Mega Man X: Command Mission any%/DN (Glitchless) RTA Route v1.4

Mega Man X: Command Mission Defeat Ninetails (Glitchless) RTA Route
By Auchgard

1. Housekeeping Things

*You can use these notes for any% (Glitchless) runs instead of Defeat Ninetails (Glitchless) runs.  If you do, the following are the only differences:
1. Disregard everything involving deployment and the Generator.
2. Don't steal the Supra-Force Metal Beta from Great Redips, Phase 2.
3. Don't fight the Tails Clan (duh).

*You will be unable to check your IGT if you don’t have a Memory Card in your console.  After beating the game, you save the file, go to the Data Room (or w/e it’s called) and scroll through the info to find your Clear Time.
*If you're running Defeat Ninetails (Glitchless), the best you can do to check IGT is pause and immediately swap to the alternate menu display after beating Ninetails.  The IGT for the run is either the currently displayed IGT or the currently displayed IGT minus one minute.

*RTA timing starts when you choose “New Game” and stops when the in-battle HUD disappears after landing the final hit on Great Redips.
*JRTA timing starts at the same time, but ends when the “Game Clear; here's the Central Key” message appears after the credits.  (On NTSC-U, JRTA is roughly RTA + 4:13.10, assuming you skip the pre-credits scenes pretty quickly.)

OPTIONS:
-Messages: Fast (LEFT)
-Rumble: Off (RIGHT)
-Sound Type: Stereo (DEFAULT)
-Volume: SE/BGM Max (DEFAULT)
-Subtitles: On (DEFAULT/LEFT)
-Z: Run (2 RIGHT) ********THIS ONE IS ACTUALLY IMPORTANT********
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2. Main Route

CHAPTER 1

-Activate the panel, get both CRYSTALS in the first big room (50Z, Build LE)
-Go examine the 4 capsules
-Leave capsule room, then go in the second room on the right on the way to the next stairs for two CRYSTALS (70Z, 30Z)
-Go up a floor
-Go examine the 2 capsules
-Leave capsule room, then duck in the first door on the right for a Melt Missile (to sell later)
-Activate the timed panel in 2nd room, mash text
-PREON FIGHT: just Double Sub + Attack, then Hyper Mode, Double Sub + Attack

*General note: If you're using a Power Charge and another Sub Weapon that actually deals damage on its own (e.g. a Micro Missile, but not something like the Hawkeye or Bait) before Attacking, NEVER use the Power Charge until the damage number pops up from the other Sub Weapon.  Otherwise, the Power Charge gets wasted on the Sub Weapon and doesn't apply to your main attack.

-Go left for 2 blue CRYSTALS in the room after the stairs (Backup, Build Shield)
-Heal if necessary

BOSS: Hippopressor (LE: 5,000, EXP: 200)
-Hyper Mode, Attack with Zero
-Hyper Mode, Power Charge + Attack with X
-Attack with Zero
-Power Charge + Attack with X
-Heat Haze, Action Trigger with Zero
-Power Charge + Attack with X

*He drops a Fire Missile and Guard Buster.

-Get both green CRYSTALS in the boss room (Power+1, Speed+1)

*OPTIONAL: Get the purple CRYSTAL (Tank Parts 1) if you want to get an extra Sub Tank later
*Note about this: There are 7 Tank Parts pickups that are reasonably not-slow that you can grab in the run.  I've marked them in these notes as Tank Parts 1-7.  Getting four of them will net you an extra Sub Tank.  Getting more than four is unnecessary; the ones past 4 give you no additional benefit unless you take a significant detour in Chapter 2, 4, 6, or 7 for an eighth.  It's highly unlikely that you'll ever need that extra Sub Tank unless something goes extremely wrong, but it can be a nice safety net for new runners.  And if you're worried enough about something in late game that you want two extra Sub Tanks, you should probably just practice it instead.
*Note 2: The earliest you can get an extra Sub Tank without taking any substantial detours is the very beginning of Chapter 8.  If you want this, you'll need to get:
1. Tank Parts 1 (in the room after Hippopressor)
2. Tank Parts 2 (Chapter 3 tile puzzles)
3. Tank Parts 3 (Chapter 5, second stop/go map)
4. Tank Parts 4 (in the very first room - outside area - of Chapter 8)
*Note 3: If you want the extra Sub Tank but (a) want to waste as little time as possible and (b) don't care about getting the Sub Tank as early as possible, the optimal four Tank Parts to get are:
1. Tank Parts 1 (in the room after Hippopressor)
2. Tank Parts 5 (in the first chamber that you enter in the rotating room puzzle in Chapter 9)
3. Tank Parts 6 (guaranteed drop from Epsilon; you'll always get this, no matter what)
4. Tank Parts 7 (about half a dash away from the Build Hyper in the four-refight room of Chapter 10)
-This means you'll have the extra Sub Tank for every boss fight in Chapter 10 except for Wild Jango 2.

-Get the blue CRYSTAL (80Z), go up the stairs
-Get the 2 CRYSTALS (Vaccine Program, Reboot)

CHAPTER 2

-Buy 9 Mega Fires from the shop girl
-Get all the items on the way up (Clear Vision, Vaccine Program, Build Power)
-Get the blue CRYSTAL a couple rooms later (Gain Hyper)
-GO LEFT

MENU
-Set “Attack” items to the top of the Items list (bottom option)
-Equip X with the Guard Buster over his X-Buster, and replace one of his Micro Missiles with the Fire Missile

BOSS: Spider
-2 Mega Fires, then both Sub Weapons + Attack
*If Spider lowers your Power by 25% (first debuff on his stats reducer move), Hyper Mode -> Double Sub + Attack on X's third turn.

-Go in the door, get the green and blue CRYSTALS on the left (Power Charge, 100Z)
-Get both CRYSTALS on the left in both parts of the orange hallway (Gain Hyper + Mega Fire, Tank Energy Infinite + 100Z)
*Heal before the Tank Energy Infinite if you want
-Go around both shelves for the blue CRYSTALS (Build Speed, Build Armor)
-GO RIGHT
-Just Sub Weapon + shoot the Preons to death
-Go in the door to the left for a blue CRYSTAL (200Z)
-Talk to the leftmost shop lady, sell (3rd option) 1 Gain Hyper and the Melt Missile, then buy 1 of the bottom item (Mega Fire) to hit 9 total
-Talk to the middle shop lady, Trade-In (2nd option) X's Main Weapon for the first one on the list (Fire Buster)
-Talk to the rightmost shop lady, buy 7 of the second item (Power+1) (total of 8)
-Go in the door behind the right shop lady for a CRYSTAL (Ultra Fire)
-Go in the door to the right of everyone and up the slope to resume progress

MENU
-Heal (50% will do)
-Replace X's other Micro Missile with the Power Charge
-Put 3 Power+1s on X

-Get the yellow CRYSTAL (Tank Energy 25) before GOING LEFT
-Skip cutscenes

RED PREON
-Double Sub + Attack
-Power Charge + Attack

PREON BITMASTERS
-Mega Fire one Bitmaster
-Double Sub + Attack the other
-55% WE AT

-Get the green CRYSTAL (Eagle Eye) before going in the door to the left
-GO STRAIGHT

PREONS
-Double Sub + Attack
-Attack
-Double Sub + Attack
-Attack

*Note: If the first Preon dies from the first Double Sub + Attack, Attack and then Double Sub + Attack the second one.

-GO RIGHT

MENU
-Put a 4th Power+1 on X

-GO LEFT

PREONS
-Mega Fire the Red Preon
-Attack the Red Preon
-100% WE AT

-Use the console
-Go up the ramp to the helipad hallway
-Get the blue CRYSTAL (Backup)

MENU
-Full Heal

BOSS: Wild Jango 1 (LE: 9,000, EXP: 1,000)
-Mega Fire with Spider
-Hyper Mode, Shell Buster + Attack with X
-Mega Fire with Spider
-Shell Buster + Attack with X
-Mega Fire with Spider
-Mega Fire with Spider
-Shell Buster + Attack with X
-Mega Fire with Spider
-Shell Buster + Attack with X
-Heal with Spider
-Shell Buster + Attack with X
-Mega Fire with Spider
-Double Sub with Spider
-100% WE AT with X

*He drops a Thunder Buster and a Sub Tank.

