Many powerful and unique characters can be recruited outside of the main story. These characters often have their own side quests or specific conditions that must be met. Some might require you to liberate a particular town, complete a specific battle, or even make a certain dialogue choice. Always explore thoroughly and talk to NPCs in liberated towns, as they often provide hints about potential recruits. Recruiting optional characters not only expands your roster but also grants you access to new unit types and powerful abilities, significantly enhancing your tactical options. Prioritize recruiting characters that fill gaps in your unit compositions or offer unique utility. For example, a character with a 'Heal' Valor Skill can be invaluable for sustained operations.
