Obsidian Entertainment basically did the impossible back in 2014. They took a license known for cheap cash-ins and turned it into a mechanical masterpiece that felt like a lost season of the show. If you've played it, you know. If you haven't, you're missing out on the best way to experience Trey Parker and Matt Stone's universe. But the real heart of the game isn't just the crude humor or the references to ManBearPig; it's the South Park Stick of Truth characters and how they fundamentally change the way you interact with the world of Zaron.
Choice is everything. You aren't just picking a skin.
When you start the game as the "New Kid" (aka Douchebag), you’re immediately thrust into a war between humans and elves. It’s a classic RPG trope, but with a twist—these are just kids playing in their backyards. However, the gameplay mechanics are surprisingly deep. Each buddy you recruit brings a unique set of abilities that can make or break your run, especially on Hardcore difficulty.
The Heavy Hitters of the Kingdom of Kupa Keep
Butters Stotch is your first buddy. Don't let the innocent "Paladin" act fool you. Honestly, Butters is arguably the most essential character in the early game because of his healing touch. In a game where health items can be scarce if you're not looting everything in sight, having a dedicated healer who can also tank hits is a godsend. His "Hammer of Justice" is a solid ranged attack, but it’s his transformation into Professor Chaos that really steals the show. It’s random, it’s chaotic, and it can wipe an entire field of ginger kids in one turn.
Then there's Kenny. Or rather, Princess Kenny.
Kenny acts as the party's primary "Ranger" type. If you need charm or a high-damage projectile, she’s your girl. The "Unicorn Stampede" is a visual nightmare in the best possible way, but you have to be careful. Unlike other South Park Stick of Truth characters, Kenny can actually die during his own special moves if you mess up the button prompts. It’s a hilarious nod to his recurring deaths in the series, but it’s also a genuine tactical risk. If Kenny dies, he’s gone for a few turns. That’s a massive handicap during boss fights like the Underpants Gnomes or the final assault on Clyde’s fortress.
Cartman and the Magic of Gross-Out Humor
Grand Wizard Cartman is exactly what you’d expect: a glass cannon. He’s obsessed with fire damage and "magic" (which is really just him passing gas on a lighter). If you're looking for crowd control, Cartman is your man. His "Burning Cloud" ability is devastating against groups of enemies, especially those weak to gross-out or fire status effects.
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But Cartman is a jerk. He’ll constantly insult your playstyle.
What’s interesting is how the game balances him. He has high damage output but very low health. If you don't have a way to draw aggro away from him—maybe by using the Warrior’s taunt or Butters’ innate tankiness—Cartman will go down fast. It forces you to actually think about positioning and turn order, which is something a lot of licensed games usually ignore.
The Elven Resistance: Stan and Kyle
Once the plot thickens and you’re introduced to the Drow Elves, you get access to Stan and Kyle. These two are the "Paladin" and "Cleric" counterparts to the Kupa Keep crew, but they play very differently.
Stan Marsh is your classic warrior. He comes with Sparky, his dog, who can provide some pretty useful debuffs by, well, doing what dogs do to fire hydrants. Stan’s "Whirlwind" attack is one of the best multi-hit physical moves in the game. If you’ve kitted your New Kid out as a Mage or a Thief, Stan provides the perfect physical frontline. He’s dependable. He’s sturdy. He’s the most "normal" kid in a group of lunatics.
Kyle Broflovski, the High Elf King, is a buffing machine.
If you want to end a fight in two turns, you bring Kyle. His "Rally" ability increases the attack and ability power of the entire party. When you pair Kyle’s buffs with a high-damage New Kid build, the numbers get ridiculous. His "Rain of Arrows" is also one of the few moves that can consistently hit every enemy on the screen without needing a specific elemental weakness. He feels like the tactical leader he’s portrayed as in the show.
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Jimmy and the Power of the Bard
Jimmy Valmer is the character most people sleep on, and that’s a mistake. Jimmy is the Bard. In RPG terms, Bards are often seen as "support only," but Jimmy’s songs are incredibly broken if you know how to use them. He can put enemies to sleep, buff your speed, or even restore PP (Power Points) to the party.