CHAPTER 3

-Go shopping
-First guy: Sell all:
-Build LEs
-Backups
-Build Shields
-Build Armors
-Micro Missiles
-Then Trade-In for 1 of the first Main Weapon (Scope Buster), THEN BUY (NOT TRADE-IN) 1 of the second Main Weapon (Jack of Spades) and 1 of the first Sub Weapon (Thunder Missile)
-Second guy: Buy 9 of the bottom item (Mega Thunder)
-No booth guy: Buy 8 (max amount) of the bottom item (Mega Fire)
-Last guy: Buy 8 of the third item (WE+5)
-Return to the Command Room and enter the mission

MENU
-Sort ST and then Attack Items to the top (third/bottom options)
-Use your Build Power on Massimo (bottom character)
-Equip the Jack of Spades on Spider
-Put the Thunder Buster on X
-Put 2 Power+1s on Massimo
-Sort by second option, and put 3 WE+5s on X (leave 1 Power+1)
-Put 2 WE+5s, 1 Power+1 and the Eagle Eye on Spider

-Go down Lift 1
-Get the second blue CRYSTAL (300Z) and the green CRYSTAL to the left in the long hallway (Decoy)
-Make it to the end without getting caught
-Go down Lift 2
-GO RIGHT
-Get the first CRYSTAL (Boost Armor), go in the right door after the second one
-Go down Lift 3

GORILLA + 2 DOGS
-Attack everyone with Spider
-Attack the Gorilla with X
-Power Charge + Attack one Dog with Massimo
-Twin Missiles the Gorilla + Attack everyone with Spider
-90% WE AT with X, Final Strike one of the dogs if you can
*Note: If X goes again very soon after Defending on this turn, Defend and then do a 100% WE AT.
-Power Charge + Attack the other Dog with Massimo
-Attack everyone with Spider

3 GORILLAS
-Power Charge with Massimo
-Attack everyone with Spider
-Attack one with X
-Power Charge + Attack a different one with Massimo
-Double Sub the third enemy + Attack with Spider
-Defend with X
-100% WE AT with X

-Open the prisoner's cell
-Go in the far back door for a blue CRYSTAL (400Z)
-Talk to the prisoner
-Go back and heal before the yellow CRYSTAL (Tank Energy 100)
-Go down Lift 4
-GO RIGHT
-Skip cutscene
-GO STRAIGHT
-Get the blue CRYSTAL (200Z), then go right at the T-bone for 2 blue CRYSTALS (Build Armor, Build Shield)
-Go back out and in the other door
-Right and through a door for 3 CRYSTALS (Warmup in the middle, Boost Shield on the right, Boost Power on the left)
-Back out, GO RIGHT all the way to the door
-Go down Lift 5

DUMB SCRIPTED BATTLE
-Double Sub Weapon + Attack the Ice Preon with Spider
-Attack the Ice Preon with X
-Use Ultra Fire (second item) with Massimo

-Blue, Red
-NEW ROOM
-YELLOW, RED, BLUE
-Go in the door for 5 blue CRYSTALS (Build Speed, Build Shield, Build Power, Build Armor, Build LE)
-Blue, Red, Yellow
-NEW ROOM
-Yellow, Blue, Red
-RED, YELLOW, BLUE
-Go in the door near the Blue tile, get the 4 blue CRYSTALS on the rightmost row (100Z, 200Z, 300Z, 400Z)
*BLUE, YELLOW, RED for Tank Parts 2 if you wanna play safe
-NEW ROOM
-GREEN, BLUE, RED, YELLOW
-Yellow, Red, Green, Blue
-Get the Queen of Diamonds before going through the door!
-DON'T TURN AROUND AFTER THE TWO CUTSCENES

MENU
-Full Heal everyone
-Sort ST items to the top
-Use 1 Build Power on Massimo
-Sort Attack items to the top
-Put the Scope Buster on X, and take off his Power Charge
-Put the Thunder Missile on Massimo
-Put the Queen of Diamonds on Spider, and give him the Power Charge over his Item Capture
-Put a Power+1 over Spider's first WE+5 and his Bluff over the second
-Put Power+1s over X's 3 WE+5s
-Put Water Guard over Massimo's second Power+1

BOSS: Silver Horn 1 (LE: 17,000, EXP: 4,000)
*Note: If Massimo or Spider counters once, don't Twin Missiles with Spider near the end of the fight.
-Mega Fire with Spider
-Mega Fire with Massimo
-Mega Fire with X
-Mega Thunder with Spider
-Mega Thunder with X
-Mega Thunder with Massimo
-Heal with Spider
-Hyper Mode, Mega Thunder with X
-Mega Thunder with Massimo
-Mega Thunder with Spider
-Mega Thunder with X
-Mega Thunder with Massimo
-Mega Thunder with Spider
-Power Charge with X
-Hyper Mode, Power Charge with Massimo
-Hyper Mode, Twin Missiles AND, AFTER BOTH DAMAGE NUMBERS POP UP FROM THE MISSILES, Power Charge with Spider
-100% AT with X
*If Massimo counterattacked and Defending with X puts his next turn in front of Silver Horn's next turn, Defend with X instead!
-Power Charge + AT with Massimo
*If Massimo counterattacked, Thunder Missile, Power Charge, and then AT.
-Attack with Spider, pray for a Final Strike

*He drops an Ice Buster and a Build Hyper.

CHAPTER 4

-Go shopping

MENU
-Put the Item Capture over Spider's Power Charge
-Put that Power Charge back on X's other slot
-Take the Thunder Missile off of Massimo
-Put 4 WE+5s on Spider
-Put 3 WE+5s on X
-Take the Water Guard off of Massimo

-First guy: Sell:
-Boost Armor
-Boost Shield
-Build LE
-Build Armor
-Build Shield
-Thunder Buster
-Jack of Spades
-Thunder Missile
*Protect+1 if you got the steal from Jango
*Thunder Guards if you have any
-Water Guards
-Then Trade-In for second item (Queen of Spades)
-Last guy: Buy 3 of the second item (WEGain+5) and 4 of the third item (Power+3)
*If you missed something and are short on money, just buy as many Power+3s as you can and use Power+1s as substitutes in the meantime.

MENU
-In Force Metals, sort by Parameters
-Put a WEGain+5 on X's fourth FM slot
-Put a Gain WE+5 and a Power+3 on Massimo

-Go back and enter the mission
-Run forward to a fight

BLACK PREON & 2 TURRETS
-Item Capture on Black Preon + Attack everyone with Spider
*Stealing an Exodus from one of the Black Preons in this chapter would be REALLY nice.
-Attack the first turret with X
-Power Charge + Attack the other turret with Massimo
-Double Sub the Black Preon + Attack everyone with Spider
-100% WE AT with X
-Power Charge with Massimo if Spider has another turn immediately after him
*If you already got an Exodus by this point, just Power Charge + Attack with Massimo here
-Double Sub + Attack with Spider
-Power Charge + Attack with Massimo

-Skip cutscene
-Use the elevator
-Obtain the Red Preon to the RIGHT for future deployments
-Door is to the LEFT
-Get the middle CRYSTAL (Cure One)
-Dodge the first two laser panels

MENU
-Full Heal everyone

-Get the yellow CRYSTAL (Tank Energy 25)
-GO LEFT

2 BLACK PREONS
*This fight can be such a disaster if one of the black Preons uses first turn Riot.
-Attack the first one with X
-Item Capture the first one + Attack both with Spider
-Power Charge + Attack the first one with Massimo
-Item Capture + Attack the first one with Spider
-100% WE AT with X
-Power Charge + Attack whoever with Massimo
-Double Sub + Attack whoever with Spider
*Just keep attacking whoever is still alive at this point lol

*If you got the Exodus steal, put it on Massimo over his Power+3.
-Skip 3 cutscenes
-Get 1 green and 2 blue CRYSTALS (Build LE, Build WE, LE+100)
-Go up the elevator
-Door is around the back
-Get the 3 blue CRYSTALS (500Z, 500Z, Cure All)
-Skip cutscene
-Get 1 green and 2 blue CRYSTALS (Build Armor, WEGain+5, Build Speed)
-Skip cutscene
-Gauntlet: RIGHT (Action Trigger all with X/Attack all with Spider)
-Gauntlet: RIGHT (Action Trigger all with X/Attack all with Spider)
-Say hi to Marino
-Skip cutscene
-Get the 2 blue CRYSTALS (Reboot, Cure One)

MENU (in the boss hallway)
-Full Heal everyone
-In Items, Sort by ST Boost, use Build WE on Massimo, and then Sort by Attack
-Remove both of Marino's Sub Weapons
-Remove Marino's Fat Slicer
*Put the Power+3 back on Massimo over the Exodus if necessary!

-Get the CRYSTALS (Gain Hyper, Tank Energy 100)

BOSS: Psycho Nautilus 1

ROUND 1 (LE: 12,000, each needle gives 50EXP)
-Item Capture PN + Attack all with Spider, Final Strike: hit every Needle with one round of Missiles
*Boost Power Spider with Massimo/X, whoever goes first.  Attack a Needle or Mega Fire PN with the other.
*Example: If you end up with Massimo-Spider-X turn order and Spider killed all three Needles, use a Mega Fire on PN.
-Hyper Mode, Power Charge with Massimo
-Double Sub PN + Attack all with Spider
-Hyper Mode, 100% WE AT with X
-Power Charge + AT PN with Massimo
-Double Sub + Attack with Spider
-Power Charge + Attack PN with X
-Hyper Mode, Double Sub + Attack PN with Spider
*Cooldown, Power Charge + Attack PN with Massimo if necessary

ROUND 2 (LE: 10,000, EXP: 8,000)
*Note: Try to end this fight with 1 Mega Fire left.  It can come in handy later.
*Note 2: If you happened to get a Mega Blizzard drop from a Pararoid that merged with another enemy, using that first is recommended.  Mega Blizzards don't come in handy later in the game.
-Double Sub + Attack with Spider
-Mega Fire with Massimo
*Cooldown, Mega Fire with Massimo if Spider ended Round 1 of this fight
-Cure One/All with X
-(COOLDOWN) Mega Fire with Spider
-Mega Fire with Massimo
-Mega Fire with X
-Mega Fire/Defend with Spider (doesn't really matter which)
-Defend with Massimo
*Don't Mega Fire on Massimo's last turn before PN exposes his core, because a six-shot from PN's core-reveal attack will kill Massimo from full LE and then you'll have to gamble on getting favorable turn order off of a Reboot.  Yes, it's unlikely, but it's possible and it's happened before.
-Mega Fire with X
-Mega Fire with Spider
-Hyper Mode, Power Charge + AT with Massimo
-100% AT with X

*He drops a Sub Tank and a Virus Missile.

