• Start off prioritizing skills that earn AP 9Exploration skills), then accessory slots, then combat skills. I'm currently experimenting with the stat boost skills because their description sounds incredibly vague but essentially they sound like you get bigger boosts the longer you wait to unlock them since the boost is based off your level. If you're not going to use Wait mode, then ignore it.
  • Likewise, you should prioritize survival over raising attack power in the early to mid game. Most Foods offer an attack boost, so focus on items that raise HP and defense first. You will also want to invest in status protection items for the team.
  • You can't travel by car at night until you reach a certain level (Like 40ish), and even then, you won't be able to travel without being harassed until at least halfway through the game when you finish Cindy's quest line. Your best option is to unlock Chocobos ASAP to circumvent this since they can easily outrun enemies.
  • Staying at hotels gives an XP boost, but camping allows Ignis to make food which often give way better stat buffs than what you can buy at diners. If you complete a huge set of quests and earn a ton of XP quickly, go to a hotel (preferably the beach resort one or Altissia) but if you need to tackle a dungeon or fight a powerful hunt above your average party level, then camp first to get the food buff.
  • There is a Coeurl that spawns by the first Royal Tomb you visit in the plot with Cor in Chapter 2. Make sure you target it's head with Warp Strikes and skills so you can earn a Coeurl Whisker needed to upgrade the Drain Lance. Likewise, once you reach Duscae, you can find a mark hunt that pits you against a Helixacorn which is an Ixion/Unicorn like enemy but massive. Make sure you Warp Strike it's head to get its horn because you need it in the chain of quests to upgrade the Engine Blade into the Ultima Blade.If you fail, remember that Hunts can be repeated.
  • The DLC items are mostly okay for the early chapters, with the exception of the Ragnarok which is got serious legs on it with a huge base ATK and a secondary ability to boost Warp Strike damage. It won't become obsolete until you get some serious levels. Some of Noctis' LC outfits also confer bonuses.
  • Don't forget to use items when you use Elemancy. They can help boost magic to higher damage tiers or you can give them secondary effects like healing or debuffing the enemy. Magic is especially great at dealing with random Magitech Troops since they usually drop down from their airships in tight formations, making them easy targets for a spell.
  • If you want a serious boost early on, then do the FFXIV and Terra Wars collab quests as soon as they open. XIV gives you a powerful Astral summon and Terra Wars gives you an OP one handed sword.
  • Timed Quests are a pain, but give you massive XP boosts if you complete them.
  • Mission objectives can be a pain o implement but reward huge AP boosts. So try to complete them as they appear.
  • Always buy every new food item you find in restaurants, Ignis can usually make them after he tries them.
  • Fish, a lot, and any chance you get. Especially after you unlock the skill to earn AP. Fish also have a day/night cycle, so you should always fish at both times to catch everything.
  • While it can be a pain, you do have the ability to switch out a characters skill and equipment mid-battle. So don't be afraid to switch around if you need to use different skills. Prompto has a great low level skills to deal with daemons that debuffs them, but you can then switch him back to one of his more offensive skills after. Likewise, Ignis should probably start boss fights and hunts with Enhancement equipped to boost Noct's attack and then you can switch him to his other skills based on your needs.
  • Don't rely on Astrals too much. There are certain dungeons and plot points where they won't activate no matter what, and while there damage is ridiculous, it is still possible for high level enemies to survive their wrath. Fun fact though, Noct will use every summon he earns (except Garuda from the XIV event) at least once in the course of the plot.
  • Always check every item shop. The car section will sometimes have expensive but useful parts you can install for the Regalia to make it more efficient. Just make sure you go back to the Hammerhead to have Cindy install them for you. Likewise, the shops will also occasionally have recipes for Ignis to buy and new music for the car.
  • Always check things your party members point out, they usually will net you an item or recipe.
  • Like FFXII before it, always take advantage of having a guest character in your party. You usually can't do dungeons with them, except for one with Iris, but you can do Hunts to a limited degree depending on how bad the plot railroads you.