Ever feel like you’re juggling too many characters in an RPG? Well, Metaphor: ReFantazio says, “Hold my potion,” and throws 8 playable heroes at you. Talk about a full house!
But don’t sweat it – I’m here to break down this motley crew that’s about to rock your fantasy world.
You might be thinking, Just give me the names already!
But slow your roll, friend. We can’t just toss out introductions like confetti at a goblin’s birthday party.
This isn’t your average adventuring group – we’re talking about a squad so diverse, they could start their own fantasy football league (and I don’t mean the kind with elves).
Metaphor: ReFantazio serves up a smorgasbord of 8 playable characters, each bringing their own secret sauce to this magical feast. You’ve got your protagonist (that’s you!), six companions who join throughout your journey, and one enigmatic figure who drops in for a cameo. Together, they form a party that’s part misfit circus, part world-saving dream team.
In Metaphor: ReFantazio, you’re not just battling enemies—you’re assembling the ultimate team. With eight playable characters, each bringing something special to the table, picking the right party can make or break your adventure. So, how do you choose the perfect team lineup?
What Makes Each Character Stand Out?
In Metaphor: ReFantazio, every character comes equipped with a unique starting Archetype, which shapes their role in combat. Think of Archetypes as the game’s version of Personas from Persona—they grant your characters specialized abilities, like healing, elemental attacks, or physical damage. Archetypes can evolve and unlock even more powerful abilities, so choosing the right one for each character is key.
Here’s a breakdown of the eight playable characters and what they bring to the battlefield:
| Character Name | Starting Archetype | Powers | Specialty | How to Unlock | Best Suited For |
| Protagonist | Seeker | Wind attacks, healing abilities | Balanced fighter with healing capabilities | Available from the start | Wind-based attacks, healing support |
| Junah | Masked Dancer | Fire and Wind spells, multi-class Mage/Healer | Magic damage and healing | Reach Bond Level 1 with Junah | Elemental magic and healing |
| Strohl | Warrior | Single-target Slash, Strike, and Pierce attacks | Physical attacks, brute strength | Reach Bond Level 1 with Strohl | Physical damage dealer |
| Hulkenberg | Knight | Endurance, defensive magic | Tanking and taking hits | Reach Bond Level 1 with Hulkenberg | Tanking, endurance, defensive magic |
| Heismay | Thief | Speed, stealing, buffs and debuffs, AOE attacks | Speed, first to act, stealing valuable items | Reach Bond Level 1 with Heismay | Stealing, fast AOE attacks, applying buffs/debuffs |
| Eupha | Summoner | Summoning monsters for additional support | Summoning creatures to assist in battle | Reach Bond Level 1 with Eupha | Summoning monsters, battlefield control |
| Gallica | Mage | Fire, Ice, and Electric spells | Elemental magic attacks | Reach Bond Level 1 with Gallica | Elemental damage (Fire, Ice, Electric) |
| Basilio | Berserker | Increased attack power, aggressive abilities | Pure physical strength with attack buffs | Reach Bond Level 1 with Basilio | High physical damage, offensive strategies |
Protagonist: Your main character starts with the Seeker Archetype, which specializes in Wind attacks and healing. This balanced role makes the Protagonist flexible, great for supporting the team while also dealing damage.
Junah: The go-to for magic lovers. Junah begins with the Masked Dancer Archetype, which focuses on Fire and Wind spells. She’s great at hitting elemental weaknesses and can multi-class into Mage or Healer roles. If you’re looking for a strong magic user, Junah’s a must-have.
Strohl: Strohl is your classic physical powerhouse. With the Warrior Archetype, he specializes in single-target Slash, Strike, and Pierce attacks. Strohl is perfect for dealing heavy physical damage and can also branch into Brawler or Gunner roles for some added versatility.
Hulkenberg: Need a tank? Hulkenberg’s Knight Archetype is designed for endurance and defense. She’s excellent at soaking up damage, and she can also dip into magic lines like Mage and Wizard to hit back with elemental attacks, making her a solid all-around defender.
Heismay: Speed demon. With the Thief Archetype, Heismay is lightning-fast and always acts first. He’s ideal for stealing items, applying buffs/debuffs, or launching quick AOE attacks. His speed makes him invaluable in getting a head start in battles.
Eupha: As the Summoner, Eupha brings creatures into battle to aid your party. She’s all about summoning monsters, giving you an edge in tougher, longer fights. If you want extra hands on deck, Eupha is your best bet for controlling the battlefield.
Gallica: Like Junah, Gallica is also a magic specialist but focuses on Fire, Ice, and Electric spells. Her Mage Archetype makes her one of the best at elemental attacks, especially against enemies weak to these elements. If you need more firepower, Gallica’s your girl.
Basilio: The Berserker of the group, Basilio thrives on raw attack power. He’s all about increasing his physical damage and smashing through enemies with aggressive attacks. If you want to crush your opponents fast, Basilio is the guy you want leading the charge.
Building the Best Team
Picking the right combination of characters depends on the strategy you prefer. Are you focused on heavy magic damage?
Lean on Junah, Gallica, and Eupha. If you need a solid physical lineup, Strohl and Basilio can dominate with their powerful attacks, while Hulkenberg protects the squad. Heismay’s speed and ability to apply buffs and debuffs early on make him a great support for either magic or physical-based teams.
The fun part is experimenting with the different Archetypes each character can equip. Although they start with specific Archetypes, you’re free to swap them around to see what works best for your playstyle. Each character has the potential to fill multiple roles, depending on the needs of your team.
If you want my totally biased, not-at-all professional opinion, here’s a solid lineup to consider: Your Protagonist, Strohl, Hulkenberg, and either Heismay or Junah. But wait! Let’s not forget our new buddy Basilio.
You might want to swap him in when you need extra firepower. Why this mix?
Let me break it down:
- You: Because you’re the hero, duh! That Seeker Archetype isn’t just for show.
- Strohl: Your physical damage dealer. He’ll be chopping baddies while you’re still deciding which spell looks prettiest.
- Hulkenberg: Your tank. She’ll eat damage for breakfast and ask for seconds.
- Heismay/Junah: Your wild card. Heismay for speed and sneakiness, or Junah for magical variety.
- Basilio: Your ace in the hole. When things get too spicy, fight fire with… well, more fire!
But here’s the kicker – thanks to the Archetype system, you can mix and match roles like you’re playing dress-up with your party. Want Hulkenberg to be a spell-slinging wizard? Go for it! Feel like turning Strohl into a healing machine? Why not! The world’s your oyster, and these characters are your… um, pearls? (Look, I never said I was good at metaphors.)
Who’s on your dream team? Would you prioritize magic users like Junah and Gallica, or go for brute force with Strohl and Basilio?
Averagebeing’s Take: This game’s roster of playable characters is a mix of everything. Magic is strong, but don’t sleep on physical attackers like Strohl and Basilio—they can hit hard when the time is right. It’s all about finding the balance that works best for your battles.
