Chrono Cross Character Recruitment Guide: How to get all Party Members & Missable Characters
One of the aspects that Chrono Cross is most known for is its large and varied cast of recruitable characters available to add to your party. It's an expansive cast, and recruiting all characters is an enticing task on paper - but it's difficult to accomplish! Thankfully, this Chrono Cross character recruitment guide will help you to nab them all.
From punk rockers to skeleton clowns and pink puppies to fishermen, each character comes with unique abilities and an element they are naturally adept with. This not only means you have plenty of options on how to load out your party but also adds an incentive to replay the game and try out new party makeups and how the crew interacts with one another.
This guide lists how to get every character to join your team, warns you about missable characters, and even details some of each character's battle skills.
Chrono Cross Character Recruitment & Missable Characters
There are 45 possible characters that you can recruit to your playable party in Chrono Cross - making its cast many, many times bigger than that of its predecessor.
Speaking of that - there are no characters from that game playable in this game, but there are some cute references, as detailed in our guide to How Chrono Cross and Chrono Trigger connect. If you've played Radical Dreamers, several characters from that visual novel reprise here.
45 characters is a lot, but it requires three playthroughs via New Game + if you want to have access to all of them. There are a few critical moments in the story that will not only alter which of the Chrono Cross endings you get, but also some of the characters that you can possibly recruit! These actions will open up some characters and lock out others, meaning the only way to get them all is via NG+. This also means that, yes, Chrono Cross has missable characters.
Here's how it breaks down mathmatically. Out of the 45 total:
- 19 characters will request to join you, or join outright, regardless of decisions you make over the course of the game
- 16 characters are obtained via completing their side quests or seeking them out and talking to them
- The final 10 can only be obtained through decisions you make, which will allow you take someone at the expense of another.
Unmissable, Story-Compulsory Recruitment Opportunities
- Serge
- Kid
- Karsh
- Zoah
- Orcha
- Sprigg
- Harle
- Radius
- Norris
- Irenese
- Grobyc
- Riddle
- Viper
- Marcy
- Leah
- Fargo
- Steena
- Starky
- Lynx
Missable Characters locked behind Dialogue & Side Quests
Recruitable Characters unlocked by Choices
Reject Kid’s offer to join you three times at Cape Howel (Kid will join regardless later):
Viper Manor Infiltration options (you pick one, lose out on the others):
Agree to help heal Kid:
Refuse to help Kid:
Chrono Cross Characters: How to Recruit Every Character
And here's the motherlode - here's every playable character in Chrono Cross and how to recruit them. We list the natural element, weapon, and unique attacks for each character, too - which will help you to plan out your desired party member.
Understanding CC's elemental weakness system, choosing weapons, and making use of techs and combo attacks are all key to success in this game - but also, key to enjoyment is having a party of characters you enjoy spending time with. Every one of CC's cast has something unique to bring to the table - and you'll do well to get to know them all.
KEY:
AW: Another World
-If not specified, it is the Home World that Serge came from.
Serge
Natural Element: White
How To Acquire: You have access to Serge by default!
Weapon: Swallow
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Dash & Slash - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 5: Luminaire - Magic - All Enemies
- Level 7: Flying Arrow - Magic - One Enemy
Kid
Natural Element: Red
How To Acquire: Agree to let Kid join you when she asks to at Cape Howl, Termina, or Viper Manor.
Weapon: Dagger
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Pilfer - Physical - One Enemy - Attempts to Steal an item
- Level 5: Red Pin - Magic - All Enemies
- Level 7: Hot Shot - Magic - One Enemy
Guile
Natural Element: Black
How To Acquire: After speaking to the man cleaning Viper’s statue in AW Termina, tell Guile in the Termina bar that you will bring him to Viper Manor.
Weapon: Staff
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Wanda In - Magic - One Enemy
- Level 5: Wanda Swords - Magic - One Enemy
- Level 7: Lightnin Rod - Magic - One Enemy
Norris
Natural Element: Yellow
How To Acquire: With Radius in your party, talk to Norris in the Viper Manor Ruins basement in Termina.
Weapon: Gun
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Spiral Ray - Magic - One Enemy
- Level 5: Sun Shower - Magic - All Enemies
- Level 7: Top Shop - Physical - One Enemy
Nikki
Natural Element: Blue
How To Acquire: Board the Magical Dreamer’s boat in AW Termina and talk to his manager and Miki. After agreeing to search for Nikki in the Shadow Forest, rescue him and he will join you after taking you to the waterfall.
