Great guide, found an error with this page though - all the location links go to the "locations" page instead of the actual location.

Do a search & replace for locations/ and replace with location/ ?? Just a thought.

I believe that the higher the Evade, the higher your...well...Evade. Low Evade stats would only mean you get hit more often, so if you have low defense but high Evade, you should be alright, unless something gets a lucky hit in on you. Generally Thieves have high Evasion because their armor isn't as bulky and such, where as Fighters get hit generally 90% of the time. BB gets hit all the time because he sucks.

Except for the Black Belt/Master. I've done a single BB/M game and a 4 BB/M game (well, only finished the former). His evade after leveling gets to be a pretty decent rate if you keep him bare. I've noticed that it really doesn't matter what stats the BB/M gets on level because his attack power, defense, and evade all go up by a certain amount each level. The hit rate does too, but I never really figured it out. The only time I really had a problem with the BB is when the monsters started critting...which sucked. However BB + Defense Sword item usage = uber evade. The BB already has probably the highest base evade once you level him (not sure about comparison with Thief/Ninja) and Defense just pumps it more.

By the way, I'm only talking about the original version. I haven't played anything else but the NES version.

I find it amusing that none of the shields except for the ProCape actually raise your evasion X^D

ProCape actually lowers your evasion.

I think it's a shame that only Fighters really use helmets and shields.
It makes them overdefended, kind of, and makes all the other characters look weak and small in comparison.

That's why I never buy them. Once it's later in the game, and my mages can carry ProRings and Ribbons whatnot, and my Ninja can wear a Heal Helmet or something, then I'll fully equip my Knight's armor slots.