The following guide is the current route used in runs, however is subject to change. Most up to date guide can be found here that will be updated more regularly: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zd6IU8F82W2NkZ6weIKnBlOr_iD_R2YxIvGUwp8BmCA/edit?usp=sharing

These notes are a copy of the old XB1 Notes, adjusted to changes for DE. Credit to Original Authors of the notes, SilverStar6609

The following route is for NON-ART-INHERITANCE setups. Art Inheritance route is on a separate document but will be posted here at a later point.

The route works for version 1.1.2, there are no climbable wall glitches used in the route unlike NG.

Art Pallet Setup

Have all these arts maxed and set: Lvl XII is optimal

These arts are on the base pallet, and this route assumes no Art Inheritance is done.

[Best arts for XII will be bolded if you want to mitigate AP and Nopostone farming to get running faster.]

Shulk -Air Slash -Slit Edge -Back Slash -Stream Edge -Shadow Eye -Battle Soul -Monado Cyclone -Monado Buster

For Shulk, Make sure that the slot you have Stream edge on for the normal palette shares the slot with the monodo palette Buster (like if Stream edge is the first slot to the right of the monado menu, then buster is the first slot to the right of the monado menu). This is used for a glitch.

Reyn -Aura Burst -Magnum Charge -Berserker -Sword Drive -War Swing -Bone Upper -Dive Sobat -Lariat

Sharla (doesn't really matter much) -Head Shot -Thunder Bullet

Dunban -Peerless -Tempest Kick -Thunder -Soaring Tempest -Steel Strike -Electric Gutbuster -Worldly Slash -Gale Slash

Melia -Summon Bolt -Summon Ice

Riki (isn't used)

Fiora -Speed Shift -Second Gear -Air Fang

Optional to add for AI to use but Speed Shift and Second Gear required for the Core Zanza fight.

-Cross Impact -Spear Blade -Double Wind -Mag Storm -Zero Gravity

Skill Trees:

First make sure Dunban does not have his Hero's Valour or Gentleman's Valour skills Not the end of the world, Dunban doesn’t get the Damage up at max HP bonuses. LVL 12 arts offset the difference a little.

Set each character to the following skill branch:

Shulk – Bravery Reyn – Spirit Sharla (doesn't matter much) – Devotion or Confidence Dunban – Enthusiasm Melia – Passion Riki (isn't used) Fiora – Daring

Skill Links:

Derived from SonicShadowSilver2’s PB Setup. Bold = Have to have, unbold not so much.

Have at least 518 Affinity Coins. This will require multiple playthroughs to optimize coins, the bolded are ones to focus on if this is an early NG+ file, while the later ones are more for ng+++++ runs for max optimizations.

There is the Affinity Coin underflow glitch for NG+, however this glitch was patched in V 1.1.2 (along with Tephra skip).

Shulk [273] [431] From Riki -Pretty Stars -7 -Cuddly Hero! - 43 - Heavy Equipment - 15 -Adventure Time - 5 - From Dunban -Counter Rage - 6 -Charge Acceleration - 8 -Ardent Strike - 7 -Invincible Hero - 6 -Twin Swords - 18 From Reyn - - -Battle Character - 17 - -Rampage - 20 From Sharla -Vendetta - 11 -Ether Assault - 20 -Ether Expansion - 8 - - From Melia -Power of the Moon - 12 -Ether Awareness - 6 -Ultimate Ether - 18 -Amplified Ether - 5 -Telethia Killer - 48 From Fiora -Opening Blow - 6 -Explosion of Energy - 80 -Battle Stance - 2 -Ultimate Strike - 13 -Nimble Feet - 5

Reyn [344] [542] From Riki -Adventure Time - 5 -Cuddly Hero! - 43 -Pretty Stars - 7 -Riki Strong - 20 - From Dunban -Invincible Hero - 6 -Counter Rage - 6 -Charge Acceleration - 8 -Ardent Strike - 7 -Twin Swords - 18 From Shulk - - Immunisation - 45 -Element of Surprise - 20 - -Stealth Warrior - 30 From Sharla -Ether Assault - 20 -Vendetta - 11 - -Ether Explosion - 25 -Ether Expansion - 8 From Melia -Power of the Moon - 12 -Ultimate Ether - 18 -Telethia Killer - 48 -Arcane Aura - 18 -Ether Awareness - 6 From Fiora -Critical Combo - 70 -Nimble Feet - 5 -Battle Stance - 2 -Ultimate Strike - 13 -Opening Blow - 6

