Hey guys! So, you're diving into the enchanting world of Octopath Traveler, huh? Awesome choice! This game is a total gem, blending old-school RPG vibes with a fresh, modern twist. But let's be real, with eight different characters, each with their own stories and unique abilities, it can be a bit overwhelming at first. That's where this guide comes in! Consider this your ultimate companion as we journey through the land of Osterra, ensuring you don't miss a beat and get the most out of this incredible adventure.

Getting Started: Choosing Your First Traveler

Okay, so Octopath Traveler throws you right into the action by letting you pick one of eight characters as your starting hero. This decision is pretty important because that character will be locked into your party until you finish their story. Don't stress too much, though! All the characters are awesome in their own right, and you'll eventually be able to recruit them all.

Here's a quick rundown to help you decide:

• Olfric, the Warrior: If you're into tanking damage and dishing out physical pain, Olfric is your guy. He's a powerhouse on the battlefield and can challenge NPCs for information or to start fights. He is great for beginners because of his high hp.
• Primrose, the Dancer: Primrose is all about buffing your party and debuffing enemies. Her alluring dance moves can charm NPCs, allowing you to lead them into battle as allies. A very unique class that can help you with stat buffs.
• Therion, the Thief: Need to steal items or unlock doors? Therion is your go-to guy. He's also a master of evasion and can pilfer valuable items from NPCs. Essential party member if you want to have the best equipment.
• H'aanit, the Hunter: H'aanit is a beast master who can capture monsters and unleash them in battle. She's also skilled with bows and axes, making her a versatile damage dealer. She can deal a lot of damage.
• Cyrus, the Scholar: Cyrus is a walking encyclopedia who can exploit enemy weaknesses and unleash powerful elemental attacks. He can also scrutinize NPCs for valuable information. A good character if you want to exploit elemental weakness.
• Tressa, the Merchant: Tressa is all about making money and finding rare items. She can purchase unique items from NPCs and use her Hired Help skill to bring in reinforcements. Money is everything and Tressa can get you a lot of it.
• Alfyn, the Apothecary: Alfyn is a healer and support character who can concoct powerful remedies and analyze enemies to reveal their weaknesses. A good character if you want to be a healer.
• Ophelia, the Cleric: Ophelia is a dedicated healer who can restore HP and revive fallen allies. She can also guide NPCs to safety or bring them along as companions. A must have class if you are strugling.

My Recommendation:

Honestly, there's no wrong choice here. But if you're new to the game, I'd recommend Olfric or Primrose. Olfric is a tank and is very beginner friendly and Primrose can provide buffs to your party members.

Understanding the Battle System

Octopath Traveler features a turn-based battle system with a few key twists. Mastering these mechanics is crucial for survival, especially in the tougher encounters.

Here's the lowdown:

• Boost Points (BP): Each character gains one BP at the end of each turn. You can store up to five BP and use them to enhance your attacks, skills, or support abilities. This is where the strategy comes in! Do you unleash a massive attack now, or save your BP for a crucial moment later?
• Weaknesses: Enemies have weaknesses to certain weapon types (swords, spears, daggers, etc.) and elements (fire, ice, lightning, etc.). Figuring out these weaknesses and exploiting them is key to breaking their defenses.
• Breaking: When you hit an enemy with a weakness, their shield points decrease. Once their shield points reach zero, they become broken, leaving them vulnerable to increased damage and disabling their actions for a turn. This is your chance to unleash your most powerful attacks!
• Turn Order: The turn order is displayed at the top of the screen, showing you who's up next. This allows you to plan your attacks and anticipate enemy actions.

Tips for Battle:

• Analyze Enemies: Use Cyrus's Scrutinize skill or Alfyn's Analyze skill to reveal enemy weaknesses.
• Boost Wisely: Don't just spam your BP on every attack. Save them for when you need to break an enemy or unleash a powerful skill.
• Prioritize Breaking: Breaking enemies is almost always the best strategy. It not only increases your damage output but also prevents them from attacking.
• Diversify Your Party: Make sure you have a good mix of physical and elemental attackers, as well as healers and support characters.

Exploring the World: Path Actions and Side Quests

Osterra is a vast and beautiful world filled with secrets to discover. Each character has a unique Path Action that they can use to interact with NPCs and the environment.

