Dmitri has lived for a very long time, about as long as Wilhelm has...when he died his lost his "body" but during his years of research at his institute, he learned a nice little trick that you already know about. .(I'll be getting that much later when you get further). I don't know why his 'coming back' wasn't questioned; the characters are only concerned with 'what' is he doing.

Darn, I've got a problem. I want to put Rubedo, chaos, and Jin in my party. But I'd rather not drop out Shion permanently (dropping the main character never seems to be a good idea). So what would generally be recommended? I'll have to scrap one of those 3 from my dream team list. xD

I never really used chaos. I'd say Shion, Jin and Rubedo. Though I know you like chaos...so maybe drop Rubedo. Never used him much, either. lol Just remember to keep giving each of them good skills and junk even if they're not in your main party so you can switch back and forth if need be.

haha Tina's her name. Tina... Taki... Both start with T......

Woot! Disc 1 completed!

Xerno I would personally test out all of the characters... it's still early days. I like to have two teams (It makes getting through locations much easier because EP because less of a worry if spread about two teams.) So far I havn't encountered a time when you have to use a specific character for a battle... you always have the choice of at least 6 characters... there are times however that certain characters will go off for a while (I won't say who unless you want xerno) so it's your call... Just try out the characters more.

*Spoilers Below*
Sadistic, you found Pelligri hard? I went through the door without saving orhealing myself. I was completly ready but I didn't have much trouble with her. Virgil is easy, but only if your prepared and a little bit lucky. If you have Accessories that cut ice damage and then it becomes a much easier fight, but I didn't and when he went to do his special attack he warned me about it and then done it before me characters could get a go to guard. Also improvig the breakline is important and not something I had done...

I must admit, I'm as confused as hell about the storyline right now... I'm definatly going to have to read the xeno-bible and re-play but thats no problem

As for me, My party always consist of the heavey hitters like Kos-Mos, Jin, Jr./Ziggy and they always make it out of the battle before anyone dies then I use Chaos, Momo, and Shion to heal. But now that I'm fighting the Gnosis, Chaos is in my attacking party. He seems to hit hard on them.
But it's about time I use Ziggy because in the previous two games, my Ziggy always had weak attacks and defense even though It showed in the stats that his were higher than some other characters. He just seemed weak azz heck in the previous games. But in this one, he kills!

To Xerno:

You forget, that this is Xenosaga, the game where people can't stay dead for over 10 minutes XD. Also, it's been a year since he officially announced himself on the Durandal in Xenosaga 2, remember?

And I find Rubedo pretty useful, since his Attack is long range and isn't subject to counters, and he has good Ether and Physical attacks. Although he only has one break attack, it's decent. Either way, everyone levels and gains Skill Points (Yes, which means a quick 5 minutes of using them would mean someone you never used before is as strong as your main party), you don't have to have a "main" party. Switch them in as needed, such as Jin for Rubedo when the enemy is weak against Ether or has a high Counter/Revenge rate

My question wasn't so much about the main characters not questioning anything. But I meant the public! Wasn't it commonly known that Yuriev died back then? And now he just reappears and that's fine by the whole universe, even though he's supposed to be dead? It doesn't make any sense to me. Even Pellegri said it: "You! But how...? You died!"


Actually, I like Rubedo more than chaos now. So I guess I'll drop chaos instead, but so far I've been moving on with the team I mentioned (so I still need to switch someone for Shion, and I'm slowly losing interest in doing so xP ). I'll see how it goes, I haven't had any problems yet.

But so far I've mostly been breezing through battles, I don't think I've got the hang yet of how really to tackle the battles. I've mostly been doing button mashing and not much else. But I doubt it will last (especially the ES battles, I had no idea what I was doing xD ). But for now, I'm moving on and see how it works out (I just got KOS-MOS added to the team).

