Chrono Cross Dilemma: Kid or Leena – Who Should You Choose?
The choice between Kid and Leena early in Chrono Cross is a classic RPG dilemma, one that sparks debate among players even today. The simple answer? Choose Leena first. It’s a decision that unlocks a more fulfilling experience in the short term, allows you to experience more of the characters, and doesn’t lock you out of content. Let’s dive into why, and explore the nuances of this important choice.
Understanding the Initial Choice
Early in Chrono Cross, you’ll arrive at Cape Howl (Another World) where you’ll encounter Kid. She’ll ask for your help. Declining her offer will set you on a path where you recruit Leena. Accepting Kid immediately means Leena won’t join your party this playthrough. This fundamental divergence affects your character roster and the early part of your journey, offering a glimpse into the game’s complexity.
Why Leena is the Superior Initial Choice
- No Real Sacrifice: By rejecting Kid’s initial offer (do not choose “I’ll try”), you don’t lose Kid permanently. She is easily obtainable later in Termina, meaning you can recruit both characters without one being blocked by your choice.
- Early Recruit Advantage: You recruit Leena and Poshul (if you haven’t already), two more characters, after refusing Kid. This boosts your party early on, granting diverse capabilities and character development.
- Extra Boss Fight: By turning down Kid, you face an easy boss fight. While not a particularly challenging encounter, it offers more early combat experience.
- Unique Dialogue and Story: Recruiting Leena gives you additional dialogues and character interactions in the early sections of the game, enhancing your understanding of the story.
- Worth the Extra Character: The early advantages of obtaining Leena and Poshul alongside gaining experience makes it an easy choice to choose Leena.
What Happens If You Choose Kid?
If you decide to travel with Kid early, you’ll get her in your party, with a chance to steal some items in the very beginning. However, doing so will lock Leena out of your playthrough entirely, missing out on extra characters, an early boss fight, and some character development. This can put a disadvantage on the player, by missing out on party members.
The Best of Both Worlds
The most important thing to remember is that both choices ultimately converge. Kid will always be available later. There is no real reason not to take Leena as it opens up more gameplay, and adds to the story for the player. By choosing Leena first, you simply enrich your Chrono Cross experience, gaining extra characters, battles, and a fuller story.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions, to provide additional clarity:
1. Can I get Leena and Kid in the same playthrough?
Yes! You can get both Leena and Kid in the same playthrough. Simply decline Kid’s offer initially. This results in Leena and Poshul joining your party automatically. Kid will join later in Termina.
2. What happens if I refuse to travel with Kid initially?
If you initially refuse to travel with Kid, you unlock the ability to recruit Leena (and Poshul if you haven’t already). Kid is still obtainable at a later stage.
3. Does declining Kid’s offer lock me out of content?
No, declining Kid’s offer does not lock you out of any significant content. You will simply recruit her at a different point in the game. In fact, the extra characters are an advantage for the player.
4. Is it better to save Kid or not save Kid?
Both paths converge, with Kid surviving either way. Choosing not to save her initially just changes the order in which you get the party members, letting you explore more characters and the story in the early game.
5. What characters will I miss if I choose Kid right away?
If you choose Kid right away, you will miss out on recruiting Leena on that playthrough. You will also miss out on the extra boss fight, and story development in the beginning with Leena.
6. Is Leena a good character?
Leena is a solid character with good support and attack options in Chrono Cross. She’s a reliable addition to your team, especially early in the game and is worth adding to your party.
7. Can I get Glenn if I save Kid early?
No, you cannot get Glenn in the same playthrough if you choose to save Kid at the beginning of the game. If you don’t save Kid and recruit Leena, then you’ll be able to obtain Glenn in Termina.
8. Can I get Glenn in the playthrough that I choose Leena?
Yes, by not saving Kid initially, you will be able to recruit Macha and Glenn in Termina later in the game. This is the best way to get Glenn, as otherwise you’ll need to use the Chrono Cross in a new game + with a save file from another playthrough.
9. Is there any benefit to choosing Kid early?
The only real benefit to choosing Kid early is a few steals from enemies. However, this isn’t worth losing access to Leena and early story development.
10. What is the best party composition in Chrono Cross?
Chrono Cross has a diverse cast, with numerous party compositions being viable. However, some notable characters include: Harle, for her powerful statistics, Kid with her high accuracy, and Glenn for his dual wield capability.
11. How many endings does Chrono Cross have?
Chrono Cross has 12 endings. Two can be acquired in the initial playthrough, and the remaining ten are available through New Game +.
12. Does Chrono Cross have any connections with Chrono Trigger?
Yes, there are connections with Chrono Trigger. While the main playable characters, Crono, Marle, and Lucca, appear in Chrono Cross, they are not major or playable characters.
13. Is Mel missable in Chrono Cross?
Yes and no. You can put off recruiting Mel, but she’s recruitable after certain events in the game. However, if you miss her in the first arc you’ll have to wait until disc 2.
14. What weapon does Glenn use in Chrono Cross?
Glenn uses Einlanzer swords. He is a particularly powerful character, especially when he has two equipped, so it’s important to equip him properly to fully utilize his power.
15. Who is Serge’s girlfriend in Chrono Cross?
In the Home World, Leena is depicted as Serge’s girlfriend. She is the one that sends Serge on his fateful quest to collect Komodo scales, which ultimately leads to his journey across dimensions.
Final Verdict: Leena First, Always!
The decision of Kid or Leena is an integral part of the Chrono Cross experience. While both can join your party, choosing Leena first provides an immediate advantage with more characters, extra experience, and richer early-game dialogue. It allows you to experience the game’s story more fully, without sacrificing the eventual recruitment of Kid. This ultimately makes choosing Leena as the first choice in Chrono Cross. Enjoy your adventure in the vibrant world of Chrono Cross!