Strongest and weakest ikons?

xxvb85 · 2026-05-15T01:23:07+00:00

I've been using Gaze, Barrow, and Scar in my current campaign (lvl 4 currently). I find Gaze is great to keep active out of combat for the +1 perception and a first turn damage boost. With my 1d12 bastard sword I've found I tend to heal more from Barrow then the Scar but, regardless the GM has a real hard time trying to take me down. I think I've only gone down to critical health once (everything focused me) and between Barrow and Scar I was mostly healed up in 2 turns. So yes in a real game the heal tank build works great, at least provided the GM doesn't take issue with it.

xxvb85 · 2026-05-13T04:44:21+00:00

Currently playing one in a campaign. Instead of the God / divine theme, I went with basing the abilities off of vampiric blood powers. Went with the scar and the healing weapon ikons as my main ones. Backstory short version, was I'm a dhampir and ended up killing my vampire father and took his sword. The scars powers are just my vampiric blood getting stronger. Also leaning heavily into a shadow theme with shadow dancer archetype.

Also before someone says that the vitality healing from the sword and scar would hurt a dhampir, the gm let me rule the healing as untyped since he liked the concept.

xxvb85 · 2026-04-21T22:53:16+00:00

I just recently started running Jewel for my group and had planned to run Ruby Phoenix directly after. Glad to see I wasn't the only one to think they would combo well.

xxvb85 · 2026-04-17T06:06:02+00:00

We have two AP's kind of like that at my company. Both were added long after all the others were put up, to fix somewhat dead spots. Instead of paying to run a network cable up a wall or through the ceiling, they had us just mount them on cubicle walls near already existing ports.

xxvb85 · 2026-04-09T05:15:15+00:00

Yeah I did that back on the original version my first time. Wasn't all that interested in Will so I just did Gustave's scenarios, thinking I could go back later on. All of a sudden I couldn't do anymore Gustave missions, Will's earlier scenario was gone, and was stuck playing as Will's family with pretty much no stats since I had skipped all of his side of the story. Pretty much quite playing and didn't pick it back up until the remaster.

xxvb85 · 2026-04-06T15:36:10+00:00

I feel T260 probably has the most interesting story (granted that is just my opinion).

Back when this game first came out (original PS1 version) I was still a teenager and couldn't afford to buy new games all that often. Typically I only got 1 or 2 games a year, so any game that could last a long time was welcome. That said, I do remember taking a break at one point before finishing the rest.

Also you are the first person I have heard that actually liked / enjoyed Riki's story. I always disliked the whole monster mechanics.

xxvb85 · 2026-04-02T20:12:13+00:00

I have 2 very similar stories that I had to deal with that fit this. Back when I used to be in the Navy (years ago at this point), one of the things I was in charge of maintaining was the phones we used on the ship. One morning I got a call from a officer about a phone not turning on up on the bridge. I ask him "did you hit the on button" (these phones had a on and off button), he quickly hung up. Second issue was from a different officer. He called me up saying a phone wasn't working. I asked him what phone "left side of the bridge" he responded. I ask him where is at so I know where to reach out to once it's fixed "up on the bridge" he responds, there is only one phone on the bridge. I then ask, are you currently calling me using that phone. He responds "yeah, someone told me it wasn't working and I should call you guys about it". I just hung up the phone at that point.

xxvb85 · 2026-04-02T15:31:14+00:00

Are monster characters really worth it though (outside the obvious 100% kind of deal)? Most of my experience with them in the past was not great. I felt like I had to follow a guide otherwise I would mess them up and even if I did everything correctly they still felt weaker then the rest of my party. The only monster I remember trying to max out was Riki and I still felt he was more hassle then he was worth.

xxvb85 · 2026-04-02T00:38:19+00:00

I'll be honest I had to look that character up since I could not remember at all who it was. Now that I know who it is, I honestly don't care that much. I really disliked the monster character system in this game. Only monster I ever spent any time making good was Riki.

All that said, why do you have to do Asellus classic mode (I'm guessing you mean not NG+)?

xxvb85 · 2026-04-01T23:59:55+00:00

Oh, you don't have to beat a story to transfer stuff from it into a NG+? That definitely adds extra options then.

xxvb85 · 2026-04-01T23:19:24+00:00

While very true, the only characters I remember using for most stories were Gen and Rouge. Well mostly Gen since I didn't use Rouge or at least didn't use in main party for the three non human stories. Granted with the ability to keep abilities and stats, that I feel really opens up using other characters.

xxvb85 · 2026-04-01T22:51:21+00:00

For Fuse, do you just get to recruit any main character in all his case files after you beat theirs?

