Romancing Saga 2: Revenge Of The Seven: Guide to Leveling

Welcome to Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, a JRPG that offers a unique and challenging approach to character progression. In this guide, we’ll break down the leveling system, helping you understand how to strengthen your party without getting overwhelmed by the quirks of the game’s mechanics. Don’t worry if you feel overwhelmed, that’s kinda normal.

Understanding Character Progression

Unlike traditional JRPGs, Romancing SaGa 2 doesn’t feature a straightforward experience point system. Instead, character growth is more nuanced, focusing on Technique Points (TP), weapon proficiency, and magic skills. Here’s how you can make the most out of the leveling system.

Key Stats in the Game

1. HP/BP: Health Points (HP) and Battle Points (BP) increase naturally as your characters participate in battles. BP dictates how many actions a character can perform in battle, and it regenerates over time. To gain HP and BP, simply continue fighting battles regularly.
2. Weapon Proficiency: Each weapon type (swords, spears, bows, etc.) has its own proficiency level. Characters gain proficiency by using a weapon type in battle, which boosts their effectiveness with that weapon over time.
3. Magic Proficiency: Similar to weapons, magic spells also have proficiency levels. Use a specific type of magic (fire, water, etc.) frequently to improve your character’s ability with that element.

Technique Points (TP) Distribution

Technique Points are the backbone of progression for both weapons and magic. Every time you complete a battle, your characters are allocated TP based on their actions during that fight. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Action-Based Distribution: The TP a character earns is distributed according to the number of times they used a specific weapon or spell in battle. For example, if a character uses a sword five times and magic twice, 71% of their TP will go towards sword proficiency, and the remaining 29% will be allocated to magic.
2. No Splitting Among the Party: Every character earns their full share of TP, regardless of party size. However, TP is not split between party members, so each individual will receive the same amount based on their actions.
3. Specialization: Characters with natural proficiency in a weapon or magic type will gain TP faster in that area. While you can train characters in any skill, sticking to their strengths will yield quicker results.

Participating in Battles

Participation matters in Romancing SaGa 2. Characters need to actively contribute in battle to grow, but there are a few nuances:

1. Active Participation: Characters who attack or use abilities will receive their full share of TP. Even if they are incapacitated (paralyzed, stunned, or petrified) after acting, they’ll still receive full TP for their contribution.
2. Defending Lowers TP Gain: If a character spends time defending, their TP gain will be reduced proportionally. Defending counts as an action, so it takes away a share of the TP that could have gone to weapon or magic proficiency. Avoid overusing the defend command if you want characters to grow quickly.
3. Effectiveness of Skills Doesn’t Matter: Whether an attack is successful or not, or whether a healing spell is useful or not, it still counts as a fully valid action for TP gain. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different abilities during combat.

Glimmering New Techniques

Glimmering is one of the more exciting aspects of character progression in the game. It allows characters to learn new techniques (or “techs”) mid-battle. Here’s how it works:

1. Light Bulb Indicator: When a character has the chance to learn a new technique, a light bulb will appear next to their current skill. The brighter the light bulb, the higher the chance that the character will learn a new technique during the battle.
2. Enemy Strength Factor: More powerful enemies increase the chances of glimmering new techniques. If you’re looking to learn stronger abilities, engage in tougher fights.
3. Hybrid Skills: Some skills have both a weapon and a magical element. However, only the weapon proficiency will increase when you use a hybrid skill like Cross Cut (sword and holy magic). For hybrid spells, like Cyclone Squeeze (air and water magic), TP will be split between both magic types.

Managing Battle Rank (BR) and Enemy Scaling

One of the trickiest aspects of Romancing SaGa 2 is the Battle Rank (BR) system. As you continue fighting battles, the strength of enemies increases globally. Here’s how you can navigate this balancing act:

1. How BR Works: With each battle you fight, your BR increases, which in turn strengthens enemies. While your characters are growing in proficiency, enemies are scaling at a faster rate based on BR.
2. Equipment is Key: Since enemies scale with BR, your characters’ growth alone won’t be enough to keep up. Continuously upgrade your equipment by investing in the Empire’s smithy and acquiring better gear as you progress through the game.
3. Avoid Grinding Too Early: Resist the temptation to grind in early dungeons. Grinding early on will raise your BR without giving you access to better gear, making the game significantly harder. Instead, focus on completing quests and progressing naturally.
4. Running From Battles: While it’s possible to flee from battles, doing so still increases your BR. This means enemies get stronger even though your characters don’t, so avoid fleeing unless absolutely necessary.

Advanced Tips for Efficient Leveling

1. Formations: Experiment with different battle formations. Some formations boost certain characters’ stats, making them more effective in battle. For instance, placing a tank in the front of a formation can protect weaker characters in the back, allowing them to focus on gaining TP for magic or ranged attacks.
2. Focus on Late-Game Grinding: If you enjoy grinding to make your characters overpowered, save it for the late game. By then, you’ll have access to stronger gear and more efficient ways to gain proficiency without putting yourself at a disadvantage.
3. Mr. S Bonus: Keep an eye out for Mr. S, a character who can randomly appear when you enter new areas. He sometimes doubles your TP gain at the end of a battle, which can give your party a significant boost.

Conclusion

Leveling in Romancing SaGa 2 may feel unconventional at first, but with the right approach, you can master it. Focus on using a variety of weapons and magic in battle to build proficiency, avoid unnecessary grinding early on, and make good use of formations and equipment upgrades. By understanding how the game’s systems interact, you’ll steadily grow stronger while keeping pace with the challenging enemies you’re sure to encounter.

With patience and strategy, you’ll be well on your way to leading your empire to victory against the Seven Heroes!