Stable strategy with this formation in the early stages! Octopath Traveler 0 Complete guide for the strongest 8-person party[with roles, skills, how to join, and operation tips]

Octopath Traveler 0 is Square Enix's latest RPG released on December 4, 2025. This game is set in the past of the continent of Orstella, and unfolds an epic story of revenge and restoration surrounding the divine ring. The fusion of pixel art drawn with distinctive HD-2D graphics and 3DCG is beautiful, and the fact that players create their own protagonist and set out on a journey is revolutionary. The battles in this game use an 8-person team system that is an evolution of the conventional Octopath Traveler series, and you fight while switching between 4 frontline and 4 rearline in real time. Understanding this system and arranging an optimal division of roles from the beginning is the key to an efficient strategy. Particularly in the early stages, potential companions are limited, so a party with clearly defined roles is essential.

In this article, we will provide a thorough explanation of each character's detailed performance, skill list, how to join, and how to use them, based on the strongest 8-person early game formation (including the main character), which was highly rated by players immediately after its release. Even if you are a beginner, if you read this, you can quickly advance from the prologue to Chapter 1 and move on to the middle stage.

1. Octopath Traveler 0's battle system and the importance of early stage organization

Octopath Traveler 0's battles are deep, with a turn-based system and a break system. When you completely remove the enemy's shield, it enters a break state, which gives your allies an advantage. The biggest advantage of an 8-person team is the flexibility of freely swapping out the 4 people in the front line (in charge of direct attack and defense) and the 4 people in the back line (in charge of support and recovery). In response to the enemy's general attack or powerful single-target attack, you can minimize damage by quickly moving the healer from the rear line to the front line.

Enemies in the early stages have clear elemental weaknesses, and are easy to wipe out with general attacks. However, the depletion of BP (boost points) and SP (skill points) will be your biggest enemy. BP strengthens skills with boosts, and SP is required to use skills. If we lack the role of supplying these, we will be stuck in a long-term battle. Also, it is important to make money and earn JP (Job Points), which is directly connected to strengthening equipment and acquiring skills. The recommended formation for the early stages is perfect: 2 tanks, 1 general attacker, 1 recovery person, 2 BP/SP supplies, and 1 money maker. With this balance, you can clear Prologue ~ Torchbearer Chapter 1 and be stable at level 15-20. There is no need to reroll, just set the main character's initial job as a swordsman or hunter.

2. Complete the beginning in the shortest possible time! Recommended 8-person party introduction (vanguard/rear guard placement)

This composition is the complete form of 7 people + main character who can join at the earliest after clearing Chapter 1. Concentrate firepower and durability on the vanguard and place permanent support on the rear.

Vanguard (direct combat):

• Main character (swordsman/hunter recommended: Break assistance is possible)
• Alexia (all attributes attacker possible)
• Fen (Hunter: Can also be a tank and break)
• Viator (Avoid counter swordsman possible)
• Macy (recovery/removal of abnormal status: can move to the vanguard when necessary)

Rear guard (support):

• Tresa (BP supply/financial measures possible)
• Steer (BP/SP supply available)
• Kel'zas (can be used as an evasion tank reserve)

With this arrangement, Fen and Viator will take on the enemy's attacks, while Alexia will aim to break them with general magic. Move Macy from the back line to the front line to recover, and Tresa and Steer will rotate BP/SP. Immediately after the battle starts, you can boost Alexia's full attack and kill her in one turn. The money management efficiency is also outstanding, and you can earn tens of thousands of leaves per match with Tresa's “money collection”.

3. Overall Attribute Attacker: Alexia's performance, operation, and how to join

Alexia is a scholar job who uses lightning/dark attributes and is an ace attacker in the early stages. His weapons are books and staffs, and his magic attributes are lightning and darkness, making it easy to uncover the enemy's weaknesses. Joining occurs in the substory “Meeting Alexia'' in Section 1, in the library on the west side of Theatpolis. Talk to Alexia in the library and use the field command “Ask from Alexia” to obtain “Alexia Magic Treatise” and join her. There are no special conditions for this to occur, and it can occur immediately after the prologue.

Main skills:

• Lightning magic (SP12): Deals lightning damage to all enemies.
• Dark magic (SP12): Deals dark damage to all enemies.
• Great Lightning Magic/Great Darkness Magic: Boost to more than double the power.
• Search: Instant analysis of enemy weaknesses is possible.
• Special move: Ancient magic (inflicts large damage to all)

Operation is fixed to the vanguard, and at the start of the battle, “Search” → all magic boosts will be fired repeatedly. With SP recovery support ability, you can rest assured even in long battles. Recommended equipment is the Thunder Staff (Thiatopolis Shop) and Scholar's Robe to increase your speed and take the lead. In the early stages when there are many ice enemies, the lightning will hit you and easily deal 9999 damage. The pursuit attack from the back step is also powerful in cooperation with the main character.

