Octopath Traveler 0 (Octopath 0) Strategy A thorough explanation of the strongest job that the main character should choose first! Are thieves and merchants God's choice? Secret priority/trial version training route complete guide

Octopath Traveler 0, commonly known as Octopath 0, is a new RPG released by Square Enix. The player himself becomes the main character, and an epic story of revenge and restoration surrounding the divine ring unfolds in the past of the continent of Orstella. The fusion of beautiful pixel art with HD-2D graphics and 3DCG is attractive, and you can enjoy strategic battles that make full use of the job system. In particular, the decision to select the main character's job and support abilities called “Gokui'' at the beginning of the game dramatically affects the difficulty of completing the game in the early stages.

In this article, we will thoroughly compare the optimal job for the main character based on the latest information including the trial version. We will dig into the reason why thieves and merchants emerge as the strongest candidates, including ability details, parameter analysis, and actual combat usage examples. In addition, we will fully cover the characteristics and priorities of the three types of secrets (secrets of counterattack, secrets of recovery, secrets of adversity), combinations with jobs, and efficiency development routes in the trial version. By reading this, you will be able to smoothly overcome the chaotic beginning immediately after the release of the game and fully enjoy the journey of recovery.

1. Why Octora 0's main character job selection is the key to strategy

Octora 0's battle system is a turn-based system centered around breaks, and the basics are to exploit weak points, chip away at shields, and deal massive damage while in a break state. The main character is the only one who can change jobs freely, choosing one from eight base jobs (swordsman, merchant, thief, pharmacist, hunter, priest, scholar, dancer) at the beginning. Each job is unlocked by learning 3 unique abilities, and from then on you can progress by consuming JP.

This choice is important for the following reasons. First of all, many enemies in the early stages have sword weaknesses, so jobs equipped with swords are advantageous. Secondly, since the protagonist always plays an active role as the center of the party, a balance of firepower, support, and durability is required. Furthermore, field commands such as “steal” and “collect money” are job-dependent, and are directly linked to the efficiency of collecting items, leaves, and JP. The trial version has a play time limit of 3 hours, so there is a high risk of getting stuck due to incorrect choices.

The main character's job can be changed later, but the advantage gained from the initial selection will determine the momentum in the early stages. Below we will deeply analyze the strongest candidates thieves and merchants.

2. Thorough comparison of the strongest main character jobs: Overwhelming firepower and mobility of the thief

Thief is the most likely candidate for the main character job. The reason for this is the mobility that guarantees a win on the first move due to high speed and critical hit rate, the break acceleration due to continuous attack ability, and the versatility of the “steal” command. Equipped with weapons are daggers and swords, and can also use dark attribute magic. The parameters are maximum HP is B, maximum SP is D, physical attack is A, attribute attack is B, physical defense is B, attribute defense is C, accuracy is A, speed is S, criticality is A, evasion is S, and it is an attack specialized type.

Thief key ability details

• Steal (SP3): You can obtain items directly from enemies. In the early stages, you can steal HP-enhancing nuts from “Those Who Have Mastered Fame'' and physical-enhancing nuts from “Those Who Have Mastered Wealth,'' achieving both financial gain and status enhancement at the same time. This will make fighting small fish on the road much easier.
• Lifesteal Dagger (SP9): In addition to 2 consecutive dagger attacks, half of the damage is absorbed by HP. You can deal damage while maintaining durability.
• Magic Steel Dagger (SP9): In addition to 2 consecutive dagger attacks, 5% of damage is absorbed by SP. Prevents SP depletion and is strong in long situations.
• Yokoichimonjiri (SP14): An all-over attack with a sword. The processing of small fish becomes faster, and you can make repeated breaks.
• Triedge (SP27): Three consecutive dagger attacks. It is specialized for single bosses and maximizes break damage.
• Shadow Binding (SP8): Deals dark attribute damage and slows down for 2 turns. You can prevent follow-up attacks after taking the initiative.

Utilization of the strongest weapon in the early stages, “primordial dagger”

The “primordial dagger”, which can be obtained from the northeastern treasure chest on West Valore Road, increases the firepower of the thieves. The continuous attack ability of this weapon makes it easy to hit weak points, and if you combine it with a full sword attack, you can end a small fry battle in one turn. To obtain it, go west from Valore town and explore the West Valore road to the northeast.

As an example of a battle, in the battle against the prologue boss “Vigilante Captain Freed”, after securing the item with steal, use life steal to survive, and use magic steal to rotate SP. After the break, wipe it out with a try edge. He is highly regarded as an attacker who utilizes the speed of a dancer.

3. Strengthen the entire party with the support power of merchant jobs

Merchant job is a versatile support for earning JP/leaf and supplying BP/SP. Equipped with a spear and bow, the speed is moderate, but the support ability that increases the amount obtained is powerful in the long term. The parameters are balanced between physical and magical, making it suitable for the rear guard of the party.

