Octopath Traveler 0 early stage strategy: Guide to reaching Flame Grace the fastest and recovering all super powerful equipment including the forbidden book

In order to advance efficiently in the early stages of Octopath Traveler 0 (hereinafter referred to as Octopath 0), it is extremely important to have powerful weapons and accessories at an early stage. This game is known as a turn-based RPG. The key is to obtain items from NPCs and explore using field commands. In particular, equipment sets centered around the “Forbidden Book” that can be obtained in areas that can be accessed from the start of the game will dramatically increase the party's firepower. You can progress through subsequent boss battles and high-difficulty areas much more easily.

In this article, we will explain in detail the path from Ember Glow to Flame Grace, based on the shortest route. In addition, we will comprehensively summarize the disadvantages of the forbidden book, the optimal combination of compatible accessories, how to learn related abilities, and even early stage party formation examples and battle tips. This will help readers get through the early stages of Octra 0 as quickly as possible and enjoy a comfortable adventure. At the end of the article, we will also explain how to operate a sample party using the equipment you have obtained.

1. Why strengthening equipment in the early stages of Octora 0 is the key to strategy

Octora 0 is positioned as a prequel to the Octopath Traveler series. This work depicts the young days of the eight main characters. In the early area, which can be played even in the trial version, the level of the enemies is low and the strength of the enemies is high, so if you proceed with the initial equipment, you will inevitably have a hard time. What attracts attention is the “Forbidden Book” available at Flame Grace. This book boasts an exceptional value of attribute attack power of 390. When equipped to a scholar or magician class, the damage of all magic attacks will increase dramatically. The disadvantage is that in rare cases it may strengthen the enemy's elemental attacks, but with appropriate countermeasures this can be almost ignored.

The reason why early stage equipment is important is because Octra 0's battle system emphasizes strategy using breaks and boosts. If you have a powerful weapon, you can make the most of the damage multiplication after a break. You will be able to fire skills repeatedly with low SP consumption. Weapons that specialize in attribute attacks are particularly effective, and the Forbidden Book falls under this category. In addition, weapon enhancement greatly improves the efficiency of leveling up. Considering these points, it is best to collect equipment from other towns and advance through the shortest route before reaching Flame Grace.

Furthermore, the enemies in the early stages have many elemental weaknesses, and attribute-specific weapons such as the Forbidden Book will improve the speed of clearing small fry battles. In actual play, the clear time before and after obtaining the Forbidden Book will be significantly reduced. In this way, strengthening equipment not only saves time, but also contributes to maintaining motivation throughout the game. In the next chapter, we will explain the shortest route step by step.

2. Complete guide to the shortest route from Emberglow to Flame Grace

After starting the game, you will be able to freely move around Emberglow as your base. The shortest route to Flame Grace from here is heading south. However, there is an area with a danger level of 30 along the way. A powerful enemy that cannot be ignored will appear. The trick to breaking through this area is to make sure to “escape” to avoid combat. Maximize your party's agility with initial equipment to increase your escape success rate. Choose to flee immediately after the battle begins.

2-1. Detailed route steps

1. Depart Emberglow: Adjust conditions at the save point. Head to the south exit. Earn experience points while defeating small enemies along the way. Recommended level is 5 or higher.
2. Entering a danger level 30 area: Go straight south. If you encounter an enemy, run away immediately. Even if you fail, the risk of being wiped out is low as it is a single-shot battle. A successful escape will clear the area.
3. Arrival at Flame Grace: Rest at the save point at the town entrance. Check the party composition before exploring the city.

The total travel time for this route is approximately 5 minutes. Enemies in danger level 30 areas have high physical resistance, so if you fight them too hard, you will run out of SP. If you run away five times, you can definitely break through. Using agility buff items will make it even more stable. Make use of the herbs available early on.