There are a few small parts where characters leave your team, namely Shion and KOS-MOS, a few times. When ya see that they did, simply get more skills for chaos or something =p

Btw, chaos has a good 3rd level Special, it casts Best Ally on everyone for 3 (IIRC) boost. Good when you see a boss preparing for a special. Then again, Rubedo has his kickass *you'll see =p*. However, his 2nd special, Storm Waltz, is one of my fave moves, both visually and due to damage/break damage

Even though they can still be as strong as your main party, don't get fixated on using one or 2 special attacks like I do. I mostly use G-SHOT/X-BUSTER and Jin's first special attack and now I'm trying to play ketchup with the others. Those later ones from the other characters can help a bunch. Max level for all seems to be level 5.

Actually, my MOMO's 2nd special is level 6 I think, that thunder hit all thingy. Find it to be really good for Finishing Strike. Ooh and G-Shot is level 6 too I think, so is Storm Waltz. Super abused techs =p. chaos and Rubedo have specific specials that power up by absobing the souls of B/G enemies with their level 1 special or something to power it up. The others just get stronger by reusing it

I never get a 3rd level Special Attack. I never even got how it worked, right. The Anima Awakenings go up on how much damage you do to the enemy but Boosts and special Attacks seem so inconsistent. I've never gotten chaos' 3rd Special and only ever got a 3rd special on MOMO.

Ugh, that break system can be cheap. I could have easily beaten that Gnosis boss (soon after getting KOS-MOS) if it hadn't suddenly used that multi-hit attack several times in a row towards the end of the battle (and it filled the break bar extremely fast). I lost a few times just because everyone was counting stars. -.-

Other than that; yay! Shops are back for buying items. But pffft! Equipment too, and I've never been a fan of having to keep your equipment up-to-date. Oh well, moving on to the floating continent now (after properly updating my ES equipment, I guess... *yawn*).

Small hint from you, steal from every boss. They all have a unique steal item, just find Rare Steal in someones Skill list.

And you should always wear the + BL rings, I generally do. Except for KOS-MOS, who has the HP + 1500, which is also a unique boss item =p

are you talking about the... what are they called again... the robots? or zords.. Darn I forgot!

Bleh. I hate using Shion. She just....sucks. At least with chaos and Rubedo if an enemy isn't weak to the type of attack they specialize in, they can still do a nice bit of damage. Shion lacks that ability. As does Ziggy...and MOMO....and sometimes Jin. Which is why I use the three characters I mentioned previously. In all three games, I've only been game over ko'd maybe 3 times using that combination, not once yet in this game. Neither has my sister who uses the same characters.

Anyway, I'm currently rescuing Shion during the descent operation.

I do agree that Shion is not powerful, she downgraded in that department even more in this game. But she lasts a hell of a lot longer than MOMO, which is a shame cause she was my nuker in episode II and most enemies couldn't withstand her high damage ether attacks.

One other thing Xerno, each mob has a particular style of attacking players. It's something we all see in most RPGs, Monolift though has made it part of the system 100%. Monsters that gang up on naturally weak characters who most often have abilities that make them a major threat against such monsters. Or players subceptible to high break damage, monsters with that set-AI will target them heavily.

Yeah, that's sort of like in Xenosaga 3, when Orgulla (Manes) always attacked my MOMO =p

I think it's good though, makes some battles funner

Well, I've just gotten past T-elos (first battle, I'm sure I'll see her again). She gave me quite a bit of trouble, because her special attack (the one where she goes "pathetic, die!") would always kill off the character she'd use it on. And I only had one revival item with me xD . But I got lucky as the 2nd time I fought her she only used it once, and then I finished her off (so to say).

Then I got Shion's prelude to lovey~love with Kevin (even though they hardly showed anything, they still showed more than I thought they would... I was expecting a cheesy edited scene). And I guess I'll be moving on again now (or rather tomorrow, I'll be going to bed soon). I hope I can buy some new revival items soon... <<''

In a short while, you'll be getting a good bit of sellable items as prizes such as Scrap Iron and junk to get Gold and buy items/whatever. I would have died several times over had I not gotten those items to sell and get money for equipment and stuff.

