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One of the most interesting aspects of the Suikoden series is that you can transfer saves, allowing certain aspects to transfer from game to game. This aspect carries through to theSuikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster. There are a few notable aspects that are easy to see, such as names carrying over and such, but other elements are a little more nebulous.
Some of these harder to pin down elements include how levels and items transfer between returning characters. These aspects do, in fact, carry over, but it isn’t as simple as a one-to-one transfer. This guide will outline how the data transfer works, and walk you through all the changes.
Updated July 08, 2025 by James Kennedy:I fixed a notable inaccuracy about McDohl’s recruitment requirements. Thanks to Weda for pointing that one out!
Save Transfer Basics
In order to transfer your save from Suikoden 1 to Suikoden 2, you must have completed Suikoden 1. The main benefit of this transfer is that itallows players to acquire McDohl in Suikoden 2whetheryou acquired all 108 Stars of Destiny in the first game or not. It also gives you an additional recipe for the cooking battle mini game if you acquired all 108 Stars of Destiny. Additionally, there are some other notable benefits…
There is also averylimited amount of item carryover, though this appears to be limited to McDohl, and to a very limited extent, Humphrey.
Character Level Transfer
The original Suikoden 1 to 2 data transfer rewarded you with a few extra levels for returning characters depending on how far above level 60 they were. This has seemingly remained unchanged. If a character is above level 60 in Suikoden 1, they will be stronger once you recruit them in Suikoden 2. Forevery ten levels above level 60, characters gain an additional number of levels (it is dependent on the character).
However,level gain beyond level 60 is a moot point, as there is almost no scenario in which you should have characters in the level 70+ region by the end of Suikoden 1. You’ll likely be in the low 60s by the time you finish the game. You would have to grind for hours while equipping characters with fortune runes if you wanted to get them above that.
Tai Ho’s level will now transfer in the HD Remaster. This was not the case in the original Suikoden 2.
16 > 17
20 > 22
34 > 37
27 > 29
38 > 41
31 > 34
50 > 55
Weapon Level Transfer
Unlike character levels, it is quite easy to get a weapon to its max level by the end of Suikoden 1. You’ll simply need to recruit Mace, and then utilize Chinchirorin to gather the necessary Potch. Just like with character levels, transferring data will lead to characters starting with better weapons.
Like with the character levels, Tai Ho’s weapon level will now transfer over in the HD Remaster.
8
9
10
6
7
11
12
5
13
14
15
16
Armor Transfer
McDohl will be able to carry over all the best late-game armor.So, he is the character you’ll want to concern yourself with the most. Additionally, if yougive Humphrey the Windspun Armor that you acquire in Greigminsterat the end of the game, he will carry that over to Suikoden 2. While we had hoped that armor would transfer more freely in the HD Remaster, the tests I ran appears to show that things have remained the same.
