alrighty, i've finally gotten to the final fight [and Hugo is the Flame Champion, for future reference]... and after one round, i'm wondering how the heck can i use combo magic to frag the final boss... but because of the two-man teams, i haven't any idea of which combo's work, if the combo's are at all possible...

right now, my team is Hugo (w/ True Fire), Geddoe (w/ True Lightning), Chris (w/ True Water), Sasari (w/ True Earth) and Futch/Bright...

i'll try this combination a few times before trying a different line-up [i'll ask for recommendations later, if needed]

also, where can i find Mother Earth runes?

thanks for the help.

Last I checked, combo magic was completely nonexistent in Suiko III, unfortunately. =\

As for Mother Earth Runes:
a.) Stone Golem (Yaza Plains, during phases seven and eight)
b.) North Cavern - Guardian: Chimera
(Suikosource, for the sake of citing my source.)

I've preferred the regular Earth Rune ever since Suikoden III, when Clay Guardian became a level-1 spell, and affected the entire party. Really, it's the only Earth spell I use much. Earthquake's handy here and there, but I usually stick to the others for damage. Getting that knocked off the list for the Mother Earth Rune upgrade was just never really worth it to me.

where Clay Guardians would help, i could also use Canopy Defence to protect against the Rune Barrage. so i'm just asking...

anywho, thanks for the warning that there's no Unite Magic. :/ another downside to SIII...

Ah, yeah, Canopy Defense does come in handy for the final boss. Pretty much the only time I ever used it.
Though if you have Sasarai, why do you need to worry about having Canopy Defense? His True Earth Rune's got it, and as only a level-3 spell, so you'd have more uses of it. Personally, I'd say you should use him for Canopy Defense, and have someone else with a regular Earth Rune for Clay Guardian. (Or scrolls of the spell, at least.) A 15% damage reduction on the whole party for three turns is handy in any situation, and Sasarai would provide more Canopy Defense uses than someone with a Mother Earth Rune.

They removed combo magic in Suikoden III.

I guess combo-ing True Runes would be way too much anyway.

alrighty... finished the main story, now i'm gonna play through Luc's story then call it a day.

~fin.