The 13th Entity's Guide to: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.hack//~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~INFECTION~~~~~~~~~~~~~ version 1.0 The author can be contacted at <duerkargenti@yahoo.com> but, please no spam. \^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^/ < Itenuary (aka. Table of Contents): > < > < I. FAQ Info > < II. Controls > < III. Entity's Corner (Storyline in my words) > < IV. Walkthrough > < ______A. Falling Toward Bracelet > < ______1. Plenty of Firsts > < ______2. What Sanctuary for Newbs? > < ______3. The Pace Begins to Hasten > < ______4. Temptations of Knowledge > < ______B. Discovering Modified Rumors > < ______1. Encounters > < ______2. Deception > < ______3. Friends for Panacea > < ______4. A Spiral's Cue > < ______5. Much is Hidden > < ______6. What's Reaped From Rumor > < ______C. Beginning Someone's Broken Cradle > < ______1. Scrambling Preparations > < ______2. Terror and Shadow > < ______3. Going Beyond Infection > < V. Perfect Game Checklist > < ______1. Book of 1000 > < ______2. The Checklist > < VI. Items And Moves > < VII. Q&A > < VIII. Legal Stuff > < IX. Many Thanks > /vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv\ To use this guide, you can use ctrl+F (or Command+F on a Mac) to search for the section titles as provided above. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I. FAQ Info ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ July 17, 2009 Project .hack continues in more ways than one. The four-part series known as .hack//I.M.O.Q. is being covered by yours truly in its entirety. I mean for this to be a consistent and fully detailed enough where you can follow all four volumes from start to finish. As we venture through the days of the Second Network Crisis, please be aware of possible spoilers in my guides and that I try to make things easy for you. If you want more of a challenge, then feel free to adjust the strategy you see for yourself. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ II. Controls ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please read the manual if you've a copy of it. Otherwise: -------------Terms------------- GP - Game currency. You need this to buy stuff. Exp - Experience. It takes 1000 experience to get from one level to the next. The higher you get, the less Exp a monster will be worth until either you hit max level or until the monster you're comparing is worth 1 EXP a kill. Lv - Level. The max is 99, though we'll see as high as 25-30 by the end of the first volume. Maybe higher if you're patient enough. Party - You play mainly as Kite. As you gain Member Addresses, you can invite up to two more people at a time if they are available. Desktop - This game has two modes. One is the main where you walk around and interact with other characters in a simulated MMORPG called The World. The other is the desktop, which is like a big menu full of options for you to explore. This provides a number of things to help play the game. Affection - Capped at 250 in Volume 1, this measures how much a character will like Kite. However, unlike in G.U., this will only affect the Ryu Books instead of leading to a big event in the end. Of course, it affects the email chains you get from Kite's friends as well. Higher affection will allow for newer messages to appear as long as there are messages to be received. HP - The health your characters have. It's Game Over if everyone is dead. SP - Skill Points. The more you have, the more often you can use skills. Attack - Your attacks' damage is based on this. Defense - Your ability to resist attacks is based on this. Accuracy - Your ability to hit the target, obviously. Evade - Raising this increases your chance to be missed by an enemy's attack. * Attack, Defense, Accuracy, and Evade each have two listings. The first is the Physical, and the second is the Magical. So, if you have 99 Physical Defense but like 1 Magical Defense, and a spell comes your way, then you can count on it doing damage to you big time. That is, unless your stat for that spell's Element is high enough. Element - Fire, Water, Earth, Wood, Thunder, Darkness, Spirit, and Body. The six excluding Body and Spirit are how efficient your attacks and defenses are in those elements. This will come in VERY handy this game. Body and Spirit will reduce your chances of being inflicted with status effects, but will not make you immune. The said effects (below) are split between physical and mind based, and thus call for one of two items typically. Curse - Depletes HP gradually; calls for Restorative Poison - Depletes HP over time; Calls for Antidote Sleep - Immobilizes you; calls for Restorative Paralysis - Immobilizes you; calls for Antidote