The PC version of Phantasy Star Online 2 is here and PC gamers can finally play with their Xbox friends. This might feel daunting for new players, especially seeing Xbox players at max levels, in multiple classes or getting teamed up with veterans from the Japanese version.
Don’t be discouraged. With these tips, new Phantasy Star Online 2 players can play the game well and have a great time doing it.
Do What Cofy Says!
When players build their first character, they'll receive a number of client orders and prioritize according to their wants. Just make sure to add Cofy’s to that list.
Cofy is further down the quest counter and provides players with client orders that unlock key aspects of the game. She’ll provide a MAG license, unlock higher difficulties and allow players to use subclasses at level 30, among other things. If players are confused as to why they can’t do something everyone else can, talk to Cofy. Afin also has a lot of useful quests at the beginning of the game that will help players understand some of the mechanics.
Don’t Underestimate the MAG
New players may think MAG is just an accessory equip -- it's not. Players only get one unless you pay real money for another and it’s actually really important for stats.
MAG has to be equipped through the menu and it will start at level one. Players have to feed it items to level up, but certain items will add certain stats. For example, feeding the MAG a Bow weapon will raise its Ranged-Support, while its Ranged-DEF will go down. This is fine for a ranged class like Gunner or Ranger, but a Hunter or Fighter doesn’t really need this.
There are also special items that can purchased from Player Shops, or NPCs that will give the MAG specific stats without hurting others. If its stats are all over the place, players will be unable to equip weapons or units their character may really need, because they don’t meet the requirements. There is a purchasable item to reverse this, but it's expensive and can’t be used until later. If players don’t like the way their MAG looks, they can always change it by using a skin, purchasing one with AC or from the Player Shops at an Ark Visiphone.
Daily Boosts and the Mission Pass
Daily Client Orders are acquired at the quest counter opposite Cofy's. The top three quests, with icons beside them, will give players a stacking Daily Boost to Rare Drop Rate, EXP and Meseta of up to 50 percent. Completing these will help players get that rare weapon or get them through those last few levels to max.
The Mission Pass rewards players with items as you complete Daily, Weekly and Tier Missions. Some are often tied to the Daily Client Orders as well, so both can be completed simultaneously. These special missions are found through the menu and some are pretty simple to complete. The Mission Pass provides extra items as players unlock each tier, including cosmetics. Players who have purchased Premium or a Gold Ticket will also have access to the Gold Rewards from the Mission Pass. These will provide even more items and many more cosmetic rewards that can’t be bought in Player Shops.
Collect Titles
Once players are rolling and rocking missions, they'll begun to unlock titles, which can be redeemed at the Title Counter. Each title gives players an item -- often, these are important, like Star Gems or Ex-Cubes. Make sure to visit the Title Counter often as a first-time player.
After reaching max level, players will earn a class title. Make sure to equip one that's suited to individual play style, since it provides an account-wide buff to certain stats for all characters. Each class has one and players can earn them all by raising each to max level.
Synergize Your Subclass
At Phantasy Star Online 2 level 30, Cofy can unlock sub-classes for players after they complete a quest. Players may choose any of the other classes available, but it's necessary to consider which character they want and what will work best. Not all Skill Trees work with everything.
Force is a perfect example. Force’s Skill Tree doesn’t work at all as a sub-class, because it doesn’t provide benefits to anything outside of the skills a Force learns, so making that Warrior-Mage won’t work out very well.
This doesn’t mean players should only consider what will benefit your main class. Sure, a Hunter/Fighter makes the most sense and will get a nice damage output, but a Hunter/Teckter is also viable and will allow players to provide some small buffs to a party. Check what each Skill Tree has to offer and think about how it will work with individual play style and main class.
Understanding Item Grinding
Grinding is how players upgrade weapons and units, but it won't matter right away. It’s done with an NPC in the shop area and requires Meseta and other items. Players will have to use other weapons and units, plus an item called a Grinder or Lambda Grinder, to “feed” the weapon or unit they want to make stronger. It’s not a significant increase, either; its main purpose is to upgrade abilities on those items called Potentials -- which don't appear until late in the game.
Players can also grind other abilities or add new abilities to units and weapons through the same process. If they have a sword with a Tech attack boost ability, for example, they can "feed" the sword a Power II melee attack boost ability from another weapon. The shift may fail, but if it succeeds, the sword will have Power I or Power II and the Tech attack. Skills can get replaced, which can require a lot of Meseta and Grinders -- which is why it's better for players to save them.