CHAPTER 5

-DEPLOYMENT: Gaudile Laboratory: (1) D-Shark, (2) Preon, (3) Sinedropper
*Deploy every Chapter until you get the Generator!

-Enter the mission
-GO RIGHT
-Wait next to CRYSTAL in front of the door to the left, then get it (Build LE), get the CRYSTAL (Ultra Blizzard) near the door on the right from where you came in, then take that door
-Wait in front of the bot down the gap to the right, then go in the door
*Before going in the door, pass it and get the Tank Parts 3 in the corner if you want.  You'll have to wait for another stop-go cycle, though.
-Wait for another bot to the right after the door, get the CRYSTAL (800Z), then go around another corner and wait before getting another CRYSTAL (Build WE)
-Go back and wait at the corner for the bot to move, then go through the door and down the hallway
-Get the CRYSTAL (Build Speed) around the back row of boxes, then go through the middle and down the alley to the left (NOT DOWN THE MIDDLE TO AXL)
-Get the green CRYSTAL after the two doors (Aero Buster)
-Go back and down the middle, skip the cutscene
-Continue on past the Save Point and through the door

MENU
-Equip the Aero Buster on X, and remove his Power Charge
-Remove both of Axl's Sub Weapons, and put the Power Charge on his X button slot
-Remove all of Spider's WE+5s
-Replace Massimo's Power+3 with a second WEGain+5
-Equip Axl with 1 WE+5s, 1 Power+3, the Eagle Eye, and the Exodus
-Swap the first and sixth characters (replace Spider with Axl)

-CONVEYOR BELT ROOM 1: Straight -> Right (Battle 1) -> Right (use terminal) -> Back -> Straight (Battle 2) -> Right

*Menu to heal up whenever necessary between these five fights

-Get the blue CRYSTAL (1000Z)

Battle 1
-AT the turret with Massimo
-Hyper Mode, 70% AT the first red guy with X, Final Strike: press buttons
-Attack the other red guy with Axl
-Hyper Mode, Power Charge + AT the other red guy with Axl: Wild Jango (A X A A B Y B A)
*Power Charge + Attack with X
*Power Charge + Attack with Massimo

-Get the blue CRYSTAL (Gain Hyper)
-Use the console

Battle 2
-Hyper Mode, AT the first guy with X
-Power Charge + Attack the second guy with Massimo
-Hyper Mode, AT the third guy with Axl: Wild Jango (A X A A B Y B A)
-Power Charge + Attack the last guy with Massimo
-Power Charge + Attack the last guy with X

-Get the green CRYSTAL (WE+5)

-CONVEYOR BELT ROOM 2: Straight -> Straight -> Straight (Battle 3) -> Back -> Left -> Left (Battle 4) -> Right -> Straight (Battle 5) -> Left

Battle 3
-Hyper Mode, Power Charge + Attack one of the shield guys with Massimo
-Hyper Mode + AT the red guy with X, Final Strike: push buttons
-Hyper Mode + AT the other shield guy with Axl: Wild Jango (A X A A B Y B A)
-Power Charge + Attack the last guy with Massimo

Battle 4
-Hyper Mode, AT one of the shield guys with X
-Hyper Mode, AT the other shield guy with Axl: Wild Jango (A X A A B Y B A)
-Hyper Mode, Power Charge + Attack with Massimo
*Just keep Sub Weapon + Attacking until the nurse is dead.

Battle 5
-Hyper Mode + AT one of the red guys with X, Final Strike: press buttons
-Attack the nurse with Axl
-AT the nurse with Massimo, Final Strike: push buttons
-Hyper Mode, Power Charge + AT the other red guy with Axl: Wild Jango (A X A A B Y B A)
*Double Sub + Attack the nurse with X if it healed between Axl and Massimo's turns

-Mash text, skip cutscene
-Go up the elevator
-Collect the Killer Mantis for future deployments
-Talk to the first humanoid on the right for a Fire Guard, and the last guy on the left for an Ice Missile
-Get the 1 green and 2 blue CRYSTALS in the next room (Build Armor, Hunter Missile, Build Shield)
-GO LEFT
-Skip cutscene
-Get the 2 blue CRYSTALS behind you after the cutscene (Backup, Build Power)
-Go down the elevator
-GO LEFT

MENU
-Full Heal everyone
-Swap the second and fifth characters (replace X with Cinnamon) and the third and last characters (replace Massimo with Zero)
-Put the Hawkeye over the Heat Haze in Zero's X button slot
-Remove X's FMs (3 WE+5s and WEGain+5)
-Put a Gain WE+5 over Axl's Power+3
-Equip Cinnamon with the WE+5, Decoy, and Fire Guard
-Equip Zero with a WE+5 and a WEGain+5
-In Items, Sort by ST Boost, then use all Build WEs on Massimo, use all Build Hypers, Build Powers, and Build Speeds on Zero, and then use 1 Gain Hyper on Zero!!!

-Go in the door

BOSS: Mach Jentra 1 (LE: 28,000, EXP: 10,000) (ABSORBS Fire, 100% Thunder, 150% Water)
-Hyper Mode, AT with Zero
*DO NOT HAWKEYE UNLESS CINNAMON WENT BEFORE ZERO AND USED ENERGY FIELD
-Hyper Mode, Attack with Axl
-Hyper Mode, Energy Field/Heal with Cinnamon
-Energy Field with Cinnamon
*HEAL FIRST TURN IF NECESSARY; SECOND CINNAMON TURN MUST BE ENERGY FIELD
-Power Charge + Wild Jango AT with Axl
-AT with Zero
-Energy Field with Cinnamon
-Hawkeye + Attack with Zero
-Energy Field with Cinnamon
-(COOLDOWN) Power Charge + Attack with Axl
-(COOLDOWN) Energy Field with Cinnamon
-Heat Haze + AT with Zero, Final Strike: push buttons

*He drops a Sub Tank and Fire Buster MKII.

BOSS: Preon Waves
-Power Charge + Attack a red one with Axl
-Heat Haze + Attack a white one with Zero
-Energy Field with Cinnamon
-Power Charge + Attack a red one with Axl
-Turn cancel until the fight ends

CHAPTER 6

MENU
-Put the Fire Buster MKII on X

-Go shopping
-First guy: Sell:
*Boost Powers if you have any
*Boost Armors if you have any
*Boost Shields if you have any
*Boost Speeds if you have any
-Build LEs
-Build Armors
-Build Shields
-Scope Buster
-Aero Buster
*If you got it: Injector
-Get Zenny+
*If you got it: Virus Missiles
-Hunter Missiles
*If you got it: Cracker
-Ice Missiles
*If you got it: Smoke Missiles
-Then buy one of the fourth item (Flame Saber), one of the fifth item (Ice Saber), one of the sixth item (Thunder Saber), one of the eighth item (King of Clubs), and one of the bottom item (Mettaur Crash)
-No booth guy: Buy one of the bottom item (Mega Thunder), one of the second-from-bottom item (Mega Fire) IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY, and of the second from bottom Main Weapon (Beam Chakram)
-Last guy: Buy 9 of the second item (WE+10s) and three of the sixth item (Speed+3)

MENU
-Swap the second and fourth characters (replace Cinnamon with X) and the third and fifth characters (replace Marino with Spider)
-In Force Metals, Sort by Parameters and put 4 WE+10s on X
-Put 1 WE+5 and 3 WE+10s on Spider
-Put the Hawkeye on Spider's X slot, over the Twin Missiles

-Go back, skip the cutscene

-DEPLOYMENT: Gaudile Laboratory: (1) D-Shark, (2) Killer Mantis, (3) Sinedropper
*Deploy every Chapter until you get the Generator!

-Enter the mission
-Go straight, get all 3 CRYSTALS (Ultra Thunder on the right, Ultra Fire on the left, Ultra Blizzard in the back)
-Go to B2F
-GO LEFT THEN RIGHT

3 RUSH LOADERS
-90% WE AT with X
-Hyper Mode, Double Sub + Attack everyone with Spider, Final Strike: push buttons
*If one doesn't die or get Final Struck, Attack with Axl

-Go back out to the main room, get the 2 blue CRYSTALS (1200Z, Anti-Lock)
-Break the rocks and use the terminal
-Go to B3F

MENU
-Full Heal everyone
-Put the King of Clubs on Spider
-Take off Massimo's Power Charge
-Put the Beam Chakram and a Power Charge on Marino
-Replace Spider's WE+5 with a Power+1 and his first WE+10 with a Power+3
*If putting a Power+3 on Spider pushes him over his Erosion limit (this will happen if Spider is Lv16), just put another Power+1 on over the first WE+10.
-Put a Gain WE+5 on X over his first WE+10
-Put 1 Power+1 and 2 Power+3s on Marino
-Swap the second and fifth characters (replace X with Marino)

BOSS: Shadow

PHASE 1
-Hyper Mode, Hawkeye + Attack with Spider
-Hyper Mode, Power Charge + Attack with Marino
-Hyper Mode, Power Charge + Attack with Axl
-Power Charge + Attack with Marino
-Power Charge + Attack with Marino
-Power Charge + Attack with Marino
-Double Sub + Attack with Spider
-Power Charge + Attack with Marino
-Power Charge + Attack with Axl
-[COOLDOWN] Rotate to X with Marino, Fire Missile + Attack with X
***Note: If Fire Missile + turn cancelling makes X go again before Axl, do that instead.
*[COOLDOWN] Double Sub + Attack with Spider if necessary
*Fire Missile + Attack with X if necessary
*[COOLDOWN] Double Sub + Attack with Axl if necessary
*Ideally, the fight will end before Axl is forced out of Hyper Mode.

