InOctopath Traveler 2, the Inventor job stands out as one of the most creative and mechanically unique roles available to players. Unlike traditional job classes that rely on skill points and leveling to unlock abilities, the Inventor crafts tools instead, unlocking powerful and diverse skills by gathering specific items found throughout the game. This system encourages exploration, experimentation, and strategic item collection. Understanding what items are needed for each invention and where to find them is essential to getting the most out of this unconventional class.
Understanding the Inventor Job
The Unique Nature of the Inventor
The Inventor job inOctopath Traveler 2doesn’t operate on the usual ability point unlock system. Instead, its abilities are called ‘inventions,’ and they must be manually unlocked by bringing specific materials to Arkar, the master inventor located in Eastern New Delsta Highroad. Once you deliver the correct combination of items, Arkar will craft a new invention that adds a powerful ability to your Inventor’s arsenal. This makes collecting the right Inventor items critical to expanding your combat options.
Why Inventor Items Are Important
Each invention provides strategic value, whether it’s dishing out area-of-effect damage, disabling enemy abilities, or supporting your allies with unique effects. Since these tools are usable without consuming SP and are refreshed after a cooldown, they provide excellent utility throughout a fight. But to make them available, players must first locate the often obscure items required to invent them.
List of Inventor Inventions and Required Items
Here are the main inventions you can unlock as part of the Inventor job, along with the items needed and tips on where to find them. Gathering these Inventor items early can give your party a tactical edge.
Changeable Catapult
- Item 1: Great Blade
- Item 2: Unerring Earring
- Item 3: Critical Earring
The Changeable Catapult allows your Inventor to deal elemental damage to all foes, with a rotating type each turn. You can find the Great Blade in shops or steal it from certain enemies. The Unerring and Critical Earrings are accessories sold in early towns like New Delsta or Wellgrove.
Springy Boots
- Item 1: Ancient Cog
- Item 2: Mechanical Arm
Springy Boots grant a speed buff to the party, allowing you to act earlier in battle. Ancient Cog is typically found in ruins or dungeons with mechanical enemies, while Mechanical Arm can be stolen or found in chests in high-tech or abandoned facilities.
Hastening Hammer
- Item 1: Soldier’s Bow
- Item 2: Silver-Filled Pouch
This tool speeds up a character’s action time. The Soldier’s Bow is available from common shops, while the Silver-Filled Pouch can be found through stealing or exploring towns with wealthy NPCs.
Arkar’s Coil
- Item 1: Scrap Metal
- Item 2: Ancient Cog
- Item 3: Large Gear
Arkar’s Coil is a late-game invention that paralyzes enemies or disables their abilities. Scrap Metal and Large Gear are typically dropped from mechanical enemies or found in scrapyards. Ancient Cog, as previously mentioned, is located in ancient ruins.
Flying Failsafe
- Item 1: Tin Toy
- Item 2: Curious Antique
- Item 3: Mythical Horn
Flying Failsafe unleashes a huge AoE attack with a cooldown. These items are trickier to find: Tin Toy is often a quest reward, Curious Antique is an NPC steal item, and Mythical Horn comes from late-game areas or hidden dungeons.
Critical Scope
- Item 1: Unerring Earring
- Item 2: Critical Earring
Critical Scope allows for guaranteed critical hits. This invention uses the same earrings required for earlier inventions, emphasizing the importance of stocking multiples or choosing carefully where to allocate items.
Elemental Bomb Bottle
- Item 1: Fire Soulstone (L)
- Item 2: Ice Soulstone (L)
- Item 3: Lightning Soulstone (L)
This invention releases a wave of elemental damage. Large Soulstones are common rewards in dungeons, boss fights, or as purchase items from apothecaries and magic shops.
Ultimate Invention Arkar’s Arsenal
Unlocked after crafting all previous inventions, Arkar’s Arsenal is a devastating multi-hit skill that scales with job mastery. Once unlocked, it requires no additional Inventor items, just commitment to the job path.
Where to Find Inventor Items
Shops and Black Markets
Many Inventor items are sold in various towns, especially accessories and weapons. Check black market vendors at night in cities like New Delsta for rarer materials. Some NPCs will only appear during nighttime, and their inventories differ.
Stealing and Mugging
Characters like Throné or Partitio can steal or purchase rare Inventor items from townsfolk. Use these Path Actions during day or night to scan for usable items, especially from NPCs with Merchant or Inventor titles.
Dungeon Exploration
Mechanical-themed dungeons often contain Scrap Metal, Large Gears, and Ancient Cogs. These areas might be story-related or hidden side zones, so be thorough when exploring. Keep an eye out for sparkles or hidden treasure chests tucked in corners.
Tips for Managing Inventor Progress
Track Items in Inventory
Before traveling across the world, check your inventory to see which required items you already possess. This will save time and help you focus on hunting down only the missing components.
Double Up When Possible
Since some items are used in multiple inventions, it’s smart to acquire extra copies if you have the chance. Accessories like the Critical Earring are low-cost and can be bought in multiple towns, so don’t hesitate to stock up.
Don’t Delay Crafting
The sooner you unlock Inventor inventions, the sooner you benefit from them in battle. Even early inventions like the Changeable Catapult or Springy Boots offer significant utility. Return to Arkar frequently to upgrade your toolkit.
Inventor as a Long-Term Investment
The Inventor job inOctopath Traveler 2requires more initial effort than others, but it pays off through highly versatile, SP-free skills and unique mechanics. Every new invention you unlock expands your options in battle, and the cooldown system ensures each move feels impactful and strategic. Mastering the collection and use of Inventor items turns this job into one of the most satisfying and rewarding roles in the game.
For players seeking to fully explore all thatOctopath Traveler 2offers, diving deep into Inventor items and inventions is a worthwhile path. It turns the act of collecting into its own adventure, rewarding those who are observant, persistent, and creative in their approach.