Weapon: Guitar
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Grand Finale - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 5: Chill Out - Magic - One Enemy
- Level 7: Lime Light - Magic - All Enemies
Viper
Natural Element: Yellow
How To Acquire: After saving Riddel, return to the Hermit’s Hideaway in AW and speak to him on board the SS Invincible.
Weapon: Sword
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: G-Force - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 5: Air Force - Physical - All Enemies
- Level 7: Flag Bearer - Magic - Self - Raises Defense
Riddel
Natural Element: White
How To Acquire: Rescue her from the AW Viper Maner and then return to the hideaway. Board the SS Invincible late and she will join you along with some others.
Weapon: Staff
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Snake Eyes - Magic - All Allies - Heals
- Level 5: Snake Skin - Magic - One Ally - Raises defense
- Level 7: Snake Fangs - Magic - Self - Renews spent Elements
Karsh
Natural Element: Green
How To Acquire: When choosing whether to take Karsh or Zoah with you to rescue Riddel, choose to take Zoah with you. Karsh will join you later on the SS Invincible in AW after you have rescued Riddel.
Weapon: Axe
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Dragon Rider - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 5: Axial Axe - Physical - All Enemies
- Level 7: Axiomatic - Physical - One Enemy
Zoah
Natural Element: Yellow
How To Acquire: When choosing whether to take Karsh or Zoah with you to rescue Riddel, choose to take Karsh with you. Zoah will join you later on the SS Invincible in AW after you have rescued Riddel.
Weapon: Glove
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Dragon Rider - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 5: Gyronimo - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 7: Toss & Spike - Physical - One Enemy
Marcy
Natural Element: Blue
How To Acquire: Automatically joins you after you rescue Riddel.
Weapon: Glove
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Cat’s Cradle - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 5: String Phone - Magic - All Enemies
- Level 7: Web Surfer - Magical Tech - All Enemies
Korcha
Natural Element: Blue
How To Acquire: After agreeing to help Kid, ask him to join you after he ferries you back to AW Termina,
Weapon: Fishing rod
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Headbutt - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 5: Hook & Sinker - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 7: Big Catch - Physical - One Enemy
Luccia
Natural Element: Black
How To Acquire: Return to AW Viper Maner after your battle with Lynx and head to the balcony upstairs.
Weapon: Syringe
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Pin-up Girl - Magic - One Enemy
- Level 5: Mix & Match - Magic - One Enemy - Inflicts random status effect
- Level 7: Test Ameba - Magic - One Enemy
Poshul
Natural Element: Yellow
How To Acquire: Get the Heckran Bone under the bed in the room above the Arni Village restaurant and give it to her.
Weapon: Glove
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: K-9 Ball - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 5: Doggy Gunnit - Physical - All Enemies
- Level 7: Unleashed - Physical - One Enemy
Razzly
Natural Element: Green
How To Acquire: Agree to help cure Kid and head to the Hydra Marshes and save her from the Pentapus.
Weapon: Staff
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Raz-Star - Magic - One Enemy
- Level 5: Raz-Heart - Magic - One Ally - Heals and raises Magic Defence
- Level 7: Raz-Flower - Magic - All Allies - Raises Defense
Zappa
Natural Element: Red
How To Acquire: With Radius in your party, head to Zappa’s smithy in Termina and he will join you.
Weapon: Hammer or Axe
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Hammer Blow - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 5: Hammer Throw - Physical - All Enemies
- Level 7: Balls of Iron - Physical - One Enemy
Orcha
Natural Element: Red
How To Acquire: He will join the party while in the AW Viper Manor after Riddel has been rescued and you encounter him.
Weapon: Pan
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Spice of Life - Magic - All Allies - Heals
- Level 5: Mystery Menu - Magic - One Enemy
- Level 7: Dinner Guest - Magic - One Enemy
Radius
Natural Element: Green
How To Acquire: While you have Lynx in your party, speak with Serge’s mother at Opassa Beach and defeat Radius to have him join.
Weapon: Staff
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Long Shot - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 5: Quick Draw - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 7: Vital Energy - Physical - One Enemy
Fargo
Natural Element: Blue
How To Acquire: After rescuing the party at AW Hermit’s Hideaway, he will join you while on board the SS Invincible.
Weapon: Sword
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Pillage - Physical - One Enemy - Steals an item
- Level 5: Cannon Balls - Magic - All Enemies
- Level 7: Invincible - Physical - One Enemy
Macha
Natural Element: Red
How To Acquire: Choose not to get the Hydra Humour for Kid and track down Korchha in the residential towers. After a conversation Macha will agree to boat you back to AW Termina, speak to Glenn by the entrance and return to the docks to speak to Macha again to have her join you.
