How to get fast XP early?

[Aloe]

So for leveling up other characters later can I just have 2 "higher level" characters and fight high enemies while two "low level" characters are in the party? Because I wanted to get all the character's stories done but I didn't want to grind forever to get everyone up. I don't mind it but yknow if theres a faster way then of course I'll do that.

I'm only 7 hours in so please let me know if it's just something I shouldn't worry about since I've barely scratched the surface.

[Melodia]

While level matters more than some might tell you, it's not as much of a factor as it in in some RPGs (like DQ or Ys). Having one or even two lower leveled character isn't that big a deal, especially if you compensate with HP up accessories/Hale and Hearty.
Gear as a whole is what's important, so just don't skimp on making sure eveyone if your active party is equipped with stuff to help (and remember that you can use the tavern to swap around from all eight members at once).
The easiest way to keep up, IMO, is just to rotate everyone around and fight things as you encounter them. If you keep exploring and don't just beeline everywhere, you if anything become over leveled.

In general there's no real need to actually grind in the game, except maybe at the very end for the superboss.

[Nibbie]

I would recommend picking one set of four characters, finishing their stories and whatever else you want to do with them, then playing the other four. By progressing to endgame areas with your original four, you will find very strong gear. Gear has no level requirements, so once you go back to your other characters, you can equip your level 10 characters with equipment you found in level 50 areas, letting them breeze through everything up to that point; they can power level themselves while you do their stories. There is even equipment that increases how much xp you get, so you have to grind even less once you have some of those.

[Aloe]

Oh wow thank you both for the input/advice! So basically just play the game and it'll just happen. Thanks so much!

[Judge Cudge]

I really disagree about not needing to grind. Obviously lower leveled characters can survive weenie fights and get up to snuff fairly quickly. But even and especially if you view the game as being incredibly gear dependent, you need to fight a lot of stuff you don't want to fight, especially early on.

[Melodia]

Originally posted by Judge Cudge:

you need to fight a lot of stuff you don't want to fight, especially early on.

If you're fighting while exploring, that's not grinding. That's....playing the game normally.

[Judge Cudge]

If you arrive at a boss that two hits your whole team with aoe, and then you 'explore' to get enough money and xp to win, then you are grinding.

What is this nonsense mindset that this isn't a grinding game?

[Melodia]

If that happens and you're going in order of the level recommendations, you're clearly doing something wrong.

[Aetemes]

Originally posted by Nibbie:

I would recommend picking one set of four characters, finishing their stories and whatever else you want to do with them, then playing the other four. By progressing to endgame areas with your original four, you will find very strong gear. Gear has no level requirements, so once you go back to your other characters, you can equip your level 10 characters with equipment you found in level 50 areas, letting them breeze through everything up to that point; they can power level themselves while you do their stories. There is even equipment that increases how much xp you get, so you have to grind even less once you have some of those.

This what I personally did I just stuck to 4 characters and explored heavily with them finished all the stories...even explored some of the "loose all over the place stuff"...then decided ok let me check out the other 4.

I did use one of them solo to just aoe packs of enemies while grapping exp boosting passives/trinkets and got the other 4 to around 35 as after that it kinda started to slow down, but at the same time they also now had a full arsenal of skills so they were fun to use to explore their stories...it kinda sucks though cause you stomp their story bosses you never get to see what they actually do...but shrug.

[Judge Cudge]

Originally posted by Melodia:

If that happens and you're going in order of the level recommendations, you're clearly doing something wrong.

I picked partitio, gathered a crew, messed around a bit, then went and did partitio's story.
If that is playing the game wrong despite all the enemies along the way being appropriately difficult, then the game is poorly designed.

[Melodia]

Originally posted by Judge Cudge:

I picked partitio, gathered a crew, messed around a bit, then went and did partitio's story.
If that is playing the game wrong despite all the enemies along the way being appropriately difficult, then the game is poorly designed.

And you didn't go do Angea, Tenemos, Hikari, Ochette, Cassti and Throne who all had lower danger levels first?

Not to mention explore side areas, get subjobs, do side stories, upgrade gear.....

[Judge Cudge]

Why would everyone's starting quest have discriminatorily different danger levels if the expectation is that you can start as any character and use them as your main?

You're just digging another hole here.

Also "explore side areas, get subjobs, do side stories, upgrade gear" is what messing around consisted in, but the second it isn't motivated by main quests, you are officially grinding. The thing you are for some reason deadset about saying this literal JRPG doesn't require.

[Melodia]

Originally posted by Judge Cudge:

Why would everyone's starting quest have discriminatorily different danger levels if the expectation is that you can start as any character and use them as your main?

Did you actually ever look at the map?

Originally posted by Judge Cudge:

Also "explore side areas, get subjobs, do side stories, upgrade gear" is what messing around consisted in, but the second it isn't motivated by main quests, you are officially grinding. The thing you are for some reason deadset about saying this literal JRPG doesn't require.

That isn't grinding. That's playing the game instead of not rushing it. It boggles me that you somehow think that "not going in a straight line = grinding".

[Judge Cudge]

Originally posted by Melodia:

Originally posted by Judge Cudge:

Why would everyone's starting quest have discriminatorily different danger levels if the expectation is that you can start as any character and use them as your main?

Did you actually ever look at the map?

Originally posted by Judge Cudge:

Also "explore side areas, get subjobs, do side stories, upgrade gear" is what messing around consisted in, but the second it isn't motivated by main quests, you are officially grinding. The thing you are for some reason deadset about saying this literal JRPG doesn't require.

That isn't grinding. That's playing the game instead of not rushing it. It boggles me that you somehow think that "not going in a straight line = grinding".

I didn't go in a straight line. As said multiple times.
And I needed to look at the map to find the other characters I collected, in addition to Partitio's first story quest.
It's impossible to make these mistakes you're making when arguing in good faith.