PHASE 2
-Hyper Mode, Attack with Zero
-Power Charge + Attack with Axl
*Heal with Axl if someone really needs it (e.g. first turn Fragmenting Cannon)
**Turn order will be a bit different if you heal with Axl.
-Hyper Mode, Shell Buster + Attack with X
-Heat Haze + AT with Zero
-Shell Buster + Attack with X
*Hyper Mode, Power Charge + Attack with Axl if he has 1 turn of Hyper Mode left
*Power Charge + Attack with Axl if he doesn't
**Flex heal with Axl here if necessary
-Shell Buster + Attack with X
-Power Charge + Attack with Axl
-Heat Haze + Attack with Zero
-100% AT with X, Final Strike if you can
-Heat Haze + Attack with Zero, Final Strike if your fight was terrible or something

*He drops the Z-Ichimonji and a Figure Token (lol).

MENU
-Equip the Ice Saber on Zero
-Equip the Ice Buster on X
-Sort FMs by Parameters
-Take the Gain WE+5 and Exodus off of Axl
-Set Zero's FMs to WE+10/Gain WE+5/Exodus

-GO STRAIGHT
-Talk to the yellow guy, then GO RIGHT
-Left -> Right -> red guy -> Yes
-Go back and talk to the yellow guy again
-Go to B4F
-Get all 5 CRYSTALS (Build Shield in front-left, Build Power in front-right, Build WE in center, Build Speed in back-right, Build Armor in back-left)

MENU
-In Items, Sort by ST Boost
-Use Build WE on Massimo, and Build Power and Build Speed on Zero
-Sort Items by Attack

-Go from right to left for these battles

WATER GUY
-85% WE AT with X
-AT Thunder guy with Zero
-Power Charge + Attack Thunder guy with Axl
-Ultra Thunder with whoever once Thunder guy is dead

FIRE GUY
-Hyper Mode, 85% AT the first fire guy with X
-Attack the water guy with Zero
-Power Charge + Attack the frozen water guy with Axl
*Power Charge with Axl if Zero hasn't attacked the water guy yet, and then Power Charge + Attack the water guy with Axl's next turn
-AT the second fire guy with Zero
*Heat Haze + AT the second fire guy with Zero if you want to be REALLY safe.

THUNDER GUY
-AT the fire guy with Zero
-Hyper Mode, 85% AT the first thunder guy with X
-Power Charge + Attack the second thunder guy with Axl
-Power Charge + Attack the second thunder guy with Axl
-Shell Buster + Attack the second thunder guy with X

MENU
-Full Heal everyone
*Gain Hyper Zero, Axl, or Marino if any of them need it (really unlikely)
-Equip the Fire Buster MKII on X, and take off his Fire Missile
-Put a WE+5, Power+1 and Power+3 on Zero
-Replace Axl's WE+5 with a WE+10, and put the Gain WE+5 and Exodus back on his two blank FM slots
-Swap the third and sixth characters (replace X with Marino)

-Get the blue CRYSTAL near the boss door (Gain Hyper)
*You'll probably want the Tank Energy 100 on the other side of the door, too.

BOSS: Incentas 1 (LE: 36,000, EXP: 12,500) (Elemental affinity varies: ABSORBS current element, 150% from weakness, 100% from other)
-Hyper Mode, Power Charge + Attack with Marino
-Hyper Mode, Heal/Mega Thunder with Zero
-Hyper Mode, Power Charge + Attack with Axl
-Power Charge + Attack with Marino
-Power Charge + Attack with Marino
-Heal, Mega Fire, or Attack with Zero (you need Zero's next turn to move up between Incentas' next two; usually you won't be able to Attack here)
-Power Charge + Attack with Marino
-Power Charge + Attack with Marino
-Power Charge + Attack with Axl
-[COOLDOWN] Power Charge with Marino
*Power Charge and Attack with Marino if you want to play it safe, but the extra damage probably isn't going to matter much.
-Heat Haze + AT with Zero
*If you have a really good Zero AT, and get to use both Attack Items with Zero, you might be able to skip the Final Strike.  Otherwise, take it.

*Incentas drops Twin Ice and Twin Thunder.

CHAPTER 7

MENU
-Put the Hawkeye on Zero's X button slot
-Equip the Mettaur Crash on Axl
-Replace Zero's WE+5 with a Power+1
-Put a Power+3 over Axl's WE+10, and remove his Eagle Eye
-Put two Speed+3s and one Speed+1 on Marino

-DEPLOYMENT: Gaudile Laboratory: (1) D-Shark, (2) Killer Mantis, (3) Sinedropper
*Deploy every Chapter until you get the Generator!

-Enter the mission
-Walk to the 100% pole, follow the cords to the trigger point
-Skip 2 cutscenes
-Go straight all the way through a door until you have to turn right
-Right -> Tiny right -> Left -> Left -> Through a door (there's a Cooler before the last turn)
-GO LEFT THEN STRAIGHT all the way to the door
-Follow the path to the door (get a CRYSTAL (Cure All) on the way), but turn right before it for a CRYSTAL (Build Hyper)
-After that door, go straight and follow the winding path all the way to an elevator and Save Point
-Go to 1F
-Skip cutscene
-Go through the door BEHIND where you're facing off the elevator, get the Gain Hyper
-Go back and go through the door IN FRONT OF where you're facing off the elevator (across the hallway from where you came) -> Left, in the door
-Use panel in upper-left corner
-Go to 2F
-Straight -> Left, in the door and use the terminal
-Back to 1F
-Left -> Left, in door
-Use nearby left panel and then one diagonally next to it
-Back out door, right, then left into another section of the hallway
-Right and in a door
-Use nearby left panel and second panel from the door with a nearby CRYSTAL (don't get it tho)
-Go through that door, straight to another room
-Use the upper-right panel, go back through the same door
-Go left and out to the elevator
-Go to 2F
-Left -> Left, use the terminal, then back out to the elevator chamber
-Left -> Right, use the terminal on the left wall
-Out the other door (directly opposite the terminal), go straight and use the terminal
-Back out the only door, left and to the elevator

MENU
-Full Heal everyone
-Use a Build Hyper and then a Gain Hyper (in that order!!!) on Axl
-Swap the third and fourth characters (replace Marino with Cinnamon)

-Go to 3F

BOSS: Botos (LE: 40,000, EXP: 15,000) (50% Fire, 150% Water, 100% Lightning)
-Hyper Mode, Incentas AT with Axl (A X A A B A Y B)
-Hyper Mode, Attack with Zero
-Hyper Mode, Energy Field with Cinnamon
-Heat Haze + AT with Zero
-Energy Field with Cinnamon
-Incentas AT with Axl (A X A A B A Y B)
-Energy Field with Cinnamon
*Side note: If you forgot to Build Hyper Axl before this fight, you can either:
1. Still Energy Field with Cinnamon (aggressive, but not particularly risky - this fight isn't too hard if you're decent at Zero's AT); OR
2. Gain Hyper on Axl with Cinnamon (safe; you should definitely consider doing this if your first Zero AT was bad)
-Attack/Ultra Blizzard with Zero
*Ultra Blizzard unless doing so doesn't bump Zero's next turn ahead of Botos's next turn.  The reason for this is because an Attack from Zero will do more damage than an Ultra Blizzard, but skipping an attack from Botos is faster overall (the damage difference is virtually always negligible).
-Energy Field with Cinnamon
-Heat Haze + AT with Zero
*Final Strike!
*If not Final Strike:
-Incentas AT with Axl
*By the way, if you get to this third AT (meaning you didn't Final Strike already) AND you forgot to Build Hyper Axl prior to the fight, you're in for a total disaster if either minion uses Life Gain 25 and restores 10,000 of Botos's HP.
-AT with Zero's next turn

*He drops a Twin Fire and Fire Stella.

CHAPTER 8

MENU
-Swap the third and fourth party members (replace Cinnamon with Marino)
-Put a WE+10 on Axl over his Gain WE+5, and put the Eagle Eye on his blank slot as well (config: Power+3/WE+10/Eagle Eye/Exodus)
-Put a WE+10 on Cinnamon over her WE+5
*Put a Speed+3 over Marino's Speed+1 if she's Lv.21

-DEPLOYMENT: Gaudile Laboratory: (1) D-Shark, (2) Killer Mantis, (3) Sinedropper
*Deploy every Chapter until you get the Generator!

