Visions Of Mana: Best Playable Characters, Ranked

Summary

Julei excels as a healer but struggles in battle-intensive scenarios due to low attack/defense stats and is best using ranged attacks.
Careena's versatile magic attacks make her a strategic fighter but her lower defense requires leveling up for better protection in groups.
Palamena's powerful spells and support abilities shine in battle, but her lower defense makes her vulnerable in close combat situations.

Fans of the Mana series have been immersing themselves in the latest title in the series, Visions Of Mana, the first new story in the franchise in a decade. The action RPG series has been around since the mid-1990s and has maintained a loyal following thanks to its combination of memorable characters, gorgeous scenery, epic battles, and powerful storytelling.

Which Boss Fight Gave You the Most Trouble in Visions of Mana?

For me, it was the Earth Benevodon. Unfortunately, this was not because the boss was particularly challenging in comparison to the others, but more that for some reason I faced some major frame stutters and lag during this fight, paired with the fact it took me way too long to realize I was trying to fire the cannon with the wrong button - rookie mistake!

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Visions Of Mana brings with it a new cast of characters, and the player has five different individuals to choose from. As with many titles in the Mana series, there's plenty of depth when considering who to play as, what class, and what party formation works best. Here, then, is a breakdown of the best playable characters, ranked by overall ability.

5 Julei

Kind-Heardted Wood Sprite And Healer

Role: Healer/Support
Stats: High Healing Ability, Low Attack/Defense
Best Class: High Cleric - Light Element

As a sproutling from Verdeus Borough whose life's purpose is to help and support others, Julei is the ideal party healer. In addition to his upbeat nature, he also has a nurturing personality and acts as the emotional backbone of the party as he is not as combat-fixated as some of his team-mates. He is there to keep the party alive in whatever situation it faces and his spells can often be crucial in helping to vanquish the tougher foes.

The downside is that as the healer, he is not always so effective in battle-intensive scenarios, and if he is in harm's way and badly hurt it could spell disaster. The best use for him is to provide ranged attacks from a distance so that he is much better placed to conjure up a healing spell when the party is in trouble. He is also exceptional at fending off dark magic attacks, particularly useful in the latter parts of the game when foes fight dirty.

4 Careena

A Resilient, Compassionate Wielder Of Magic

Role: Support/Magic Attacks
Stats: High speed and magic damage, lower defense
Best class: Divine Fist - Fire Element

Careena's character design, where she has only one wing, reflects her fantastical status as half-human, half-dragon. Her dragon heritage is put to good use as she is a specialist in wind magic and has a versatile skill set where she can provide buffs but also dish out major magical damage. An unfortunate accident earlier in life deprived her of her other wing but she remains a determined, curious soul who wants to experience life and see the world, no matter what has been taken from her.

She works best as a decent all-rounder who, if used correctly in a party, can be a great strategic fighter. She can use team buffs but her magic attacks can also affect groups of enemies, and her beast companion Ramcoh is invaluable for embellishing her offensive abilities. The cost of her versatility is that her defense capability is much lower and it may take a while to up her stats to the point where she is no longer vulnerable in a group.

3 Palamena

A Young Queen With Heavy Responsibility And Powerful Spells

Role: Magic Attacks/Support
Stats: High magic attacks and speed, lower defense
Best Class: Water Queen (Water Element)

Palamena has one of the weightiest narrative arcs in the game. She is the successor to the throne of Illystana following the death of her father, and must not only attempt to forge her destiny while serving her kingdom and caring for her younger brother Iain. Providing her elementals are used correctly, she is best placed to support the party and her trump card is a set of devastating magical attacks that stop enemies in their tracks. She also makes good use of consecutive casting.

Though she's at the back, her long-ranged attacks are immensely powerful in the game. In a well-balanced party, she is able to control the field of battle almost like a team captain. Like Careena, she excels at handling groups of enemies, but unlike Careena, her attacks can annihilate the opposition. If she is too close to the action, however, her lower defensive stats mean she could be easily taken out, so she is less effective on the front line.

2 Morley

A Valiant Knight With A Tragic Origin But A Fierce Heart

Role: Paladin/Support
Best Class: Radiant Knight - Light Element
Stats: High Defense/Medium Attack

While he cuts a dashing figure in the game, Morley's tragic past overshadows his heroism after a horrific disaster in childhood. In the present day, he must face his demons while also fighting alongside his comrades. Morley's trusty katana is easily one of the coolest weapons in the game, and he wields it with surgical precision, making him a swift, agile all-rounder who can make short work of enemies.

But Morley isn't just an offensive asset, as his paladin abilities mean that he can provide vital support and group protection. Best of all, his robust defensive stats mean that when he is leading the fight he is still capable of absorbing punishment. Morley represents the best of both worlds in his class; the solid offense of a tank but the lighter, more flexible skills of support. Used correctly, he can be the team's Swiss Army Knife, good in just about any situation.

1 Val

A Heavy-Hitter And Cast-Iron Hero

Role: Tank/Heavy Attacks
Best Class: Duelist - Water Element
Stats: High HP and Defense/Medium-to-High Attack

The young flame-haired protagonist hails from the village of Tianeea, the fire village. Fittingly, Val brings a fiery spirit to the fight and is there to support his childhood friend Hinna, the chosen Alm of Fire, as they travel the world together. Val combines loyalty and determination with bravery on the battlefield. He does his best on the front line and can inflict massive damage on enemies while maintaining a tough defensive shell.

Val is ranked best as he combines enormous strength with the ability to take hits that would knock down other party members. As such, he is the staunch protector, whatever the difficulty level, and the best person to get behind when the going gets tough. His dexterity with the Water and Light elements means he is not relegated to the status of brute and can also protect the party when needed. With the right combination of party support and magic attacks, he is the not-so-secret weapon that can change the game.

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