Admittedly, Octopath Traveler 2's mechanics aren't all that complicated. Yet, there are things that can be easily forgotten or even skipped over. Depending on what mechanics you don't use, you can completely shift how easy the game is and how quickly the story progresses.
There are some things where if you miss them, certain aspects of the story may be almost impossible to progress past. Bosses become too overwhelming to battle, and side quests can seem impossible to complete. Pro players have been through the best parts and the worst parts of the game and collectively have gathered knowledge that can help players of any level thrive.
10 The Order Of Weaknesses
One of the key aspects of making combat easy in Octopath Traveler 2 is to remember the order of weakness icons. This order will never deviate. Even if you don't have a party member who can analyze and reveal weaknesses, you can still figure them out on your own. Memorizing the order of icons takes the guesswork out of combat.
The order is as follows: Swords, Polearms, Daggers, Axes, Bows, Staffs, Fire, Ice, Lightning, Wind, Light, and Darkness. If you're struggling to find the last few, consider using Elemental Barrage and rotating your melee weapons.
9 Discounts And New Supplies
You can talk to the NPCs in each town all you want, but you'll usually get some dialogue that gives some insight into the world or what the average town member worries about. However, if you use the path actions Inquire, Scrutinize, Bribe, or Coerce, you can get some good information.
Using these path actions on various town members can result in getting a discount at the Inn, increasing the supplies carried by the Armorer and Weapons shop. They may also make finding out information or recruiting the town members easier. Forgetting to do this in every town is easy to do, but pro players ensure that they get a discount wherever they go.
8 Steal Or Buy Everything
Aside from talking to NPCs for discounts, you can get some pretty nifty things off of their persons. This can be done through Throne's Steal and Partitio's Purchase during the day. During the night, you can use Agnea's Entreat and Osvald's Mug. Most NPCs will be carrying items of little import, like Tree Nuts and low-level healing grapes.
However, there is a handful who carry powerful items like the Battle-Tested Gear. Some even carry items for side quests, like the Nun with the Paper Play in Flamechurch. Picking everything up while you go will save you the hassle of trying to find them later or being short on powerful items.
7 The Black Market
The Black Market is something you can run across in the early game and proceed to completely forget it exists. It may only appear at night, but the items provided by the rotating vendors are powerful and essential to getting through late-game bosses.
During one rotation, there will be a vendor who sells Herb-of-Grace buds. If you're struggling with any boss who can petrify like the Behemoth or even Galdera without an apothecary, this herb is your only solution. Sometimes the Black Market might be a bit out of the way, but it's worth regularly checking in and cycling through day and night to see each rotation.
6 Next Chapter Side Quests
Finding Next Chapter side quests is a pain, so here is where to find all of them. Veronica can be found in New Delsta after Agnea's story ends. Shirlutto can be found in the Nameless Village after Temenos's storyline. Melia is found in Winterbloom once Castti's story comes to a close. Misha's quest can be found in Alrond's Estate after Partitio's chapter 4. Mira and the Elderly Guard are also found in Wellgrove after Throne's story.
Moving on, Alpione can be found in Gravell after Ochette has saved Toto'haha. Ort is found at the Flamechurch cathedral after Temenos solves the mystery. Laila can be found in the Merry Hills once Agena's story is done. Lady Clarissa is found in Conning Creek's graveyard once Osvald and Ochette's stories are finished. Mikka is found in Ku after Agnea and Hikari's chapters have closed.
5 The Ship Is Not Optional
Some of Partitio's Scent of Commerce side storylines can be considered optional, but there is one that isn't. You have to purchase the ship. It's expensive, at 100,000 leaves, but you'll get there eventually. Just don't spend all your money on Inspiring Plums and Healing Grapes, and you'll be fine.
The ship is essential for getting around the world, finding hidden and powerful items, and completing the game's true ending. If you want to fight the game's final boss, "I'll pass" isn't an option here.
4 SP Management Is Everything
SP is one of the most limiting factors in combat. Running out can catch you off guard and end up with your entire party killed. To prevent his possibility, you should keep characters like Hikari equipped with SP boosting equipment.
Another way is to equip them with support skills that regularly regenerate SP or use passive buffs during combat to slowly regenerate SP after each move. Castti's Medicinal Concoction ability can also be used to regularly restore large amounts of SP to the entire party.
3 Using The Guild For Everything It's Worth
You may just be popping by long enough to get your first license in a guild, but if you take a moment to talk to the guild masters, they can give you so much more. Guild masters can direct you on how to get second and third licenses, where to find legendary items and their related EX skills.
If you're struggling to find everything or you don't want to mindlessly run around, stop by a guild, and they will give you a direction to head in.
2 Navigating The Dungeons
It's possible that up until now, you have been running around each dungeon blindly, hoping to find all the loot and the final boss. You might even be wondering if there even is a final boss in each dungeon.
Have no fear; there's an easier way to make your way through each Octopath Traveler 2 dungeon. Instead of wandering down each available path, all you need to do is follow the torches. They will light the correct path to proceed down for the end boss. Everything else is a dead end or a chest.
1 Preparing For Galdera
No matter how prepared you think you might be for Galdera, this side quest boss will wipe the floor with you over and over. A single slip-up will doom the entire fight. When confronting Galdera, you need to have mastered the use of buffs and debuffs.
Skills and buffs that allow you to take multiple turns in a row are a necessity. Elemental damage dealers have to be in your primary team, and physical damage dealers need to be in your secondary team. Healers are not optional.