Need License Board Setup Ideas? Try past FF characters!

[Cain Highwind]

I kind of briefly mentioned this in another thread. But suppose you're starting a new game of FFXII and wondering how you should go about setting up your party?

I did this all the time in Tactics, except there, you could actually NAME your characters plus have a better selection. That doesn't mean the feature's completely missing though, and you could create some FF (or other existing franchise) based setups. Some add challenge, and some are just for the sake of variety.

THE FINAL FANTASY IV PARTY
-----------------------------

Vaan as Cecil
Equip Weapons: All Swords, Greatswords (optional), Axes (Optional)
Equip Armor: Shields, Heavy Armor
Magic: Up to Lv 4 White Magic
Worthwhile Technicks: Telekinesis, Souleater
Worthwhile Augements: HP+, Battle Lore, Shield Block, Other "Item Lores"
Limitations: No White Magic beyond Lv 4, No other magic, Save Steal for "Edge", No Summons

Ashe as Rosa
Equip Weapons: All Bows, Staves (Optional)
Equip Armor: Mystic Armor
Magic: All White, Green, and Time Magic
Worthwhile Technicks: Charge, First Aid, Revive
Worthwhile Augments: All Magic Related Augments (Ether Lore, Magick Lore, Channeling, Serenity, Warmage, etc)
Limitations: No Summons, No Black or Arcane Magic

Penelo as Young Rydia/Porom
Equip Weapons: Rods
Equip Armor: Mystic Armor
Magic: All White, All Black
Worthwhile Technicks: Charge, Shades of Black
Worthwhile Augments: All Magic Related
Limitations: No Time, Green, or Arcane Magic

Basch as Kain
Equip Weapons: Spears (Primary), Swords, Axes
Equip Armor: Heavy, Shields (if weilding sword or axe)
Magic: None
Worthwhile Technicks: Telekinesis, Expose
Worthwhile Augments: See "Cecil"
Limitations: No Summons, No Magic

Balthier as Edge
Equip Weapons: Daggers, Ninja Swords, Hand-Bombs
Equip Armor: Light
Magic: Black Magic Up to Lv 3, Time Magic up to Lv 2, Green Magic Lv 1
Worthwhile Technicks: Steal, Gil Toss, Charm, Poach, Telekinesis
Worthwhile Augements: Swiftness, Battle Lore, Magic Lore, Spell Bound,Various Item Lores
Limitations: No Summons, No Magic not listed above, If Equipping Knives no shield

Fran as Adult Rydia
Equip Weapons: Rods
Equip Armor: Mystic
Magic: All Black, All arcane
Worthwhile Technicks: Charge
Worthwhile Augments: All Magic Related
Limitations: No Magic not listed above

Comments: This is a great party for those who want a wee bit more challenge, but nothing ridiculous. "Kain" and "Cecil" supply the main muscle, why you have plenty of varied Magic Support. Oh and I have a License chart on hand, if you're curious what spells Cecil and Edge will know they are:

Cecil- Cure, Blindna, Vox, Poisona, Cura, Raise, Stona, Esuna, Regen (Not that much different from the original which is what I was going for )

Edge- Fire/Fira, Blizzard/Blizzara, and Thunder/Thundara spells, Water, Aero, Slow, Immobolize, Disable, Reflect, Protect, and Blind (A suitable replica of his Ninjustu skills)

Remember just like the good old FFIV, you'll be using more items here, so setup gambits appropriately. Keep "Edge's" speed up, as his Ninja Swords will do more damage that way, also keep daggers a secondary equip for Edge as Ninja Swords are all Dark Elementals and will be useless against the hoards of Undead monsters out there.



THE FINAL FANTASY VI PARTY
-----------------------------

This get's tricky as the cast of XII is miniscule to VI. But here's what I came up with.


Vaan as Locke
Equip Weapons: Knives, Axes (in place of Flails)
Equip Armor: Light, Shields
Magic: N /A
Suggested Technicks: Steal, Poach
Suggested Augments: Swiftness, All Battle Related
Limitations: None aside from Equipment

Penelo as Relm
Equip: Rods, Staves, Measures
Equip Armor: Mystic
Magic: N/A
Suggested Technicks
Suggested Augments: All Magic related
Limitations: None except for Equipment

Ashe as Celes
Equip: Swords, Axes
Equip Armor: Heavy
Magic: All Magic
Suggested Technicks: Charge, Telekinesis
Suggested Augments: All Magic and Battle related
Limitations: None Except for Equipment

