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If you want a practical default, choose Scholar for elemental options; choose Warrior if you would rather begin as a straightforward weapon-focused attacker. There is no official universal winner: Square Enix recommends choosing by play style and by the jobs your companions bring. The initial choice shapes your opening role, but a current guide reports that you can pursue other jobs as you progress.
What does your starting class affect?
OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0 lets you choose one of eight jobs for its custom protagonist: Warrior, Merchant, Thief, Apothecary, Hunter, Cleric, Scholar, or Dancer. Square Enix says each job has its own weapons and skills, so the choice determines the combat options you begin with—not a single officially ranked character build. Square Enix’s Character & System Introduction #1 advises weighing your preferred play style against the jobs already represented among your companions.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0 (NSW) | $48.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Octopath Traveler 0 | $49.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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OCTOPATH TRAVELER - Nintendo Switch 2 | $59.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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OCTOPATH TRAVELER II | $36.69 | Buy on Amazon |
Which job should you choose?
Choose Scholar for elemental coverage
Scholar is a useful default if you want the protagonist to contribute elemental attacks and help cover enemy weaknesses. This is a practical recommendation based on the job’s role, not an official Square Enix ranking or a claim that Scholar is strongest in every party.
Choose Warrior for direct physical attacking
Warrior suits players who would rather open with a weapon-focused attacker than make elemental coverage their protagonist’s first priority. Square Enix confirms that jobs have distinct weapon and skill options, but does not rank Warrior’s performance.
#1 Best Overall
- Embark on an adventure of your own creation. The latest in the OCTOPATH TRAVELER series.
- New story content – Experience original, streamlined story content and quests with new paths to achieve.
- Character creation – Create a customized protagonist with unique appearance, voice, motions and more.
- Town building system – Rebuild the protagonist's town as the story progresses with evolving town reconstruction mechanics and development while inviting new people to live in the town.*
- HD-2D Visuals – The series’ iconic graphic style returns, bringing a striking blend of retro 2D characters in a beautiful 3D world.
Choose another job if its role appeals more
Merchant, Thief, Apothecary, Hunter, Cleric, and Dancer are all valid preference picks. If one of their weapons, skills, or support roles sounds more fun—or better complements your companions—there is no reason to avoid it simply because Scholar is a broad default recommendation.
How to decide based on your party
Before choosing, consider what you want the protagonist to do and what the rest of the party already covers:
Rank #2
- Battle System: The Break and Boost system returns! Enjoy thrilling and strategic command-based battles using an 8-character party. Form your very own party from over 30 different travellers.
- Town Building: Town building makes its debut in the OCTOPATH TRAVELER series! Rebuild your home town to your vision and invite your allies and those you meet on your travels to move in.
- Character Creation: Start from zero and create your own protagonist – for the first time ever in the OCTOPATH TRAVELER series. Customise everything from your appearance, voice, hairstyle, and hair colour to your favourite food and skills! The hero of the story is you!
- Digital Deluxe Edition: The OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0 Digital Deluxe Edition is also available! As well as the full game, you’ll receive the Deluxe Provisions set containing useful items for your adventure, as well as limited edition town decorations. For more details, please visit the store page of your preferred platform.
- Pick the combat style you want to use first. Elemental options point toward Scholar; a direct physical-attacker preference points toward Warrior.
- Look at your companions’ jobs. If their roles already cover what you want from the protagonist, choose a different style; if you see a gap, use the protagonist to fill it.
- Give enjoyment weight. If you are unsure how the party will develop, start with the job you are most eager to play rather than trying to optimize around an uncertain future lineup.
Can you change your starting job later?
According to OT0 Field Guide’s starting-job guide, updated in September 2026 for version 1.0.7.0, the choice comes after the prologue and the protagonist can unlock other jobs by learning skills in the current job. That guide reports that the initial pick is not a permanent lock. Treat the detailed progression as guide-reported rather than a claim established by Square Enix’s official job introduction.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does the class affect the story?
The official job information establishes differences in weapons and skills, but does not establish whether choosing a particular job changes story branches or access. There is not enough verified information here to say categorically that class has no story consequences.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Begin your adventure as one of eight new travelers, each with their own origins, motivations, and unique skills.
- The series’ HD-2D graphics, a fusion of retro pixel art and 3DCG, have reached even greater heights.
- The story takes place in Solistia, where diverse cultures thrive from east to west and the industries of the new era flourish. You can sail the seas and explore every corner of a world that changes from day to night.
- Each traveler has a unique set of Path Actions they can use to battle townspeople, obtain items, take others along in their travels, and more. Where will you go? What will you do? Every path is yours to take.
- Familiar mechanics from the original game have been preserved, like the freedom to develop your travelers’ jobs and skills, as well as the Break and Boost system that made battles so exhilarating. New mechanics have also been added.
Rank #3
- Play as eight different characters, each with their own stories to uncover and side quests to complete.
- Explore the enchanting yet perilous world of Orsterra, spanning 8 vast regions and discover each character’s full story as their journey unfolds.
- Use each character's distinctive abilities (Path Actions), skills and talents in frenetic battles.
- Enjoy the accessible yet deep turn-based combat battle system and break through enemy lines by identifying and targeting their weaknesses.
- Solve side quests and story scenarios in a few different ways and take decisions that shape your path.
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