Weapon: Pan
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Bottoms Up - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 5: Folding - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 7: Dirty Dishes - Physical - One Enemy
Glenn
Natural Element: Green
How To Acquire: After Marcha lends you her boat agree to let Glenn join you on the boat, as described in our larger guide on how to get Glenn
Weapon: Sword
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Dash & Slash - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 5: Sonic Sword - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 7: Dive & Drive - Physical - One Enemy
Leena
Natural Element: Blue
How To Acquire: While at AW Cape Howl, refuse to let Kid join you three times, and Leena will join you shortly after.
Weapon: Pan
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Maiden Hand - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 5: Maiden Heart - Magic - Self - Renews spent Elements
- Level 7: Maiden Faith - Magic - Self - Raise Attack, Accuracy, and grants Auto-life
Miki
Natural Element: Red
How To Acquire: After the concert and defeating the monsters on Marbule, head to the SS Zelbess and speak to her.
Weapon: Glove
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Head Bopper - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 5: Sexy Wink - Magic - One Enemy
- Level 7: Dance on Air - Magic - All Enemies
Harle
Natural Element: Black
How To Acquire: Joins automatically during the course of the story.
Weapon: Pin
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Moon Beams - Magic - All Enemies
- Level 5: Moon Shine - Magic - All Allies - Cuts magic damage taken by 50%
- Level 7: Lunairetic - Magic - All Enemies
Janice
Natural Element: Red
How To Acquire: On the SS Zelbess, defeat her monsters for three rounds and she will join.
Weapon: Carrot
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Beat It - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 5: 24 Carrots - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 7: What’s Up Doc: Magic - One Enemy
Draggy
Natural Element: Red
How To Acquire: Take the big egg found in AW Fossil valley and take it to the incubator located in Fort Dragonia.
Weapon: Glove
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Cough Drop - Magic - One Enemy
- Level 5: Cough Mix - Magic - One Enemy
- Level 7: Big Breath - Magic - One Enemy
Starky
Natural Element: White
How To Acquire: Get the Star Fragment from El Nido Triangle and investigate the phenomenon at Sky Dragon Isle, then win against MegaStarky.
Weapon: Gun
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Star Light - Magic - One Enemy
- Level 5: Star Burst - Magic - All Enemies
- Level 7: Star Struck - Magic - One Enemy
Sprigg
Natural Element: Green
How To Acquire: In the Dimensional Vortex, shake the berry tree and then sneak into Sprigg’s house. Once you rest and try to leave, Sprigg will join you.
Weapon: Staff
Unique Attacks:
- Dopplegang: Transform into an enemy that she has previously killed
Mojo
Natural Element: Black
How To Acquire: Speak to the fisherman in Arni Village to get the Shark Tooth, and in AW Arni Village while Kid or Leena are in your party, speak to the ‘other figherman’
Weapon: Glove
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Voodoo Dance - Magic - One Enemy
- Level 5: Cart Wheel - Physical - All Enemies
- Level 7: Hoodoo Guroo - Physical - One Enemy
Turnip
Natural Element: Green
How To Acquire: Cool the scorched earth with either the Ice Breath or Ice Guns at AW Hermit’s Hideout, then go to Hermit’s Hideaway with Poshul and have them dig up the strange plant that is in that spot, which turns out to be Turnip.
Weapon: Sword
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: VegeChopper - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 5: VegeMight - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 7: VegOut - Physical - One Enemy
NeoFio
Natural Element: Green
How To Acquire: Get the Life Sparkle from AW Hydra Marsh and take it to the AW Viper Manor and use it on the flower up on the balcony.
Weapon: Glove
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Pop Pop Pop - Physical - All Enemies
- Level 5: Slurp Slurp - Magic - One Enemy
- Level 7: Bam Bam Bam - Physical - One Enemy
Greco
Natural Element: Red
How To Acquire: After the Lynx fight in the AW Viper Manor, head to AW Termina and follow him into his home.
Weapon: Glove
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Clothesline - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 5: Flip-flop - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 7: Grave Digger - Physical - One Enemy
Skelly
Natural Element: Black
How To Acquire: After finding the Heavy Skull in AW Fossil Valley, find the rest of his pieces and return them to his grandma in Termina. After he is put back together, leave and re-enter her house and ask if Skelly will join you.
- Heavy Skull: AW Fossil Valley
- Angry Scapula: AW Shadow Forest Waterfall cave
- Pelvic Bone: AW Guldove element trader
- Good Backbone: AW Hydra Marshes (after getting the Life Sparkle)
- Sturdy Ribs: AW Water Dragon Isle explorer
- Mixed Bones: AW Isle of the Damned
Weapon: Glove
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Juggler Vein - Magic - All Enemies
- Level 5: Balloon Loon - Magic - Self - Raises Strength
- Level 7: On A Roll - Physical - One Enemy
Funguy
Natural Element: Yellow
How To Acquire: In the Shadow Forest, find the man in the cave near the waterfall and then head to the area where you had previously rolled the boulder to stop the bugs.
