Digimon Story: Time Stranger – 5 Essential Beginner Tips
▼ Summary
– Side quests become inaccessible for dozens of hours, which can delay increasing your Agent rank and Digivolution levels.
– Using items in battle does not cost a turn, allowing you to heal or buff while still attacking.
– Upgrading your Agent rank with Anomaly Points grants skills that reduce the need for grinding by boosting stats and experience.
– Cross Arts abilities recharge quickly, so use them often rather than saving them for boss fights.
– Always have a rideable Digimon on your team for faster travel, but be aware they may lose this ability upon evolution.
Venturing into the Digital World with Digimon Story: Time Stranger offers a fun RPG experience, but knowing a few key strategies from the start can make your journey much smoother. While the game provides clear waypoints and straightforward combat, several mechanics benefit greatly from a bit of foresight.
A major point of frustration for many players is the temporary loss of side quest access. At a certain story juncture, the game will notify you that numerous side missions will become unavailable. This isn’t a brief interruption; you could be locked out for dozens of hours. This becomes a critical issue because completing these quests earns you Anomaly Points, which are essential for increasing your Agent rank. Since Digivolution levels are tied directly to this rank, being unable to progress side content can leave your party significantly underpowered for a large portion of the main story. When you receive that warning, it’s wise to wrap up as many side objectives as possible.
A fantastic quality-of-life feature is the ability to use items without sacrificing your attack for the turn. Unlike many turn-based games that force you to choose between healing and dealing damage, Time Stranger lets you do both. This is a tremendous advantage during the game’s lengthy boss battles, allowing you to maintain your party’s health and status while continuing to pressure your opponent. You can freely use healing items or stat-boosters without worrying about losing your chance to strike.
Strategically upgrading your Agent rank is a powerful way to minimize grinding. The skill tree you unlock with Anomaly Points offers perks that apply universally or to specific Digimon personalities. For instance, one branch might boost stats for “Friendly” types, while another enhances “Brave” Digimon. By focusing your skill points on the personality types that align with your core team, you can gain substantial stat increases and unlock new, powerful Cross Arts abilities. This targeted approach is far more efficient than engaging in endless random battles to level up.
You should use your Cross Art abilities liberally rather than saving them. These powerful skills can turn the tide of battle with healing, buffs, or devastating attacks, but their gauge charges surprisingly quickly. Almost every action in combat, from attacking to using an item, contributes points toward your next Cross Art. In extended fights, you can often use this ability multiple times. There’s little reason to hoard it; frequent use will keep your momentum going and help you dispatch regular enemies faster.
Always try to keep at least one rideable Digimon in your active party. These creatures serve a dual purpose as both combatants and mounts, dramatically increasing your travel speed across the map. However, you must be mindful of their evolution paths. A Digimon that was rideable at one stage, like Growlmon, may lose that ability after digivolving into a form like WarGrowlmon. It’s important to have a backup plan, ensuring you always have a partner who can carry you to your next destination without delay.
(Source: Kotaku)
