Fir! no doubt. Rutgar is ok but sometimes he dosent even max out in speed at 20 20. Fir can dodge with high luck, res and strength almost every time in hard mode bonuses.
It depends on hard/easy mode. In hard Zeiss, because his str cap is better as well as defense, both he will max. he is easy to train in the nomad chapters. In easy however miledy.
Ch 14 was difficult, but 10b was the hardest getting every item and recruiting thito and klein.
7 is only tough in hard mode and if you dont care about treck or zealot it is not to bad.
10b for sure.