-Enter the mission
*Get the Tank Parts 4 behind one of the containers on the right if you want to be safe.  (Note: If you've gotten all four of the Tank Parts up to this point, you now have an extra Sub Tank.)
-Go in the door
-Skip cutscene
-Get the CRYSTAL (Ultra Thunder) and get on the elevator
-Go forward
-Skip cutscene
-GO RIGHT
-Get the CRYSTAL (Build LE) before the next door, use the elevator inside
-Go straight out the door
-Go straight in the next room, get the CRYSTAL (800FME) if it’s in your way lol
-Use the elevator
-Go straight out the door and straight through the next room
-Skip cutscene
-USE THE PANEL
-Go back and through the other door in the last straight room, down the elevator at the end
-Go through a few hallways

“BOSS”: Botos
-Attack Botos with whoever's turn comes up first
-lmao

-Skip cutscene
-Straight to the door and around the left of the thing
-Get the 2 CRYSTALS (or at least the first one) (Gain Hyper, 1000 FME)
-Go straight, get the CRYSTAL (Build Speed)

-Skip cutscene, GO RIGHT

“BOSS”: Botos
-Hawkeye + Attack one drone with Zero
-Attack the other drone with Axl
-Ultra Blizzard with Marino

-Get the CRYSTAL (Build Power) before going through the door and up the elevator
-Skip cutscene

MENU

-In Items, Sort by ST Boost and then Attack
-Take off Marino's Power Charge
*Put another Power+3 on Zero and take off his remaining Power+1 ONLY IF his Immunity stat is 16 (lv.22 required) (config: Power+3/Power+3)
-Swap the third and fourth party members (replace Marino with Cinnamon)

-GO LEFT (no, this is not a typo)

BOTOS DECOY FIGHT:
-Ultra Fire with Axl
*Note: If you only have two attack items left and Axl is attacking before Botos has spawned a Bit, Power Charge + Attack instead.
-Attack Decoy with Zero
-Energy Field with Cinnamon
-Ultra Thunder OR Power Charge + Attack with Axl
-Attack Decoy with Zero
-Energy Field with Cinnamon
*Ultra Blizzard with Axl if you didn't use the other one on the actual Botos fight in Chapter 7
*Otherwise, Double Sub + Attack Bit with Axl (if there is one) or use the Ultra Fire if you didn't earlier.
-Hyper Mode, Heat Haze + AT with Zero
*Power Charge + Attack with Axl to kill the Bit if necessary
*Ultra Whatever with Cinnamon if necessary
*If necessary, clean up with Zero (but remember to use a Gain Hyper before Ferham!)

*He drops the Bait Sub Weapon.

-Out and GO LEFT
-Get the green CRYSTAL (Cryogenic) and the blue CRYSTAL (2000Z)
-Up the elevator
*Get the Gain Hyper right next to the boss door!

MENU
-In Items, Sort by ST Boost
-Use all Build Powers and Build Speeds on Zero
*Use a Gain Hyper on Zero if necessary after Botos Decoy!
-Sort Items by Attack
*This is done so that, at the start of Chapter 9, selling any Attack items you happen to have left over is quick and easy.  (You shouldn't need any Attack items for the rest of the run.)
-Put the Thunder Saber on Zero
-Put the Axl Bullets and Bait on Axl
-Set Zero's FMs to Gain WE+5, Power+1, Power+1
-Take off Cinnamon's Fire Guard

*OPTIONAL: The next boss has a Build Hyper that can be stolen with Marino.  If you want it, swap the third and fourth characters (Cinnamon out, Marino in).  With her first turn in the fight, go into Hyper Mode and line up 3 treasure chest icons.  With her second turn, rotate out for Cinnamon and then follow the same fight pattern as normal.
*Note: Getting this Build Hyper is not faster, but it is safer.  In particular, it can help out for the boss of Chapter 9 and the Tails Clan.

-Go in the left door

BOSS: Ferham (LE: 50,000, EXP: 20,000) (100% Fire, 150% Thunder, 50% Water)
*Note: This is the vanilla strat that assumes you aren't going for the Build Hyper steal.  See above if you want that item.
-Hyper Mode, Double Sub + Attack with Axl
-Hyper Mode, Hawkeye + Attack with Zero
-Hyper Mode, Energy Field with Cinnamon
-Double Sub + AT with Zero
-Double Sub + Attack with Axl
-Energy Field with Cinnamon
-Double Sub + Attack with Axl
-Heal with Zero
-Energy Field with Cinnamon
-Double Sub + AT with Zero

*She drops an Ice Stella and Heat Haze.

MENU
*If you got the Build Hyper steal from Ferham, use it on Axl.
-Equip the Mettaur Crash on Axl
-Swap the third and fourth characters (replace Cinnamon with Marino)

-Forward and through the door
-GO RIGHT, down the elevator
-Skip cutscene
-GO STRAIGHT through these few rooms
-Down another elevator
-GO LEFT when you get the chance
-Down another elevator and straight, left around the thing, get the second blue CRYSTAL (3000Z)
-Skip cutscene
-Straight and up yet another elevator
-Skip cutscene
-GO RIGHT
-GO STRAIGHT
-ELEVATOR
-GO RIGHT
-Guess what happens here?
-Go through a few more doors to a cutscene

CHAPTER 9

MENU
-Swap the first and sixth characters (replace Zero with Massimo)
-Remove the Hawkeye from Zero
-Put the Power Charge on Massimo and the Hawkeye on Marino

-Go shopping...
-and get interrupted

BOSS: Scarface 1 (LE: 37,500, EXP: 6,000) (150% Fire, ABSORBS Thunder, 100% Water)
-Press X and B to turn cancel constantly until Scarface wipes your party

-Go shopping
-First guy: Sell:
-Any Attack Items you have left over (should be at the top of the list if you sorted by Attack in Chapter 8)
-Build LEs
-Build Armors
-Build Shields
-King of Clubs
-Queen of Spades
-Ice Buster
-Z-Ichimonji
*Fire Star if you got any
*Thunder Star if you got any
*Ice Star if you got any
-Fire Stella
-Ice Stella
*Ice Missiles if you have any
-Fire Missiles
-Twin Ice
-Twin Thunder
-Twin Fire
-Cryogenic
-Then Trade-In for 1 of the second item (Aero Buster MKII), then buy 1 of the fourth item (Massive Lance Gamma), 1 of the seventh item (Machine Bullets 2), and 1 of the first Sub Weapon (Force Missile)
-No booth guy: Trade-In for 1 of the third-from-bottom item on the fifth Main Weapon scroll (Beam Chakram S)
*If you don't have any left, buy a Decoy from the no-booth guy too.
-Last guy: buy 6 of the second item (WEGain+10), 3 of the bottom item (Minus Metal 20), and 2 of the sixth item (Speed+5)

-Ride the bus

MENU
-Swap the first and sixth characters (replace Massimo with Zero)
-Remove Marino's Hawkeye; give her the Twin Missiles and Force Missiles
-Equip the Z-Saber+ and a second Heat Haze on Zero
-Equip the Massive Lance Gamma on Massimo
-In Force Metals, sort by Parameters
-Put 2 WE+10s on Axl over his Power+3 and Exodus (config: WE+10/WE+10/Eagle Eye/WE+10)
-Set Marino's FMs to 2 Speed+5s and the Exodus
-Set Zero's FMs to 2 WEGain+10s and 1 Minus Metal 20
-Replace Massimo's first WEGain+5 with a WEGain+10
-Put another WE+10 on X over his Gain WE+5

*Safe: Use the bed (recommended if you stole Ferham's Build Hyper)
*Risky: Heal 100% in the upcoming menu

-DEPLOYMENT: Gaudile Laboratory: (1) D-Shark, (2) Killer Mantis, (3) Sinedropper
*Deploy every Chapter until you get the Generator!

-Go back to the Command Room
-Enter the mission
-GO LEFT
-Mash text
*RUN FROM EVERY SCRIPTED LASER BATTLE IN THIS CHAPTER.
-Go through a door and 2 more lasers (straight at the intersection)
-Go through another door and immediately left through yet another one
-Hit the laser, go left for another one, then immediately back the other way for a 3rd one
-Go down to the end and in the right door for a terminal, then go all the way back out (Left -> Left -> Right -> Straight -> Left -> Teleporter)
-Hit the laser and then go right and right again to find another laser
-Go right again for another laser
-Turn around immediately after that one and go in the nearby door (now on the right wall)
-Go right, get the CRYSTAL (Backup) and hit the laser
-Then go around and hit the one on the left, also getting the CRYSTAL (Cure All)
-Go back to the middle door and up to the teleporter
-Get every CRYSTAL here (Build LE, WE, Hyper, Power, Armor, Shield, Speed), then go in the teleporter

-Rotating room puzzle: Right (Get the Tank Parts 5 in this room if you want) -> Right -> Right -> Leave

MENU
-In Items, Sort by ST
-Use Build WE, Build Hyper, and Build Power on Massimo, and use Build Speed on Zero
-Swap the third and fifth characters (replace Marino with X)

