7 tips for getting back into Tales of Arise

With the release of Beyond the Dawn, many players are returning to the world of Tales of Arise after two years. Here are some tips and tricks for your return to the lands of Dahna.

Announced in September, Bandai Namco’s Tales of Arise just got an expansion titled Beyond the Dawn. Two years after the game’s release, many people (myself included) may return to it for the first time in a while. Luckily, having played the newest expansion, I’ve gathered some tips and advice on how to feel right back at home.

Note: I will refrain from mentioning any story details from Beyond the Dawn.

Tip #1: Fight, fight, fight!

The gameplay of Tales of Arise can get a bit hectic at times. Plus, enemies are mostly matched, making it a fair fight. Still, my best tip for you is to just go straight into battles. That way, you can readjust to the system and get back into the rhythm. Plus, it’ll help level you up and score you some good loot. If you defeat all the enemies in one area, leave there and they’ll respawn again, ready for battle. There are some very tough enemies scattered around the world (look for the red and black mist around them) if you’re looking for a challenge.

Tip #2: Experiment

There are a lot of moving parts in combat, like different playable characters, artes, and attacks, so play around with them and see what fits your style. For me, I stick to Alphen and his close-combat tactics but I’ll sometimes switch to Shionne if I need range. The best way to figure out which one is for you is to go to the arena. You can play whoever you want and try out different moves and tactics. It helps when situations get sticky and improvisation is necessary.

Tip #3: Refamiliarize yourself

Despite many playthroughs lasting over 60 hours in Tales of Arise, you may have forgotten about farming. Trust me, I did the same. Walk around the cities and check into the inns or the vendors. Take a peek at some of the various items and do some crafting. As your characters don’t have any equipment on, craft some weapons or accessories. For those who need a refresher on the story, check out the glossary in the menu, where you’ll find all you need to know and more.

Tip #4: Explore the world

The world of Tales of Arise may seem intimidating upon coming back. However, just walk around and you’ll realize everything is as it was before! That huge lake with the fishing spot? Still there. That shortcut to the campsite? Also still there. Still, move around and get lost for a bit. You’ll find yourself back in familiar territory soon enough. Plus, you may find some people in need of help (noted by letter bubbles over their heads). Talk to them and aid them in their cause to reap some Gald and XP.

Tip #5: Show us your moves!

When starting Tales of Arise – Beyond the Dawn, your moves may not be the ones you had before. Look at the moves list and glance at the different ones. Perhaps some names will jog your memory? For me, I remember several due to their repeated shouting on the battlefield. Never get tired of Severing Wind? Me neither. For your AI party members, you can pick and choose what moves you want them to use and which ones you don’t. Configure them to your heart’s content and blaze through enemies with swiftness and style.

Tip #6: Dress to impress

If you adorned your characters with glitz and glamour like I did in the original, you may be disheartened to see it all taken off come starting the expansion. Fear not, as you can put them back on or try some new ones out. As you can see, I’ve made my Alphen a pretty cool samurai with slick hair. Perhaps you want your Law to look like a bandaged boxer with a Hootle hat? Or maybe Kisara with pigtails? The sky’s the limit! If you have access to DLC, you can claim additional attachments and skins for all party members.

Tip #7: Check your DLC

For those who bought any premium editions or pre-ordered Tales of Arise and DLC, you’ll find some goodies for you to claim. Just open up the menu and click Unclaimed DLC Items to see the list. From there, you can pick some or all of the items from the packs. The items range from Gald to SP to cosmetics. You can purchase more packs from the Downloadable Content page above Unclaimed. If you’re in a pinch, need to level up fast, or want to try on some new outfits, the DLC is the perfect place to look.