Sharla [128] [433] From Riki -Nutritious! - 29 -Like Sun! - 7 -Cuddly Hero! - 43 -Riki Strong - 20 -Bullseye! - 45 From Dunban -Ardent Strike - 7 - -Counter Rage - 6 -Invincible Hero - 6 -Charge Acceleration - 8 From Shulk - - - - -Glorious Future - 28 -ok Immunisation - 45... From Reyn - -Rampage - 20 - - -Battle Character - 17 From Melia -Power of the Moon - 12 -Ether Awareness - 6 -Ultimate Ether - 18 -Nonchalant Heart - 7 -Amplified Ether - 5 From Fiora -Battle Stance - 2 -Ultimate Strike - 13 - -Critical Combo - 70 -Opening Blow - 6

Dunban [377/347] [552/522] From Riki -Pretty Stars - 7 -Riki Strong - 20 -Cuddly Hero! - 43 - -Like Sun! - 7 From Sharla -Heavy Equipment - 30 - only if you avoid the hp buff skills (from above), otherwise required. - -Vendetta - 11 - - From Shulk -Element of Surprise - 20 - -Immunisation - 45 -Glorious Future - 28 - From Reyn -Battle Character - 17 - - -Rampage - 20 - From Melia -Telethia Killer - 49 -Power of the Moon - 12 - -Nonchalant Heart - 7 - From Fiora -Strong Links - 20 -Critical Combo - 70 -Ultimate Counter - 60 -Opening Blow - 6 -Explosion of Energy - 80

Melia [159] [270] From Riki -Amazing Stars - 13 - - -Cuddly Hero! - 43 -Adventure Time! - 5 From Sharla - -Ether Expansion - 8 -Ether Explosion - 25 - - From Shulk -Medium Equipment - 10 - - - -Immunisation - 45 From Reyn - - - - -Battle Character - 17 From Dunban - - - - - From Fiora -Ultimate Strike - 13 -Explosion of Energy - 80 - -Opening Blow - 6 -Nimble Feet - 5

Riki (isn't used)

Fiora [195] [223] From Melia -Telethia Killer - 48 -Nonchalant Heart - 7 - - - From Sharla -Vendetta - 11 -Adrenaline - 48 - - - From Shulk - -Element of Surprise - 20 - - - From Reyn - - - - - From Dunban -Overwhelming - 2 -Ardent Strike - 7 - -Counter Rage - 6 - From Riki -Nutritious! - 29 -Like Sun! - 7 -Pretty Stars! - 7 - -

Equipment and Gems: Any Lancelot Gear can be replaced with any equipment with a slot you like for fashion.

Shulk -Monado III

• First Attack Plus VI then Back Atk Plus VI
• Attack Stability VI
• Attack Plus VI -Lancelot Gear
• Earth Cloak VI -Lancelot Armour
• Strength Up VI -Glory Gauntlets U -Asura Cuisses U -Lancelot Boots
• Quick Step VI

Reyn -Machina Driver III U (we use a driver for the first 2 hours of the run then switch) -Atomic Driver

• Back Atk Plus VI
• Attack Plus VI
• Attack Stability VI -Lancelot Gear
• Strength Up VI -Glory Armour U -Glory Gauntlets U -Asura Cuisses U -Lancelot Boots
• Quick Step

Sharla -Machina Rifle III U -Master Glasses U -Pistis Top U -Grace Gloves U -Asura Cuisses U -Infantry Boots U

Dunban -Machina Blade III [Or any 3 slot Machina Equipment

• Double Attack VI
• Physical Defense Down VI
• Weapon Power VI -Lancelot Gear
• Strength Up VI -Glory Armour U -Glory Gauntlets U -Asura Cuisses U -Lancelot Boots
• Initial Tension VI

Melia -Alcor Staff U -Master Glasses U -Pistis Top U -Grace Gloves U -Lancelot Boots

• Quick Step VI

Riki (isn't used)

• Titan spiked armour of death or pineapple

Fiora -Conviction Blades/Dystopia

•       Physical Defense Down VI
  

• Weapon Power VI
• Double Attack VI -Ether V Goggles U -Speed V Frame U -Attack IV Arms U -Attack IV Boosters U -Sedna Drones

Homs Fiora -Doesn’t matter. 2 options you can do, one is equipping with the Bionis Leg Quick Step boots for QS III or in a run find an open slot and equip a QS VI.

