Maximizing Equipment

Learn how to maximize your equipment in Bravely Default by understanding job aptitudes, weapon stats, and the benefits of two-handing vs. dual-wielding.

This guide covers how to choose and improve your equipment in Bravely Default, focusing on maximizing stats and understanding weapon and armor mechanics.

Choosing Your Gear:

When selecting weapons and armor, prioritize those with higher Physical Attack and Physical Defense. However, remember that job aptitudes significantly impact effectiveness. Each job has an aptitude rank (E to S) for different equipment types. Higher aptitudes mean better stats. For instance, a Monk with an S aptitude in Knuckles will have higher attack than a White Mage with an E aptitude. Support abilities can later increase these aptitudes, allowing any job to use specific weapons effectively.

Don't solely focus on raw stats; consider equipment with special effects or boosts in other areas. For example, elemental damage from weapons can be more effective against enemies weak to that element. The White Robe, while not having the highest defense, boosts Mind by 20, which is beneficial for White Mages to improve healing power.

Improving Your Weapons:

Initially, equip weapons only in the right hand. Dual-wielding halves the attack rating of both weapons, offering no advantage. This changes for spell-casters, as only Physical Attack is halved, while Magic Attack remains at full value. Later in the game, unique abilities can alter these recommendations.

Using a weapon two-handed (indicated by a "2-Hand" stat on the bottom screen) sacrifices a shield slot but typically provides a greater attack bonus than the defense lost. Dual-wielding two different weapons can offer slightly higher overall Attack than two-handing and allows a character to use two Special Moves, though each move's power will be slightly reduced compared to a single Special Move when two-handing.