Octopath Traveler II is a retro-inspired JRPG through and through. Retro JPRGs and Random Encounters skip along arm in arm! Though there are ways to mess around with this classic mechanic. Use our Octopath Traveler II Encounter Rates Guide to learn all about it!
Random Battles
Random battles are about as classic as you can get when it comes to RPGs. When you’re wandering around certain areas you’ll eventually get thrown into a battle out of nowhere. There are battles you can choose though! Using Path Actions allows you to battle certain NPCs!
Raising Encounter Rate
There is one way to raise the Encounter Rate across the board. Hold down ‘B’ or ‘Circle’ as you move and you’ll dash. Your radar will turn red, indicating that monsters are more likely to attack you. Yep, running around makes you a monster magnet. Do this at night and you’ll be in trouble! The Hunter job also has an ability that makes encountering rare monsters like Cait Sith more common as well.
Raising the Encounter Rate is handy if you wanna grind out some levels or get some extra cash or JP.
Lowering Encounter Rate
So, if running around increases the Encounter rate, waking lowers it. Osvald the Scholar has a job ability that lowers the encounter rate. This skill is called Evasive Maneuvers. You can spend JP to buy it and then equip it. This skill roughly lowers the Encounter Rate by half. You can also get Scholar licenses to give other characters Scholar as a secondary job in order to get this ability. Keep in mind that this ability does not stack. I’m telling you about the licenses just in case you don’t want to use Osvald or have some other build ideas in mind for him.
I personally use this ability to sequence break. Skirt around high level areas to sneakily get some treasure and find some fast travel points.
Octopath Traveler II Encounter Rate Guide Related Links
Check out Final Weapon’s other Octopath Traveler II Guides! Grinding tips, location guides, and more!
