At the Gate of Lionel Castle
This battle took two tries, as I didn't realize the first time until too late that I could open the gate to let Bartz escape from Gafgarion. I guess I could have made him a knight or monk and gone that route to make the fight a little easier, but I didn't.
Anyway, the second time I had Bartz run down to pull the lever as soon as possible, while having the others prepare a way for him to escape. Belmont got lucky with the placement of the knights after the first round, and was able to scorch two of them with Fire 3 early on. Heinlein took more of a support role with Chakra but still was good for beating archers. Evelyn was useful for hitting enemies during charge time.
Once the gates opened, Bartz got a chance to run from Gafgarion and help finish off the enemies outside. Once we had Gafgarion all to ourselves there wasn't much left bother us. Poor old man.
Inside Lionel Castle
Once we got inside, Draclau tried to get Bartz to join him, but yeah right. Draclau then turns into a monster thing using the power of the Zodiac Stone. First time around, we got beat with lots of death sentences and put to sleep till we died. Only got a few hits in. Second try I put defense ring on Heinlein and deployed my people in rows to avoid his sleep/death sentence attack as well as possible.
Bartz spammed Yell on Heinlein and Heinlein attacked Queklain non-stop while the others offered support. Eventually, a Fire 3 from Belmont put the monster out of his misery.
Meanwhile, Delita delivered Ovelia to Goltana because he's a scheming bastard/warmonger. He frames some guy name Gelwyn for the kidnapping plot, and then kills him before he can be proven innocent. I would applaud Delita for his master planning if I didn't dislike him so. Then again, he's probably being led by someone to do all this, so I can't even give him credit there.
3 months later, Goltana's generals are discussing the war, and Orlandu wants to talk peace because he's not stupid. The serfs or peasants or whoever are upset and dying or starving from the war. Of course this war is stupid, Delita told you start it!
Ugh, anyway, about 1/3 - 1/2 through the game now, I reckon. I'm having a lot of fun here.
My current party at chapter's end:
Bartz Lv 16 Chemist
guts
Counter Tackle
JP+
move+1
---Romanda gun
Green Beret
Brigandine
Battle boots
Belmont Lv 16 Wizard
+ item
Auto potion
JP+
move+1
---Flame Rod
Triange Hat
Wizard Robe
Wizard Mantle
Heinlein Lv 16 Monk
+ basic skill
Counter
JP+
move+1
---Wizard Outfit
Defense Ring
Reeve Lv 16 Thief
+ basic skill
counter tackle
JP+
Move+2
---Platina Dagger
Headgear
Adaman Vest
Power Wrist
Evelyn Lv 11 Archer
+ basic skill
Auto Potion
JP+
Jump+1
---Lightning Bow
Headgear
Mythril Vest
Spike Boots
June Lv 6 Chemist
+ basic skill
Auto Potion
Equip Change
Move-Find Item
---Blind Knife
Red Hood
Mythril Vest
Battle Boots
Scarlet Lv 5 Wizard
+ item
auto potion
JP+
move-find item
---Thunder Rod
Feather Hat
Silk Robe
Battle Boots
I included the girls in there because believe it or not I do plan on using them sooner or later. Don't really care about the others.
--
My Japanese alter-ego.
Hey all this is Bartz btw.