Exploration: Game Mechanics

Learn how to navigate towns, utilize Path Actions, and discover Side Stories and Secondary Job Shrines in Octopath Traveler. Master the game's exploration mechanics.

Towns in Octopath Traveler are separated into tiers corresponding to the chapters in the characters’ stories. Each town features basic services like an inn, an equipment shop, an item shop, and a tavern. The tavern is where you can change party members, their equipment, hear a tale to start character chapters, or restore your reputation.

Entering a town where a character’s chapter begins (from Chapter 2 onward) offers the option to start the chapter immediately. If declined, the chapter can be initiated via the 'Hear a Tale' option in the tavern. 'Restore Your Reputation' is linked to Path Actions, special abilities characters use on NPCs. Four Path Actions are 'rogue' and have a chance of failure. Failing five Path Actions in a town will tarnish your reputation, preventing the use of any Path Actions there until it's restored, which can incur a significant fee, sometimes over 100,000 Leaves.

Each character has a unique Path Action. These are split into noble and rogue types. Noble actions require a specific character level and always succeed. Rogue actions can be attempted anytime but carry a risk of failure, leading to reputation loss. All Side Stories require the use of a Path Action to complete, ranging from simple interactions to venturing into optional dungeons with bosses.

Side Stories appear as orange icons on the map after completing the first Chapter 1 story and re-entering a town. They are logged in the Journal and can be cryptic, often requiring specific Path Actions. Some may involve optional dungeons and boss fights.

Secondary Job Shrines grant secondary job classes, typically found in higher-level areas. Once a character is assigned a secondary job, no other character can use it. While normal skills do not transfer between jobs, support skills learned are retained.