Challenge Mode Tips and Tricks Options

[Dive]

Well with the addition of Specials for S-Ranks now, it seems interest in C-Mode has picked up again. This thread will be used for everyone to give their hints to getting optimal time on the stages.

In Stage 4 when the team gets to the first junction and has to split up, a quicker way to do it would be to have the Hucast(or strongest Hu) go solo to the left. This room is usually populated by only one wave of monsters. The person left behind need only wait for the right team to activate the switch for the warp to appear. The solo player should not activate their switch so as not to confuse the player left behind.

Another that comes to mind that always seems to slow us down is the barrier puzzle in Area 17 of Stage 4. This is a very easy puzzle, but somehow it always gets messed up. Here is a map taken from Mamak to help explain it.

Step on the switches in the order shown.


As you can see it is quite simple if everyone knows where to go next. I suggest waiting a little extra time on your switch to ensure no one is left behind due to lag.

[Bryn]

Just a couple things came to mind after running through 7-9 last night, (well most of 9 ) These tips are somewhat risky and would probably not be implemented in general play if your only interest is in completing the stage. But if you find yourself playing in Alcyone 6, especially with experienced JP players, they are sometimes expected of you.

Stages 7-9

On Belras: In a strategy similar to that of circling Garantz to use his missiles to take out other enemies, Bots purposely use confuse traps on Belras immediately upon entering the room. After confused, Belra spins wildly damaging all enemies in the path of its constant barrage of shooting arms. FOnewearls & FOnewman need to be especially careful to stay out of the way, as Belra’s arm is a one hit kill.

Weapon & Shield Switches. Dive mentions the 4 weapon switch in C8 and the 8 weapon/8 shield switch in C9. In general play most teams only hit these if they happen to have the extra equipment, which really doesn’t happen very often. But, in teams going for time, if in C8 no extra weapons are found, all players will drop their starting weapon, use the FO as primary offense and beat enemies down by hand until weapons drop. In C9 players will drop starting shields/barriers to make up any shortage.

C7 Barrier Shortcut. This is probably general knowledge, but in case those newer to challenge haven’t seen this before: In area 33 of C7 there is a room where a barrier stretches across the entire room. It is possible for a character to wiggle between the wall and rock on the south side of the barrier to gain access to the switch, thus eliminating the need to go the long way around. While this isn’t risky, it may considered by some as…erm…fudging the rules a bit.