Best Starting Character in Octopath Traveler 2

Octopath Traveler 2 sees players set out on an adventure told across the stories of eight different characters. While players can choose to complete each story in any order they desire, choosing which character to start with is critical. Whichever character is chosen first becomes the player’s protagonist and cannot be switched out of the party. This means it’s important to weigh all eight options and decide which is the best starting character in Octopath Traveler 2. That’s why today, we’re breaking down each traveler in Octopath Traveler 2 to see which character is the best choice to start your adventure with.

Octopath Traveler 2: Best Starting Characters, Ranked

Let’s jump right into our list of the best starting characters for Octopath Traveler 2, ranked from hardest to easiest.

8/8

Partitio

Octopath Traveler 2 Characters Partitio
Image: Square Enix via HGG / Drew Swanson

The hardest starting character in Octopath Traveler 2 is the Merchant, Partitio. As a Merchant, Partitio has the Path Actions Purchase and Hire. The Day Path Action Purchase lets Partitio purchase items off of NPCs for a price. While useful in the later game, this skill isn’t much use early on when you don’t have funds. The Night Path Action Hire lets Partitio pay NPCs to fight alongside him. This skill can help make up for a lack of party members at the start of the game, but again requires more money than the player is likely to have starting out. 

Paritio wields spears and bows in battle. While these are solid weapons, he doesn’t have a lot of options for coverage on groups of enemies. This lack of coverage can make early battles difficult until another party member is gained. He does have the benefit of the Latent Power Hoot and Holler. This ability fills his BP meter, allowing him to easily power-up attacks. However, he can still be a difficult character to use on his own.

7/8

Agnea

Agnea
Image: Square Enix via HGG / Drew Swanson

Agnea is in a similar position to Partitio. She is a great support character, but is difficult to use when she is the sole member of your party. She is the Dancer with the Path Actions Allure and Entreat. During the day, the Allure Path Action allows Agnea to charm NPCs into following her and battling alongside her. This ability doesn’t require money like Paritio’s and can be useful for adding muscle to the party before obtaining other permanent members. At night, Agnea can Entreat NPCs into giving her items. This can help you get some items early on, but most useful items won’t be available until Agnea reaches a higher level. 

In battle, Agnea wields a dagger, but also has the ability to deal Wind damage. Her primary role is that of a support character, as she can provide buffs to other party members. However, this means she is more suited to being a part of a party rather than on her own. As such, she is not the best starting character in Octopath Traveler 2.

6/8

Temenos

Temenos
Image: Square Enix via HGG / Drew Swanson

As Octopath Traveler 2’s Cleric, Temenos can hold his own more than one would expect. However, he’s still not the best choice for a starting character. His Path Actions are Guide and Coerce. During the day, Temenos can Guide NPCs, allowing him to summon them in battle for extra support. At night, he can Coerce NPCs into revealing information by Breaking them in battle. Neither of these Path Actions are very useful early on, but Temenos still has solid combat abilities.

Temenos primarily uses staves and light-based magic in battle, but also has the ability to heal himself and party members. This ability makes him able to stand on his own, but really works best when in a party. He does have the talent Moonlight Judgment, which weakens enemies at night. However, it’s hard to capitalize on this ability without other party members. This makes Temenos a usable first choice, but not an ideal one.

5/8

Castti

Octopath Traveler 2 Characters Castti
Image: Square Enix via HGG / Drew Swanson

Castti, the Apothecary in Octopath Traveler 2, is a pretty middle-of-the-road option for a starting character. She has decent abilities for both offense and support, but both require the use of limited materials to Concoct helpful and harmful potions. Her Path Actions are Inquire and Soothe. During the day, she can Inquire to gain information from NPCs, and at night she can Soothe NPCs to sleep with her medicine. Both of these Path Actions are really only useful during her story chapters, making her less crucial than other party members.

