How to Get the Secret Secondary Job Arcanist in Octopath Traveler 2

There are four new secret secondary jobs in Octopath Traveler, which will require a little footwork, boss slaying, and plot progression to obtain. The Arcanist requires a little of all three. Here’s how to get the secret secondary job, Arcanist, in Octopath Traveler 2.

How to Get the Secret Secondary Job Arcanist in Octopath Traveler 2

The Arcanist is a new job to the Octopath franchise, and it’s a class all about balance. It allows its user to access both dark and light skills, which restore HP and SP to the entire party, respectively, based on damage done. The other skills are all status based, requiring a bit of forethought and strategy but reaping big dividends, especially against late-game bosses.

But getting the Arcanist? Not precisely easy. Here’s the step-by-step process.

Step 1: Obtain the Grand Terry

Upon unlocking Partitio by completing his Chapter 1, you’ll see that he has a sub-quest you can complete called The Scent of Commerce, with progression points scattered all across the map. But there’s only one we care about, and that’s the one centered on Tropu’hopu.

Head there, then go far right into the shipyard. Speak to Terry, who stubbornly refuses to part with her ship… Unless you bring her 100,000 leaves. Early game, this might seem like an obscene sum. Mid to late game, it practically feels like pocket change.

But if you’re struggling for cash, you have options. Partitio has a support skill called Grow on Trees, which increases the number of leaves you receive at the end of the battle. Get it? Because they grow on trees? The second option is to hire the Merchant in Tropu’hopu’s tavern. This Merchant has the ability Silver Tongue, which will give you a 20% discount off purchases. And yes, that includes the ship. He does cost 4,800 leaves, but you’ll save 10,200.

Once you’ve gathered enough leaves, return to Terry and purchase the ship. And in true Partitio fashion, he’ll name the ship after the woman who made it.

Step 2: Defeat the Scourge of the Seas

Now that you have a ship, board it and head for the whirlpool that’s north of Tropu’hopu and south of New Delsta. As you get close to the whirlpool, you’ll get a notification saying you feel an ominous presence. Approach anyway, and you’ll encounter the Scourge of the Sea.

The Scourge is a difficult boss with 90,000 HP, but you’ll have to defeat him if you want to get past. If you’re having trouble with him, check out our guide in the related link below:

Related: How to beat the Scourge of the Sea in Octopath Traveler 2

Step 3. Navigate the Maze

Once you defeat the Scourge of the Sea, head east, then north, until you’re below Clockbank. It’s also a good idea to check the waters, as there are plenty of powerful weapons and armor in floating chests.

You’ll see an island with a massive maze on top. Disembark here, and you’ll find that the island is called The Lost Isle, and it has a danger level of 45. It only has two monsters, both Blood Revenants. Make your way across the island until you find the ladder.

Climb up it and read the sign. It will tell you to “Discover the true path.”

The maze that surrounds you is littered with treasure chests, which contain Ancient Cursed Talisman (x2), Lost Tribe’s Dagger, Blessing in Disguise, and Great Sage’s Staff. Lost Tribe’s Dagger used with Blessing in Disguise is fantastic, as it will give a unit +100 speed, and Great Sage’s Staff is also very powerful and worth collecting. I note this because you don’t actually have to navigate the maze at all, but it’s worth doing so.

If you’re still standing in front of the sign, look carefully at the screen slightly to the left. You should see a faint blue glimmer. This is the invisible path that leads to the Arcanist.

If you can’t see it, that’s okay. If you just read the sign, turn left and head straight. You should soon be “walking on air.” Follow the path all the way to the left, and you’ll find the Arcanist standing on the platform. Speak to them, and they’ll grant you Proof of the Arcanist, the Arcanist license.

Unlike the Inventor and the Armsmaster, you don’t have to do anything special to unlock the Arcanist’s skills. Other than having quite a bit of JP. The Arcanist works exceptionally well on Osvald, as it gives him access to all possible spells (except Gale) and lets him use the dagger.

The Arcanist’s skill Of Equal Might also makes strength and elemental attack match the higher of the two stats, quickly turning Osvald into an extremely effective physical unit. But it does nothing for his HP or defense, so still expect glass cannon status. Another option is to use it on Partito and abuse the Skill Diffuse skill of the Arcanist with Partitio’s Sidestep to avoid all damage.

Whichever option you choose, it’s an extremely powerful class for bosses.

If you’re trying to find the best monsters to capture, check out our complete list of all captured monster abilities here.