Just an interesting note from reading the Database, Erich Webber. AKA Voyager suffered "damage" to his "prefrontal cortex." According to my own basic knowledge of psychology, the frontal lobe has to deal with making rational decisions and sensible judgment. According ti the wiki, the prefrontal cortex is: The basic activity of this brain region is considered to be orchestration of thoughts and actions in accordance with internal goals. Furthermore, he was 150 at the time of Pied Piper. I would classify Voyager as some level of "insane".

I just got the game a few days ago and so far it thiks its pretty awesome. Right now im in at the part after the fight with Peddigr she was easy i made her go into break twce while MOMO finished her off with her Ice special lol MOMO basicly took down everyone because if here special attacks lol. the break system totaly turned on me a couple of minutes ago >.> i was fighting 4 U-TIC troops and they used 4 spread shots in a row (which made everyone go into break) and then those bastards finished all of them off with a kick attack!! kick em when their down i guess


I have a strangish main party i use Shion MOMO and KOS-MOS most of the time if i have a character missing due to story events ill use chaos as a replacement (P.S>. buy seven moons their only 300 a peice and revive for full hp and ep ^^)

The reason Seven Moons costs that little is because there's a small chance of the Crystalization status, where you have 3 turns to use Anti-Crystal. I find it warrants use though, as by the time that matters I have a few ACs stocked up

Yeah, there's actually a back-story on the Seven Moons when you *spoiler....highlight* get to Miltia in the past, Before you enter Labryinthos.

Wow. Yeah, that's an odd combination. The only time I ever used those three together was when I fought Minitia in Episode 1.

I didn't find the lack of Revive items a problem there at the beginning personally. But it's pretty apparent my play style is different from most of you guys though.

... What's with the Shion bashing? Her and Ziggy completely dominate B opponents.

Anyway, the usual update. On Michtam now, preparing to fight E.S. Dan. Loving the backstory for Ziggy, with just a hint of Pied Piper's story thrown in. Neato torpedo.

Yeah, Citrine lol'd while Ziggy and Shion just broke her time and time again.

I find Shion to be one of the most useful characters, (because I went on the attacker route on the skill line). She's not all that strong, but she has great ethers and attacks. As well as getting one of the first specials that attack all enemies (thats effective anyways).

I never even considered having Shion as an attacker, but now I'm thinking that might have been better. I'm not sure yet, maybe when I replay I'll go for the other line. Did anyone make MOMO an attacker? I can't see that being a very good option personally.

I went for the magic line for chaos as well... I'm not sure whether that was a good option or not, but chaos is adaptable so I'm glad I did.

Just a quick question, I've finished disc 1 and I'm in Merkarba (However you spell it)... have I got much left to go. I assume disc 2 is smaller than disc 1 but I'm still hoping I've still got quite a journey left to go.

Say what? I bought 10 of those things because they cost so little and it seemed like a good item restoring your HP and EP completely upon revival. It didn't mention anything about the crystalisation effect in the description. And I spent 3000 G on them... >_>

Oh well, hopefully the effect doesn't kick in too often (so far I've only seen it once before, inflicted by a Gnosis I think). Back to the game now. =p

Yeah, it's a rare effect, they're still worth using. Also, I made MOMO an Attacker, Swordfish does really good break damage, and to master it she learns the skill the 2nd last boss used to totally be immune to physical damage

I was tempted to give MOMO just one tech skill from her attacker side just so she isn't completly useless if a normal enemy stops her from using Ethers... at leat I could try and break them.

I havn't really used break too often, The only character i put down the breaker skill line is Ziggy but none of the skills really cause that much of a break so far.

Does anyone know anywhere where I can view the uncensored scenes (even if they are in japanese). The scene of Shion in the hospital without the blood just looked completly stupid. Ha di have not known that the scene was censored and had the blood cut out then it wouldn't have made much sense. Put what back? You're not holding anything.

