It has been nearly a decade since the last Digimon title, and each new release brings both small and significant changes. Even longtime fans may need a refresher when jumping into Digimon Story: Time Stranger (DSTS). Here’s a comprehensive list of beginner and advanced tips to help you get started.
Beginner and Advanced Tips & Tricks in Digimon Story: Time Stranger
- When you encounter side quests, even if the task may seem mundane, finish all that give Anomaly Points. This helps you reach Agent Rank 3 or 5 faster, granting earlier access to Champion and Ultimate Digivolutions.
- You cannot reach Agent Rank 7+ to unlock Mega or Mega+ Digivolutions during the first playthrough; this is reserved for New Game+.
- DigiAttacks depend on your camera angle, not your character’s perspective. Work the camera so you can always get the first strike.
- Items or consumables like Multi-boost A or B are powerful. Since using items doesn’t take a turn, they act as almost free power-ups in battle.
- STR stats affect physical damage, while INT stats affect magic damage. Pay attention to these stats on your Digimon to know which type of attack to use.
- Pick up random items found around the world; many will later be used to buy Training Sets or Digi-Eggs.
- Every Digimon gains EXP when you win battles. Digimon that participate in battles also improve their talent and bond.
- Focus on a few core Digimon to improve their level cap, while using reserve slots to level other Digimon for the future.
- You can freely change Aegiomon’s Data Fragment to adjust his power for specific fights.
- Don’t hesitate to use Hail Mary plays. If cornered, have one Digimon Guard while others attack, allowing at least one to survive and enabling a full party revive. Revived members should take their turn immediately.
- Focus on Agent Skills that give bonus EXP, such as education nodes—they are some of the best in the game.
- Switch between Cross Art skills. Cross Art: Strike is powerful against bosses, while Cross Art: Break helps handle multi-target charge attacks.
- Always attach equipment to your Digimon for free buffs.
- Digimon in the Digifarm also gain EXP from battles.
- Digivolve your Digimon even if planning to load-enhance later. More Digivolved Digimon grant bigger EXP boosts.
- Outer Dungeons provide many useful items, like Medical Sprays, and are repeatable.
- Claim your bonuses in the In-Between Theatre.
- Digi-Eggs are not consumables, so you don’t need to buy one for each Digivolution.
- Talk to your Digimon using the Digiline to gain personality skills and free Bond bonuses.
- Since you can get easy consumables from Outer Dungeons, you can save money for card collecting or equipment.
- Some side quests only require switching costumes.
- Analyze opponents to learn their attributes and weaknesses.
- Increase auto-battle speed by disabling it and flicking the right analog stick up until you see X5 speed, which removes attack animations and speeds up grinding.
- On Story difficulty, strong Digimon can one-shot enemies using DigiAttacks, making grinding easier.
- Keep debuff skills handy for enemies where no strong attacks are available.
- Digivolutions are non-linear, so plan carefully.
- Scan Digimon at 200% instead of 100–190% to gain higher stats, making Digivolutions easier.
- Better Training Sets for the Digifarm become available later, improving training efficiency.
- Cumulative stats (light blue numbers) carry over depending on Digimon bond level; at 100%, all carry over when Digivolving.
- Diversify your party with different elemental attacks and types.
- Type advantage matters: a well-built Digimon with type advantage will often outperform a random Digimon with raised stats but no type benefit.
