Confused about stat-increasing support characters, and shield stats

[XZero]

https://steamcommunity.com/app/256460/discussions/0/133262487499371349/?ctp=2#c133262848295172251

I think October was +5 Sparke? Thats +10% at level 30 for high Sparke characters and +20-30% for lower Sparke characters. Not a bad increase, particularly if you want to use alot of elemental skills. It gets smaller as you level though.

This implies that using October affects level up stats... I thought it was a flat "Sparke stat +5 for everyone."
That's exactly what "Sparke +5" looks like... just "stat increased by 5, like those pieces of equipment that increase stats."

If they're right, I've been playing wrong the whole time and not leveling up my stats more. Not that it matters right now, since I think I already missed something and plan on playing through again anyway... but for my next run...?



Shields display a sword and staff, which seems to imply increased physical and magic power. Or... defense against physical and non-physical attacks?
https://steamcommunity.com/app/256460/discussions/0/133261907148953351/
Which is it?

Was this explained somewhere?
I mean, yes, they're "shields," but they also give offensive abilties, so either possibility makes sense...

[ruppe27]

As far as I know the specialist stats don't increase stat gains as you level like the gear in final fantasy 6 and 9 for example, it's just a flat boost.
The shield stats affect physical and magical defense.

[XZero]

Originally posted by ruppe27:

As far as I know the specialist stats don't increase stat gains as you level like the gear in final fantasy 6 and 9 for example, it's just a flat boost.

I guess that person's comment could have been referring to the flat amount being an added percent of characters' base stats, but the phrasing sounded ambiguous to me. *shrug*

But then it wouldn't quite fit as an exact amount on level up, since that would add up a lot...

But that "HP +30" support guy sounds really useless then, given the hundreds of HP I had at how late in the game I found him.
...He's on the last planet, so...
More than 200-300 HP per character... just another 30 HP sounds like a total waste of my support character ability.
That made the "level up boost" idea sound more plausible, so I had to ask...

Well, this means I get to use other abilities than stat ups if I want everything.

The shield stats affect physical and magical defense.

Okay.
Speaking of which, I would prefer that, since I would rather not sacrifice attack power to have access to a variety of abilities. More fun this way.


Thanks for the help.

[ruppe27]

No problem.
I mainly used +15 cunning and +10% battle xp myself as they seemed the most helpful.