Item Farming: This section is just a location of where to get all the good Equipment, gems, etc. used for the run.

Non-Unique slotted Armour ~ Dropped from any silver chest of enemies > 70.

Weapons Machina Driver III Wise Gremory [AG] Atomic Driver Deadly Medorlo [Eryth post core] Machina Blade III Meditative Varla [AG]. Machina Rifle III [Sharla] Venerable Focalor [CF] Wise Gremory [AG] Conviction Blades [Fiora] Exposure Wolfol [VM] Wandering Amon [VM or other Eks of VM] Dystopia [fiora] Eternal Palasida (needs to complete the satorl giants quest at least to roof)

Important Unique Armour

Glory Gauntlets Superbosses

Asura Cuisses Deinos of Prison Isle [Serene Imlaly]

Glory Armour Superbosses

Master Glasses First Sanctum [PI] Colony 6 ~ Special lvl 5

Ether V Goggles First Sanctum ~ PI

Attack IV Arms Colony 6 ~ Housing and Commerse lvl 5. From a Nopon on SE side

Attack IV Boosters Same as above

Speed V Frame Complete the Quest “Battling Brutes” [Fiora’s 5th skill tree. Good luck with the damn arachno]

Sedna Drones Complete the Quest “Broken Ether Furnace 2”

GEMS: For the gems, they are at maximum potential. There are several guides on getting Mega heat with the targeted gems, but use a pair like Fiora and Riki to diffuse gems, then when isolated, use Shulk and Reyn to boost to max.

When farming the gems, save before opening chests in case there is none of the desired crystals you can reload

Weapon gems

Back Attack Plus Veteren Yozel and Green Feris of Satorl [Veteran only spawns at night in fog]

First Attack Plus Ghostly Mahatos, Gigas Telethia [Bionis Interior]

Attack Stability Tephra Cave Earth Deposit [Overlooking Villa lake, post core/clip] Serene Imlaly and Babel Deinos [PI] Ageless Moabit [PI damaged Transporter]

Attack Plus Bionis Interior Terminal Vein Deposit Furious Jozan, Deadly Medorlo, and Asara Telethia [Eryth Sea region post core]

Double Attack Deinos Sauros and Magnificent Digalus [Makna Forest]

Physical Defense Down [PDD] Bulganon [Eryth rain] and Solare Nebula [PI]

Weapon Power Flailing Bracken and Opulent Flamii [C9 Anti Air battery 2]

Armour gems

Strength Up Gogols all over > 70. Indomitable Daulton Heavenly Window Deposit [Tephra Cave post Core or using the clip in arachno queen lair]

Quick Step Clone Bargs [PI] Protective Torquidon [TC] Eks in Valak and the UM Eks

Earth Cloak Eryth Rhana and Bizarre Ragoel [Anu Shore, NE corner of Eryth]

Initial Tension Heavenly Window Deposit Satorl Rhogul [Satorl Night]

The Run Guide [V 1.2]

This run guide is what I personally try to do in battles and the route. This is what I (Orpheolus) do during runs and I am still trying to get better. Some notes on what I do during the run. Best way to learn the run is to actually watch a run of the current WR to get a general idea on the guide and optimal movement, but for those who prefer a text guide.

Current WR for non Art Inheritance(as of time of July 14 2020): https://www.speedrun.com/xcde/run/zx2qqxkm

• One thing that applies for any battle with Dunban involved except for chapter 2 is at the very start of battle, use “Focus on enemies: Command [R and up on dpad]. This makes Dunban use Peerless Aura which gives a party wide strength up.
• While very rare, there is potential Memory leaks that can occur in the game. The only documented case of Memory leaked occurred after Yaldabaoth. Appears to be rare
  • Memory leak causes extremely long loading screens which can lead to crashes. The one case of Memory leak had the leak after beating Yaldabaoth, and crashed after Zanza 0.
• To optimize cutscene skips, rapidly alternate between + and A before the cutscene starts. Can save minutes in a run rather than waiting for the cutscene to start.

Chapter 0: Pre-run

• Be sure to equip all the skills, artes, etc.