Merchant key ability details

• Rest (SP0): Fully recovers your HP and SP, and removes abnormal status. It has a self-contained durability.
• BP Passer (SP5): Gives 1 BP to a single ally. The attacker's special move can be repeated.
• Lucky Arrow (SP35): In addition to the large single damage caused by the bow, you will also receive JP in proportion to the damage dealt. The growth efficiency is very high.
• Mysterious Arrow (SP18): In addition to the overall bow attack, recovers 2% SP of allies in the vanguard. Increases the durability of the entire party.
• Collection (SP3): Steal the leaf from the enemy. This is a standard field money strategy.

As an example of a battle, in the Blue Glow Cave boss battle, use BP Passer to boost the main character's (other jobs') firepower, and use Mysterious Arrow to rotate SP. Accumulate JP with Lucky Arrows and be ready to change jobs instantly. He is the leading support type who can maximize the performance of all his friends.

Comparison table with thieves:

item	thief	merchant
firepower	★★★★★ (Continuous attack specialization)	★★★☆☆ (Single shot + JP earnings)
support	★★★☆☆ (steal)	★★★★★ (BP/SP supply)
speed	S	moderation
Early stage suitability	Single breakthrough	party reinforcement
Recommended play style	Emphasis on solo firepower	Emphasis on long-term development

4. Other job characteristics and early suitability

We will also introduce other jobs for a complete comparison.

• Swordsman: Physically specialized with sword and spear equipment. Demonstrates stable firepower with Jumonji slash and Tenchi slash. It is very advantageous in environments where there are many sword weaknesses in the early stages.
• Hunter: Equipped with a bow and axe, and has powerful action control using the Nenchaku thread. Makes it easier to avoid strong enemies.
• Pharmacist: He is good at healing and reviving with his ax and main equipment. This is a low priority because there are plenty of other recovery methods.
• Priest: Good at restoring light attributes with staff and fan equipment. You can grant automatic resurrection.
• Scholar: Can use 3 types of general magic with books and staff equipment. It can also be used as an offensive type, but requires SP management.
• Dancer: The buff duration is long when equipped with a fan and dagger. It is self-contained.

In the early stages, swordsmen or thieves are the best options, but the route of accumulating JP as a merchant is also very stable.

5. Detailed explanation of 3 types of secrets and recommended priority order

Secrets are support abilities that can be selected early on and can be obtained later, but the first choice is important. All three types are powerful.

• The secret of counterattack: 50% chance to counterattack when receiving a physical attack (no SP consumption). Power depends on physical attack. It has excellent compatibility with Viator (with provocation), and can produce firepower even though it is a tank. It's a top priority in the early stages.
• The Secret of Healing: Increases the amount of HP and SP recovered (% recovery is not applicable). Durability is extremely stable when used in conjunction with Yakushi's automatic recovery.
• Secret of Adversity: BP increases by 2 when near death. It is convenient and versatile as a starting point for breaks.

The secret of counterattack has the highest priority, followed by the secret of adversity, and finally the secret of recovery.

6. Examples of optimal combinations of jobs and secrets

• The Secret of Thieves + Counterattack: Accelerate the process by taking the initiative and counterattacking with speed. The primal dagger deals maximum damage.
• Merchant + Healing Secret: SP recovery from mystical arrows will be strengthened, making your rest even more powerful.
• Swordsman + Secret of Adversity: Due to high defense, it is easy to withstand near-death conditions, and with increased BP, you can repeatedly perform heaven and earth slashes.

As an example of a party, a very powerful composition would be to have the main character as a thief (the secret of counterattack), Stia as a medicine man, and Fenlorana as a hunter.

7. Try it out right away with the trial version! Efficient training route and precautions

The trial version allows you to play up to the prologue (Wish Veil), and save data can be carried over to the retail version. There is a 3 hour limit, so we recommend running in laps.

Efficiency route:

1. Select thief + counterattack secret in character makeup. We recommend wealth (bargaining) or fame (begging) for influence.
2. Clear the Vigilante Captain battle in the prologue and Stear will join you.
3. Proceed through the Blue Glow Cave and Fen will join you. While collecting the treasure chest, we will take a detour to the route to obtain the primitive dagger.
4. Proceed with the reconstruction and defeat the attacking boss after constructing the workshop. Laurana and Nomos join.
5. If you go around, skip the story (you can check it later in the travel record), collect all the treasure chests, and aim for level 15 or higher.

Please note that saves only take up one slot, and time is counted from the start of character creation. It is even more efficient to use multiple models.

8. Summary: Now you can easily clear the early stages of Octora 0

When it comes to winning Octora 0, the protagonist's initial choices will determine his fate. If you value firepower and collection, the Thief (Secrets of Counterattack) is the best choice, and if you value training and support, the Merchant (Secrets of Healing) is the best choice. By utilizing these, you can dramatically ease the trial version and advance the recovery journey of the main story at an advantage. Get the primitive dagger and learn 3 abilities to unlock jobs quickly and enjoy building a diverse party. Unravel the mystery of the God's Ring and enjoy the epic story to the fullest.