3 GOLD PREONS FIGHT:
-Hyper Mode, 90% AT one with X
-Hyper Mode, Double Sub + Attack another with Zero; Final Strike if needed
-Hyper Mode, Power Charge + Wild Jango AT the third with Axl (A X A A B Y B A); Final Strike if needed

MENU
-Swap the third and fifth characters (replace X with Marino)

-Go use the terminals on each pathway branching from the main door, then head through that main door
-Get the Super Absorber from behind the left terminal
-Use the teleporter

MENU
-Full heal everyone
-Check Massimo's Hyper Mode turns and use a Gain Hyper on him if necessary (99% of the time, you'll need to; only exception is if he leveled up from the 3 Gold Preons fight)
*Be aware that, if you screw up the 3 Gold Preons fight, you may need to Gain Hyper Zero (and Axl if things went REALLY wrong).  If things got to the point where you'd need to Gain Hyper all 3, consider only using one on Zero to save resources; you should be able to make it through Scarface 2 just fine even with Axl down one Hyper Mode turn.
-Equip the Flame Saber on Zero
-Equip the Machine Bullets 2 on Axl
-In Force Metals, Set Axl's FMs to Gain WE+10, Gain WE+10, Eagle Eye, and Minus Metal 20
-In Force Metals, Give Marino 2 WE+10s and a Gain WE+10
-Swap the third and sixth characters (replace Marino with Massimo)

-Get the three CRYSTALS (Tank Energy 100 x2, Gain Hyper)

BOSS: Scarface 2 (LE: 42,500, EXP: 24,000) (150% Fire, ABSORBS Thunder, 100% Water)
-Hyper Mode, Attack with Zero
-Hyper Mode, Double Sub + Attack with Axl
-Hyper Mode, Power Charge with Massimo
-Heat Haze + AT with Zero
-Power Charge + AT with Massimo (10K if crit)
-Double Sub + Attack with Axl
-AT with Zero
*Turn order in this fight can go completely off the rails if Axl goes before Zero at the start of the fight.  If this happens, Defend with Zero and Heal/Defend with Axl as necessary to ensure alternating between Shot and Combat attacks.  With a good Zero AT, Axl only needs to attack once or maybe twice.

*He has a low chance of dropping a Thunder Saber+ or a Thunder Buster MKIII.

BOSS: Epsilon (LE: 34,500 -> 51,500, EXP: 30,000)
-Hyper Mode, Double Sub + Attack/Heal with Axl (depending on who got Metacrushed)
-Hyper Mode, Attack with Zero
-Hyper Mode, Power Charge with Massimo
-Heat Haze + AT with Zero
-Heal/Double Sub + Attack with Axl
-Power Charge + AT with Massimo
-AT with Zero
*IF NO FINAL STRIKE: just use Sub Weapon + ATs until you get to Phase 2
*If you defeat Phase 1 on Massimo's turn, swap to Marino with Axl and use a Cooler or Heal One 25% for better turn order + WE gain.

*Phase 2: Eject Epsilon

-Swap to Marino with Axl if you didn't already --> Hyper Mode, Sub Weapon (as possible) + Attack with Marino
-Double Sub + Attack with Marino
*Gain Hyper Zero with Zero if he gets a turn in the middle of this; otherwise, do it with Marino's last turn (if possible) or Zero later.
-Double Sub + Attack with Marino
-Double Sub + Attack with Marino
-Force Missiles + Attack with Marino
-[COOLDOWN IF NOT OPTIMAL PHASE 1] Swap to Axl with Marino --> Hyper Mode, Double Sub + Attack with Axl
*When Axl cools down, swap to X.  Then Hyper Mode --> heal with X, then 90% AT on his next turn.
-Heal/Attack/Gain Hyper Zero with Zero, depending on who's done what so far
-Power Charge with Massimo
-Heat Haze + AT with Zero
-Power Charge + AT with Massimo
*Note: It's possible to get a 10K hit here if you didn't on Scarface 2.
-AT with Zero
*If necessary, 90% AT with X/Double Sub + Attack with Axl/whatever to finish him off.  If he still isn't dead, he should be pretty close.  Just keep attacking.

*He drops Tank Parts 6 and Force Tomahawks.

CHAPTER 10

-DEPLOYMENT: Gaudile Laboratory: (1) D-Shark, (2) Killer Mantis, (3) Sinedropper
*If you don't have the Generator by now, I'm really sorry.  You absolutely need it for the Tails Clan.  Take one more crack at it!

-Go up to the Helipad
-Talk to the middle chick, buy 1 of the fourth item (Flame Saber+), 1 of the fifth item (Ice Saber+), and 1 of the sixth item (Thunder Saber+)
-Trade-In for of the fourth from bottom items (Axl Bullets 3)

MENU
-Equip the Flame Saber+ on Zero, and put the Hawkeye on Zero's X button slot
*If you have it, put the Generator on Massimo.  You can use it as a safety net for as much of Chapter 10 as you like, although no strats will actually change.
-Put the Exodus over Axl's second Gain WE+10
-Remove all FMs from Cinnamon, X, and Marino
*Swap the second and fifth characters (replace X with Axl) if necessary to lead with a Zero/Axl/Massimo party

-Talk to the middle chick again, sell:
*Unlock Limiters if you have any
-Build LEs
-Build Armors
-Build Shields
-Flame Saber
-Ice Saber
-Thunder Saber
-Mettaur Crash
-Super Absorber
-Force Tomahawks
*Thunder Guards if you have any
*Fire Guards if you have any
-Then BUY (NOT TRADE-IN) 1 of the second-from-bottom Main Weapon (Shock Lance Beta)

-Talk to the left chick and buy 1 Backup if you can afford it; otherwise, buy a bunch of Reboots.  (If you can afford any Reboots after buying a Backup, snag those too.)
-Head onwards

BOSS: Wild Jango 2 (LE: 64,500, EXP: 15,000)
*Take Zero/Massimo turns to heal as necessary.
*Do not heal with Axl; he needs to use the Bait every turn.  Jango's Rolling Assault move will one-shot Zero or Massimo regardless of LE.
-Hyper Mode, Double Sub + Attack with Axl
-Hyper Mode, Heal/Attack with Zero
-Hyper Mode, Power Charge with Massimo
-Heat Haze + AT with Zero
-Power Charge + AT with Massimo
-Double Sub + Attack with Axl
-Heal with Zero
-Double Sub + Attack with Axl
-AT with Massimo
*AT with Zero again if necessary

*He drops a Build Power.

-Skip 2 cutscenes
*HEAL WITH THE NURSE
-Get the blue CRYSTAL near the top-right teleporter (Build Hyper)
*OPTIONAL: While you're there, get the purple CRYSTAL (Tank Parts 7) directly to the left of the Build Hyper if you're one Tank Part away from an extra Sub Tank and you want the extra tank.
-Go in the top-right teleporter

MENU
-Use Build Hyper on Axl, and Build Power on Massimo
*Use the Build Hyper on Axl even if you stole Ferham's and used it on him as well!
-Equip the Thunder Saber+ on Zero
-Equip the Shock Lance Beta on Massimo
-Change Axl's FMs to 4 WE+10s

BOSS: Incentas 2 (LE: 51,600, EXP: 15,000)
-Hyper Mode, Double Sub + AT with Axl: Wild Jango (A X A A B Y B A)
-Hyper Mode, AT with Zero
-Hyper Mode, AT with Massimo

*He drops a Build WE.

-Go in the bottom-left teleporter

MENU
*Heal if necessary
-Use a Build WE on Massimo
-Set Axl's FMs to WE+5/Gain WE+10/Eagle Eye/Exodus
*Replace Massimo's bottom slot (WEGain+5) with a WEGain+10 IF his Immunity stat is 36 (lv.27)

BOSS: Silver Horn 2 (LE: 73,500, EXP: 15,000)
-Hyper Mode, Double Sub + Attack with Axl
-Hyper Mode, Heal/Hawkeye + Attack with Zero
-Hyper Mode, Power Charge with Massimo
-Cooldown, Defend with Zero
-Power Charge + AT with Massimo
-AT with Axl: Wild Jango (A X A A B Y B A)
-Hyper Mode, Heat Haze + AT with Zero, Final Strike: push buttons
*Note: In case this fight gets completely FUBARed by someone getting frozen first turn, remember: 1 Massimo double Power Charged AT (with crit) + 1 Axl Power Charged Wild Jango AT will NOT cause Silver Horn to activate Liquid Coating.  Then get Massimo + Zero back to back turns and you're set.
**Also note: If Axl or Massimo gets frozen first turn, wait 1 turn before activating Hyper Mode with Zero.  Otherwise, you'll have to use a Gain Hyper, and if you don't have any of those, well, things get really bad.

*He drops a Build Armor.

-USE THE NURSE
-Go in the bottom-right teleporter

MENU
-Equip the Ice Saber+ on Zero

BOSS: Psycho Nautilus 2 (LE: 38,500, EXP: 15,000)
-Heal with Massimo
-Hyper Mode, Bait + Attack with Axl
-Defend with Zero
-Defend with Zero
-Hyper Mode, Defend with Massimo
-Hyper Mode, Double Sub + AT with Zero
-Power Charge + AT with Axl: Wild Jango (A X A A B Y B A)
-Power Charge + AT with Massimo

*He drops a Build Shield.

