If you’re diving into Bravely Default 2 and feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. This guide focuses on the kinds of practical, nuanced strategies that often only become clear after hours of gameplay. These tips and tricks cover everything from JP farming to equipment management and pre-battle tactics—essential knowledge for getting through early to mid-game with fewer headaches. Let’s jump into the stuff that actually makes a difference.
Level Up Jobs Quickly: The JP Grind Strategy
Job Points (JP) are the lifeblood of progression in Bravely Default 2. Getting passive abilities sooner means stronger, more versatile characters. Your starting job, Freelancer, offers two powerful JP-boosting passives. At level 9, you unlock JP Up, which increases JP earned by 1.2x. Hit level 12 and you’ll gain JP Up and Up, which bumps that multiplier to 1.7x. Equip both on any character and watch the JP stack up faster than normal.
The key here is synergy—equip these on characters while grinding, even if Freelancer isn’t their main job. Once a job is mastered at level 12, switch it to the sub-job slot to continue using its abilities while progressing a different primary job. This is how you efficiently round out each character’s potential without losing functionality.
Mastering the Main and Sub Job System
Whatever job you want to level quickly—make sure it’s set as the main job. Only the main job earns experience toward its job level. Once it’s maxed out at level 12, you can move it to the sub slot to retain access to its abilities without wasting JP.
For example, get your White Mage to 12 early. This unlocks Reraise at level 10 (a full-HP revive) and high-level healing at 12. Keeping it in the sub slot ensures your party stays alive while you work on leveling other jobs. This layering of functionality is where a lot of the game’s strategic depth comes from.
Pre-Battle Bonus: Getting the Advantage
Understanding enemy behavior on the field can give you a major pre-battle edge. Enemies will either charge you or run away. If they charge, let them. Back off until they lose interest, then circle around and strike from behind. Doing this reliably earns two pre-battle bonuses: Allied Advantage and Your Party Is Feeling Brave. This gives your whole party +1 BP at the start of combat and first strike. Perfect for farming enemies quickly and safely.
This tactic pairs beautifully with jobs like Monk, which can one-shot foes right out of the gate using high-damage abilities (more on that shortly).
Take Advantage of the Fifth Companion
Occasionally, the story gives you a temporary fifth party member. You won’t have control over them, but they can be extremely helpful when grinding or exploring new areas. These companions hit hard, absorb hits, and let you farm enemies with far less risk. Always use this opportunity to rack up JP and gold.
Know When You’re Ready for the Boss
Don’t fall into the trap of rushing straight to story objectives. You’ll know you’re ready for the area’s boss when enemies begin fleeing from you on the overworld or dungeon map. That’s your sign you’re at—or slightly above—the recommended level.
A good routine: explore thoroughly, grab all treasure chests, and fight every enemy. Some boss fights may still throw curveballs, so remain flexible—especially when it comes to accessories.
Accessory Loadouts Matter
Your accessory setup can make or break boss fights. Before taking on a major foe, visit the shop and scroll to the bottom for items that grant immunity to common status effects like Sleep, Silence, or Blindness. These effects can cripple your healers or DPS if you’re not prepared.
Early on, accessories that boost HP by 500–800 points are a game-changer. Some enemies and bosses hit like trucks—those bonus health pools are more than just a buffer; they’re lifesavers. Always keep a few options in your inventory so you can swap based on the boss’s behavior.
Must-Have Jobs and Abilities
Let’s talk job recommendations. The Monk at level 11 learns Pressure Point, a single-target attack that ignores defense and Default status. Yes, it costs 1 BP, but it’s absolutely devastating—perfect for blowing through early waves of enemies, especially when you start battles with +1 BP.
As mentioned earlier, White Mage is essential. With Reraise and powerful late-game healing, having at least two White Mages leveled is smart. You don’t need both in the active party, but you want them available.
Black Mage and Red Mage are also top choices if you prefer aggressive spellcasting. Red Mage, in particular, offers a balance of healing and offense, making it ideal for hybrid setups.
Job Display and Equipment Optimization
You’ll be cycling through jobs constantly, and it’s easy to lose track of equipment optimization. Press Y in the job menu to bring up the recommended equipment display. Each weapon or armor has a grade rating per job, helping you match characters to the best possible gear.
For example, switching to a job that favors spears? Double-check you have a high-rank spear equipped. The right weapon can drastically affect damage output or survivability.
Cut Grass—Seriously
It might seem like a gimmick, but slashing grass isn’t just for show. Regularly cutting grass can net you armor, weapons, accessories, and gold. In new areas, it’s worth taking a minute here and there to swipe at the environment between fights. The loot can be surprisingly valuable.
Don’t Forget Passive Abilities and Tents
Finally, a few simple but crucial reminders:
- Equip passive abilities manually. You can assign up to five, but the game won’t do it for you. Go to the Abilities section in the menu and assign them for each job. Missing these will significantly nerf your characters.
- Use tents at dungeon save points. Before a major boss, you’ll often find a save crystal. Use a tent there to fully restore HP and MP—it’s your last chance to prepare.
Wrapping Up
These tips can shave hours off of unnecessary grinding and help you focus on strategic play. Whether you’re aiming to master all jobs or just survive the next dungeon, understanding these systems will give you a decisive edge. Bravely Default 2 has a lot of depth, but with the right know-how, it becomes one of the most satisfying RPGs around.
So get out there, cut some grass, smack some enemies from behind, and build your party the smart way. The world of Excillant awaits!
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