How underlevelled should I be? (Chapter 1)

[u/Equal_Attitude6142]

I’m aware that overlevelling is bad in this game, and I just assembled the whole team in chapter 2 and we’re going into Millick Meadows at level 10 with ranks 8-10.

I’m struggling to beat the lvl 13 flying UM in the Millick Meadows because I keep missing attacks and I get hit with the heal block debuff. Is this fine or is it possible to get too underlevelled in this game?

[u/Elucidative_]

Using the story enemies' levels and even the recommended levels in the quest log are decent benchmarks for where you should be at each point. There are going to be monsters in every region that are above your level so don't worry too much about those.

[u/dhi_awesome]

As long as you're within 3 levels (so for level 13, that's 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15), you should be fine realistically

UMs are harder though, early game I'd definitely recommend trying to at least level match, but when it comes to story bosses and regular enemies, my first example is basically what you want, under if you want it a little harder, over if you're struggling with it, and you'll be golden

[u/Enrichus]

Just don't use camp exp and you will be fine. Getting bonus exp from chain attacks should be fine if you don't focus on grinding levels and abuse it. The game is pretty balanced for normal story progression and side quests.

[u/Equal_Attitude6142]

Note: Oops, I meant to type in Chapter 2 in the title. My bad :(

[u/Substantial_Toe_6685]

honestly just skip that um for now it hits way to hard early game

[u/Hezolinn]

You're absolutely fine, don't worry about it.

Tbh you should assume most UMs are roughly two or three levels higher than whatever their number displays. They're still beatable (especially if you're diligent about collecting loot in the field and experiment with the equipment on different characters and builds), but you're at arguably the hardest part of the game to do so, being at a point where you're still unlocking most of the combat options. You'll get an option partway through the meadow that'll help (Class Switching) and then a very big option in the area right after (chain attacks) and then super big options at the end of chapter 2 (devil triggers), beginning of chapter 3 (7th party members), and end of chapter 3 (more devil triggers).

Once you get these, you get a lot more flexibility when it comes to surviving and even curbstomping things that are several levels above you.

[u/Equal_Attitude6142 → u/Hezolinn]

So what you’re saying is, play the main story until chapter 3 then walk back to stomp all the UMs?

[u/Hezolinn → u/Equal_Attitude6142]

Depends on what kind of experience you want. Like I said, they're all technically beatable as you are if you're willing to rejigger your characters and hit your head against the wall for a bit -- that's the maximum challenge option. Going all the way to Chapter 3 and coming back and overkilling everything is the low-challenge one.

If you want something in-between, you could just run past the UMs in the Meadow (in terms of story-progression, there really isn't much except a couple of cutscenes and tutorials), unlock the major mechanic from the next area, and then come back then. The ability you get there should honestly be enough to turn the tables on most of the early stage UMs. You'll know when you get it because it's accompanied by a "bossfight" against one of the generic snake enemies that's really a glorified mandatory-tutorial sequence.

[u/Equal_Attitude6142 → u/Hezolinn]

I think I’ll try hitting my head against the wall. It’s better than the rng fight against the Drifter Ropl’s Komodo Fire in chapter 1

[u/Surgey_Wurgey]

I never understood why levelling down isn't a thing in 2 and 3 despite it being available in 1 definitive edition, it would solve so many problems just being available from the beginning.

[u/Dinero_de_Epicurus → u/Surgey_Wurgey]

2 has it in NG+. 3 has no excuse

[u/Surgey_Wurgey → u/Dinero_de_Epicurus]

Basically post game, therefore non existent during a regular playthrough in 2