- Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter Joshua is a fast melee fighter built around speed, delay, and reliable physical damage.
- Best role: Use Joshua as a flexible damage dealer who can disrupt turns and finish weakened enemies.
- Core priority: Improve Strength, Speed, and EP while preserving enough utility for longer encounters.
- Party pairing: Estelle, Agate, Scherazard, and Kloe each support different versions of Joshua’s combat style.
- Story note: Joshua’s return is central to the game’s emotional arc, so this guide contains major spoilers.
Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter Joshua: Role and Story
Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter Joshua is both a major story figure and one of the most versatile physical characters in the party. His combat identity reflects his history as the former Enforcer No. XIII, the Black Fang: he moves quickly, strikes with twin blades, and uses precise techniques to interfere with enemy turns.
Joshua’s story begins with a difficult separation from Estelle Bright. His past as an operative of Ouroboros, the influence of Georg Weissmann, and the tragedy of Hamel all shape his decisions. When he returns to the narrative, the game treats him as more than a simple recruit. His reunion with Estelle is tied to questions of guilt, trust, identity, and whether a person can choose a new path after being used as a weapon.
His role in the party is strongest when you allow him to act frequently rather than treating him as a slow, single-target bruiser. Joshua can pressure dangerous enemies, capitalize on turn order, and contribute meaningful burst damage when an opponent is vulnerable.
Fast Damage Dealer
Joshua’s high-speed profile lets him act often and maintain steady physical pressure against priority targets.
Turn Disruptor
Delay-oriented techniques are valuable against enemies that depend on powerful charged attacks or predictable rotations.
Story Specialist
Joshua’s abilities, outfit changes, and dialogue all reflect his transition from assassin to bracer.
Joshua’s history, relationship with Estelle, and role in Ouroboros are major story elements. Read the sections below only if you are comfortable with substantial plot spoilers.
| Category | Joshua’s Strength | Practical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Damage | Strong physical output | Focus dangerous single targets and bosses |
| Speed | One of his defining traits | Gain more turns and respond quickly |
| Utility | Delay and status-oriented options | Interrupt enemy momentum |
| Durability | More limited than dedicated tanks | Avoid prolonged exposure to heavy attacks |
| Flexibility | Works with damage or utility quartz | Adapt him to the current chapter |
Combat Style, Crafts, and S-Craft Priorities
Joshua performs best when his actions are planned around turn order. His basic attacks are dependable, but his unique value comes from using crafts at the right moment. Against ordinary enemies, direct damage may be the efficient choice. Against elite targets, delaying an action or preventing a dangerous turn can be more valuable than dealing slightly higher immediate damage.
His crafts should be viewed as tools rather than a fixed rotation. Use damage-focused techniques when an enemy is already exposed or weakened. Use delay-focused options when a boss is preparing a major attack or when an enemy’s turn is close enough to disrupt. Because battle order changes frequently, check the turn bar before spending CP.
Joshua’s S-Craft, Black Fang, is best reserved for moments when burst damage can change the encounter. It is especially useful after an enemy has been softened by arts, debuffs, or another character’s craft. Avoid spending all of Joshua’s CP immediately before a major fight unless you already understand the encounter’s rhythm.
Craft priority principles:
- Use turn disruption against dangerous casters and charging enemies.
- Choose direct damage when a target is near defeat.
- Build CP naturally during routine battles instead of forcing S-Craft usage.
- Save burst damage for boss phases, adds, or a critical finishing opportunity.
- Let other characters handle healing and broad support when Joshua needs to stay aggressive.
| Combat Situation | Recommended Action | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Fast ordinary enemies | Basic attack or efficient craft | Preserve EP and CP for later fights |
| Enemy preparing a major attack | Use a delay-focused option | A disrupted turn can prevent serious damage |
| Target below half health | Apply direct physical pressure | Finish the enemy before it acts again |
| Multiple fragile targets | Use a suitable area option if available | Improve action efficiency |
| Boss vulnerability window | Spend CP or use Black Fang | Convert an opening into burst damage |
Do not choose Joshua’s action only by damage numbers. A moderate attack that removes an enemy’s next turn can be stronger than a larger hit that allows the enemy to complete a dangerous charge.
Managing Joshua’s limitations
Joshua is not a replacement for a dedicated defensive character. His speed helps him avoid some problems by acting first, but it does not make him immune to area attacks, status effects, or heavy physical damage. Keep his positioning and HP in mind when fighting enemies that counter melee attacks or punish close-range actions.
He also competes with other strong physical characters for equipment and quartz. Give him a clear purpose before spending rare resources. A pure damage setup is easy to understand, while a utility setup may provide more value in difficult encounters where turn control matters.
Best Joshua Build and Quartz Setup
The most reliable Joshua setup improves the traits he already possesses instead of trying to turn him into a completely different character. Strength increases his physical damage, Speed helps him act more often, and EP allows more frequent use of useful crafts and arts. The exact quartz available to you changes during the story, so build around priorities rather than a rigid list of named items.
A balanced configuration usually works well for a first playthrough:
- Prioritize Strength for consistent melee damage.
- Add Speed to increase turn frequency and improve reaction time.
- Maintain sufficient EP for utility arts and extended encounters.
- Add defensive or resistance options when a boss repeatedly targets Joshua.
- Use flexible slots for elemental access, status protection, or the current dungeon’s threats.
Define His Main Job
Decide whether Joshua is your primary physical attacker or a fast utility fighter. For most parties, a damage-focused setup with turn disruption provides the best balance.
Raise Strength and Speed
Equip quartz and accessories that improve physical output and action frequency. Strength makes every attack more threatening, while Speed helps Joshua reach important turns sooner.
