Best Archetypes to use in Metaphor ReFantazio

Choosing the right Archetype for each character in Metaphor: ReFantazio can make or break your strategy in battle. Each character excels in different areas, and equipping them with the optimal Archetype allows you to harness their full potential. This guide will help you in your quest to find the best Archetype for each character.

The best Archetypes for each character in Metaphor: ReFantazio

In Metaphor: ReFantazio, each character bonds with different lineages that unlock powerful Archetypes. These Archetypes determine your character’s combat style, focusing on different attributes like magic, physical attacks, or defensive abilities. You can unlock upgrades for the Archetypes or switch a character's Archetype by visiting More in Akademia.

Let's look at the best Archetypes for all characters that can join you in battle, starting with the Protagonist.

The Protagonist - Mage

The Mage Archetype is ideal for the Protagonist due to its ability to exploit elemental weaknesses. With fire, ice, and electric magic in your arsenal, you’ll find yourself able to tackle a wide variety of enemies, especially since many enemies in Metaphor: ReFantazio have elemental weaknesses. The Mage Lineage’s focus on magic damage, boosted by the Protagonist’s natural affinity with Gallica, makes him an early powerhouse you can use in the game.

As you progress, upgrading the Mage to more advanced forms like the Elemental Master allows you to deal heavy elemental damage while benefiting from MP cost reductions and attack boosts. These advanced Archetypes, such as the Wizard and Warlock, even grant MP recovery, letting the Protagonist evolve into a force of nature against even the toughest enemies.

Alternatively, I enjoyed playing the Protagonist as the Healer, too. You'll need at least one party member who can heal, so bear that in mind. Especially as the other healer I chose is Strohl as a Brawler, and Brawler isn't unlocked until later in the game. In that situation, have the Protagonist as a Healer and Strohl as a Warrior until you have the rest of your party unlocked.

Strohl - Brawler

The Brawler Archetype is an excellent choice for Strohl if you're looking to take advantage of his high endurance and damage potential. Strohl has a natural ability to endure hits and keep fighting, and the Brawler lineage capitalizes on this by rewarding players for balancing HP while delivering devastating strikes. The Brawler Archetype, while high-risk, has the potential for high reward if played strategically.

While Strohl might seem better suited to a Warrior role, his potential as a Brawler shouldn't be overlooked. The Brawler Archetype focuses on managing HP to deal heavy physical damage while offering some survival tactics, like boosting his attack and defense. Since Strohl doesn’t use much MP in this role, you can heal his HP during turns when he's not attacking, making him a durable fighter. He can also contribute to group heals when needed.

Hulkenberg - Commander

The Commander Archetype is a natural fit for Hulkenberg, enhancing her ability to support allies while dealing with enemies. Commanders bring a variety of buffs and debuffs, which perfectly align with Hulkenberg’s role on the battlefield.

The Commander lineage gives Hulkenberg powerful buffs like increased defense and attack for her party, along with the ability to debuff enemies. Her skills are versatile, making her valuable in various combat situations. Skills like Marakukaja (a defense boost for all allies) and Matarukaja (an attack boost for all allies) provide a strong foundation for your team, while other skills like Fiery Strike and Formation of Vigor allow Hulkenberg to deal damage and reposition her party effectively.

Heismay - Knight

The Knight Archetype is a natural fit for Heismay, especially given its focus on defensive capabilities and its ability to control enemy aggression. Heismay can draw enemy attacks toward himself, do tank-style damage, and even dodge or block crucial hits, making him an invaluable asset to the team.

Heismay excels in defensive roles, and the Knight lineage amplifies his ability to protect allies while nullifying incoming damage. By drawing enemy attention, Heismay ensures his allies remain unharmed while she mitigates or avoids damage. Skills like Knight’s Proclamation allow him to guard his team, while Tetrakarn provides a barrier that repels physical attacks. His potential to dodge attacks and restore HP makes him a durable, reliable fighter.

Junah - Gunner

Junah as a Gunner is both practical and strategic, giving her the edge in battle despite her unassuming appearance. As a Gunner, she excels at dealing physical damage from the back row, keeping herself safe while she skillfully disables enemies with status effects like Sleep and Poison. Her utility in battle comes from her ability to land these conditions, making her invaluable for controlling the field in dungeons where tactics matter. With skills like Sukukaja boosting Hit/Evasion and the passive Aim Support increasing her accuracy, Junah's gunner skillset allows her to keep the team safe while weakening enemies with precision.

As she progresses into the Sniper and Dragoon roles, Junah's damage potential skyrockets. The Myriad Shots and Wild Salvo attacks let her deal piercing damage across multiple enemies, making her a lethal force in wave encounters. Her Dragoon abilities give her access to magic-based damage, adding versatility to her toolkit by letting her adapt to enemy resistances. Junah may be hidden in the back row, but she becomes an indispensable asset for taking out waves of enemies without ever needing to get too close.

Eupha - Summoner

Eupha is the only character I've kept as their original Archetype. As a Summoner, she brings an entirely unique flavor to the battlefield, focusing on crafting powerful summons from Akademia. Unlike other Lineages that rely on traditional magic or physical attacks, her archetype revolves around summoning mythical creatures that pack devastating magic damage or unleash powerful utility effects. Early skills like Summon Eagle Lion and Summon Noctiluca allow her to weaken enemy attack power and heal allies, making her a strong support presence. Her summons hit hard, with abilities like Summon Gargoyle dealing heavy fire damage or Summon Duskbone Knight slashing through enemies with physical power.

As Eupha advances into the Devil Summoner and Royal Summoner roles, her summoning abilities reach amazing levels. The Royal Summoner unlocks ultimate spells like Summon Dragon God, which delivers severe fire damage and strips enemy buffs. Her powerful AoE abilities make Eupha the best at clearing out enemies and supporting the team simultaneously.

Basilio - Warrior

Basilio fits naturally into the Warrior archetype, with his massive Strength stat making him a heavy-hitter who can cleave through enemies with pure Slash damage. Early on, skills like Diagonal Slash and Slicer let him deal consistent damage to single enemies, but as he grows into the Swordmaster and Samurai ranks, his abilities become far more formidable. With Critical Strike offering the potential for devastating critical hits and Slash Boost passively increasing his damage, Basilio becomes a juggernaut on the frontlines.

Later skills like Rising Slash and Thunder Blade ensure that Basilio isn’t just a one-trick pony. He can deal medium to heavy damage to entire groups of enemies, and his passive skills like Martial Lore and Regenerate 3 give him incredible staying power. The more enemies he slashes through, the more HP he recovers, keeping him in the fight longer.

Want to read more about Metaphor: ReFantazio at Pro Game Guides? Check out our Metaphor ReFantazio Review: Will you stand for what is right? and All Archetypes and upgrades in Metaphor: ReFantazio.