a good thing if you want to minimize Training/Random Battles.

Learn how to strategically purchase new gear in Tactics Ogre: Reborn to minimize random encounters and optimize your party's loadout. Save Goth and boost your team!

Alright, so you want to cut down on those pesky Training and Random Battles, huh? Smart move! The best way to do that is by making sure your party is strong enough that you can blast through any fight quickly, and that means hitting the shop at the right time. This section is all about that sweet, sweet gear acquisition.

New Gear Available:

• Balder Armour: Grab 10 of these. They're about 1.5 times better than Chain Armour, so a solid upgrade for most of your crew.
• Balder Helmet: Pick up 5. These are a massive improvement, roughly 3 times better than a basic Leather Hat.
• Balder Staff: You'll want 6 of these. They're almost twice as good as the Cedar Staff, a must-have for your mages.
• Balder Bow: Just one of these is needed. It's a nice +6 boost over the Great Bow.
• Balder Shield: Get one of these. It's about 1.5 times better than a Power Gauntlet, so a good defensive option.

Beyond the Balder line, you might also want to consider grabbing Acid Rain if you have a Ghost unit – it's a great Water Element spell that synergizes well with their Incubus. And definitely get Heal+ for units like Sisteena, as Presance can't use it.

Pro-Tip: If you're not too worried about unit Weight stats, you can also snag a Balder Sword and an extra Balder Helmet for your main physical attackers. Every little bit helps!

Managing Your Goth:

Don't freak out if you see your Goth balance drop! I started with about 80,000 Goth and ended up with only 40,000 after buying everything. BUT, and this is key, sell off all your old and unnecessary equipment. Seriously, clear out your inventory. After selling my old stuff, I was back up to around 75,000 Goth. Also, remember to sell excess Spells, but maybe keep one of each main attack spell just in case.

Example Loadouts:

Here's how some of the main characters looked with their new gear. This should give you a good idea of how to equip your own units:

1. Denim: Phlanka/Balder Armour/Balder Shield/Fire Orb.
2. Aloser: Slender Spear/Balder Armour/Balder Helmet/Wind Orb.
3. Sisteena: Balder Staff X2/Balder Armour/Wind Ring.
4. Canopus: Slender Spear/Balder Armour/Balder Helmet/Battle Boots.
5. Ghost: Life Staff/Balder Staff/Balder Armour/Balder Helmet.
6. Sara: Balder Bow/Balder Armour/Balder Helmet/VanCharm.
7. Voltel: Guard Whip/Balder Armour/Balder Helmet/Fire Ring.
8. Presance: Balder Staff X2/Balder Armour/Earth Orb.
9. Forcas: Phlanka/Crossbow/Balder Armour/Fire Orb.
10. Byan: Clear Staff/Balder Staff/Balder Armour/Undead Ring.

You'll notice that everyone's Weight stat stays pretty balanced. Canopus and Sisteena end up being the fastest, while Voltel and Presance are the slowest. Having your Healers on the slower side isn't a bad thing, actually. It means you'll have someone ready to heal at the start of your turn and someone else ready at the end, especially with your Ghost and his Heal Staff ready in the middle.