Square Enix has been on a roll in 2022. The publisher appears to be harking back to the late nineties when they used to release a healthy amount of JRPGs that weren’t afraid to experiment and try something. Recently the company has published the likes ofThe DioField Chronicle,Stranger of Paradise, andTriangle Strategy. Then there are titles like the upcomingStar Ocean: The Divine Force, TacticsOgre: Reborn, Front Mission First: Remake, and nowValkryie Elysium.
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Since its release on the PS1, theValkyrie Profileseries still ranks as a favorite among JRPG fans. There hasn’t been a mainline game in the series sinceValkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume,a title that launched in 2009 for the Nintendo DS. However, the most popular in the series areValkyrie Profile: LennethandValkyrie Profile: Silmeria.Valkyrie Elysiumfeels like a spin-off and a reboot by introducing a new lead, gameplay elements, and characters. Thankfully, the new title has retained the spirit and feel of the classic originals by including theEinherjar, the souls of warriors that help Valkyrie Maria in combat.
Einherjar Explained
Like its predecessors,Valkyrie Elysiumfeatures the spirits offallen warriors known as Einherjar. The Einherjar are souls the Valkyrie Maria can summon into battle to exploit their strengths and gain a tactical advantage by using their elemental powers and skills with a weapon. All Einherjar are unique and excellent in their way, but some players may find that they use some characters more than others.
Summoning Einherjar
As stated, the Einherjar are support characters that the Valkyrie can call into battle to help her defeat her enemies. They can also help her find ways to get passed seemingly impassable objects and obstructions. The summoned warriors will infuse the Valkyrie with elemental-based powers that include Ice, Lightning, Fire, and Holy.
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To Summon an Einherjar as support in combat, hold the L2/LT button and press the face button that the Einherjar is assigned, Triangle/Y, Circle/B, X/A, or Square/X.
4Taika
Taika is a fire-based Einherjar that becomes available to Maria in the final chapter (6). Naturally, she’s effective against ice-based enemies inValkyrie Elysium. However, only one of her Einherjar attacks can cause huge damage in the game, and that’s theBurn Trap.
The Burn Trap acts like a mine tossed on the ground by Taika so the player can bait enemies into its area of attack. Unfortunately, the randomness associated with the attacks means that the results can vary. Taika’s remaining Einherjar and regular attacks are decent but hit with a lot of damage.
3Kristopher
Kristopher is a Holy-based Einherjar that becomes available after completing Chapter 5. She uses a spear weapon which gives her medium to long range in combat. She’s able to strike at a distance withCharge Blast.
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This attack spears Kristopher toward her opponent, hitting them multiple times for moderate damage. She also has a good AOE attack calledExtreme Voidthat will stun several enemies on the battlefield, leaving Maria with some breathing room to attack freely.
2Eygon
Eygon is a Lightning-based fighter that becomes available after completing Chapter 2. He’s effectively the tank fighter on Maria’s team of Einherjar and wields a large sword, making him a close-range fighter. Eygon is the most powerful attacker, and he has a range of lightning attacks that can damage and stun multiple enemies with hisMeteor Swarmability.
Eygon’sLeven Slashis his best and most powerful Einherjar attack. With it, he will hit his enemies with three instant lightning-based attacks, taking advantage of his strength. His normal attacks are solid, but making sure he has Tri Slash equipped means following the Leven Slash, he can continue the assault with three more successive hits. As the first character that becomes recruitable, it’s surprising that Eygon remains one of the most effective Einherjar in the game. His strength complements the Valkyrie well, especially in close quarters.
1Cypher
Cypher is an ice-based Einherjar that becomes available after completing Chapter 3. The character uses a bow for long-range attacks and twin daggers for close-range. Cypher is a good all-rounder with regular attacks that are excellent at interrupting enemy attacks and is one of the best characters to use and achieve anS Rank at the end of the mission. Cypher is quick and deadly, and just like Eygon one of the first Einherjar that the Valkyrie can recruit, and is invaluable to use in battle throughout the game’s story and itsside quests.
Cypher’sHyoso-Hojinis the best area of attack in the game and is perfect for staggering and damaging several enemies at a time. For attacks against powerful enemies and bosses, Cypher hasToren,which quickly unleashes two whirlwinds that hit the enemy four times without missing, causing stagger damage. With the Ice elemental buff activated, Cypher can cause incredible damage against enemies, hitting them with blizzards and ice storms.
Valkyrie Elysiumis currently available on PC, PS4, and PS5.
