Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent (COTC) can be a daunting game for newcomers, with its vast party customization, strategic combat, and rich storytelling. Whether you’re diving into Orsterra for the first time or looking to refine your strategies, this guide covers seven essential tips to help you start strong.

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1. Understanding Party Composition

If managing multiple characters feels overwhelming, don’t worry—there’s a simple principle to follow. COTC features eight distinct classes, each wielding a specific weapon: Merchants use spears, Apothecaries handle axes, Dancers have fans, and so forth. Enemies have particular weaknesses to different weapons and spells. For an effective strategy, aim to have one character of each class in your party to cover all possible weaknesses. This balance ensures you can handle various enemy types without being caught off guard.

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2. Mastering Weaknesses and Breaks

One of the most crucial mechanics in COTC is the “Break” system. Each enemy has a shield icon indicating how many times you need to hit their weaknesses before they break. Successfully breaking an enemy renders them immobile for a turn and significantly boosts the damage they take. Plan your attacks strategically to maximize these breaks, focusing your firepower when the opportunity arises.

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3. The Boost Mechanic: Amplifying Damage

The Boost system is another layer of strategy that can turn the tide of battle. At the start of each turn, characters gain a boost orb. You can spend these orbs to enhance attacks—whether it’s dealing multiple hits with a standard attack or increasing the power of a skill. The ideal time to use your boost is immediately after breaking an enemy, ensuring maximum damage while they’re vulnerable.

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4. Building Influence: Wealth, Power, and Fame

COTC’s story revolves around three key elements: Wealth, Power, and Fame. As you progress, you’ll increase your influence in these areas, which not only advances the story but also grants valuable bonuses to your party, such as enhanced stats and additional rubies (used for summoning new characters). Focus on recruiting diverse characters, completing story quests, and upgrading your party’s skills to build influence efficiently.

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5. Path Actions: Making the Most of NPC Interactions

Interacting with NPCs in COTC is more than just flavor text—it’s a vital part of your progression. You can use three types of path actions: Purchase, Contend, or Entreat, each influenced by your rank in Wealth, Power, or Fame. Successful path actions can reward you with exclusive equipment, valuable materials, and experience nuts for leveling up. Be sure to talk to every NPC and attempt path actions frequently to maximize your rewards.

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6. Efficient Leveling: Hunting for Kates

While experience nuts can boost your characters’ levels, hunting Kates—rare enemies that drop massive experience and leaves—is a lucrative alternative. These elusive foes are tanky and likely to flee, so focus your most powerful attacks early. Additionally, there are stationary Kates in the Overworld that you can battle once per day without the risk of them escaping, providing a reliable source of experience.

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7. Re-Rolling for a Strong Start

During the tutorial, you’ll receive a five-star character at random and enough rubies for a 10-character summon. If you want a head start, consider re-rolling your account until you land powerful units. While re-rolling can be tedious, it’s worthwhile if you’re aiming for a top-tier team from the outset. If you’re unsure about re-rolling, check out our dedicated guide for step-by-step instructions.

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Play at Your Own Pace

One of the best things about COTC is its single-player focus with no time-limited events, meaning you can explore Orsterra without the fear of missing out. Take your time, dive into side stories, and uncover secrets at your own speed.

With these tips, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle the challenges of COTC. For more in-depth guides, keep an eye on our updates!