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

Agree to dance with Karen at the Kuskus Town inn. Karen is available any time after fighting Luca Blight.

Level

40

Type

Female

Size

M

Range

Medium

Weapon Level

6

Anger

Implacable

Panic

3

Fly

No

Battle bonds

Good Will
Protects	This character does not protect anyone
Protected By	Sheena

Unite Attack
1	Beauty Attack w/ any two of Kasumi, Lorelai, and Rina
2	True Beauty Attack w/ Kasumi, Lorelai, and Rina

Equipment

Starting Equipment
Head	Wind Feather Ornament
Body	Master's Robe
Shield	no
Other	Wind of Sleep Scroll 4 Blue Ribbon Toe Shoes
Rune	No rune attached

Equipment Type
Head	Cap
Body	Kenpo gi
Shield	--
Other	--

Runes

Elemental Affinities
Fire	Water	Earth
C	D	B
Lightning	Wind	Holy
C	C	B
Darkness	Gate
C	B

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

Stats

Stat Growth

LV

Grade

1

20

60

90

HP

E

20

170

290

410

STR

E

12

60

94

128

MAG

E

12

60

94

128

CON

F

12

51

80

108

MDEF

E

12

60

94

128

DEX

E

12

60

94

128

SPD

E

12

60

94

128

LCK

D

13

68

107

146

Weapon

Weapon
LV	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16
ATK	5	6	8	11	14	17	33	40	47	56	66	76	89	124	145	165
Name	Nails					Red Nails							Black Nails
W Type						W Level					Range
Other						N/A					Medium

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