Charm - Attack allies for a time; calls for Restorative Confusion - Attack allies for a time; calls for Restorative Speed Down - Slows your movement; calls for Antidote or waiting a few seconds. The other stats have their own versions of this as well. Physical stats can be cured with Antidote or beaten with a boost of the same stat. The Magic stats call for Restorative or the temp stat boost. Areas - Almost all areas in these four games are made up of a field and dungeon together. Depending on the server and the three words put in, you can choose the element and average level of monsters you encounter. The areas to do with story are pre-chosen, and I'll add some to help with finding items and monsters. Server - This series' idea of a server is one of five roots to the many areas. In //Infection, we have only two servers that we visit--Delta and Theta. Save/Load - Through Data Manager or a Save Shop in a town, you can save a file of your progress on a memory card. Use this file to load and continue your progress. Convert - I'll get to this starting the next volume. -------------Movement and Interaction------------- Walk/Run - Use the left analog stick. Tilting it lightly causes slow motion. Examining/Selecting - X button. This only works if something to examine is within range, or if there is a choice to be made. Don't ask why you can't talk to an NPC on the other side of town when you aren't moving. Trapped Chests - These are the blue chests with random effects if you just open them. You don't get the better item that way. Carry Fortune Wires for a few of these, though it won't be TOTALLY necessary until an event at the end of QUARANTINE. Target Toggling - When multiple targets are in range use the digital pad to switch from target to target. Cancel - Circle button. You do this to exit out of menus and such. Camera Angles - L1 turns to look left, R1 turns to look right. The R3 (right analog stick) can zoom in or out. R2 resets the camera to default, and L2 toggles between 3rd person and 1st person views. This is important. If you never adjust the view, then you won't be able to target a monster just because it's not on the screen (mainly with skills). -------------Menus and Such------------- Open a Menu - Triangle button. This works as long as you are walking around in a town, a field, a dungeon, or in a battle (not when you're doing an attack). If you're in a menu, this won't work, so do not ask why you can't open the main menu while in the middle of a trade. Item Info - When you are highlighted over an item, press the Square button to receive info about that item. Store Menu - Talk to the NPC or character running the store, press X, and then select to view their wares. You will see price amounts. If you have the money to pay for the item you want, then press X while highlighting that same item. Item/Option Highlighting - Move either the left analog stick or the digital pad in the direction it takes to get from option to option. Chat Command Menu - When in an area, press Square. It's through this menu you can select specific skills and strategies from your party members. Chaos Gate Menu - While in a town, examine the Chaos gate. Select Warp Menu to see a bunch of options. If you already have an area bookmarked from the boards, emails, or story events, you can select the area from the Word List. Warp History lists all areas manually or randomly visited in order from the most recent on earlier without repeating any areas. Random will pull randomly from your pool of keywords. New Keyword allows you to do what Random does, but manually. There are three pools: -1st Word -2nd Word -3rd Word * The server you're on comes into play as well as these will alter the range of levels your Word pool is likely to play with. This will not be absolute, but it's the general rule. Gate Hacking - When it comes to areas to do with the story progression, there will be SOME instances where you will require Virus Cores to unlock the area. Some Data Bugs as bosses will provide what you need, and sometimes you'll receive a Virus Core through Email or someone handing one to you. Virus Cores A through L have to be gained through Data Draining enemies other than the predetermined bosses. * A-C: Delta/Theta * D-F: See Mutation * G-I: See Outbreak * J-L: See Quarantine As for the Gate Hacking process . . . You will see a big screen with a cross on the left side and a list of the Virus Cores you got on the right. You can turn the cross clockwise by tapping left on your d-pad, and you can turn it the other way by tapping right. When a side of the cross is pointing down that has holes in it, you will see a letter (the type of Virus Core needed) and a number next to it (the number needed). You add