You've spent hours on the battlefield, meticulously positioning Eden and your mercenaries to avoid a flank. You finally get back to camp, ready to relax, only to realize your rapport levels are stagnant. It's frustrating. Lost Eidolons isn't just a tactical RPG; it’s a game of social management. If you aren't paying attention to the Lost Eidolons gift guide basics, you’re leaving vital combat bonuses and recruitment opportunities on the table. Honestly, most players just spam whatever items they have in their inventory. That's a mistake.
Gold is scarce in Artemesia. Every coin you spend on a "Book of Poetry" for a gruff soldier who hates reading is a coin you aren't spending on a Steel Sword +1. You need to be surgical. Rapport isn't just fluff. It unlocks personal quests and provides tangible stat boosts when units are near Eden. It’s the difference between a missed attack and a critical hit that saves your permadeath run.
Why Giving the Wrong Gift is Killing Your Strategy
Most people think rapport is just about being nice. It's not. It's a resource. In Lost Eidolons, each character has distinct likes and dislikes tied to their backstory and personality. If you hand a Knight’s Tale to a character like Francisco, he’s going to love it. Try giving that same book to someone like Leon and you’ll get a lukewarm reaction that barely moves the needle.
The game doesn't explicitly tell you what everyone wants. You have to listen. When you’re walking around camp in those third-person segments, pay attention to the dialogue. Is a character complaining about the cold? Are they reminiscing about their home in the south? These aren't just world-building flavor texts. They are hints.
Efficiency is king here. You want to hit that "Great" reaction every single time. A "Good" reaction is basically a waste of a gift slot for that day. You only have a limited number of leadership points to spend on camp activities, so maximizing the "per-click" value of your gifts is the only way to play optimally.
The Lost Eidolons Gift Guide: Breaking Down the Archetypes
Instead of looking at a massive, boring spreadsheet, it's better to think about these characters in archetypes. Most of the roster falls into specific buckets based on their upbringing and their role in the Rebellion.
The Scholars and Magic Users
Characters like Karin and Lira are your primary targets for intellectual items. If it's a Book of Poetry, a History of Artemesia, or even Fine Stationery, these are your go-to people. They value knowledge over martial prowess. Interestingly, Karin specifically responds well to items that remind her of her scholarly pursuits before the war broke out. Don't waste whetstones or leather straps on them. They won't care.
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The Gritty Frontliners
Then you have the soldiers. Characters like Balwin or Rybal. These guys are practical. They want things they can use or things that remind them of the "good old days" before the empire went to hell. Whetstones, Quality Leather, and Alcohol (specifically the Aged Ale) are high-tier choices here.
I’ve found that many players overlook the Amulet of Luck. It feels like a generic RPG item, but for the superstitious soldiers in your camp, it’s a massive rapport booster. It’s about the lore. These mercenaries are constantly staring death in the face; a little bit of "divine protection" goes a long way for their morale.
The High-Born and Noble-Adjacent
Even in a rebellion, some people have expensive tastes. Elena and Gilbert fall into this category. They aren't necessarily snobs, but they appreciate the finer things. Silk Handkerchiefs, Silver Brooches, and Exotic Spices are the keys to their hearts. If you find a Fancy Vase, don't just sell it for gold. Check your rapport screen first. Someone with a noble background will give you a much better return on investment than a common merchant.
Where to Actually Find the Best Gifts
You can't just rely on loot drops. If you do, your rapport will grow at a snail's pace. You need to visit the Traveling Merchant every single time they appear in camp. Their inventory rotates.
Usually, the merchant carries a mix of low-tier and high-tier gifts. Always prioritize buying out their stock of Journal of a Hero and Old Coin. These are "bridge" gifts. While they might not be the absolute favorite of every single person, they have a high floor. Almost everyone in the camp likes an Old Coin. It’s a safe bet when you’re trying to tip a character over to the next rapport rank but don't want to burn a specific high-value item.
- Exploration: Look behind tents. Seriously. The camp maps are small, but the developers hid items in crates and barrels that often contain mid-tier gifts.
- Side Quests: Some minor fetch quests in camp don't just give gold; they reward you with unique gift items that can't be bought.
- Combat Rewards: Occasionally, an MVP of a battle will find an item. It’s rare, but it happens.
The Secret to Managing Your Leadership Points
Leadership points are the real currency of the camp. You only get a handful per chapter. Should you spend them on sparring, fishing, or gifting?
If you have the right items from a Lost Eidolons gift guide, gifting is the most efficient use of a point. Sparring is great for XP, sure, but the rapport gains are static. Gifting allows for "burst" rapport growth. If you have three "Great" tier gifts for a specific character, you can jump an entire rank in a single camp session.
Don't spread yourself too thin. Pick 3 or 4 core units that you absolutely need to have high rapport with. Usually, this should be your primary tank, your main healer, and your strongest damage dealer. Focus your gifts on them first. Once they hit the cap, move on to the "bench" units.
Recruiting NPCs also requires rapport. If you’re eyeing a certain character to join your cause, save your gifts for them. There's nothing worse than reaching the end of a chapter and being five points short of recruiting a powerful mage because you wasted a Dried Flower on someone who was already at max rank.
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Common Misconceptions About Rapport
I see this a lot on forums: people think that because a character is a certain class, they like certain things. "Oh, she's a Ranger, she must like hunting gear." Not always.
Take Andrei for example. He’s a tough guy, but he has a softer side that prefers items related to home and hearth. If you just shove martial gifts at him, you’re going to stall out. You have to read their bios. The bio section in the menu isn't just for flavor—it literally lists their interests. If it says they like "Music," you better find a Lute String.
Also, gifting the same item twice in a row usually results in diminishing returns in many games, but in Lost Eidolons, it’s more about the daily limit. You can't just dump ten gifts on one person in one go. You have to be consistent across different camp visits. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Actionable Strategy for Your Next Camp Session
Stop clicking through the camp segments. To master rapport and get the most out of your units, follow this flow:
- Check the Merchant First: Before you talk to anyone, see what gifts are available for purchase. Buy the "Great" tier items for your priority units.
- Read the Bio: If you’re unsure, open the character menu. Look for keywords like "History," "Cooking," or "Fine Arts."
- Prioritize Recruitment: If there is a "Guest" in camp you want to keep permanently, they get the best gifts first. No exceptions.
- Pair Gifting with Conversations: Some dialogue choices in camp also grant rapport. Try to do your gifting after you’ve exhausted dialogue, just in case the conversation gives you a hint about what they want.
- Save the Rare Stuff: Items like the Ancient Artifact are incredibly rare. Don't use them on characters that are easy to please. Save them for the "stubborn" characters who have very few "Great" liked items.
By treating the gift system as an extension of your tactical gameplay, you'll find that the battles themselves become significantly easier. High rapport means better support bonuses, and in a game where one square of movement or five points of damage can end a run, that matters more than anything else. Take the time to learn the preferences of your crew. They’re fighting for you; the least you can do is give them a gift they actually like.