Metaphor: ReFantazio features eight playable characters: the protagonist and seven companions who join throughout the adventure. While Gallica is present from the start, her combat role is limited initially. Each party member joins on a specific in-game date, tied to story events. Note: This guide contains minor story spoilers regarding party member recruitment.

Party Member Recruitment Timeline:

The party members each awaken to their unique Archetype, a power usable by other party members. Early companions are initially AI-controlled until their Archetype activation.

• Strohl (Warrior): Joins on 6/5 (Border Fort events), but his Archetype awakens on 6/6 (Nord Mines), making him fully controllable.

• Grius: Joins after the Border Fort events, becoming a playable character on 6/6 after Strohl's Archetype awakening. Grius doesn't undergo a traditional Archetype awakening.

• Hulkenberg (Knight): Interacts with the party from 6/10, fully joining and awakening her Archetype during the boss fight on 6/11.

• Heismay (Thief): His Archetype awakens and he joins the party on 7/4, within the Martira dungeon.

• Junah (Masked Dancer): Joins the party after her Archetype awakening on 8/13.

• Eupha (Summoner): Eupha's recruitment is flexible. She joins for the final boss fight on whichever day (between 8/19 and 9/4) the Dragon Temple dungeon is completed in Viraga Island. Her Bond quest, however, begins after this deadline.

• Basilio (Berserker): Awakens and joins the party on 9/11 (Saint's Day events), becoming usable in combat the following day.