Lapis x Labyrinth is an RPG where players have direct control over who goes along for the ride. There are up to four characters in a party at once. People can have 16 total characters at their home. Eight different classes are present. There is a lot someone can do. As people go through, they will find things and formations that work for them. However, heading into the game, there are a few classes that can feel like they were designed to really help provide a sense of strength and stability in a dungeon.
The important thing to know in Lapis x Labyrinth is that every possible party is viable. People can do whatever they like, considering the lengths of runs and variety in class type. People get five minutes in a dungeon, and this is very much a beat’em up RPG. Maximizing your damage output to race through is an option. So is being cautious. Someone could load up with damage dealers or ranged units. But, there are a few classes that people should take note of early on.
One is the Bishop. This is a healer, but the character is also a great damage dealer. The spear offers some good reach, with some ranged energy attacks available. What you really need the Bishop around for is the EX Order ability. This Holy Prayer heals the entire party’s health and removes any negative status effects. It is a quick, easy, and guaranteed way to restore everyone, and all you have to do is watch and wait to see the EX Gauge refill. Once it is full, you can trigger the prayer. It is especially good just before or during the boss fight.
A similarly helpful class is the Shielder. This is a tank role. If this warrior is at the top of the line and being directly controlled, then it has shield-based attacks that involve rushing and whacking at enemies. But, if this character is a dango in your stack, they can be even more helpful. Both the Assist Order and EX Gauge abilities involve defending the whole party. The basic move is Hyper Shield, which bestows temporary invincibility. But, when you kick in a little more with the Extra Order, you get a Shield Zone that is a bigger, better Hyper Shield. Since a lot of the normal stage and boss segments involve the group walking into a horde of enemies, having that few minutes of security can help someone whittle down a group and make attacks more manageable.
Finally, a third helpful role is the one filled by the Maid. This character can deal damage at lose range by using a pan to attack. However, the character is best kept in the stack for support skills. Both the Assist Order and EX Order are there to make your life easier when assaulted by mobs. (After all, she even carries cheerleader pom-poms during one of them.) Her Assist Order has her make soup for the whole team. It temporarily applies a buff that increases your attack. If you have the EX Gauge full, then her Lovey-Dovey Face sends out kisses everywhere to charm enemies around the party. In each situation, you get an edge. Both cases are ones where an attack buff or negative status effect on enemies can help when you have more than just three or five foes around.
With any sort of RPG with custom party elements, people will find things that suit them. There are probably people out there who thing Etrian Odyssey parties with multiple farmers in them are a good idea. Some might want to tackle a Fire Emblem game without any archers. Lapis x Labyrinth offers people the same sort of freedom. While there are characters who make a lot of sense and are very practical, some may want to try being silly. The foundation is there to build a group that suits you and your needs.
Lapis x Labyrinth will come to the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 in North America on May 28, 2019, in Europe on May 31, 2019, and in Australia on June 7, 2019. It is immediately available in Japan.