Here's a breakdown of the Path Actions:

• Noble Path Actions (requires sufficient level):
  • Guide (Ophelia): Guide an NPC to bring them into battle.
  • Allure (Primrose): Allure an NPC to bring them into battle.
• Rogue Path Actions :
  • Steal (Therion): Steal items from NPCs.
  • Purchase (Tressa): Purchase items from NPCs.
• Combat Path Actions:
  • Challenge (Olfric): Challenge NPCs to a duel.
  • Provoke (H'aanit): Provoke NPCs to a fight using a captured monster.
• Information Path Actions:
  • Inquire (Cyrus): Inquire NPCs for information.
  • Scrutinize (Alfyn): Scrutinize NPCs for information.

Side Quests:

Throughout your journey, you'll encounter numerous side quests. These quests often involve helping NPCs with their problems, exploring hidden locations, or battling challenging enemies. Completing side quests will reward you with experience, items, and valuable insights into the world of Osterra.

Tips for Exploration:

• Talk to Everyone: Seriously, talk to every NPC you see. They might have a side quest for you, offer valuable information, or sell unique items.
• Explore Every Nook and Cranny: Osterra is full of hidden treasures and secrets. Don't be afraid to venture off the beaten path.
• Use Your Path Actions: Experiment with your characters' Path Actions to see what you can discover.
• Pay Attention to Dialogue: The dialogue in Octopath Traveler is often witty and informative. Pay attention to what the NPCs are saying, as it might give you clues about side quests or hidden locations.

Character Builds and Strategies

As you progress through Octopath Traveler, you'll unlock advanced jobs that allow you to customize your characters' abilities and create powerful builds. Here are a few popular builds and strategies to get you started:

The Sorcerer:

• Job: Sorcerer (unlocked in the Shrine of the Archmagus)
• Skills: Elemental Boost, BP Eater, Surpassing Power
• Strategy: This build focuses on maximizing elemental damage. Use Elemental Boost to increase the power of your elemental attacks, BP Eater to gain more BP, and Surpassing Power to break the damage limit.

The Warmaster:

• Job: Warmaster (unlocked in the Shrine of the Warbringer)
• Skills: Surpassing Power, BP Eater, Physical Prowess
• Strategy: This build focuses on maximizing physical damage. Use Surpassing Power to break the damage limit, BP Eater to gain more BP, and Physical Prowess to increase your physical attack.

The Support God:

• Job: Dancer/Cleric
• Skills: Second Wind, Saving Grace, Evasive Maneuvers
• Strategy: This build focuses on keeping your party alive and buffed. Use Second Wind to recover HP and SP after each turn, Saving Grace to survive lethal attacks, and Evasive Maneuvers to avoid enemy attacks.

Tips for Character Builds:

• Experiment with Different Jobs: Don't be afraid to try out different job combinations to see what works best for you.
• Consider Your Party Composition: Choose jobs and skills that complement your party's strengths and weaknesses.
• Read Skill Descriptions Carefully: Make sure you understand how each skill works before investing in it.
• Don't Be Afraid to Respec: You can always reset your characters' skills and try a different build.

Advanced Tips and Tricks

Alright, you've got the basics down. Now, let's dive into some advanced tips and tricks to help you become a true Octopath Traveler master:

• Stealing: Therion's Steal ability is incredibly useful for obtaining rare and powerful equipment early in the game. However, be careful! Stealing has a chance of failure, and if you fail too many times in a town, your reputation will suffer, and you'll have to pay a fee to restore it.
• Hiring Help: Tressa's Hired Help ability can be a game-changer, especially in tough battles. Experiment with different types of mercenaries to see which ones are most effective.
• Capturing Monsters: H'aanit's Capture ability allows you to capture powerful monsters and use them in battle. Some monsters are rarer and more powerful than others, so keep an eye out for unique creatures.
• Grinding: If you're struggling with a particular boss or dungeon, don't be afraid to grind for experience and levels. The forests and caves around each town are great places to level up.
• Optimal Equipment: Finding the best equipment is crucial for success in Octopath Traveler. Explore every town and dungeon thoroughly, and don't be afraid to spend some money on upgrades.

Final Thoughts

Octopath Traveler is a truly special game that offers a unique and rewarding RPG experience. With its charming characters, engaging story, and deep battle system, it's sure to captivate you for hours on end. So, grab your controller, gather your party, and embark on an unforgettable adventure through the land of Osterra!

I hope this guide has been helpful. Happy travels, and may your journey be filled with fortune and glory!