Castti is pretty useful in battle, however, due to her mix of abilities. She wields an axe but can also inflict ice damage and poison on foes. There is also her Concoct ability, which allows players to inflict a variety of positive or negative statuses on allies or enemies, depending on the materials they have on them. Despite having limited materials and less-than-useful path actions, Castti is still a pretty solid starting character in Octopath Traveler 2.

4/8

Osvald

Osvald
Image: Square Enix via HGG / Drew Swanson

Osvald, the Scholar of Octopath Traveler 2, is a solid pick for a starting character. He has some useful Path Actions and solid offensive abilities in battle. However, he tends to be somewhat frail without other party members to support him. His Path Actions are Scrutinize and Mug. During the day, Osvald can Scrutinize NPCs to gather information from them. At night, he can Mug them and battle them for the chance to obtain items. This skill can be a great way to gain useful items early on, provided you are a high enough level. 

In battle, Osvald wields a staff, as well as fire, ice, and lightning magic. This makes him a well-rounded offensive character capable of covering a variety of weaknesses. He also has the talent Study Foe. This talent allows him to reveal one of a foe’s weaknesses at the start of battle. However, Osvald doesn’t have the best defenses, meaning he can have a hard time surviving on his own. It’s also worth noting that Osvald’s Chapter 1 and 2 must be played one after the other without a break in between. Keep this in mind, since you’ll have to use him solo for two chapters in a row.

3/8

Hikari

Octopath Traveler 2 Characters Hikari
Image: Square Enix via HGG / Drew Swanson

Hikari is a good starting character for new players to Octopath Traveler 2. He is the Warrior of the game with the Path Actions Challenge and Bribe. During the day, Hikari can Challenge NPCs to battle, which allows him to learn one of their skills upon defeat. Hikari can then use these skills in battle to expand his arsenal of abilities. At night, Hikari can Bribe NPCs by paying them for useful information. This Path Action isn’t as useful early on, since you’ll likely have limited funds on hand.

As a Warrior, Hikari fights using swords and spears, but can increase the types of damage he can deal through his Learned Skills. Given the wide variety of damage types Hikari can potentially use, he can be quite the useful starting character. However, it may take time to grind for his best Learned Skills, making him a little less than ideal to start with.

2/8

Ochette

Ochette
Image: Square Enix via HGG / Drew Swanson

Like Hikari, Ochette also has access to a variety of skills. Her status as the Hunter of Octopath Traveler 2 gives her access to the Path Actions Provoke and Befriend. During the day, she can Provoke NPCs into battle using the monsters she’s captured. At night, she can Befriend characters by giving them certain items. 

In battle, she uses axes and bows as her primary weapons. What makes Ochette so great is her wide variety of combat options, thanks to her ability to Capture monsters in battle. After a monster is captured, it can be summoned to unleash its ability on foes. Depending on which monsters Ochette has captured, she can potentially have access to a vast array of damage types, making her a great choice for a starting character.

1/8

Throné

Octopath Traveler 2 Characters Throne
Image: Square Enix via HGG / Drew Swanson

Octopath Traveler 2’s easiest starting character for new players is the Thief, Throné. Not only does she have fantastic Path Actions for the early game, but she also is a solid choice for solo combat. Her Path Actions are Steal and Ambush. During the day, Throné can Steal items from NPCs with a higher chance of success based on her level. This can be a great way to nab useful items early on with little downside. At night, she can Ambush NPCs to render them unconscious. This ability can help players get into areas otherwise blocked off. 

Additionally, Throné’s first chapter starts in the city of New Delsta. This city is very close to Flamechurch, where Temenos resides. Players who start with Throné can almost immediately grab Temenos as well, making this the ideal starting point. Throné wields daggers and swords in battle, but can also use dark magic. Her passive talent, Blessing of Darkness, gives her and her allies a huge buff during the night. This talent allows her to easily stand on her own against foes during nighttime combat. As such, Throné is the best starting character in Octopath Traveler 2.

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