If the hole is covered by the boulder, head to the right side of the screen to chase a bug into a hole
Otherwise kill the wraith by the hole where the boy is.
You will get a Mushroom that you will need to take back to the man in the waterfall cave, and then let him join you.
Weapon: Axe
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Lumberjack - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 5: Spore Cloud - Magic - One Enemy
- Level 7: Myconoids - Magic
Irenes
Natural Element: Blue
How To Acquire: At Marbule, talk to Toma and then spend the night in the first Hut. Win against Sage on the SS Zelbess and then follow Nikki. Irenes will then join the party in the dressing room.
Weapon: Harp
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Water Breath - Magic - One Enemy
- Level 5: MerMelody - Magic - One Ally - Heals
- Level 7: Sire Song - Magic - All Enemies
Mel
Natural Element: Yellow
How To Acquire: Choose to find the Hydra Humour and look for Mel after she takes Kid’s elementals. Head to the residential tower and once Kid rejoins the party, head to AW Guldove and talk to her.
Weapon: Boomerang
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Snatch - Physical - One Enemy - Steals an item
- Level 5: Doodle - Magic - One Enemy
- Level 7: Tantrum - Magic - All Enemies
Leah
Natural Element: Yellow
How To Acquire: Let her join you when she approaches you at Gaea’s Navel.
Weapon: Axe
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Rock Throw - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 5: Tail Spin - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 7: Triple Kick - Physical - One Enemy
Van
Natural Element: Green
How To Acquire: Say that you are serious about finding the Frozen Flame when you speak to him in his and Gogh’s house in Termina.
Weapon: Boomerang
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Jump Throw - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 5: Wet Paint - Magic - Field - Makes the field a random element
- Level 7: Piggyboink - Magic - One Enemy
Sneff
Natural Element: Yellow
How To Acquire: After beating Sage, talk to him in his dressing room.
Weapon: Cards
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Big Deal - Magic - One Enemy
- Level 5: HP Shuffle - Magic - Self - Rearranges the digits of your current health
- Level 7: Sword Trick - Magic - One Enemy
Steena
Natural Element: White
How To Acquire: After beating the 6 Dragon Gods, speak to her in
Guldove in the Shrine Maiden’s tent.
Weapon: Sword
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Direa Shadow - Magic - One Enemy
- Level 5: Hydra Shaow - Magic - All Enemies
- Level 7: GaraiShadow - Magic - One Enemy
Doc
Natural Element: White
How To Acquire: Choose not to help heal Kid and after she is better, speak to him in AW Guldove.
Weapon: Throwing Knives
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: High Five - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 5: Gnarly - Magic - One Enemy
- Level 7: Hang Ten - Magic - All Allies - Full-heal
Grobyc
Natural Element: Black
How To Acquire: Defeat him during the Riddel rescue attempt and agree to let him join you while you are escaping from the AW Viper Manor.
Weapon: Glove
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Rocket Fist - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 5: Hair Cutter - Physical - All Enemies
- Level 7: Strong Arm - Physical - One Enemy
Pierre
Natural Element: Blue
How To Acquire: Speak to the boy running around the man polishing the Viper statue in AW Termina to get Pierre’s medal and return it to Pierre, then talk to him again.
Weapon: Sword
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Medalsome - Magic - Self - Heals
- Level 5: Foiled Again - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 7: Slap of Cyrus - Physical - One Enemy
Orlha
Natural Element: Blue
How To Acquire: While Lynx is in your party, fight Orlha in AW Guldove to get the Sapphire Brooch. When Serge is back in your party, return to her bar and show her the brooch.
Weapon: Glove
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Multi Punch - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 5: Punch Drunk - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 7: Sister Hood - Physical - One Enemy
Pip
Natural Element: Changes depending on their form
How To Acquire: Unlock Pip’s cage in AW Viper Manor and then once on the SS Invincible, chase him around until he agrees to join you.
Weapon: Glove
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Pounce - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 5: Soothe - Magic - All Allies - Heals
- Level 7: Depends on his form
Lynx
Natural Element: Black
How To Acquire: Joins automatically during the course of the story.
Weapon:
Unique Attacks:
- Level 3: Glidehook - Physical - One Enemy
- Level 5: Feral Cats - Magic - All Enemies
- Level 7: Forever Zero - Magic - All Enemies