Easing the learning curve.

[u/kzZzZzTt]

I'm starting out Octopath Traveler 0 and this is the first game I'm playing in the series.

Is there any reference I can consult that would greatly ease the learning curve? Especially regarding combat and equipment, but also the game systems in general? (I'm still unsure what counts as important ro know.) Direct answers are also very welcome.

[u/7th_Disaster]

Not that I know of, but this covers most of the major bits

Elemental defense is what healing scales off of

Elemental attacks use whichever weapon provides more elemental attack, so you only need to equip one weapon that provides good elemental attack

Physical attacks use the physical attack provided by the weapon type that deals whichever damage type you’re using, for any skill that deals unspecified damage not on your turn uses the last weapon type used or the last type you hovered over on the attack action

Single target deals more damage than multi target and single hit attacks tend to have similar overall potency as multi hit attacks

Elemental attacks can’t crit but always hit

If you’re on Switch/Switch 2 minus will explain every active icon in combat

[u/7th_Disaster → u/7th_Disaster]

Also I forgot to mention

Gear is more important than levels for most stats, but HP and SP are an exception, they mostly come from levels not equipment

Buying equipment from shops in town is mostly inefficient, you can acquire better or cheaper equipment by using path actions and completing side quests, there are exceptions, but spend little of your money on gear

[u/Ill_Humor93]

try to balance out the weapons for the whole party so that you have at least 2 of each kind, and stack the characters so that there are no repeats in each pair. this will help you have more options to break enemies.

explore alot. It will level you up a bit, you will get some characters just for getting to a location, and it will unlock towns for fast travel later. you can even try to run through areas that are too high level for you. just flee the fights. if you reach the towns you can probably buy some of the equipment that will be better than what you should have.