InOctopath Traveler, subclassing opens up an entirely new dimension of character customization, allowing players to assign secondary jobs to their travelers. This system dramatically enhances party synergy, enabling deeper strategies and more flexible battle tactics. Finding the subclass shrines scattered across the map is essential to unlock these additional job options. Each shrine is hidden in a specific area of the world and corresponds to a base class. Once unlocked, you can assign the subclass to any traveler, providing access to a second set of skills and weapon proficiencies.
Understanding Subclasses and Shrines
How Subclasses Work
Each traveler inOctopath Travelerbegins with a unique primary job. However, by locating job shrines, you can assign a secondary subclass to your characters. This does not replace their original class but rather complements it by providing access to another set of abilities, passive skills, and weapon types. The secondary job doesn’t grant its Path Action, but it is invaluable for team composition and role coverage.
Benefits of Unlocking Subclasses
- Access to new skills from the secondary job
- Expanded weapon usage in battle
- Enhanced flexibility in party setup
- Strategic options for both offense and support roles
All Subclass Shrine Locations
There are eight primary job shrines inOctopath Traveler, each corresponding to a main class: Warrior, Scholar, Cleric, Merchant, Apothecary, Thief, Hunter, and Dancer. These shrines are located in optional areas on the world map and typically do not involve battles to access just exploration and navigation.
Shrine of the Thunderblade Warrior Subclass
- Location: North of Riverford, in the North Riverford Traverse
The Shrine of the Thunderblade allows any traveler to take on the Warrior subclass. This class grants sword and polearm weapon proficiencies along with powerful physical attacks and support skills like Stout Wall. It is ideal for boosting offense or bolstering physical defense.
Shrine of the Flamebearer Cleric Subclass
- Location: South of Flamesgrace, in the Western Flamesgrace Wilds
This shrine provides access to the Cleric subclass. With staff weapon use and a suite of healing and light-based spells, Cleric is a valuable subclass for travelers who need to support their team with restorative magic or holy attacks.
Shrine of the Healer Apothecary Subclass
- Location: West of Saintsbridge, in the East Saintsbridge Traverse
Apothecary subclass unlocks healing through item concoctions and axe weapon proficiency. It’s a great choice for characters who lack recovery options or want to add versatility with status-curing concoctions and health restoration skills.
Shrine of the Prince of Thieves Thief Subclass
- Location: North of Noblecourt, in the South Quarrycrest Pass
The Thief subclass is ideal for speed-based characters who can exploit daggers and steal SP from foes. It also brings utility through debuffs and SP regeneration abilities, making it a good pairing with offense-heavy classes.
Shrine of the Lady of Grace Dancer Subclass
- Location: South of Wellspring, in the Northern Wellspring Sands
Unlocking the Dancer subclass gives access to support buff skills and dagger weapon usage. Dancer is a strong secondary choice for boosting allies’ stats while also contributing light elemental damage and evasion boosts.
Shrine of the Huntress Hunter Subclass
- Location: East of Victors Hollow, in the East Victors Hollow Trail
This shrine unlocks the Hunter subclass, bringing bow and axe proficiencies. Its abilities allow for targeted attacks and damage against specific enemy types, along with the ability to summon captured beasts in battle for added support.
Shrine of the Sage Scholar Subclass
- Location: East of Atlasdam, in the Western Noblecourt Flats
The Scholar subclass offers high magic potential with access to fire, ice, and lightning spells. It also grants staff proficiency and SP-regenerating passives, making it excellent for boosting the magic output of your team.
Shrine of the Trader Merchant Subclass
- Location: South of Rippletide, in the Moonstruck Coast
Unlocking the Merchant subclass provides access to polearms and wind magic, along with the ability to donate BP and purchase items in battle. This subclass suits support-focused characters and those who want to manipulate battle economy and turn order.
How to Make the Most of Subclasses
Pairing Classes for Maximum Effectiveness
Once you’ve unlocked subclasses, the next step is choosing the best pairings for your travelers. Think about what your primary job lacks and choose a subclass that covers that weakness or enhances a strength. For example, pairing a Thief with the Dancer subclass gives you both debuffs and buffs, offering high speed and utility. A Scholar with a Cleric subclass becomes a powerful double mage and team healer.
Using Subclasses to Cover Weapon Gaps
Weapon versatility is crucial inOctopath Traveler. Enemies often have multiple weapon weaknesses, and having a wide arsenal among your party increases your ability to break enemy shields quickly. Choosing subclasses with different weapon proficiencies allows characters to cover more ground. For instance, giving a Merchant subclass to a sword-using Warrior adds polearm proficiency and wind magic to their toolkit.
Unlocking Passive Skills
Each subclass also provides passive support skills that are unlocked as you gain job points and learn abilities from that class. These passive skills can be mixed and matched regardless of whether the class is currently equipped, offering even more customization. Some of the best passives include Scholar’s SP Saver, Warrior’s Surpassing Power (damage cap increase), and Merchant’s BP Eater (increased damage when using Boost Points).
Tips for Efficient Subclass Exploration
- Check your mini-map for cave and shrine icons to locate unexplored areas.
- Most shrines are in optional zones with no enemies or bosses just navigate carefully.
- Consider unlocking subclasses early to start leveling them up and accessing powerful support skills.
- Use characters with high speed or evasion to explore harder zones if you’re attempting to reach a shrine early.
Closing Thoughts on Subclass Locations
The subclass system inOctopath Traveleradds enormous depth and flexibility to your party setup. By unlocking all eight shrine locations and experimenting with different combinations, you’ll discover powerful synergies and uncover new ways to tackle even the game’s toughest bosses. With careful planning and creative use of job mixing, you can optimize your team to handle any challenge in Orsterra. Make it a priority to visit every shrine and open up the full potential of your characters.