So I am planning to get this game and I was wondering which characters I should use and why.

Well, if you're not playing ranked, you can use pretty much any character you want. I think I used pretty much everyone except Tate. >.>

But if you want very good units, I recommend:
- Allen and Lance (Cavaliers). Possibly the two best units in this game. They can triangle a support with Roy, which is awesome and they have the best class in the game.
- Dieck (Mercenary) and Rutgar (Myrmidon). Good stats all around. Can also triangle a support with Clarine.
- Clarine (Troubradour). Most durable unit in the game. However, watch out for her low Mgc. If you use her to attack, try to get her to B Anima as soon as possible to let her use Aircalibur.
- Lalum (Dancer). You get either one or the other. She's a Dancer, so that automatically makes her usefulness >>>>>>.
- Lv 5 Gonzales (Brigand). If you get Lalum*, Gonzales is one of the better units in the game. If you don't get Lalum, he'll join at Lv 12 with the exact same stats. >.>
- Percival (Paladin). H4x bases and weapon levels. 'Nuff said.
- Tate. Just give her a few levels more than your nomads so that you don't get sent to Sacae**. Sacae is bloody difficult for a first playthrough.

• On the chapter where Fir and Shin join (Islands w/ fog and loads of Brigands), there are two villages. The one you visit first determines the next few chapters you take. I think visiting the bottom left village lets you get the chapter with Lalum.
  • If the levels of Tate + Thany > Shin + Sue, you go to Ilia after you finish up business in Etruria. Otherwise, you go to Sacae (Includes the scenario where Tate and Thany's levels are equal to Shin and Sue's)

Check out the tier list to see who's the best.

quote GhostMember

- Tate. Just give her a few levels more than your nomads so that you don't get sent to Sacae**. Sacae is bloody difficult for a first playthrough.

But the Nomads are pretty good in this game. >.>

And the tier list is for HM. Normal Mode is a different experience altogether. Durability is less important in NM since enemies suck at combat tactics. >.>

I finally got it a few days ago
I'm on chapter 5
Dieck is awesome

>.> I actually prefer the added challenge from the Sacae route. Maybe that's just me?

We want not risk him getting overwhelmed by Sacae's difficulty.