Ys Origin uses a level system that dramatically changes your taken and dealt damage based on what your level is in relation to the enemy level, rather than as independent stat values. This means that a single level can be the difference between a boss feeling impossible and perfectly manageable, especially for new players. The scaling between bosses also varies, meaning some bosses are very easy to beat simply matching their level, others are better if you have at least two levels on them.

This guide exists to provide a quick and easy way of checking the boss levels, as well as the optimal level for the player character in comparison, to avoid frustration for players unsure where they should be coming into each encounter.

There are no spoilers in this guide aside from boss names, but as each character has their own boss layouts, reading ahead of the area and character you are up to may spoil some of that an upcoming route or story.

How to read this quick reference:

Boss names underlined - Area name here - Boss level / Recommended player level bolded

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The levels listed below are for Normal difficulty.

Easier difficulties boost your damage and defense and also boost your exp gain while harder difficulties lower all three values. Adjust accordingly depending on which difficulty you're playing on if you're finding a particular area harder or easier than you expect.

Note that all difficulties allow for achievement unlocks, so if you do not enjoy one particular characters playstyle but would like to see their story you can play on an easier difficulty without locking yourself out of the achievements for that route.

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A quick note on character selection: The Claw, the third character unlocked by completing either of the other two characters routes, is the canon character who's story directly goes into Ys I and Ys II.

If you enjoy the game, is worth playing both Yunica and Hugo first as all three characters play very differently and provide characterisation for different members of the side cast. The canon route has the most changes to those two routes in terms of both story and story boss placements, and some of its storytelling only has its full impact if you have the characterisation that the other two routes offer.

Vagullion -The Wailing Blue - 05 / 06

Velagunder - The Beast's Chamber - 08 / 09

Epona - The Flooded Prison - 12 / 14

Nygtilger - The Arthropod's Chamber - 16 / 17

Kishgal - The Guilty Fire (2) - 19 / 20
(This fight is intended to be unbeatable, but you do get an achievement for winning. The recommended level for doing so is at least 23 to deal decent damage, but note that the fight is programmed with increased damage regardless of your level so levelling further won't help your defense)

Gelaldy - The Construct's Chamber - 24 / 25

Jenocres - Rado's Annex - 29 / 29

Khonsclard - The Creeper's Chamber - 32 / 32

Pictimos - The Mantid's Chamber - 40 / 41

Epona - The Demonic Core - 43 / 44

Zava - The True Reflection - 45 / 46

Kishgal - The Devil's Throne - 48 / 49

Dalles - The Tower Summit - 49 / 51

Epona - The Wailing Blue - 05 / 06

Velagunder - The Beast's Chamber - 08 / 09

Vagullion - The Flooded Prison - 12 / 14

Nygtilger - The Arthropod's Chamber - 16 / 17

Toal - The Guilty Fire 2 - 19 / 20
(It's intended for you to lose this right, but there is an achievement for winning which is made easier by levelling optimally to at least 22. Unlike the Yuina fight, this one does not ignore your level scaling for defense)

Gelaldy - The Construct's Chamber - 24 / 25

Jenocres - Rado's Annex - 29 / 29

Khonsclard - The Creeper's Chamber - 32 / 32

Pictimos - The Mantid's Chamber - 40 / 41
(Achievement for dying against the second form)

Kishgal - The Demonic Core - 48 / 49

Zava - The True Reflection - 45 / 46

Toal - The Devil's Throne - 48 / 49

Dalles - The Tower Summit - 49 / 51

Galleon - The Wailing Blue - 05 / 06

Velagunder - The Beast's Chamber - 08 / 09

Hugo Fact - The Flooded Prison - 12 / 14

Nygtilger - The Arthropod's Chamber - 16 / 17

Shion - The Guilty Fire - 19 / 20

Gelaldy - The Construct's Chamber - 24 / 25

Khonsclard - The Creeper's Chamber - 32 / 32

Pictimos - The Mantid's Chamber - 40 / 41

Kishgal - The Demonic Core - 43 / 44

Zava - The True Reflection - 45 / 46

Hugo Fact - The Devil's Throne - 48 / 49

Dalles - The Tower Summit - 49 / 51

Darm - The Tower Summit - 50 / 52