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TheEtrian Odysseyseries differs from most RPGs in the sense that your party consists of individuals with no character. You aren’t given a starter party of individuals interwoven into the game’s plot. Instead, you command a group of explorers that you recruit.
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Being forced to choose your party right at the start is intimidating due to the number of options available. It’s exhausting to spend hours experimenting with each class and looking over each of their skill trees. That’s why we’ve compiled the best classes to include in your party for each game part of the Etrian Odyssey Origin Collection.
Best Party Builds In Etrian Odyssey 1
At the start of Etrian Odyssey, you will haveseven different classesto choose from. These classes include:
The Ronin and Hexer classes are lockeduntil much later in the game.
The strongest class in Etrian Odyssey 1 isthe Medic. What makes the Medic so strong is theirImmunize and Caduceusskills. Immunize will boost all allies' resistance to elemental attacks; the elemental defense and speed gained from Immunize will increase each time you level up this skill. Caduceus is a heavy attack that has the chance to stun enemies; the damage and stun rate increase each time this skill levels up.
Leveling up these skills alongside the attack stat will create yourmost powerful party member.
Since your Medic will be busy dealing damage,you should make sure to have a Protectoron your team as well. Protectors have a variety of skills that boost your team’s physical and elemental defense. They alsohave access to theCure and Cure 2 skills, which heal more as these skills level up. The protector’s high defense stat makes them a reliable healer that can withstand attacks from all kinds of enemies.
For the last three party slots, you can use any party members you like best.The Landsknecht, Alchemist, and Dark Hunterare all solid options.The Landsknechtfunctions as your main damage dealer as they learn many physical attacking skills.The Alchemistthen functions as an elemental attacker, being able to take advantage of an enemy’s elemental weaknesses. Lastly,Dark Hunterslearn skills that inflict damage and also have a chance of inflicting status ailments.
The only classes worth completely avoiding are theRonin and the Hexerclasses once they’re unlocked. Hexers havepoor damage output and low defensebut try to make up for it with skills that inflict a variety of status effects. However,since bosses in Etrian Odyssey 1 are immune to status effects, Hexers are useless in boss fights.
Ronins are more effective in boss fights due to theirhigh damage and speed, but their low defensemakes them a liability. Their stance skills are incredibly powerful, but take two turns to fully execute an attack. The hassle of trying to keep a Ronin alive long enough to dish out an attack isn’t worth the hassle in random encounters.
Best Party Builds In Etrian Odyssey 2
When you play Etrian Odyssey 2 for the first time, you will haveeleven different classesto choose from. These classes include:
The Beast classis unlocked later in the game.
The best class in Etrian Odyssey 2 is theHexer. Previously one of the worst classes, the Hexer is one of the strongest ones here due to theirRevenge skill. This skill casts an attack that is strengthened by the less health the Hexer has. Hexers also have theTorpor and Poisonskills, which inflict sleep and poison respectively. These de-buffs are much better in this game sincethe bosses in this game aren’t completely immune to every ailment.
Lastly, the Hexer’sDampenskill is amazing as it lowers any enemy’s resistance to elemental attacks.
The reduced resistances to ailments also make theDark Huntera great pick for your party. The Dark Hunter’s Force Skill,Dominate, will always succeedin completely binding an enemy. Following this up with the Ecstasy skill, you can deal mass amounts of damage to enemies. TheClimax skill is great for taking out FOEsas most FOEs don’t have any resistances for instant death attacks.
For the rest of your party, you should add either theAlchemist or Gunnersince their elemental attacks will synergize with the Hexer’s Dampen skill. From there you’ll need a healer, so pick either theMedic or the War Magus. The Medic isn’t nearly as powerful as they were in the original Etrian Odyssey, so the War Magus is the better option if you’re looking for a combat healer class. Then the last slot can be taken by aProtector, their defensive skills are a huge help for some of the weaker party members that may join you.
Best Party Builds In Etrian Odyssey 3
At the beginning of Etrian Odyssey 3, you will haveten completely new classesto choose from. These classes include:
The Shogun and Yggdroidare unlocked later in the game.
The most powerful class in Etrian Odyssey 3 is the Gladiator class. The Gladiator’s strength lies in his buff and de-buff abilities. TheirBerserker Vow skill allows them to raise their attackfor three turns at the cost of some health. This buff alone is pretty strong, but reaches even higher potential when combined with theWolf Howlskill which lowers enemy defense for four turns. The Gladiator will function as your party’s main physical attacker to end encounters in seconds.
Since the Berserker Vow lowers the Gladiator’s health,having a Hoplite is a necessity. The Hoplite is similar to the Protector class from previous games, since both host multiple defensive skills that boost physical and elemental resistances.Enemies in Etrian Odyssey 3 use elemental attacks more frequently, making the Hoplite’s Fire Wall, Ice Wall, and Volt Wall skills vital. Hoplites can also use theirProvokeskill to draw enemy attacks away from your weaker party members.
The Sovereign is great for further increasing your party’s capabilities through buffs. TheirGuard Order and Attack Orderskills will boost defense and attack for three turns. Sovereigns can also function as secondary healers with theirReinforceskill, which heals an ally whenever you cast an enhancement spell on them. The Sovereign works mainly tobuff your partyand synergizes well with a Gladiator using Berserker Vow.
For the last two slots, you may use whatever you like best.The Monkis great if you’re looking for a class morededicated to the healing role. Monks are also capable of defending themselves with their Kikouken and Breakfire Fist skills.The Zodiac is anelemental attackerthat functions similarly to the Alchemist, utilizing elemental attacks to wear down enemies.
The Ninja and Wildlingare fun classes to experiment with as they’re able totake advantage of the sixth slotof your party. The Wildling is capable of summoning various creatures into battle to assist your party while the Ninja can make clones.
The only class not suited for combat is the Farmer. These classes are great for their Double Crop ability, which increases the number of times you can gather resources. It helps to assemble a team of farmers whenever you want to gather materials.