• Make sure your gems are set up on the slots [See Above]

  • For Monado III, uses both First attack and Back attack gems. Starting a run be sure to equip First attack. Back attack replaces it on Fallen Arm
  • Then replace them with junk equipment
  • The reason you want to switch is to preserve the gem setup. When you start a NG+ playthrough, your gems on set equipment that is not unique will be removed. Any in inventory though will be preserved so when you do the menu, your gems will be preserved. Not as important on the armour but weapons it is very helpful

• Set the game on normal if you were on casual for grinding. It makes a big difference as I have done a meme run on casual and struggled against soul rend.

• Save :P

Chapter 1 Dunban’s Battles Wave 1: All enemies aggro you, Soaring Tempest (Consistant and easy to set up) Wave 2: Turn around and use thunder (Back facing enemies) Wave 3: Steel Strike Krabble, Menu, Caterpile battle Krabble: Auto Attack/Backslash Menu 1: Switch your junk equipment with the equipment you will use for the run [Monado III on shulk over Replica, boots with QS, etc. Caterpile: Back Slash Colony 9: Running From the start, run to the gate of town Head to the lab Fiora’s Section: Equip either the QS III boots or a QS VI gem on an empty slot. Run to shulk QT: Military District Run to the lab QT: Main entrance Run to Tephra Cave from here, linear path cut corners Tephra Cave Not too much to speak here, run to the exit. Ancient Machines AA first machine Backslash second

Chapter 2 Jump down from the start. If you jump on the slanted part, you might get the fast fall glitch to hit the waters faster Long run to Colony 9 Mechon Battle: AA Run to the lab Run to the next battle Plaza Battle Wave 1: Stream Edge Wave 2: Walk forward a little bit, Stream Edge Run to front gate Bridge battle Target Left, Focus attack Target the right mechon, AA Target back mechon, AA: Hopefully the AI finished the left mechon Run to Metal Face Metal Face Phase 1: Monado Shield, Partial soul Phase 2: Back Slash

Chapter 3 Quick Travel to Mag Mel Ruins [Tephra] Run through the door to the lake, take the left path on the ledge overlooking Spring of Grief, Jump down after a small bit [1/3 of the path or so] and should land close to the path Take path to the horde Spider Horde Spider Monado cyclone Immediately run to the right up the slope, take a left to the spider feeding den Run to the Villa Lake, once you get landmark, *QT to Villa lake *[saves a little time], head to spider Spider Queen Walk forward a little bit and use Stream Edge [Yes you are targeting a grunt spider, stream edge if close enough will also take out the queen] Exit the cave

Chapter 4 Run to the leg [button mash through the time attack cutscene] At the leg, run to the buggy After the buggy, run to Kamos Guidepost, run to the Arduran [little faster running towards the shore of the oasis Arduran AA the first Arduran Back Slash the second QT to Kamos Guidepost, run to the refugee camp Talk to Sharla Walk out of the camp [cannot QT] Run to the bridge, then to the next story trigger Run to spiral valley via upper pathway [not windy cave] Mechon 76 Phase 1: Back Slash [Air slash if still alive] Phase 2: Back Slash [Air slash if still alive] Mysterious face: Back Slash, run [wait a bit and battle will end]

Chapter 5 QT to Spiral Valley Run to Colony 6 gate Run to elevator, follow pathway to Ether mines [Upas will spawn on the bridge if raining making travel difficult] Run through the mines, take the left path after the stairs, right path, head straight past the first junction then take a left at the second, follow guidelines on mini map Mechon horde Walk forward a little bit, stream edge Continue through the mines, reaching the many splits, take the left path, follow the rails to the hole and hug right. Continue to the gate lowering button, then head to the pit Central pit is hell Starting out after the cutscene, turn around and jump off the cliff Continue along to path until reaching the central part Ether Mines Skip: Save and reload after doing the skip. This resets the platform cycle. Hop on and jump down once you get the location while going down the elevator. You can jump off higher before the location shows up, but you might die on accident Continue to the riding blades part Battle 1 Back slash, then ride to the next platform Battle 2: Get behind the two, stream edge [back slash if a bot is alive Take the elevator to Xord Xord 1 AA Escape the mines Xord 2 Back Slash Mechon Horde Target left to one of the far mechon, get behind the incoming mechon fast, Buster. Backslash/Air slash etc. any remaining foes

Chapter 6 Head to Satorl. Hug the inside of the fence [yes on the cliff] after the portal. Return inside after the cliff bends to the right. Satorl, head to the first two cutscenes. Avoid water. The image below is a visual representation of the route as it is hard to describe. [[1.2.1 update, new route discovered by SonicShadowSilver2 saves 10 seconds by going up the river going towards the monument rather than going to Gogol zone. Text is below [Ends at Guardian] When you have to jump through water, spam jumping, saves a couple of seconds rather than just walking. Most notable places is the poison swamp and after the obelisk.