4. Tank/Break role: Performance, operation, and joining method of Fen (Hunter)

Fen is a reliable tank with the hunter job, and his weapons are bows, axes, and wind attributes. Joining is automatic in the main game “The One Who Lights the Torch Chapter 1''. After clearing the sub-quest “Light of Restoration Part 1'', talk to Fen in Snowflake Cave and he will become your friend. This is possible immediately after the prologue.

Main skills:

• Continuous fire (SP8): Deals bow damage to a single enemy twice (break specialization is possible).
• Iron Wall (SP6): Gives physical defense up for 3 turns.
• Provocation (SP6): Gives self-targeting effect to all enemies for 3 turns.
• Special Move: Shield of Hope (Gives overall defense buff)

Operation is fixed to vanguard tanks. “Provocation” → “Iron Wall” absorbs enemy firepower, and “Continuous Fire” reduces the shield. Counter physical defense reinforcement will become stronger as it grows, and will be useful in the second half as well. The equipment is extremely durable with an ironclad ax and hunter armor. Alternate with Viator to increase break rotation and improve stability. If you have this character, you can completely defeat a single large attack in a boss battle.

5. BP supply & financial support: Tresa performance, operation, and subscription method

Tresa is a versatile supporter of the merchant job, and her weapons are spears, bows, and wind attributes. Popular characters from the original Octopath Traveler are back. Join the sub “Encounter with Tresa” around Rippletide (level 20 appropriate). The Master of Power Go through chapters 1 and 2, access from Valore, and talk to him to join him.

Main skills:

• Money collection: It is possible to increase money collection during battle.
• BP Passer (SP5): Can recover 1 BP for a single ally.
• Big Wind Call (SP15): Deals wind damage to all enemies.
• Emergency Evasion (SP15): Activates physical evasion once.
• Support: It is possible to increase the amount obtained.

Operation is fixed at the rear. Repeat “BP Passer” on Alexia to maintain the boost. You can earn a lot of Leaf by “collecting money” at the end of the battle and accelerate the purchase of equipment. He is a god character who saves you in the early stages when you are running out of money, and if you combine it with Town Build, you will have plenty of JP. Break support is also possible with spear equipment.

6. Recovery & status abnormality support: Macy's performance, operation, and how to join

Macy is a healer with a pharmacist job, and her weapons are axes, books, and recovery attributes. A sub-meeting with Macy will occur at the inn in Ember Glow, and you can join immediately by talking to her.

Main skills:

• First aid/relief treatment: It is possible to recover HP of allies.
• Standing is poison: Status abnormalities can be removed.
• Person's day off: You can recover your own HP/SP.
• Special move: Prism shower (total recovery is possible)

Operations start from the rear and emergency recovery is performed by moving to the front. It becomes self-sufficient with a “rest” and immediately removes poison and paralysis. Neutralizes the abnormal status gimmick in the early stages. Equipped with an ax, it is possible to easily break. It is the key to stability, and without it, annihilation is inevitable.

7. BP/SP Supply & Evasion Tank: Performance, Operation, and How to Join Stia, Kelzas, and Viator

Stier (architect): Prologue automatic enrollment. Ax/dagger, recovery attribute. Skills: BP passer, SP passer, full support (overall buff is possible). I'm in the rear guard and I'm in charge of supply.

Kael'thas (thief): Sub “Encounter with Kel'zas'' at Valore Boulevard Tavern. A dagger/sword. Skills: Double Throw (can attack twice), Super Speed ​​(can increase evasion and speed), Incite (can provoke + reduce accuracy). Rear guard reserve tank, proactive evasion operation.

Viator (swordsman): Sub “Encounter with Viator” when you have the “Seal Key” at the Valore Tavern (obtained in North Cyatopolis Plains). A sword/spear. Skills: Provocation, Miwado, Parry (3 physical damage possible), Arisui stance (counter possible). It is a vanguard counter tank.

Three people cover durability and supply. Steer supply → Forms an impregnable defense that can withstand Kel'thas/Viator.

8. Tips for organization operation and points/summary for mid-stage transition

Operation Tips:

• Combat: Repeat the loop of all Alexia → Fen/Viator provocation → Macy recovery → Tresa/Stear supply.
• JP Earnings: You can earn automatic income by collecting Tresa money and rebuilding the town.
• Equipment: Prioritize shops, obtain rare items by stealing.
• Switch: Immediately move the rear guard recovery to the front guard.

Mid-stage transition: Increase firepower/regeneration with the addition of Delitia/Saoirse. When Southern Toth leaves, Pius will compensate. This organization will be stable until the final chapter.

In summary, this 8-person lineup plays its role perfectly and dominates the early stages. If you team up with an emphasis on roles, you won't have any trouble. Enjoy Octra 0 in practice.