When starting Ochette’s story in Octopath Traveler 2, players will be asked to choose a starting companion between the Malamaowl and the Lajackal.
Overall, the best companion is the Malamaowl since it deals magic damage that doesn’t miss and can deal all types of elemental damage, based on the target’s weakness.
In this Octopath Traveler 2 guide, I will explain which starting companion to choose for Ochette by comparing the two available options.
For a more in-depth look at Ochette, consider checking out my Ochette character guide which includes everything you need to know.
Differences between Malamaowl and Lajackal in Octopath Traveler 2
While overall the Malamaowl and the Lajackal have similar traits, there is one significant difference that helps resolve the Malamaowl vs Lajackal debate.
When using the Provoke skill, the Malamaowl deals magic damage, while the Lajackal deals physical damage.
The overall numbers are the same, but magic attacks can’t miss. Due to that, the Malamaowl is a solid option when trying to farm Caits or Octopuffs, which have extremely high evasion stats.
However, the Lajackal has the advantage of dealing critical hits when damaging enemies. Especially when combined with Ochette’s support skill “Eagle Eye” which increases critical rate by 50, the Lajackal can consistently deal extra damage.
Should you Pick the Malamaowl or Lajackal in Octopath Traveler 2?
The best companion to choose for Ochette in Octopath Traveler 2 is the Malamaowl. It allows players to cover more enemy weaknesses as its attack deals with all types of elemental damage based on the enemy’s weak spot.
Thus, while the Lajackal can deal more damage with its critical hits, the Malamaowl can be more useful.
This is especially true in the early game where players won’t have many characters in their party and thus won’t be able to deal with most of the opponents’ weaknesses.
Additionally, while the Malalamaowl deals single-target damage, it can also hit all opponents if all of them have their shield broken.
Nevertheless, the Malamaowl will be used primarily during the first few stages of the game.
After that, check out my guide on the best monsters to capture in Octopath Traveler 2, both for the early and end game. These will help you get a solid edge over your enemies.
Wrapping up
To summarize this Octopath Traveler 2 guide, players debating which companion to choose for Ochette should opt for the Mamalaowl to cover more weaknesses.
Also, while you’re still in the early game, don’t forget to check out my guide on how to get the EXP Augmentor, which allows you to equip it on a character and have them receive extra EXP after every battle.
Which starting companion did you choose? Did this guide help you make up your mind? Let us know in the comments below.
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