Summary
- The Knight archetype is ideal for early game: it protects Hulkenberg well & draws enemy attention.
- The Mage archetype enhances Hulkenberg's progression, providing powerful elemental spells.
- The Royal Knight archetype is best for Hulkenberg, offering excellent defensive abilities.
An ally that players obtain early in their journey in Metaphor: ReFantazio, Hulkenberg values the mission of protecting the prince more than her own life, carrying a huge burden for letting him disappear years ago. Therefore, when she discovers the protagonist's objectives, she doesn't think twice about joining the quest.
As one of the best tanks in the game, the optimal archetypes for Hulkenberg are those focused on enhancing the character's defensive attributes, offering protection to allies. However, players who wish to explore the character's full potential should also have her study other lineages to acquire new abilities.
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8 Knight
The Initial Archetype Is One Of The Best In Early Game
- Requirements: Hulkenberg bond 1
- MAG Cost: 1000
The Knight is one of the best early-game archetypes in Metaphor: ReFantazio, especially when equipped on Hulkenberg. Her high endurance allows her to be the target of many enemy attacks and still remain standing. In addition, Knight's Proclamation draws adversaries' attention to the user, leaving others free.
Thus, the skill set that this initial archetype provides is perfect. While it's possible to make the character the target of numerous enemy attacks, she still has various resources to keep her HP at a high value. Therefore, investing in advancing her levels as a Knight early in the game is advantageous for future archetypes.
7 Mage
Hulkenberg Benefits From Magic Skills
- Requirements: Gallica bond 1
- MAG Cost: 500
Despite Hulkenberg's strongest attributes being endurance, training her as a Mage can be highly beneficial. This lineage is crucial for her progression. It's important to equip this archetype on her in the early hours of the game, as the EXP gained will be significant.
The Mage is also among the best classes in the initial hours of the game, offering a wide variety of elemental spells that can exploit the weaknesses of various enemies. The archetype also grants a passive called Magic Font, which increases the user's MP by 15%. Fortunately, this passive can be equipped in other classes, making it quite useful.
6 Magic Knight
Defensive Abilities Mixed With A Bit Of Magic
- Requirements: Hulkenberg bond 1, Knight Rank 20, Mage Rank 10
- MAG Cost: 9000
It doesn't take long for Hulkenberg's initial class to become fragile against the more advanced challenges of Metaphor: ReFantazio. When this happens, progressing to the Magic Knight is advisable, as it is among the best archetypes for the character. While it still maintains defensive aspects as the main mechanic, the magic adds versatility.
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The character's utility also increases with this new archetype. In addition to attracting enemies' attention, Hulkenberg can recover allies' HP, buff their defenses, or even create a barrier that nullifies all physical damage from an enemy attack. With Hulkenberg's protection, players have more peace of mind to attack using other characters.
5 Wizard
An Evolution Of Hulkenberg's Magical Capabilities
- Requirements: Hulkenberg bond 1, Knight Rank 20, Mage Rank 10
- MAG Cost: 9000
An essential evolution for Hulkenberg is exploring the Mage lineage and its progressions, as they offer various abilities that complement her defensive aspects. Thus, in addition to maintaining a strong defense, she also gains options for attacks when necessary.
The Wizard comes with more powerful elemental abilities. It also offers passives like Shield Blessing, which recovers a significant amount of MP each turn while Attack/Defense or Hit/Evasion buffs are active, and Arcane Unity, which increases synthesis damage. These are powerful additions to Hulkenberg's builds, so it's worth keeping an eye on them.
4 Paladin
Providing Support To The Team
- Requirements: Hulkenberg bond 7, Magic Knight Rank 20
- MAG Cost: 18750
The Knight archetype has unique characteristics in Metaphor: ReFantazio, such as the final stage of the class allowing players to choose between two options. One of these is the Paladin, which transforms Hulkenberg into a versatile shield for the team. This archetype is capable of healing allies and offering other utilities.
Although it relies somewhat on the game's randomness, Counter is a skill that Paladins learn and has a 15% chance to repel an enemy's physical attack. Conventional defense-buffing abilities are also available. For players aiming to enhance the party with support, this archetype is the ideal choice.
3 Dark Knight
Hulkenberg Can Also Be Offensive With This Archetype
- Requirements: Hulkenberg bond 7, Magic Knight Rank 20, Wizard Rank 10
- MAG Cost: 18750
Although the Paladin possesses excellent abilities, the Dark Knight offers more utility for Hulkenberg in Metaphor: ReFantazio. It combines her strong defensive role with interesting attack possibilities. For example, it's possible to deal Electric damage to the enemy and even reduce their defense.
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Another strong point lies in the great utility of the skill Instant Recovery, which, although learned only at higher levels, ensures that any ailment is cured in just one turn. Additionally, Hulkenberg has a 15% chance to reflect enemy spells when equipped with this archetype, reducing adversaries' chances of winning the combat.
2 Elemental Master
Some Abilities Are Excellent For Hulkenberg
- Requirements: Gallica bond 8, Wizard Rank 20
- MAG Cost: 16500
To achieve the best possible archetype for Hulkenberg, players will need to evolve a few levels as an Elemental Master, which is unlocked as the story progresses and Gallica's bond develops. The strengths of this class lie in passive abilities like Magic Link and Magic Boost, which reduce the MP cost for Synthesis and increase magical damage, respectively.
Thus, in addition to being an essential archetype for Hulkenberg's evolution, the Elemental Master offers several interesting abilities that can be used in late-game builds. Instead of focusing solely on defense, these abilities provide versatility for other approaches.
1 Royal Knight
Hulkenberg's Exclusive Archetype Is The Best For The Character
- Requirements: Hulkenberg bond 8, Paladin Rank 20, Dark Knight Rank 15, Elemental Master Rank 15
- MAG Cost: 16500
Although it requires significant effort to obtain, the grind is rewarded with one of the best archetypes not only for Hulkenberg, but also in the game. The Royal Knight's defensive abilities are excellent, allowing her to protect allies from practically all attacks with just one skill.
Furthermore, at the final levels, the Royal Knight enhances combat flow in Metaphor: ReFantazio, as Noble Knight’s Souls adds a new turn icon when a proclamation ability is used. Players can attract enemies' attention to Hulkenberg and still have additional turns available without needing to exploit weaknesses.
Metaphor: ReFantazio
- Released
- October 11, 2024
- Developer(s)
- Studio Zero
- Publisher(s)
- Atlus
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S