If you're an experienced Digimon player or someone who likes monster-catching games and is waiting for Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Digimon Story: Time Stranger is a solid RPG to try out now.
Pokemon is straightforward to get into -- just catch, evolve, and power them up -- but Digimon can feel more tricky for newcomers. Things like branched evolution paths that aren't obvious and detailed personality training are some challenges, plus learning a whole new set of Digimon strengths and weaknesses.
If you take the time to understand the game's systems, you'll find an engaging story about a time travel mystery that leads to the end of the world. Here's what you need to know when starting out.
Put together a balanced team right away
There are several factors to think about when forming a team in Digimon Story: Time Stranger. Aim for a mix of data, virus, and vaccine-type Digimon, and include ones with varied weaknesses to handle different attacks. Avoid building a team that's all vulnerable to one type of enemy. For instance, if your group is full of virus-types, a vaccine-type boss could take them all out with one hit.
Some Digimon focus on physical fights, with strong attack and defense stats, while others handle magic damage better and resist spells. It's smart to have both kinds to exploit various enemy weak points.
Convert Digimon once you hit 200% data
Digimon are digital beings, so you don't capture them like in Pokemon. Beating one adds its data to your Digivice, and with enough collected, you can turn it into a usable monster for your team.
You need 100% data to convert successfully, but it's better to wait and gather more. Those converted at 200% are much stronger than standard ones and can dominate others of the same kind. If you really want a specific Digimon, delay converting until you've maxed out the data.
Watch Digimon personalities to improve growth
A Digimon's personality affects more than just dialogue and text. The 16 types influence growth by boosting two stats, like attack, defense, magic attack, magic defense, speed, or critical hit rate.
Match the personality to the stats you want for its role. Some digivolution paths require certain personalities, so align growth with the evolutions you're aiming for.
Equip your Digimon with complete moves and items
Digimon gain power mainly from leveling and digivolving. But stats alone aren't enough without good battle tools.
Each has four move slots and two for items. When adding one to your team, ensure it has a full set for combat. Moves and items add flexibility, helping with type disadvantages, covering weak spots, or getting stat boosts in long fights.
Visit the In-Between Theater often
The In-Between Theater offers unique stuff outside normal space and time. After opening the first rift to it, you'll spot them on the map. This spot lets you access the Digifarm, where up to 30 Digimon can gain passive experience.
The Digifarm levels up weaker forms for stronger digivolutions. But you have to check in to collect the gains, or it's wasted. Stopping by strengthens your reserves and gets bench Digimon ready.
Grind in the Shinjuku Underground between story quests
If story bosses are too strong and things feel overwhelming, don't rush to lower difficulty. Instead, take a break and fight wild Digimon in the Shinjuku Underground. Later areas with more enemies open up, but this is ideal early on.
There's always foes here to battle, so you can level your team before tough parts. Besides experience, defeating them gives money for healing items and new moves, helping you push through hard quests.
Take the initiative and strike enemies first
Digimon speed sets turn order, but battles don't start evenly. If one ambushes you, it gets a free hit, which can hurt with lost health or debuffs, making fights harder.
But if you attack first, enemies start with less health, giving you an edge. Sometimes, against weak ones, you can knock them out without battling, skipping some grinding.
Use items right from the start and keep using them
In many turn-based RPGs, items cost a turn, but not here. You can use an item before attacking on each Digimon's turn. So, always heal, remove status effects, or buff before hitting the enemy.
Get Agent Skills unlocked quickly
After your first In-Between Theater visit, you can use anomaly points from missions on Agent Skills. These perks speed up leveling, teach Cross Arts moves, and boost stats.
Spend points on the skill tree soon to raise your Agent Rank. Top digivolutions need high ranks, so aim for at least Agent Rank 3 early to access Champion-level Digimon.
Make sure Cross Arts are charged for boss fights
Fighting wild Digimon builds up Cross Arts, special ultimate moves. Actions fill a meter, and you can use it once ready. The basic one buffs your team for three turns, but others deal big damage, heal, or shift battles.
In long boss fights, you can charge and use them multiple times, but starting with one gives a big advantage. If an area looks like a boss zone, go back to fight extras and fill the meter before going in.