I also heard they cut out Allen's black eye (I havn't gotten up to that scene yet so don't spoil it for me yet, at least not without warning.) But are they saying that Teens shouldn't see a black eye? Having a child holding a pool of blood I can slightly understand but a black eye?

^ I agree. But people are making far too much a fuss over the censorship. I honestly never cared while everyone here and there and everywhere is talking about it.

Disk 2 isn't that short. You'll be on it for a decent amount of time.

^ All the scenes are on youtube, if you search for the right things. That scene wasn't even that bloody though, don't know why they bothered. At least it didn't have gushing blood (unless you count her dropping it on the floor) like the ending did (In the japanese version obviously, getting impaled a few times apparently doesn't leave any visible marks if you live in the USA >.>)

God bless America. lol

Anywho...I was reading a topic on another forum that observed the odd markings on E.S.es He said there was something about an RIP on them. I never noticed that though I did notice that E.S. Dan is being crucified.

Yup, that's right. It was posted on here as well, this is what it looks like:

Suits the Testaments well, I guess. =p

The censorship doesn't bother me... I kill live without seeing blood, but it did affect the scene simply because she was talking about the blood that you couldn't see. Maybe they should have changed the dialogue or something so that it makes sense.

At least I've still got a fair amount of playtime still to come. There are a lot of scenes I've seen screenshots of or in trailers which I was expecting a lot earlier in the game.

Fighting with allen was fun, but really pointless... I wish they could have done a bit more with that... I had always thought Allen as a playable character while watching the first game's cutscenes and so I had always wondered what he would be like in battle... I guess I was always destined for dissapointment. Still he probably does the job just fine if you only use one party and it just happens to consist of Shion. His break attack is pretty useful at least.

Ok, now I'm fighting Virgil on foot for the first time (I don't think he'll give me much trouble, just a lengthy battle as with most bosses). And something Denim will probably love to hear; I have joined the Virgil fandom xD . I can understand his character much better now (his voice actor isn't that great, though).

PS: Hey, there's a Denim Jacket in the game (I think it was the first new armor you can buy for Shion). =p

Indeed, Virgil is explained pretty nicely, and when you beat him you'll see some good cutscenes. He has a good steal item though, IIRC Max boost + 1

I have everyone learning skills, not just a specific line. Shion, Jin, KOS-MOS have up to A-6 on both of thier skill lines. I don't give Jin ether spells though. Everyone is able to break in that respect, and yet I have difficulties getting more than one break off in a boss battle. MOMO is the most powerful..and yet she just doesn't live long enough >.<.

Xerno, I don't think Denim has even checked this thread.

My opinion of Allen has changed so much with this game. He used to be incredibly annoying, but he 'grew up' in this episode. I'm quite impressed to say the least . It's just too bad with the love he has for Shion, it will never be requitted.







Jr. is beginning to piss me off and some of you may know why and it has a lot to do with Nigredo. All I have to say is I agree with Citrine just a little.

My respect for Allen really rose before the ending, but I'm not saying anything else =p

I'm right past the boss fight with Virgil in the church (which I assume was the last time). But now; after having missed stealing the lovely item from him once (but I've got it now, just did the boss fight again), it'd be nice to know which items I should definitely try stealing as well. I don't think giving the names of any bosses to steal from will spoil anything for me, I mostly know what to expect (for instance, having to steal from any Testaments really won't come as a surprise =p ).

I don't mind posting the items stolen from the bosses for you, but are you SURE you want that? I'll only go up to the boss I fought last .

Well, only the items that are considered useful. I only bothered trying to steal once (I think it was from Voyager) and I got a Venom Necklace (or something like that), which I found worthless compared to other stuff it can be replaced with.

So I'd rather not try stealing from bosses if it's not needed, it can make the difference between defeat or victory sometimes =p (hence why it would be easier to know which ones to steal from).

For collector's value here, I'll go for almost every rare item there is so I don't have a "why the ##### didn't I get that beforehand!?" moment and that includes the swimsuits. Too bad you can't steal anything from mech battles.