-Heal with the nurse
-Go in the top-left teleporter

BOSS: Mach Jentra 2 (LE: 53,500, EXP: 15,000)
-Hyper Mode, AT with Massimo
*Power Charge with Massimo if you want to play it safe.
-Hyper Mode, Hawkeye + Attack with Zero
-Hyper Mode, Double Sub + Attack with Axl
*AT with Massimo if you Power Charged on his previous turn.
-Double Sub + AT with Zero

*He drops a Build Speed.

-Heal with the nurse

MENU
-Swap the second and fourth characters (replace Axl with Marino)
*Note that party member order may be slightly different depending on how the Epsilon fight went.
-Equip the Flame Saber+ on Zero
-Equip the Massive Lance Gamma on Massimo!!!!!!
*^^^ is REALLY IMPORTANT.  You will have a bad time if you try to fight Depth Dragoon with Massimo wielding a Thunder-element weapon.
*Replace Axl's WE+5 with a WE+10 if Axl is level 28 (24 Erosion is necessary)

BOSS: Depth Dragoon (LE: 64,500, EXP: 23,000)
-Hyper Mode, AT and line up 3 treasure chests with Marino to steal the Beast Lancer
*1st column: Blank/Chest/Blank --> 3
*2nd column: Pink/Boot/Boot --> 3
*3rd column: Boot/Blank/Boot/1/Blank/2
*Full Heal/Cure One/Cure All/whatever with Marino if necessary
-Swap to Axl with Marino -> Hyper Mode, Bait + Attack with Axl
*Double Sub + Attack if Axl has a WE+10 instead of a WE+5.
-Hyper Mode, Power Charge with Massimo
-Hyper Mode, Hawkeye + Attack with Zero
-Double Sub + Attack with Axl
-Heat Haze + AT with Zero
-Power Charge + AT with Massimo
-Double Sub + Attack with Axl
-AT with Zero

*He drops a Build LE and a Force Tomahawk.

MENU
-Heal as necessary
-In Items, Sort by ST Boost
-Use Build LE + Build Armor + Build Shield + Build Speed on Zero
*Use the Gain Hyper on anyone who needs it (Massimo?)
**If you have 0 Gain Hypers, get the one down the hall before the door and use it on someone.
-Equip the Ice Saber+ on Zero
-Equip the Beast Lancer on Massimo
*Put a WE+10 on Axl over his WE+5 if you didn't before Depth Dragoon!
*Put another Gain WE+10 on Massimo over his Gain WE+5 if you didn't already!

-Get the Tank Energy 100 and the Gain Hyper

BOSS: Redips (LE: 51,500, EXP: 30,000)
*Take any Final Strike you get in this fight.
-Hyper Mode, Attack Redips with Zero
-Hyper Mode, Double Sub + Attack one Redips Guard with Axl
-Hyper Mode, Power Charge with Massimo
*Defend with Zero IF doing so bumps his next turn before Redips's next turn.  Otherwise, Heat Haze + AT Redips.
*Defend with Massimo IF doing so bumps his next turn before Redips's next turn.  Otherwise, Power Charge + AT Redips with Massimo.
-Double Sub + Attack Redips with Axl
*Heat Haze + AT with Zero if you didn't earlier!
*Power Charge + AT with Massimo if you didn't earlier!
**If turn order sucks and puts Axl last, and you don't get the Final Strike:
**Double Sub + Attack a Redips Guard with Axl if there are two.  Otherwise, Double Sub + Attack Redips with Axl.
**AT Redips with Zero or Massimo first chance you get (when he's not defending!).
***If Redips is defending, kill one Redips Guard with Axl to make him come out on his next turn.
***If you get a typical almost-but-not-quite Final Strike fight and then Zero gets KO'd by the next few enemy turns, 1 AT from Massimo should be enough to finish the fight.  In any% (Glitchless), the lost EXP for Zero won't matter; if you're doing Defeat Ninetails (Glitchless), consider reviving Zero just to be safe.
***If you almost got a Final Strike but Zero and Massimo are both KO'd by the time your turns come up again, Axl can usually win the fight with one more Double Sub + Attack.  Again, this is fine for any% (Glitchless), but if you plan on tackling the Tails Clan you may want to put in Marino to get everyone on their feet for the finishing strike.
****If Zero is KO'd and Redips is defending, Double Sub + Attack one Redips Guard with Axl and use a Backup/Reboot on Zero with Massimo.

*He drops a Beam Sword, and sometimes a Limit Buster MKII (from the Redips Guards).

-Go through a bunch of doors

MENU
-Full Heal everyone
*Use a Gain Hyper on any of Zero, Massimo, or Axl who needs it!
-Put a Decoy on Axl over his Exodus
-In Items, Sort by second option (Restore)
*If you want, in Options, change the default option to Defend (2 LEFT)

BOSS: Great Redips

Phase 1
*This phase ends after 16 turns.  You want to heal everyone up on turn 14, 15, or 16.
-Hyper Mode, Double Sub + Attack the rightmost SFM with Axl
-Hawkeye + AT the leftmost SFM with Zero
-Defend with Massimo
*GUARANTEED MEMENTO MORI
-Cure All/Cure One whoever with Massimo

-From here, turn order is unreliable due to the SFMs and the possibility of Zero being frozen, but you want to Defend with Zero on his next turn, Bait + Attack either GR or a SFM with Axl, and heal or defend with Massimo's next turn.  Use a Backup if anyone happens to die.

Phase 2 (LE: 72,500)
-Swap to Marino with Axl (if possible) OR whoever (if Axl's dead), AT GR turn 1 and line up 3 chests for the Supra-Force Metal Beta (SFMB), then get the party back on its feet - Heal, Reboots, Cure All, whatever is necessary
*Note: Since you'll probably be using Marino in Hyper Mode if people went down, it's better to use Reboots and then heal rather than burn Backups.
-Then swap Marino out and start charging for ATs (Zero, Massimo)/killing the SFM fragment (Axl)

-From here, you want a double-charged Massimo AT, a 75% Heat Haze Zero AT, a Gain Hyper on Axl, and either another 75% Heat Haze Zero AT or another double-charged Massimo AT.
-Do not attack the SFM with anyone other than Axl unless it's an emergency.

*any% (Glitchless) runners: You're all done!  Save your file if you wanna keep it.
*Defeat Ninetails (Glitchless) runners: SAVE YOUR FILE OR ELSE YOU CAN'T FIGHT THE TAILS CLAN

Tails Clan

*Note: The Tails Clan fights are too unpredictable to give turn-by-turn guidance, so I'm listing basic principles instead.

-Go shopping:
-First shop: SELL Beam Sword, BUY Ice Buster MKIII
-No-booth guy: BUY LE+300 x1, LE+500 x2, Gain WE+10 x2, Minus Metal 20 x1, 9 Decoys, THEN max Reboots

MENU
-Put the Ice Buster MKIII on X
*Equip the Generator on Massimo if it isn't already!
-In Force Metals, Sort by Parameters
-Put the SFMB over Axl's WE+10 and Decoy on fourth slot if you didn't already (SFMB/Gain WE+10/Eagle Eye/Decoy)
-Put Gain WE+10/Gain WE+10/Power+3/Minus Metal 20 on X
-LE+300 and LE+500 x2 on Marino

-Run down to where you started Chapter 2, but keep going until you reach a locked door.  It will open because you have cleared the main game.

ONETAILS
-Hyper Mode, Bait/Double Sub with Axl (Power Charge when you can)
-Hyper Mode, Heal with Zero
-Hyper Mode, Double Sub with Massimo
-Then unload max Zero/Massimo ATs and keep Bait/Double Sub + Attacking with Axl

MENU
-Thunder Saber+ on Zero
-Shock Lance Beta on Massimo
-SFMB/Decoy/Eagle Eye/Decoy on Axl
*GAIN HYPER ANYONE OF ZERO/AXL/MASSIMO WHO DIDN'T LEVEL UP

TWOTAILS
-Pattern: Fire --> Water --> Thunder --> Fire . . .
-Axl Hyper Mode, Bait/Double Sub + Attack E1 on first two turns
-Zero Hyper Mode first turn, max AT E2 on first WATER turn
-Massimo Hyper Mode first turn, max AT E1 on first WATER turn = Final Strike if good Axl rolls
-TURN AFTER ATs: DO NOT ATTACK WITH ZERO/MASSIMO BECAUSE IT WILL HEAL THEM.  Instead, heal and revive.
-Finish off as usual on next Fire/Water turns

MENU
-Stamina Missile x2 on Marino
-Ice Saber+ on Zero; remove Hawkeye
-Hawkeye on Axl over Power Charge
-Beast Lancer on Massimo
-DECOY CHECK AXL (SFMB, Decoy, Decoy, Decoy)

THREETAILS
*At some point, you'll probably have to swap in Marino to clean up the mess Threetails makes.
-Heal with Zero (Hyper Mode if necessary for turn order)
-Hyper Mode, Double Sub + Attack E1 with Axl
-Hyper Mode, Double Sub with Massimo
-Double Sub + Attack E2 with Axl
-Max AT E1 with Zero + Massimo = dead or Final Strike
*This is usually around the time you'll need to swap Axl out for Marino to get everyone back to full LE.  Then just swap back to Axl and Double Sub + Attack E2 with Axl
-SWAP TO MARINO WITH WHOEVER GOES FIRST OF MASSIMO AND ZERO; STAMINA MISSILE + ATTACK SPAM E2 UNTIL COOLDOWN; THEN SWAP BACK; 1 charge Massimo AT + bare Zero AT E2 = dead/Final Strike
-As for E3:
-Double Sub + Attack E3 once with Axl if ideal fight so far (i.e., no cooldown yet); when cooldown, swap out Axl for X and Attack with X.
-Heal on Zero's next turn.
-Then pump out ATs as quickly as you can (even once Zero and Massimo cool down, if applicable).
*Should be max AT from Zero and 1 charge AT from Massimo.

