Every Adventurer In Octopath Traveler, Ranked (2024)

RPGs love to give players the toughest decisions at the beginning of the game. Whether through a game's creation suite or details about their background, it's no surprise to see so many players stress out about how they want their adventure to begin. Octopath Traveler is no different, allowing players to begin their journey with one of eight different characters, and each one has their own unique story and interesting abilities.

While players can recruit other characters and witness their full stories across the beautiful HD-2D land of Osterra, the character players initially select is leader-locked until all four chapters of their story are completed, so that initial choice matters. While Octopath Travelers' eight main characters are well-balanced with one another, opinions will greatly vary on which four characters to include in a party as there's no wrong answer. Who is a good character to start with in Octopath Traveler, and which characters should be considered for their final party?

8 Primrose Azelhart Is A Former Nobelwoman Who Bides Her Time For Revenge

Base Class: Dancer

Unlike the rest of the cast, Primrose Azelhart was born into nobility. A member of House Azelhart in Noblecourt, Primrose was primed to lead her House. One fateful night, three men broke into her home and killed her father. These three men brandished the mark of the crow – one on their left arm, one on their right arm, and one on their neck. Sometime after her father's death, Primrose set out for revenge, reaching Sunshade. There she was recruited by the cruel Helgenish, who subjects her to years of abuse, which she endures believing one of the men would one day be in the crowd.

Overall, Primrose's story is the most intense dealing with sensitive issues like sex slavery as well as revenge. It's arguably the most personal story among the eight and brings with it the most dramatic flare. As for Primrose's unique ability, or Path Action, her Allure is nearly identical to Ophelia's Guide, which allows her to recruit NPC citizens as well as the Talent to Summon those NPC citizens in battle.

Primrose's Dancer class focuses on buffs, allowing her to increase offense output as well as defenses. The Dancer's Bewildering Grace ability is also really fun as it yields a random result, whether it's positive, like EXP x100 or negative, like everyone becoming poisoned. It's risky, but it makes for the best way to level up in Octopath Traveler.

7 Cyrus Albright Is An Intelligent Scholar

Base Class: Scholar

Cyrus Albright is a professor from the bustling city of Atlasdam in the Flatlands. Intelligent and charismatic, Cyrus is incredibly passionate about learning. However, when he is falsely accused of having inappropriate relations with a student, the princess no less, he is forced to go on a sabbatical. This provides him the opportunity to search for a missing tome called From the Far Reaches of Hell that hasn't been seen in 15 years.

Cyrus has strong Sherlock Holmes vibes. Much of his story involves solving a key mystery. His Path Action, Scrutinize, allows him to question NPC citizens whether it's to solve story-related mysteries or learn other things such as the location of hidden items, ways to get discounts at the Inn, or unlock new equipment at shops. Cyrus can also study an enemy at the start of a battle, allowing him to immediately discern one of that enemy's weaknesses, which can save some trial and error in battle.

As a Scholar, Cyrus is essentially a Black Mage. His elemental attacks are an easy way to whittle down the shields of multiple enemies at once. He also has access to the Analyze ability, which can not only reveal more weaknesses, but it's also the only way players can learn how much HP an enemy has left. While Cyrus may not be the strongest character in the late game, he's extremely useful in the early chapters.

6 H'aanit Is A Hunter Eying A Big Game

Base Class: Hunter

H'aanit is a Hunter from the village of S'warkii. She's accompanied by her loyal snow leopard Linde. In S'warkii, H'aanit is under the tutelage of her mentor Z'aanta, who is like a father to her. While he's irresponsible when it comes to gambling, Z'aanta's hunting skills are unmatched. When only Z'aanta's Hägen comes home from a hunt, H'aanit sets off to find her mentor and the quarry he set out to hunt – Redeye.

H'aanit is a Pokémon master. She has the Talent to capture most beast enemies in the game and unleash them in battle like Ophelia and Primrose's Summon abilities. Similar to Olberic, H'aanit can Provoke NPC citizens with her Path Action, but unlike Olberic, in these fights, H'aanit can only use captured animal abilities. H'aanit does require a little maintenance in this regard as she not only requires to be at a reasonable level at all times in order to progress her story, but she also needs creatures to catch.

As a Hunter, H'aanit quickly has access to a powerful Leghold Trap. For the following two turns, the trapped enemy will attack last. This is especially helpful when facing off against bosses who can quickly overwhelm a party with powerful attacks. It allows the player time to properly set up their plan of attack and break all of a boss' shields before they have a chance to attack again. Keeping that up helps players maintain control of otherwise tough fights and alone is worth having a Hunter around for big fights whether H'aanit or someone who has Hunter as a secondary job.

5 Alfyn Greengrass' Desire To Help Everyone Comes Into Question

Base Class: Apothecary

Alfyn Greengrass is an Apothecary from the small village of Clearbrook in the Riverlands. As a child, he nearly died from a mysterious affliction. After being saved by a traveling Apothecary, Alfyn pays it forward by becoming one himself. Knowing that Clearbrook is in good hands with his best friend and fellow Apothecary, Zeph, Alfyn sets out help those in need across Osterra.

Like Ophelia, Alfyn is a kind and caring person who tries to help anyone in need. While his Apothecary skills have room to grow, he's always determined to help. However, a veteran Apothecary causes Alfyn to question if everyone really does need saving. As for his Path Action, Alfyn can Inquire, which is similar to Cyrus' Scrutinize.

Alfyn's Talent is Concoct. In battle, Alfyn can mix ingredients to produce an item to be automatically used in battle. Think Rikku's Mix ability in Final Fantasy X. Like Rikku's Mix, Alfyn's Concoct can be an extremely vital skill in tough fights. In general, Apothecary is great as it can heal party members' HP as well as status ailments, making him a suitable healer if Ophelia isn't in the party.

