When to Recruit Characters for Max Value? Anything or look out for?

Should you wait to unlock Characters in Granblue Fantasy: Relink? Why?

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In this guide you'll learn WHEN you should be unlocking characters in Granblue Fantasy: Relink, and why you should wait if ever you choose to do so. Learn what benefits, and DOWNSIDES the choice might have if you choose to hold off on unlocking new members.

To summarize it, it only affects two things:

  • Waiting until Maniac Difficult unlocks new members at L65.
  • Increases the possible Terminus Weapon drops (This is a negative).
  • Increases Terminus Weapon DROP CHANCE. Very difficult to prove, but reportedly so. I BELEIVE THIS.

So let's get right into it. TLDR? Unlock as many or all as soon as you get to Maniac difficulty and above.

Maniac Difficulty gives the "max" unlocked Character level.

As you progress in the main story, unlocked characters get stronger and stronger up to a point. Maniac difficulty is the maximum point wherein unlocked characters will be powered up. So any character you unlock at this point is at Level 65?

So, what does that really mean for you? It's not that big of a deal. They come with much more Masteries unlocked - "saving" you some points. Their weapons also come a little bit more upgraded at L65 as well. So you save some materials too.

Ultimately, this doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things - don't let it stop you from getting a character you want.

The next point about Terminus Weapons, however might be more punishing. Everyone should be aware of it.

Unlocking characters "dilutes" Terminus Weapon Drops

So, basically, Terminus weapons drop from an endgame boss - BUT - THE POSSIBLE TERMINUS WEAPONS THAT CAN DROP ARE ONLY FROM CHARACTERS YOU'VE UNLOCKED. So, in effect, the more characters you've unlocked, the less chances you'll get the specific Terminus weapon you want.

For example, Scenario A) Your roster size is 8. You grind for Terimnus Weapons. You have a 1/8 Chance to get a specific one.

Now, Scenario B) Your roster size is 18. The drop rate for a specific Terminus Weapon is now 1/18. That's pretty abyssmal.

Even then, REPORTEDLY (this, I truly believe)
Unlocking more characters SUPPOSEDLY increases Terminus Weapons drop rate.
(More on this in the next segment)

Thankfully, Terminus Weapon drops can NEVER "double". Meaning once you've gotten one for one character, you'll never get it again - essentially shrinking the loot table one by one.

More Characters Unlocked Increases Terminus Weapon Drop Chance

Okay, so this is very difficult to prove, for obvious reasons. But, due to reports, and anecdotal evidence from me and my friends - it seems legit.

Basically, to "counter" the increased pool of possible drops, unlocking more characters (or all) increases the overall drop rate for Terminus Weapons. From what I, and my friends experiences overall I'd say I WOULD UNLOCK ALL CHARACTERS BEFORE TERMINUS FARMING.

It sounds rough, but if I were to stake my claim on one side of this argument over the other - I'd be in the "unlock all" camp every time.

Summary, Related Info

To put it mildly, there's no real benefit to unlocking a bunch of characters you can't use, or don't want to use. Yes, I understand the "comfort" of having the full roster.

While the whole "waiting until Maniac" is just whatever, the whole business with Terminus Weapon loot table is more of a thing - IMO, just unlock them all asap. Even if you do plan to get all of them, it does suck that it can potentially delay the weapon drop for your "main".

To wrap it up, these are the only two main points to consider on the effects of WHEN unlocking characters in Granblue Fantasy: Relink matters to you. So keep them in mind!