I know is that you can steal the rest of Shion's outfits from a Testament (Red) and his assistant. (Funny is one of them is a button shirt with a "good" stink. )

Well you wont fight another boss for sometime, but this one drops the Crescent Moon. What this does is increase the amount of skill points you get after battle. IMO it is a godsend if you're a skill farming freak like me who doesn't have a hard time getting Finish Strikes.

There ya go

Next boss, as stated above, drops the Crescent Moon

Boss after that (skipping over ES bosses of course, I mean on-foot bosses the whole time. Lots more ES battles =p) has a bracelet which has really good elemental resistance, and either way most bracelets suck so you might aswell get it

Boss after that has the Life Demon ring. It's actually useful, it sucks HP from an enemy on attack (love using it with multi hit attacks like Jr's Rodeo Spike or Storm Waltz) and increases HP and something else, either BL or EP. Forget =p

The next "boss" battle has you fight two people, where they both have really low HP and are weak, but both of em have an Alternate costume for Shion

Final on-foot boss just has a decent armor for Shion

Then there's the last boss, but no stealable items

Yeah, those are all the on-foot bosses left in the game, Disc 2 focuses a lot more on E.S. battles

Things you've missed - First boss you fight, with the two temporary characters had a Revive M XD

Annoying red thing where you get KOS-MOS has a barter item which you can eventually get from normal enemies

Then the dark skinned robot we all love had a ring with a decent break limit upgrade

Mai had a Kajic Neck, which I forget exactly what it did, and her pet robot just had an Ether Pack

Then blackie and his Venom Ring

U-Tic chick has something called Double Vestment, though I forget what it is =p

Then came Blue with his boost+1 and you know the rest

Man, @ Labryinthos, jeesh...they never shut up about the censors. A few areas, yeah they're odd without it. But they wanted all the blood and gore that was present all throughout the Japanese version. Sheesh. Honestly.

Anyway, not really Shion bashing so to speak. Her attacks are flashy and she does have some uses, but to me, her, MOMO, and Ziggy are a cripple to the party for the most part...in all three games. Their inflexibility is just annoying. Not as bad in this game, but still not up to par with Jin, KOS-MOS, Jr., and chaos. As a note, anyone else a bit disappointed in the severe decrease in KOS-MOS' ether points? She had a ton in 1 and 2, almost as much as Shion and chaos. But this one.....yikes! It's kinda crazy, esp since she has so many ethers and techs......oh well.

Yah, I'm on disc 2 (currently in Merkabah). So I've seen the cutscene with little Shion wanting to put back... air? xD Well, I'm not too bothered by it. But honestly, they shouldn't have removed the blood from that scene, it looked silly. Also, when Febronia got killed adding some non-gory little blood splatters wouldn't have hurt. They had it in Episode I aboard the Woglinde, so why not here? But all in all, it's not that big of a deal.

The thing with blood in Labby is the only thing to me that stood out.. And..I don't think I could handle seeing "graphic footage" of Feb being beat down, so I was glad for that edit atleast. That's one cutscene I will never view again, even with a replay. About KOS-MOS' EP, her tech attacks are cost effective though so even with less than 150 she can still manage. I think I have about 197 with her currently. Shion has 353 LOL.

With some accessories, my MOMO has over 400 XD

And while I'm not complaining about the (lack of) blood in general, that one scene just didn't look natural. I watched it in japanese, she simply had a small pool of blood in her hands and when it shifted to her father he had a pool of blood behind him, such as in Xeno1. At least on the Durandal scenes they actually blacken out the image before the shot >.>

That reminds me of that one time on the Kingdom of Loathing where I found a Denim Axe lying in a flea shop. And that picture in the Gallery Monty took like a year ago on his vaction of "Denim World".

Anyway.

Virgil's great. I'm glad he got as much focus as he did at that point in the game, as I've said before, he's one of my favorite characters in the series.