After the second cutscene of the marsh, run towards the nopon camp until you get the landmark QT to Nopon camp Turn to the right, run through the water, going ESE. [Best to look at a run, hard to describe] After the bridges, take a right and follow the path over the fallen tree over the poison swamp path. Run to the Silent Obelisk, run into the poison swamp. Get the first radiant QT back to Silent Obelisk Run to the guidepost After the cutscene, run to exile fortress towards the next radiant. The UM guards the location. Grab the item when the UM looks away QT back to Guidepost Run up the path leading up the river, cutting as many corners as possible, jump on the rock at the end. Run through the far left little hole in the fence to the statues, run to the cave leading to the 3rd radiant [you get the landmark for the statues along the way] Grab third radiant in the cave. Return to the water, hugging the bridge’s right side after getting the radiant when falling to the stream to avoid fall damage For the waterfall, hug the right wall when going down. Head towards the C shaped island [island without the UM flamii]. Follow island and grab final Radiant QT to Satorl Statues Button mash through text boxes to summon the boss Satorl Guardian Back Slash, Stream Edge, Battle Soul (if you can) Climb the pillars In the Interior, save when you get close to the geyser. Roughly before the final pillar before the geyser before the eruption. Reload this save to reset cycle and make the cycle.

Chapter 7 Follow the path to the cutscenes Before the large bridge, grab the Angi Tablet Landmark Run to Melia QT back to Angi Tablet Jump off the cliff into the water. There is a pentagon shaped rock with a bit pointing out of the cliff. Jump here [watch run for reference] Telethia Battle Partial soul, target left. Back Slash (let alvis take aggro). Do Monado Glitch-Stream edge Makna menu Equip Dunban with his equipped items Same with Melia though faster. Head to frontier village Climb the village. During the ascent before melia get the Chief’s Residence QT point, talk to melia QT to the Shrine. After Heropon cutscene, turn camera around and jump to the dock, climb stairs and grab the weapon. Jump down towards the shop for the armor Head to Dinobeast Best pathway is QT out of village to the entrance, jump to the right to the lower level, follow the path, follow towards where UM Breezy Zelos is, then head to the flower grove, then to Dinobeast Dinobeast Phase 1: Back slash, Air Slash Phase 2: Get behind, Back Slash, Air Slash QT to Chief’s residence Talk to melia, depart to the sea

Chapter 8 At the start, head to the capital When you get the alcamoth gate Landmark, turn around, then follow path to the lighthouse landmark QT to Gate As melia, head to the throne room Talk to everyone as shulk Dunban - Sharla - Riki - Reyn QT to Eryth - lighthouse Talk to the worker for the quest, then go behind lighthouse to go to the lost worker Igna battle Lure everyone to the bridge, Buster, cleanup QT to Alcamoth - Villa and rest Assassins Partial Soul [Rebuild Monado and a soft lure], stream edge, cleanup any remaining assassins if they never got in range QT to Eryth - Gate Jump over ledge towards the tomb teleporter, head to Tomb Melia Section Battle 1: Run to the enemy, Summon Lightning and Discharge Battle 2: Run between the foes, Summon Ice, Discharge, Run [and run towards the Ceremonial Hall as the Ice DoT kills the machines] Shulk Section Head to the Valley, instead of moving down the spiral ramps, jump down the bridge between the two towers [room dead east of the Tomb Robbers QT point] Orluga Get behind, Back Slash, Air slash, Slit edge if not dead yet Continue through the tomb Tyrea Use Focus on Telethia, switch target to Tyrea, Shadow eye, line up the two and Buster. Backslash/stream edge to clean up. QT to the Ascension hall, talk to emperor

Chapter 9 QT to Ascension Hall, turn around, head to Melia QT to Ascension Hall, talk to Kalean Turn around, walk to the Teleporter, and escape Alcamoth because QT disabled. QT to Lighthouse, follow path to Seal Isle Take Right path to Hode Seal, QT once you open the seal back to Seal Isle Take left path to Kromar Seal, QT once you open the seal back to Seal Isle [both times you will get spotted by a UM on each isle but they won’t chase you to the buttons] Skyray Partial, get behind, backslash. Ascend Prison Island Metal Face 2 Fill talent gauge, Shadow Eye, Back Slash, Buster

