Unlike the original Octopath Traveler games that focus heavily on story and coordinating an eight-character team, Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent introduces a gacha component that spices things up. Since the game now features collectible Octopath Traveler characters, fans and newcomers to the franchise are now able to mix and match characters from both Octopath Traveler 1 and 2 on top of exclusive mobile characters to create their ideal teams.
However, players who are grasping at straws on how to create the best available team at their disposal might want to consider how their chosen characters could fare when compared with the rest of the game’s available roster. When creating an Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent team, just how could players organize the game’s current available characters in a tier list?
Tier 1: Meta Supremacy
Fans of JRPGs like Fire Emblem would likely understand how exceptionally-powerful characters in a strategy game like Champions of the Continent are must-haves in a team, with these units often dictating a player’s recommended combat loadout. These characters are considered part of the current meta, where players who acquire them can help teams shine with their current skillset.
While many of these units are all-rounders, certain units in this Tier specialize in particular combat strategies, necessitating players to mix and match them with the appropriate teammates. Here are some notable characters:
- Therion (DPS, Breaker, Debuffer): His multi-hit kit possessing the option to double cast already puts Therion on top of the DPS game in sheer damage alone. However, Therion needs the right ATK boosts in order to fulfill his damage potential.
- W'ludai (DPS, Tank, Breaker): When built properly, W’ludai is able to pull off incredible sustains in the thick of combat due to her highest-damage skill also offering heals. Not only that, building W’ludai properly can bring her first to the initiative order and dictate the flow of combat.
- Falco (DPS, Buffer, Debuffer): With Thieves having some of the best DPS in the game’s meta, Falco’s Dagger buffs work perfectly with boosting a Thief team’s damage output even further. Moreover, his slate of debuffs can make opponents much easier to Break and hit.
- Olberic (DPS, Breaker, Tank): Compared to other characters, Olberic has an extremely straightforward approach to combat. On top of his multi-hit capabilities, his high-enough single-target damage can make him a devastating DPS, especially when dishing out his Spear attacks at max Limit Breaks.
- 2B (DPS, Breaker): When built properly, 2B can boast some of the most powerful attacks in the game courtesy of her one-hit giant attack with guaranteed crit when activated at max Boost. While her elemental damage is average, the fact that it’s a multi-hit Dark attack makes it one of the rarer element types in the game. Compared to A2, 2B doesn’t need a setup in order to start dishing out powerful attacks.
- Lars (DPS, Breaker, Debuffer): Lars currently possesses the 3rd highest Physical ATK stat in the game alongside a kit that focuses on buffing his damage output even further to make him quite the dependable tank/DPS hybrid.
- A2 (DPS, Breaker, Debuffer): A2 possesses the Thief’s basic characteristics of multi-hit shield breakers on top of already-impressive damage numbers. However, A2 offers a more expanded roster of attack options courtesy of high-powered Sword and Axe attacks on top of standard Dagger attacks - making A2 quite the dependable melee powerhouse.
- Cyrus (DPS, Breaker): Thanks to his multi-hit skillset, Cyrus can not only execute easy Breaks but also dish out multi-element damage to accommodate various enemy types. While he has high SP consumption, having him at maximum Limit Break can help him cast his kit multiple times.
Tier 2: Juggle Into Roles
Given the nature of Champions of the Continent as a gacha title, players won’t always have the means to gather powerful characters in the meta. However, as a strategy game, there are always units that might not perform as “good” as higher-Tier characters but still get the job done with proper growth. While these units are not as potent as their Tier 1 counterparts, these characters are at the top of their league in their intended playstyles.
Moreover, some players consider certain Tier 2 units not kitted enough to be Tier 1 due to skill hyperfocus, where these units might be superb at one thing but not much at other combat departments. However, pairing these characters with the right support units can compensate for these setbacks. Here are some characters for consideration:
- Tithi (Buffer, Debuffer, Breaker): Tithi makes for a good substitute to powerhouses such as Primrose and Lynette, courtesy of her powerful buffs and debuffs on top of additional BP restoring. While not as potent as Alfyn in the BP regen department, Tithi having this option can give the team more combat options, given the time investment in a match.
- Alfyn (Healer, Buffer, Breaker): While Alfyn’s toolkit heavily focuses on dishing out damage with decent DPS scores, it’s his capacity as an Octopath Traveler support that makes him an invaluable source when paired with powerful teammates. His BP regeneration buff is so immense that mainline DPS members of the team can access their most powerful moves much faster than normal.
- Richard (Buffer, Breaker): His multi-hit kit can almost always provide easy Breaks, with his other skills giving the team access to convenient Sword and Spear buffs. However, his low SP means he can fulfill his role more efficiently with the right support.
- Tressa (Breaker, Support): Having multi-hit attacks alone can make Tressa an ideal attacker, but her incredibly high Dodge stat lets her dodge large enough attacks that she can become an evasion-based tank. Although requiring high SP consumption, she is fast enough to begin combat.
- Ophelia (Healer, Tank, Breaker): As with most efficient healers, Ophelia can be a juggernaut in the field with the right setup. She possesses multi-hit attacks that accompany her potent regeneration and burst healing. However, her high SP consumption and revives requiring maximum Limit Break will demand proper timing from players.
- Millard (Healer, Buffer): Considered somewhat one of the most versatile support units in the game, Millard has the toolkit needed to enhance the existing healing skills the player has. Moreover, Millard can be “customized” to accommodate specific sub-support roles by learning various ally buffs.
Tier 3: Middling Performance
Whereas games like Octopath Traveler encourage players to explore multiple endings, the open-ended nature of Champions of the Continent means there’s always a story for players to explore. With the character-focused narrative of the game, it’s easy to be engulfed in the tales of units, even if they’re not as strong overall compared to other higher-tier characters.
