While you don't 'create' Ichiban Kasuga, you do have significant control over his and his party members' development through the Job System. This system is the core of character customization and combat strategy.
Ichiban Kasuga: The Hero
Ichiban starts as a 'Freelancer' and quickly gains access to his unique 'Hero' job. The Hero job is well-rounded, offering good offensive and defensive skills, and is generally a strong choice for Ichiban throughout the game. It also has unique abilities tied to his personality stats.
The Job System:
The Job System allows each character to switch between various 'Jobs' (classes), each with its own unique skills, stat growths, and equipment proficiencies. Characters gain Job Experience (JP) in their active job, leveling it up and unlocking new skills. Once a skill is learned, it can often be used even when the character switches to a different job (as a 'Learned Skill').
Key Aspects of Jobs:
- Job Levels: Increase by gaining JP from battles. Higher job levels unlock more powerful skills and stat bonuses.
- Learned Skills: Many skills learned in one job can be equipped and used in other jobs, allowing for incredible customization. This is crucial for creating powerful builds.
- Stat Bonuses: Each job provides different stat bonuses upon leveling up. Switching jobs strategically can help round out a character's stats.
- Equipment: Different jobs use different types of weapons and armor. Ensure your characters have appropriate gear for their active job.
Early Game Jobs:
You'll unlock new jobs as you progress through the story and complete certain side activities. Early on, focus on experimenting with the initial jobs available to your party members to find what suits your playstyle. Don't be afraid to switch jobs to learn useful skills, even if you plan to return to a character's default job later.