Bravely Default 2 might appear to be your classic turn-based RPG on the surface, but the systems under the hood add a tactical depth that rewards careful planning and understanding. If you’re stepping into this world for the first time or you’re finding the mechanics overwhelming, don’t worry. This guide will break down eight core tips to help you thrive in both combat and exploration, setting you up for success from the very beginning.
1. Understanding the Core: Braving and Defaulting
The fundamental mechanics of Bravely Default 2 revolve around the Brave and Default systems. Braving allows a character to execute multiple actions in a single turn—up to four in a row—at the cost of Brave Points (BP). Defaulting, on the other hand, is a defensive stance that conserves BP while also mitigating damage.
You can think of BP as your currency for action. A character with 0 or positive BP can act normally. If you drop into negative BP, your character will be forced to sit out for a number of turns until they recover. This makes pacing critical. Starting a battle by going full Brave might wipe out a weak group of enemies quickly, but it leaves you vulnerable if you don’t finish the fight in that phase. Conversely, Defaulting allows you to build BP over time and unleash devastating combos when the time is right. Learning how to balance these two states is absolutely vital.
2. The Numbers Behind Brave and Default
Let’s dive a bit deeper. Each character typically starts a battle at 0 BP. Choosing to Brave consumes additional BP: for example, performing four actions in a row when you have +1 BP will drop you to -2, which puts you in a turn debt for the next two rounds.
Defaulting adds +1 BP per turn, letting you bank up to +3 BP. Once you hit +3, you can go all-out with four actions without dropping below 0, allowing you to hit hard while staying in control.
There are additional nuances to consider. If you knock out an enemy mid-Brave chain, your next attack will automatically target the adjacent enemy, following a right-to-left pattern. While this spillover can help in clearing mobs, it may hinder your ability to target weaknesses, so try not to overuse Braving unless you’re confident in the damage outcome.
Keep an eye on your MP too. If your selected move glows red, it means you don’t have enough MP to execute it. That attack will fail but still consume BP, making it a double penalty.
And don’t forget—enemies also Brave and Default. Monitor their BP using the X button to anticipate their big turns and plan around them. Also, some powerful abilities cost BP directly, meaning a move with a BP cost of 1 will cost two points in total—one to use the skill and one to carry out the action.
3. Combat Momentum: Gaining the Upper Hand
There are a few simple yet powerful tricks to gaining the edge in battle. Pressing the Y button allows you to swing your sword outside combat, which can be used to preemptively strike enemies and trigger a Brave state at the beginning of battle—starting with 1 BP instead of 0.
This surprise initiative can be the difference between dominating a skirmish or taking heavy losses. As a general rule, enemies that flee when they see you are usually weak, while aggressive ones are likely tough foes. Use this behavioral cue to assess risk before engaging.
When facing new enemies, make it a habit to use the Examine skill or the magnifying glass item to reveal their stats and weaknesses. The Freelancer job comes with Examine by default, making it especially useful early on, and it saves you the trouble of burning through consumables.
4. Preparing Outside of Battle
Victory in Bravely Default 2 often comes down to how well you prepare. Tents are your best friend for healing on the world map, fully restoring your HP and MP. Unfortunately, they can’t be used inside dungeons, so you’ll need a good stockpile of healing items before delving into one.
Always make sure to stock up in towns—not just on potions, but on teleport stones and ward lights too. The former lets you escape dungeons instantly, while the latter reduces enemy detection range, giving you breathing room if you’re running low on resources or just need to avoid combat.
5. Mastering Jobs and Sub-Jobs
Jobs are at the heart of character development in Bravely Default 2. Each party member can equip a main job and a sub-job. The main job determines your character’s appearance, available moves, and progression path, while the sub-job gives you access to additional abilities but doesn’t level up.
Each job maxes out at level 12, unlocking both active skills and passive traits along the way. Synergy is key—pair a character’s main and sub-job based on their equipment affinity and your overall party composition. You can press Y in the job menu to view the recommended equipment for each job, which helps tailor your loadout effectively.
6. Equipping Passive Abilities
As you level jobs, you’ll start unlocking passive abilities. These perks can enhance your battle prowess in countless ways, but you need to equip them manually. Navigate to the Abilities menu from the main screen and assign your desired passive skills.
You can equip up to five at a time, and the game won’t auto-equip them for you—so check back often to ensure you’re using your full potential. Passive ability combinations can often mean the difference between a hard-fought victory and a devastating loss.
7. Exploration and Smart Use of Downtime
Bravely Default 2 features a passive item-collecting feature tied to system rest mode. When the game is suspended in rest mode, your party will continue to explore and gather resources automatically. Be sure to check back at exploration HQs located in cities to collect your haul—these can contain anything from restorative items to valuable gear.
This is a brilliant way to stockpile resources during downtime and should become part of your routine.
8. Miscellaneous Tips Worth Remembering
Some final rapid-fire advice:
- Most spells allow for flexible targeting. Press Y before casting to choose between single and multi-target.
- If dungeon enemies flee from you, you’re strong enough for the boss fight ahead.
- Side quests are usually low-effort and reward-rich—complete them all.
- Use the Plus button to speed up combat—critical during grind sessions.
- Keep a close eye on equip load. Each character has a weight limit, and exceeding it reduces performance. Blue weight increases in the shop can be misleading—more isn’t always better.
Final Thoughts
Bravely Default 2 is a deep, rewarding RPG filled with tactical layers and meaningful choices. The more you engage with its systems—from BP management to job synergy—the more satisfying each battle and each victory becomes. With these tips, you’ll be better prepared to take on the game’s toughest challenges and uncover every treasure the world of Excillant has to offer.
So go forth, brave adventurer—and remember, mastering the balance between braving and defaulting is more than a mechanic. It’s a mindset.
Good luck!
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