Along with the game's beautiful 3D diorama overworld, Square Enix has been reimagining the traditional JRPG formula with Octopath Traveler 2's brand-new features and mechanics. Eight new heroes join their quest around Solstia and this new world has a lot to offer and explore, especially with the NPCs. A day and night mechanic is also added, changing the way NPCs and enemies interact with you throughout your journey.
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Path Actions, a mechanic introduced in the original Octopath Traveler, are back with a much more interesting upgrade; you can now use different Path Actions per character based on the time of the day. You can easily switch between day and night with just a press of a button, and use your needed Path Actions. If you plan on sticking through a daytime playthrough, knowing the best Path Actions during the day will definitely make your gaming experience better.
8 Provoke
Provoke is Ochette's daylight Path Action, which allows her to knock down enemies during the day. This is particularly useful when trying to access some doors and locations that are blocked by NPCs during the day.
Ochette can only summon her captured beasts or use items when trying to Provoke an NPC, so having to battle an NPC without her weapons may prove to be a bit challenging. You may have to prepare yourself and capture stronger beasts and animals beforehand if you want to try to Provoke stronger NPCs. Keep in mind that failing to Provoke an NPC will lower your town reputation.
7 Allure
Allure comes back as a Path Action in Octopath Traveler 2 and is used by the Dancer Agnea. Unlike Temenos' Guide Path Action, which is based on the NPCs' levels, Allure depends on the base success rate of the Path Action. When you fail to Allure an NPC, your town reputation will decrease.
Agnea can call upon her Allured NPCs during battle and will fight alongside her. Each NPC can only be summoned a limited number of times, so you have to be sure which NPCs to Allure if you plan to use them in battles.
6 Scrutinize
Osvald is the resident Scholar in Octopath Traveler 2, and his daytime Path Action is Scrutinize. This allows him to glean information from NPCs, which in turn can provide different benefits such as hidden items, inn discounts, knowledge needed for side quests, Path Action buffs for other party members, and equipment for sale at the weapon and item store.
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Like any other Path Action based on success rate, failing to do a successful Scrutinize will lower your town's reputation. You can always improve your chances by increasing Osvald's level.
5 Purchase
Partitio is a Merchant who aims to help everyone and end poverty in Solstia, and he is willing to buy anything from anyone using his Purchase Path Action. This allows you to buy off any items from an NPC.
Purchase allows you to obtain items that are not commonly found in shops and are exclusive to chests that are found all throughout the game. It is easier than Throné's Steal Path Action, but it requires you to spend your hard-earned silver leaves.
4 Guide
Just like any Cleric who aims to lead their pilgrims, Temenos' Path Action, Guide, allows you to recruit an NPC and guide them through Solstia. Some NPCs require to be Guided or Allured to a certain place to finish their side quests, and Guide allows you to do just that.
You can also call upon your Guided NPCs in battle, just like Agnea's Allure. One thing that makes this Path Action a little bit better than the Dancer Action Path is that Guide only depends on Temenos' level. As long as Temenos is within a certain level threshold, he is guaranteed to always guide an NPC.
3 Steal
All throughout her life, Throné the Thief has mastered the art of her Path Action, Steal. This allows her to obtain items from NPCs without having to spend a single silver leaf. However, it is based on success chance, and your town reputation may go down should you fail a Steal attempt.
You can improve your Steal chances by leveling Throné up, and the higher her level is, the more items you can get for free. This is particularly useful when trying to obtain quest items that are extremely expensive or way out of your budget.
2 Inquire
Castti the Apothecary can use her Path Action, Inquire, to obtain information from the townsfolk. She is always guaranteed to glean information as long as she is above or within the level threshold required for Inquire. This makes obtaining information easier, as you don't have to rely on a success rate percentage but on Castti's current level.
It is worth noting that the information obtained from Scrutinize and Path Actions that glean information will always be the same, no matter what the time of the day is. Your preferred Path Action will only depend on your chosen active party member.
1 Challenge
Hikari the Warrior's Path Action, Challenge, gives you tons of benefits, providing the best Path Action in Octopath Traveler 2. First, it allows you to knock down your chosen NPC. Second, the Challenge Path Action allows you to learn skills from said NPC.
You can learn up to five skills from different NPCs via Challenge, but Hikari has to defeat them in battle. Don't worry, though; unlike Provoke, Challenge allows you to use all your equipment and items just like a normal battle would. It also provides experience as if you are battling a normal enemy, which means items may also drop from defeated NPCs. If you are bested and defeated by an NPC in a Challenge battle, Hikari will always revive with 1 HP and will not receive any town reputation penalties. With Hikari's versatile list of Learned Skills and support skills, having him along with this Path Action is always valuable throughout your journey in Solstia.
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