Cross Character Ranking

General Information[edit]

Chrono Cross[edit]

• Stat Sheet: Download (XLS)

A quick note...Possible error: All entries were typed in manually and were not double checked (although they were skimmed for obvious errors). Also, no standard deviations or game-play aspects (such as who has better techs) were considered.

• Format:

All stats were rendered according to the star level 99 stats found in the guide (thanks to Characters (Chrono Cross)) The first box reflects these stats.

In all of the charts, blue indicates that a particular stat is above the mean, while the pink (salmon or whatever) indicates a state that is below the mean.

The second box shows how far from the mean the respective stats for each character are. That is, since the mean HP is 815, and Doc’s 99 level HP is 800, his HP is negative 15 from the mean (-15). Calculation: [MEAN – Personal Stat]

The third box shows the % from the mean of the respective stat for each character. For example, since Doc’s HP is 15 lower than the mean, he is -1.8% from the mean. The purpose of this is to not have large stats like HP outweigh small stats like MP, RES, etc. Calculation: [(MAN –Personal Stat)/MEAN]

Since all of the stats from box 3 are represented in %, they can be easily summed while still retaining the +/- integrity while sacrificing individual identity (hence statistics…. Tada!) Box four—the number crunching tables—sums these stats in different, significant manners:

Arbitrary Mean: Simply adding all of the stat percentages together. This is relatively useless in that EVD, RES, and STA often significantly more deviant from the mean than other stats.

Arbitrary Mean, no EVD, RES, STA: This stat seeks to fix the problem with the arbitrary mean by simply removing stats that are too dominant (also, EVD, RES, and STA, while important, are stats of consequence and are not used specifically to calculate damage or reflect a character’s power; by this right, I should have also denied Hit% from the list, but I forgot so just freaking deal. :P)

Physical: This stat combines STR and DEF and is the best exemplar for detecting physically capable strong characters.

Magical: This stat combines MAG and MDEF with the same intention as the Physical (obviously reciprocated in Magic stats.)

Phys+Mag: This sums all “hard stats” *snigger*…. Right, anyway, it adds STR, DEF, MAG, MDEF. This stat, in my (correct) opinion, is the best example of how characters stack up. While Stamina and all the rest are incontrovertibly important, they are more akin to variability and can be more readily manipulated by accessories. These stats are, as stated, important, but they are not particularly appropriate for this cut-and-dry comparison approach.

The Superlatives box shows the top and low 5 for each previous calculation. Once again, scrutiny should be used when observing the arbitrary mean or the altered arbitrary mean (we all know Mojo is a crap character, but he is number 1 in arb. mean)

The very last chart is a simple ordering of the Phys + Mag (hard stats) table, from worst to best.

There is one last aspect of the charts to be aware of: on the fourth box—the crunch tables—a character who has all positive states in all the columns are highlighted in blue. This represents characters that are above average in all of the calculations, which in essence proves that they are reliable characters. This opposite is true for characters that are highlighted in yellow.

• Analysis:

The first noteworthy topic is that this chart is discretely stat-minded. (like friggin’ duh.) This is significant in that the special techs, the size and layout of the elemental grid, and the possible equipment of the characters is not taken into factor (and these are indeed significant factors.) This analysis cannot state, undeniably, that “this character is better than this character”; however, the chart certainly is useful in showing how certain characters of certain types stack up, and thusly forms a system that removes some of the gray area.

The most important aspect of this analysis that cannot be accounted for are the extra stat points one receives within a few fights after a boss. This is why your Serge/Lynx character is likely much, much stronger than any other character (that extra stats, on top of his well-above-average stats.) This also is important that the stats reflected in the chart will become more applicable as more levels are gained, and in early star levels these charts may not be so reliable.

Finally, I didn’t include a “awesome” stat…. But if I had, then you’d better believe Skelly would make the top 5.

• Statistic conclusions:

These characters pretty much just plain suck: (conclusions were made using the last table)

Pip
Sneff
Pierre
Turnip
Van
Mel
Funguy
Korcha
Orcha
Pip Angel

These characters scored below average in all categories. I know, I know, they have some good points, but really, there is no reason (other than just for the hell of it) to use them.

These characters are not-so-great:

Mojo,
Poshul
Luccia
Zappa
Pip Devil
NeoFio
Viper
Skelly
Sprigg
Leah
Kid …. Sorry, Kid. :-( 

These characters were below average, but not in all categories. It is safe to say that they can be useful given their abilities (Kid=steal=God) or an outstanding specific stat (Viper and Zappa have good strength). But, in general, there are better characters, and using these particular characters is probably expected to be more situational. Once again, it bears repeating: the extra stats after levels make or break characters. Thus, Kid will probably be significantly stronger than the rest of the group.

These characters are pretty good:

Norris
Irenes
Radius
Nikki
Grobyc
Starky
Janice
Zoah
Orlha
Doc
Razzly
Fargo
Miki
Steena

These characters above average, although they were not above average in every category. You should be assured of their competence in battle, although there are still better characters to be had. (Note: Right after Starky you have access to an excellent gun weapon for either him or Norris, so for a time they are much stronger than they are represented on the chart)

These characters are Great:

Glenn
Leena
Draggy
Marcy
Riddel
Pip Archdevil
Lynx
Serge
Karsh
Greco
Guile
Pip Holy Beast
Macha
Pip Archangle
Harle

These characters are the statistically strongest. Having them in your party is always beneficial, and you will more than likely notice a difference when they are in the party as opposed to some other characters. Of these superlatives, these characters were above average in all categories:

Glenn, Draggy, Marcy, Lynx, Serge, Macha, Harle.

All of these characters are generally kept in the party once they are acquired, for an obvious reason: there are no downsides. Thus, they are excellent for running around half-witted and killing everything just by smashing the attack function, or they are skilled at elements and defeating hard bosses.

Outside statistic notes:

Some characters deserve a little more respect because of some outside-the-box differences:

These characters have a stamina of 12 (hence, 1.2 recovered per attack):

Irenes
Kid
Korcha
Leah
Marcy
Miki
Mojo
Pierre
Starky

And Razzly has 13. With her high magic and fast stamina, along with a fierce attack that hits all of the enemies, Razzly is definitely worth a closer look.

These characters have a stamina of 8:

Fargo
Greco
Grobyc
Macha
Orcha
Sneff
Viper
Zoah

And Turnip has has a stamina of 7. Boo. There’s no nice way to put it: Turnip just plain sucks. And so does Sneff, with his below average stats. No wonder the poor guy couldn’t make a living. Although there is one noticale name: Macha, who has excellent stats all around, has a STA of 8… which really hurts her and knocks her down a peg.

From: Features