Fran as Terra
Equip Swords, Axes
Equip Armor: Light/Mystic
Magic: All Magic
Suggested Technics: Charge, Telekinesis
Suggested Augments: All Magic and Battle Related
Limitations: None Except Equipment

Balthier as Edgar:
Equip Weapons: Swords, Guns, Spears (Primary)
Equip Armor: Heavy
Magic: N/A
Suggested Technicks: Achilles, Shear, (Basically all the stat reducing technicks), Charm.
Suggested Augments: All Battle Related
Limitations: None Except for Equipment

Basch as Sabin:
Equip Weapons: Bare Handed
Equip Armor: Light
Magic: White Magic
Suggested Technicks: First Aid, Revive
Suggested Augments: Brawler, All Battle Related
Limitations: None

Now this party is less about challenge and limitations than it is about overall "theme". Since you could learn all the magic you wanted in VI similarly to XII, no reason that aspect can't be carried over. Regardless, this is a more physical setup, and actually not all TOO different than my current game setup. Celes and Edgar are the really beefy fighters (I figure Celes=General=Heavy Armor) while Terra is more the standard Magic Fighter, while I put Light Armor, Mystic Armor is not an entirely bad choice either. You could also mix and match (Like Light armor with Mystic Helmets, it works nicely that way).

Edgar is the really versatile character and definetely your "Tank", but true to VI, if you're fighting a really tough enemy with thick defense (Adamantoises and the like), get a gun on him and have him shoot from a distance (the Strength bonuses from Heavy armors help here)

And I thought Basch best complimented Sabin (namely with his rugged look and Mostly Barefisted-based quickenings)

If you've got any ideas for other FFVI setups, let me know.



THE FINAL FANTASY VII PARTY
-----------------------------

Vaan as Cloud:
Equip Weapons: Swords, Great Swords (Primary)
Equip Armor: Heavy, Shields (when fighting One Handed)
Magic: N/A
Suggested Technicks: None
Suggested Augments: All Battle Related
Limitations: None

Penelo as Yuffie:
Equip Weapons: Knives, Ninja Swords
Equip Armor: Light
Magic: NA
Suggested Technicks: Steal, Poach
Suggested Augements: Swiftness, Battle Related
Limitations: None

Ashe as Aeris:
Equip Weapons: Rods, Staves
Equip Armor: Mystic
Magic: All
Suggested Technics: Charge, Shades of Black
Suggested Augments: All Magic Related
Limitations: None

Balthier as Cid:
Equip Weapons: Spears
Equip Armor: Light
Magic: N/A
Suggested Technicks: None
Suggested Augments: Battle Related
Limitations: None

Basch as Barrett:
Equip Weapons: Guns, Crossbows, Hand Bombs
Equip Armor: Heavy
Magic N/A
Suggested Technicks: None
Suggested Augments: Battle related
Limitations None

Fran as Tifa
Equip Weapons: Bare handed
Equip Armor: Light
Magic N/A
Suggested technicks: None
Suggested Augments: Brawler, Battle Related
Limitations: None

Yes another party where it's mostly up to you as far as magic and technicks go. This is more of a beefy physical party (but then, maybe it was just me, but I never used attack magic that much in FFVII), and I'd say if you add Magic, Tifa and Cloud are probably you're best choices (Cloud does have Magic at the beginning of the game). I chose Fran as Tifa because the quickenings obviously (Feral Strike and Whip Kick)

Again, if you feel like other FFVII characters could've made the cut in place of others, let me know.


THE FINAL FANTASY IX PARTY
-----------------------------

Vaan as Zidane
Equip Weapons: Daggers
Equip Armor: Light
Magic: None
Suggested Technicks: Steal, Poach, Revive
Suggested Augments: Swiftness, Battle Related
Limitations: No Magic, No Summons, No Shield

Penelo as Eiko/Vivi
(because there's no suitable character for Vivi)
Equip Weapons: Staves (Primary), Rods
Equip Armor: Mystic
Magic: All
Suggested Technicks: None
Suggested Augments: All Magic Related
Limitations: None

Ashe as Garnet/Dagger
Equip Weapons: Staves (Primary), Rods
Equip Armor: Mystic
Magic: All White, Green, and Time
Suggested Technicks: None
Suggested Augments: All Magic Related
Limitations: None

Baltheir as Amarant
Equip Weapons: Barehanded
Equip Armor: Light
Magic: All White Magic, All Time Magic
Suggested Technicks: Achilles, Gil Toss
Suggested Augments: Barehanded, Battle Related, Magick Lore
Limitations: No Black, Green, Arcane Magic, or Summons

