Finding the Octopath Traveler 2 best starting character is likely a question on many players’ minds. Much like the original, Octopath Traveler 2 gives the player a choice from eight different characters to choose as their own main character. Here are some of the best starting characters in Octopath Traveler 2, in terms of both gameplay and potential story.
The most important thing to know is that whichever character you choose from to start with out of the eight possible options will be locked to your team for the game. Other characters, though, can swap in and out of your party at will. Also, the information we’re using here is all based on the demo available on the Nintendo eShop right now, knowledge of the first game, as well as what Nintendo has revealed so far online.
Without further ado, here are some of the best choices of which character to start with in Octopath Traveler 2.
Temenos the Cleric is a Flexible Starting Character in Octopath Traveler 2
To begin, we’re going to highlight the Cleric of Octopath Traveler 2: Temenos Mistral. With each class returning from the original Octopath Traveler, this puts Temenos in the same boat as Ophelia. His backstory comes from peace, at least obtained peace that is waning. As is shown in the demo, Temenos comes across a mystery around his Pontiff’s passing, and despite finding out it wasn’t an accident, is not allowed to study the death further, going on a quest to find out who did this and why.
Clerics in Octopath Traveler are dedicated healers who can also do light damage to enemies, as well as hit with staffs. But, where Ophelia was a pure healer who could do some damage, Temenos looks to be more designed for an equal balance of healing and damage. His talent is one aspect of that, as Moonlight Judgement inflicts all foes with enfeeblement at the start of a battle at night.
Where Octopath Traveler had unique path actions for each class, its sequel has two for each class, one for the day and one for the night. Like Ophelia, Temenos’ path action during the day is Guide, where he can lead townspeople. During the night, he can use Coerce to gain information out of a townsperson.
Due to his healing, his damage and his abilities which include reviving the team, light damage to all foes and summoning shields for his allies, he’s atop the list.
The Warrior Hikari is the Strongest Starting Character
Out of all the characters in Octopath Traveler 2, Hikari Ku has one of the best combinations of interesting backstory, great options in combat and good path options. To start, his story is a familiar one in JRPGs but a well-liked one: the young Prince looking for peace in a wartorn land. He lives in the desert land of Hinoeuma, and his path options consist of Challenge to engage in fights with townspeople as well as Bribe during the night. After a chaotic time, he is branded a traitor to the throne as he goes to find his tactician.
What makes Hikari so useful as a starting character is his combat abilities. Ones like Abide can increase his physical damage output, and is capable of using strong polearm and sword attacks. On top of that, by using the Challenge action, he can learn new skills from his foes to use in future combats.
Castti Provides Mystery & Utility in Octopath Traveler 2
Last but not least, the Apothecary class character, Castti Florenz, is intriguing and very useful. When it comes to her backstory, it’s another classic trope: the amnesiac. Castti awakes adrift at sea, with little memory of her previous life asides from what she carries. It is revealed in the demo that someone sent her away, hoping she could make a cure for an unknown ailment. But, asides from finding pieces of her past, her goal is just to help the people that assisted her, even with her past being a little darker than it seems.
Where the Cleric class offers party-wide heals, the Apothecary can heal a single target very well, as well as remove status ailments. On top of that, abilities like Icicle and Sweeping Cleave allow her to do some great damage along the side.
Her path options consist of Inquire during the day and Soothe during the night. Inquire allows you to talk to townspeople and gather rumors and information, while Soothe allows her to give people a potion to fix their ailments and set them to sleep, to get around them.