the Virus Cores by tapping up on the d-pad until the holes are filled. They can be subtracted as well, but that's kinda useless. Once all the holes are filled, you can press X to permanently open the area. * During each walkthrough, I will suggest how many Virus Cores to try and get AT MINIMUM while you are fighting the monsters regularly. While this might slow the Exp. growth just a little, it will help in the long run to have what you need before you need it. You don't want to be level 80 or higher and trying to get Virus Cores A-C. You also don't want to drop your game progression to find more Virus Cores. * Over the course of Volume 1, I suggest getting a minimum of 9 Virus Core A's, 17 B's, and 5 C's. Extras will carry on and likely be used in one of the following volumes. * If you're using a cheat device to always have Virus Cores, then only use Cores A-L unless the game has given you the other ones you'll need. For those of you who don't: kudos. The cheat won't be needed. Trade - Talk to a character either walking around or that is in your party. Gift - You can select Trade with your party members. This has no Trade window, but you do see your own list of items as to what you wish to give. This helps in the Affection level just a bit. Don't try giving multiple items at once, because it'll just be counted as one of that item. Rarity - Items are marked for their rarity. Most of the time, you will just want to put these in storage. I'll note when they have their use. Equipment - Weapon, head armor, body armor, wrist guards, and shoes. You can only equip a weapon specific to your class, and any defensive piece as long your class isn't excluded. Map - In the top-right corner of the screen, you can see the map of where you stand. In town, a dungeon block, or a grove, you will have the option of having the map up when you are not in battle, or you can toggle it off by pressing Select. In fields other than groves, there's a little more to the map. You see, other than the typical field, you have just the one map size. With the fields, however, you can toggle between Default Map, no map, and Overall Map. Overall Map is good for seeing where the portals, dungeon, and Spring of Myst can be found, whereas the Default Map lets you see the formations where you could find Symbols or grunty food. -------------About Battles------------- Yay, they're not random. The battles are in set places, though you COULD be attacked by wandering monsters on the field. In a dungeon, you cannot leave a room with any monsters in it still alive because the doors stay closed until you are victorious. * TIP: Sometimes, on a field, you will see two portals too close together for comfort. The way around this is to get close enough to one to activate it, and then run away from it just far enough to separate enemy party from additional opposition. I hope this helps you. Attack - Press X like you're interacting with an object or a character. You attack with Twin Blades, and can keep doing so repeatedly. Game Over - When you run out of health, you have to start over from the last place you saved. Game Over also occurs if your Infection from Data Drain reaches 100%. Items/Spells - To use these in battle, you must open the main menu and select what you want to use from there. The skills and spells are all separated into different tabs, with the last being for your Data Drain. Items also are separated into tabs. When in battle, you'll likely be using them from the first two tabs. Beyond that, you'd have to go into Equipment to fix whatever weapon you have equipped depending on what a battle's strategy may call for. But, I will cover this when it comes up. Strategy - This one is a little more complex than it needs to be, and it could get you into trouble if you leave it alone. First, you have to set the battle formation, which will very likely switch between Wonder Battle and Union Battle most of the time. Second, DURING combat you can shout to one party member to do first aid through the fight or to do a designated skill one time. You can also have that specific character change equipment as long they are carrying alternative stuff, which YOU have to give them. Data Drain Infection - As you Data Drain enemies, your infection level will rise. The higher in level you are compared to the monster, the less you will get infected from one use. As you gain other forms of Data Drain, you should note that the original Data Drain infects Kite less than the others. An email from Helba claims that the less infected you are, the easier it will be to get a Virus Core from most monsters, but I have yet to confirm this. To bring DOWN infection, Kite must physically attack some monsters and DEAL THE KILLING BLOW. The way you can check the level of infection is the silhouette image that appears next to the skill tab for the Data Drain skills. You won't see the exact percent of infection, but you will see colors in that silhouette to give an idea of where you are. They are as follows: * White - 0% to 24% * Blue - 25% to 49% * Green - 50% to 74% * Yellow - 75% to 98% * Orange - 99% * Red - 100%; GAME OVER * Maybe it's my screen, but I've never been able to see a difference between the white and blue levels. Either that, or the blue looks green ONLY on the Infection Status Window. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ III. Entity's Corner ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It started with a woman who decided to write an epic poem, but she never got to finish it. A programmer who knew her decided to make a virtual world to depict this poem, and FRAGMENT was born with a hidden purpose within it. Soon after, FRAGMENT was revised to The World, and all was well in the public eye. But, some individuals found out differently, and two heroes of a major event dared to investigate. One dared as well to invite a real life friend to play this game with him. Enter Kite . . . . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ IV. Walkthrough ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ * For the purpose of this guide (A) will be Delta, and (8) will be Theta. These are to help you know which server we're on, though there should not be a need for this until the next "server" is introduced in the following game. * Also, I will provide SOME maps. Here's the key for most of them: = Pathway between east and west I Pathway between north and south M Magic Portal (monster or chest spawn point) B Boss c Treasure Chest; CAPS for 2+ T Gott Statue and main chest of dungeon; also for Zeit Statue k Destructible items (ie., skeletons, boxes, etc.,); CAPS for 2+ P Random buff Symbol found in dungeon map g Grunty Food; CAPS for 2+ u Way up in dungeons d Way down in dungeons (or into dungeons in groves) @ Spring of Myst in a grove ^ Space, nothingness, or even a special boss when noted as such -------------Falling Toward Bracelet------------- ~~Part 1: Plenty of Firsts~~ BEFORE YOU BEGIN, the default is set to have the controller vibrate. Go to the Option menu before starting the new file if you want to turn it off. After the movie that quotes the Epitaph of Twilight in German, you are given the chance to provide the user name, your choice, and the character's name, which we will keep as Kite. Select "Enter" when you're done with each name. You start immediately on the desktop. Here, you can access email, news, the special features you can unlock later, and the ability to save your game. This is .hack's way of emulating the "Real Life" portion of the game. Select "The World" to boot up the game part of the game. Now, you see three options. The bottom one takes you back into the desktop, the top one takes you into the emulated online game itself, and the middle one is a forum that often reveals hints through these games. Log in. Mac Anu-- You start out in the Delta server, and you immediately see Orca. You'll get his Member Address and learn a few basics of party forming and entering areas through the Chaos Gate. Follow the directions as fast or slow as you like. (A) Bursting Passed Over Aqua Field-- # of Field Portals: 4 # of Dungeon Portals: 3 # of Symbols: 0 Spring of Myst: Monsieur Lv. 1 Monsters: Goblin, Deadly Moth (D), Magical Goblin (D) During the tutorial, you encounter a Goblin. This ONE will not attack back. Keep hacking away for misses and 15 damage until it's dead. Once the tutorial is over, go ahead and knock out all the Magic Portals. Orca can one-shot the Goblins with hardly any effort. You will see a Spring of Myst, but you don't yet have any equipment to throw in. Head inside the dungeon. * Feel free to pick up the Mandragora on the field by south Magic Portal. ___ | d | "I" ___ | | | |___ _________________________ ___ | M |=| |=| c | """"""" """"""""""| |"""""""""" """ | | | | B1 | | | | "I" ___ |cuc| """ After progressing one room, you'll get a scene. If you follow the girl to the east, you'll reach a dead end with a chest. Going west introduces you to the more annoying part of this game; a gate closes on all doors until the Magic Portals are cleared from the room. Keep this in mind for the future if you want to run through an area fast. ___ | T | | | B2 "I" ___ | | _____ ___| |___ _____ |c M |=| |=| M c| """"" """| |""" """"" | | "I" ___ | | | | | | | | | u | """ On the second basement level, you will reach an intersection. Go east and west only if you want to clear the dungeon's Magic Portals, which you'll see why once we get into the Ryu Books. Here, you'll