4 Ophelia Clement Makes For A Good Starting Character

Base Class: Cleric

Ophelia Clement is a Cleric from Flamesgrace in the Frostlands. Ophelia was previously orphaned in a previous warring conflict and was adopted by Archbishop Josef. It took Ophelia time to adjust to her new home, but she grew to become close friends with her adoptive sister Liana. Years later, Liana is set to go on the Kindling – a pilgrimage that takes place every 20 years where the chosen Flamebearer must take the Sacred Flame to three different churches across Osterra. When Archbishop Josef falls ill, Ophelia takes the initiative to go on the Kindling herself, setting off on her journey.

Ophelia is a kind and caring character who may draw the most comparisons to Aerith from Final Fantasy VII. She's devoted to her faith, but enjoys learning about the other cultures and personalities across Osterra. Ophelia is also amazing around kids and much of her story involves helping children with their issues. Her Path Action is Guide, which she can use to recruit NPC citizens either to complete quests or summon them in battle just like H'aanit.

What makes Ophelia a good starting character is partially due to her starting location. Her starting point is to the north and considering the first letter of every character's name spells O-C-T-O-P-A-T-H, Ophelia allows players to naturally recruit other characters in "Octopath" order by traveling the map clockwise. Not to mention, her Cleric abilities make it incredibly easy to stay alive in the early going of the game, making her vital early on. Even if she isn't the chosen starting character, it's highly recommended to recruit her early on.

3 Therion Is A Thief With Dehabilitating Abilities

Base Class: Thief

Therion doesn't have a home. He wanders Osterra looking for valuable things to steal. He works alone, but he didn't always as he once had a partner in crime in Darius. When attempting to steal a valuable treasure in the Ravus Manor in Bolderfall, he's caught and as a condition for his freedom, he must return all three Dragonstones that were stolen from the manor.

Beyond just being a cool and aloof character, Therion has some of the best unique abilities in Octopath Traveler. Therion can steal from NPC citizens, which is similar to Tressa's Merchant Path Action, but Therion gets the item for free. Although the success rate tends to be really low. Therion can also unlock unique treasure chests throughout the game, so any player looking for a true 100% save file will find Therion useful to have around.

The Thief class has one of the best attacks in Octopath Traveler – Armor Corrosive, which decreases an enemy's physical defense for two turns. When coupled with a physical attack character like Olberic, this can produce an impressive level of damage. Complimenting that is Shackle Foe, which decreases an enemy's physical attacks. A Thief can also steal HP and SP from enemies and also share SP with other party members.

2 Runelord Tressa Is Extremely Overpowered

Base Class: Merchant

Tressa Colzione is a Merchant who hails from Rippletide in the Coastlands. As the daughter of two merchants, Tressa is a prodigy. She has an amazing eye for value. However, being confined to Rippletide has limited her growth. She longs for the chance to travel across Osterra. After foiling the plans of local pirates, she is rewarded by former pirate captain, now merchant, Leon Bastralle, who allows her to pick one thing from his merchant ship. Tressa forgoes priceless works of art in favor of a journal from an unnamed adventurer. This compels Tressa to finally set out on her own journey and continue filling out the mysterious adventurer's journal in a coming-of-age story.

As a Merchant, Tressa can buy items from NPC citizens. Occasionally, she receives a discount. Some of the most powerful items and weapons in the game are in the possession of NPC citizens, so it never hurts to have Tressa around when looking for upgrades. Tressa can also passively pick up money when entering a new area, which makes having her in the party a good way to make money in Octopath Traveler.

Perhaps the best reason to have Tressa in the party is how broken she can be later in the game with the Runelord advance job as her secondary job. Since her primary Merchant class can't be changed, she's able to combine her Merchant's Sidestep ability with the Runelord's Transfer Rune ability. Sidestep allows only Tressa to automatically dodge a physical attack, but Transfer Rune allows her to cast Sidestep on everyone. For certain fights, this can make the party invincible. Add in a Merchant's ability to donate BP, and players will be able to ensure their strategies go off without a hitch.

1 Olberic Eisenberg Hits Like A Truck

Base Class: Warrior

Olberic Eisenberg was once a highly respected knight known as the "Unbending Blade." After the fall of his kingdom of Hornberg, Presumed dead, Olberic becomes lost. Taking the name Berg, he wanders the world in search of purpose. He settles in Cobbelston in the Highlands where he protects the local villagers from threats. When sees a bandit leader wielding the sword of his old friend Erdhardt, who betrayed Hornberg and killed their king, Olberic sets off to avenge his fallen kingdom.

Olberic's Path Action is being able to Challenge NPC citizens. This often yields comedic results, seeing Olberic fight woefully underskilled citizens, but it can open previously guarded locations. Not to mention there are some fights that are required, which can be a stiff roadblock if Olberic is underleveled.

Olberic is one of the best physical attackers in Octopath Traveler. His Warrior class' Divine Skill, Brand's Thunder, is an immensely powerful attack that is worth combining with the Warrior support skill Surprassing Power, which allows him to deal over 9,999 damage. This can make quicker work of the many bullet sponge bosses throughout the game. Not to mention, he's voiced by Patrick Seitz whose booming voice has been well-known to make every attack feel extra powerful in other games and animes.

Octopath Traveler

Embark on a vast new role-playing adventure as one of eight travelers, all with their own origins, paths, and goals.

JRPG

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:84/100 Critics Recommend:85%

Franchise

Octopath Traveler

Platform(s)

Xbox One , Switch , PC , Stadia

Released

July 13, 2018

Developer(s)

Square Enix

Publisher(s)

Nintendo

Engine

Unreal Engine 4

ESRB

T for Teen: Blood, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol

How Long To Beat

60 Hours