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Hikari’s second chapter takes our warrior boy practically as far away from his native Ku as can be - all the way to Montwise, city of scholars, deep within the mountain ranges of the eastern continent. We imagine he’s learned all sorts of things about the wider world by the time he arrives, though that’s up to you. How many, or how few, character chapters you do between Hinoeuma and the Crestlands is a matter of personal choice.
Related:Octopath Traveler 2: Beginner Tips
Regardless of yourOctopath Traveler 2journey details, you will want to be prepped for some one-on-one battling in Chapter Two of Hikari’s tale. Here’s why.
Town Phase: Montwise
Hikari has reached Montwise, where his old friend Kazan is said to reside. You’ll recall Kazan from the first chapter; we felt like he seemed a touch shady, but Hikari himself apparently thinks otherwise - until he doesn’t, anyway. More on that in a bit. For now, feel free to explore Montwise to your heart’s content if this is your first time here.
We recommend heading to the massive library and picking up some side quests there. One in particular, available during the daytime (and possibly the evening, though we’re certain of the former), involves the retrieval of three rare tomes. Be sure to scoop that one up.
Another worthwhile location, thoughprobably not right this moment, is the graveyard accessible bydescending a ladder in town. The danger level there is a fairly high 40, so unless you’ve been grinding quite a bit already (or simply waited to do Hikari’s story until late into the game), you’ll likely be eviscerated if you head down there right this moment. Just something to file in your mind for later.
‘Dungeon’ Phase: Montwise Arena
When you’re ready to proceed with the story,head down the spiral staircase and enter the arena. Cutscenes will kick in for a little bit, and we’ll learn that Kazan supposedly harbors quite a debt here and needs Hikari’s combat skills to buy his way out of the situation. Eventually, Hikari will wind up down in the fighting pit.Formally challenge your opponent to initiate the first battle. It’s a quick one.
Rest up at the inn or use some other means of healing HPandSP before the next fight. In fact, consider this tip sacred betweeneachbout throughout this chapter, as it will only prove increasingly important with time.
Speak with the receptionist at the arenaafter the next little batch of scenes to kickstart a fight with multiple foes.Challenge themas you did the first fellow. Focus on one at a time to keep things going smoothly. We get some further insight into the way things really work here in the Montwise arena, plus we’re beginning to witness the so-called ‘Eagle of Ku’ spread his gifted gambler’s wings. Soon, we’ll be battling Zeto the Butcher himself.
Keep your HP up throughout this fight.If it drops below roughly half, spend a turn bringing it back, ideally with a Healing Grape (M) if you’ve got them. Zeto isn’t so tough that we’d assign a boss phase to him, per se, but he does more than just scratch like the prior opponents.Zeto is weak to Sword, Dark, Axe, and Polearm.
When he’s down to low health, a scene will trigger in which Hikari must fend off his pesky shadowy side. Thereafter, the drama continues to unfold behind the scenes;you will definitely want to rest up before the final bout.
Bandelam the Reaper will be fought twice.This first part’s a mere warmup.His weaknesses include Axe, Polearm, Fire, and Light. Follow our advice for Zeto, and you’ll win against Bandelam in roughly as short a time. Alas, that was only the beginning…
Boss Phase: Bandelam The Reaper
Bandelam is weak to various things throughout the fight, including Dagger, Axe, and Fire. The trick to this encounter, however, rests not in determining his weaknesses once, but several times.You’re facing a foe who grows in defensive capabilities as the battle wages on; Bandelam’s Shield Points will rise each time he’s been broken, and even his weaknesses will shift. This makes him a dangerously unpredictable opponent.
The best way to deal with an enemy in Octopath Traveler 2 whose weaknesses prove unpredictable is to outfit your party with as vast an array of actions as possible.The more weaknesses you may cover, the more likely you’ll be to discover Bandelam’s in short order each round. Obviously, this has to include Hikari, who is by default an excellent source of weapon-based strikes. But having someone with lots of elemental prowess (Osvald immediately springs to mind) will help a great deal.
Another useful ally isTemenos,whose latent power lets him break an enemy’s Shield Points with each hit no matter their weaknesses.Boosting him and then thwacking Bandelam several times in a row with his staffcan be surprisingly effective, though remember his primary purpose is in healing - which you’ll likely need during this boss fight, too.
Once Bandelam is down for the count, the chapter comes to a bittersweet (though mainly sweet) close. Great to have Zeto and his boys along for the ride, but where are we headed next? The Leaflands! Hikari’s chapter destinations really are a massive multi-continental back-and-forth, aren’t they?