also see Deadly Moths and Magical Goblins. Head north to reach the Gott Statue. You'll get a scene upon you trying to leave. * Orca's mind and body will be separated through the monster's Data Drain. Kite will be saved by Helba, the hacker. * Please note that if you visit this area again, the monsters will be gone except for the two on the sides of the second block. Normally, you can walk out of a dungeon to respawn all the dungeon's magic portals, and you can walk inside and back out to do the same for the ones in the field. However, Springs of Myst and Gott Statues do not reappear after you use/open them. You'll be on the desktop again. E-Mail: A message from CC Corp says that server instability has reduced their gameplay service to Delta and Theta (though we can only go to Delta at the moment). Boot up The World. You can't Log In just yet, so check the Board. Kite will write a post on a new topic. Head back to the Desktop. E-Mail: This is the first of Aura's messages. Most will be scrambled like you see here. She asks for your help since you have the book. It says, "To the one who holds the book. Skeith is looking for me. There is no time. Please, help me." Boot up and Log in. ~~Part 2: What Sanctuary for Newbs?~~ Mac Anu-- You immediately see BlackRose in a scene. Run forward across the bridge, and head left (or east by looking at the map) to the store. You're welcome to pick up the Phantom Blades now or the Assassin later. You're still not rich, so I suggest waiting. Keep in mind where this store is. Either here or the Item Shop (northwest of bridge) you should sell items you won't need. You should have at least a couple from the Gott Statue in the first area. Rainbow Cards should be kept for a short time. Head to the Chaos Gate after talking to a couple NPCs or people. BlackRose w ill stop you upon selecting to use it. Agree to take her with you so you can advance through the game. Invite her. (A) Hidden Forbidden Holy Ground-- No need to freak at the combat level of the area. Head inside to get a scene. You'll see Balmung and a Data Bug before Kite's character data is altered by the opening of the book Aura had given Orca. You will also receive a Virus Core M, which we'll go over in a bit. Finally, you'll see Helba again. Mac Anu-- You'll come here automatically. Log out. Board: Somebody deleted Kite's post. In "Let's Play Tag" you'll see (A) Detestable Golden Sunny Demon. Email: Helba will tell you a bit about Data Drain. BlackRose will have sent you a message. Reply with "Thanks" Log in again for a short scene. ~~Part 3: The Pace Begins to Hasten~~ Mac Anu-- Run south across the bridge, and break west (past the Magic Shop) to make your way around to the alley way. You'll be introduced to Elk and Mia. Encounters with Mia get weirder. Log out again. Board: "Increasing Levels" gives (A) Discovered Primitive Touchstone "Is This an Event Character?" gives (A) Expansive Haunted Sea of Sand. Hard to miss. "Protected Area" has (A) Closed Oblivious Twin Hills Log back in. Mac Anu-- Pick up a couple Speed Charms from the Magic Shop. They'll come in handy for our first stop. Five in all is good for now. Gale Breaths are good as well. (A) Detestable Golden Sunny Demon-- You will now face the first of 5 Golden Goblins for the first of four times. In each of these four games, you must beat all 5 of the golden goblins for some rare equipment. ***Stehoney*** HP: 190 P.Res/M.Res: None Element: Earth Rec.Lvl: 1 Use a Speed Charm, chase this guy around, and take swipes until he's beaten. However, don't depend on regular attacks. Throw in a Gale Breath or a weapon skill (Saber Dance for 10 SP) when close enough to Stehoney, and you'll do more than 2 damage per hit. Don't worry, he doesn't heal or attack back. Pound the goblin with what you got until the fight is over. At level 1, this gives 130 exp. You will also receive the rare Goblin Cap. ***End of Battle*** Feel free to run around collecting a few Mandragora before you Gate Out. Mac Anu-- Invite BlackRose. Also, I advise putting the Goblin Cap into storage (the Elf Haven northeast of bridge). (A) Discovered Primitive Touchstone-- # of Field Portals: 13 # of Dungeon Portals: 32 # of Symbols: 5 Spring of Myst: Monsieur Lv. 1 Monsters: Mad Grass, Disco Knife, Goblin, Deadly Moth (D), Magical Goblin (D), Chicken Hand (D), Sword of Chaos (D), Cadet Valkyrie (D) When you fight the sword-looking enemies Disco Knife, get one into Protect Break by attacking it, and use Data Drain. Let's not overuse that skill for now, but use it once every few monsters until an Iron Spear drops. Throw that weapon into the Spring (blue wisp on map). Select "Neither" for a chance to get something better, such as a Relief Lance. * Around the field, you