Star Ocean The Second Story R is the remake of the 1998 classic, with some new additions and QoL with a gorgeous new graphical style. Some things have stayed the same as some of the previous versions however, so here’s how to recruit Welch Vineyard in Star Ocean The Second Story R.

Related: How to recruit Ashton in Star Ocean The Second Story R

Where to recruit Welch Vineyard in Star Ocean The Second Story R

The method for recruiting Welch Vineyard in Star Ocean The Second Story R has not changed from the previous version of the game, which is the PSP port Second Evolution. She was added in that version as a playable character, after her initial introduction to the series in Till The End of Time. She’s featured in every Star Ocean installment since then, as a sort of Cid from Final Fantasy for the Star Ocean series. If you’re unaware of this method for recruiting Welch Vineyard in Star Ocean The Second Story R, then let’s go over it. 

Recruiting Welch

First things first, you’re going to need to complete the main story up until you finish the Armory Contest in Lacour City. After you complete the tournament arc, you are then tasked with leaving Lacour and moving onto Linga to find someone to translate ancient text for you. But before you do that, if you want to recruit Welch Vineyard in Star Ocean The Second Story R, you’re going to want to open up the Private Action mode inside of Lacour City. Once you finish the Armory Contest, you can recruit her via a Private Action in the city, you see. This Private Action will be one near the entrance to the castle where the Armory Contest was held. 

Screenshot: PC Invasion

During this Private Action, Welch will fall from above, and after a conversation with her, you have the option to recruit Welch into your party in Star Ocean The Second Story R. During combat Welch will use her stick that has a hand on the end, and she can be a pretty decent party member. According to some research I’ve done, she doesn’t seem to have much story relevance, which makes sense as she was added in a remaster of the game, but she has some fun interactions nonetheless and is definitely a member of my party as I continue through the game.

Star Ocean The Second Story R is available for purchase on Steam, and you can check out our other articles here.