Basch as Steiner
Equip Weapons: Swords, Great Swords
Equip Armor: Heavy
Magic: None
Suggested Technicks: Expose, Soul Eater, Bonecrusher, Addle, Shear, Wither,
Suggested Augments:All Battle related
Limitations: No Magic or Summons

Fran as Freya:
Equip Weapon: Spears
Equip Armor: Heavy
Magic: None
Suggested Technicks: None
Suggested Augments: All Battle related
Limitations: No Summons, No Magic (see below)

So HERE we have more of a unique challenging setup, this time with a little more magic Power than Muscle. Now with Freya Some of her Dragon skills DO translate into Actual Magic Spells, but considering they were only so-so in IX, you can go either way. Although for challange sake you could haver learn nothing, or if you don't think you have enough healers in your party, have her learn some of the early cure spells. Although Gambit-wise, it'd probably be best to keep her as an "Item healer"

Oh and I crossrefrenced Steiner's abilities so you can't get a more accurate depiction of him than that.

THE CHRONO TRIGGER PARTY
-----------------------------

Vaan as Chrono
Equip Weapons: Swords, Katana (Primary)
Equip Armor: Light
Magic: All Black Magic
Suggested Technicks: None
Suggested Augments: Battle related, Magick Lore
Limitations: No other Magic listed, purists might only want to use Thunder spells whenever possible

Ashe as Marle
Equip: Bows, Crossbows (Primary)
Equip Armor: Mystic
Magic: All White, Time, and Green
Suggested Technicks: Charm, Steal
Suggested Augments: All Magic related
Limitations: No Black or Arcane

Penelo as Lucca
Equip: Guns
Equip Armor: Mystic
Magic: All Black
Suggested Technicks: None
Suggested Augments: All Magic Related
Limitations: No White, Green, Time, or Arcane

Balthier as Frog (or Glenn)
Equip: Swords, Greatswords (Primary)
Equip Armor: Heavy
Magic: All White, Black Magic 2
Suggested Technicks: None
Suggested Augments: Battle related
Limitations: No White, Green, Time, Arcane, or Black Magic over Lv 2 (which is mostly there for "accuracy")

Basch as Magus
Equip: Poles
Equip Armor: Light
Magic: All Black and Arcane
Suggested Technicks: None
Suggested Augments: Battle Lore, Magick Lore
Limitations: No White, Green, or Time Magic

OR
--

Basch as Robo
Equip: Barehanded
Armor: Heavy
Magic: All White
Suggested Technicks: None
Suggested Augments: Brawler, All Battle related
Limitations: No other magic

Fran as Ayla:
Equip: Barehanded
Armor: Light
Magic: None
Suggested technicks: Charm, Steal
Suggested Augments: Brawler, All Battle related.
Limitations: No Magic

So here it is, my last one for the night, Chrono Trigger! Now making Crono is kind of tricky. Katana's are based off Magic power so since I haven't tested this party yet, I can only suggest to give Crono Magick Lores and/or maybe switch between Regular Swords.

[supershiva11]

LOL great job, this added a good challenge after ive beaten the game. Thanks! also, to add some challenge i suggest soloing the game (using vaan or any 1 character only)!

[Fishie]

Wow. That's a good setup idea for using the License Board that way. I made my character's a bit of everything though. I'll do the IX theme though after I beat it. I like the way its even set up. Its a shame that no one matched Vivi's expertise besides Penelo. For some reason I can see Fran as a Black Mage though......

[Cain Highwind]

Originally Posted by Doughboy

Wow. That's a good setup idea for using the License Board that way. I made my character's a bit of everything though. I'll do the IX theme though after I beat it. I like the way its even set up. Its a shame that no one matched Vivi's expertise besides Penelo. For some reason I can see Fran as a Black Mage though......

Yeah I mean there are some Sky Pirate bonuses for having everyone learn everything, but they lose their individuality that way. Like I said, this is more of a collection of "What should I equip who with" ideas than anything else. Also since people are pretty familiar with the Sphere grid after their first run through might want to try something different as well.

And I plan on trying that FFIV party myself.

