MARDEK Builds

[Zonoro13]

What's the best build for MARDEK 3? I currently have Gloria, Elwyen and Zach (my bro) in my party, but I want to know if Solaar or Vehrn could replace someone. I have beaten Saul's dungeon and am partway through Lifewood. I have also started exploring the volcano, even though I know that's not the storyline yet... Is the metal man (I haven't gotten him yet) any good?

[Chimto]

What's the best build for MARDEK 3? I currently have Gloria, Elwyen and Zach (my bro) in my party, but I want to know if Solaar or Vehrn could replace someone. I have beaten Saul's dungeon and am partway through Lifewood. I have also started exploring the volcano, even though I know that's not the storyline yet... Is the metal man (I haven't gotten him yet) any good?

I didn't find Zach good at all. His physical damage is high, but his problem is that he's too physical-oriented and only has 3 elements at his disposal (and all while being quite squishy). Sinstrike can be powerful, but needs a lot of training. I actually found Vehrn's damage output superior to Zach's (complete with Smite+ and SmiteX). Solaar has low HP, but a Green Stole and/or Astral Form fix that problem neatly, while Solar Flare and Galaxy Burst turn almost everything to dust, Pleasant Sunbeam is the best healing skill in the game, and Spirit Graft is essentially a free MP-charger. Legion is super versatile, as he has access to every single element (Divine excluded). I admit Legion is not the best when it comes to healing and support, but I don't think he NEEDS that when I already have three other people who can do well in that. The only problem with him is that Blood Claw is a royal pain in the arse when it comes to learning.

[Zonoro13]

So what party to you use? I've ditched the lizard, so his level is low, and Sharla and Donovan are obsolete because Gloria can handle their elements. The inventor seems useless as well. I used Zach a lot during Chapter 2, so he is a much higher level than Vehrn, who I never used. Should I replace Zach with the Metal Man (legion?)?

[Chimto]

Generally you shouldn't be concerned much with levels in MARDEK: items, reactions and passive skills are much more important.
Donovan is pretty much useless: very few enemies in chapter 3 are Air-elemental while his other skills are not quite useful. A lot of enemies in Saul's dungeon are weak to Fire, but they are even weaker to Light, for which I have Vehrn.
Sharla is actually quite solid: most enemies in Lifewood and the Earth Temple are weak to Air, and Thunderbolt's damage is not to be underestimated. On top of that she also has Healing Wind.
Meraeador's main problem is the 2-invention limit and that a lot of enemies are resistant to his main damage sources (Flamethrower, Gas-O-Matic, Drill-O-Matic), other than that he can actually be a decent support character (Potion Spray + Mirrilixir/Speedy Juice/Elixir all the way!).
Zach's problem is that he cannot do much outside dealing physical damage, and in every location there are at least one or two enemies immune to physical, against which Zach is utterly useless due to his lack of supportive skills. Vehrn and Legion are both superior to him.
Vehrn's damage output is huge with Smite+, SmiteX and Divine Glory/Emerald Shock. Bonus points for also having a healing skill. He is designed to be an anti-Dark/anti-undead specialist, but that doesn't mean he is useless against other enemies.
I can't see why Elwyen is so vital in most people's parties. I found her a decent support, but Dolorous Dirge's damage is poor against bosses, while Ballad of Life isn't quite necessary when I already have Gloria and Mardek.
If you're in Lifewood, I'd recommend Mardek, Solaar and Gloria/Sharla/Elwyen (two out of three).

[Zonoro13]

But that gives me two or three healers, while I only need one, as well as maybe Mardek for emergencies. I found that Gloria can handle it pretty well alone. I haven't found any equipment for Solaar, so he can't deal that much damage (well, not compared to Mardek or Zach). Do you know where I can find some? The reason I like Elwyen is that a song keeps playing, she doesn't need to cast it every turn. So she can use items like bottled lightning or healing potions quite effectively, while also playing support. The only problem is that items cost a bit, but Double Gold takes care of that neatly.

[Chimto]

But that gives me two or three healers, while I only need one, as well as maybe Mardek for emergencies. I found that Gloria can handle it pretty well alone.

You aren't taking them for the healing, you're taking them for damage output. Solaar and Sharla can easily outdamage Zach with Solar Flare/Thunderbolt; the utility skills are only the icing on the cake. But if Zach has a SUPER high kill count, then I guess it would be worthy to keep him in the party for Sinstrike alone, and because there's no enemy that absorbs Dark in Lifewood.

I haven't found any equipment for Solaar, so he can't deal that much damage (well, not compared to Mardek or Zach). Do you know where I can find some?

http://fighunter.wikia.com/wiki/Items_(MARDEK)

The reason I like Elwyen is that a song keeps playing, she doesn't need to cast it every turn. So she can use items like bottled lightning or healing potions quite effectively, while also playing support.

Doesn't that disrupt the song?

[Zonoro13]

I don't think so... I don't actually remember that well. Usually enemies die before Elwyen's second turn.

[Chimto]

Well, it's indeed the case. Any action (except waiting) performed when a song is playing will disrupt the song.

[Zonoro13]

Oh. Darn.

I ask for advice, and when I get it, I don't want to follow it...

Okay, I'll try having Solaar in my party, and maybe Vehrn later. Thanks!