Being prepared and having the right items at hand can be crucial in RPGs. This isespeciallythe case in one that emphasizes fast-paced combat likeTrials of Mana. ThisSquare Enixremake of theSecret of Manafollow-up often takes players on sprawling journeys across vast settings crawling with baddies.
While magic and Class Strikes can also make an impact incombat, having useful items at one’s disposal can truly make a big difference. And the fact that a player may not come upon a town inn, item shop, or statue for several minutes makes it even more important to stock up on great items.
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With that said, here are 10 essential items that should be gathered for those long expeditions in thisJRPG.
10Medical Herb
Given the vast array of enemies– each with their own powers– it becomes apparent early on that Medical Herbs can be beneficial. The great thing about these is that they’re quite cheap at just 20 L, and can be found in all shops in the game. So be sure to stock up on these, even in the early goings. There may be ailments following a battle (namely poison– but also other negative status effects besides death or debuffs) which will call for one.
9Hand Axe
There’s no shortage of ways to strike enemies– though having an item that can inflict hefty amounts of damage can also be useful in a pinch. One may find that the opponent is tougher to take down than usual, or that resources are largely spent, restricting the use of spells orclassstrikes. This is when something like a Hand Axe comes in “handy,” if you’ll excuse the pun. Though they’re on the pricey side at 400 L, they’re well worth it. With one swift and simple throw, players can deal a whopping 300 damage (moderate to heavy) on a single enemy.
8Stardust Herb
The same way Medical Herbs cure ailments like poison, the Stardust Herb is helpful in wiping away most conditions caused by spells. This is particularly useful later in the game, since enemies will be busting out spells that come laced with annoying debuffs and hindrances. This includes conditions such as Sleep or FireMan, which will leave you vulnerable, so it’s good to have a supply of these ready to use.
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They can be found at General Stores throughout the game including Topple, Wendel, Menos, and Jadd Blacksmith. They can also be dropped by monsters like Batmo, Shadow Zero, Lime Slime, and Pincher Crabs.
7Candy
These will usually be found in abundance inToM, and it’s a good thing considering how useful they are. Though their 200 HP healing may not make a massive impactdeepinto the campaign, they should certainly be sought out in the earlier phases. They only cost 20 L, and can be found all over the place– shopsandmonster drops– so it’s quite easy to build up a sufficient collection of Candy.
6Item Seeds
One neat feature inToMis the ability to plant obtainable Seeds, which each produce a random type of item or piece of gear. These can be planted at the various inns scattered throughout the game. Item Seeds are particularly useful as they can be found at a pretty high rate, and will typically generate recovery items. It can be useful to stock up on lots of these, as each one placed into a Magic Pot will actually give it experience points which will slowly but surely enable it to level up. Higher-level Pots will yield better items, so this is a useful goal to strive for in the game.
5Magic Rope
Unlike theSecret of Manaversion of this handy rope– which can be used infinitely–ToM’s ropes are one-and-done. So basically, it’s a good idea to stock up on these items. For one, they only cost 50 L and can be found at all shops. In addition, their ability to bring the team back to a dungeon’s entrance can be quite useful, as there’s no shortage of sprawling dungeons in the game. Sometimes the game will be generous with statues– which save the game and (sometimes) heal the whole team. Yet, this is notalwaysthe case, and you may find the gang is in dire straits with no easy way out. Often, you’ll need to regroup at a village before engaging in a toughboss battle.
4Chocolate
Just as the Candy should be emphasized early on, Chocolates should be sought after and collected in the middle and later portions ofToM.
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They can be had and found in abundance– at most stores as well as various chests and enemy mobs. They cost a reasonable 50 L to purchase, which is worth the investment considering each one heals a whopping 500 HP. This will be enough to make a big differencewellintoToM’s lengthy campaign.
3Faerie Walnut
Just like Candies and Chocolates keep the party healed, Faerie Walnuts serve this purpose when it comes to MP. Though they won’t be used much early on, they’ll likely be needed quite a bit as the game progresses and the team increasingly uses spells. This is especially the case if heroes like Angela and Charlotte are used. They can be bought for 150 L, which is very much worth it considering they restore a respectable 20 MP. It doesn’t sound like much, but it’ll be sufficient in restoring most, if not all, MP in the early and middle portions of the campaign.
2Honey Elixir
Also known as “Royal Jam,” the Honey Elixir is essentially the amped-up version of Candies and Chocolates. They will restoreallHP for one team member. They can’t be found early on, but these usually prove to be a useful asset later in the game. They cost 100 L apiece– which will likely be a drop in the bucket once you’ve progressed enough and have done ample grinding and item pawning.
1Cup Of Wishes
Let’s face it– while most try to avoid it at all costs, death will be a fairly common occurrence inToM. This is especially the case in the second half of the game when things pick up and enemies can more powerful, busting out devastating spells. Now, there’s always the option to try and complete a battle with a fallen companion, as a victory will bring them back to life automatically.
But often, there’s the very real risk of losingeveryone–at which point it’s game over. In these circumstances, it’s a good idea to use a Cup of Wishes. Not only will it revive a fainted ally, but it’ll restore all their HP (whereas an automatic revive after a victory will only grant them 1 HP).
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