will encounter what looks like little flames that you can interact with. These give random buffs to anyone in range at the moment of activation. I suggest making sure your party's members are nearby when you utilize these Symbols. You do not have to worry about the blue chests yet. In fact, I suggest you not waste any Fortune Wires on them until otherwise noted. Periodically, have Kite use Repth on himself, walk around a few seconds, and then use it on BlackRose. This should ensure that you don't die while you clear the field. Enter the dungeon when ready. ___________ B1 | M | | # c # | | ##### | ___ | ##### | ___ | d | | | |KcK| "I" """""I""""" "I" ___________ _________ ___________ | c k | / ___ \ | k c | | | ____ | c_| |_c | ____ | | | M |=|c |=| | | |=| gk |=| M | | | """" | k"| |"c | """" | | | k c | \ """ / | g k | """"""""""" """"I"""" """"""""""" ___ | u | """ This is about as detailed as my maps will get. Be sure to pick up Bloody Eggs and save any elemental items (Burning Oil) for later. Clear each floor on your way down. Destructible items respawn if you leave a room and return, so don't get stuck on those. Deadly Moth appears starting in the dungeon. They attack rapidly, so be ready to heal between fights. ___________ ___________ | c k | | c k | | M | | M | | | | | | M | ___ | M | | k | | d | | k c | """""I""""" "I" """""I""""" B2 ___ ___ ___ | | |g | |c | | | | | | | | M | | M | | M | | | | | | | "I" "I" "I" ___ ___ ___ |k \ | | / k| \ \ ___| |___ / / ) c )=| M c|=( c( / / """"""""""" \ \ |k / \ k| "I" "I" ___ ___ |KcK| | u | """ """ Be careful in the room with the two Magic Portals. That can be deadly. Stick to the wall you entered from, preferably by a corner, to reduce the chance of overdoing yourself. Magical Goblins appear around here too. Kill them fast if you can, because mage enemies can slow you down by spamming spells. Be wary of the Poison they can inflict, but don't waste your Antidotes. Instead, heal as needed to keep the damage from getting out of hand. If the Poison is too much of an annoyance, go in and out of the storage room to the southwest, destroying objects on the way, to pick up some Antidotes. _______ _____________________ _______ B3 | M |=| c M |=| M | | |""" """"""""| |"""""""" """| | | | | | | c| "I" | | "I" ___ | | ___ |c | | | |c | | | "I" | | | M | ___ | M | | | |c | | | "I" | | "I" ___________ | M | ___________ | k | | | | k c | | | ___ "I" ___ | | | M |=| | ___ |d |=| M | | | """ | u | """ | | | k c | """ | c | """"""""""" """"""""""" At this point, you start to see Chicken Hand. Also, try from this point on to perform one Data Drain every other room, and kill other enemies regularly to keep down your level of infection. You should gain Ryu Book I after enough uses, which leaves the other seven books (we'll get to later). On the fourth basement, Sword of Chaos begins to appear. I didn't provide a map for this floor because the only fork in the path is at the end where east takes you to a storage room, and west heads down. The fifth floor also has only one fork. About halfway through the floor, when you have the chance to go east or north, go the former first so you can clear the dungeon's Magic Portals. It's another room with two of them, so be very careful. At the end of the path going north is the Gott Statue. Collect the treasure, and have BlackRose use a Sprite Ocarina. * The Cadet Valkyrie can appear in the last floor. * If you're surrounded by too many enemies, use a Fire Tempest or three from all the loot thus far. Trust me, it helps. Head back to town. Mac Anu-- Buy and equip the Assassin if you haven't already. Store the Burning Oil, and sell your excess loot. Again, keep or store your Rainbow Cards. Treasure that is worth less should be sold. When Kite and BlackRose are ready, use the Chaos Gate to access the next area. (A) Expansive Haunted Sea of Sand-- # of Field Portals: 8 # of Dungeon Portals: 8 # of Symbols: 5 Spring of Myst: Monsieur Lv. 1 Monsters: Swordmanoid, Magical Goblin, Deadly Moth, Chicken Hand (D), He[dhu&__er (B), Headhunter (B), Hell Doberman (D) A player will warp out after saying he was turned away at the dungeon. How did he remember this spot on the map, I wonder? Anywho, there are Oh No Melons on this field. I suggest grabbing some while you're here. Data Draining the Swordmanoids can give Phantom Blades. Use them at the Spring of Myst unless you have another spare weapon on you. Hope for a Rig Saem buff on Kite and BlackRose so you won't have to worry when you get poisoned. The dungeon will look like a shell coming out of the ground. _____________ ______ B1 | M c |=| P d| | |""""""""" """""" | | | | | | "I" ___ | | ___ ___| |___ _______ |KcK|=| M c|=| M | """ """"""""""" """| | | c| "I" ___ | u | """ An Administrator will tell you the dungeon has been closed off. But, it's just an automated message, and Kite refuses to turn back. The enemies should be a little weak by now, assuming you get battles instead of chests. ___ ___________ ___ |u |=|c M |=| ck| """ """"""""""" "I" B2 ___ | cK| "I" ___ | | _______ ___| |___ ___ |M c|=| M c|=|KcK| | |""" """"""""""" """ | | "I" ___ | d | """ This floor is easy enough. ___ B3 | | ___ | M | | u | | | "I" "I" ___ ___________ ___ | | | | |c | | |___ | | ___| | | |=| B |=| M | """"""" | | """| | | | | | """"""""""" "I" ___ | T | """ WARNING: Fighting the boss triggers the continuation of the story. If you want to clear the dungeon, then you'll have to come back. The boss won't be here any time after this first visit. Don't worry TOO much about this dungeon's chests and portals. There are plenty like this one as well through the four games. When you are ready, step into the boss's room. ***He[dhu&__er*** HP: Inf. P.Res/M.Res: None Element: Darkness Rec.Lvl: 6 Start wailing on him. Heal when necessary. Use Data Drain when Protect Break happens. You can't beat him otherwise. You will get a Virus Core C, and he turns into a normal Headhunter. It's a simple fight after this. Worth 50 Exp as long you don't Data Drain him a second time. ***End of Battle*** Mistral will appear. She'll give you her Member Address, and you'll leave the area automatically. Mac Anu-- Ugh . . . and here is Piros. He will ask you to bear witness to him fighting a monster. Say you will (like you really have any choice) to progress through the story. You'll gain the keywords for the area (A) Indiscreet Gluttonous Pilgrimage. Sell the junk minus one weapon, stock up on Speed Charms, and then log out. Email: By now, you should be getting your first message from BlackRose for building up your affection with her. "Well sometimes..." is the better of the two options. You'll only get this email if your affection with BlackRose is already a few points in. Mac Anu-- Save your game, and invite both Mistral and BlackRose. I suggest clearing the last dungeon to get Mistral's level up. You may also consider getting her affection level up a bit as well using the Gott Statue rewards. She should be at least level 3. Don't forget to Data Drain every other battle to get the Virus Cores and to get the Ryu Books. Having the third one by now is a good sign, but don't worry yet if you don't. * Using the square button, open the party menu. On the third tab, select JUST Mistral, and set her to First Aid. Once you're back to town, be sure you're ready. Use the Chaos Gate. (A) Indiscreet Gluttonous Pilgrimage-- # of Field Portals: 14 # of Dungeon Portals: 11 # of Symbols: 2 Spring of Myst: Monsieur Lv. 1 Monsters: Deadly Moth, Magical Goblin, Sky Fish, Sword of Chaos (D), Headhunter (D), Rock Head (B) Clear the field if only to help Mistral. Data Drain on occasion as usual. The more Virus Cores A-C we get now, the better. The buffs are scarce, and so is the grunty food (Root Vegetable) out here. So, don't worry if you don't get them during this visit. Plenty later. ___ _____________________ ___ |d |=| M |=|Kgc| """ """"""""| |"""""""" """ B1 | | | | | | "I" ___ | | ___ _________ ___| |___ _________ ____ |KcK|=|g M |=| M |=| c M |=| KK| """ """"""""" """| |""" """"""""" """" | | "I" ___ | u | """ Sword of Chaos begins to appear on the first block. This place has a lot of excessive space, but is otherwise short. Speed Charms may make this faster for you if you have some to spare. Just remember to have Mistral heal when it is needed. Should be easy if she got a Cougar Bandana from the last dungeon's Gott Statue (La Repth). Not necessary, but still good to have. Unlike the last few areas, the creates and boxes here have Well Waters. Save them for way later, please. Be sure also to grab the Golden Eggs and Immature Eggs you find through this dungeon. ___ | d | B2 "I" ___________ ___ | k | | | ___ | | ___| |___ |-_______# # | M |=| M |=| M M g| | | """"""""""" |_"""""""# # | k | """ """""I""""" ___ | k | "I" ___________ | g k | | | ___ | M |=| u| | | """ | k g | """"""""""" You may notice from the map that the northeast room is an odd-shaped one. The monsters are only harder when the Headhunter appears. Be ready to heal, and you'll be fine. ___________ B3 | | | | | B | | | | | """""I""""" ___ ___________ | | | | ___ ___| |___ | ##### | |T |=| M |=| ## g M| """ """| |""" | ##### | | | | | "I" """"""""""" ___ | u | """ Finish clearing the portals and grabbing the Gott Statue's treasure before you enter the boss's chamber. Hell Doberman begins to appear here. When you reach the boss, Piros jumps at it and has trouble fighting it. Yes, we have to save the idiot. ***Rock Head*** HP: 