MENU
-Build Hyper Zero, Massimo, and Axl (do NOT mess this menu up)

*Go back and heal at the Hunter Base bed.  (No, there's no glitch to access the Chapter 2 bed.)
*Ideally, your second and final heal will be after either Seventails or Eighttails, depending on how rude Fourtails, Fivetails, and Seventails are.  (After Eighttails is preferred.)

-Go back to the bed and rest up
-No-booth guy: Buy Z Rapier, LE+500, max Decoys, max Backups, and max Reboots

MENU
-Equip Power Charge over Hawkeye on Axl
-Equip Z Rapier and Hawkeye on Zero
-Equip 3 Decoys on Zero
-WE+10/Gain WE+10/Eagle Eye/Decoy on Axl
-SFMB + Minus Metal 20 x3 on X
-FORMATION: Zero, Axl, Massimo

FOURTAILS
*Fourtails has the Scarface gimmick of blocking repeated Combat/Shot attacks.
-Hyper Mode, Double Sub + Attack with Zero every turn
-Hyper Mode, Double Sub + Attack OR Double Sub with Axl (depending on what Fourtails is blocking)
-ALMOST ALWAYS HYPER MODE + HEAL FIRST TURN WITH MASSIMO; thereafter Double Sub OR Double Sub + AT OR heal with Massimo (depending on what Fourtails is blocking and if someone is about to fall over with no Decoys left; remember Zero has 3)
-Double Sub + turn cancel with Axl has a pretty high success rate at setting up alternating Axl/Zero turns.  Keep that in mind.
-Axl swaps to Marino when cooldown OR when the party is getting roughed up real bad
*If Zero ever ends up with a bad turn where he can't attack without getting blocked, you have at least 3 Gain Hypers left, and Zero still has at least 2 Decoys left, just have him use one on himself.
*SAFETY STRAT WHEN MARINO SWAPS IN: Hyper Mode, heal THEN Stamina Missile + turn cancel spam (STAMINA MISSILES COUNT AS SHOT-TYPE ATTACKS; IF ZERO IS GOING NEXT, DO NOT ATTACK; IF MASSIMO OR AXL IS GOING NEXT, ATTACK ON LAST SPAM TURN; BUT NOTE THAT IF ALL 3 COMBAT HITS DO 0 DAMAGE HE WILL STILL BE BLOCKING SHOT); Marino swap out to Axl when cooldown
-Zero swaps to X when cooldown OR run out of Decoys; X 87% AT + one more Massimo AT will probably push you across the finish line

MENU
-Red Lotus Saber and second Heat Haze over Hawkeye on Zero
-X Heart + 1 Decoy on X
*1 Decoy on Axl's last slot (if needed)
-SFMB and 2 Decoys on Zero
-Formation: X, Axl, Massimo

FIVETAILS
*Fivetails can use Self-Destruct.  This will instant KO any character but is only a problem on the opening salvo, before Axl has Bait up.  Just use Marino to get people back on their feet.
-This fight is best explained in general principles.
-Swap to Marino with first character; Hyper Mode, Stamina Missile + Attack spam E1; cooldown and swap back (if not X) or to Zero (if X)
-Axl: Hyper Mode, Double Sub + Attack
-X: Swap to Zero; Hyper Mode, Attack
-Massimo: Hyper Mode, Double Sub + AT
-Repeat until win; keep in mind Fivetails can use SOS but Zero will tear through them so quickly it hardly matters 99% of the time

MENU
-Remove remaining Decoys from Zero
-Gain WE+5, Gain WE+10 x2, and Minus Metal 20 on Axl
-X Heart and 1 Decoy on X
-FORMATION: Zero, X, Cinnamon

SIXTAILS
-Hyper Mode, Power Charge OR Heal with X every turn until cooldown, then swap to Axl
*Note: X's first death will use X Heart rather than a Decoy, so you can be aggressive until his first death.  Just make sure you don't get stuck with critical HP behind back-to-back Sixtails turns.
-Everyone else just Sub Weapon + cancel
-Everyone else gets trashed, it's fine.  You're not playing this fight to win anyway.
-Hyper Mode, Attack OR AT (AT every time when possible; should be every turn after his first upon swapping in if your config is right) with Axl
-10 turns: Sixtails goes Super Saiyan
-20 turns: Sixtails self-destructs and you win via cheese

*If you don't have enough Decoys for the below menu, go back to the bed and heal, then buy max Decoys, max Backups, and max Reboots on the way back.
*Note: The reason

MENU
-Put a third LE+500 over Marino's LE+300
-Full heal all
-Eagle Eye, Gain WE+10, Decoy, and Decoy on Axl
-X Heart and 1 Decoy on X
-SFMB, Decoy, and Decoy on Zero
-FORMATION: X, Axl, Massimo

SEVENTAILS
-Swap to Zero with X; Hyper Mode, Attack E1 with Zero
-Hyper Mode, Double Sub + Attack E1 with Axl
-Hyper Mode, Double Sub + AT E1 with Massimo
-Heat Haze (if possible) + Attack E1 with Zero
-Double Sub + Attack E2 with Axl
-Sub Weapon (as possible) + Attack E2 with Zero
-At this point, Sub Weapon (as possible) + Attack E2 with Zero; Double Sub + Attack E2 with Axl; and Double Sub + AT E2 with Massimo until dead.

*If you don't have enough Decoys for the below menu, take your SECOND HEAL.  Go back to the bed and heal, then buy max Decoys, max Backups, and max Reboots.
*The reason healing after Eighttails is preferred is because you need to have 7 Decoys before starting the Ninetails fight and you can only carry 9 at a time.  As a result, if Axl loses a Decoy and Zero loses both of his in Eighttails, you have to take a third trip back to the shop, which loses a hefty chunk of time.

MENU
*GAIN HYPER MARINO IF NECESSARY
-Decoy check Zero/Axl/X (2 on Zero, 2 on Axl, 1 + X Heart on X)
-1 Vitality Missile over Stamina Missile on Marino
-FORMATION: X, Axl, Massimo

EIGHTTAILS
*FIGHT STRATEGY: ZERO AND AXL TAKE E1; MASSIMO AND MARINO TAKE E2
-Swap to Marino with whoever goes first; Hyper Mode, Vitality/Stamina Missile + Attack spam E2 with Marino; when COOLDOWN, swap to Zero (if X subbed out) or whoever of Axl/Massimo subbed out
-Hyper Mode, Sub Weapon (as applicable) + Attack E1 with Zero
-Hyper Mode, Double Sub + Attack E1 with Axl
-Hyper Mode, Double Sub + AT E2 with Massimo; CANCEL FINAL STRIKE IF YOU GET IT
-Sub Weapon (as applicable) + Attack E1 with Zero
*At this point, the goal is to line up turns for either Axl/Zero or Zero/Massimo.  General plan: USUALLY ATTACK E2 WITH AXL AND E1 WITH ZERO; Double Sub + Attack E1 (if few Marino crits OR multiple Zero crits) OR E2 (otherwise) with Axl; Sub Weapon (as applicable) the other with Zero; or, if Massimo is second, Double Sub + AT the survivor with Massimo.

*Take your SECOND HEAL now if you haven't already.  Go buy max Decoys, max Backups, and max Reboots from the no-booth guy.  If you're worried about Sub Tank Energy (i.e., below 100%) or don't have enough Gain Hypers for Zero, X, Massimo, and Marino to be at max turns, go back to the bed and heal.
*If you don't have enough Decoys for the below menu but you already took your second heal, strongly consider going back to buy more Decoys.

MENU
*Full heal everyone
*Gain Hyper any of the following who need it in the following order of priority: Zero, Axl, Marino, Massimo.
-SFMB, Decoy, and Decoy on Zero
-Eagle Eye, Gain WE+10, Decoy, and Decoy on Axl
-WE+10 and Power+3 on Massimo
-Speed+5, Decoy, and Decoy on Cinnamon
-X Heart, Decoy, and Speed+3 on X
-Formation: X, Axl, Cinnamon

NINETAILS
-Swap to Marino with WHOEVER GOES FIRST; Hyper Mode, Sub Weapon + Attack spam with Marino; ON COOLDOWN, swap to Zero; Hyper Mode, Attack with Zero
-Get Axl on the field with WHOEVER GOES SECOND; Hyper Mode, Double Sub + Attack with Axl
*If Axl goes third, swap this step with the next one.
-Swap to Massimo with WHOEVER GOES THIRD; Hyper Mode, GENERATOR + AT with Massimo
-Heat Haze (if possible) + Attack with Zero
-Heat Haze (if possible) + Attack with Zero

G_G