Well anyway, here's some more


THE FINAL FANTASY VIII PARTY
------------------------------

Basch as Squall
Equip Weapons: Swords, Great Swords (Primary)
Armor: Light
Magic: N/A
Suggested Technics: None
Suggested Augements: Battle Related
limitations: None

Vaan as Zell
Equip Weapons: Barehanded
Armor: Light
Magic: N/A
Suggested Technicks: NA
Suggested Augments: Brawler, Battle Related
Limitations: None

Penelo as Selphie
Equip Weapon: Poles
Armor: Light and/or Mystic
Magic: NA
Suggested Technicks: NA
Augments: Probably best to keep a balance of Magic and Battle lores

Balthier as Irvine
Equip Weapons: Guns
Armor: Light
Magic: NA
Suggested Technicks: NA
Suggested Augments: Battle related
Limitations: None

Ashe as Rinoa
Equip: Crossbows
Armor: Mystic
Magic: Any and all
Suggested Technicks: Charge
Suggested Augments: Magic related
Limitations: None

Fran as Quistis
Equip Weapons: Staves, Maces, Rods
Armor: Mystic
Magic: Any and all
Suggested Technicks: Charge
Suggested Augments: Magic relates
Limitations: None

Yep another "Do as you please" as far as Magic goes. Yes I know "Basch as Squall?" well I just figured Vaan matched Zell better and likewise with Squall and Basch, go ahead and switch the two if you don't like it.

In any case, Rinoa and Quistis are the main magic users here, and Selphie's kind of the optional one here.


THE FINAL FANTASY X PARTY
----------------------------

Vaan as Tidus
Equip Weapon: Swords
Armor: Light and shields
Magic All Time, Green, White
Suggested Technicks: Any
Suggested Augments: Battle Related
Limitations: No Black Magic, No Summons

Penelo as Rikku
Equip Weapon: Knives, Ninja Swords
Armor: Light
Magic: All White
Suggested Technicks: Steal, Gil Toss
Suggested Augments: Swiftness, Battle related
Limitations: No other Magic, No Summons

Balthier as Wakka/Kimhari
Equip Weapon: Handbombs, Spears
Armor: Light
Magic: All Green, Arcane
Suggested Technicks: All Stat-Reducing based Technicks
Suggested Augments: Battle related
Limitations: No other Magic, No Summons

Ashe as Yuna
Equip Weapons: Rods/Staves
Armor: Mystic
Magic: All White,Time, Green
Suggested Technicks:
Suggested Augments: All Magic related
Limitations: No Black or Arcane

Basch as Auron:
Equip Weapons: Swords, Axes, Great Swords (Primary)
Armor: Heavy
Magic: None
Suggested Technicks: All Stat-reduced based abilities
Suggested Augments: All Battle related
Limitations: No Magic, No summons

Fran as Lulu
Equip Weapons: Scales, Rods, Staves
Equip Armor: Mystic
Magic: All Black, Arcane
Suggested Technicks: Charge
Suggested Augments: Magic Related
Limitations: No White, Time, or Green

Now making THIS setup was tricky. I mostly based it off their basic Sphere Grid Paths without straying too much (even though you could have all characters learn everything much similar to XII). Yuna, Rikku, and Tidus all have fairly easy access to all the White and Similar Magic, while Lulu and Kimhari have pretty close access to the Black Magic. Because of Wakka's "lack" of compatible equips (and the lack of playable FFXII characters), I've decided to merge him with Kimhari here. The Green and Arcane Magic make up for a lack of the attacks such as "Silence Attack", and overall, you've got a pretty split even party. Like X, you could limit it to a "Okay here's a certain enemy with specific defenses! We need a certain character to proceed" bit.


THE LAST BLADE PARTY
----------------------
(Or Cain's Choice Far East Party)

Vaan as Kaede
Equip Weapon: Swords, Katanas (Primary)
Armor: Light
Magic: None
Suggested Technicks: NA
Suggested Augments: Battle Related

Penelo as Akari Ichijo
Equip Weapons: Maces, Rods, Staves
Armor: Mystic
Magic: All Magic
Suggested Technicks: Steal
Suggested Augments: Swiftness, Magic Related

Ashe as Yuki
Equip Weapons: Spears
Armor: Mystic
Magic: All Magic
Suggested Technicks: NA
Suggested Augments: Magic Related

Basch as Moriya Minakata
Equip Weapons: Katanas
Equip Armor: Light
Magic: None
Suggested Technicks: NA
Suggested Augments: Battle Related

Balthier as Hyo Amano
Equip Weapons: Poles
Equip Armor: Light
Magic: None
Suggested Technicks: Charm
Suggested Augments: Battle related

Fran as Hibiki Takane
Equip Weapons: Katanas
Equip Armor: Light
Magic: None
Suggested Technicks: None
Suggested Augments: Battle related

Wooow! CUUURAAAZAY! Nah, this idea just popped into my head and I thought, YEAH that would work. Just a fun "Eastern" setup. You could tweak it slightly to make it more like Ruroni Kenshin if you wanted. Bear in mind, Katanas don't become readily available until late in the game, so you'd have to make due with regular swords. And also keep in mind, no Magic limit here either, though you have two characters readily available for that. Also Souleater is probably a good technick all characaters should have, it's well suited for the likes of an Asian party, but also the light armor characters wear, give them lots of HP to use.

