Choose your lead character for the storyline you want, then pick companions for the story context and combat roles you prefer. A playthrough uses three of the six characters, and the available evidence does not establish one universally best party.
What your character choices change
You select one lead and two companions from Duran, Angela, Kevin, Charlotte, Hawkeye, and Riesz. Square Enix describes the narrative as an overlapping story whose course changes with the lead and companions you choose; a community party guide says the lead determines which of the three main storylines you play. Square Enix’s official Trials of Mana page explains the story premise and character lineup.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Trials of Mana - Nintendo Switch | $46.90 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Trials of Mana (Nintendo Switch) | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Trials of Mana - Nintendo Switch (Renewed) | $30.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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SEGA Collection of Mana | $28.01 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Trials of Mana - Nintendo Switch | $58.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Which lead should you choose?
Start with the story that interests you most. A community guide identifies three linked pairs: Duran and Angela, Kevin and Charlotte, and Hawkeye and Riesz. If you want more of the shared context associated with a pair, choose one as your lead and include the other as a companion. This is a story-focused suggestion, not a requirement for completing the game. See the GameFAQs party guide for its party-planning discussion.
How to choose your two companions
Include the linked character for story context
After choosing a lead, consider whether you want the other member of that character’s linked pair in your party. Your remaining slot can then reflect the kind of combat contribution you prefer.
#1 Best Overall
- Revamped 3D graphics - Trials of Mana is Full 3D remake of the third game in the Mana series, originally released in Japan as Seiken Densetsu 3
- Pick your party - Players can choose their favorite protagonist and 2 companions from 6 different characters. The story will play out in different ways depending on the combination of the protagonist and companions in the party
- Class changing - Raise your level and become the top-level classes; Character's appearance and the magic and special attacks that they can learn will change depending on which class is selected and the light/dark alignment
Choose the final slot by role preference
The party guide discusses physical damage, magic damage, healing, tanking, and support as useful ways to think about party composition. Use those roles to decide what sounds enjoyable; the guide does not establish that every party needs a specific combination or that one trio is optimal for all players.
A practical decision path
- Pick the storyline: choose the lead whose story interests you most.
- Consider the linked character: add the other member of the pair if you want that shared story context.
- Fill the last slot by preference: choose a character for the role or style of play you want, such as physical damage, magic, healing, tanking, or support.
- Use the official diagnostic if you want a prompt: Square Enix Japan offers a ten-question party recommendation diagnostic. It is in Japanese, so it may be easiest to use if you read Japanese or can translate the page in your browser: Square Enix Japan’s diagnostic.
Is there a best party for a first playthrough?
The available sources do not establish a single best party for every player. The clearest basis for a recommendation is your preferred storyline, whether you want a linked character for narrative context, and which combat roles you want represented. The GameFAQs guide is community-authored strategy advice, not an official balance ruling.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Revamped 3D Graphics - Trials of Mana is full 3D remake of the third game in the Mana series, originally released in Japan as Seiken Densetsu 3. The entire game has been fully rebuilt from the ground up with modern 3D graphics
- Pick your Party - Players can choose their favorite protagonist and two companions from six different characters. The story will play out in different ways depending on the combination of the protagonist and companions in the party
- Class changing - Raise your level and become the top-level classes. The character’s appearance and the magic and special attacks that they can learn will change depending on which class is selected and the light/ dark alignment
Rank #4
- 1135293
Rank #3
- Revamped 3D graphics - Trials of Mana is Full 3D remake of the third game in the Mana series, originally released in Japan as Seiken Densetsu 3
- Pick your party - Players can choose their favorite protagonist and 2 companions from 6 different characters. The story will play out in different ways depending on the combination of the protagonist and companions in the party
- Class changing - Raise your level and become the top-level classes; Character's appearance and the magic and special attacks that they can learn will change depending on which class is selected and the light/dark alignment
Rank #2
- Revamped 3D graphics -Trials of mana is full 3D remake of the third game in the mana series, originally released in Japan as Seiken densetsu 3. The entire game has been fully rebuilt from the ground up with modern 3D graphics
- pick your party - Players can choose their favorite protagonist and two companions from six different characters. The story will play out in different ways depending on the combination of the protagonist and companions in the party
- class changing- raise your level and become the top-level classes. The character's appearance and the magic and special attacks that they can learn will change depending on which class is selected and the light/ dark alignment.
- rabite adornment (DLC) an in-game accessory to be worn that allows the player to gain more exp after a battle up to level 10. Rabite adornment DLC available until 21st may 2020 as a Pre-order and early purchase bonus
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