Chapter 10 Run to Dunban QT to Ascension Hall and talk to Kallean Run out of Alcamoth [cannot QT] Fly to Makna and enter Valak After entering Valak, run all the way to the bone hollow. You can fall off the ledge [close to the left rock formation and when you land you get the QT point to Bone hollow QT to Bone Hollow Run down the tube. Jumping at the end of the first tube can prevent fall damage if timed right. Second set after the turn keep close to the left wall. The right is made poorly and you can randomly fly to your deaths. Control speed. At the end of the final tube, don’t jump, let momentum carry you forward. QT to Nopon Camp as soon as you get the landmark Travel to Lava cave first, then travel to the Chapel QT to Chapel when you get the landmark QT to Lava Cave and fight the UM UM Lexos [I forgot the name] Lure to platform. Battle soul, Shadow Eye, get behind and Backslash, Air slash/AA to clean up. QT to Chapel Walk to Mumkar. Follow the guide a bit around the southern part of the tower. Instead of descending slopes when getting towards the glacier. Jump down cliffs [See Runs] Mumkar 1 / Metal Face 3 Shadow Eye, get behind, Back slash, Stream edge Alternative. Battle Soul if needed, Buster

Chapter 11a - Sword Valley Proceed through Sword valley to Dickson Part where Reyn having Machina Driver comes to play over Atomic Driver. While reyn isn’t used for mechonis, he is used for this section as a party member. First gate: Travel to Ged Fortress. QT when you get the landmark. Press buttons for gates Second Gate. Book it there Third gate. Head to Dolgan Outpost. QT when you get the landmark. Press button. QT to Dolgan Outpost. You can do a jump onto a little part that sticks out of the wall to get to the button faster. Press button to lower gate Ascend the ramp to the left and head through the ether channel. Jump down the lowest part of the walkways when in the Ether Storage area Proceed to Metal Face Metal Face 4/Mumkar 2 Battle Soul [If you used Buster on the last battle], Shadow eye, Get behind. Back slash, Stream edge (Builds up talent gauge faster for next battle) After battle, jump down to the pathway leading into the fortress [See run for optimal details hard to describe Enter Fortress

Chapter 11b - Galahad Fortress Grab the key. Run to the Mechon room. Target the poor mechon with the key and backslash (if you mess up, you got 9 angry robots after you and your good time) Descend to the control platform room (where the path splits many ways) Do the Galahad UM Skip (Clip shows it, but with EQ VI, hug the right most part of the area and press button. QT to the control platform. Press the other button QT to control platform, run to the generator above the ether pool and press the button QT to control platform one last time. Descend to lowest part of Galahad. Can jump around the UM to avoid confrontation and pressing the button faster Annoying Mechon Battle Target left. Focus attacks. Get behind the right group. Buster. Return to left group. Stream edge and clean up Gold Face Shadow eye. Get behind. Back slash, take to half health, run

Chapter 12 Get Fiora Head to the mechon battle Solo Mechon Battle Run forward. Stream edge and pray (They like to scatter. If it is a miss, clean up with other arts) Reyn segment is short Mechon wave 2 Berserker, War swing, Sword Drive Head to the cutscene Dunban Section - Switch Dunban with Melia. Run to the Mechon Debris Landmark (the ruined fortress unit). Run to village Talk to Linada (QT to Junks when you get the landmark) Talk to Miqol

Chapter 13a - Fallen Arm 2 QT to the Mechon Debris Run around backside of Hidden Village. On land, get the bridge landmark. Get the Piezoelectric Unit (Getting the bridge landmark offsets the UM patrolling the beach and you can get the unit easily. Getting Metal face wreckage landmark makes you wait for the UM to pass QT to bridge. Run around to get the Digit 2 landmark QT to Junks and talk to Linada (not the quest giver) QT to Junks, go to bed Fallen Arm Menu Switch Melia with Shulk. Switch Riki with Fiora Equip Fiora’s Blades Switch First attack VI gem with Back Attack VI gem Switch Reyn’s weapon from Mechon to Atomic Driver QT to Digit 2 plain Run to the Bulkhead landmark. QT to the landmark (gates will lower) Run to Mechonis