[triplexraider]

Hey Cain, about the FFIV Set-Up, for Cecil, wouldn't "Decoy" be a great substitute for the "Cover" ability that Paladin Cecil had? Just curious. Penelo could be both forms of Rydia. Fran could be like FuSoYa or something. For "Edge", I know guns are not his character, but they count as projectiles thrown, sort of..right. No wait, oh what do I know? I don't know about Charm or Poach as being Edge. Oh well...

[Delita00]

This is probably the best idea I've heard for this game yet. It adds a nice challenge and a little bit of a twist to it. You can definitely apply a large number of games characters to this, if I think of any good ones I'll be sure to post.

[Cain Highwind]

Originally Posted by triplexraider

Hey Cain, about the FFIV Set-Up, for Cecil, wouldn't "Decoy" be a great substitute for the "Cover" ability that Paladin Cecil had? Just curious. Penelo could be both forms of Rydia. Fran could be like FuSoYa or something. For "Edge", I know guns are not his character, but they count as projectiles thrown, sort of..right. No wait, oh what do I know? I don't know about Charm or Poach as being Edge. Oh well...

Well I guess that would work, I was trying to match gender as well so I never thought about Fusoya, it's pretty much the same thing as far as commands go.

And yeah having Cecil learn decoy would be a good idea, if only there was an Accessory that permanently added Decoy status.

[triplexraider]

Originally Posted by Cain Highwind

Well I guess that would work, I was trying to match gender as well so I never thought about Fusoya, it's pretty much the same thing as far as commands go.

And yeah having Cecil learn decoy would be a good idea, if only there was an Accessory that permanently added Decoy status.

Libra would also be good for both Cecil and Rosa, since they replace Scan. Maybe Rydia, I guess.

[Angantyr]

Well I have only played like 10 hours so far but I am molding each of them, here is my rough set up:

Vaan: Squall
Weapons: Swords
Armour: Heavy
Magic: Basic White and Black
Techniks: N/A

Basically going for an all round main character, probably right now I think he has a spear but that is cause I forgot to activate the license. However I have a back up save so I might try and get it, I am currently at the Leviathan prison I think.

Balthier: Auron/Irvine
Weapons: Swords, Guns
Armour: Heavy
Magic: None but may learn basic White
Techniks: N/A

Possibly the heavy hitter of the group though I just read that is not the best choice for such, I think I will keep him for a back up Character.

Fran: Rosa*
Weapons: Bows, Staves, Daggers
Armour: Light/Mystic
Magic: White, Time, Green
Techniks: N/A

I will use her basically as a White Mage, can't remember exactly how Rosa was set up but yeah. I will probably use her a lot depending on what Ashe and Penolo are like when I get them.

Basch: Yangus (Dragonquest VIII)
Weapons: Axes, Swords
Armour: Heavy & Shields
Magic: Basic White and Black
Techniks: N/A

I figure why not a DQVIII Character? I am not sure on who would be the best over all hard hitter. I haven't really used him much but I will probably try him out for a bit and see how well he does.

I am only near the beginning of the game so I will be experimenting and I may start another game to try and get everything later possibly once I have completed it. Oh and I left Techniks out as I do not really have much yet.

[Juice]

This is a great idea for the second time over. Still being in my first play through my grids just look alot like each other, which your very correct in saying it takes alot of the personality out of the characters.
I especially like the IX setup, nice even spread and challenging distinct roles for all hurray!

[Kaiser Dragoon]

Ohh, lemme try (cept' all the FF's are taken that I would have any expertise in)

Soul Calibur 3!

Basch>Siegfried Schtauffen
Equip Weapons: Greatswords
Equip Armor: Heavy Armor
Magick: None, or mild White Magick
Technicks: Expose, and Telekinesis is a must, others are optional and I will let you choose
Augements: All, except Magickal (optional)
Limitations: No black or arcane magics, since hes following the "prim and proper" path after giving up Nightmare.

Vaan>Heishiro Mitsurugi
Equip Weapons: Katana (swords until available)
Equip Armor: Light and Heavy (Mystic to increase attack, which is optional)
Magicks: None (except white, very, mild white, but, still not recommended)
Technicks:Soul Eater, Expose, Bonecrusher, and of course, Telekenisis
Augmentations: All, but, Magickal might be a waste of time