Metaphor ReFantazio Catherina guide: How to unlock, Bond Ranks, and abilities

Catherina in Metaphor ReFantazio is a follower you can recruit to join your party. Despite her skinny appearance, she stands out as one of the strongest physical damage dealers in the game. With her unique design and personality, Catherina has quickly become a fan favorite.

This guide provides all the essential details on unlocking her, increasing her Bond Rank, and other important aspects of Catherina in Metaphor ReFantazio.

---

Who is Catherina in Metaphor ReFantazio?

The first time you meet Cat (Image via Atlus)

Catherina is a Paripus, a race of cat-like humanoids in the world of Metaphor ReFantazio. According to the game’s lore, after one of her friends was cruelly abandoned by a noble, Catherina vowed to fight against the wealthy elite. She now acts as a "Robin Hood" figure, standing up for the oppressed and protecting the less fortunate from the oppression of the upper class.

---

How to unlock Catherina

Here's how you can unlock her (Image via Atlus)

To unlock Catherina, follow these steps:

On Date 06/12: Catherina becomes available on or after this date in the game.

Complete "A Friend in Need" Side Quest:

• Defeat Undead Grius in the Mausoleum Catacombs.
• Return to the Mausoleum Catacombs the next day to trigger a cutscene with Catherina.
• She will give you the "A Friend in Need" side quest.
• Complete this side quest, which involves navigating the Mausoleum area, to start Catherina’s Bond progression.

---

How to increase the Bond Rank of Catherina

Raising Catherina’s Bond Rank unlocks new abilities and Archetype perks.

Rank	Unlock Requirement
Rank 1	Automatically unlocked on 6/12 or later during your first visit to the Regalith Grand Cathedral dungeon.
Rank 2	On 7/2, as you head to Heismay, you'll face Catherina in battle on the Gauntlet Runner Deck. Defeat her to raise the Bond.
Rank 3	On 7/19, on your way to Port Brilehaven. You will unlock the next Bond Rank event as part of the main story so you don't have worry about missing this one.
Rank 4	After 7/23, head to Brilehaven’s Greatest Catch Inn and speak to the informant. Buy the "Fiend of the Forsaken Tower" information, then travel to the tower to meet her.
Rank 5+	Progressing through the storyline or completing optional challenges will raise her Bond.

---

Bond Abilities of Catherina

Raising Catherina's Bond Rank unlocks powerful abilities, and the rewards are mostly tied to her Brawler Archetype. Here's the full list of abilities and when they will be available:

Rank	Ability	Description
Rank 1	Brawler Archetype	The party can now study the Brawler Archetype.
Rank 2	Brawler Enlightenment	Reduces the MAG cost for the party to study the Brawler Lineage, making it easier to pursue the class.
Rank 3	Brawler Archetype: Adept	Unlocks the advanced Brawler class, Pugilist, a refined form of the Brawler with more powerful strike techniques.
	Bounty Bonus	Increases the gold earned from bounties collected at each city's Recruitment Center.
Rank 4	Scion's Skill (Brawler)	Allows 2 skill inheritance slots for characters in the Brawler Lineage, enabling greater flexibility in skill customization.
Rank 5	Item Tracking	Reveals the location of items in unexplored dungeon areas, making it easier to gather key resources.
	Brawler Veneration	Further reduces the MAG cost of studying the Brawler Lineage.
Rank 6	Scion's Merit (Brawler)	Increases the Brawler Lineage’s skill inheritance slots to 3, enabling even more powerful customization.
	Streetwise Negotiator	Reduces prices at general stores in every city, saving the party significant amounts of money on essential items.
Rank 7	Treasure Hunting	Reveals the location of treasure chests in unexplored dungeon areas, helping the party find valuable loot.
	Comrades in Battle	Catherina will personally support the party during certain dungeon encounters. Her strength makes her a formidable ally in tough fights.
Rank 8	Brawler Archetype: Elite	Unlocks the most advanced version of the Brawler class, the Martial Artist, who deals devastating strike damage and excels in combat techniques.
	Scion's Essence (Brawler)	Increases the Brawler Lineage’s skill inheritance slots to 4, allowing for maximum customization and potential.

---

Catherina’s Archetype unlocks

Catherina is tied to the Brawler Lineage, allowing the party to study and unlock several key Archetypes:

1. Brawler (Rank 1): The starting Archetype focused on physical strike damage.
2. Pugilist (Rank 3): An advanced form of the Brawler that refines strike damage techniques.
3. Martial Artist (Rank 8): The pinnacle of the Brawler Lineage, specializing in powerful, efficient combat skills and extraordinary physical prowess.

These are all the necessary details required to know for Catherina in Metaphor ReFantazio.