In the late game, PP management becomes a huge issue. You’ll find yourself burning through special moves, and Jimmy is the only buddy who can keep your momentum going without relying on consumables. Plus, his "Brown Note" is probably the most iconic move in the game. It’s disgusting, it’s loud, and it works.
Why Your Buddy Choice Changes Everything
You can swap buddies mid-battle. A lot of players forget this. It costs a turn for the New Kid, but sometimes it’s the only way to survive. If you’re facing the Nazi Zombies and your current buddy is near death, swapping in a fresh Butters to heal the party can save a twenty-minute boss fight.
The synergy between the New Kid’s class and the South Park Stick of Truth characters is where the strategy lies.
- If you’re a Jew: You thrive on low health and high risk. You need Butters or Jimmy to keep you just alive enough to deal massive damage.
- If you’re a Thief: You’re all about debuffs and backstabbing. Kyle’s buffs make your critical hits hit like a freight train.
- If you’re a Mage: You need a tank. Stan or Butters should never leave your side.
- If you’re a Warrior: You are the tank. Bring Cartman or Kyle to provide the long-range firepower you lack.
The Nuance of Character Interaction
One thing Obsidian did brilliantly was the "Chinpokomon" and social media aspect. As you interact with these characters, you "friend" them on the in-game version of Facebook. It sounds like a gimmick, but it’s how you unlock perks. Some characters won't friend you until you've completed specific, often ridiculous, side quests. Finding Al Gore or helping Mr. Slave isn't just for the jokes; it’s for the stat boosts.
The world feels alive because the characters react to who you have with you. Taking Butters to certain locations triggers different dialogue than taking Kenny. It adds a layer of replayability that most 15-hour RPGs don't have. You want to see how everyone reacts to the absurdity of the Canadian border or the various "size-changing" segments.
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Common Misconceptions About the Roster
People often think some characters are "better" than others. That’s not really true. It’s about the encounter. For example, during the assault on the school, some enemies have high armor that physical attackers like Stan struggle with. That’s when you need Kyle’s armor-piercing arrows or Cartman’s magic.
Another misconception: the New Kid is the only one who matters. While your character is the powerhouse, the buddies provide the utility that allows you to use your best moves. Without Jimmy's PP restoration or Kyle's buffs, the New Kid is just a kid in a cardboard costume getting beat up by sixth graders.
Practical Steps for Your Next Playthrough
To truly master the combat and get the most out of the roster, you need to stop sticking to just one favorite buddy.
- Prioritize the "Circle of Friends" Perk: This increases your damage based on how many friends you have on Facebook. Go out of your way to talk to every NPC in town before doing the main quests.
- Master the Swap: Don't be afraid to waste a turn swapping characters. If an enemy is shielded, swap to someone with a multi-hit move. If they’re armored, swap to a magic user.
- Invest in PP Recovery: Since only Jimmy can restore PP naturally, keep your New Kid equipped with patches that restore PP on a successful block. This frees up your buddy to focus on damage instead of babysitting your energy bar.
- Experiment with Status Effects: Gross-out, Bleeding, and Burning stack. If you use Kenny to apply "Gross-out" and Stan to apply "Bleed," the enemy will lose a massive chunk of health every time they take a turn.
The beauty of the South Park Stick of Truth characters is that they aren't just cameos. They are functional, well-designed components of a complex battle system. Whether you’re a fan of the show or just a fan of turn-based RPGs, understanding how these kids work together is the difference between a frustrating grind and a hilarious, satisfying victory over the forces of Clyde (and the occasional alien).
Next time you load up the game, try leaving Butters at home for a bit. Give Jimmy or Kenny a chance to lead. You might be surprised at how much easier—and funnier—the game becomes when you use the full range of the Zaron neighborhood. Look for the "Goth Kids" side quest early on to unlock some of the best gear in the game, which pairs perfectly with Stan's high-defense builds.