NPCs & Factions

NPCs & Factions

Navigating the complex social and political landscape of Ancient Greece is paramount to your success as a Misthios. This section will detail the key Non-Player Characters (NPCs) you'll encounter and the powerful factions vying for control, offering strategies to leverage these relationships to your advantage.

Key NPCs and Their Influence

The world of Assassin's Creed Odyssey is teeming with memorable characters, each with their own agendas and allegiances. Understanding who they are and how to interact with them is crucial for unlocking quests, gaining valuable information, and even influencing the larger narrative.

• Barnabas: Your loyal shipmate and the owner of the Adrestia. Barnabas is a constant source of information, often providing insights into local rumors, potential bounties, and the next steps in your journey.
  • Actionable Tip: Regularly speak with Barnabas on your ship. He often triggers side quests or offers hints for nearby points of interest. For example, after completing "The Big Break" in Chapter 1, he might suggest investigating a nearby island for a potential treasure, leading to the "A Shipwrecked Life" quest.
  • Reward: Completing his occasional requests often yields Drachmae, crafting materials, or even unique ship cosmetics.
• Herodotos: The renowned historian and another key companion on the Adrestia. Herodotos provides crucial lore and historical context for the regions you visit, often guiding your understanding of the Peloponnesian War.
  • Actionable Tip: Engage in dialogue with Herodotos whenever new main quests are unlocked or after significant historical events occur in the story. His insights can sometimes reveal hidden objectives or alternative approaches to missions. For instance, after the events of "A Taste of Thermopylae," he'll offer historical context that can inform your choices in later quests.
  • Reward: While not direct quest rewards, his conversations often unlock new entries in your Animus Database, enriching your understanding of the world.
• Phoibe: Your spirited young friend from Kephallonia. Phoibe is a valuable asset for gathering information in towns and cities.
  • Actionable Tip: During quests like "Debt Collector" in Chapter 1, Phoibe will often scout ahead or provide crucial details about your targets. Always follow her suggestions when she offers them, as they can lead to easier infiltration routes or expose enemy weaknesses.
  • Reward: Her assistance is often integral to progressing main quests and can sometimes reveal hidden loot caches or quest givers.
• Markos: Your initial employer and a somewhat dubious businessman on Kephallonia. Markos introduces you to the mercenary life and the concept of debt collection.
  • Actionable Tip: While Markos's quests early on, like "So It Begins" and "Debt Collector," are mandatory, be mindful of your choices. Some dialogue options can affect your relationship with him, though his overall impact on the later game is minimal.
  • Reward: His early quests provide essential Drachmae and experience, allowing you to purchase your first gear upgrades.

The Warring Factions: Sparta vs. Athens

The Peloponnesian War is the backdrop of your journey, with the mighty city-states of Sparta and Athens locked in a brutal conflict. Your actions can directly influence the power balance in various regions, leading to significant gameplay consequences.

Conquest Battles

Conquest Battles are large-scale engagements where you can choose to fight for either Sparta or Athens. Participating in these battles is a primary way to earn significant rewards and shift regional control.

1. Weakening a Region: Before a Conquest Battle can be triggered, you must weaken the controlling faction's influence in a region. This is achieved by:
   • Killing the region's Leader.
   • Destroying supplies in Military Camps and Forts.
   • Sinking the controlling faction's ships in naval combat.
   • Completing side quests that undermine the controlling faction.

   Strategy: Focus on clearing out Forts (e.g., Fort Koroibos in Megaris) and burning war supplies. Each action reduces the "Nation Power" bar at the top right of your screen when in a contested region. Once the bar is sufficiently low, a Conquest Battle icon will appear on the map.

2. Initiating the Battle: Speak to the Spartan or Athenian commander at the designated Conquest Battle location. You'll have the option to fight for the attacking or defending side.
   • Attacking Side: Generally offers higher rewards but can be more challenging.
   • Defending Side: Often slightly easier, but with slightly reduced rewards.

   Actionable Tip: Always check the recommended level for the Conquest Battle. If you're under-leveled, consider completing more side quests or bounties to gain experience before engaging.

3. During the Battle: The objective is to deplete the enemy army's morale bar before your own.
   • Prioritize Captains and Commanders: These elite enemies significantly reduce the enemy morale bar when defeated. Look for their distinct health bars and try to isolate them.
   • Use Abilities Wisely: Crowd control abilities like "Ring of Chaos" are excellent for managing groups of soldiers, while single-target damage abilities like "Hero Strike" are perfect for quickly eliminating Captains.
   • Maintain Adrenaline: Continuously attack and parry to build Adrenaline, allowing you to use your powerful abilities.
4. Rewards: Successfully completing a Conquest Battle yields a substantial amount of Drachmae, experience points, and often a rare or epic piece of gear (e.g., the "Spartan War Hero Gauntlets" for fighting for Sparta, or "Athenian War Hero Helmet" for Athens).

Leaders and Mercenaries

Each region has a Leader, a powerful NPC who governs the area. Killing the Leader is a key step in weakening a region for a Conquest Battle and often results in a bounty being placed on your head, attracting Mercenaries.

• Leader Strategies:
  • Stealth Approach: Leaders are often found in well-guarded Forts or Leader Houses. Use Ikaros to scout their patrol routes and guard placements. A well-executed assassination from stealth (e.g., using "Rush Assassination") can eliminate them quickly without alerting the entire fort.
  • Direct Confrontation: If stealth isn't an option, be prepared for a tough fight. Leaders often have unique abilities and strong bodyguards. Focus on parrying their attacks and using your most damaging abilities.
  • Loot: Leaders drop valuable loot, including rare gear and a significant amount of Drachmae.
• Mercenaries: These formidable foes are bounty hunters who will track you down if your bounty level increases (indicated by the helmet icons on the bottom right of your screen).
  • Bounty Level: Increases by committing crimes (killing civilians, stealing, destroying property) or by killing Leaders.
  • Dealing with Mercenaries:
    • Pay Off Bounty: You can pay off your bounty at any time through the map screen, but this can be costly.
    • Kill the Sponsor: Sometimes, a specific NPC will have placed the bounty on you. Killing them will clear your bounty instantly.
    • Defeat the Mercenary: Engaging and defeating Mercenaries is a great way to earn experience, Drachmae, and often unique legendary gear. Each defeated Mercenary is replaced by a new one, and climbing the Mercenary Tiers unlocks powerful perks.
  • Strategy: Don't shy away from Mercenaries. They are excellent sources of high-tier loot and experience. Use environmental hazards, stealth attacks, and your most powerful abilities to take them down. Always check their weaknesses and resistances in the Mercenary tab of your menu.