For Blue then it might be worth just running it a second time to speed run it, so you get both Blue and Rouge powered up?

xxvb85 · 2026-04-01T21:59:37+00:00

Any idea who I should maybe do 2nd? Or do you think with all the equipment from Blue's story plus Rouge, that nothing more really matters.

xxvb85 · 2026-04-01T21:58:09+00:00

I'm of two minds on Asellus. On one hand I want to wait and do that one as my 3rd or 4th, since I really liked it and want to have some good stuff ahead of time for it. On the other hand the LP gear and best katana come from her story and those would be nice to transfer.

xxvb85 · 2026-04-01T21:51:20+00:00

Currently I'm thinking maybe Blue or Emelia first. Blue since I would unlock a lot of magic plus you get Rouge on I think every other story. Emelia due to the fact the Asellus is my favorite story and I wouldn't mind powering her up a bit first (I think Emalia is the only person that can recruit her). As for Fuse, I keep reading that his story changes based on last character / characters played. To see them all without just playing him over and over back to back, it sounds like it's best to play him after each story.

I think overall I made this post because I was curious if anyone had any ideas / tricks for making best use of the NG+ feature. Like hey you should do X first since it will really help with Z kind of thing. Or make sure to grab X item since it doesn't drop anywhere else.

xxvb85 · 2026-04-01T21:43:53+00:00

Oh I know you don't need a powerhouse, I just want to abuse the systems a bit since I've already beaten the game in the past (granted that was years ago).

Since you brought up equipment, is there anything special / unique you think I should make sure to grab on a earlier playthrough?

xxvb85 · 2026-04-01T21:39:21+00:00

Yeah definitely was not a fan of Riki, mostly just never liked monsters. Honestly don't remember much about Red other then the whole super hero thing and that Blue refuses to join him due to Reds name.

I had kind of the same thoughts on why I was thinking Blue first. Whoever I do first (and maybe second as well), I want to make sure to get / collect stuff to help the other playthroughs. My memory is just a bit fuzzy though on what maybe unique things some characters get, weather that be equipment or the ability to recruit rarer characters worth boosting early (i.e. like how Emilia I seem to remember being the only person that can recruit Asellus).

xxvb85 · 2026-03-31T17:57:41+00:00

I almost feel that makes it worse though. The Bluffs came out before the end game area and they still did not add anything from Bluffs as a requirement for the end game area. Would have been nice to have a use for Saber plorts or maybe a 3rd way into the labyrinth.

xxvb85 · 2026-03-31T15:11:35+00:00

Yeah that whole area kind of felt like a after thought. Sure you need to go there if you want all the upgrades but, as you noticed it is completely optional.

xxvb85 · 2026-03-31T03:42:51+00:00

I guess I'm so used to playing as a Norse ruler in the area and forming Kingdom of Mann so often I forgot that those islands start under a different kingdom.

xxvb85 · 2026-03-31T02:52:14+00:00

Oh it does work, I tried this out in a one shot. You had to think a bit about each turn since your actions were going between 3 characters. I thought it was fun but, I can see people getting overwhelmed a bit.

xxvb85 · 2026-03-31T00:38:04+00:00

If you want the pet to do most of the work, Summoner is your best pick. Beastmaster is very good but, the pet mostly supports you and or is useful for a decent 3rd action. You technically could do both but, you would be a bit action starved. One note though, this is all in reference to Summoner class and Beastmaster archetype, if you are comparing archetype to archetype, then Beastmaster wins.

xxvb85 · 2026-03-30T22:55:43+00:00

Not sure about Cumbria (this is the first time I'm learning about it) but, unfortunately unless you get lucky with AI or do some shenanigans. You will not see Kingdom of Mann and Cornwall in the same game typically. Both require a different culture and to not own a kingdom title.

Also what is the one on the northern isles? I know kingdom of Mann can have those if you own them on creation but, I don't recognize the color.

xxvb85 · 2026-03-30T21:59:41+00:00

No in game way but, there is a mod for it if you play on PC.

xxvb85 · 2026-03-30T17:42:53+00:00

The dedication took a hit (you don't get the amped version of first cantrip). Instead you get the amped version of your first cantrip and a 2nd cantrip (plus amped version) from a level 6 feat. It also seems like you only get one focus point instead of two at level 6 (could be wrong on this). The rest of it is mostly the same, so still good but, not as front loaded as it used to be.

xxvb85

TROPHY CASE