Chapter 13b - Mechonis Field Follow pathway, taking the pipe path, to the far elevator. Press the button to activate the elevator then take the elevator Second floor. (I take the path closest to the elevator button less likely to get booped by mechon) Take the pathway with the pipes, cut across and press the button for the story objective Head to the Cylinder Do Cylinder Skip (Two methods. Video method is harder to pull off, best way is to jump on the rail and fall to the platform. Alternative slower but safer strat (One I use) Press button, climb the long ladder, take elevator to next floor. Run to bulkhead. Then head to the UM guarding the button. Jump to the lower platform as close to the button as possible [Video reference] Return to do UM skip. QT to bulkhead. Climb the exterior On the upper field path split to press the buttons. Take the right path first. Jump down to the lower platform, then jump to the hard part (Video best to describe as this is a run killer) From here, get the landmark if you haven't already for the power switch, run up the long slope, take a left and follow the long platform to the end. Jump to the first north button to press. QT to upper Bulkhead, then at split, head left and follow path to the other button Do the scary jump and press button QT to Power switch, press button QT to upper bulkhead, run to the large elevator You have a minute once the elevator starts ascending. Hit auto run [once you start ascending and press the button] towards the left wall from entering (south on map). Take a stretch, get a drink, other self care. Gadolt 1 Walk forward past the first set of mechon Once past, head along the left side of the map not quite but close to the barriers with Gadolt still in sight (to avoid getting spotted by the Radar Mechon but hard to do, you get spotted finally by Gadolt around the Radar) Run up to Gadolt. Back Slash, Air Slash, cleanup

Chapter 14a - Central Factory Take right speed thing, head to far bulkhead When the landmark is obtained, QT to the landmark as it makes the doors open immediately Go to Central Factory When you get the landmark when riding the elevator, QT to that landmark Head to the lower part of the factory, Ladder you can climb on, jump down the long part but be sure to grab on before the bottom. Lowering the barrier, you can press the button to lower it from outside the rail. Head to the middle section elevator. Once you get the landmark on the elevator, QT there. Head to the factory Vent landmark, fight watchtower Watchtower Shadow Eye, Backslash, Air slash QT to Warehouse lift Head up ramp and kill the second mechon Mechon 2: Squeeze by the right side (it is tight but you will clip through) Shadow Eye, Backslash, Air Slash Head to Store for third Mechon Mechon 3 Backslash from behind the two adds of the mechon. Main mechon, Backslash, Air slash, clean up QT to Control Tower Do CF UM skip QT to Factory Vent and blow it up Climb the ladder inside of the pipe section and get to the upper section Get the Tower boarding gate landmark, head up to press the button, QT back to the Tower boarding gate. Forced Mechon boss Target left fairy, back slash Try to knock remaining mechon with buster but often goes wrong. Get close to remaining mechon and stream edge and cleanup. This battle never goes to plan. Use elevator, QT when you get the landmark for Agniritha gate. Use teleporter

Chapter 14b - Agniritha Head to the central tower and do that. Head to NE tower first and activate. Going to do Agniritha Counterclockwise starting with the first tower you come across. Head to second tower. Best to follow the central road and avoid the UM. Climb and press button Take the pathway from here to the Shrine transporter landmark [might get spotted by a UM but doesn’t matter]. From here, on the big arena where Gadolt will be fought, aim for the next tower and jump down. Should land on the platform and head to next tower Head to final tower taking the scary jump [pretty consistent but scary AF], and climb the final tower, press the button. Link to both jumps as within clip length. QT to the central Tower, activate transporter QT to Shrine Transporter Gadolt Phase 1: Battle Soul, Back Slash, Air slash Phase 2: Shadow Eye, get behind and Back Slash, Buster (Pray between Shadoweye and back slash no lock-ons, if so, line up so gadolt is in front, use Buster and stream edge but if fast enough no need to worry Head to Egil Egil and Yaldabaoth Egil: Shadow Eye, get behind and Back Slash, Stream Edge, Air slash. Yaldabaoth: Backslash, air slash, partial soul, run