However, there are particular units in the game that have the potential to excel in the field with the proper setup. These characters often excel in providing the team with various roles, although they don't particularly specialize in a certain department. Here are some characters to consider:
- Viola (DPS, Debuffer, Breaker): Although she has a low SP pool, her multi-attack kit, coupled with her lifesteal and manasteal along with an assortment of ATK and DEF debuffs, can make her a rather potent DPS when accompanied by the right support.
- Wrath (DPS, Breaker): His incredibly high ATK stat makes him a potent DPS, especially when players get to execute his multi-hit attacks efficiently. However, his kit consumes a high amount of SP, making him dependent on support.
- Lynette (Buffer, Debuffer, Breaker): Her incredible support skillset makes her ideal for teaming up with tanks and other high-level DPS in the Octopath Traveler squad. However, she can only shine with proper leveling, requiring a rather steep investment if one plans on letting her become a consistent member of a team.
- Dorothea (DPS, Breaker): Aside from her potent Fire-based skills, Dorothea’s excellence with the Spear can result in various highly-damaging single-target attacks. She also comes with a decent HP Regen that works conveniently with her primary buff that boosts her Spear damage at full HP.
- Tikilen (DPS, Breaker): Tikilen’s access to various multi-hit and single-target attacks across Sword and Wind damage types makes her rather versatile as a fighter. Moreover, she’s able to lower her SP consumption, making her a rather economic unit. However, Tikilen has higher SP consumption than normal pre-Exclusive, and her low elemental defense can make her rather vulnerable in higher-level encounters.
- Hayes (DPS, Buffer, Breaker): Despite Hayes’ rather averaging base stats, he’s an exceptionally decent Axe damage dealer. He’s one of the few units who can be customized to fit other roles - for instance, his frontline Regen allows him to become a sub-tank, whereas his Axe DMG buff in the vanguard can make him an Axe DPS support. Moreover, his multi-hit with Physical Defense debuff is a great opener for the rest of the team’s heavy hitters.
- Adelle (DPS, Breaker): Perhaps the highlight of Adelle’s toolkit is her multi-hit that can Break shields on top of covering Light elemental damage among characters. Her high base speed and Poison specialization can help her eliminate enemies quickly, although players do need to manage her high SP consumption and rather lower defense.
- Chloe (Breaker, Healer, Support): While having multi-heal is expected of Chloe, she is the only one in her class that can heal on top of her healthy list of buffs and debuffs. However, her highest-damage skills and multi-hit element strikes need her at maximum Limit Break, requiring some setup to pull off her DPS role efficiently.
Tier 4: Needs Optimization
Gathering any Champions of the Continent units from this Tier will result in characters that don’t perform as efficiently as those from higher Tiers, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they are useless. Rather, these characters from the acclaimed RPG need more tinkering in order to become more battle-friendly.
Although they excel in specific stats and roles, having these units assisted by certain support characters can help them perform properly in combat. Likewise, Tier 4 units need precise positioning and synergies with other characters to meet their full potential.
- Odette (DPS, Debuff): Boasting affinities towards both Wind and Light damage, Odette is quite a decent DPS. Her three-hit Tome skill, on top of debuffs that accompany her multi-hit spells, make her a decent choice for slotting into a squad with an accompanying DPS.
- Primrose (Buffer, Debuffer, DPS): Although primarily used as a support unit, Primrose specializes in multi-hits that have Physical and Dark attributes - accommodating rare enemy types. Her buffs and debuffs are also extendable, making her a dependable controller to turn the tide of battle. However, players may not immediately like her lack of an ATK buff despite her nature as a support character.
- Sofia (DPS, Debuffer, Breaker): When used properly, Sofia has the opportunity to spam Ice attacks that work well with her Ice Resist debuff to foes. However, she has limited self-buffs and can only start conserving her SP efficiently at half HP, making her a gamble to play with unless equipped with ideal Octopath Traveler weapons.
- Nina Lana (DPS, Breaker, Debuffer): Unlike other DPS units, her slate of multi-hit attacks, in addition to her Dark affinity, make her a potent damage dealer. However, players may need some training to properly use her debuffs. Not only that, Nina Lana possesses one of the lowest base ATKs among her unit class, requiring some heavy lifting to fulfill her potential.
- Z'aanta (DPS, Breaker): Despite his age, Z’aanta does possess various skills that make him a decent damage dealer. While his attacks can get multi-hit at random, his regular attacks do get opportunities to dish out AOE damage against foes. Moreover, he can also augment Hagen and his bow attacks, making him a decent pair with the character.
- Lianna (Healer, Buffer, Debuffer): Compared to other healers in the game, Lianna takes full advantage of her kit from the frontlines. Aside from a passive that gives Regen to backline units as long as Lianna is part of the vanguard, damaging her will also boost her SP Recovery and give her continuous access to her skills. She can even act as a sub-DPS due to her AOE attacks that have debuffing qualities.
Tier 5: Everyone Else
Unfortunately, beyond the above Tiers, everyone else in the Octopath Traveler cast who doesn’t find themselves as part of the current meta isn’t an ideal addition to long-term squads. While the game’s meta could change based on updates and new releases, it’s still advisable to try and acquire any of the units above to secure more consistent character growth throughout the game.
Thankfully, the large cast of Champions of the Continent provides room for players to adjust these non-meta characters to perform more efficiently alongside stronger units. Moreover, the game offers many opportunities for players to roll for characters, giving them a high chance of acquiring higher-Tier characters for their setups.
Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent was released in 2020 for iOS and Android