Who Is the Best Starting Character in Octopath Traveler 2?

Who Is the Best Starting Character in Octopath Traveler 2?
Images via Square Enix

Written by 

Harry Boulton

Published 

24th Feb 2023 17:36

Want to start out the right way and are wondering who the best starting character in Octopath Traveler 2 is? You're certainly not alone, as many players will be faced with the difficult choice once they press the start game button in Octopath Traveler 2.

Thankfully though we've got you covered with the guide below, so make sure to carry on reading to find out who the best starting character in Octopath Traveler 2 is.

Who Is the Best Character in Octopath Traveler 2?

Who Is the Best Character in Octopath Traveler 2?
Click to enlarge

In our opinion, the best Octopath Traveler 2 starting character is Hikari Ku in Hinoeuma. While there isn't exactly a right answer, and you're not necessarily missing out on any content by picking one character over the other, we think that picking Hikari gives you the best start in the game.

From the perspective of comparing the first chapters, Hikari's is one of the clear highlights. He is presented with a struggle of empirical proportions, where a kingdom defined by war and bloodshed is torn between old and new traditions.

Furthermore, it gives you a great introduction to the outstanding graphics and lighting within Octopath Traveler 2, so you really have something to be immediately wowed by. You can also get this in pretty much every other moment the game has to offer, but there are some particularly beautiful scenes and shots within Hikari's opening moments.

The main reason we have chosen Hikari as the best starting character in Octopath Traveler 2 however is his balance between strength and simplicity. He is a character who wields very powerful attacks, and can switch between both a Sword and a Spear, but he is also the easiest to grasp if you're not the most familiar with JRPGs or turn-based combat systems.

Is Your Octopath Traveler 2 Starting Character Locked Into Your Party?

Is Your Octopath Traveler 2 Starting Character Locked Into Your Party?
Click to enlarge

While it might seem that way at first glance, your starting character in Octopath Traveler 2 is thankfully not locked to your party.

Instead, how it works is that you always have a designated 'Party Leader' who is the one that you 'control' when roaming the lands of Solistia, and also the one that you use to speak to other characters.

You can still use all of your other party member's path actions, but it is just more a case of which character is the default within your party system.

The caveat is that you're unable to remove this Party Leader from your party when roaming the world, and you must instead return to a Tavern and speak to the Bartender to switch this around.

So, that should help you make your mind up if you're wanting to know who the best starting character in Octopath Traveler 2 is. You can also have a look through this Octopath Traveler 2 characters guide if you want to see all of the other options on offer if Hikari doesn't quite take your fancy.

Harry Boulton
About the author
Harry Boulton
Harry is a Guides Writer at GGRecon, having completed a Masters of Research degree in Film Studies. Previously a freelance writer for PCGamesN, The Loadout, and Red Bull Gaming, he loves playing a wide variety of games from the Souls series to JRPGs, Counter-Strike, and EA FC. When not playing or writing about games and hardware, you're likely to find him watching football or listening to Madonna and Kate Bush.
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