It shouldn’t be surprising for an Atlus game that there is a lot to learn throughout the 60+ hour journey in this new adventure. Players can make mistakes in Metaphor: ReFantazio too if they don’t pay attention to mechanics or read. For example, while every character can equip the same basic Archetypes, the hero who is canonically named Will, gets extra passive skills.

Will and the calendar in Metaphor ReFantazio
6 Common Mistakes To Avoid In Metaphor: ReFantazio

For those just starting their journey in Euchronia, these are the most common mistakes new players should avoid in Metaphor: ReFantazio.

These skills are called Hero Passives in Metaphor: ReFantazio and they are amazing from healing MP to aiding with field combat. They are great, but players may also want to know what passive skills they can equip for the rest of their heroes. Here’s a good starting strategy.

7 Magic Boost

Increase Magic Attacks By 15%

Magic Boost skill in Metaphor ReFantazio
  • Archetype: Elemental Master

The Mage Archetype is the beginning of this quadrilogy of classes in the game and it’s like mages in other RPGs wherein they special in elemental magic like ice and fire. There’s an attached skull that will be useful to players early on called Magic Circle which will raise magical attack power by 10%.

The third form of this Archetype is called the Elemental Master and it has a better skill called Magic Boost which will raise magical attack power by 15%. For those who prefer physical builds in their RPGs, the Martial Lore skill as part of the Swordmaster Archetype is worth mentioning as it will raise physical attack power by 50%.

50% Decrease In MP Cost Of Synthesis Attacks

Magic Link skill in Metaphor ReFantazio
  • Archetype: Elemental Master

Magic Link is another great skill from the Elemental Master worth investing in. It will decrease the cost of Synthesis attacks by 50% which is a huge boost as they typically cost a lot of MP. Synthesis attacks in Metaphor: ReFantazio are like double or triple attacks in the classic RPG, Chrono Trigger.

Louis and Homo Avades in Metaphor ReFantazio
Metaphor: ReFantazio - 8 Hardest Bosses, Ranked

Without being prepared, these difficult bosses from Metaphor: ReFantazio are likely to stomp the player's party into dust.

Certain Archetypes will trigger double or triple Synthesis spells which will do a lot of damage at the cost of eating up turns. While Magic Link won’t help reduce turn costs, the decrease in MP is still a good boost.

5 Magic Vessel

Increase MP By 30%

Magic Vessel skill in Metaphor ReFantazio
  • Archetype: Warlock

Magic Vessel is a skill attached to the fourth form of the Mage Archetype set called a Warlock. This skill will increase MP by 30% and it is as simple as that. Metaphor: ReFantazio and other Atlus games like Persona rely heavily on spells.

That is because enemies have weaknesses and exploiting them to get extra turns is all part of the strategy. That’s why it wouldn’t be a bad idea to get at least four party members up to this Archetype level just to get Magic Vessel although truthfully it will take some time. The more MP characters have, the less players have to rely on using MP restorative items, which are rare in Metaphor: ReFantazio.

4 Magic Counter

15% Chance To Repel Magical Attacks

Magic Counter skill in Metaphor ReFantazio
  • Archetype: Dark Knight

Moving away from the Mage set of Archetypes, let’s get into Knights. The Dark Knight is one of the evolved forms of this physical and defensive-focused Archetype. Magic Counter will give characters a 15% chance to repel elemental magic including spells based on fire, ice, electric, wind, dark, and light.

There are other defensive elemental skills players can get like Wind Dodge, but Magic Counter is the best overall. It will protect against all elements and it has a chance to strike back at enemies, so it would be wise to equip some gear that will boost counters too.

3 Unyielding Blood

Revive After Falling In Battle Once

Unyielding Blood skill in Metaphor ReFantazio
  • Archetype: Martial Artist

Unyielding Blood is part of the Brawler set of Archetypes, specifically the Martial Artist, which all rely on fists and using HP instead of MP. They act like monk classes in other RPGs. For example, there are fist-based abilities for use in battle that will do a great deal of damage in exchange for HP in Metaphor: ReFantazio.

If players want to invest in any of these Archetypes, it’s best to equip other skills and gear that will boost or enhance HP. For example, Unyielding Blood will revive a character if they fall in battle and heal all of their HP. This only works once per battle but it’s a heck of a godsend in a pinch.

2 Unshaken Will

Prevent Status Effects

Unshaken Will skill in Metaphor ReFantazio
  • Archetype: Dragoon

The Unshaken Will is for the Dragoon Archetype which begins with the Gunner. These Archetypes rely on ranged weaponry, specifically crossbows, so their skills are mostly reserved for the back row of turn-based battles. This skill will prevent characters from succumbing to status effects like Charm, Daze, Forget, Rage, and Sleep.

Exploring the Nord Mines and the Skybound Avatar dungeon in Metaphor ReFantazio
Metaphor: ReFantazio - Every Major Dungeon, Ranked

From worms to sewers, players will explore a lot of dungeons in Metaphor: ReFantazio

Nothing is worse in an RPG when a boss devastates a party’s HP on top of dealing illnesses. Players can spend a lot of turns just recovering only to have it happen again. Instant Recovery is a good Dark Knight skill too which will remove status effects after one turn and the Martial Artist’s Battle Master will prevent Poison, Malady, Hex, Paralysis, Burn, and Frostbite. These are other skills to keep in mind to build a solid party.

1 Luckier Find

20% Chance TO Get Rare Items After Battle

Luckier Find skill in Metaphor ReFantazio
  • Archetype: Tycoon

Lucky Find is a skill attached to the Merchant Archetype, one of the stranger classes in the game. Its skill tree and battle abilities focus on money and items. Lucky Find specifically will increase the chance of getting items after battle by 20%.

The evolved form of this Archetype, Tycoon, has a skill called Luckier Find and that will increase the drop rate of rare items by 20%. From consumables to gear, getting any reward after battle can help a lot. Also, it’s worth mentioning that using money, called Reeve in Metaphor: ReFantazio, in battle offensively is a good ability when in a pinch.

Metaphor: ReFantazio
Display card tags widget Display card system widget
Display card community and brand rating widget Display card open critics widget Display card main info widget Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info
Display card community and brand rating widget

Released
October 11, 2024
ESRB
T For Teen // Blood, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
Developer(s)
Studio Zero
Publisher(s)
Atlus
Engine
GFD
Number of Players
1
Steam Deck Compatibility
Playable
PC Release Date
October 11, 2024
Xbox Series X|S Release Date
October 11, 2024
PS5 Release Date
October 11, 2024
Genre(s)
RPG, JRPG, Action, Adventure
How Long To Beat
65 Hours
How Long To Beat (Completionist Runs)
104 hours
X|S Optimized
Yes
File Size Xbox Series
81.15 GB
OpenCritic Rating
Mighty