Karen

カレン Karen

Artwork by Ishikawa Fumi

Physical Information

Race

Human

Gender

Female

Birth Date

SY 444

Age

17 (S2)

Biographical Information

Star

Chiin Star¹

From

Kuskus Town

Meta Information

Appearances

Suikoden II

Karen (カレン, Karen) is a character in Suikoden II. Karen is a popular dancer in Kuskus Town who joined the New Alliance Army.

History

A woman named Karen usually dances here...a real knockout, she is. Everyone loves her.

— Man

Karen was a well-regarded dancer originating from Kuskus Town. She had achieved her proficiency in dancing under the guidance of Mina, a renowned dancer from the Toran Republic and a veteran of the Gate Rune War. She may have learned to fight from Mina also.

Despite her inherent shyness and reserved nature, Karen's performances exuded flamboyance and liveliness, effectively uplifting the spirits of her audience. While dancing, she underwent a remarkable transformation in demeanor, seemingly fueled by the elation of the act itself, presenting an audacious and stunning persona that appeared distinct from her usual self.

During the Dunan Unification War, Karen made the decision to join the New Alliance Army following a dancing contest, in which the young leader of the army proved to be an impressive counterpart to her own talent. It was not that she supported the New Alliance Army over the Highland Army. More that she would side with the friends she made through dancing.

Having been invited to perform at the New Alliance Army Headquarters, Karen contributed significantly to boosting the morale of the soldiers, despite occasionally feeling out of place in a military environment. Demonstrating her adeptness on both the dance stage and the battlefield, her agile footwork and skillful employment of the Twin Ring Rune allowed her to gain an upper hand over her opponents.

Subsequent to the war's conclusion, Karen returned to her hometown of Kuskus, where she sustained her popularity among the male population, albeit not so much with their beleaguered wives.

Gameplay

Recruitment

Recruitment Data
How to recruit
Agree to dance with Karen at the Kuskus Town inn. Karen is available any time after fighting Luca Blight.
Castle LV	Type	Level	Weapon LV
LV 3	Female	40	6

Battle Data

Battle Unit
Category	Data
Range	Medium
Type	Female
Size	Medium
Anger	Implacable
Panic Level	3
Flying	No

Unite Attacks
Name	Members
Beauty Attack	Any 3 of Karen, Kasumi, Lorelai, Rina
True Beauty Attack	Karen, Kasumi, Lorelai, Rina

Good Will
Action	Character(s)
Protects	Protects no one
Protected by	Sheena

Equipment

Equipment Classes
Slot	Class
Helmet	Cap
Armor	Kenpo gi
Shield	Cannot equip
Other	Female

Starting Equipment
Slot	Piece
Helmet	Wind Feather Ornament
Armor	Master's Robe
Shield	Cannot equip
Other	Wind of Sleep 4 Blue Ribbon Toe Shoes

Runes

Elemental Affinities
Fire	Water	Earth
C	D	B
Lightning	Wind	Holy
C	C	B
Darkness	Shield	Non-Elemental
C	B	D

Rune Slots
Slot	Rune
Head	Level 58
Right hand	Twin Ring Rune
Left hand	Level 1
Weapon	Sleep Rune

Stats

Stat Growth
LV	Grade	LV 1	LV 20	LV 60	LV 90
HP	E	20	170	290	410
STR	E	12	60	94	128
DEX	E	12	60	94	128
PROT	F	12	51	80	108
MAG	E	12	60	94	128
MDEF	E	12	60	94	128
SPD	E	12	60	94	128
LCK	D	13	68	107	146

Weapon

Weapon Levels
LV	Name	ATK
1	Nails	5
2		6
3		8
4		11
5		14
6	Red Nails	17
7		33
8		40
9		47
10		56
11		66
12		76
13	Black Nails	89
14		124
15		145
16		165

Weapon Details
Skill	Description
Type	Other
Range	Medium
Initial LV	6
Runes	Sleep Rune

Genso Suikoden Card Stories TCG

Card #	Name	Type	Release
079	Karen	Craftman	Booster Pack Vol.1
331	Karen	Craftman	Premium Pack
CS2-239	Karen	Craftman	CS2 Booster Pack Vol.2
CS2-486/R079	Karen	Craftman	Remake Booster

Gallery

Artwork

Suikoden II artwork by Ishikawa Fumi
Suikoden II artwork by Ishikawa Fumi
Genso Suikoden Card Stories TCG artwork by HACCAN

In-Game

Suikoden II Sony PlayStation portrait
Suikoden II Windows 95 portrait
Suikoden II Windows 95 portrait
Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Suikoden II portrait
Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Suikoden II portrait

Trivia

You can win several unique, decorative items from Karen's dancing minigame, including Karen Statue A, Karen Statue B, Karen Statue C, Karen Painting A, and Karen Painting B. The latter prizes are harder to get, as Karen's dance steps on the last two levels of difficulty are random.

References

Genso Suikoden II 108 Stars Character Guide (ISBN 4-88317-769-6), page 110
Genso Suikoden Encyclopaedia (ISBN 4-575-16297-3), pages 66-7
Genso Suikoden Genso Shinsho Vol.8 (ISBN 4-7753-0081-4), page 36
Genso Suikoden Kiwami Encyclopedia, pages 139-40, 191