410 P.Res/M.Res: None Element: Earth, Regen Rec.Lvl: 6-8 Attack like mad. Have Mistral heal as necessary. Data Drain is optional. Stay out of the spells as best you can, and attack like mad as I said. You will receive Piros's Member Address before returning to town automatically. ***End of Battle*** ~~Part 4: Temptations of Knowledge~~ Mac Anu-- Sell and restock. Log out. Email: If you've already gotten BlackRose's response, then reply with "How about you?" If not, then that's OK. An Anonymous message tells you to cease your inquiry about server issues with the game. We're ignoring it. CC Corp will send an email claiming you to be the winner of the Power Up Campaign. You're expected in Root Town. Mac Anu-- It doesn't matter which store, so you might as well talk to the Recorder Shop NPC since it's closer. You'll receive the key item Book of Law. You don't have to try using it. Just know it doesn't work (and is fake anyways). Log out again. Email: Mia wants you to come to (A) Boundless Corrupted Fort Walls alone so you can learn more about your bracelet. Mac Anu-- As requested by Mia, the next area is to be soloed. Be sure you have plenty of healing items and a few stat lifting items. Think Physical Attack, Defense, and Accuracy. You only need a few of each. Wood elemental magic scrolls might be helpful as well. (A) Boundless Corrupted Fort Walls-- # of Field Portals: 16 # of Dungeon Portals: 12 # of Symbols: 1 Spring of Myst: n/a Monsters: Hob Goblin, Fiend Menhir, Bee Army, Dust Curse (D), Rock Head (D) Shield Man (D), Mimic (D), __ed^1] (B), Red Wyrm (B) Since we're going solo, and also since we won't be able to clear the dungeon this run, let's keep the fighting to a minimal to speed things up. Use a Speed Charm, and find the dungeon. * TIP: Go after Fiend Menhir first since they like to resurrect their allies very quickly. If you face off against more than one, then Data Drain one to make the other go faster. ___ B1 | u | ___ "I" | c | ___________ "I" | | ___ | | |kPk|=| M | "I" | | ___ | | | c| """"""""""" "I" ___________ | c | | | ___ | M |=| d| | | """ | g | """"""""""" Another automated "Admin" is there to turn you away. Ignore him. So, already, you can see that you HAVE to fight at least two battles. Buff up with those items like I wanted you to buy. Be ready to heal at any second. If you're lucky, some of this dungeon's portals will just be chests. ___________ B2 | c k | ___ | | |d |=| M | """ | | | k | """""I""""" ___________ | k | ___ | | ___ | c |=| M |=| c | """ | | """ | c | """""I""""" ___ / K| / / _/ / |c c| / /" ___ _/ / |u |=| kk / """ """" This block takes longer to draw than it does to navigate. Get to the end as best you can. Rebuff only if the effects wear off. Notice also how I put less detail in some side rooms? That's because I'm skipping them and advise the same for you in the interest in time. ___ ___ ___ B3 |c |=| u| | c | "I" """ "I" ___________ ___________ | c k | | c k | | | | | | M |=| M | | | | | | k c | | k g | """"""""""" """""I""""" ___________ | k c | ___ | | | c |=| M | "I" | | ___ | c | | d | """"""""""" """ Just like before, make your way down to the next block. You might even swear this game hates you if you fight a couple Rock Heads. Wood elemental attacks would be a good thing to have. I won't provide a map for Basement 4 since it's so linear, albeit in a spiral pattern. Two battles here, they'll be the last before the boss. Get to the end of this floor after Mia talks a little more. ___________ | c | ___ ___________ | | |T |=|c M |=| M M | """ """| |""" | | | | | | "I" """"""""""" ___________ | | | | | B | | | | | """""I""""" ___ ___ ___ |c |=| |=| c| """ "I" """ ___ | u | """ For the fifth floor, just go north a couple rooms to initiate the boss. Be sure the buffs are fresh enough to last the fight. ***__ed^1]*** HP: Inf. P.Res/M.Res: None Element: none Rec.Lvl: 8-9 Attack it like crazy. Use Health Drinks as needed. You can use Saber Dance if you feel lie it, but keep at least 10 SP on standby. Use Data Drain when it is time to do so. You'll get a Virus Core M. The rest of the fight will be relatively easy against a Red Wyrm. Bring it down with your attacks, and keep up the necessary heals. That flame breath can easily knock you down from 207 health to 54 (or something like that). ***End of Battle*** Mia and Elk will appear. After the short scene, you'll leave automatically. Mac Anu-- You'll receive Mia's and Elk's Member Addresses. Save if you wish. Wood elemental spells or scrolls will be helpful again here. You can't really go ANYWHERE without Mia first explaining Gate Hacking to you, so invite her and Elk, select (A) Closed Oblivious Twin Hills, spend the Virus Core M's, and then gate out so you can level them a little.