2-2. Points to note and alternatives during the route

• Enemy encounter pattern: Mainly beast-type enemies with fire attributes. Its weaknesses are water and ice, so it can be dealt with using the scholar character's magic, but escape is the priority.
• Alternative route: Eastbound is risk level 20 but takes twice as long. If you prioritize the shortest route, the southern route is your only choice.
• Time-saving tips: Don't miss the battle BGM and master the routine of immediately fleeing from encounters.

Once you master this route, your subsequent journeys between cities will become smoother. Next, I will explain in detail how to collect equipment after arriving at Flame Grace.

3. Complete guide to obtaining forbidden books: Performance, disadvantages, and optimal usage

After arriving at Flame Grace, the first thing you should collect is the “Forbidden Book.” It can be obtained from the grumbling old man using the field command “beg”. The success rate is high and you can definitely get it through rerolling. Performance is attribute attack 390, and the scholar class's general magic can annihilate a group of enemies in one blow.

3-1. Obtaining steps

1. Approach the old man in the center of town.
2. Execute “Begging”. If it fails, save and load.
3. After confirming possession, equip it to the scholar character.

This book provides overwhelming firepower in the early stages.

3-2. Details of disadvantages and countermeasures

Disadvantage: Rarely increases the enemy's attribute attack (probability of about 3%). The countermeasures are as follows.

• Equip defensive accessories (described later).
• Shorten enemy turns with break priority tactics.
• Utilize attribute resistance buff skills.

3-3. Optimal occupation and damage calculation example

When equipped with a scholar, the damage of Great Freeze magic will be 2.5 times the normal damage. You can deal more than 1500 damage against a group of level 10 enemies. The attribute specialization of this type of weapon has received very high praise.

You can kill the early boss in 3 turns with this one weapon. We will explain compatible accessories in the next chapter.

4. Collection of attribute-enhancing accessories that perfectly match the forbidden book

Attribute buff accessories are essential to bring out the true value of the Forbidden Book. They are concentrated around Flame Grace Cathedral.

4-1. Element Booster

A request from the faithful inside the cathedral. Attribute attack +100. If used in conjunction with the Forbidden Book, it will be equivalent to 490.

4-2. Old woman watching over (hand-sewn gloves)

Attribute defense 60 + attribute attack up at the start of battle. It is possible to have both durability and firepower.

4-3. Other essential items

• Protection Bracelet: Physical/Attribute Defense +50.
• Spirit Cuffs: Can be fired repeatedly with SP+30.

4-4. Combination effect

Attribute firepower exceeds 600 with all equipment. It is possible to do more than 20,000 damage after the enemy breaks.

5. Physical attacker reinforcement: Mosa bow and hunter NPC strategy

In addition to attributes, don't forget to strengthen your physical strength as well. Obtain the “Mosa Bow” (Physics 121, Critical 25) from the ambitious hunter on the left side of the bar. The success rate of begging is high.

It is the top class bow in the early stage weapon ranking. Perfect for warriors and hunters.

6. Defense and SP stabilization: Guardian accessories and spirit cufflinks

Obtain the Guardian Bracelet (Young Man in Front of the Cathedral) from the vanguard stable. Get Spirit Cuffs (save near old woman) on SP barrage. This will improve long-term resistance.

7. Mastering the secret attack abilities: Great Slash Rumble and Great Freezing Magic

• The secret to the Great Slash: 4 consecutive ax attacks. Get from the cathedral right man.
• The secret of great ice magic: high ice firepower. Obtained from the Cathedral Leftist.

It becomes the strongest when combined with a forbidden book.

8. Summary: Now you can completely conquer Octora 0 in the early stages, example of party operation

Collecting all the above equipment will triple the party's firepower. Sample composition: scholar (forbidden book) + warrior (Mosa bow) + support job. You can clear the boss instantly with the recommended formation.

If you follow these steps, you can get through the early stages of Octra 0 as quickly as possible. I sincerely hope that your adventures will be wonderful.