Discover the best stat bonuses to choose when leveling up in Super Mario RPG (2023). Learn how to optimize Attack, Defense, HP, and Magic for Mario, Mallow, Geno, Bowser, and Peach.
Hey there! So, you're diving into Super Mario RPG (2023) and wondering which stat to boost when you level up? It's a great question, and the answer isn't as simple as just picking the same thing every time. You actually get to choose between boosting your Physical stats (Attack and Defense), your HP, or your Magic stats (Mg. Attack and Mg. Defense). It might seem straightforward – pick Physical for fighters, Magic for casters, and HP for survivability – but the game throws a curveball: the actual bonuses you get change as you level up! To get the absolute best stats, you'll need to switch up your choices every few levels. Don't worry, though, it follows a pattern!
Let's break down what you'll see early on. For example, when Mario hits Level 2, his options are:
- Physical: Attack +1 and Defense +1
- HP: Max HP +3
- Magic: Mg. Attack +3 and Mg. Defense +1
See? At this level, the Magic bonus gives you a much bigger boost to your offensive magic than the Physical bonus gives to your regular Attack. Then, at Level 3, Mario's choices change:
- Physical: Attack +2 and Defense +1
- HP: Max HP +3
- Magic: Mg. Attack +1 and Mg. Defense +1
Now, the Physical bonus is looking pretty good with that +2 Attack. Finally, at Level 4:
- Physical: Attack +1 and Defense +1
- HP: Max HP +4
- Magic: Mg. Attack +1 and Mg. Defense +1
Here, the HP bonus is the highest, making it the most appealing choice if you want to tank a few more hits. This pattern of changing bonuses repeats every three levels throughout the game, up to the max level of 30. The specific bonuses might differ slightly for each character, but the core idea of switching your choice to maximize your gains stays the same.
To help you out, here are the stat bonuses for the first few levels for each character. Keep this handy to make sure you're always picking the best option!
Mario Bonus Stats by Level
| Level | Physical | HP | Magic |
| 2 | Attack +1, Defense +1 | Max HP +3 | Mg. Attack +3, Mg. Defense +1 |
| 3 | Attack +2, Defense +1 | Max HP +3 | Mg. Attack +1, Mg. Defense +1 |
| 4 | Attack +1, Defense +1 | Max HP +4 | Mg. Attack +1, Mg. Defense +1 |
Mallow Bonus Stats by Level
| Level | Physical | HP | Magic |
| 2 | Attack +1, Defense +1 | Max HP +4 | Mg. Attack +2, Mg. Defense +1 |
| 3 | Attack +3, Defense +1 | Max HP +4 | Mg. Attack +1, Mg. Defense +1 |
| 4 | Attack +1, Defense +1 | Max HP +6 | Mg. Attack +1, Mg. Defense +1 |
Geno Bonus Stats by Level
| Level | Physical | HP | Magic |
| 7 | Attack +1, Defense +1 | Max HP +6 | Mg. Attack +1, Mg. Defense +1 |
| 8 | Attack +3, Defense +1 | Max HP +5 | Mg. Attack +3, Mg. Defense +1 |
| 9 | Attack +1, Defense +1 | Max HP +5 | Mg. Attack +1, Mg. Defense +1 |
Bowser Bonus Stats by Level
| Level | Physical | HP | Magic |
| 9 | Attack +2, Defense +1 | Max HP +1 | Mg. Attack +1, Mg. Defense +1 |
| 10 | Attack +1, Defense +1 | Max HP +3 | Mg. Attack +1, Mg. Defense +1 |
| 11 | Attack +1, Defense +1 | Max HP +1 | Mg. Attack +3, Mg. Defense +1 |
Princess Peach Bonus Stats by Level
| Level | Physical | HP | Magic |
| 10 | Attack +1, Defense +1 | Max HP +9 | Mg. Attack +1, Mg. Defense +1 |
| 11 | Attack +1, Defense +1 | Max HP +5 | Mg. Attack +3, Mg. Defense +1 |
| 12 | Attack +3, Defense +1 | Max HP +5 | Mg. Attack +1, Mg. Defense +1 |
Looking at these tables, you can see a clear path to making the most powerful characters. While it's generally good to aim for the highest bonus available at each level, some characters might benefit from specializing. Mallow and Peach, for instance, are your magic powerhouses, so leaning into their Magic stats might be the way to go. Bowser, on the other hand, doesn't get a huge HP boost on his 'high HP' levels, so you might find it more worthwhile to stick with Physical or Magic boosts even when they seem lower. Mastering these level-up choices is key to creating the ultimate party!
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