You’re standing on a platform in Martira, sweat beads forming on your brow, while a crowd of colorful tribespeople stares you down. The air is thick with the smell of street food and judgment. This is the Royal Tournament. It isn’t just about who can swing a sword the hardest or who has the flashiest Archetype; it’s about who can talk their way into the hearts of the people.
Winning the throne requires more than just high stats. You need to be a silver-tongued devil. If you’ve been ignoring the podiums, you’re leaving massive amounts of Eloquence and Reeve on the table. Honestly, you're also missing out on the "Debate Me!" achievement, which is a major pain to get if you mess up the timing.
The debates in Metaphor: ReFantazio are tight, high-stakes encounters. You only get one shot at each candidate. If you pick the wrong retort, you don’t just lose the argument; you lose face with the voters and a chunk of potential support.
Mastering the Martira Debates
Martira is your first real taste of the political circus. It’s a smaller town, but the candidates here are surprisingly aggressive. You’ll usually find these opportunities popping up on specific days of the week, often tied to the local weather patterns like Flamesday or Watersday.
Lina is likely your first opponent. She’s all about the "power of the youth" and change for the sake of change. When she starts grandstanding about how the old ways are dead, don't get defensive. Instead, pivot. Ask her, "What are your policies?" It sounds simple, right? But in this world, pointing out a lack of substance is the ultimate power move. She’ll stumble, the crowd will hum in agreement, and you’ll walk away with a boost to your Eloquence.
Then there’s Roger. He’s the classic "taxation is theft" guy. He wants to appeal to the greed of the merchant class. To shut him down, you have to appeal to the greater good. Tell him, "Taxes benefit us all." It’s a bold stance in a fantasy RPG, but the logic holds up for the citizenry who want paved roads and protection from humans.
Loveless is the final hurdle in Martira. He’s the party animal candidate, promising free booze and a good time for everyone. It’s tempting, sure. But the responsible answer is that "Alcohol won't bring equality." It’s a bit of a buzzkill, but the voters respect the maturity.
Brilehaven: The Big Stage
Once you hit Port Brilehaven, the stakes get significantly higher. The crowds are bigger, the Reeve rewards are fatter, and the opponents are much more seasoned. You’ll be debating on the platform in the Merchants’ Bazaar.
- Jin: He’s a bit of a nationalist. He focuses on "our people first." To beat him, you need to take the moral high ground. Your winning answer is: "We should help anyone."
- Glodell: This guy is basically a mouthpiece for Louis. He’s arrogant and lacks an original thought. The most satisfying way to win this is to call him out directly: "You only parrot Louis!" The crowd loves the drama of a direct call-out.
- Rudolf: He’s a military man through and through. He thinks strength and segregation are the keys to peace. You have to counter with unity. Tell the crowd, "The tribes must stand together."
- Milo: This one is tricky. He’s obsessed with aesthetics and surface-level beauty. He tries to argue that a beautiful ruler makes for a beautiful kingdom. You need to get philosophical here: "Beauty is deeper than our skin."
Wait. Don't just rush through these. Winning a debate gives you a massive +5 to Eloquence if you get the answer right, whereas failing only nets you a +1. In a game where time is your most precious resource, that’s a four-point swing you can’t afford to ignore.
The Final Showdown in Altabury
By the time you reach the frozen heights of Altabury, you’re a local celebrity. But Julian is standing in your way. He’s a "visionary" who talks about the distant future while ignoring the suffering of the present. He’ll try to paint you as short-sighted.
Your retort? "The present day matters too."
It’s a powerful sentiment that resonates with the people living in the cold, struggling to get by while the "great leaders" talk about legacies.
Why the "Debate Me!" Trophy is Missable
Here is the thing: these candidates don't wait for you. If you progress the story too far and leave a region, those debate opportunities are gone for good. Most candidates follow a weekly schedule. For example, in Martira, Loveless usually appears on Flamesday. If you spend that day grinding in a dungeon, you’ve missed your window for that week.
If you leave for Brilehaven before you’ve faced all three Martira candidates, you can kiss that achievement goodbye until New Game Plus.
Beyond the Debates: Everyday Speech Answers
When you aren't debating a rival candidate, you can still use the podium to increase your Royal Virtues. These aren't "missable" in the same way, but picking the right answer still maximizes your gains.
In Grand Trad, when you're just starting out, the locals are worried about the military and inequality. If you're asked about the military, tell them "I will restrict their use as weapons." If the conversation turns to social issues, go with "Help and understand each other."
In the later stages, like Virga Island, the tone shifts. The Mustari are marginalized. If you stand on the podium there, your best bet is to say, "I'll protect the Mustari." It shows you aren't just another capital-city politician who's forgotten about the fringes of the map.
How to Optimize Your Eloquence Grinding
Eloquence is often the "forgotten" virtue. Most players focus on Wisdom (for the research) or Courage (to start certain follower links). But you need Eloquence to unlock the higher ranks of several key followers, including some of your core party members.
- Check the weather: Debates often yield higher rewards on rainy days or during specific celestial alignments.
- The Book Strategy: If you're stuck on a boat or a gauntlet runner, read "Pride and Persuasion." It’s a solid way to supplement your podium gains.
- Double Dip: Try to schedule your podium visits on days when you don't have a follower available.
Honestly, the podium system is one of the coolest parts of Metaphor: ReFantazio. It makes the world feel lived-in. It isn't just a menu; it's a performance. You’re literally standing in front of a crowd, trying to convince them that a kid with a fairy companion is a better choice than a literal general or a wealthy socialite.
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To ensure you don't miss anything, keep a save file at the start of each new city. If you realize you've accidentally skipped a week and a candidate has moved on, you can always roll back. But if you follow the answers above—especially "You only parrot Louis"—you'll find that the path to the throne is paved with more than just monster blood; it's paved with the right words.
Prioritize the debates in the first two weeks of arriving in a new city. This gives you a buffer to catch any candidates you might have missed due to weather or scripted story events. Maximize your Eloquence early, and you'll find the mid-game social links much easier to navigate.