from the website mentioned, Celes and Terra are both very flexible, without losing any major points.

That said, I think that soem more consideration needs to be given. After all, Celes, like Terra, learns spells on her own, Espers or not, by level. Just as I had "SuperCeles", she had just gotten Pearl or Flare (72-81), I believe. No, I hadn't read any of these guides, I simply messed around with her items as it seemed best/fitting to me. I didn't even understand the stats screen fully. I just kind of stumbled upon it. Lol.

While the person who writes the guide says that Celes is almost useless with Runic, outside of a few Very useful battles, I have to disagree. I found her runic Incredibly helpful in the Collesum (She was obviously my most used there, even prior to fitting her out.), especially at weaker levels.

I must admit that I haven't used Terra's Morph, and I'm not even entirely sure what it does. (Boosts her atk & magic during Morph?) It seemed to run out too quickly, so I didn't pay much attention to it.

This all said, along with the fact that Celes learns useful spells on her own by levels, can kill enemies early on with her magic and physical attacks, and learns Ice 3 at a medium level on her own, completely destroys chaos9071's idea of leaving her to settle in the dust. I can't deny that Terra learns better spells, begins with a slightly higher magic power, and can equip all that Celes can, but that certainly doesn't make Celes second-class. She far excels the other characters left to be thought of. Honestly, though, this only makes sense, as thw two are the main characters for their respective half of the game.

Personally, I'd keep Celes in because of the story development between her and Locke, her emotional depth, and the dialogue she creates.

Locke, of course, was my other "steady", astride Celes. I found steal very useful in the dragon forest and earlier in the game to get items and cash. Beside of that, he isn't too bad of a fighter if you use him for basic attacks with a good weapon, give him some equipment defense, and ready him with magic to keep up the party's health (Life 3, cure, and Lv3 spells/Pearl/Ultima for the Fanatics' Tower if learned by then.). I only just now learned about the value of the Offering-Valiant combo. Normally, he's a caster and fighter mix for me.

Cyan was often a regular in my party, or Shadow when you coudl get ahold of him. (I was shocked by his magical ability, and Throw rocks.)

The third party member was often then either Terra or Edgar. Terra for her magical ability, despite how little attention I paid to her (She was at a decent level and had a majority of the spells. I simply didn't see her as a big use since her magical and physical attacks were only equal or inferior to Celes's.), and Edgar for his tool, magic, and equipping ability.

I usually Imp Gau or Setzer and suit him up with the appropriate equipment, but I must question Gau's ability after reading this thread.

Sabin was often used, but I ralized how little he was good for, aside of Bum Rush, rather quickly. (He couldn't cure or Lv3 magic for anything.) Umaro is obviously useful in the Fanatics' Tower. Gogo didn't get much use. Mog was decked out in his moogle stuff. Relm and Strago were ignored.