So I've acquired Suikoden and Suikoden II (How is not important and shall not be answered in this topic) and I'm playing through Suikoden slowly so I thought I'd create a topic to get people to

A: Help me out

and

B: Encourage me to play more

So at the moment I think I've recruited everyone I can and I've just fought my second battle. Now I'm going to do a recon mission to find out about a poisenous rose or something :S

I've played Suiko V and the legion Saga games so I somewhat understand how this all works but tips would be nice. Also what the hell am I supposed to do with Gemio? He always seems to be there but I find him entirely useless. Please tell me that eventually I get to get rid of him from the party. Are there any characters who are a must for this game? I keep hearing everyone rave about Flik... and I'm just about to use him for the first time now so we'll see.

Kind of hard for me to say much without ruining certain aspects of the game... Also, I only played the first game once, and that was a while ago, so I can't remember much, I'm afraid. ^^; But I'll try to be of some assistance.

Gremio... Well, for a handful of the Suikoden games, you'll have to get used to having a character stuck with you through much of the game. (Remember Lyon/Miakis in Suikoden V?) With the main characters always (with the exception of III) being silent protagonists, Suikoden finds a way around that by giving you a lead support character who kind of speaks for the main character, and plays an otherwise vital role in the story. In this case, Gremio is that character. I don't recall when you can start kicking him out of the party, if ever optionally, though.

Recommended characters, eh? Again, memory fails me... Flik definitely is one to keep an eye on, though, especially when you can finally start using him by your own free will. He's a pretty well-balanced character, who can cast magic and put up a good fight physically as well.

Viktor is a nice physical character pretty much all throughout the game. He and Flik can use a combo, as well, which is quite handy.

Hm. Do you have Luc yet? Absolutely amazing mage.

Pesmerga's another physical tank to keep an eye out for. (After defeating a certain vampire, go back to where you fought him, and Pesmerga should be there. I forget if there's a specific requirement to recruit him, though.)

I remember using Tengaar a bit toward the end of the game, too. Decent mage/long-range fighter type.

I can't really think of much else to suggest, since I'm unsure of where exactly you are in the game, and can't remember when you can recruit who too well. >_< However, if you don't mind a ton of text, and potential spoilers or whatever, then I can offer you my entire first playthrough of the game in text. (I'll post the link at the end of this post.) The big thing I want to emphasize, though, if you want the best ending for the game (which will enable some special things in Suikoden II when you play that), is this: Forgive and recruit Pahn, and then keep him very well-leveled. Make sure he is a very powerful character at all times. If you haven't already passed the point, then you'll see why I say that eventually.

Link to my playthrough: Suikoden Marathon - Part 1
It's there if you want it.

_{By the way, I'll probably me much more helpful with Suikoden II. Hehe. ^^;}

There is no unite between Viktor and Flik in Suikoden I.
For Pesmerga you need 101 characters, if I recall correct.
Characters to look out for?

Crowley - best mage in history
Pesmerga - amazing power
Alen - great character
Flik - great character
Grenseal - great character and together with Alen and Flik they have the pretty boy attack, which racks up to 3000 dmg.
Viktor - good character and strong

I'll name others, but I am short on time now =P.

Oh and you'll be without Gremio after Soniere Prison and I am pretty sure you won't like it, even though he's a burden.

Point proven. ^^; Post edited.

And yeah, Crowley's definitely great. Good luck finding him, though. (You simply won't, unless you use a guide or ask somebody.) Luc's a fine alternative, in any case. I had both in my final party, and both did a pretty fine job of whooping ass.

Valeria is pretty good as well. Unlike Suikoden V's Belcoot, this woman does know how to use the Falcon Rune. Technically, everyone BUT Belcoot knows how to use them.
Then again, I found all "special runes" a bit nerfed in Suikoden V. The Boar Rune looked NOTHING like the Boar Rune in Suikoden I and the same was for other Runes.

Kirkis is another character that is used often. Dunno why, I always have him in my party for most of the game.
Milich is character that isn't used, due to certain event, but has some good stats anyway. Looks odd in your party, no matter how odd your party is.
There is also Lorelai in this game, considering you're a fan of Lorelai in Suikoden V.
I never used Sheena myself, but I know he can pack some punch as well.
Another character that is extremely useful is Kai, as he has a unite with Tir McDohl that will dmg all enemies.

I never tried Rubi, I should, as I like his design.
The same goes for Griffith, Warren, Morgan and Kirke.
I never tried them, yet always meant to do so xD.

Yeah, I was considering Lorelai, but she just doesn't seem that great to me. I hope that she becomes better (and with better development then "You look strong") in Suikoden II.

What's this about Pahn? Should I just keep him in my party (Although I don't find him overly useful).

Yeah, I am using a guide only to find the 108 characters. I've alo cheated at one of the betting games so I basically have all the money I'll ever need. I've done this because I'm not overly bothered about the first Suikoden but I want the save data for Suikoden II. I'm still not going to go over the top with the cheating though because I still want a little challenge. I'm only doing it this way to save me having to train up.

Which brings me neatly onto the next point... What gets carried over to suikoden II? (non-spoilers please)

Let's just say if I explained the significance of keeping Pahn up to level, I'd have to kill you I'd be spoiling stuff, so if you want all 108 Stars of Destiny, just make sure he's well-built.

Things that get carried into Suikoden II... Well, there are a few extra dialogue scenes between some characters. For certain characters, equipment gets carried over, too. (I don't wanna spoil reappearing characters, so I won't mention specifics, unless you ask. ^^; ) The major thing, though, is the reappearance of a certain someone as a playable character. You need to go on a bit of a side-quest to recruit him, though. (Certain details in the first game's save file will change one particular detail in this, too.)
I'm pretty sure there's a thread somewhere in here that explains what's carried over, but I forget if there're spoilers in it.

Remember, this is Suikoden I, there were no such plans for Lorelai yet. Step aside from the Lorelai you know in V.

Yeah, Pahn is of decent importance, up to a certain point. A certain battle between him and someone else defines if you'll be getting the good ending or not.

Lol, you used that trick? That is too much hassle, I guarantee. When you have Gaspar, simply play Chinchorin and double or nothing every single time. The chance of loosing is so small, you'll get max money in no time.

What carries over is indeed what Chalryn said. Certain armour for certain characters get carried over. Some characters' levels will be higher.

There will be various dialogues between characters of the first game when you recruit them with a character from the first game in your party. Various possibilities.

If you name the hero the same as in Suikoden I, you'll get a reference to that as well.

And yeah, 2 non star cameos, one of them will be playable and one of them provides you with something else, which is useful in a minigame.

I just got my copy of the original off ebay.
Its been probably been 10 yrs. since I played last.
I took a personal day at work just so I could play.

all the characters are fantastical, trust me.. very good for you in finally picking up this and the 2nd one. Not sure what you want in the way of tips other than some of the characters i dont think you will have a chance in hell to recruit..