You’re playing Tales of Symphonia, and you just unlocked "Berserker" for Lloyd. It sounds cool. You equip it. You forget about it for twenty hours.
Big mistake.
Most people treat Tales of Symphonia titles like simple achievements or cosmetic badges. In modern RPGs, that’s usually what they are. But in Symphonia, titles are actually the secret engine behind your character’s power. They aren't just for show. They are your primary way to manipulate how your stats grow every single time you hear that level-up chime.
If you’ve ever wondered why your Lloyd feels "squishy" or why Genis isn't hitting as hard as he should, it’s probably because you’ve been wearing the wrong title for fifty levels.
The Math Behind the Level Up
Here is the thing: stats in Symphonia aren't fixed. When Lloyd levels up, he gets a base increase to his Strength, Defense, and so on. But the title he has equipped adds a hidden "bonus" chance.
Basically, the game looks at your title’s internal values—which aren't clearly shown in the menu, by the way—and rolls a metaphorical die. A title with a high Strength bonus gives you a much better shot at gaining extra Strength points on that level up.
If you leave a costume title like "Successor" on Lloyd just because he looks cool in it, you are potentially losing out on hundreds of points of raw power over the course of the game. Most costume titles have terrible or even zero stat growth modifiers. It’s a classic trap. You look great, but you’re statistically mediocre.
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Identifying the Stat Boosts
When you’re in the menu looking at titles, you’ll see some stats highlighted in green or red.
- Green: This title is better for that specific stat than what you currently have equipped.
- Red: This title is worse.
- White/Gray: It’s exactly the same.
Don't just go for the one with the most green text. You have to be smart. Why would you care if a title gives Lloyd extra Intelligence? He doesn't cast spells. You want Strength and HP. For Raine, Strength is useless. You want Intelligence (INT) to make her heals more potent and her Photon beams actually hurt.
The Best Tales of Symphonia Titles for Each Character
Honestly, some titles are just objectively better than others if you’re looking to build a powerhouse team. You don't need a spreadsheet, but you do need to know which ones to hunt for.
Lloyd Irving: The Physical Powerhouse
Lloyd needs to hit fast and stay alive. Most veterans swear by Berserker. You get it by fighting 256 battles on Hard or Mania difficulty. It’s a grind, but the Strength and HP gains are massive. If you’re not up for that, Holy Sword (Level 100) or Eternal Swordsman are your best late-game bets.
Colette Brunel: The Hybrid Hitter
Colette is weird because she has physical attacks and "angel" spells. If you want her to be a monster, go for Little Pickpocket. You have to use "Item Thief" or "Item Rover" 400 times. It sounds like a lot, but it boosts her Strength and Defense significantly.
Genis Sage: The Glass Cannon
Don't bother with anything that doesn't boost INT. Mana Master is the gold standard here. You get it late in the game after a specific event in Heimdall, but until then, look for Honor Roll or Item Collector.
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Raine Sage: The Indispensable Healer
Raine needs TP and INT. Monster Collector is actually incredible for her, though it’s a pain to complete the Monster List. If you’re playing more casually, Wisewoman (Level 100) is the safe, reliable choice.
The Most Ridiculous Requirements
Some Tales of Symphonia titles require you to play the game in ways that feel like a fever dream. Take Gung Ho.
To get this for Lloyd, your four active party members must have a combined level of 145 or less when you fight Rodyle at the Remote Island Human Ranch. This is deep into the game. It basically forces you to play "Low Level" for the first 30 hours. It’s stressful. It’s annoying. But it’s the only way to get one of the best titles in the game.
Then there’s Eternal Apprentice. You have to reach the fight with Kilia in Palmacosta without ever changing Lloyd's default wooden swords. Yes, you have to fight bosses with sticks. It’s a rite of passage for Symphonia fans.
Why Costumes Matter (And Why They Don't)
We have to talk about the "Flanoir Event."
Late in the game, Lloyd spends a night in the snowy town of Flanoir. Who he talks to determines which costume titles you unlock. This is where the game’s "affection" system really matters.
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- The Beach Event: If you pick the right person, you get swimsuits in Altamira.
- The Dinner Party: Formal wear in Meltokio.
- Special Costumes: Things like Presea’s "Klonoa" outfit or Genis’s "Katz" suit.
Kinda annoying: you can't get every costume in a single playthrough. To 100% the titles, you're looking at at least three or four full runs. Most people just pick their favorite character (usually Sheena or Kratos) and live with the consequences.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Playthrough
If you’re starting a fresh file or jumping back into the Remaster, here is how you should actually handle your titles:
- Swap Immediately: Every time a character levels up, check if they have their best stat-growth title equipped. If they are 100 XP away from a level, and they’re wearing a "joke" title, change it!
- Focus on INT for Casters: I can't stress this enough. Higher INT doesn't just make spells stronger; it affects how much TP they recover.
- Don't Run: There is a title for Lloyd called Brave Soul. You get it by never escaping from a single battle until a certain boss fight in the Tethe’alla Base. It gives great stats, but one accidental "Escape" ruins the whole run.
- Use the Grade Shop: If you’re on New Game Plus, buy the "Inherit Titles" option. This allows you to keep those high-growth titles from Level 1, making your characters significantly stronger by the end of the second journey.
The beauty of the system is how it rewards knowledge over mindless grinding. You can be Level 50 and be twice as strong as another player at Level 50 just because you knew which titles to wear. It’s a layer of depth that most modern RPGs have unfortunately stripped away.
Next time you're in Iselia or Meltokio, take a second to look at those title descriptions. They aren't just flavor text; they're the blueprint for your team's survival.
To make the most of your party's growth, prioritize unlocking Berserker for Lloyd and Mana Master for Genis as early as possible. Once you have these, ensure they remain equipped during every level-up sequence to maximize your endgame stats.