Chapter 15 Talk to Miqol and fly to mechonis core Run to Apocrypha Apocrypha Shadow Eye, get behind and Buster, Back slash, air slash Yaldabaoth Complicated battle broken down in steps First is shadow eye and backslash to get HP down to low. Move yourself to the energy platforms on the side roughly where Yaldabaoth is, call AI there (Before Chastice takes effect, if you do this, you skip attack model) Video Once the Energy conduits spawn, Use focus on the back conduit, then try to target the close one for you to take on solo Defeat the close one (the health drops to low, but cannot go past a threshold. Once you get to the threshold, move onto the one opposite of you. Defeat the conduit on the other side, move back to Yaldabaoth and wait for the sidequest to clear, then use back slash/air slash/ cleanup GG Video (old)

Chapter 16 Zanza 0 AA a couple of times to get PDD on. Use second gear, Sword Drones X, Air fang, Speed shift, AA Menu: Switch Fiora with Reyn Escape Mechonis Core Telethia Sureny I Berserker, Sword Drive, Lariat (until health is half or so). Run. Now you have to wait until Sureny feels like ending the battle. This battle sucks. Stretch and such until the battle ends and Dickson laughs at you for standing around.

Chapter 17 a - Telethia and Interior Melia Section, Run to Fiora, then run back to Junks. You can jump off the cliffside onto Junks to save a little time (Be sure not to miss) Telethia Onslaught Before first battle, Switch Melia with Reyn (so reyn is in lead), Switch Melia with Dunban [Going to be the final menu] Triple Telethia Use focus on the large telethia, switch to the small telethia which should be together Berserker, War swing, Lariat [might have to clean up the large telethia but AI should finish it off] Telethia Sureny II Berserker, Get behind, sword drive Telethia Sani Berserker, Bone upper, Sword drive (tried getting behind before, but box is weird) Head to Bionis interior Follow pathway through interior. At the large cellular, turn right to the landmark with the UM, take the upper path and follow Lorithia Focus on Lorithia Focus on an add nebula. Berserker, Magnum charge, Aura Burst, War Swing, Lariat Switch to Lorithia and try to get behind. Sword drive when you see the nebula down and use their final art.

Chapter 17 b. Prison Island II Head forward along the path to the arena Obart 1 Berserker, Bone Upper, Sword drive Demon Pavlovsk Berserker, get behind, Bone upper, Sword Drive, Lariat (I save Magnum Charge for Dragon and had issues building on Master Obart Head through the den, lower bone pillar, jump on the raising platform. Jump at the end onto the upper pathway above the first room. Jump at the dragon claw overlooking the first teleport to in front of the teleporter (Since hole in 1 is next to impossible the old way, can try to land on the outer circle in front of the teleporter Return to the Arena Master Obart Berserker, get behind, Bone Upper, Sword Drive Head to the Cathedral Activate the bell QT to the Cathedral and fight the Dragon Dragon King Alcar Engage a little from the left and get behind. Berserker, Magnum Charge, Sword Drive. This is a tight timing before Alcar uses his Talent art and move to a different spot. Activate the Point of No return. Cannot cutscene skip the Point of No return. Mash through the dialog and be sure to hit the YES option to go to the final boss (If you button mash too much, you will have to repeat the cutscene)

Chapter 17c - Final battles Dickson Phase 1: berserker, bone upper, War swing, sword drive (build talent gauge for phase 2, ends soon after) Phase 2: Berserker, Magnum charge, get behind (he likes to move) Sword drive. If he moves wrong and doesn’t finish, Lariat. Memory Space Saturn, run at about a 30-40 degree angle right of the ghost, once you are close to the ghost run to the teleporter. This area is full of invisible walls, why I am guiding out Jupiter: Straight ahead walk around the ghost Mars: Aim towards the Right wing (or your left) of the ghost. Once you are about to the ghost, run to the teleporter Moon: Straight ahead walk around the ghost Zanza Phase 1: Berserker, Sword Drive, Bone upper, War swing, Lariat (Build talent gauge for phase 2), use arts to finish Phase 2: Berserker, Magnum Charge, get behind (he likes to move on me), Sword Drive, Bone upper Phase 3: Berserker, Bone upper, get behind while AA, once Magnum charge is ready use it, or if Zanza is at half health, Sword drive (And finish the run

Congratulations on finishing the run! I did my best to describe the route, and is up to interpretation. If you have any questions about the guide, contact me or others in the Xenoblade Speedrun community on discord.

Before starting up the next run, be sure to de-equip the slotted weapons with junk weapons like in the pre-run notes. Since this is a fresh NG+ file, you can go around fighting some UM (You won’t have mechonis UM) to get some new Affinity coins for the next run.