Quick Links
At the beginning of Atelier Yumia, you might find it strange that there are no shops available. In fact, you’ll have access to almost the entire Ligneus Region within about thirty minutes of starting your alchemical adventure with Yumia. While the Research Team’s base is primarily for exploration rather than a permanent outpost, it’s still a key location.
However, shopping is possible in Atelier Yumia through a bartering system. Instead of putting down hard-earned Cole, you trade goods with merchants. Once you agree on a deal, the item is yours. Here’s how to get started with this alternate system.
How To Unlock Bartering
In Atelier Yumia, every major region features its own merchants, who you’ll need to unlock at different stages of the game. The key to doing this is advancing your Pioneering Efforts.
If you’re unsure what “Pioneering Efforts” means, it’s likely because you haven’t reached the story point when the Research Team’s seasoned commander introduces it to you. Don’t worry – you’ll find out soon!
Pioneering Efforts will grant you rewards every time you complete ten percent. These rewards can include new materials and important ammunition, but the most significant aspect for this guide is how you gain access to merchants in the areas you are exploring.
However, unlocking them doesn’t mean you’ll get the full range of their offerings right away. Merchants unlock in multiple tiers, meaning additional merchants will begin to appear as you make further progress in their respective Pioneering Efforts.
How Bartering Works In Atelier Yumia
After unlocking merchants, you’ll need to find them. They are typically located in familiar areas, such as the Research Team Base or a local village. Once you’ve located them, stand in front of the bartering cloth they lay out.
If you’re playing on PlayStation, you might find it a bit tricky to get the button prompt to interact with the merchant. Move around slowly until the interaction prompt appears.
Once you start the bartering process, various ingredients will be displayed on the cloths, and the camera will zoom in for a closer look. Some items may be marked as “Recommended”. To make a trade, select the item you wish to acquire and check the right side of your screen.
Here, you’ll find all the items you can exchange for your selected item. The bartering mechanic is based on a points system, with a tally at the center of the screen indicating how many points you’ve accrued. You must reach the required threshold for the merchant to accept your trade.
It’s important to be cautious about what you trade. If you’re not careful, you might end up giving away essential ingredients needed for your next synthesis project. While you can gather more through foraging, it can become a hassle.
Once you complete your trade, the item you chose will be marked as sold out temporarily. We’re monitoring whether merchants restock their items, but remember to treat any items you haven’t yet found while exploring as limited resources until you come across them yourself.
