Octopath Traveler 2, and its predecessor, added something unique to the turn-based genre. Every one of the eight playable characters in the game has two Path Actions that they can use on NPCs. Throné is a Thief, as one example, who can steal in the daytime and knock people out at night.
Overall, this doesn’t mean there are sixteen Path Actions in the game. There are more like four different archetypes of Path Actions in Octopath Traveler 2. These different categories will be ranked from least to most valuable. Within each section, characters will be appraised on who has the most useful Path Action in that category. It will make sense as things progress, so let’s get started.
4 Knocking Out NPCs
Players can knock out NPCs in various ways in Octopath Traveler 2. This will allow them to get past guards who are standing in front of areas like doors or staircases. Sometimes these NPCs are guarding treasure, and sometimes they are guarding other NPCs. It’s a skill used mostly for exploration, although it is needed in many story scenarios too. It can lead to some interesting stuff but rarely compared to the other Path Actions in the game.
The four characters that can knock out NPCs are Throné, Castti, Ochette, and Hikari. Throné’s Path Action is called Ambush. If she meets the required level, she can freely knock out an NPC. Castti’s Path Action is called Soothe. She can use medicine to knock out NPCs, but she is limited by her stock. It’s close to Throné’s Ambush in terms of how easy it is to use.
Ochette’s Path Action is called Provoke. She can challenge NPCs to a fight but the catch is she can only use monsters that she caught, sort of like a weird Pokemon battle. Hikari’s Path Action is called Challenge. Like Ochette, he must fight NPCs before he can knock them out. The cool thing about Challenge is that Hikari can gain abilities from NPCs. He can only hold one ability at a time, but this still makes Challenge the best version of this type of ability in Octopath Traveler 2.
3 Taking Information
There are various ways to coerce NPCs to give up information they are holding. Most NPCs in the game have some sort of bio written about them, whether they are an adult or a child. Besides this bio, they may have secret information too. Sometimes this info will reduce the prices of things like the cost of staying at the Inn. Sometimes it can lead to a hidden item in town. And sometimes, the NPC will just reveal a funny joke.
Players are going to run the gamut in terms of what they get out of NPCs, but some cool stuff can be gained from this talent. Temenos, Osvald, Hikari, and Castti are the four characters that can get information out of NPCs in Octopath Traveler 2. Temenos’ Path Action is called Coerce. This requires players to fight in a battle, but players don’t have to win the match. All they have to do is break through the defenses once.
Osvald’s Path Action is called Scrutinize. Players can get information from NPCs based on a random percentage. This percentage can be increased the stronger Osvald becomes, which is how most percentages work in the game. Hikari’s Path Action is called Bribe. All he does is pay money to get info and it usually doesn’t cost a lot. Still, it can add up if players aren’t careful. Finally, Castti’s Path Action is called Inquire. It is a free action to use as long as Castti meets the required level. Castti and Hikari are tied in this way, and it all depends on levels and cost to see who wins based on each NPC.
2 Summoning Characters In Battle
This is one of the better talents in Octopath Traveler 2. Characters can recruit NPCs to aid them in battle. Using them initially will have them attack, but after that, they will hang back behind whoever summoned them. They will act freely for a few rounds before disappearing and can continue to attack, heal, or guard. There are some truly powerful NPCs out there, so keep a lookout.
Temenos, Ochette, Agnea, and Partitio are the four characters that can summon NPCs in the game. Temenos’ Path Action is called Guide. This is another level-based ability wherein Temenos can ask for help from NPCs as long as he meets their level requirement. Ochette’s Path Action is called Befriend. Her character overall is a Hunter, which allows her to capture monsters to use them in battle, like a summoning. However, she can also turn monsters into food-like jerky which is how she can bribe NPCs to join her quest.
Agnea’s Path Action is called Allure. She has a percent chance to gain followers, and it’s as simple as that. Finally, Partitio’s Path Action is called Hire. This allows him to spend money to hire recruits, and the stronger NPCs are, the more it will cost. As costly as this can be, NPCs give the party another benefit. They can have skills that can often reduce the price of items in shops. Partitio has the most interesting usage of summoning in Octopath Traveler 2, even though it, again, can be costly. Temenos is good too as it is free besides the level requirement.
1 Taking Items
Players can get items from NPCs from the game as gifts or by stealing them. These are some of the best Path Actions in Octopath Traveler 2, as it allows players to get equipment far beyond what they should have at that point. Players could have end-game armor a few hours in, depending on the situation.
Throné, Osvald, Partitio, and Agnea can all gain items in one way or another. Throné’s Path Action is called Steal. It is the most straightforward skill of this bunch, as players have a percent chance of getting items. Osvald’s Path Action is called Mug. He can challenge NPCs to a dual, and if he wins, he gets to take every item the NPC has. Partitio’s Path Action is called Purchase.
Instead of stealing items, he can offer money for them, and by all accounts, this can sometimes be cheaper than stores. Money still exchanges hands, though, defeating the purpose of getting items easier. Agnea’s Path Action is called Entreat. It is level based, and NPCs will just give her their wares to her if she meets their requirement. This would be good, but the best items are level-gated, again defeating the purpose of getting the best gear early. That’s why Throné wins this match, with Osvald being a close second.
Octopath Traveler 2 was released on February 24, 20223, and is available on PC, PS4, PS5, and Switch.