Eight travelers, eight paths-each companion in Octopath Traveler 0 hides in a corner of Orsterra waiting to join your adventure. This guide pinpoints every original recruit’s exact location, helping you build the perfect team from the very start.
Where to find all original Octopath Traveler characters in Octopath Traveler 0
To recruit all eight original travelers in Octopath Traveler 0, progress the main story until their side quests marked with the “An Encounter Awaits” prompt appear on the map, then head to their home regions from the first game, such as Rippletide for Tressa, Bolderfall for Therion, Sunshade for Primrose, and Cobbleston for Olberic, where they typically stand in central town areas or inside key buildings tied to their past stories.
Like other companions in the game, you can only recruit the characters from Octopath Traveler as their specific side quests become available, which requires you to progress in the main quest.
You can identify companion quests by looking for a human silhouette icon on the map with the message “An Encounter Awaits.” It’s important to take the level of the quest into consideration since most of them will require you to explore areas of that same level and even face minibosses.
Since the game won’t tell you which companion is tied to a quest, check our list below to look for exact missions that will unlock the original Octopath Traveler characters in Octopath Traveler 0.
Tressa
Tressa is one of the first characters from the original group you can find in Octopath Traveler 0, but does take some time before you do can find her. To unlock Tressa, the Merchant, you must visit Rippletide, which you find south of Theatropolis. Once you get there, start the quest “An Encounter with Tressa” by talking to her father, Olneo, the merchant on the east end of the town. The quest became available for us after we visited the location during “The Rekindling the Flame Pt. 2” side story.
Therion
The quest to unlock Therion in Octopath Traveler 0 became available for us when you get to the “Master of All” Ch. 3 main quest. Travel to Cragspears and on the north side of the town, near the statue of the king, talk to the merchant to start the “An Encounter with Therion” side story. You need to use the Path Action “Purchase” and buy the “Prince of Thieves Necklace” from the merchant to proceed with the quest.
Primrose
Everyone’s favorite dancer, Primrose is also found in Octopath Traveler 0, but only after you finish the “Master of All“ Ch. 4 main quest. When you are done, travel to Sunshade and enter the tavern to talk to her, starting the “An Encounter with Primrose” side story. After the quick chat, use the “Inquire” Path Action to obtain “Primrose’s Information” and proceed with the mission. Recruiting Primrose requires you to win a difficult fight, so get prepared before talking to her.
Olberic
To find the stoic Olberic from Octopath Traveler in this new game, you must progress in the main campaign and complete the “Master of All” as well as the “Finale – Trial of the Ring” main quests. Once the new arc begins, you can visit the house on the top right side of Shepherd Rocks to start “An Encounter with Olberic” side story. Talk to Ivan and use the “Inquire” Path Action to obtain “Ivan’s Information.”
Alfyn
Like Olberic, it’s possible to recruit Alfyn after completing the “Finale – Trial of the Ring“ main quest, which becomes available when you complete the “Master of All“ arc. To start the quest and recruit Alfyn, travel to the “Path to Waterpool Caves“ area, east of Clearbrook. Head to where the quest mark is pointing on the map to find an enemy and trigger a cutscene, marking the beginning of the “An Encounter with Alfyn” side story. There’s some fighting involved in this quest, but it shouldn’t be anything to worry about.
H’aanit
The side story “An Encounter with H’aanit” became available in Victors Hollow after we reached the “Bestower of Wealth“ Ch. 2 and cleared the prologues of the other two routes. To start the quest, you must talk to Z’aanta in the tavern. While you talk to him, H’aanit will appear and set out on a hunt. To complete the quest, you must help her take down a fierce beast.
Ophilia
The quest to recruit Ophilia to your party will appear once you have completed Chapter 2 of all three “Bestower of“routes. When you’re done, the “An Encounter with Ophilia” side quest will be available in Flamesgrace at Flamesgrace Cathedral: Entrance. Talk to her to start the mission. You will need to fight a miniboss to complete the quest, so be sure to heal your party and prepare their gear.
Cyrus
Before you can recruit Cyrus, you must progress in the “Bestower of“ arcs until you have reached the third chapter of all the routes. Then, you can travel to Atlasdam Flats, south of Theatropolis, to start the “An Encounter with Cyrus” side story. The quest is pretty straightforward, only requiring you to face an enemy at the beginning. Follow Cyrus as he investigates a mysterious book and recruit him to your party!
Best order to recruit early companions for a strong start
Tressa stands out as the best first companion to recruit for a strong early-game economy boost, as her Merchant skills aid in gathering crowns needed for other quests soon after “Rekindling of the Flame Pt. 2.” Follow with Therion next in Cragspears during “Master of All” Chapter 3, since his Thief abilities enhance stealing and pathfinding for smoother progression. Then grab Alfyn in the Water Caves post-“Fin – Trial of the Ring” for essential healing as an Apothecary, rounding out a balanced party quickly.
Why This Order Works
This sequence prioritizes accessible unlocks with minimal prerequisites, building merchant gold, combat utility, and sustain early. Videos highlight similar early grabs like Tressa and Therion for overpowered starts before tougher bosses.
Later Additions
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Primrose after Chapter 4 for Dancer buffs in Sunshade fights.
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Olberic for tanking in Shepherd Rocks.
Avoid delaying for H’aanit, Ophilia, or Cyrus, as they require later chapters but pair well once your core team solidifies.
Which companions give the best early-game damage boost
Therion and Olberic provide the best early-game damage boosts among original companions in Octopath Traveler 0. Therion’s Thief skills deliver high single-target physical damage through multi-hit attacks and critical breaks, ideal for quickly dismantling early bosses. Olberic follows closely as a Warrior, offering raw power with cleaving AoE strikes and self-buffs that amplify party damage output.
Why They Excel Early
Therion shines post-“Master of All” Chapter 3 in Cragspears, where his steal mechanics weaken foes while boosting your damage via item gains and speed. Olberic, unlocked in Shepherd Rocks after “Final Trial of the Ring,” tanks hits and dishes out reliable high-damage sword skills, synergizing with any frontline setup.
Optimal Pairing
Recruit Therion first for precision DPS, then Olberic for sustained burst-avoid Primrose early despite her buffs, as her Sunshade unlock demands Chapter 4 progress and tougher prep. This duo outperforms Tressa or Alfyn for pure damage until mid-game scaling.
