Octopath Traveler surprised Square Enix fans with its intuitive combat system and callbacks to retro RPGs. One of the game's strongest points lies in its rich, lore-heavy story. As players travel across Orsterra, they run into a bevy of characters that enrich the world in both minor and major ways.
Many of these people have their own set of woes that the adventuring party can take upon themselves to fix. Should they choose to do so, the party can find themselves enriched in their own way, especially in the form of high-end equipment. Though most of these quests unlock late in the game, the items received help greatly in the harder chapters.
Updated September 3rd, 2021 by Russ Boswell: Octopath Traveler is definitely one of the best turn-based games ever made, amassing a cult following and receiving generally good reviews from most critics and players alike. It continues to captivate even in 2021, with some gamers just now starting their journey through the engaging RPG. Although the story is entertaining in its own right, going through all of the applicable Octopath Traveler side quests can be very useful to gear up the party. To better help new players, we've added additional entries to this list. Here's a better look at some of the best Octopath Traveler side quests worth doing.
12 Ria, Born To Roam (III)
- Quest Starting Location: Sunlands
- Quest Client: Ria
- Rewards: 11,000 Leaves, Magic Nut, Princess's Coat
Throughout the Sunlands, players run into Ria, a woman uncovering the nefarious secrets of a corrupt desert chieftain. In this final chapter to her saga, Alfyn or Cyrus must use their skills to uncover the Chieftan's Schedule so she can corner him.
Ria then reveals herself to be the Marsalim king's daughter and rewards the party with 11,000 leaves, a large Magic Nut, and a Princess's Coat. The coat's decent defenses are amplified with its ability to heal 100 HP each turn.
11 Noelle, Seeker Of Knowledge (III)
- Quest Starting Area: Everhold
- Quest Client: Noelle
- Rewards: 11,000 Leaves, Tough Nut, Historian's Hat
Noelle, a historian tracking the journey of the ancient King Beowulf, finds herself in Everhold looking for a tapestry. To bring her story to a close, the players steal or purchase said tapestry from a carpenter in town.
As thanks, Noelle gives 11,000 leaves, a large Tough Nut to increase defense, and a Historian's Hat. The hat has very solid defenses with an added benefit of restoring SP, perfect for characters like Cyrus who need a lot to use their skills.
10 Keeping Up With The Wyndhams
- Quest Starting Area: Grandport
- Quest Client: Cordelia
- Rewards: 12,000 Leaves, Blessed Blazon
Cordelia Ravus is an important figure in Therion's storyline, and it turns out that she and Noa Wyndham from Tressa's storyline are pen pals. Unfortunately, a letter from Noa landed in the hands of a roadside bandit just outside of Grandport.
Challenge/Provoke the thief to retrieve the letter. Noa and Cordelia will have a reunion and give the player 12,000 leaves and a Blessed Blazon as thanks. The Blessed Blazon is a powerful defensive accessory that increases physical and elemental defenses by 100.
9 Shadow Over The Sands
- Quest Starting Area: Wellspring
- Quest Client: Staid Soldier
- Rewards: 8,000 Leaves, Transcendent Bow of Shadows
A giant snake has been seen in the Quicksand Caves north of Wellspring. Inquire/Scrutinize an injured soldier along the way to get information on a snake charmer who commands the serpent. The villain offers a challenging fight; while his snake has nearly twice as much health, it should be taken care of first if at all possible.
For a reward, players get 8,000 leaves and a Transcendent Bow of Shadows, which is one of the most powerful bows and can sometimes confuse targets.
8 A Miner DIlemma
- Quest Starting Location: Quarrycrest
- Quest Client: Miner
- Rewards: 9,000 Leaves, Sharp Nut, Critical Nut
This quest is pretty simple and offers up some solid rewards. To start, players will need to find a miner in Quarrycrest during Chapter 2 or 3. The miner wants to get their hands on an Orewell Whetstone, and there are a couple of ways that players can help.
The Orewell Whetstone can be snagged from a Stonemonger located in the Goldshore Manor District. The person in question is found far left of the area's Weapon Shop. In order to obtain the stone, players can use Tressa and purchase it for 11,400 leaves. Those that want to save a little cash can attempt to steal the item with Therion. After acquiring the stone and taking it back to the miner, players will receive some cash and a couple of upgrade nuts.
7 Lianna And Eliza
- Quest Starting Location: Flamesgrace
- Quest Client: Lianna
- Rewards: 11,000 Leaves, Bishop's Staff
After freeing Wispermill from the Remnant cult and defeating Redeye, Ophilia's sister, Lianna, and Knight Ardante Eliza attempt to pick off the remaining cultists. The party needs to head to the Forest of Purgation outside of Wispermill and Provoke/Challenge the Remnant leader, who continues to sabotage the women's efforts.
After defeating the man and hearing a heartwarming exchange between the two women, the party receives 11,000 leaves and a Bishop's Staff. It's one of the most powerful staves in the game and increases light damage, making it perfect for Ophilia.
6 Russell's Repentance
- Quest Starting Location: Stonegard
- Quest Client: Russell
- Rewards: 9,000 Leaves, Set of Confessional Armor
Once Cyrus's rival, the former scholar Russell now hopes to atone for his transgressions at a printing press. He asks for the party's help gathering research on the histories of Orsterra's regions.
Inquire/Scrutinize various know-it-alls to learn about the histories of the Cliftlands, Frostlands, and Woodlands. In return, Russell thanks the party for a chance to start a new chapter in his life. Players receive 9,000 leaves and a set of Confessional Armor, which boasts incredibly high defense and reduces ice damage.
5 Heathcote's High Jinks
- Quest Starting Location: Ravus Manor
- Quest Client: Heathcote
- Rewards: 12,000 Leaves, Heathcote's Dagger
Heathcote, the butler of Ravus Manor, receives a letter saying that his greatest treasure will be stolen by someone named Nighteye. Tracking down an old man from Wispermill and guiding/alluring him back to Bolderfall, he swipes the Cat's Eye gem from Heathcote, true to his word.
The butler reveals that the two were former rivals in the thieving business, and the gem belonged to a woman both had pined for. The reward for this quest is 12,000 leaves and Heathcote's Dagger, which has the strongest Elemental attack of any dagger and increases fire damage.
4 Zeph And Mercedes (II)
- Quest Starting Location: Atlasdam
- Quest Client: Mercedes
- Rewards: 11,000 Leaves, Memorial Axe
Zeph and Mercedes have a love connection that was unfortunately cut short after the latter moved away. However, the party tracks her down in Atlasdam, where she found work at the Royal Academy's library.
Like Zeph, Mercedes has a letter that must be stolen or purchased to take back to Clearbrook. After the two realize their shared feelings for one another, they reunite to have a presumably happily-ever-after. The party receives 11,000 leaves and the Memorial Axe, the strongest axe in the game.
3 Into Thin Air
- Quest Start Location: Victors Hollow
- Quest Client: Laconic Father
- Reward: 9,000 Leaves, Deathly Blade
Unfortunately, players won't be able to take on this quest until they reach Chapter 2 and Victors Hollow, where they must confront a fairly powerful enemy. The side quest will have the party venturing into the Forest of No Return to take on The Devourer of Men. The side story can be completed by either Primrose or Ophilia.
Players should be prepared for a tough battle against the creature, who is capable of sending a party member away (until its shield is broken) and can also inflict massive damage to a single target via the Devour ability (which also heals it based on the health lost by its target). The reward for slaying this foe and completing the quest is a Deathly Blade, a sword with middle-of-the-pack attack but the chance to instantly defeat foes.