Metaphor ReFantazio Hulkenberg guide: How to unlock, Bond ranks, and abilities

Metaphor ReFantazio, the newest JRPG on the block, takes us on a vast journey across the United Kingdom of Euchronia. The developers, Atlus, are also responsible for the incredibly popular Persona franchise, and that influence is quite noticeable once you start playing the game. However the developers have refined a lot of their old mechanics, and the follower system is a prime example of that. This mechanics allows other characters to join the protagonist throughout the campaign.

Hulkenberg, a former royal knight, is a character who can become a follower quite early in the game. The criteria to unlock her and the rewards for doing so are mentioned below.

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Hulkenberg unlock criteria in Metaphor ReFantazio

Hulkenberg's bond is automatically unlocked (Image via Sega)

Hulkenberg will join the party on 6/11 after the Undead Grius fight has been completed. Once the party returns to the Hushed Honeybee Inn, Hulkenberg's bond and entry into the party occur simultaneously. All of her rank unlocks are earned naturally by progressing into the main campaign.

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Hulkenberg Bond Rank unlock dates and Bond Abilities in Metaphor ReFantazio

All of Hulkenberg's Bond rewards (Image via Sega)

The Rank unlock criteria and rewards for Hulkenberg are mentioned below:

Rank 1: Unlocked on 6/11. Unlocks the Knight Archetype for the party to study.

Rank 2: Unlocked by speaking to Hulkenberg after completing the Regalith Grand Cathedral dungeon. Unlocks Knight Enlightenment, which reduces MAG cost to study the Knight archetype. Also unlocks Guard Duty, which has Hulkenberg defend the protagonist from an attack on his weaknesses.

Rank 3: Unlocked by speaking to her on the Gauntlet Runner. Unlocks Knight Archetype: Adept, allowing the party to study the Magic Knight.

Rank 4: Unlocked by speaking to her in town after achieving Rank 3. Unlocks Scion's Skill (Knight), which increases the inheritance slots to two.

Rank 5: Unlocked by speaking to her aboard the Gauntlet Runner. Unlocks Knight Veneration, which further reduces the cost of studying Knight Archetypes. Also unlocks Battle Aura (Knight), which increases EXP gain if she is a reserve.

Rank 6: Unlocked by speaking to her aboard the Gauntlet Runner. Unlocks Scion’s Merit, increasing skill inheritance slots for the Knight Lineage to three. Also unlocks Battle Hypnosis, which increases the EXP gain rate to the normal rate if she is a reserve.

Rank 7: Unlocked by reaching Wisdom Rank 4. Unlocks Knight Archetype: Elite, allowing the party to study the Paladin and Dark Knight.

Rank 8: Unlocked by speaking to Hulkenberg aboard the Gauntlet Runner. Unlocks Special Guard Duty, increasing the probability for Hulkenberg to defend the protagonist from an attack on his weakness. Also unlocks Grand Fantasy (Knight), allowing Hulkenberg to acquire a new Heroic Embodiment.

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Read more Metaphor ReFantazio articles below:

• Metaphor ReFantazio Alonzo guide: How to unlock, Bond ranks, and abilities
• Metaphor ReFantazio Strohl guide: How to unlock, Bond ranks, and abilities