Top Strategies for Completing Hulkenberg's Rank Up Events in ReFantazio

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As you dive into Metaphor: ReFantazio, one character that stands out immediately is Hulkenberg—a fierce woman with striking red hair and a massive, imposing sword. Once a knight who served the prince, she now joins your team as a loyal companion on your adventure.

Hulkenberg’s follower bond becomes available early in your journey, but you have plenty of time to develop it throughout the game. This guide will help you meet her expectations as a warrior and strengthen your bond with one of your most powerful allies.

How to Unlock Hulkenberg as a Follower

Luckily for you, earning Hulkenberg’s allegiance doesn’t involve any challenging quests. She will automatically join your party as a follower on June 10th.

By unlocking her follower bond, you gain access to the robust Knight Archetype and future bond conversations with her.

All Hulkenberg Follower Ranks and Rewards

Like other follower bonds in the game, Hulkenberg’s bond features eight ranks, each accompanied by a conversation and choices that can enhance your relationship. While your follower rank will increase after each interaction, some dialogue options will give you more MAG value than others. Below is a comprehensive table detailing each rank, its requirements, and the best dialogue options.

Rank Number	Prerequisites	Best Dialogue Options	Rewards
One	Automatically unlock on June 10th.		Knight Archetype – Your party can now study the Knight.
Two	Unlock Hulkenberg’s follower bond. Complete the Grand Cathedral Dungeon, then talk to Hulkenberg at the Hushed Honeybee Inn.	“Sounds like a worthy opponent.” Any option works. “Are you okay?”	Knight Enlightenment – Lowers MAG costs for studying the Knight Lineage. Guard Duty – Hulkenberg can protect the protagonist from damage to their weakness.
Three	Achieve follower bond rank 2 with Hulkenberg. Speak to Hulkenberg while traveling on the Gauntlet Runner.	“I’m good at staying versatile.” “Push me harder!” “This isn’t like you.”	Knight Archetype: Adept – Now you can study the Magic Knight.
Four	Achieve follower bond rank 3 with Hulkenberg.	Any option works. Any option works. “I’m used to it.”	Scion’s Skill – Increases skill inheritance slots for the Knight Lineage to 2.
Five	Achieve follower bond rank 4 with Hulkenberg. Talk to Hulkenberg while traveling to a destination on the Gauntlet Runner.	Any option works. Any option works. Any option works. Any option works. Any option works.	Knight Veneration – Greatly reduces MAG costs for studying the Knight Lineage. Battle Aura – Experience gain for Hulkenberg increases while in reserve.
Six	Achieve follower bond rank 5 with Hulkenberg. Talk to Hulkenberg while traveling on the Gauntlet Runner.	“A bold mood.” or “You’d risk your life?” “You’ve got this.” “You show him.” or “I know you can do it.” “If only to witness your victory.”	Scion’s Merit – Increases skill inheritance slots for the Knight Lineage to 3. Battle Hypnosis – Experience gain for Hulkenberg remains normal while in reserve.
Seven	Achieve follower bond rank 6 with Hulkenberg. Have at least rank 4 wisdom. Approach Hulkenberg while not traveling on the Gauntlet Runner.	Any option works. Any option works. Any option works. Any option works. Any option works. “You are a model knight.”	Knight Archetype: Elite – The party can now study the Paladin and Dark Knight.
Eight	Achieve follower bond rank 7 with Hulkenberg. Talk to Hulkenberg while traveling with the Gauntlet Runner.	“But it’s not over yet.” “I’ll forge our path forward.” Any option works.	Scion’s Essence – Increases skill inheritance slots for the Knight Lineage to 4. Special Guard Duty – High chance for Hulkenberg to defend the protagonist from an attack on their weakness. Grand Fantasy – Hulkenberg is ready to gain a new Heroic Embodiment.

By completing Hulkenberg’s follower bond, your party gains access to the most powerful Archetypes from the Knight Lineage, and Hulkenberg can transcend those Archetypes to become a Royal Knight. This is one of the top Archetypes in the game, and it truly represents her peak potential.

To elevate Hulkenberg to Royal Knight status, you’ll need to level her up significantly in several Archetypes. Specifically, she must achieve level 20 as a Paladin, level 15 as a Dark Knight, and level 15 as an Elemental Master. Additionally, you’ll need to pay a considerable fee of 30,000 MAG to unlock it officially.

Hulkenberg stands out as one of the best companions in Metaphor: ReFantazio, both in character and combat. We hope this guide enhances your appreciation for her role in your party.