Add EP Support
Include enough EP improvement to use practical arts without weakening his main combat role. Joshua does not need to become the party’s primary caster.
Cover Encounter Weaknesses
Swap in resistance, defense, or status protection when a boss repeatedly inflicts a specific problem. A flexible build is more useful than a fixed loadout.
Reserve CP for Key Moments
Build CP through normal actions, then use powerful crafts during boss openings or when preventing an enemy turn has high value.
| Build Focus | Priority Stats | Best Use | Main Trade-Off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Damage | Strength, Attack | Boss pressure and finishing weakened targets | Less utility |
| Speed Utility | Speed, Delay support | Turn control and frequent actions | Lower peak damage |
| Balanced | Strength, Speed, EP | General story progression | Not specialized |
| Defensive Adaptation | Defense, resistance, HP | Difficult boss mechanics | Slower damage output |
Strength Quartz
The default choice for a damage-oriented Joshua. It improves the value of normal attacks and physical crafts.
Speed Quartz
Useful in nearly every battle because more turns create more damage, more CP generation, and more chances to disrupt.
EP Quartz
Supports utility arts and reduces the pressure on dedicated casters during long areas.
Resistance Options
Equip these when the current dungeon or boss repeatedly uses sleep, confusion, blind, poison, or another status effect.
For general progression, combine Strength and Speed with moderate EP support. This keeps Joshua effective in routine fights while preserving enough flexibility for bosses and story battles.
Party Pairings and Battle Tactics
Joshua’s best partner depends on what the rest of the party lacks. Estelle provides a dependable all-purpose foundation, while Agate increases physical pressure. Scherazard offers speed and support, and Kloe can stabilize difficult encounters with healing and arts. These pairings do not lock Joshua into one role; they simply change how aggressively he can operate.
Estelle and Joshua
Estelle and Joshua are a natural balanced pairing. Estelle can cover broad support, flexible crafts, and general damage while Joshua focuses on priority targets. This combination is especially comfortable for players who want a straightforward party without relying on highly specialized rotations.
Agate and Joshua
Agate creates a more aggressive physical team. Both characters can pressure enemies directly, but the party may need stronger healing and arts support from its remaining members. Use Joshua to disrupt or finish targets while Agate handles high-impact physical attacks.
Scherazard and Joshua
Scherazard’s speed-oriented support complements Joshua’s turn-based strengths. This pairing can create a quick party that acts frequently, though it still needs a dependable answer to heavy incoming damage.
Kloe and Joshua
Kloe provides a safer structure for Joshua’s offense. Healing and arts support allow him to remain focused on damage and delay rather than spending turns recovering. This is a strong choice for unfamiliar boss fights or areas with frequent attrition.
| Partner | Team Direction | Joshua’s Recommended Role | Watch For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estelle | Balanced offense and support | Flexible damage dealer | Avoid leaving healing uncovered |
| Agate | Physical aggression | Fast finisher or disruptor | Add dedicated arts support |
| Scherazard | Speed and action economy | Turn-focused attacker | Protect against heavy area damage |
| Kloe | Defensive stability and arts | Aggressive melee pressure | Maintain EP for longer encounters |
Battle checklist
Before a difficult encounter, inspect enemy behavior rather than entering with one permanent setup. If the boss resists physical damage, Joshua may need a utility role. If the enemy relies on a charge attack, delay becomes more valuable. If status effects are the main threat, defensive quartz may outperform another small damage increase.
Joshua Battle Preparation:
- Check whether the main target resists physical damage
- Identify charged attacks that can be delayed
- Equip resistance for the encounter’s most dangerous status effect
- Confirm that another party member can heal reliably
- Save CP for the boss phase where burst damage matters most
Joshua does not need to perform every job. Give him a clear combat assignment, then let Estelle, Kloe, Scherazard, or another support character cover healing, buffs, and arts coverage.
Progression Tips and Joshua FAQ
Joshua’s effectiveness improves naturally as the story expands his equipment and quartz options. You do not need to chase a perfect setup at every stage. Instead, update his weapon and armor when practical, replace outdated quartz, and adjust his resistance choices before major story battles.
During normal exploration, use Joshua’s speed to clean up weaker enemies and build momentum. During bosses, slow down and read the turn order. His value often comes from preventing the wrong enemy from acting at the wrong time.
| Progression Check | What to Review | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| New chapter | Weapon and armor | Keeps basic damage and survivability current |
| New quartz access | Strength, Speed, EP options | Improves his core combat identity |
| Before a boss | Status resistance and defense | Prevents avoidable losses |
| After a difficult fight | CP and EP efficiency | Helps refine resource management |
| Party change | Role overlap | Avoids creating a team with too little healing or arts |
Q: What is the best role for Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter Joshua?
Joshua is strongest as a fast physical attacker with turn-disruption utility. He can focus on priority targets, exploit vulnerable enemies, and use delay-oriented crafts when stopping an enemy action is more valuable than immediate damage.
Q: Should Joshua use a damage build or a utility build?
A balanced damage build is the best default for story progression. Add more Speed and delay support when a boss depends on charged attacks, or shift toward defense and status resistance when survival is the main problem.
Q: Which characters pair well with Joshua?
Estelle provides a balanced partnership, Agate supports an aggressive physical team, Scherazard enhances speed and action frequency, and Kloe gives Joshua reliable healing and arts support.
Q: When should Joshua use Black Fang?
Use Black Fang during boss openings, against dangerous priority targets, or when burst damage can end a threatening phase. Avoid spending all of his CP immediately if the encounter still has several major stages.
Build Joshua around Strength and Speed first, then adapt his quartz to the encounter. His most valuable turns are the ones that deal damage while also controlling the battle’s tempo.